Stop smoking panic attacks.

Posted by littleonefmohio @littleonefmohio, Mar 28, 2018

I am hoping someone can help me with this. I have been trying to stop smoking again. I thought I was doing good, like I always do. I was wearing the smoking patch and have been on them for over 2 weeks. Yesterday I had a panic attack. This seems to happen every time I try and quit smoking which takes me right back to smoking. I thought for sure I would make it this time. Does anyone have any suggestion as to what to use to help me with these panic attacks while trying to quit? I was on Wellbutrin before and it help me to quit but a month hit of being on it and I started getting very mean and bad thoughts so had to get off of it. Any and all suggestions appreciated.

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@merpreb

@trellg132- Great!! Keep on going now!.. What's happening with your new pain? How did it start? Were you very active before?

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Yes I was a little more active before

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@trellg132

Yes I was a little more active before

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@trellg132 - that could be it. I know that when we put our bodies at stress, like quitting smoking we tend to focus on every little body anomoly. If the pain is new then see your PCP. Have you ever had a CT scan or chest X-ray (recently)?

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@merpreb

@trellg132 - that could be it. I know that when we put our bodies at stress, like quitting smoking we tend to focus on every little body anomoly. If the pain is new then see your PCP. Have you ever had a CT scan or chest X-ray (recently)?

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No ct scan but doctor says chest xrays look good just recently was told I have asthma

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@merpreb

@trellg132 - that could be it. I know that when we put our bodies at stress, like quitting smoking we tend to focus on every little body anomoly. If the pain is new then see your PCP. Have you ever had a CT scan or chest X-ray (recently)?

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I've also seen a cardiologist I've had heart monitor I've had lungs checked

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Ive been experiencing the same thing. Panic attacks when quitting smoking for the 2nd time now. Did it go away for you though? Like naturally?

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Breathe deep, in an out, get calm, stay clear headed, keep your willpower, think of all the reasons why you're quitting. I had a few family members die from smoking, my aunt developed emphashema and was on oxygen for life and died as Covid hit from pneumonia. I have esophagus cancer stage 3 and never smoked. You want to avoid cancer and it's side effects at all cost

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@kechapi

Ive been experiencing the same thing. Panic attacks when quitting smoking for the 2nd time now. Did it go away for you though? Like naturally?

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Welcome to Mayo Connect @kechapi. I'm glad you found this group. It's not easy quitting smoking. Nicotine is the most addictive substance on the planet. People going through heroin withdrawals or alcohol withdrawals or other drug withdrawals experience physical symptoms, pain, and other terrible symptoms. For smokers, the actual physical symptoms are so mild, but it's quite a strong reaction in our minds. That is where the withdrawal takes place for smokers. So while we don't writhe in pain, we still have the terrible mental withdrawals. They do go away. The more distance you put from your last cigarette and today, the less the anxiety about having one gets. The only way to quit smoking is the one that works for you. For me, I quit cold turkey. Five years cigarette free and free from being controlled by a little, stupid object that lied to me every single day. Five years, and here is something I am embarrassed to admit about myself. I was SO afraid when I was quitting that I would panic, be so stressed, and what if it was 3 O'clock in the morning and I needed a cigarette? So when I smoked my last cigarette, I had a full un-opened pack and the pack I smoked only one from and I put them in my freezer. I knew they were there. I felt so much better knowing if I was going down, they were there. Like a fire extinguisher behind a case: break glass in case of emergency. But I never broke the glass. Just knowing they were there, just in case, gave me great comfort. Like I say...we are all different and what worked for me, may not work for anyone else. But after 42 years of dedicated smoking, I haven't had one in over five years. And I had some tremendous, life changing stress that came into my life right after I quit. I am so grateful I didn't cave in to the lying little creeps, stuck in my freezer...waiting for me to fail. Allen Carr's book, The Easy Way to Quit Smoking really helped me. Because it spoke to the mental/psychological side of cigarette addiction. A couple of things that helped my in the beginning: I bought some hot cinnamon candy from the Dollar Store. When I wanted a smoke, I'd unwrap one of these and the heat/taste would get me through the five minutes it takes for the craving to go away. I also broke some habits. Such as when I watched TV in the evening, I would always smoke during commercials. Instead, I would sort my sock drawer, straighten my linen cabinet, or pantry. It helped get my hands and mind busy and off the craving. If you slip, don't just throw up your hands and tell yourself, well, I can't because I'm too weak/stressed/overwhelmed/old/young/smart/dumb/add your own label...today maybe you did. But tomorrow, make it be the day you chose to be free from the lies nicotine tells you. You will never regret quitting. Never. You have nothing to lose and so much to gain. How long have you been trying to quit?

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@stressedmesseddepressed

It took me three attempts to quit smoking. I got rid of everything in my environment that reminded me of smoking - ashtrays, etc. Then I replaced it with a "positive addiction," running, and after running for about 30 minutes, I didn't want to blow that good exercise with a cigarette. But, perhaps as importantly as the running (walking is better - easier on the joints), I MADE A DECISION / I MADE UP MY MIND to stop smoking. It's a mental game, too. And I quit about 35 years ago. Replaced it with walking but I made up my mind, a decision, to stop and that made the difference I think. Still took three attempts.Best to you!

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CBT on YouTube makes reference to it's a mental thing.

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I had a time with nicotine addiction myself . When I felt a panic attack, I went immediately to the shower . Telling myself I can get this over with . I do not need a cigarette. The attack does pass. It is difficult . I decided mentally to just stop smoking . I fought everything that tried to cause me to smoke . Drugs cannot do it. Others cannot do it for you .YOU have to stop giving in to the addiction . No one can tell you how to do it . You decide!! It does get better. I quit 23 years ago . ( I now have stage 4 Emphysema)

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@crystalena

I had a time with nicotine addiction myself . When I felt a panic attack, I went immediately to the shower . Telling myself I can get this over with . I do not need a cigarette. The attack does pass. It is difficult . I decided mentally to just stop smoking . I fought everything that tried to cause me to smoke . Drugs cannot do it. Others cannot do it for you .YOU have to stop giving in to the addiction . No one can tell you how to do it . You decide!! It does get better. I quit 23 years ago . ( I now have stage 4 Emphysema)

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I quit over 20 years ago also. The first year I would dream about smoking. It was the same dream but in different locations. I would suddenly realize I was smoking a cigarette and panic. I would grab my shirt breast pocket where I carried my pack, and squeeze the pack in an effort to see if it was full. This was an attempt to discover how long ago I had returned to smoking. As I would squeeze the pack in my pocket in panic, I would be relieved to realize that I was just dreaming. That sudden feeling of relief was turned to joy as I found that I could smoke in my dreams! It was wonderful! I could smoke in my dreams and I knew I was dreaming! Those went away after that first year. I wish you well with your emphysema.

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