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Depression Symptoms?
Hello all. I am a member of the Addiction/Substance Abuse forum who is two months clean from the Percoset I had to take after a serious arm surgery. The road back to mental health after the withdrawl has been long and hard. I am finally getting comforatable in my head again. I am now ready to take the next step and get off the cigarettes. I have been smoking a little less than a pack a day for almost 10 years.
The anxiety and depression was wicked and downright scary at times when I got off the medication. Any advice about what to expect with smoking cessation would be great. What was the overall effect on mental health?
Thanks!
Matt
The anxiety and depression was wicked and downright scary at times when I got off the medication. Any advice about what to expect with smoking cessation would be great. What was the overall effect on mental health?
Thanks!
Matt
Good going! As long as you're ready for the minefields and prepared to jump aside, that is half the battle. Minefields become fewer and farther between eventually, but always remember they're there and you will succeed :)
Exercise has SAVED me, let me tell you...
Exercise has SAVED me, let me tell you...
Yes, it is true- I rock hardcore. LOL
Just keeping up the good fight over here. Today I totally immersed myself in Christmas shopping and other preparations. I also got out my exercise equipment this afternoon and am going to impliment a nice schedule to follow this week.
Today was the hardest day as of yet. Tons of cravings and justifications to follow. Somehow I navigated myself out of that minefield.
Good luck all, and keep strong.
Matt
Just keeping up the good fight over here. Today I totally immersed myself in Christmas shopping and other preparations. I also got out my exercise equipment this afternoon and am going to impliment a nice schedule to follow this week.
Today was the hardest day as of yet. Tons of cravings and justifications to follow. Somehow I navigated myself out of that minefield.
Good luck all, and keep strong.
Matt
You are so right in having a good mindset and willpower. It looks like this is all a pleasant surprise for you as it is nothing like perc w/d, physically, but mentally, another story as you are finding out. The first week, I felt completely wired, but that seems to even out by the second week and it's Then one must be especially vigilant as the newness of the whole quit starts to wear off.
Also added to my quit this time is vitamin B12 which seems to have really worked wonders. A multi-vitamin might be an option if you don't already take one. Smoking really taxes the vitamin C as well as some B vitamins.
I love what you said "Everyone owes it to themselves to see just how managable it might be for them to just STOP. Cold Turkey. No B.S." Unfortunately, quitting smoking can be so scary ( I used the lozenge for 5days w/my first quit in 07, that's how scared I was) but if one can think of it more as an exciting new way of life, all the easier your quit will be. Or...as easy as quitting can possibly be lol...
Have a great day, Matt. Your doing just awesome!!!!
Also added to my quit this time is vitamin B12 which seems to have really worked wonders. A multi-vitamin might be an option if you don't already take one. Smoking really taxes the vitamin C as well as some B vitamins.
I love what you said "Everyone owes it to themselves to see just how managable it might be for them to just STOP. Cold Turkey. No B.S." Unfortunately, quitting smoking can be so scary ( I used the lozenge for 5days w/my first quit in 07, that's how scared I was) but if one can think of it more as an exciting new way of life, all the easier your quit will be. Or...as easy as quitting can possibly be lol...
Have a great day, Matt. Your doing just awesome!!!!
Smoking is more an emotional addiction and long after the physical withdrawals have gone, we all will have to fight off the urge to be comforted by our "best friend".
I don't know why we relegate them that status, but the truth is that when we are depressed, when we are angry, when we are feeling stressed, we instinctively reach for the only dependable thing in our lives, our cigarettes, our best friends.
So now that we see how unreasonable that sounds, then we have to correct the behavior.
For me, 40 years of smoking is ingrained in me and after 2 years quit there are times when I still find myself thinking about them. The upside is that I feel so much better then I did back then, I can breathe, I can jog and exercise and more important is that I have a sense of accomplishment...I took back my life and am in control ; )
I don't know why we relegate them that status, but the truth is that when we are depressed, when we are angry, when we are feeling stressed, we instinctively reach for the only dependable thing in our lives, our cigarettes, our best friends.
