withdrawal from MAOI in cigarettes?

[telsie]

Telsie: That makes a lot of sense! I thought panic attacks were way more pronounced than what I have been experiencing, but last night was way worse than usual and more prolonged. Then when I try to sleep, any little discomfort wakes me...so no sleep!! Which probably makes things worse also!

Panic attacks can be pronounced, indeed. Believe me, I've had my share of bad ones! Since you're already aware now of what you're experiencing, it a lot less likely that you'll have a major panic attack. That main thing to keep in mind is that it's a temporary feeling caused by changes in your brain chemistry and (to oversimplify it a bit) what makes it worse is freaking out about it. Distracting yourself from how you're feeling is about the best thing you can do. Physical activity is very good in that respect, but even something as simple as posting on the forum might be enough to prevent you from dwelling on the anxiety.

Having dealt with anxiety and panic attacks for most of my life, I'm better prepared to recognize it and get myself through it. But for someone like you who's never had a problem with it before, getting hit with anxiety for the first time while trying to ween off analogs is like a double-whammy! I'd hate for you to feel like you need analogs to be okay, but if you've found that the anxiety subsides when you smoke an analog, then maybe try a more gradual switch to vaping.

I've been analog-free for a few weeks now and my spikes in anxiety seem to have gone away. So what you're going through is probably temporary. I've never tried any herbal remedies for anxiety, but I do take a low dose of Xanax on occasion (I have .25mg prescription and I only take a half a pill). That's an "as-needed" kind of drug and it works well to knock the anxiety back a bit. If you find yourself feeling the need to get something from your doctor to help you though this, that's what I'd recommend asking for.

Hang on there!

 

[Debra]

post deleted

 

[telsie]

*post deleted*

 

[Debra]

... sorry...

 

[telsie]

No harm, Debra. I may have come across a bit harsh in my reply. Sorry about that.

 

[four2109]

Started hearing heartbeat in ears this morning. I did some deep breathing and focused on relaxing. I don't know if it helped, but no "episode"! Maybe it is anxiety and that is why the docs seem to be brushing me off. If that is the case, it kind of sucks. I have always been a big coward, but I have never had panic attacks and, if panic attacks are my problem, they are scary...and they make you SICK!

Hi Frankie1,
How are you doing?

I have had the heartbeat in my ears too. When I first started vaping it began as a feeling of pressure releasing when I turned over in bed in the morning. In which ever ear was up. Over time... or juice changes/experimenting... it turned to a full/clogged feeling and I could hear/feel my heartbeat in one ear. It was very uncomfortable and at times painful. This is also when I started having a 120 resting heartbeat. Aspirin seemed to relieve it, and that was scary too.

I cut flavors and VG for awhile, took alot of sudafed and it cleared up. But a couple of days ago, I mixed some VG in some juice and just used that for the day. That very night the heartbeat was in my ear again. I went back to PG the next day and it cleared up.

It seems that Vg causes swelling in my sinuses and tubes. Just my theory.

I have also noticed that since I increased my nicotine level, I am not vaping as much. Just as much nicotine, just not so much PG, more oxygen! It seems to me that DVape is right about having a set point of about 2.5 times the amount(mg) you were actually getting from cigarettes.

I hope your Dr. appointment goes well. Let us know. Take care.

 

[frankie1]

Hi 42109: So far so good, although I did have and episode the other night. Testing begins on Monday if this cold I have taken doesn't prevent it. I had the heart in ears thing before I started vaping, so I don't think it has anything to do with vaping. The problem has just intensified and become more frequent since I started vaping. Thank you for asking and I will report back so that others aren't left to wonder if it was vape related or not!

 

[skydragon]

Is it possible that dehydration would have anything to do with it? I don't know about you but with the PG I can almost feel the moisture being sucked up. I haven't even vaped that much either. I don't know if VG is as dehydrating.

 

[Madame Psychosis]

Your symptoms do overlap with many of the MAOI discontinuation symptoms. The good thing is that MAOI discontinuation ends as your body adjusts; these would be temporary nasty withdrawal symptoms.

This is a really weird suggestion, but I don't think anybody else will make it:

You might want to ask your doctor about either (1) low dose oral selegiline or (2) the Emsam selegiline patch. It is an MAOI but in low doses it is selective for the MAO involved with dopamine, and so in low doses it doesn't require the MAOI diet (the "no-cheese" diet). (Selegiline has been used for decades in Parkinson's patients and there is some evidence it can help cognitive and memory issues associated with regular aging, too.)
I mention it because it has been studied for both smoking cessation and depression (Google "selegiline and smoking cessation" I think there are some studies available on the Web) and it might really help if your problem is MAOI withdrawal.

(I am on Emsam myself (high dose, for depression) and within two days of being on the lowest dose, BAM! cigarettes felt incredibly powerful. I was still an analog smoker then, but my smoking got cut in half that day. Like they were just bumped way up in potency. It's been really easy to transition to vaping. Anyway, PM me if you're curious about it, or Google around for info.)

 

[Madame Psychosis]

I should add: it goes without saying that you should rule out other causes for your symptoms. Those kind of symptoms you describe could come with a few different medical conditions and it's best to get the peace of mind from more testing before you try to find solutions based on the hypothesis that it's MAOI withdrawal.

Best of luck in finding answers!