New to the group.

[Wandad]

Hi all. I am new here. I am also on the quit smoking group and was suggested to join this one since I have been having really bad anxiety since I quit. I went to my dr when I first quit cause my anxiety was so bad and I was getting so worried and over thinking things and was given these pills to take temporarily they are called citalopram. She said i was to just take them for a month but when I read up on it and side affects and how long it takes for the pill to actually help I decided not to cause I don't want to b dependent on them. Can anyone on here give me some suggestions about this pill if it's ok or not? Thanks so much.

[sunnyg]

I was on Citalopram and it takes a while for them to kick in. Longer than a month for many. I quit them cold turkey and it was tough. I am not on anything now and going cold turkey. I am SO proud of you for quitting smoking. I use it as a crutch and hate myself for it. A cop out, I know. Anyway, there is an anti-anxiety drug specifically for quitting smoking. I would research that. Best of luck and way to go!!

[Wandad in reply to sunnyg]

Thanks so much for ur reply! I am glad to know that about the drug. I really don't think I am gonna take it cause I don't wanna become dependent on it and I don't wanna have to have problems trying to go off it. Good luck to u and I hope u quitting it will continue to go well.

[Agora1]

Hi Wandad, Citalopram is a SSRI med needing 4-6 weeks to reach efficacy. I'm not sure what the reasoning is behind your doctor only wanting you on it a month. It is less addicting than an antianxiety medicine (benzos) which tend to work within minutes making it highly addictive. The SSRI is a slower build up of the med that changes the chemistry in your brain which in turn lowers anxiety levels. If the anxiety over quitting smoking is life changing enough, I would have another talk with your doctor to see if there might be another direction you can take to lower your stresses. Good Luck and "way to go" with quitting cigers...

[Wandad in reply to Agora1]

Thank u for the information on that. I am guessing the reason why my doc gave me it was supposed to b temporary. That's what she said anyways. Not sure why she would give me that one if it takes so long to kick in. I am kinda confused from all of it. I hope to b able to start feeling better tho soon. I would rather not go on a pill but b able to just calm myself down on my own. I hope I can do it.

[Agora1 in reply to Wandad]

If you are able to Wandad, that would be the better way to go. There are a lot of options used for relaxing, even hypnotherapy for a few sessions might be all you need. I wish you well dear.

[Bunnyz89]

I'm an anxiety sufferer who has also recently quit smoking! Are you using nicotine replacement medicine or did you quit cold turkey? Hang in there on quitting! Your anxiety will settle and you will feel much better!

[Wandad in reply to Bunnyz89]

I quit cold turkey! its been a mess for me lol. but i am not gonna go back. its not even the cravings that i have, i pretty much have none. its the anxiety i feel that is making it so bad, and getting hardly any sleep, and my throat has been bothering me as well which also makes me worry and makes the anxiety even worse. i am just praying all this gets better soon.

[Maceymae]

I went on to the e cig because for some reason when I stopped smoking I went high as a kite. Constant chatter, edgey and anxiety got much worse. No idea why I went so manic. Smoking 30 yrs so all of my teenage yrs right up. Hopefully the medication works for you.

[Wandad in reply to Maceymae]

i quit cold turkey and all the withdrawal symptoms have been really hard for me to handle. i still havent taken the pill the dr prescribed cause i am scared i will become dependant on it, and i dont wanna be. i am hoping to manage without. its been really tough tho.

[Maceymae in reply to Wandad]

I know a girl that tried it yrs ago and didn't like the side effects and eventually quit cold turkey. If you can do it...brilliant. take up knitting and plenty of exercise.

[Wandad in reply to Maceymae]

Yes I just don't really wanna go on a drug. I am praying I can get better without it.

[Bunnyz89]

My anxiety went up again after quitting too but give it a bit of time for your body to settle down and it should ease! How long have you quit for now? Definitely recommend mindful meditation or yoga! Especially to help you sleep 😊

[Wandad in reply to Bunnyz89]

I have quit for just over 50 days now. How about ur throat? Have u had issues with that as well? I have and it's driving me mad. Scared something is wrong even tho I have been told it's normal and there is nothing wrong. And do u have any suggestions for mediation like maybe YouTube?

[Bunnyz89 in reply to Wandad]

Oh wow I've only quit for just over 2 weeks! keep going! What's wrong with your throat? I'm sure is all normal. Dont forget the small hairs in the throat and lungs grow back which may feel funny! Yes just type in meditation or yoga for anxiety there's loads of great ones 😊

[Wandad in reply to Bunnyz89]

thats great too tho! you keep going as well. and just gets sore and feels like something stuck in it. i have talked to so many people lol cause it scares me and they all say its phlegm build up and could take a long time for it to go away, could also be from the anxiety as well. i have gone to the dr as well. but i still worry sick about it. i just need to stop and try to calm myself . thanks so much i did dl a few onto my phone last night but unfortunately they all want money for everything. only give you one for free then the rest you have to pay for. i will definitely youtube the meditations one tho and see what i can find

[Bunnyz89 in reply to Wandad]

I've had that in my throats before. I would say it's definitely anxiety and the more you pay attention to it the worse it becomes 😊 Hard as it is sip some water and try to forget about it your absolutely fine 👌🏻

[Wandad in reply to Bunnyz89]

Thanks so much! and yes i am gonna do my best to just try and forget all bout it!