Can Smoking Cession Make Ptsd Worse?

[PureDogs]

Hello

I hope you are doing well and I'm doing ok.

I just went through a week breakdown with flashbacks and issues at work. Right now, I am ok for now - As right now, I am trying to quit smoking.

I start to wonder if it may be wrong time to quit? I'll make it simple - next month (May 2013) was a one year that something happened to me and I'm afraid of flashback might come back. I know I will have to be prepare for that - One year thing really annoys me and eventually, it would fade over time.

I'm wondering if any one of you quit smoking? If yes, Does it make your PTSD worse or better?

Any feedbacks?

Thanks

 

[Cufflinks]

Giving up smoking is stressful in itself. Adding to your stress is not a good idea. However, if this is something you want to do then try nicotine replacements. The puffing is just willpower. The nicotine is a stimulant. Try doing one thing at a time. Everything is a baby-step. If things are too much then take smaller steps.

 

[PureDogs]

@Cufflinks

Thank you for your feedback.

You are right - adding with my stress isn't good idea.

Right now - I'm using lozenge and Vape (almost like e-cig) however, someone tells me how dangerous Vape is and made me feel angry about it because I would like to have positive encouragement. One of my friend who saw this conversation approached me and tells me to not let the person' comment what have been heard about Vape make me feel discouraged.

I have been stopped smoking for 2 and half day (tomorrow will be 3rd day).

 

[The Albatross]

Not only is it a stimulant, it has mild anti depressive and has mild pain relief qualities. The last two are the two that I struggle with when I quit smoking... as it is absolutely not good for me but hey guess what? I'm not allergic to it (tobacco).

Like Cufflinks said, it is stressful in itself. Add PTSD and the stress cup overflows a bit more easily. I actually get tense then angry. I'm there right now (tense) as I'm taking another run at it myself.

 

[PureDogs]

@The Albatross

Did you success? If so, how long and how you cope with trigger/stressor of PTSD you have?

I think I'm nervous of possible relapse and how to cope it.

Keep myself busy is good thing.

 

[The Albatross]

I actually was previously successful for 5 years then had a near traumatic break. I haven't done much in the way of success for periods of longer than 30-60 days since then. I just started another quit and am feeling tense. After tense, angry usually shows up to play.

 

[PureDogs]

@The Albatross

Thanks - Sounds like smoking cession may be more challenging for us as sufferers.

 

[The Albatross]

The key thing is nicotine stays in your bloodstream for 72 hours. After that there is some post acute withdrawl syndrom but basically the body reboots and body chemistry rebalances. The psychological aspect is that it's a maladaptive coping mechanism (nicotine) as well as a drug. So coping skills come in to play.

I have chronic allergic pain issues and the last time I quit I didn't have too bad of a withdrawal but seemed to feel quite a moderate amount of pain. I am allergic to most pain relievers so that makes it a bit more of a hard sell for me. I'll get there again though ("I did it before, I'll do it again" sort of thing)

PTSD-wise... other than the additional stress... there was no real impact, except maybe I had to work a little harder than usual to stay out of a depressive cycling because I have low normal range serotonin and I don't take an SSRI.

 

[PureDogs]

@The Albatross

The Vape I have does contain Nicotine - only very low as 2.1% and there are different levels from 0 to 16 (Not sure what is maximum would be but I saw the highest is 16).

I do experience withdrawal: Irritability, Anger, Nervous, Craving, Coughing, depression, and few to list.

I take two different medications: Cymbalta and Prasozin

 

[The Albatross]

I can't use a vape because I'm allergic to most essential oils ingredients including the preservative. So I go cold turkey. (Also had bad reaction to welbutrin, chantix, zyban and am allergic to latex and the adhesive in nicotine patches.)

 

[Cufflinks]

You may not want to hear this but.......
I gave up smoking about 4-5 year ago (I don't do anniversaries anymore). To this day I am still sucking Nicotine Losenges. It's cheaper than cigarettes and I do not want to smoke again. I've broken the habit. I still like Nicotine but it costs so much less than cigarettes. It's not perfect but PTSD and extra stress never mix.

 

[PureDogs]

@The Albatross

I used to take Chantix, it was miracle and helped lot. Unfortunately, I had to stop taking them because of side effect and cause me feel worse. I felt so bad that I had to stop Chantix. Will I be willing to take it again? Yes, I would but my psychiatrist does not think it is good idea because it can make my PTSD worse.