YIKES!!! I came on here and searched quitting smoking and expected to see all these great things about how people feel so much better and have less anxiety now that they have quit smoking. I just got done reading more than like 5 posts from people saying how they never had a problem with anxiety until they quit...one woman rebounded and had to do this program again after recovering because she quit smoking. I am terrified to quit...terrified of withdrawal of ANY kind after experiencing a HORRIFIC withdrawal from Ativan and Xanax 5 years ago. In fact, every time I have a real bad anxious time, I start fearing that the withdrawal is coming back. I feel like a total nut case and would really appreciate any thoughts on this...am I just obsessing over scary thoughts or is my brain really weak?

Quitting smoking is the hardest thing to do!! I was a heavy smoker for 25 years . . . then, when I started feeling really awful--a hacking, phlemy cough, lungs filled with gunk, pleurisy, bad skin . . . I decided I really wanted to quit because I knew if I didn't, it would only get worse. Then my aunt died a horrible death from lung cancer. . . . I had this wonderful annoying boss who kept trying to convince me to quit . . . and at the same time, the airlines had just instituted a smoking ban on flights less than 2 hours and I was going on a trip from NY to Phoenix on a series of under two-hour connections, and I couldn't smoke! It was awful. When I finally got to Phoenix I couldn't WAIT to light up, but you couldn't smoke in the airport; you couldn't smoke in the restaurant we went to . . . so, by then, I had already gone several hours without smoking and decided this might be the time to quit! So I continued not to smoke--always with the idea in the back of my mind that if it got really bad, I would allow myself to have a cigarette. I never wanted to deny myself the right to smoke if I wanted to. . . . time passed . . . I was constantly, constantly tempted, but I never felt so bad that I wanted to give in . . . and after about 2 weeks, I noticed I was beginning to think about it a little less . . . and I enjoyed not smelling like smoke . . . I enjoyed the new tastes in my mouth . . . I enjoyed not having smoke in my eyes and in my face . . . I enjoyed exercising and eating a healthy diet . . . it all really felt good!!!

Staying away from smokers really helps, which is much easier to do these days . . .

I did gain weight, but I would have gained weight anyway, given the fact that the metabolism slows as you age. . . . but diet and exercise can work together to control that.

The benefits from not smoking are really terrific and worth the pain from craving--which is really just a void wishing to be filled--and which eventually goes away completely.

So that's my story. If I can do it, anyone can!!

Hi there
Please know that there are positive endings to those 'horror stories'!
I wrote to the forum when I first quit - Dec 1!! It was a tough month but here I am today - smoke free and prouder than ever. I have the power to overcome a very powerful addiction - I really am in control even when I feel that I am not.
Take care and keep trying to quit. It is truly the best thing you can ever do for yourself and the people you care about.
Rachel

Hi wiggybaby4us, hang in there, and give it a try. I quit 4 years ago because my son asked me. It's do-able. I used Zyban, and it was much easier than I thought it would be. Yeah, I gained some weight, but I've taken it off, and put it on, (lol), and taken it off. I can walk up hills, I can breathe, I can run, my clothing doesn't smell awful, my breath doesn't stink, my hair doesn't stink, I don't cough, or wheeze. I can keep up with my healthy husband, and even walk faster than he can. I can't find one drawback to quitting. Not a one.

I smoked for eh about 15 years, a pack a day, sometimes more. I am now amazed that I took so much time out of my day to go outside and smoke (I didn't smoke in house with family). In and out and in and out.

I didn't have any more anxiety quitting. My anxiety kicked in full throttle much later after quitting. If anything, I guess I think I smoked to mask anxiety and depression (always was an anxious person), something to do, a place to go when I was feeling restless.

You won't ever regret quitting. I promise. But you'll regret not trying.

Smoking is alot like antidepressants, for everyone that says it increased their anxiety - there is one that says it helped. It just depends on you, your body and your mind.
For me, I smoked for 10 years about a pack a day-sometimes more. I quit on New Years Eve and have been about 90% better. I am not as anxious as I was previous to quitting. Granted it has only been 49 days but I havent gained a pound or been more anxious. In fact, it was the best thing I ever did. It also gives you a goal to focus on and something other than your anxiety. TRY IT!! YOU'LL LIKE IT!!!!!!
Keep us updated.

Thanks so much for all of your inspiration!!! I am so sorry it took so long for me to reply...I have been really sick with a BAD stomach virus and did not make it down here to the basement in a really long time. I am still smoking...UGH!! I am not afraid to quit anymore..which is a really good thing. I was terrified that the anxiety would increase like it did for others I read about and wind up getting panic attacks like a month after I quit. My friend's aunt wound up in the ER a month after she quit smoking for 35 years with her first panic attack. The Dr. told her it was from not smoking anymore...withdrawal from nicotine...now she has resumed the nasty habit. I am just going to have to taper SLOWLY. Thanks again for all your support...you guys are so great!!!
Many Hugs,
Diane

Hi Wiggy --- good for you. It sounds like a good plan. Go for it, and good luck. Let us know how you're doing. Don't forget to fill that time with fun things. Keep the hands busy, keep your mind busy, and don't forget celery & carrots to keep the mouth happy. Good luck.

hi wiggy,
Unfortunately I am also a smoker. I also very much want to quit, but it is so hard. Plus I want to have a baby soon, and I dont want to get pregnant while I'm smoking. I have cut down alot though. From over a pack to about 7 or 8 a day.. I hope it works and i hope it works for you too. keep me updated on your progress.

I had a really bad Ativan withdrawl, too.. it was HORRIBLE.

I was taking it for shortness of breathe due to my anxiety.
I quit smoking cold turkey because of the breathing thing; I thought
it was because of smoking. (it wasn't)

Just wanted to tell you I made it through the ativan thing, and quit.


If you want to talk, just mail me.

i'm so glad I ran into these posts here. I smoke, and I hate it! I started smoking again, on thanksgiving, after three months of being smoke free. It was the most nerve wracking time of my life.

I was very anxious, and started crying for almost no reason in the beginning. Then I jsut became sad.

I started putting on weight,once I got off the patch, and quit my quit almost immediately. Then I became sad that I quit.

This is crazy. I don't want to quit, I don't want to smoke, and most of all I don't want to grow out of my clothes!

I just became a vegan last week and I quit drinking. I feel so much better but I need to quit smoking but im sooo scared of getting depressed or freaking out. I do have patches and I have used them before. I was smoke free for 2 weeks 2 years ago and did great buuuuuttttttt, my mom and my aunt smoke and im around them alot. when I quit for those 2 weeks i wasnt around them but as soon as i got back i started again. Not only does my mom smoke but i feel anxious around her. Ahhhhhh!!!! Im tired of smoking why cant I just give it up? i just get so scared! And I hate so much spending all that money!

I quit four years ago. It is the single most greatest accomplishment of my life. I smoked for 20 years. Then one day, I read an article about a 40 year old woman that died of lung cancer. For some reason, it just finally hit home. I don't want to get cancer one day and know that I did it to myself. I am 39 years old and I want to live for another 50+ years.

I love that I no longer spend time counting my cigarettes to make sure that I don't run out. I love that I no longer smell and when I wash my hair it actually smells like shampoo all day in lieu of smoke. I love that I can breathe deeply without coughing up mucus. When I answer questionaires in the doctor's office, I love being able to check non-smoker.

Since quitting, I have run a few marathons. I never would have been able to do that while smoking. You can quit. It is possible. You will feel so much better. Take baby steps. I do think it is easier to quit smoking if you quit drinking for awhile. Making a whole lot of changes at once is probably a bit much. (like diet, drinking, exercise, smoking)

Nikki