So now that we see how unreasonable that sounds, then we have to correct the behavior.
For me, 40 years of smoking is ingrained in me and after 2 years quit there are times when I still find myself thinking about them. The upside is that I feel so much better then I did back then, I can breathe, I can jog and exercise and more important is that I have a sense of accomplishment...I took back my life and am in control ; )
Thanks for the continuing support and advice!
I am still doing just fine. The cravings come and go, but are not severe. Perhaps I am doing well because I had been expecting something similar to the hell of opiate withdrawl. Compared to that physcial illness, this seems like a snap. Mentally and emotionally, this is more intense. There is a strong desire to smoke, but no physical ailments or depression. In fact, rather than being depressed, I am oddly energized and do already feel cleaner and optimistic. Not to minimize the sufferings of anybody having a tougher time than I am, but everyone surely must have a different personal reaction to quitting. Everyone owes it to themselves to see just how managable it might be for them to just STOP. Cold Turkey, No BS. Just do it. There is much to be said about true willpower.
I am still doing just fine. The cravings come and go, but are not severe. Perhaps I am doing well because I had been expecting something similar to the hell of opiate withdrawl. Compared to that physcial illness, this seems like a snap. Mentally and emotionally, this is more intense. There is a strong desire to smoke, but no physical ailments or depression. In fact, rather than being depressed, I am oddly energized and do already feel cleaner and optimistic. Not to minimize the sufferings of anybody having a tougher time than I am, but everyone surely must have a different personal reaction to quitting. Everyone owes it to themselves to see just how managable it might be for them to just STOP. Cold Turkey, No BS. Just do it. There is much to be said about true willpower.
You're doing it, Matt. Congratulations!! Sounds like you're doing everything right, too. I'm happy you're feeling so well. Glad to see you're drinking so much juice and water. The juice will help the drop in blood sugar which happens when we quit smoking, and help make you feel better.
You're doing awesome...keep it up!!! :)
You're doing awesome...keep it up!!! :)
Won't it be wonderful not to have to go outside every 15 to 30 minutes to have a smoke....depending on where you live, to freeze, overheat, get wet. To have you clothes and hair smell and hear everyone complain about how much you stink. To HAVE to leave the dinner table and miss some good conversation, just to feed the habit.
I don't miss any of that stuff and this Thanksgiving I will be very grateful that I get to spend a better quality life with my friends and family.
Hope your day 2 went as well as day 1 : )
I don't miss any of that stuff and this Thanksgiving I will be very grateful that I get to spend a better quality life with my friends and family.
Hope your day 2 went as well as day 1 : )
Thanks for the support! I actually bought a huge bag of dumb-dumbs today! So delicious.
I am trying not to munch too much, but am not concerned about that during the first week. Anything to get me some distance into complete sobriety. I am drinking tons of cranberry juice and water and have swapped coffee for hot tea. I do plan on taking a benadryl at bedtime in order to get some rest. Other than that, its all good for now.
I would imagine that I will be just fine by Thanksgiving. It is going to be nice to be free of that demon this year!
Matt
I am trying not to munch too much, but am not concerned about that during the first week. Anything to get me some distance into complete sobriety. I am drinking tons of cranberry juice and water and have swapped coffee for hot tea. I do plan on taking a benadryl at bedtime in order to get some rest. Other than that, its all good for now.
I would imagine that I will be just fine by Thanksgiving. It is going to be nice to be free of that demon this year!
Matt
You got through day 1 and into day 2, congrats Matt.
Don't stress about what you aren't feeling and what you expected, everyone is different and perhaps, because you know what you are getting yourself into, you have the resolve : ) There's a lot to be said about determination. Also, you realized that a crave only lasts a few minutes, good for you! Most people lose sight of that : )
Keep carrots and celery sticks on hand to help you through those craves....I used dum dum lollipops (I also gained 15 lbs.)
