Need some help

[Kos3380]

Hi all ,

2 weeks tomorrow nicotine free. Starting to have some strong feelings of depression. Anyone else find this and what helped you.

Thanks

[glolin LONG TERM WINNER]

Hi Kos,

Sorry to hear you are feeling down. Sadly, mild depression is a common symptom of quitting smoking. It was something that i got along with increased anxiety. For me, I acknowledged that it was all part of my body adjusting to not the nicotine or the the other 4000 chemicals from cigarettes and tried just be gentle on myself. I found walking daily with my ipod really helped me. I walk every morning, it just kicks starts the day and helps in not putting on weight.

sorry i am not much help to you, try having a flick through some of the hints and tips. I can tell you that i am a little over 10 months quit and now have a calmness that i never had while is was a smoker. These feelings are temporary, and try seeing as part of the healing process

Keep up the awesome quit you have going.

I quit cold turkey after 40 years of 30 a day, so expected to have sort effects

[ickytoots 10 MONTH WINNER in reply to glolin]

How much did you have to deal with going cold turkey do you have a time frame or some kind of diary I could read? Doing cold turkey myself could be doing with advice. 24years smoking a pack a day. I am into day 3by one hour lol... any advice on what to expect next few days weeks would be great xx

[glolin LONG TERM WINNER in reply to ickytoots]

Hi Ickytoots (Love the name) and a big warm welcome to quit support.

i never kept a diary at all, but most things i suffered with lasted around the 4 weeks..

first i got the throat on fire..( sucked on throat lozenges all the time - this lasted for about a month started from nowhere and disappeared the same.

next was the sleeplessness.. this too lasted for a month to 6 weeks. was still awake at 2 or 3 am every night and sometimes later

Next was heartburn ( never had it before in my life) that lasted about 2 to 3 weeks

finally and this was the hardest for me was i found it really hard to concentrate at work. My job as a quality and safety systems manager demands concentration so for me that was the biggest struggle and that lasted probably for 6 months.

Have a read under the topic headings as there is a whole pile of info on quitting and ways to manage the symptoms.

Looking back- it wasn't that bad..and it was SO WORTH IT

Having a stronger determination to succeed that any cravings you will be fine. as far as cravings went. after the first couple of weeks i hardly got one and still the same today - when i do get one..i just shrug it off..we have a wee mantra that we use and it worked well for me

NOPE Not One Puff Ever.....with that - you just cant go wrong

All the very best on your quit journey. we have a wonderful group here that are always willing to help where ever they can

Note:: sorry about the late reply..I am down in Australia so with the time differences, it often takes me some time to respond

[ickytoots 10 MONTH WINNER in reply to glolin]

Aw thank you for your quick response I know I'm only on day 3 and it's to early to tell but I feel good about it all. As soon as the craving and sore things start or sleeplessness I'll be right on hear ... So far so good nope NOPE I REALLY LIKE THAT XX

[glolin LONG TERM WINNER in reply to ickytoots]

you are doing very well..keep up the great quit

g.mastergreetings.com/goodj...

[glolin LONG TERM WINNER]

Emjay our Quit Support Expert posted this a couple of months ago and it just may help you understand what is happening

Having read through some of your posts, I thought the following may help you to understand a bit more of the 'why am I felling like this?' and also understand that how you are feeling is a normal part of the quitting process.

Serotonin: This is the hormone that makes you feel good about yourself, makes you feel important. Serotonin is sometimes called the happiness hormone. It regulates the mood, prevents depression and makes you feel happy. Serotonin can be released by getting exposed to sunlight, by eating foods rich in carbohydrates and by exercising.

Endorphins: Endorphins are the chemical that can mask pain if we are injured and in danger - until we get to a safer place. This hormone can make you feel good, reduce your anxiety and your sensitivity to pain. Endorphins are released by exercising.

Dopamine: Dopamine is usually released when we know there is a reward on it's way - so most of you will recognise this when you know a 'smoking break' is on it's way Dopamine helps you to feel mentally alert. The lack of it might cause lack of attention, lack of concentration and bad moods. Dopamine can be released by eating foods that are rich in protein.

Oxytocin: This is like the 'hug drug' and is the feeling that you get when you are with those who you really feel at ease with.

Have a look at the following presentation I have found on 'tinternet -There are some great examples in it and it may also help you to understand a bit more about what is going on within your own brain whilst quitting

(Thank you to Loretta Graziano Breuning, PhD for the following presentation 'Meet your happy chemicals')

psychologytoday.com/fil...

