[manicminer]

Has anyone else tried to quit cigarettes and experienced a sharp increase in BP symptoms?

[Clinte89]

Im not a smoker so no idea. But I have heard nicotine having mood stabilizing properties. So maybe. I cant remember where I heard that so dont quote me on it.

[manicminer]

Originally Posted by Clinte89

Im not a smoker so no idea. But I have heard nicotine having mood stabilizing properties. So maybe. I cant remember where I heard that so dont quote me on it.

Well my discharging p-doc told me he never recommends his patients quit smoking right away. "It's just too good of a mood stabilizer."

[Clinte89]

Ah well I guess i was right lol

[Victoria'smom]

I never thought of that... Shortly after quitting smoking I became homeless for the first time.

mine told me that i HAVE TO EXCERCISE when i quit smoking. if that helps

[faerie_moon_x]

I don't smoke but my MIL does and she has bipolar 1. And, I tell you what, when she doesn't have cigarettes she becomes a whole different person. It definately effects her; she becomes extremely angry. There's a lot of tension to be around her when she's in that mood. Once she has cigarettes again she becomes really nice and back to her normal self.... it's very difficult to live with.

I personally believe that's part of the addiction to cigarettes is they shift your mood. But I recently read an article that it's a fake shift. Although it feels like you lower your stress, it's only an illusion in your mind. Your body continues to react to the stress in the same way, but your brain doesn't realize it.

I personally think if she could get away from cigarettes that at first it would be hell for all of us, but after time she would even out. She really wants to quit but has 0 will power against it.

[Clinte89]

Well I know my parents used to smoke and if they didnt have a cigarette near by they would get all upset and anrgy at each other and sometimes at us. But that may be because they had such a severe addiction to them.

[Trippin2.0]

Smoking doesn't relax is, its the breathing that does the trick.

The way we breath while lighting up is VERY similar to breathing exercises that curb panic attacks, and the nicotine fix is the cherry on the cake.

I dont go cookoo without my smokes though, I get a bit irritated for like an hour, but then I'm over it. I used to stop for months at a time just to detox my lungs. Now I stress way too often and the comfort of a cigarette is too alluring to give up.

Also, I read that nicotine is out of your system after 72 hrs already, thereafter its mental torture you deal with after giving up such longterm addicting habit.
Depending on the personality type, smoking can be more habitual than addiction. Me for instance, I'm a ritualitstic smoker, barely smoke inbetween rituals unless I'm stressed. But that's because I dont have an addictive type personality.

Oh yes my point
For best results, ALWAYS replace one habit for another.

Good luck

btw, my mom quit 3 weeks before my dad died, after 42yrs of smoking. Its been 3 yrs now and she has never lit up, so it is possible

[cocoabeans]

When I tried to quit smoking in the past the irritability, anxiety, insomnia and depression that is common for those quitting smoking to feel for a few days or weeks never went away. I was obsessed with thinking about another cigarette too which would of course, make me feel more anxious and guilty about needing cigarettes. I found Wellbutrin very helpful for awhile but, ended up smoking again.

I know I'm using cigarettes to cope with my mood issues so, it makes sense that when I quit I feel worse. I need to work on replacing smoking with something healthier. Smoking was what I replaced cutting with so, I need to move up a step to a healthier alternative. I've been practicing meditation specifically mindfulness which helps tremendously with anxiety and even seems to stop me from going off on some depressive tangent in my brain but, enough to quit smoking for good? Even when my mood is thrown so far out of wack I can't breath? I don't know about that.