If you should have a shaky moment(s) then remember whyquit.com is a great source for help.
Keep it up!
Don't stress about what you aren't feeling and what you expected, everyone is different and perhaps, because you know what you are getting yourself into, you have the resolve : ) There's a lot to be said about determination. Also, you realized that a crave only lasts a few minutes, good for you! Most people lose sight of that : )
Keep carrots and celery sticks on hand to help you through those craves....I used dum dum lollipops (I also gained 15 lbs.)
If you should have a shaky moment(s) then remember whyquit.com is a great source for help.
Keep it up!
Today is day two for me and I am feeling really strong and positive about this choice to leave cigarettes behind. In truth, this is not nearly as miserable as I had projected. Sure, there are times of pretty severe restlessness and craving, but it does fade in less than five minutes. I have come to the conclusion that those five minutes are what kept me addicted to this poison for so long. Instead of falling apart and reaching for a cigarette, I am learning that it will pass and I will be better for not being so impulsive and weak.
I slept like a baby and have absolutely no headache. It makes me nervous, as if the other shoe is about to drop! We will see.
Later all.
I slept like a baby and have absolutely no headache. It makes me nervous, as if the other shoe is about to drop! We will see.
Later all.
Well, as promised, I have taken the leap and am now a non-smoker. It's only day one, but I do not intend on caving in. So far, so good.
Just remember to quit by the day and don't look to far ahead as it sometimes overwhelms us.
Today I will not smoke! Kick some butts!
Today I will not smoke! Kick some butts!
Thanks for the support. We will see how it goes. I just hope I am not a zombie on Thanksgiving! I will check in tomorrow and let you know that I am fighting the good fight. I am excited!
Matt
Matt
You know Matt, I don't know what I was thinking when I said what I did in my post 6hrs ago. I guess the really SEVERE w/d is 72hrs, but it certainly does continue at a different and lesser degree for several months, however, not by much. Of course, I am speaking only for myself.
I don't want you to be under the wrong impression here so I am correcting myself.
Good luck tomorrow!!!
I don't want you to be under the wrong impression here so I am correcting myself.
Good luck tomorrow!!!
Thanks for all the kind words and advice! I have decided to take the jump tomorrow.
I had never expected to get addicted to the percoset, considering the awful pain I was in it never occurred to me to keep them in check. I had never been a drug user and was shocked at the depth of misery I was plunged into after stopping the medication. That said, I learned a tremendous amount about my own strength during that time. It is true that sacrifice and pain will yield new life and opportunity.
After going through all of that, I cannot light up a cigarette without acknowledging that this is another addiction to be conquered. I hope that my body and mind are ready for this assault, because it is coming sure enough.
I am a pretty emotional guy, with some already present anxiety issues and emerging from depression earlier this year. So, this is going to be extra tough. Hang in there with me guys! Thanks again.
Congrats to all of you who are a step ahead of me, you give me hope!
Matt
I had never expected to get addicted to the percoset, considering the awful pain I was in it never occurred to me to keep them in check. I had never been a drug user and was shocked at the depth of misery I was plunged into after stopping the medication. That said, I learned a tremendous amount about my own strength during that time. It is true that sacrifice and pain will yield new life and opportunity.
After going through all of that, I cannot light up a cigarette without acknowledging that this is another addiction to be conquered. I hope that my body and mind are ready for this assault, because it is coming sure enough.
I am a pretty emotional guy, with some already present anxiety issues and emerging from depression earlier this year. So, this is going to be extra tough. Hang in there with me guys! Thanks again.
Congrats to all of you who are a step ahead of me, you give me hope!
Matt
See Matt, this is why these forums are so great. You get many different perspectives. I never got sick like kathyjo, just felt incredibly edgy and nasty for those few days. Felt like crying alot too...which I did...alot lol. Each person has a different experience, but the one thing in common we all have and I'm sure would agree, is the thought that a cigarette is the answer to our woes and if we would just take that first puff, it would all go away. You must keep in mind all the carcinegins and chemicals in cigarettes and how they have been affecting you for so long. Your body is getting rid of all those poisons and you will suffer some.
