quitting smoking this week...scared of getting worse anxiety

[erin626]

I've decided to quit smoking this week to become healthier. I know in the long run that not smoking will most likely help my anxiety but I'm fearful of the first couple weeks since I know that quitting can cause anxiety and panic which I already deal with. Has anyone with anxiety quit smoking successfully? I'm calling my doc tomm to refill my xanax to help during the nicotine withdrawals but I'm really scared.

[TramadolAddict]

Yeah, I totally understand about the anxiety thing and needing the Xanax while getting off of the smoking. Klonopin is said to be the second strongest Benzo, just below Xanax. Klonopin takes longer than Xanax to work, but lasts longer because of the longer half-life Klonopin has. I am going to tell my doctor about it a week from today when I meet with her. I'm hoping for the best. But, if she increases the dose, then I'll eventually build a tolerance to that dose and it's going to be harder to wean off of the med eventually when we can't increase anymore. It's frustrating. Plus, I've tried like 8 or 9 other anti-depressants and none have helped my anxiety and depression. I am so frustrated. :P I just got off Tramadol 10 days ago cold-turkey. It was prescribed for my anxiety and depression until it stopped working due to my building up resistance and the dose can't be increased due to seizure risks.

[erin626]

I try not to take xanax that much..but I have a feeling ill need it when I quit smoking. I know that the withdrawal is just going to exacerbate my anxiety.

I don't know much about klonopin. I've never taken it. Did you tell your doc about the tolerance?

[TramadolAddict]

I've been considering quitting as well. I suffer from chronic anxiety, OCD, GAD, PTSD, and Panic Disorder. I loved Xanax, but my doctor would not keep me on it. I am on Klonopin now, but am building up tolerance to my 1 mg twice a day prescription.