Depressed

[Lorizgal]

First and Foremost
I would go to the doctor, clinic or whatever and make sure they don't think you have something like chronic fatigue syndrome or fibromyalgia or that there is not something else wrong, first however. Make sure you tell them everything you are feeling or not feeling and maybe you might need something to help (for a little while). Make sure it's not something physical first a real problem not just related to quitting smoking or vaping. Tell them that you switched to vaping and that you are attempting to quit smoking without losing your nicotine. It's best to inform as many people (especially medical people) as possible. When you did sleep (a whole night) did you awake tired like you hadn't slept? Because that could be sleep apnea where your brain is not getting enough O2 while sleeping and you stop breathing for several times a night. I think I have it, but have no insurance and no way to pay for a sleep study.


Then if nothing is wrong phyically with you, I would try Chamomile tea OR melatonin to sleep. take the melatonin about 1 hour before bed. Some nice relaxing sounds (like thunderstorms, waves, waterfall or relaxing music), if you watch TV in bed, and can't do without it, like me, put something on that you don't really want to watch and turn it down to a point where you can just barely hear it, I normally also play a game on my cell phone. Then I will get really sleepy, and I will hopefully get my phone on the charger before falling asleep. If you really NEED to sleep. Make sure your room is actually dark. Tin foil on the windows or black construction paper, a blanket to block out all sunlight and some relaxing music, or sounds that you like. White noise very low is also very relaxing.

I have had Chronic Depression since I was 3. let's just say I am really close to 50 now.
When I quit smoking, I got really depressed (and still taking my meds), after the first month of vaping (not smoking) I was fine, sleeping well and all. Then I got really depressed again, about 3-6 months in, and I craved real cigarettes like nobodys business and I gave in (one pack) took me almost a month to finish that pack. Paid 8.45 couldn't just throw them away after I didn't want them anymore. Used to smoke 1 pack a day!

I am an expert on Depression or ways to treat it naturally, actually.


The thing with Depression is that once your there, you either sleep all the time or can't sleep at all. then anxiety sets in because you are sleeping all the time or because you aren't sleeping and it's a viscous cycle. The way to stop it is to continue to tell yourself, it doesn't matter whether you are sleeping or not. You probably work, and so do I, sometimes I only get 2 hours of sleep before work. Sometimes 9, sometimes 0. I just tell my self it's okay and It doesn't matter whether or not I sleep. Usually after a week or so of this, I start to sleep for at least 8 hours and usually more. Your body will shut down eventually and it you won't be able to stop it. It's called fatigue. You will sleep for a long time, if it gets to this.

These are the things I try step one and then add the next one.
Which ever combination works, remember it.

One of the most important things is to not Vape any nicotine right before bed or drink caffiene. So for about an hour or two before bed vape 0mg
juice for bedtime. Any of your favorite juices can be made to 0mg.

Nicotine is a stimulant!

1. Chamomile tea about 1-2 hours before bed.
(don't worry about sleeping it will come eventually)
2. Blacken out the windows and listen to quiet relaxing music
(don't worry about sleeping it will come eventually)
3. TV and games until sleepy.
(don't worry about sleeping it will come eventually)
4. Melatonin
(don't worry about sleeping it will come eventually)
5. Don't worry about sleeping it will come eventually
(don't worry about sleeping it will come eventually)

 

[frisco]

I experienced some weird mental stuff myself. I suffer from depression but it has been well controlled for the last 15 years. When I started vaping I experienced a lot of old behavior issues. I didn't become severely depressed, just blue. Very irratable and impatient. Antsy.

I also went manic! I have not had an episode of that in I don't know how long. I spent way too much money, no control, did not sleep because I didn't want to. I was revved up.

One thing I was sure of was that I wasn't needing nicotine. 18mg is as high as I can vape. I use that and lower. I was smoking a couple of cigs a day.

Now it's been a month since I had a regular cig. I wore myself out and am now sleeping just fine! My mood has returned to normal but best of all the manic state is gone! I did some damage financially but I have a good stash of juice and supplies.

It was a strange experience but it pointed out to me just how much control cigarettes had over me. I don't know all the chemicals that are in them but some of them must have a pretty powerful effect mood-wise.

Some times the word depressed is used loosely. If your depression is severe or if you feel suicidal please seek help. It isn't something to be taken lightly and in most cases is treatable.

 

[FlaSandman]

I started vaping a week ago. Still smoking analogs but a lot less. My sleeping has been off too. I'm exhausted at 7 pm but have trouble getting to sleep and wake up hr before my alarm!

