Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 1093774

Shown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Nicotine Withdrawal exacerbates depression anyone?

Posted by Mtom on January 1, 2017, at 10:42:12

I quit as a "regular" smoker 20 years ago. Took many attempts because of intense mood swings & depression lasting months every try. Finally did it during a very low stress period, life was good & used nicotine patch. After stopping the patch, depression came on, but there were also other factors at same time e.g. early menopause associated with a previously undiagnosed autoimmune disorder, that probably factored in.

Over the years, I gradually became a "social" smoker, then an "occasional" smoker, and last year, dealing with a gravely ill family member & other situational stresses, and intensifying depression as a results, I started smoking more - often more days than not.

In past, as a "social" smoker, I suspected that a few days after, my then mild depression would intensify for a couple of days. Over the last year, experiencing more significant depression AND smoking more, it seems that a few days after smoking the depression intensifies really significantly. Have been cutting back drastically in recent months, but it's become a bit of a vicious circle, I don't smoke for days, my depression gets worse, so does my craving for a smoke, I give in and feel better while smoking, then guilt sets in so I quit again. But my moods are swinging anyway even if I go several weeks without smoking, so I'm not sure whether nicotine withdrawal is a major factor.

Has anyone experience significantly intensified depression when withdrawing from nicotine? How quickly does it start, and how long does it last? From past experiences quitting smoking it's possible I am having a prolonged withdrawal effect that goes on even when I stop smoking for weeks. I was once a heavy smoker for many years when younger, and discussing withdrawal back then with others who had quit, it seems mine can be more intense than most and last longer.

 

Re: Nicotine Withdrawal exacerbates depression anyone?

Posted by linkadge on January 1, 2017, at 14:39:15

In reply to Nicotine Withdrawal exacerbates depression anyone?, posted by Mtom on January 1, 2017, at 10:42:12

I have not smoked, but nicotine withdrawal is know to cause depression (or, at least, induce symptoms of depression for a period after stopping).

Have you taken any other treatments for depression?

Linkadge

 

Re: Nicotine Withdrawal exacerbates depression anyone?

Posted by baseball55 on January 1, 2017, at 17:53:15

In reply to Re: Nicotine Withdrawal exacerbates depression anyone?, posted by linkadge on January 1, 2017, at 14:39:15

I quit smoking many years before I first experienced depression and the nicotine withdrawal didn't make me depressed. But it sure made my moods swing like crazy and I was so irritable, I lashed out at my husband over the simplest thing. Once, my husband and I tried to quit together, but it became clear after a day or two that we were going to kill one another if we tried to stick it out, we were both so moody and irritable.

So for sure, nicotine withdrawal strongly affects mood. Even naturally upbeat people like my husband become miserable. That's why it's so hard to quit.

 

Re: Nicotine Withdrawal exacerbates depression anyone?

Posted by rjlockhart37 on January 2, 2017, at 1:25:47

In reply to Nicotine Withdrawal exacerbates depression anyone?, posted by Mtom on January 1, 2017, at 10:42:12

when i stopped smoking ciggerettes after days, sometimes weeks, i would really have a difficult time, when i smoked it was like a relief.....if something bad happened, like just ... anything, i would always smoke when something bad happened, and also just going through the day, nad when it was discontinued i stopped having the nicotine fix, it really made things crappy, it was like i had no net to resort too......and sometimes i don't like drinking alcohol because it impairs my feeling to feel in control, ciggerettes where my resort for a long time, then i transferred to vaping, which is better and cleaner, and quick......

nicotine is a stimulant, but acts like a depressant or relaxant sometimes when it's smoked slow, when you down a cigarette within 45 seconds, that is the nicotine kick, but like slowly smoking is relaxing......the vaping hits me really fast, it depends on the stregth of the nicotine, there's vaping lounges now istead of smoke rooms, but nicotine withdraw defiantly is a documented case, it sucks

 

Re: Nicotine Withdrawal exacerbates depression anyone?

Posted by Mtom on January 2, 2017, at 7:57:45

In reply to Re: Nicotine Withdrawal exacerbates depression anyone?, posted by rjlockhart37 on January 2, 2017, at 1:25:47

I once read that occasional or social smokers might be keeping themselves in nicotine withdrawal. So, if you're already depressed, and you're smoking on and off, I'm wondering if that might make the depression and/or mood swings possibly significantly worse. It seems to make sense, although my experience has been so variable that I'm not sure.

And in response to an earlier question in this thread, no, I'm not taking antidepressants because I cannot tolerate them - intense side effects (even anti-depressant supplements like 5HTP). Been trying to copy through other supplements like Omega-3s, moderate B vitamins (high doses seem too stimulatory), Vitamin D, recently magnesium, have tried Curcumin/Turmeric but undecided on effect - trying to figure out what combination helps and what dose. Also mind/body techniques - Yoga and Meditation.

Have posted to the Alternative Board re: supplements but I'm happy to hear additional input on those.

 

Re: Nicotine Withdrawal exacerbates depression anyone?

Posted by linkadge on January 2, 2017, at 14:30:35

In reply to Re: Nicotine Withdrawal exacerbates depression anyone?, posted by Mtom on January 2, 2017, at 7:57:45

Certain antidepressants could worsen nicotine withdrawal. SSRIs boost serotonin which actually supresses dopamine and norepinephrine function - probably exacerbating the decline in these neurotransmitters.

Drugs like Wellbutrin or nortriptyline are likely better for nicotine withdrawal.

As far as supplements, you might ones that support dopamine, cholinergic function ie. choline, tyrosine, cocoa, b12.

Linkadge

 

Re: Nicotine Withdrawal exacerbates depression anyone?

Posted by phidippus on October 7, 2017, at 14:34:07

In reply to Nicotine Withdrawal exacerbates depression anyone?, posted by Mtom on January 1, 2017, at 10:42:12

Depression can happen because of nicotine withdrawal. How long it lasts can differ from person to person.

Eric


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