I have been smoke free for 64 days and it's still a struggle with a ton of anxiety, but I have an anxiety disorder in the first place and quitting smoking just amped all that up so bad, it was hard to get past, but I don't feel nearly as bad as a month ago so I keep that thought and think to myself how much better I will feel in yet Another month and so on...
I also had to deal with hot flashes for about 40 days straight, but I've never seen a male talk about having hot flashes after quitting smoking lol.
I have to say, I finally feel pretty good today with no thoughts of smoking whatsoever, so far...
I have been smoke free for 64 days and it's still a struggle with a ton of anxiety, but I have an anxiety disorder in the first place and quitting smoking just amped all that up so bad, it was hard to get past, but I don't feel nearly as bad as a month ago so I keep that thought and think to myself how much better I will feel in yet Another month and so on...
I also had to deal with hot flashes for about 40 days straight, but I've never seen a male talk about having hot flashes after quitting smoking lol.
I have to say, I finally feel pretty good today with no thoughts of smoking whatsoever, so far...
I hate failing and because of this I didn't tell anyone about my intentions. I used Chantix and, for me, it worked like magic but there are many others who will beg to differ with me. I joined this site after 4 weeks and it was by accident that I found it. I was so sick.....going on my second sinus infection, pleurisy and bronchitis to follow, all in the first 4 months and I was ready to smoke, just to feel normal again! I thought for certain that all of these things were because of my quit. I am so grateful to have stumbled onto this forum as I had another 3 months of illness before it stopped! The people here were the ones that got me through it.....teko & Jade as well as some others, they are why I was so successful in my quit.
My family never knew I was "quit" until it was about 2 months time. They will tell you now that they saw a change in me but just chalked it up to hormones : )
The busier you keep yourself, the better it is. Exercise, brisk walks, anything that is physical will really help. Being physical really helps our mental outlook. Make sure you recognize all of the changes in your life without them, even the subtle ones and you will won't ever want to go back to smoking.
I stopped smoking indoors many years before my quit but if you do, then I suggest getting your house/apartment painted, rugs cleaned and anything else that may hold onto the smell. I used to smoke in my car, but with the window open, thinking that it wasn't going to smell up my interior. Boy was I wrong. Took it to be detailed and it wasn't too bad.
Matt, we will be here for you.
My family never knew I was "quit" until it was about 2 months time. They will tell you now that they saw a change in me but just chalked it up to hormones : )
The busier you keep yourself, the better it is. Exercise, brisk walks, anything that is physical will really help. Being physical really helps our mental outlook. Make sure you recognize all of the changes in your life without them, even the subtle ones and you will won't ever want to go back to smoking.
I stopped smoking indoors many years before my quit but if you do, then I suggest getting your house/apartment painted, rugs cleaned and anything else that may hold onto the smell. I used to smoke in my car, but with the window open, thinking that it wasn't going to smell up my interior. Boy was I wrong. Took it to be detailed and it wasn't too bad.
Matt, we will be here for you.
Matt, it does literally take 72hrs for the nicotine to leave your system so for 3days, you may feel very on edge, but nothing like perc w/d, I guarantee that. What got me through the first 3days is to talk to myself by saying "okay, only 48 more hours to go" or "only 24hrs to go"...like that. After that, the physical is pretty much gone and now it's all mental.
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2m 3d 11:56 smoke-free, 642 cigs not smoked, $176.55 saved, 2d 5:30 life saved
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2m 3d 11:56 smoke-free, 642 cigs not smoked, $176.55 saved, 2d 5:30 life saved
Hi Matt, congrats on getting off the percs! That is an incredibly tough thing to do, but so worth the suffering once your on the other side as you have found out.
I don't have much to add to kathyjo's words or excellent advice. Yes, the nicotine is gone in 3days, but that is when the work actually begins.
