I just want to complain.. withdrawal.. addiction.. so sleepy/groggy.. and anxious..

[JME]

I'm so freakin sleepy and groggy - still.

I quit smoking a year ago now, and quit nicotine a couple months ago, and I have to double-up on the caffeine now or I'm zonked. And that's WITH like 10-11 hours of sleep and often I end up laying down with my toddler during his quiet time, too. I feel so tiirreedd all the time.

I felt REALLY SICK, really weird, shocky-painy-whatnot, generally ill and couldn't sleep like at all when I first quit smoking, but then that got 100% better.. but I've noticed that I am probably kind of depressed, now, still. I know that's common when people quit smoking. Been kinda snappier and even tho I feel soo tired a lot, I still have trouble getting to sleep.. tho now I sleep fine when I finally do fall asleep.

I also noticed that now that I quit nicotine, I don't seem to have as good a control of my anxiety and I think I might have to go back on medication (been off anxiety meds for 4 years).

I am aware that it's probably psychological and probably just my knowledge that I quit nicotine is what is making me so anxious and my anxiety flare up.. but.. I just want to complain because it's part of this whole process.

Also, the anxiety surges are making me want to smoke a cigarette at times.. I know I would absolutely hate it.. and I won't.. but it's odd I hadn't thought about/wanted to smoke in a long time and now I feel those urges because my anxiety level is so much higher.

I was so proud of myself quitting smoking and stopping nicotine without much ado besides a few physical withdrawal symptoms that went away after a couple weeks and a slight amount of trouble sleeping, too... But, I guess it's more complex than that.. right? Evil, addiction!

When will this withdrawal process finally end.. ? Anyone else experience increased anxiety issues after quitting nicotine and can relate?

 

[JME]

I suppose I should add that I'd been vaping like 2 mg (I way watered down 12 mg juice) and 0 mg for 3 months prior to me quitting nicotine all-together, so for all intensive purposes I was prettty well off nicotine before I was totally off nicotine.

I'm pretty sure this is all in my head. Still want to complain tho...

 

[JME]

bump, no one relates ?

 

[juicejunky]

I wish I could because that would mean I too was off nicotine. I'm just over 6 months vaping and on 12 mg. Kudos to you for getting the job done, but those symptoms sound like a struggle. Is it at least getting a wee bit better everyday? I wish I could offer some help but thought I'd let you know I'm at least listening. There are probably not many total vaping quitters still on this board. I wish there were more like you to share their experience. Please keep us informed as you go through the process. I'd bet you'll be fine before too long as you adjust. Nicotine is strong stuff. The times I totally quit for over a year I still had strong cravings. Hang tough!

 

[bobsyeruncle]

I believe the nicotine was probably helping with your anxiety. You may eventually get over the tired feeling, but you might still want to consult a doctor about all of your symptoms.

 

[Outre]

It's not all in your head, at least not your mind.

Reading a bit at Wikipedia, my understand is that;

Nicotine causes certain physiological changes to receptors in your nervous system(s). Some of these can cause increases in certain hormones that regulate alertness and energy producing functions of the body. Therefore, when you stop nicotine this hormone production decreases.

Nicotine in and of itself also has some mood-altering capabilities.

If you feel like slogging through a scientifically written entry at Wikipedia, it's here - Wikipedia: Nicotine.

Particularly of interest are the sections titled "In the central nervous system", "In the sympathetic nervous system", "In adrenal medulla" and "Psychoactive effects".

As bobsyeruncle noted, a visit with a doctor may be in order. I would suggest a complete physical, informing the doctor that you have quit, how you quit and the symptoms you are still experiencing. I don't want to suggest any other course, exercise, dietary, etc., until you know there isn't an underlying cause you need to know about and manage first.

On the other hand, how do you feel about tomatoes? They have small amounts of nicotine in them, and if you can tolerate them (I can't, food sensitivities) then maybe a salad with tomatoes once a day to get a natural, food-based nic kick?

I hope that this resolves soon for you.