[Bigmike727]

Good day all,

Happy Easter to everyone. It's been a while since I last posted here, but I guess it is never too late to become involved in the community again. Anyways, I am reaching out to the smokers with bipolar in the community when I ask this question.

When you are going manic/hypomanic, does your smoking increase?

The reason I am asking is because I am entering an upswing in mood and my smoking is increasing dramatically. I know one of the symptoms of mania is increased drug use, but I was just curious as to whether this happens to anyone else aswell. In reality, I should not be smoking as it reduces the effectiveness of my Zyprexa, but for me it is something of a "necessary evil". Personally I don't want to give it up. Then again I am under alot of stress right now with the college semester ending and work along with finishing classes, so that may be triggering this increase aswell. I don't know, but was just curious to hear other's input.

Regards,

[raspberrytorte]

I've been smoking like a chimney lately. It's horrible! I don't know what mood I'm in right now though. I smoke a lot when I'm depressed because I'm an emotional smoker.

[Angelique67]

I always chain smoked. Just recently I substituted a good electronic cigarette and now I chain vape instead. I've already noticed I can breathe better and have more stamina.

[Bigmike727]

Thanks for the responses everyone.

Originally Posted by Angelique67

I always chain smoked. Just recently I substituted a good electronic cigarette and now I chain vape instead. I've already noticed I can breathe better and have more stamina.

You know, I always wanted to try e-cigarettes, but they are so hard to find over here. I may need to switch soon, because the government over here is making smoking standard cigarettes a really expensive pasttime lol.

[Wander]

When I am really agitated (a sign of mania) I smoke more too. I hate it and want to quit so I am planning to stop once I have finished this pouch of rolling tobacco. I am slowly weaning myself off so it hurts less when I stop. I know I will have to take extra meds to cope with the loss of tobacco but I think thats better than smoking as long as it doesn't become the norm.

[Bigmike727]

Originally Posted by Wander

When I am really agitated (a sign of mania) I smoke more too. I hate it and want to quit so I am planning to stop once I have finished this pouch of rolling tobacco. I am slowly weaning myself off so it hurts less when I stop. I know I will have to take extra meds to cope with the loss of tobacco but I think thats better than smoking as long as it doesn't become the norm.

Good luck with quitting. I tried quitting for Lent, but I only lasted about two weeks. Funny thing though, for awhile there, I quit smoking for like two years. Like one day I woke up and did not feel the need to smoke. But then that changed soon enough, and now here I am.

[emgreen]

Originally Posted by Bigmike727

I quit smoking for like two years...But then that changed soon enough, and now here I am.

Thanks for the reminder. I quit cold turkey about 9 months ago (I was a pack a day smoker for 30 years) & when I was manic my smoking became virtually non-stop. I figured I was spending upwards of $200 a month smoking. I read somewhere that the percentage of smokers among those with mental illnesses is higher than those of folks who don't have them.

There are still days when I wake up wanting a cigarette, so thanks again for the reminder. I know darned well that if I had one cigarette that would just lead to more.

BTW I love the picture of the crab!

[Bigmike727]

Originally Posted by emgreen

Thanks for the reminder. I quit cold turkey about 9 months ago (I was a pack a day smoker for 30 years) & when I was manic my smoking became virtually non-stop. I figured I was spending upwards of $200 a month smoking. I read somewhere that the percentage of smokers among those with mental illnesses is higher than those of folks who don't have them.

There are still days when I wake up wanting a cigarette, so thanks again for the reminder. I know darned well that if I had one cigarette that would just lead to more.

BTW I love the picture of the crab!

That is true, I think that I read somewhere that like estimations run as high as like 90% of schizophrenics smoke. For bipolar it is less I think, but still substantially higher than the average population. It is also worth noting that I started again when I was 16 when I was experiencing my first psychotic episode. (I have been smoking from 13/14) so that may have had some weight in starting again. Hoping that you stay off for good. Another factor that may be affecting my rate is the fact that we just got the Camel Crush over here (we get the European cigarettes so they are called "Activate") the ones with the bead in the filter that can change it into a menthol and they are the best menthols I have ever had since they have a peppermint type flavour to them. Like I can't get enough of them.

[Bigmike727]

Originally Posted by emgreen

Thanks for the reminder. I quit cold turkey about 9 months ago (I was a pack a day smoker for 30 years) & when I was manic my smoking became virtually non-stop. I figured I was spending upwards of $200 a month smoking. I read somewhere that the percentage of smokers among those with mental illnesses is higher than those of folks who don't have them.

There are still days when I wake up wanting a cigarette, so thanks again for the reminder. I know darned well that if I had one cigarette that would just lead to more.

BTW I love the picture of the crab!

Oh, and the crab is a Bahamian land crab, real fun to go out and catch. On my old island I used to have a blast crabbing.

[raspberrytorte]

I have an e-cig, and even a bunch of that liquid stuff, and I did quit with it. Eventually I just stopped doing it, like there was no longer the habit part, and I quit with ease.

Staying quit however... obviously has not happened. E-cig is just not the same. I could be vaping right now but am smoking instead. Sigh. Suppose everyone has their bad habits.

[Bigmike727]

Originally Posted by raspberrytorte

I have an e-cig, and even a bunch of that liquid stuff, and I did quit with it. Eventually I just stopped doing it, like there was no longer the habit part, and I quit with ease.

Staying quit however... obviously has not happened. E-cig is just not the same. I could be vaping right now but am smoking instead. Sigh. Suppose everyone has their bad habits.

I personally don't consider smoking as a bad thing, but not a good one either. Obviously the health implications are what people balk at, but hey I try not to smoke around other people unless they are ok with it, primarily so I can only be responsible for myself if you get what I mean. I would hate to cause someone health trouble through an action of mine, so I mainly smoke by myself. Like I said these Camel Crush are just so good, like whether you switch to menthol or not they are great. The thing I hate about European cigarettes though is the nicotine restrictions they have on them, like I believe an EU cig can only have 1mg of nicotine maximum. Some counteract that through perforations, but I prefer American cigs anyday, especially American Marlboro Reds, and I am itching to try Marlboro Smooths cause I hear they have a pepperminty flavour too.