 

[Casper]

For me, a noob who hasn't quite quit yet, but am willing to try this vape thing, smoking to me is more mentally a habit and after 30+years of it, its like saying goodbye to a family member. Yes, theres the chemical/physical side we all know that its bad, but we knew it all along..didn't we? I have associated my life around it and have good memores with it, so why wouldn't it be depressing? Hell, I work 2 jobs and am around it constantly!

I think about all the times smoking got me through some tragedy or kept me awake on the road or has helped me think. I've never made it more than a week on any attempts, I threw money at it and tried all the same things we all have tried, but in the end, i was too afraid of "missing it"..and still am to a degree. I think once I find the right combination and learn the vape thing a little more, I won't be as depressed or scared to walk away from a very major part of my life, and that is the moment we as smokers all hope for. I don't want to quit analogs, but I need to. I think this may be the least painless way to come along in my lifetime..and that isn't so depressing. Hope that helps..

 

[HeatherC]

What ever you do... Casper... and the OP as well... don't rush yourself. It will and can happen!! I have read many posters on here vaping for a year or more and still having cigs once in a while. Just remember that each cigarette you DON'T have adds 7 minutes to your life!! (i may have already said this in this post...if so then just chalk it up to the blond hair LOL)

 

[Lisa2112]

I'm right there with you. Everyone is different but I too have been a bit down in the dumps over the past few days. I think that it can be expected when you are used to doing something habitual and you remove it from your life. It's a mental change as well as a physical one. I am going to admit something. I smoked my last analogue at 5:30 on Tuesday evening as that's when I got home and my 510 was waiting for me all charged. I made it to Wednesday morning and that morning coffee analogue was a little tough to get away from. All in all I smoked 6 analogues yesterday within a timeframe that I would have smoked 20. So the way that I look at it I didn't smoke 14 analogues! So far today I have smoked 1 (again the morning coffee thing). We'll see how it goes once I get out of work. There is definitely a learning curve in the beginning and I am getting better at how to vape and what I need for mg.

Sorry to go on, I just wanted you to know that you're not alone in the wierd "down" feeling. I think for me it's because I used analogues as a reward system. I am working replacing that with vaping. However, there is also teaching the body that the reward doesn't come from that first drag after you haven't had an analogue. It comes after the 3rd or 4th hit off of the ecig depending on how long you wait between. It's definitely a learning process.

I refuse to beat myself up though and I am very determined. You can do this, cut yourself some slack.

 

[maclean]

i was too afraid of "missing it"..and still am to a degree

You know what? You don't need to worry about that at all. Why? Because vaping is actually better than smoking. That's why so many people are successful in quitting. They start vaping to quit smoking, then discover that it tastes WAY better, and get 'hooked' on vaping. But of course, 'hooked' isn't the right word because with vaping, you can set your nicotine level at whatever you want, an if you want to reduce it, you can do it a milligram a week, if that's what it takes.

mac

 

[MrsAngelD]

Wow guys thanks for all the support and replies. I ended up finally falling asleep and didn't get up until about and 1 hour ago (4:00 p.m.) I must have just needed it.

I think this depression thing is a combination of my quitting smoking, as well as my graves disease. I may have had it before but my body was used to it while smoking, so now here I am loosing that habit and my body needs to re-adjust.

It's not really a bad depression (I've dealt with that before) it's more of I don't wanna do anything and life sucks depression. My husband though he's being very supportive and I'm thankful I have him in my life.

Thank you to everyone who posted I really needed to hear (or read) what you all said. It made me feel better, and inspired to keep going with this. By the way I haven't had a cigg since yesterday morning I Just haven't wanted one.

Thanks again guys

Angel

 

[maclean]

So far today I have smoked 1 (again the morning coffee thing)

I had the same problem at first, but I discovered that if I could manage not to smoke the first one, I was fine for the rest of the day.

By the way I haven't had a cigg since yesterday morning I Just haven't wanted one

Way to go! Stick with it and you'll start to feel the benefits more and more.

mac

 

[BlueMoods]

I had the headaches when I switched to vaping and, the poor sleep. I took two asprin (tylenol, alieve, any OTC pain reliver would do) in the morning and Valerian capsule at night (herbal relaxant) in a week I needed neither and, though I am naturally a bit of an insomniac, headaches went away and, sleep was back to my normal 3-4 hours a night.