Overreacting? Dramatizing?

Okay, yesterday and today, my mood has been much better. Day 11 and 12 of my quit was horrible as you all know. I half expected to open the front door only to see a tall priest with dark, smoldering eyes here to pay a visit with a bucket of Holy Water. (The mood I was in, I'd have beat the crap out of him too.) Day 13 and 14, I'm a regular Tinkerbell thinking my happy thoughts. Weird, huh? I sure hope everyone else is doing better. Hugs, Tutti [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/18/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 14 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 671 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $42 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 1 [B]Hrs:[/B] 13 [B]Mins:[/B] 59 [B]Seconds:[/B] 8

Anxiety

KiwiKeith, Anxiety/Depression/Panic is a strange thing and effects people in so many different ways. Some people will just break out in a rash without that terrible feeling of anxiety. If I were you though, I would get a second opinion if for no other reason than to give you that peace of mind. I think your doctor is probably right but, there's no better medicine than peace of mind if you're at all in doubt. The thing to remember too for you, so that you won't become worried, is that your chest x-ray is clear. You have a clean bill of health there and that's wonderful. Do you feel the shortness of breath/tightness in the chest at any other time besides those three that you listed? (Driving, walking down the street, and watching TV) I'm really curious about that because Driving is mainly when I'll have an attack. I won't have an attack while driving as long as someone is with me and that someone has to be a person that I completely trust and feel comfortable talking to. See, when I go to town alone, I'll think about having an anxiety or panic attack while I'm walking out to the car. So, I've got that dread already there. I've sort of jinxed myself in a sense. Now that I'm on medication, I'll feel real nervous about going to town alone but, I won't have an attack. Thank God. Another time that I'll have an attack is walking down the street. Again, if I have someone with me that I trust, the attack won't happen and I won't even think about it. But, if I'm alone, I tend to have an attack. The difference is, I DO feel the attacks coming. Whether it's anxiety alone or a full blown panic attack, I feel it coming. I believe in both cases, whether it's driving or walking down the street, FOR ME it's not so much a fear of people as it is that feeling of being closed in......stuck in the mob of cars or people with no way to get to an escape route. I never have an attack while watching TV. Well, I do feel anxiety NOW....now that I've Quit smoking. But, that has eased off a lot over the last two days since I've given up caffeine. I use to sing with a band and never felt anxious AFTER I was up on stage. I felt anxious before I walked up on stage. In fact, I thought someone would have to drag my skinny butt up there a lot of times. ha

been anxious for days...

Hi April, are we having fun yet? ha ha ha ha Come on girl, hang in there with me. I know this will get better. We have to stop looking, dwelling, and waiting for it to get better and allow our bodies to heal. It doesn't feel good but you've already come so far. Just hang on and you'll see it getting better. I had to horrible days, my 11th and 12th Day but I stopped drinking as much water as I needed. Make sure you're still drinking a lot, a lot, a lot of water. Okay? Keep talking to us. Vent all that you need to. I'm right here with you and I know we can do this. Hugs, Tutti [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/18/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 14 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 664 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $42 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 1 [B]Hrs:[/B] 13 [B]Mins:[/B] 30 [B]Seconds:[/B] 42

It's a very tough morning

Did you read that post called "Withdrawal List?" Depression, anxiety, and panic attacks are part of the symptoms. I was shocked. You know, I fell into a deep depression after being diagnosed with Diabetes. It felt like I was in a Black Hole and couldn't get out of it. I'd find myself sitting for hours, then look at the clock, shocked at how much time passed by, and wonder what I had been thinking about for all of that time....If anything at all. It was horrible. I didn't do anything, rarely even dressed for the day, and didn't want to talk to anyone at all. I would cry but then reached the point where I didn't even have the energy to cry. Honestly, if my quality of life wasn't going to improve, it wouldn't have hurt my feelings a bit if I didn't wake up the next morning. I wouldn't have hurt myself but didn't care if I died. All of that started because of that huge lifestyle change. Being told I am diabetic, the shots, pricking my fingers 4 to 6 times a day, the diet...oh, that diet, and the expense of it all. Let's face it WhyNot, Quitting smoking is a HUGE lifestyle change too. If you were like me, smoking was one of those "me" things. You know, one of those things that I had just for myself. And when I quit, I really did feel like I was losing a dear companion. I know better than that but I did feel that way never the less. Any huge upset in your lifestyle or routine can trigger depression. I know how you feel about taking medicine. I've felt that way too but you know what? When the depression hung on to me and I couldn't shake it off, I decided I'd give medicine a whirl. I couldn't get myself to fight hard enough to pull out of the depression on my own. And being on medicine is better than being in that deep, dark, black hole. I'm not on medication now for depression. I was only on it for a few months and it did help me. Lexapro is the medication I took. It gave me leg up and then, I fought like hell. I kept myself busy and I accepted that I'm diabetic. Weird thing is, since I quit smoking, my anxiety has returned. I don't mean just tension. I mean those slap you in the face anxiety attacks with shortness of breath, rapid heart rate, hot and sweaty, tightness in the chest, and bordering panic. This Quit thing

