4 months quit and still huge mood swings

[nsd_user663_6673]

firstly thanks to those who replied to my post last month,i wasnt doing too well at the time and didnt thank those who took the time to reply.

i quit cold turkey 4 months ago tomorrow and after the expected cravings in the first month i was doing fine,then the mood swings started,these are huge sweeping overwhelming mood swings that are both scary and often without warning.

i have suffered from depression and anxiety in the past but these feelings had been pretty much under control for quite a few years.

the last month has been a little better but this seems to be because im taking extra precautions (avoiding alcohol/thinking twice before ranting) rather than i am calmer.

what are others exprerince of this,how did you cope with it and how long did it last for you?

Dean

looking forward to being able to give advice rather than needing it

[nsd_user663_1733]

Hi Dean

So glad you are felling a little better. I also Have suffererd with deppresion a few times. So when I started this quit I took st johns wort only one a day but did find they helped a lot. Maybe you could give them a try they are not harmfull. Also very well done on your quit so far you are doing fab.xxxxx

[nsd_user663_4964]

Yep i get depression and anxiety anyway, and after you quit it takes the brain a while to readjust.

Patrick Holfords how to quit without feeling shit is good as it recommends lots of supplements you can take. Low blood sugar is the cause of most of the moodswings so try eting little and often and cutting down on sugary foods and caffiene. A good strong multivit really helps becasue your brain needs vits to make neurotransmitters.

There was a thread a while back about this, so i'll try and find it for you as don't have time to write much atm.

You are definitely not on your own with this though, a certain amount of depression etc. is to be expected.

[nsd_user663_4964]

forum.nosmokingday.org.uk/s...

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[nsd_user663_4847]

firstly thanks to those who replied to my post last month,i wasnt doing too well at the time and didnt thank those who took the time to reply.

i quit cold turkey 4 months ago tomorrow and after the expected cravings in the first month i was doing fine,then the mood swings started,these are huge sweeping overwhelming mood swings that are both scary and often without warning.

i have suffered from depression and anxiety in the past but these feelings had been pretty much under control for quite a few years.

the last month has been a little better but this seems to be because im taking extra precautions (avoiding alcohol/thinking twice before ranting) rather than i am calmer.

what are others exprerince of this,how did you cope with it and how long did it last for you?

Dean

looking forward to being able to give advice rather than needing it

Hey Dean

You can give advice there are people who haven't got as far as you yet, it helps to reinforce your quit to support others, I've also found this cements your quit- help someone, it's good for the soul.

As to the quit blues, you;ve identified the problem, myself, I'm careful of food, booze, make sure I exercise, I'm taking St Johns wort and also have Valerian and vervain if needed. Cut out caffine and invested in peppermint, camomile, fennel and rose hip tisanes (herbals teas).

For me it's a re-education, a learning experience, as far as I'm concerned I've smoked for 20 years, been stopped for nearly 7 months (31st) it's a big change as Trev says. This is the new me without an addiction controlling my every waking thought; so I'm respecting the quit, accepting the journey and changing everything I can to be the person i want to be (see Cav).

Yep i get depression and anxiety anyway, and after you quit it takes the brain a while to readjust.

Patrick Holfords how to quit without feeling shit is good as it recommends lots of supplements you can take. Low blood sugar is the cause of most of the moodswings so try eting little and often and cutting down on sugary foods and caffiene. A good strong multivit really helps becasue your brain needs vits to make neurotransmitters.

There was a thread a while back about this, so i'll try and find it for you as don't have time to write much atm.

You are definitely not on your own with this though, a certain amount of depression etc. is to be expected.

Excellent advice I think Jude, always pay attention to what you have to say.

M

[nsd_user663_3728]

Hi Dean

I'm glad you're feeling a bit better now but if you're worried about the mood swings please go and see the Dr he/she may be able to give you something to help

I didn't have many mood swings at all in fact I had more when I smoked

Love

Marg

[nsd_user663_4964]

Excellent advice I think Jude, always pay attention to what you have to say.

M

Absolutely! I have 150 alternative health/ medical books!!! I have missed my calling as a healthcare pro! ( new career direction??)

[nsd_user663_6673]

thanks all,i wont be smokign again,thats for sure,i dont really have that option to be honest,it was making me feel so tired and ill all the time so im kind of stuck anyway,i guess thats a good thing in a way.

i have been on anti depressants and was slowly coming off those but im 90% sure quitting smoking has had the major effect on me.

its such a horrible feeling as it has changed me for the worse,i was fairly patient (though i ranted wasnt always a ray of sunshine when i did smoke) but now i really dont like myself,i feel sorry for my girlfriend but at least she can escape me,im stuck with it.

im drinkign less than i ever have ( i think once in 2 months) and i always have eaten healthy,seems to make little difference.

so noone has any idea when this will level out? i know were all different but its good to know a rough average if it is purely your brain adjusting after (what for me is) 20 years.

and thanks ill look out for that book,anythign thatll help at this point

[nsd_user663_5034]

Hi Dean

I'm glad you're feeling a bit better now but if you're worried about the mood swings please go and see the Dr he/she may be able to give you something to help

I didn't have many mood swings at all in fact I had more when I smoked

Love

Marg

Hey Dean.....I agree with Marg........definately go and see the doc......go for some walks and maybe a multivitamin........you deserve to feel better than this

[nsd_user663_7571]

Depression and mood swings

Hi, I would advise you see your Dr also, I know it is very hard dealing with these things (mood Swings) I have suffered from Bi Polar disorder for 20 years and I know how a) frighting b) difficult it can be.

Giving up smoking for me was a given that I would suffer from depressive mood swings into highs and some dark times are ahead, but I have experience of dealing with mood swings, and my advice is get help now, don't leave it till it gets too bad.

[nsd_user663_4016]

Definitely go and see a doctor. This will help put you at ease, because we all worry about the unknown. I think we all suffer from mood swings and some depression during sometime of the quit, but they are different in time lengths. Mine was about 2 weeks. I didn't like anyone and I really disliked myself! I was afraid that I would stay that way, you know not liking anyone and thinking no one cared. Had some really weird thoughts. Lucky for me I have 2 very understanding daughters who would listen to me rant and rave and make me see reality! Go see your doctor. I really think you'll feel better. Jody

[nsd_user663_7571]

I am tapping my foot and waiting to hear if you have been to your Doctor ... tap, tap tap...

I think it is very important, cos mood swings are very horrible, especally when the involve anger!

[nsd_user663_6673]

heheh yes ive been a few times,little they can do othr than pills which i dont like to take,i have tranquilisers (diazepam) and they really help when i take them but they are also addictive and not a solution.

still full of anxiety and anger,not as badly as it has been but i have learnt not to drop my guard with this thing,i get it every day but i am coping better than i was a month or so ago,just about.

believe me i will let everyone on the planet know when i feel myself again as it will be orgasmic to feel just normal,whatever that is hehe.

[nsd_user663_7571]

Glad you did something about it, Diazipam is very addictive! and I expect your body is looking for something else to get addicted to right now.

I know its very difficult but when you feel as if you are building up to a mood of some kind, see if you can stop and think why it is happening (as in what caused it) and if you possibly can think to yourself, oh! I didn't know I was sensitive about that! or Oh! that subject/ topic has always made me feel ....

Mood swings are horrible.

GL