This is awesome you're ready to take this step. You sound like you are ready to "go to work" which is what needs to happen. It takes work, dedication and a steel mindset to quit using cigarettes as an emotional crutch. Once you see it that way and understand why you smoke in the first place, it gets a tiny bit easier.
Good luck. We're here for you!!!
I don't have much to add to kathyjo's words or excellent advice. Yes, the nicotine is gone in 3days, but that is when the work actually begins.
This is awesome you're ready to take this step. You sound like you are ready to "go to work" which is what needs to happen. It takes work, dedication and a steel mindset to quit using cigarettes as an emotional crutch. Once you see it that way and understand why you smoke in the first place, it gets a tiny bit easier.
Good luck. We're here for you!!!
Kathy Jo,
Thanks for the kind words. I am pretty well versed, and understand what to expect. I just fear that the emotional symptoms may complicate or undermine my current sobriety. I suppose the real issue is that I am feeling better now,and hate the thought of going back to that dark place! But it must be done, so why not now?
Congrats on being smoke-free for so long! After how many days did you find that you were able to function reasonably well? After being down and out with the opiate withdrawl and recovery, my life has little room for idle time right now. You think I can manage to meet my work and family needs after a few days?
I appreciate it. Thanks.
Matt
Thanks for the kind words. I am pretty well versed, and understand what to expect. I just fear that the emotional symptoms may complicate or undermine my current sobriety. I suppose the real issue is that I am feeling better now,and hate the thought of going back to that dark place! But it must be done, so why not now?
Congrats on being smoke-free for so long! After how many days did you find that you were able to function reasonably well? After being down and out with the opiate withdrawl and recovery, my life has little room for idle time right now. You think I can manage to meet my work and family needs after a few days?
I appreciate it. Thanks.
Matt
Hi Matt and congrats on your percoset quit! Now that you have the mindset of a quitter it just may be helpful here.
In retrospect, there is a wonderful website, whyquit.com thst supports a cold turkey quit, but you can use a NRT and still acess the articles there. Look under "Education" column.
For me, reading these articles were what got me through some really tough times. As you begin your quit, the physical withdrawals will last about 72 hours. Everyones 3 days are different but I think we will all agree that it's difficult. It's what comes afterward that is the hardest part and that is where those articles come in handy. If you educate yourself as to WHY you smoke, then your fight gets a little easier.
Most of us here admit that long after the withdrawals are over it's the emotional addiction that we are truly fighting. Anxiety/depression seem to be everyones underlying problem and somehow we have confused a cig as the answer to all our problems. This is a behavior that has to be "unlearned."
Support is very important as you probably know from your other quit. We here are at different stages of our quit but we are a good bunch : ) We will be here when you are ready.
Kathy Jo
---
2y 1m 1w 2d 11:10 smoke-free, 16,967 cigs not smoked, $4,072.08 saved, 1m 4w 21:55 life saved
In retrospect, there is a wonderful website, whyquit.com thst supports a cold turkey quit, but you can use a NRT and still acess the articles there. Look under "Education" column.
For me, reading these articles were what got me through some really tough times. As you begin your quit, the physical withdrawals will last about 72 hours. Everyones 3 days are different but I think we will all agree that it's difficult. It's what comes afterward that is the hardest part and that is where those articles come in handy. If you educate yourself as to WHY you smoke, then your fight gets a little easier.
Most of us here admit that long after the withdrawals are over it's the emotional addiction that we are truly fighting. Anxiety/depression seem to be everyones underlying problem and somehow we have confused a cig as the answer to all our problems. This is a behavior that has to be "unlearned."
Support is very important as you probably know from your other quit. We here are at different stages of our quit but we are a good bunch : ) We will be here when you are ready.
Kathy Jo
---
2y 1m 1w 2d 11:10 smoke-free, 16,967 cigs not smoked, $4,072.08 saved, 1m 4w 21:55 life saved
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