[roneo The legend in reply to glolin]

Linda, I'll be meeting Loretta at Taronga zoo in July. Score another win for Sydney over Melbourne. I am currently reading another of her books called Beyond Cynical - Transcend Your Mammalian Negativity. Anyone struggling with the psychological links to smoking may find this information life changing, as I have.

[glolin LONG TERM WINNER in reply to roneo]

That is awesome Roneo Great to know she has someone to help her through this

[LilyMay73 LONG TERM WINNER]

Hi Kos, well done in your two week quit!

Feelings of sadness, anxiety and depression are all an unfortunate side effect of your body adjusting. It's a bit like a grieving process, your body is mourning the loss of nicotine and your mind is mourning the loss of the habit.

It is an unpleasant side effect BUT it does go away as you get further into your quit.

Like Glolin I found that exercise helped and just being outside in fresh air is a great thing. If you really are struggling with it however perhaps a trip to your Gp could help.

good luck with your quit and keep in mind that you won't always feel the way you do now, just take one day at a time

[Kas100 10years winner]

Hi Kos, it seems to be a common theme. I felt depressed because It felt like I'd lost my friend, my crutch in life. But my mindset is different now- I feel free of the stupid habit. Hang in there because it will pass and you are doing so well

Kas

X

[mrssunnyside]

Hi Kos, Yes it's tough because when you quit even though you're Happy to be quit all our emotions take over and make us feel sad.

But as everyone has said it does get better,

You've had great advise already, so hang on in there as Happy Days are to come.

Love Yourself, without the cigs, x.

[Kos3380 11 Month Winner]

Thanks. Still hanging in there. Had a nice long walk this morning and passed the 2 week mark about 5 hours ago.

[monky Administrator Cake sniffer outer in reply to Kos3380]

Hi ya Kos a massive well done to you for getting to your 2 week mark on your quit trail

You keep hanging in their gal, cos you doing an amazing job of it

I just cant fault you one little bit gal and believe me, I usually find something

What ever is working for you, stick to it Kos, cos its working a treat gal

[Kos3380 11 Month Winner]

Still hanging in, thanks to all of you. Starting to think of NRT. Anyone start that after being nic free. Thinking of it because of the depression.

[monky Administrator Cake sniffer outer in reply to Kos3380]

Aup Kos its lovely to see you and doing sooooo well too

Ermmm, I'm sorry but I dont know much about depression but saying that, we have had quite a few members on here that have suffered from it when quitting and to my knowledge, they have said its gets better after a while But if its getting that bad, then perhaps try the inhalator which is a little plastic ciggie thing that you put cartridges into, this way, you just get a bit of a boost when and where you need it

If you do need to get one, then please let me know and I will try to tell you the best way to use it

Your doing ever soooo well Kos, you really are

[Briarwood Administrator Ducky in reply to Kos3380]

Hiya Kos, you're doing fantastic with your quit👍nearly 3 weeks now and no nicotine wow, you are incredible👏 hope you're feeling very proud of yourself😃 it will get easier honestly💐x

[Kos3380 11 Month Winner]

Thanks briarwood. Appreciate the support. Still hanging in

[beardy_chris]

There's a fair amount of academic evidence that Mindfulness helps with depression (and also with quitting!). Google it and try some of the guided meditations on YouTube (free!). You can always take it further later if you wish and if you discover it is helping you.

[monky Administrator Cake sniffer outer in reply to beardy_chris]

Aup Chris, its lovely to see you pal and looooooook at you, your very nearly a whole flippin YEAR QUIT

Big, gigantic, massive congratulations to you pal and I hope your well and enjoying your free life again

Thank you Chris for looking in on us and helping where it is needed

You take care now and hopefully see's ya soon XX and dont get exited, cos there man kisses seeeee But you deserve them

[beardy_chris in reply to monky]

Thanks, Monky. Man hugs and man kisses are always welcome - but no tongues!

I still keep an eye on what is going on here and it'll be a whole year in a couple of weeks. There's no temptation to go back to smoking those nasty rolly-weed things again any more! I occasionally think about it but mostly to wonder why I ever smoked at all!

For all those struggling - it is possible to live without ciggies and it DOES get easier with time - honest!

[Briarwood Administrator Ducky in reply to beardy_chris]

Yeah great to see ya Chris and nearly a whole Year, wow that's terrific so here's a few 😘😘😘😘😘 way better than man kisses 😃😃xx