New here with possible dx...
Find a Conversation
| Tue, 09-06-2005 - 3:08pm |
Hi guys,
My name is Wendy, I am now seeking some help after experiencing some anxiety. I decided 3 weeks and 6 days ago to quit smoking, and when I did my whole life just seemed to change, with some of the first symptoms of a possible generalized anxiety coming about.
I have been to the dr, and they wanted to proscribe meds.. I am really against the meds for myself because my mother was a avid drug (massive deppression) abuser. She would go to many drs to get many kinds of meds... she was a big abuser of them. anyway, that is why I am against meds for my self... however- The anxiety is bringing on some temporary OCD as the dr says which I am not sure which is worse the anxiety its self of the OCD thoughts?? I am now seeking some counceling and we will see how that goes. Also going to see a psycatrist (sp)for a med eval, and to discuss possiblility of medicating over fighting this on my own.. have any of you done this without meds, and if so is it really possible or am I asking myself to do to much??
Now since I quit smoking, we (drs and I ) are not sure if this is something that is going to stick around or if it will tapper of as it does a lot of the time when the smoking habit is broke... generally around 3 to 5 weeks... so not sure... however I just wanted to introduce myself, and see if there is anyone else in my position. It would help to know I am not alone as this has been a very scary process...
thanks for letting me introduce myself and give a little bit of history.
Wendy
3weeks and 5 days quit.. and finding me

Wendy,
I completely respect your reculctance to not take medication, especially given your family history with med addcitions. I wanted to assure you that it is possible to live with anxiety w/o medication. I have been doing it pretty much my entire life, with a couple of exceptions. my tip would be to decide whether you are still able to go on with you normal daily activities. if your anxiety is not allowing you to live life to the fullest, then you should consider meds more seriously...i mean if you find that you're too afraid to leave the house, or you routinely avoid certain situations. however, if you feel that your schedule has stayed the same and that you are able to meet all your obligations, then maybe you don;t necessarily require meds at this point. cognitive behavioral therapy or other forms of talk therapy
Did your doctor think that this has anything to do with quitting smoking? I know, some people don't believe it but it is an addiction. Are you using the patch, chewing gum, etc.? If not then your body might be reacting to the lack of nicotine it is used to.
I hope that's all it is and that you feel better soon.
Good Luck and Congratulations on Quitting!
Alison
Alison,
that is a thought we are looking at.. I never had any form of anxiety until i quit smoking. And it seems that the anxiety is worse through the withdrawls and when I am having a nicotine fit. I also think that some of it has to do with when I quit smoking, it wasnt researched or thought out.. I just upped and quit one morning. I had no idea that there were withdrawls, so when the symptoms started, I freaked out and became terrified that I was dying.. it was terrible, I went to the hospital not knowing what was happening..
I then began to see each withdrawl symptom as something seriously wrong with me (of course until dr said it was normal) and believed I was dying.. however I have subsided most of those feelings and the anxiety is much less... but still some mainly in the morning.. trying to control caffine intake, and not have caffine withdrawls.. lowering it day by day and that seems to help... so we will see.... still some obsessing but working on that.. I'm use to being in control of feelings and daily activities, and no longer feel that way.. so may be contributing
Thanks for your thoughts... hope to chat more..
Wendy
Mia,
is it possible for you to give me more info on this???
cognitive behavioral therapy
I read a little at the library today but it mostly dealt with OCD not sure if it works the same....
I can still function, I get into these all day pitty parties for Wendy when my anxiety is really bad, which I know doesnt help.... it makes it worse.. then I feel bad for my behavior and the guilt sets in and I stay in a slump.. that is when it is the worst because when I get in that slump, I begin to obsess over stupid feelings and that makes it worse... then is the time when I want releife so bad.. but I have no outlet and that makes me want to look to meds, but if I am not in those slumps, there are days I feel totally fine and some days some anxiety in the morning but tappers off during the day.. so I don't know what to do or how to go about it.... Don't know if a daily med would work (if I go that route) or a occasional med?? but then I am afraid of those meds are gonna make me non functional.. (I have 4 kids) I still have to be able to function to take care of them. They are 9, 7, 7, 6 so still to young to take care of self....
Anyway any thoughts you may have would be greatly appreciated...
Thanks so much
Wendy
Blessings, Suz
Posts in this Community ![]()