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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by lauram on February 16, 2004, at 21:08:32
I quit smoking fourteen years ago long before being diagnose BP2. I enjoyed great health and worked out frequently. I was diagnosed BP2 one year ago after experiencing a four month manic episode. I became suicidal and was hospitalized for three weeks. After starting on Depakote I experienced immediate relief and was appalled at the idea that I had comtemplated suicide. My moods have leveled out and I feel mentally better than I have for years. My question is this.
While in the hospital I was around patients who smoked a lot. After one week I began to smoke again. It gave me a lot of satisfaction and calmed me down. It has been nine months since I started smoking again and I want to once again give up smoking as it does not fit my lifestyle.
I am committed to quitting and might try the patch rather than going cold turkey. Will the physiology of quitting cause me to go manic again. To those bipolar's who quit, what were your experiences mentally? I have written this post on the med board as I need to hear if stopping smoking has effected your mood cycling. Thanks for any input.
Posted by lepus on February 16, 2004, at 22:17:48
In reply to Quitting Smoking and Medications, posted by lauram on February 16, 2004, at 21:08:32
For me stopping smoking makes me depressed. Maybe look into Wellbutrin to help since it isn't supposed to promote cycling as much.
Good luck.
Posted by lauram on February 17, 2004, at 0:44:45
In reply to Re: Quitting Smoking and Medications, posted by lepus on February 16, 2004, at 22:17:48
Thanks for your reply. I appreciate your input. I think it will make me depressed and I need that information. I will talk to my Pdoc about Wellbutrin.
Posted by KarmaFairy on February 17, 2004, at 18:47:14
In reply to Re: Quitting Smoking and Medications » lepus, posted by lauram on February 17, 2004, at 0:44:45
I quit smoking 8 months ago. Though I was taking Wellbutrin, I had been taking it for years and still smoked a pack a day. I imagine that it must've helped, as I went cold turkey and found it exceedingly easy.
I would suggest that you try cold turkey to begin with, and would recommend Wellbutrin or Zyban before the patch. The patch (and other nicotine replacement systems) actually has lower success rates than cold turkey.
Best of luck!!!
Posted by lauram on February 17, 2004, at 21:13:26
In reply to Re: Quitting Smoking and Medications, posted by KarmaFairy on February 17, 2004, at 18:47:14
Thank you so much for your reply. It helps me so much to know that others have been successful in quitting. Congradulations on your eight months of being smoke free. That is where I plan to be also.
I plan to try to stop cold turkey first. I realize more each day that smoking just isn't for me. I'll keep everyone posted. Again, thank you!
Posted by TexasChic on February 18, 2004, at 9:27:26
In reply to Re: Quitting Smoking and Medications » KarmaFairy, posted by lauram on February 17, 2004, at 21:13:26
Quitting smoking is so freaking hard! The only way I was able to do it was when I had to have surgery and spent several days heavily drugged and with no access to smokes. I quit a year ago Jan 1st. I went a whole year without picking up a cig, but lately I've been bumming one off people when I'm out at night. I know its risky but I miss it so-o-o much! Anyway, I just started Wellbutrin and hope it will help with the cravings. I don't really have any advice, I just wanted to let you know you're not alone. Good luck!
Posted by jdgjdg on February 20, 2004, at 23:20:51
In reply to Re: Quitting Smoking and Medications, posted by TexasChic on February 18, 2004, at 9:27:26
My doctor gave me Wellbutrin to quit smoking and within 1 week, I quit. I would literally get sick after taking one puff. The effects tend to wear off after a while. Just make sure you stick with it. Good luck.
Posted by lauram on February 22, 2004, at 12:49:10
In reply to Re: Quitting Smoking and Medications, posted by jdgjdg on February 20, 2004, at 23:20:51
Thanks for your input. I know that I will quit as I am very motivated. It is nice to have your encouragement.
Posted by Sebastian on February 22, 2004, at 13:43:29
In reply to Re: Quitting Smoking and Medications, posted by TexasChic on February 18, 2004, at 9:27:26
Befor I got mentaly ill, I stoped smoking for about 4-5 months. Slowly during that 4-5 months I got sick. It wasn't till the end of that period that I went back on vacation and got back into drugs and smoking, then the vacation ended and I quit it all, again. With in 2 months I was in the mental hospital taking all kinds of medicine. The next few years I went in and out of ciggarette use and drugs and meds and totaly clean. Some how I came to the conclusion that smoking was the answer to not being mentaly ill. Because of these periods of not smoking when I would get sick. Even now just the thought of quiting or being quit makes me anxious and unable to work.?? I've tried and my school work goes down or usualy I'm just too scared to leave the house. I'm at the point where a ciggarette is as valuable as meds.
I do take wellbutrin SR and it cuts down on my number of ciggs, but for some reason I just can't totaly give them up. With out going insane to the point I withdraw from people and work. I've quit many times for months at a time, past the point where I should be totaly nicotine free, but I'm sick, stuck in the house afraid to go anywhere, with masive anxiety. I start smoking again and it all changes.
Hellp.....
Posted by Basia on February 23, 2004, at 0:33:44
In reply to Quitting Smoking and Medications, posted by lauram on February 16, 2004, at 21:08:32
HI, I have only just given up, it's been three weeks but i have to say i feel much better already. I mean better as in calmer, more stable, less likely to have suicidal feelings from total exhaustion and feelings of sickness probably attributable to a cigarette hangover...
I certainly felt a lot more energised in the first few days of giving up and this has levelled out now :(. It is, however, worth noting that as someone who regularly suffers from mood swings, particularly towards the lower end of the spectrum, I feel fine after cutting out a 30 a day habit!
Good luck! It's one of the best things you can ever do for your health...Lyn
Posted by Basia on February 23, 2004, at 0:36:55
In reply to Re: Quitting Smoking and MedicationsLauram, posted by Basia on February 23, 2004, at 0:33:44
Oh, I am giving up using the 24 hour patches and the occasional spurt of nasal spray.
sounds extreme, but i wouldn't do it otherwise!
> HI, I have only just given up, it's been three weeks but i have to say i feel much better already. I mean better as in calmer, more stable, less likely to have suicidal feelings from total exhaustion and feelings of sickness probably attributable to a cigarette hangover...
> I certainly felt a lot more energised in the first few days of giving up and this has levelled out now :(. It is, however, worth noting that as someone who regularly suffers from mood swings, particularly towards the lower end of the spectrum, I feel fine after cutting out a 30 a day habit!
> Good luck! It's one of the best things you can ever do for your health...
>
> Lyn
Posted by obSession on February 23, 2004, at 8:23:49
In reply to Re: Quitting Smoking and mental illness, posted by Sebastian on February 22, 2004, at 13:43:29
very intresting...been smoking for ages and im still in 20's if i quit i completely...go insane i tried one day and started going mad ....screaming and crying and going insane.....i wish i hadnt started
This is the end of the thread.
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