nicotine withdrawal and panic attacks

[momoftwo74]

Hi. After having quit for a year and a half I started smoking again this past Spring. (I also quit with both my pregnancies in the past for about 2 years each, 2000-2002, 2006-2008). I am determined to quit for good this time before I start to have smoking relarted issues (I am 37). Over the last month, I  weaned myself down from 1/2 pack of light cigarettes, to 1/4 of a pack, to 1-2 cigarettes this past week. Yesterday I finally went without a single cigarette, so I am now on day 2 cigarette free (yay!). Unfortunately, just a little while ago, I had a full blown panic attack secondary to a nicotine craving. Although I was treated for panic attacks about 17 years ago, I have not had them since then. I also did not get panic attacks with nicotine cravings/ withdrawal any of the other times I have quit. I am not on medication for anxiety or panic, and I dont wish to be. Has anyone else here also experienced panic attacks with nicotine withdrawal? Thanks.

MM

[MandaBeatz5]

I just had a panick a few moments ago from nicotine withdrawal. I dont want to take medication for it but i have to. I have severe panick attack disorter. It was so bad at one point that I wound up in friends hospital (a mental institution) for 5 days because no one would help me n i was about to commit suicide. I didn't want to dye but I couldn't take it anymore. I was suffering several times a day. Sometimes they felt like sezures because my body would get cold, I'de start shaking uncontrolably and it would make me upeverytime ide try to sleep. They were so bad i could sleep for over 4 days and started having micro naps. I havent had a full panick attack since May 5th. It makes me scared to quit smoking because ever since that happened I've become paranoid. Its hard to tell someone to "just come to terms" with such a tramatic experience. I lived everyday for 4 months thrinking i was going to dye because i have no control over the attack. I want to quit smoking so bad because its only hurting my health, but i can't handle the emotional trama of the panick attacks again. My advice to you is to learn breathing technics, breath into a bagger bag when it happens, pet your animals. Cats are great for that because they're purring is known to naturally calm a human. Also, find things to keep yourself busy. Don't think about the next panick attack because your just giving it fuel. When it happens get on the phone with a close friend let them no whats happening and have a conversation, it help calm down ur brain, and helps distract you. I am no doctor but I have spoken to many about panick attacks. I've also read books on how to control them. I am also very experiences in this area because I've gone threw it myself as you have read. I hope this helps.

[kathyjo]

Good girl, don't give in! Just remember who is in control of your life. Don't let it take away your power!
Good luck tomorrow....one day at a time : )

[momoftwo74]

Hi thanks for your input Kathyjo and Jade. I did not cave :) I just layed down on my bed for a few minutes until the rapid heart beat and shakiness subsided. It was hard, but I at least kind of remember how to get through it (from way back when I had a period of panic attacks). I agree with you on the emotional thing. Aside from the cravings, I am starting the "I miss it like a friend" phase. I remember that from the times I quit before, and I handled it by getting busy doing something. I have had 2 panic attacks today, one really rough one this morning and one milder one this afternoon. For both it started with a nicotine craving, then an "I dont feel so good feeling" as I continued to ignore it, then then the panic attack. Since it is the weekend, I will try to give it until tommorow until I cal my doc...Im not giving in!!!

[Jade59]

Hi and congrats on day 2!  You know, I had panic attacks with my first quit in 07.  In retrospect, the reason for them was I felt so good, I was taking half the meds I normally do which brought on horrible panic attacks that I don't normally have.  Just a thought for you.  If no medication is involved, then like Kathy said, you might want to talk with your dr for a little something to get you through the worst.  My quit 221days ago also brought on severe anxiety, but no attacks and to get through the worst, I did take a small amt of benzo during the day which was eventually eliminated.  Nothing wrong with taking something if it will get you through - it's more important to quit smoking.  There are hundreds of chemicals in cigarettes and with getting older, maybe your system has changed and you're reacting to the cessation of all those as well.  

Just hang in there!  The support on this board is what helped me more than I can say!  

[kathyjo]

You sound as if you have already reached the emotional level of your quit, and what you need to do is to come to terms with it. Like the death of a best friend, you must grieve it and bury it.
What helped me was to determine what caused my addiction and then I set about dealing with them. I think this is what you must do too. Once you work on those issues, I'm quite certain that the panic attacks will diminish.
I suffered from them and judging from the 3 years I have been participating on this board, I would say that more than half do too. It may even be close to 3/4, and that is why I feel it is important to understand our addiction.
One of my favorite articles at whyquit.com is "My Cigarette, My Friend?"  It helped me understand that I am not alone in believing the power that cigs had over me and it also helped me see how ridiculous it was : )
In the interim, you might want to see your doctor for a RX, short term, until you can get it under control. Don't cave, you are well on your way again but make this your last one.
Good luck and keep posting here.