Is it a bad time to quit cigarettes while suffering a major depressive <span title="episode(bipolar)/neurological">episode(bipolar)/neurolog...</span> issues?

Question

Ok, so I am bipolar I with rapid cycling. I just went through a mixed state episode and now I am in a major depressive episode. I also have several anxiety disorders. Last week my neurologist was concerned about a possibility of seizure activity in the brain because my hand got numb the night before. He is going to be running tests really soon (EEG, MRI).

Now I smoke about 15-20 cigs a day and I can't afford it anymore since i used to live in upstate NY and got a pack for 5 but after moving to NYC and the tobacco raise, its hard to spend $8.75 everyday.

The doctor said whatever i do, NOT to take Chantix, which is a med that helps you quit, he said seizure is a side effect. I took it for a week about 7 months ago, but stopped cuz of interference with moods. He also said I should NOT use patches because it increase my heart rate and i should streer clear of that right now.

So, as people who have tried to quit know, the withdrawl of quitting is a whole despressive episode in itself.

My question is, if I try to quit with all these problems psychologically and neurological, would it cause to much strain and stress and possibly hurt me? I think I have higher than normal blood pressure and I am under HUUUUUUUUUUUUUGE stress right now.

Should I concentrate on getting meds for bipolar, and help neurologically, and just wait off till im stable and then try to quit?

Answer 1

I hope you soon feel better. The best way to quit is not to think you are depriving yourself but instead think of how wonderful it is that you will soon be free of the addiction. I got this from a book called The Easy Way to Quit by Allen Carr. It&#039;s definitely worth reading.

Good luck to you! You will be ok!

Answer 2

It sounds like quitting could have serious consequences for you. That said, there will never be a &quot;good&quot; time to quit smoking - I put it off for 10 years! I suggest that you buy a carton online (much cheaper!) and taper off, rather than quitting cold turkey, to avoid such a shock to your system. Best of luck!

Answer 3

Show  this website to those people concern and they will think twice about smoking it has some articles, picture, videos about smoking.  http://smoking-kills.weebly.com

Answer 4

Quitting smoking is something good that you do for yourself.  It sounds like you need to be good to yourself.  However, if money is the only reason you are trying to quit, then I doubt that you will be successful.  Your doctor is not being very helpful.  So far, all he has given you is what not to do to quit.  Surely, he has some help for how to quit?  Cold turkey is hard, and in your state, it may be too hard.  Why not try to cut down first.  Instead of smoking 15-20 a day, cut it back to 10 a day, or less.  Once you can get stable on your other meds, then maybe you can go cold turkey.

Answer 5

I had the same dilema  a couple of months ago and when I asked my doctor, she told me that qwitting smokes right now could inded be harmfull!!

You said yourself that you are under alot of stress already and adding the stress of the witrawl (especialy cold turkey) to your body could be very hard on your heart (especially since you smoke 15 to 20 smokes a day). Of course, I &#039;m not saying you should dismiss the whole idea but, mabye this is not the best of time. (You could always try and limit the amount you smoke per day....go down one cig. at a time....)

Your prority right now should be getting meds for your bipolar (to stabelise your mood and therefore your level of stress) Plus,getting the EEG/MRI to determine if you do or do not have neurological problems should be a priority (just not knowing what&#039;s going on is a &quot;humongus&quot; stress I&#039;m sure...)

I do agree, cigarettes are expensive and a bad habbit. Planning on stopping is a very good idea but now is not the time to add more stress on yourself. Wait until your stress has gone down a couple of levels and then focus on qwitting.

If you try qwitting at the wrong time or to fast, you will never stop. You have to do it at your own pace and when you feel ready to do it. (don&#039;t let others pressure you into it!!! It has to be your decission and your desire to qwitt!!)

In time, you will qwitt.Don&#039;t stress yourself more by feeling like your not able to qwitt....it&#039;s just not the right timming at the moment.

I wish you the best of luck and hope I&#039;ve answered your questions properly;)