relapse - SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information

historyteach · 07-06-2004, 03:37 PM

Well, I fell. :cries2:
I've been smoking for 3 days now.
As you know, I was having a reaction to the meds. Doc said I was having a nicotine overdose. However, my neighbor is a shrink. She has done much research on smoke cessation and meds associated with it. (Wish I had know that long time ago, LOL!)
Guess what?
Zyban, (welbutron), CAUSES panic attacks in some people!!!
I was having panic attacks.
ARGHHH!!!!!
Not only that, but, years ago, I went through a horrible time. I was having panic attacks, went to doctor, put on anti-anxiety meds and more. Due to stuff with my son, both the doctor and I figured it was a reaction to the BS of my son's heroin addiction that was causing these panic attacks. Anyway, I ended up in hospital, wanted to die, on MEGA medications, was told to go on permanent disability and stay on meds the rest of my life..... I was STONED out of my mind! Thankfully, I had the fortitude to bag up all the meds, and hand them to my doctor, saying I don't want them - keep them. The psychiatric community warned me I was doomed; I would end up in the hospital again - or worse; that I NEEDED this medication to live and function.
I had never had any prior psychiatric condition at all! Even one of the shrinks commented on that, saying it was very unusual for someone in their 40s to start having these types of problems.
Well, figure this. I was trying to quit smoking when it all happened! Yep, on zyban! And, yep, same panic attacks precipitated all of the above!
I cannot believe this!
I do not blame my doctor or anyone else. I just want to share what happened.
And, I know I have to quit smoking again. Right now, I am reeling a bit over this whole thing.
So, folks, please be aware. Zyban may help some people, but, for me, it almost took my life - literally and figuratively. I attempted suicide once as a result of everything that was happening to me. I thought I was loosing my mind! And I was - medicinally. And, I was told to give up my life and become "disabled" or suffer serious consequences.
I am on the path of ridding my system of zyban now.
I fully intend to quit smoking once again, but, I feel like I need to stabalize myself from this poison.
This was a learning experience for me. And that, is a good thing.
Thanks for listening.

**Ann** · 07-06-2004, 08:22 PM

Teach

Get yourself stabilized and give it another shot when you're ready. Something to think about, quitting cold turkey or tapering off until you quit is really not so bad. The nicotine is out of your system in 72 hours and after that it's just getting past the mental cravings.

I'm not saying this way is for everyone, but for me it never made sense to quit cigarettes but take in nicotine with patches or gum and prolong the agony. And for my nervous tension I just took a lot of walks and a lot of bubble baths and chewed a lot of sugerless gum.

Deep breathing and finding something else to focus on when I crave has worked so hard, and yes I still struggle but the bad days are not so frequent now.

Hope you are feeling better soon.

Hugs
Ann

smoke gets in my eyes · 07-06-2004, 09:58 PM

I'm with you Ann. "Prolonging the agony" was just how I felt.

Get back on your feet Teach, then get back up on that horse that threw you. It'll happen.

Hugs!

historyteach · 07-07-2004, 03:06 PM

Thank you!

07-06-2004, 03:37 PM	#1 (permalink)
historyteach To Life! Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 9,303	relapse Well, I fell. :cries2: I've been smoking for 3 days now. As you know, I was having a reaction to the meds. Doc said I was having a nicotine overdose. However, my neighbor is a shrink. She has done much research on smoke cessation and meds associated with it. (Wish I had know that long time ago, LOL!) Guess what? Zyban, (welbutron), CAUSES panic attacks in some people!!! I was having panic attacks. ARGHHH!!!!! Not only that, but, years ago, I went through a horrible time. I was having panic attacks, went to doctor, put on anti-anxiety meds and more. Due to stuff with my son, both the doctor and I figured it was a reaction to the BS of my son's heroin addiction that was causing these panic attacks. Anyway, I ended up in hospital, wanted to die, on MEGA medications, was told to go on permanent disability and stay on meds the rest of my life..... I was STONED out of my mind! Thankfully, I had the fortitude to bag up all the meds, and hand them to my doctor, saying I don't want them - keep them. The psychiatric community warned me I was doomed; I would end up in the hospital again - or worse; that I NEEDED this medication to live and function. I had never had any prior psychiatric condition at all! Even one of the shrinks commented on that, saying it was very unusual for someone in their 40s to start having these types of problems. Well, figure this. I was trying to quit smoking when it all happened! Yep, on zyban! And, yep, same panic attacks precipitated all of the above! I cannot believe this! I do not blame my doctor or anyone else. I just want to share what happened. And, I know I have to quit smoking again. Right now, I am reeling a bit over this whole thing. So, folks, please be aware. Zyban may help some people, but, for me, it almost took my life - literally and figuratively. I attempted suicide once as a result of everything that was happening to me. I thought I was loosing my mind! And I was - medicinally. And, I was told to give up my life and become "disabled" or suffer serious consequences. I am on the path of ridding my system of zyban now. I fully intend to quit smoking once again, but, I feel like I need to stabalize myself from this poison. This was a learning experience for me. And that, is a good thing. Thanks for listening. __________________ IMAGINE

07-06-2004, 08:22 PM	#2 (permalink)
Ann Forum Leader Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: By The Lake Posts: 25,192	Teach Get yourself stabilized and give it another shot when you're ready. Something to think about, quitting cold turkey or tapering off until you quit is really not so bad. The nicotine is out of your system in 72 hours and after that it's just getting past the mental cravings. I'm not saying this way is for everyone, but for me it never made sense to quit cigarettes but take in nicotine with patches or gum and prolong the agony. And for my nervous tension I just took a lot of walks and a lot of bubble baths and chewed a lot of sugerless gum. Deep breathing and finding something else to focus on when I crave has worked so hard, and yes I still struggle but the bad days are not so frequent now. Hope you are feeling better soon. Hugs Ann __________________ “Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” ~Winnie the Pooh~

07-06-2004, 09:58 PM	#3 (permalink)
smoke gets in my eyes Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: That's what I'd like to know. Posts: 2,421	I'm with you Ann. "Prolonging the agony" was just how I felt. Get back on your feet Teach, then get back up on that horse that threw you. It'll happen. Hugs! __________________ It is better to have loved and lost than to live with a psycho for the rest of your life. 21st century proverb

07-07-2004, 03:06 PM	#4 (permalink)
historyteach To Life! Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 9,303	Thank you! __________________ IMAGINE

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