Nicotine and withdrawal

[[St...]]

I’m new here.  First post was yesterday.  My doctor had me go off Clonazepram C/T after being on a moderate dose of 1mg for sleep for 17 years.  Everything that I’m experiencing is exactly as all the buddies on here describe.  I question myself daily.  I know it’s real because I was searching for months to find out what this was.  The other thing my Dr. Did at the same time was switch my Anti-depressant at the same time.  So my psychiatrist that was referred to me by my PCP and we thought it was because of the change in the AD.  So 2 months from being taken off I find out about Benzo withdrawal.  So my question is.  How many people on here smoke or cape tabacco/nicatine?  Two years ago I cut my thumb and it cut a main nerve.  Dr. In Er are stitched the thumb up but didn’t reconnect the nerve.  I saw a specialist and he asked me if I smoke?  I told him yes.  He said when you stop come and see me.  He said as long as I had nicotine in my system the nerve would not be able to heal.  So with BW it’s about letting your central nervous system heal and getting it firing again because it basically shut down the good message sent through your GABA that calms the body down naturally.  So I am no expert on any of this but I just wondered if nicotine can keep the nerve in my theme from healing can it do the same effect with our nervous systems.  I’m now trying to educate my psychologist, and doctors and family about this and I will run it by them too.  Just trying to see if there is a common ground with all of us that are struggling so much bs. The people that don’t really have many symptoms at all.  Just looking for light and answers.  I’m sure someone has already voiced the concern or more knowledgeable about this.  Blessing and prayers for everyone.  We will get this.  We can do it. 
C/t Steve

[[Ha...]]

22 minutes ago, [[S...] said:

I’m new here.  First post was yesterday.  My doctor had me go off Clonazepram C/T after being on a moderate dose of 1mg for sleep for 17 years.  Everything that I’m experiencing is exactly as all the buddies on here describe.  I question myself daily.  I know it’s real because I was searching for months to find out what this was.  The other thing my Dr. Did at the same time was switch my Anti-depressant at the same time.  So my psychiatrist that was referred to me by my PCP and we thought it was because of the change in the AD.  So 2 months from being taken off I find out about Benzo withdrawal.  So my question is.  How many people on here smoke or cape tabacco/nicatine?  Two years ago I cut my thumb and it cut a main nerve.  Dr. In Er are stitched the thumb up but didn’t reconnect the nerve.  I saw a specialist and he asked me if I smoke?  I told him yes.  He said when you stop come and see me.  He said as long as I had nicotine in my system the nerve would not be able to heal.  So with BW it’s about letting your central nervous system heal and getting it firing again because it basically shut down the good message sent through your GABA that calms the body down naturally.  So I am no expert on any of this but I just wondered if nicotine can keep the nerve in my theme from healing can it do the same effect with our nervous systems.  I’m now trying to educate my psychologist, and doctors and family about this and I will run it by them too.  Just trying to see if there is a common ground with all of us that are struggling so much bs. The people that don’t really have many symptoms at all.  Just looking for light and answers.  I’m sure someone has already voiced the concern or more knowledgeable about this.  Blessing and prayers for everyone.  We will get this.  We can do it. 
C/t Steve

Hi Steve, and welcome. Sorry to hear that your doctor did this to you. It's no wonder you're struggling.

I'm a smoker and although I've not healed I'm doing much better than I was, and was a pretty severe case. Smokers heal too. The question I suppose is will you heal any quicker. We all know that smoking is bad for inflammation and healing in general, so you would think it could play a part. But the flip side of this is your brain is trying to find homeostasis after the cessation of the drugs. Putting another WD into the mix, could make things more difficult. Plus the additional stress wouldn't help. That being said I've been promising myself I'm going to give up.

I think what I'm trying to say is smoking won't stop you from healing, and adding stress to this situation isn't helpful. So although it's always a good thing to stop smoking, I wouldn't get too hung up on it at this time. 

Edited September 9, 2023 by [Ha...]

[[St...]]

@[Ha...] Thanks for your reply.  I’m going to ask my Dr. too and see his thoughts.  The only thing that I’m sensing is that  don’t crave anything right now and when I’m in a calm state I really don’t have any desire to smoke which is different.  I’m already suffering so what’s 4 days of cigarette withdrawal when this is so much worse.  Even if that just gives your body a chance to heal faster.  I’m just learning that everyone has to make decisions best for themselves.  I’m just glad that this BB board is here for us.  
thank you

[Guest [...]]

I’m in agreement with @[Ha...]

But, if you do decide to quit and want to avoid another WD on top of BW, you can always try the nicotine patches. That’s what I did to avoid continually inflaming an already compromised digestive tract. 

[[St...]]

@[Wi...]Correct on the patch, but any nicotine hinders healing in the body.  So I've gone down to two cigarettes today and because my body is already super uncomfortable it's not having the craving like when I tried to quit before.  So just something Im looking at and learning about.

 

[Guest [...]]

I understand what you’re saying, @[St...], however, just to bring it into perspective… even the strongest patches - 21mg - are only the equivalent of about 3 cigarettes daily. It’s 21mg released over a 24hr period. It’s actually less… probably about 2 cigarettes a day because you wouldn’t sleep up to 8hrs a day with it on, so it’s more like 2 cigarettes over 16hrs. 

Still, if you feel you can quit comfortably enough, why wouldn’t you. 👍 

 

[[St...]]

I here you @[Wi...]Its weird.  I just did another IV off 500mg of Nad and they say it's really uncomfortable in your stomach and sometimes head  I didn't feel a thing.  So Im doing all I can to speed up the process.  Im 2 months off.

[Guest [...]]

It’s still only early (as you know) @[St...], but you can be sure things will gradually improve. 

 

[[bw...]]

Hi , i smoked all through my taper and full in acute wd.

Also been off 6yrs and still smoking 20 a day. I healed in this time. Best of luck with your choice.

They say nicotine has been proven to be neuro-protective. But the stimulant effects rev up some. I guess its what you can handle.

Prof ashton has a section on smoking on her writings. Check out what she says.

Edited September 12, 2023 by [bw...]
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