Depression Symptoms?

[TakingAction]

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

[kathyjo]

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!

[TakingAction]

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

[kathyjo]

Good for you Matt. We are here for you!

[Jade59]

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!!!

[TakingAction]

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

[Jade59]

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...