Posted by Sad Panda on September 16, 2004, at 4:05:46
In reply to Re: GAD/Dysthymia/Smoking: Buspar (or Cymbalta or ...? » Sad Panda, posted by cache-monkey on September 15, 2004, at 13:59:39
>
> << You sound a lot like me. I spend an excessive amount of time in front of my PC, love playing Q2 & Toontown online, love binge eating & I used to smoke two packs a day. Firstly, cigarettes, I had switched to illegal pure tobacco & made my own for about twelve months & then I quit from there with relative ease. I would bet money that the tobacco companies add something a little extra to make cigarettes extra addictive. >>
>
> I agree wholeheartedly about the additives in standard cigarettes making the cravings and addiction stronger. I think I read somewhere that there's a whole science to making the first puff as strong as possible. I think that part of the craving has to do with that spike you get when you first light up. I've actually switched to American Spirits and I find that my cravings are a little better since I started.
>
> << Wellbutrin is said to have some affinity for nicotinic acetylcholine receptors & doubles your chances of quitting compared to nicotine gums & patches.>>
>
> Yeah, and it actually just about worked for me. Except that it made me more anxious and obsessive. :(
>
> << I chewed nicotine gum for six months & thought it to be somewhat helpful. >>
>
> I tried the gum, but for me it was actually a lot worse than the patch. I felt like I was constantly in withdrawal and never got that spike at the beginning I was craving. It also started messing with my stomach.
>
> << For AD's besides SSRI's, I would recommend a trial of the older TCA's as you might find them easier to tolerate(regardless of what SSRI marketers will tell you). Nortriptyline is a good one to try & can be added to some SSRI's & might provide you with some good anxiety relief. >>
>
> Did you follow this route along with the gum? Out of curiousity, were you successful in your quit attempt? Hope so!
>
> peace,
> cache-monkey
>
>I've been smoke free for more than 3 years.
The TCA side effects can actually be less than that of SSRI's, you have to try them to find out. Nortriptyline is good to try for anxiety & blood tests are valuable.
Cheers,
Paul.
poster:Sad Panda
thread:390925
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040915/msgs/391400.html