Smoking Addiction & Recovery Support Group

The CDC claims that nicotine is a "very addictive drug" that can be "as addictive as heroin or cocaine." Nicotine is typically eliminated from the body within 2 to 3 days, however, physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms may last for much longer depending on the individual. If you are trying to kick the habit, this community is dedicated to giving smokers the...

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KWEdwards 03/11/2013

Hey! This is my first time trying to quit. I am 25 years old and my husband and I are trying to get pregnant. I used the E-cig for a month to cut back. I was down to 1-3 cigarettes a day. Yesterday was my first day on the Patch (Step 2 since I had cut back so much). I was perfect all day, I even had a crawfish boil at my house with tons of people who smoke and I smoked nothing. Anyway where I am worried is, when I laid down for bed last night my heart raced like crazy. It took my hours to calm down. I had to take one of my Xanax eventually because I could not take it anymore. Has anyone exprienced this? I am wondering if it was from the patch OR could it be just my anxiety acting up on me due to the changes of not smoking. Please help me if you can! Thanks, Kayla

sambod 03/11/2013

could be anxiety. i would check with your doctor to be sure

Squeemom2 03/11/2013

Probably just anxiety. At the end of the day the patch is wearing off so I'm betting you were getting that tight feeling in your chest (part of withdrawal). I have anxiety too and it does get worse while quitting. I can attest that once I got the nicotine all the way out of my system, my anxiety greatly improved. I am taking my emergency med way less since quitting smoking. Good luck! Just try to relax.

MsBlank1 03/11/2013

I did indeed have this happen to me. I used wellbutrin to quit and on the thrid day when I increased my dasage as advised by my doctor, I thought I was having a heart attack/stroke. I ended up in the ER twice within 10 days of each other......all tests came back normal. My symptoms persist 24/7, but are lessoned (11 months now) due to the fact that I figured it out that I was having anxiety/panic attacks due to the quit. It is horrible, but I do not want to return to smoking.
I have been doing acupuncture, self hypnosis, deep breathing, and walking to lesson the anxiety. My doctor prescribed Xanax, and I have taken it a few times, but it only helps for about half an hour to 45 minutes. I prefer natural methods over medicine, but that is just me.
I hope this helps you to know you are not alone. It really sucks (anxiety), but it beats smoking.
I agree to get yourself checked out first to make sure you are ok.....especially since you are trying to get pregnant :)

debraccc 03/11/2013

hi and welcome. Well done for staying smokefree. I used the patch to help me quit. They said dont wear the patch to bed but I did anyway. I am unsure whether the heart racing is anxiety or a response to the patch. I did have anxiety when i quit but I suffered from anxiety before I quit too. Try and persevere with the patch because they really do help and if you are worried go see the Doctor
Hugs Deb

jancam 03/12/2013

MsBlanc..
I tried to PM you..but your profile is private. I hope you see this. I just wanted to tell you that..for some people..Wellbutrin can cause those symptoms you mentioned.

KWE..
If you were down to one three cigs a day for a while...is there a chance the patch was an INCREASE in nicotine for you? 'Cause I'd think that could cause that. ( in addition to the crazy anxiety of quitting..:-) :-)

Hugs
jc

deleted_user 03/12/2013

Like jancan, I wonder if the step 2 patch would have been too much nicotine if you were down to 1-3 cigarettes a day. I have used the patch and find that even step 2 can be too much for me. Like others though, I have problems with anxiety. Or maybe it is your metabolism. I'm told that If you drink coffee (or other caffeine drinks) they will affect you differently when you begin to cut back. I do well with the step 3 patch, which is the lowest.

jeanne36roses 03/12/2013

Hey Kayla, it could be the anxietyof quitting. Whatever you do make you don't smoke. I felt the same way when I first started. good luck, sweetie.

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