Quitting smoking and depression

[olderthandirt]

...
No doubt Twisted and OTD will show up to elaborate...

In my best Lurch imitation, Youuu Raanggg?

Hi hittman
Madame will remain much more knowledgeable and eloquent than I, Stubby has far more experience with snus then I but...

There is an epic of a thread here that covers at several points both controlled research and anecdotally based suppositions regarding the links twixt smoking and depression.

Madame really has the salient points covered in her post in this thread so take a look at the "are we getting.." thread at your leisure.

I was diagnosed clinically depressed some years ago. I've never found medication or counseling that worked so I'm still fighting the depression. When quitting the smokes with the e-cigs I was one of those that had all the withdrawal symptoms regardless how much I vaped.

For the sake of brevity, using a few snus portions a day has me to where I've no need for a smoke at all. As in, absolutely none of the withdrawal symptoms. I'm still depressed but with the smoking conquered that's one less mental scab to pick at!

Spend some time in the Smokeless Tobacco forum. Until such time as you might try snus or snuff and you still smoke a stinky stick once in a while... So What better than the 20 to 25 a day you were puffing, right?

[Stubby]

In my best Lurch imitation, Youuu Raanggg?

For the sake of brevity, using a few snus portions a day has me to where I've no need for a smoke at all. As in, absolutely none of the withdrawal symptoms. I'm still depressed but with the smoking conquered that's one less mental scab to pick at!

Spend some time in the Smokeless Tobacco forum. Until such time as you might try snus or snuff and you still smoke a stinky stick once in a while... So What better than the 20 to 25 a day you were puffing, right?

I must be getting physic as I knew you would show up. Now if you could just wipe up a bit of lunch and polish the shoes you can go home for the evening.

Back to the subject at hand. I still seem to have all the problems I had when I smoked, but at least I haven't added extras. I know I could have never quit smoking with just e-cigs. It wasn't until I started using snus that I was able to wave good-bye to 40 years of smoking. Perhaps I get a bit to enthusiastic about snus at times, but I see lots of people struggling with e-cigs that would likely do much better if they expanded there horizons and try some other alternatives.

[W Axl Rose]

You may also find yourself facing a case of 'the stupids'. After being tobacco free for a few weeks to a month. I got kind of foggy headed, easily distracted, and was forgetting things. I really panicked, but this too, passed.

[hittman]

You may also find yourself facing a case of 'the stupids'. After being tobacco free for a few weeks to a month. I got kind of foggy headed, easily distracted, and was forgetting things. I really panicked, but this too, passed.

I got that way too for a few days at a time and it happened at least twice that I can remember

[hittman]

Actually older it was actually about 30 a day before I found e-cigs. I am going to check out the suggestions. I think that I just kinda feel like I took a step backwards is all. I just have to try harder this time. I hope.

[Illuminate]

Im in the same boat Hittman.

I am constantly reminding myself that whatever short-term moodiness or anxiety I'm feeling are worth it for the greater struggle of ridding my body of tobacco dependency.

Remember, "This too shall pass."

[hittman]

Thanks for the words of encouragement Illuminate.

[martha1014]

I already took a mood stabilizer but I did notice a slight increase in my moods after I quit cigarettes for a few weeks. I think it was more pshchological than physical. I would occasionally smoke a cigarette just to calm my mind. I felt like I was giving up a loved one when I quit smoking and this caused me some mental anguish. After a couple of months I no longer have these moods changes. I guess my mind has adjusted to the death of my loved one.

[TropicalBob]

Hittman: You've been given good advice, and this is about the last bastion of sanity on this forum where posters rarely, rarely scream at each other. (An occasional happy bunny thumps through to spread the gospel of e-smoking being the end-all to every smoker's needs, but, for the most part, you read realists here. We sometimes shoot happy bunnies.)

I stumbled many times in leaving behind a 50-year, 30-a-day cigarette habit/addiction. Snus got me off. E-cigs help me stay off. I also use Stonewall dissolvables, nasal snuff and an infrequent pipe. Nicotine is not your enemy. The tobacco plant has some fine medicinal uses. So let's not damn it completely. It's inhaling smoke that you want to eliminate.

You might find yourself happier, more stable and alert and generally easier to live with if you combine many alternative products. That's the case for me. Whatever you decide, undertake it as an adventure. It's great fun to discover a new, good snus. Stonewall was manna from Heaven. Nasal snuff is dessert. Try stuff. Enjoy stuff. Good luck.

[hittman]

TB, thank you for the advice. The only snus that I have seen before is the camel kind that they have at gas stations and convenience stores. I tried to read some of th posts today talking about snus and other alternatives. I am thinking that I should try the snus but don't know what kind or strength to look for. Any advice is welcomed.