Worried about depression

WhyNot and Happy, I found this on a post from a while back and I wanted it bumped. It's called Withdrawals and it's under the forum of coping with withdrawal symptoms. I cut one small section which covers depression, anxiety, and panic attacks. It's a little complicated and I sure would like to have it in Layman's terms. LOL Let see if this helps. A Quit DOES trigger anxiety, panic, and depression. But here's the thing, which came first with you guys? The addiction to cigarettes or depression? Studies are starting to show that Nicotine is actually causing depression, anxiety, and panic. Then when you Quit, you have a bout of it. I've been really studying this and would like for the two of you to comment on the Anxiety post. Here's what I found under withdrawals. Depression ,Lifelessness, Moodiness ,Irritability Sleeplessness ,Anxiety/Panic, Fogginess The physical brain is composed of millions of cells called neurons. In some ways, neurons act like computers. They receive and process messages and then send new messages to other neurons. The messages are transmitted using chemicals called neurotransmitters. Depending on the neurotransmitter used (more than 50 are known so far) the receiving neuron "understands" a certain type of message. The major neurotransmitters are acetylcholine, dopamine and norepinephrine (also called noradrenaline), serotonin. Within 10 seconds of inhaling tobacco smoke, nicotine reaches the brain and begins to act on a specific set of neurons, the working cells of the brain. On each of these neurons are receptors, which are like slots or keyholes onto which brain chemicals called neurotransmitters attach, causing the brain to transmit messages. Nicotine fits into one of the receptors acted upon by acetylcholine, one of several neurotransmitters in the brain. This causes the brain to release causes the release of neurotransmitters including dopamine, noradrenaline, acetylcholine, vasopressin, serotonin and beta-endorphin. Nicotinic cholinergic receptors in the adrenal medulla are also activated leading to the release of adrenaline and beta-endorphin. One of the most potent neurotransmitter is Dopamine. Dopamine makes you feel good, confident, relaxed and gives you a general sense of heightened well-being. Coca

1st smoke free day

nsgirl, How is Day 3 treating you? Please keep us posted, okay? We're here for you anytime you need us. You CAN do this and we're all here to help. Tutti [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/18/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 14 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 651 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $42 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 1 [B]Hrs:[/B] 12 [B]Mins:[/B] 46 [B]Seconds:[/B] 13

Positive Parade

Anna, I love this and sure hope lots of folks join this parade. Just yesterday I thought to myself, "Self, I believe you need to hear some positive thoughts. Lots of them." My thought is: I love the fact that my body is feeling stronger despite the cravings. My lungs are really clear. I have a grandbaby on the way so, I'm going to be much healthier, happier, and feel like playing with my little grandchild without running out of air. More than one positive thought but I couldn't leave any of those things out. Great Parade!!!! Tutti [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/18/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 14 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 651 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $42 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 1 [B]Hrs:[/B] 12 [B]Mins:[/B] 46 [B]Seconds:[/B] 58

