Quit Tip

[historyteach]

"Quit Tip of The Day!

Anti-Depressants?

Some depression is caused by addiction (and abstinence from it); some is masked by addiction and uncovered during abstinence. You MAY need some type of med, natural or otherwise, to break the underlying depression patterns- OR- you may need to develop alternative methods of dealing with depression/anxiety (like deep breathing, meditation, physical exercise). Cognitive-behavioral therapy, while demanding the most participation at first, can be extremely effective in folks whose depression isn't purely organic in nature. St. John's Wort and Kava Kava are used by many ex-smokers to treat mild depression (though Kava Kava is actually an anti-anxiety herb- not usually helpful in treating more severe depression; it has a very mild tranquilizing effect). Early in your quit is usually too soon to be able to diagnose a chronic depressive tendency. Wait and see how you're feeling around the six-month mark (though you should stay in contact with your doc)."

Hope this helps. I used Zyban, and had a terrible reaction to it the last attempt to quit. Please use caution. Perhaps keeping a record and keeping in touch with your doctor.
(Zyban is the same thing as Welbutrin, and anti depressant. Studies found that some people were helped in their attempt to quit smoking with its use. It is marketed under a different name because Welbutrin is covered by insurance, while Zyban is not.)
However, other studies show that SOME people GET panic attacks due to using Zyban/Welbutrin. It actually CAUSES it is some. My neighbor is a shrink who did research studies on it, and found this to be the case!
As always, listen to your body!
Shalom!

[boop64132]

historyteach,
Dont know if I would want to use any kind of meds to stop smoking or not.They all pretty much scare me to death.I even hate to take Tylenol unless I really have to.

[VldNene]

If you're a woman smoking also can effect your hormones and quitting smoking can change them even further. I had a reaction to Zyban a few years ago when I tried it to quit smoking. I was an absolute basket case on it and had horrible nightmares etc.

I am experiencing some anxiety and depression but I'm not sure if it's due to my quitting smoking or the fact that the 3rd hurricane is waiting to ruin my life. I'm like Boop, I hate taking anything. It seems like I get really wild reactions to almost anything so I stay away from it all if I can.

Nene

[historyteach]

Nene;
I am praying for you and everyone in Fl right now. Jamaca too, as one of the mods is there, Peter. You people can't seem to get a brake right now, geeshhhh! My sister and BIL are in Fl and are worring over this one which seems to be heading straight for them this time.
They say it takes 6 months to differenciate the depression due to quitting smoking and clinical depression with a chemical imbalance in the brain. I would wait; perhaps take that herbal stuff, St. John's Wort if it became really bothersome.
Otherwise, remember to exercise. It releases "feel good" endorphines in the brain. So, mild depression due to quitting can be helped by exercise, sleeping right and eating right. - which we should all do anyway, LOL!
Wishing you well!
Shalom!

[dobber]

I too tryed zyban in an attempted to get my head in a place where I could quit. I had some very bad dizzy spells almost to the point of falling down. I think I felt pretty goofy too. Since a lot of my work is done on sccaffolding it wasn't very safe. Back to the drawing board.