Severe anxiety, panic, and rage

[Ghalenlee]

Couple years ago I was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder with agoraphobic and ocd features. It got so bad that I had to go on long-term disability leave from my employer and was almost entirely shut in. I started taking an SSRI and anti-anxiety meds at this time. My smoking at this time, on the meds, dropped dramatically, from about 2 packs a day to half a pack a day.

As luck would have it, long-term disability ran out, couldn't get on social security disability and there was no way I was well enough to go back to work. So no more insurance, no more meds. Smoking right back up to 2 packs a day.

I always knew I was self-medicating with the cigarettes but never knew exactly why.

About 3 weeks or so ago, I got my PV and started using that in conjunction with smoking. 2 weeks ago, I cut out the cigarettes entirely. I hardly have any desire for a cigarette but everything else has been getting steadily worse.

I'm vaping a combo pg/vg liquid between 11 and 18 mgs all day as I can. I don't think I'm overdosing on nicotine, I don't think I'm dehydrated. The only caffeinated beverage I drink is coffee and I have not reduced my intake of that but have literally added about a gallon and a half of water throughout the day. I don't feel dried out.

I feel like I have the flu, muscle aches, hot and cold flashes, no appetite. Anxiety attacks have been steadily increasing since I dropped the cigs and last night it was so bad that I felt like a caged beast, I wanted to yell and scream and cry and lash out and break stuff (it would have been very satisfying to throw something at my boyfriend's head because he was annoying the snot out of me by just watching tv and being within 20 feet of me), and I just felt so full of rage that it's a good thing I was home and nobody talked to me. It was very very frightening. I resorted to taking some of my klonopin (anti-anxiety med, I kept a stash when I knew my insurance was going to run out) and passing out.

I tried doing a search for symptoms of maoi withdrawal and I guess I just don't have the patience to look anymore. Does this sound like what I'm suffering from? I know you all are not DRs and I should probably go to the ER but I have no insurance and while they have to treat me all they'll do is give me some valium and I can do that at home. Should I just go buy a pack of cigarettes and see if that helps? I hate to but I hate having these anxiety attacks and feeling so full of rage and I don't have too many of my pills left. Is there something else I can try other than cigarettes?

I'm sure there are numerous posts on this and I know there's a search button, but I really am too antsy and out of sorts to sit here and read and try to find info. And why did it take two weeks to get to this point, I would have thought it would be more immediate?

[Caesarea]

You could try out some snus to use between vapes.
Lots of folks do both.
Best,

C.

Check out the smokeless alternatives subforum.

[beckah54]

Let me state up front....I AM NOT A DOCTOR OR MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL.......but it does sound like nicotine withdrawal symptoms. Maybe an analog or two wouldn't hurt! Could be your nic strength is too low to totally replace the analogs.

Again, this is just an opinion. If the feelings continue, get thee to the ER.

Good luck.

[martha1014]

I'm not quite sure what your symptoms are from. Are they the same symptoms you hava back when you were having problems. Do you still take the anti-aniexty and SSRI meds. If you are not taking your meds maybe its a return of you former illness. You need to get medical records and go to a doctor for treatment. If you have enough physician documentation and this illness prevents you from working,(is sounds like it does) you could reapply for SS Diability benefits. You should get the physician to write a letter stating you are unable to work due to the symptoms. By getting disability benefits you will be able to get Medicare health insurance and drug coverage. I think having to pay for physician visits would be a good investment if you are approved for diabililty.

I am bipolar and was approved the first time I applied. I had all of my records and physician's statement in order before I applied. They say only 40% of people applying are approved initially. If denied the first time reapply and even get a lawyer to handle your case. After all of the deniials and reaplying a majority of people are approved.

You may be suffering from withdrawal but I really don't think withdrawal would cause this severe syptoms especially since you are still getting some nicotine.

[Ghalenlee]

Originally Posted by martha1014

I'm not quite sure what your symptoms are from. Are they the same symptoms you hava back when you were having problems. Do you still take the anti-aniexty and SSRI meds. If you are not taking your meds maybe its a return of you former illness. You need to get medical records and go to a doctor for treatment. If you have enough physician documentation and this illness prevents you from working,(is sounds like it does) you could reapply for SS Diability benefits. You should get the physician to write a letter stating you are unable to work due to the symptoms. By getting disability benefits you will be able to get Medicare health insurance and drug coverage. I think having to pay for physician visits would be a good investment if you are approved for diabililty.

I am bipolar and was approved the first time I applied. I had all of my records and physician's statement in order before I applied. They say only 40% of people applying are approved initially. If denied the first time reapply and even get a lawyer to handle your case. After all of the deniials and reaplying a majority of people are approved.

You may be suffering from withdrawal but I really don't think withdrawal would cause this severe syptoms especially since you are still getting some nicotine.

Yes, these are similar symptoms from before I went on disability leave and started meds. I've been off meds for well over a year, with only slight anxiety problems from time to time. The only difference between now and say six months ago is that I am not smoking cigarettes.

I guess my question is, is there enough MAOIs in cigarettes to experience withdrawal from the MAOIs themselves and what are those signs of withdrawal?

I'm doing okay today. A little edgy and a little achey but I haven't had any rage like feelings yet.

[olderthandirt]

Hey galen
The presence and role played of MAOI's in tobacco and associated products got quite a work over in this recent thread:
so are we getting it or are we not.. nicotine

Always re-asserting we aren't docs, are not attempting to diagnose etc.,
Caesarea has a plausible suggestion with the snus. If there is a mini-mart or smoke shop around give em' a call and see if they have any of the Camel Snus. It may well help take the edge off until your able to get some form of professional feedback.

Best o' luck

[42109]

I agree with the snus approach until you have had time to read through the thread olderthandirt referenced. I didn't realize what was going on til I read that htread. I went with an herbal supplement, but you shouldn't do that if you are taking meds. Didn't hit me right away either.

[Ghetto_Cowgirl]

I'm on anti-depressants myself, 20mg per day. I had those feelings when I started vaping, I put down the cigs the day I received my first PV. IMO I would say its with-drawls from the other additives in cigarettes. No one here is a Dr though so take what we say with a grain of salt. I did however start feeling better a week or so after I quit smoking, if that helps any. I guess all the other chemicals had to leave my body. I find if I go without my AD meds I get those feelings so I try not forget the anymore

Oh symptoms I had were headaches, nausea, really lethargic, mean as all hell too. Yet I didn't crave a cig, was strange. As I said, the symptoms went, I'm at 3 months now smoke free and feel just fine provided I don't miss a pill.

[nyabzns]

I've had Panic attacks for going on 19 years now. Your symptoms sound like withdraws to me as well. It's worse with an anxiety disorder.

This might sound stupid but maybe buying a pack of your favorite smokes might help. Just do this, tell yourself you'll try not to open them and just vape.

The very fact that you have a pack in case you want one could help.It has helped me before.

[cassavetes]

I had flu like symptoms when I quit. Lasted about 3 weeks. I could hardly get out of bed to make it to work.

I was diagnosed with OCD 2 years ago and have been medicated since. The medication helps, but smoking was always a quick fix for me.

Since quitting traditional smokes my OCD got to the point where I had to drink to excess in order to stop my brain from recycling obsessive thoughts and worries.

To friends and coworkers I'm perfectly healthy. For the most part I'm able to control my rituals/symptoms to the point that they don't interfere with my day to day activities.