Wanted to share this in case it might be of use to anybody else:
I had to slow down my transition off cigarettes due to some severe symptoms ... I have no evidence that it was most significantly the MAO inhibitors present in tobacco that were causing the problem, but I figured from reading that this was the most probable explanation. As WTA and snus were not an option in Canada I did some reading, consulted my doctor, and started a very low dose of St John's Wort (natural supplement which has some MAO activity) in the belief that if it didn't help it was at least not likely to cause much harm as a short term supplement during the transition.
It's only been a few days but I am cautiously quite optimistic that this has been helpful so if there is anyone having similar difficulties you may want to discuss this with your doctor.
I have also taken to throwing in what was easily available (nutmeg tumeric ginger licorice caraway) adding to spiced hot chocolate herbal teas etc as these are reputed to have some mao effect - no idea how much so don't know if actually any use, but certainly harmless enough.
Obviously this is an anecdote only, not something I am representing as known facts - use your own judgement, talk to your doctor etc. However if it helps one other person I figured it was worth sharing.
MILESTONE: this is the first time I have called them stinkies as I have to confess that I still love the smell of a cigarette and my nose gives a little smile when I smell it on the street!
However as I am now using half-cigarettes in my transition I decided I would not light a new one every time and that has definitely added a bit of aversion therapy!
ANOTHER MILESTONE: went for beer with a friend last night and no trouble not wanting a cigarette as soon as I stepped out of the pub as I usually would; just vaped instead. Must say that vape I snuck in the bathroom mid-evening certainly helped!!!
I had to slow down my transition off cigarettes due to some severe symptoms ... I have no evidence that it was most significantly the MAO inhibitors present in tobacco that were causing the problem, but I figured from reading that this was the most probable explanation. As WTA and snus were not an option in Canada I did some reading, consulted my doctor, and started a very low dose of St John's Wort (natural supplement which has some MAO activity) in the belief that if it didn't help it was at least not likely to cause much harm as a short term supplement during the transition.
It's only been a few days but I am cautiously quite optimistic that this has been helpful so if there is anyone having similar difficulties you may want to discuss this with your doctor.
I have also taken to throwing in what was easily available (nutmeg tumeric ginger licorice caraway) adding to spiced hot chocolate herbal teas etc as these are reputed to have some mao effect - no idea how much so don't know if actually any use, but certainly harmless enough.
Obviously this is an anecdote only, not something I am representing as known facts - use your own judgement, talk to your doctor etc. However if it helps one other person I figured it was worth sharing.
MILESTONE: this is the first time I have called them stinkies as I have to confess that I still love the smell of a cigarette and my nose gives a little smile when I smell it on the street!
However as I am now using half-cigarettes in my transition I decided I would not light a new one every time and that has definitely added a bit of aversion therapy!
ANOTHER MILESTONE: went for beer with a friend last night and no trouble not wanting a cigarette as soon as I stepped out of the pub as I usually would; just vaped instead. Must say that vape I snuck in the bathroom mid-evening certainly helped!!!