It's a very tough morning

Hi WhyNot, Thank you for the encouragment. I really appreciate it so much. Oh no, I'm not going back. I made a mistake by stopping my water intake and staying really busy. I've increased my distractions and am drinking lots and lots of water again. The last two days have been pretty good. This morning I bad cravings but, the water has helped a lot. I would have to kick my own ass if I messed up now. ha ha ha ha ha Can you imagine going through those first three days again? Oh yea, I'd have to smack myself around pretty good if I messed things up now. I'm so sorry about your depression. I started a thread on Anxiety but it covers depression too. There are a lot of folks who are experiencing anxiety/panic/depression AFTER their quit. I found a really good old post last night that covers that topic too. I have it saved and can share it with you. Depression is horrible. Please, keep talking to us, we're here to help you too. When did your depression start? Was it from Day 1? Please stay in touch. I'm here anytime you want to talk. And you're right, we can do this together. Stay Strong!! Hugs, Tutti [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/18/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 14 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 651 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $42 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 1 [B]Hrs:[/B] 12 [B]Mins:[/B] 48 [B]Seconds:[/B] 51

Anxiety

The information below was sent to me by a friend who has been studying anxiety/panic attacks. My friend has also suffered from this disorder and was a smoker who is now a NON SMOKER: Just to let everyone know the anxiety you have been feeling for years may be caused by something you never would have suspected. Finally I came across something that rocked my world�Nicotine has been known to cause anxiety. You sit there and think I have had anxiety for years and smoking always helped me with a �Panic Attack�. Ok it used to help me too however I found myself thinking �which came first the anxiety or the addiction�. I know I smoked at least 6 years before my first Panic attack. After my first attack however I picked up a cigarette and it helped calm me down (Why I don�t know). After years of anxiety and smoking, my mind just associated smoking with anxiety (a little treat). I was rewarding myself for having an anxiety attack with a cigarette. How the nicotine receptors loved that. After I quit smoking I was having some of the worst anxiety ever. I wanted to cry, scream, yell, and curse. I was blaming myself the whole time. Thinking what is wrong with me? After three extreme days I decided to go online and find myself a cure. What I found was even more important than a cure it was the answer to my problem. What I found out is the Nicotine COULD be the cause of all my anxiety. They have found that Nicotine blocks a chemical receptor in the brain called a Nicotinic Receptor (I am not making this up). These receptors cause several reactions in the body. They are responsible for the release of many chemicals in the body that are connected with certain emotions. So now I think �Hey this anxiety isn�t my fault.� When I do feel a panic attack coming I just get angry and curse at the tobacco companies for doing this to me. How dare they not inform me more about the effects of nicotine. If you don�t believe me there are plenty of studies online that will correlate the two. Type in "Nicotine cause of Anxiety" into Google and you will get plenty of hits. So next time when you get anxious just remember this, the nicotine receptors in your brain now want their reward. They are using the thing that scares people (causing th

Anxiety

There are many members who have contacted me, hoping to see this thread continue on for a while. Changing, your post is excellent and very informative. We can all exchange our personal coping techniques with eachother. That would be great. It is the truth that nicotine is a stimulant and actually makes anxiety/panic attacks worse. I spoke with a friend last night and she gave me that same information and I studied online last night. Caffeine is a stimulant as well. From what I studied last night, while smoking the nicotine may seem as if it's relaxing you but, it is actually making anxiety worse. After speaking with my friend last night, several studies I found on the Internet also indicated that nicotine may in fact CAUSE anxiety/panic attacks in patients who never had suffered from them before. Where I'm still a little blurry, since this is a new study for me, is why the anxiety/panic attacks can return when we Quit smoking. In other words, nicotine can cause the disorder to begin with yet, we can have more trouble when we quit. Hopefully, the panic/anxiety/depression will be corrected since we have quit. April asked a good question in her post. Did you suffer from anxiety attacks first or were you addicted to nicotine first? After studying, I can clearly see why she asked that question. It's a very good question. Myself, I was addicted to nicotine for 10 years before I ever had the first anxiety or panic attack. Did the nicotine cause the addiction or was there an underlying panic disorder that came to the surface? It's worth looking into because Kiwi is right, anxiety will kick your butt. We've quit smoking and I'm thrilled about that and very committed to my quit. I'll be damned if anxiety/panic attacks are going to debilitate us. I do not want to see one of us who suffers from anxiety, to slip back into smoking in hopes that it will relieve our anxiety. It won't. Answers to questions about our anxiety will help us. Please, share you coping skills. Your coping skills may help someone else. If your anxiety/panic is interfering with your ability to drive, work, leave the house, or function in some other way, please talk to your doctor. That's a must and there's no shame it. This is an illness like any other and it must be