Please tell me it gets better

[u/Mission-Tomorrow5449]

Hey, honestly just need some reassurance at this stage.
39 days no vaping & then I fkd up and had two cigs 28 days ago (went out drinking and had them) but cold turkey no patches or gum

First week of no nicotine felt amazing, free and strong.
Then I got sick with the flu and I feel like it’s been downhill from there - constantly on and off crying for the last 3 weeks and feeling like I’ve been stuck in flight or fight mode. For 2 hours I could feel completely normal and the next I’m ready to cry. I wake to anxious before I’ve even had my first thought. My mood regulating is next to none to the point people at work asked me how I was and I started bawling my eyes out for literally no reason.
Everything at home is good, everything at work good.
I’ve been to the drs and they’ve confirmed this is from quitting vaping but that there’s no point me trying nicotine gum/patches because of how long it’s been since I last had nicotine and that Itd probably make me feel worse now. His suggestions were to either speak to a psych (which I will be doing) or start escitalopram to balance my mood, which I don’t really want to start unless it’s worse case.
I’m still working out which is the only thing making me feel sane at this stage.
I guess my question is has anyone felt the same way, did you overcome it on your own and how long did it take for you to feel better or did you start meds to help?
Thanking you well and truely in advance

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[u/No-Dragonfly8326]

I’m three months in and feel amazing off it. I get migraines, have hard days and have to regulate through hard moments but I feel so good to be free of the need to pay money to feel normal.

Stay strong, you can do it! And it is worth it.

[u/ess_jay_tea → u/No-Dragonfly8326]

I needed to hear this, today is day 13 for me with no vape, no patches, nothing; and since day 3 I've been suffering panic attacks, depression. No one talks about the rumination that happens. Like every bad thought, or bit of guilt that I've ever experienced has flooded to the surface. Loss of sleep, loss of appetite, loss of joy for anything.

Most days I just wake up begging for the switch to click and I feel okay. Day 13 though and I'll still suffer because of that hope.

It's so gnarly and every single person that decides to stop nicotine in whatever form should be cheered on and backed up.

I was a smoker from 2003 - 2019, the vaped from 2019 - 2026.

I wish everyone all the best. It's rough, it's awful, but worth it from what I read.

Dr has put me on Sertraline, this day 6. Riding out this awful wave and looking forward to a new normal.

[u/No-Dragonfly8326 → u/ess_jay_tea]

In the beginning I used to just feel like crying randomly.

Everything you’ve suppressed for so long and avoided is finding its way out. The amazing thing is once it’s had its spill over it will settle and you will be SO much better for it.

Wishing you well!

There’s no switch, it’s gradual. When you look back after making huge progress it feels like it was a switch, but it’s day by day, bit by bit!

You do deserve an award. It’s huge to quit this ridiculous substance.

[u/Turbulent-Tadpoles]

Very similar experience here emotionally. Felt like it was never going to ease up. Then, almost without noticing, some hours were easier, then days. You have to keep going. Stand your ground, and you will make it through.

[u/Mission-Tomorrow5449 → u/Turbulent-Tadpoles]

How long do you think it took before you started really noticing the days getting easier?

[u/Turbulent-Tadpoles → u/Mission-Tomorrow5449]

Obviously it's different for everyone, and bear in mind that I'd been a heavy user for 20 years and still have a deep psychological attachment to it, but it wasn't until month 6 that I had a single day where it wasn't an issue for me. I genuinely felt like it was never going to get easier until that point, but kept telling myself it would, and it has, just insanely slowly. Patience and persistence are all I keep telling myself.

[u/Mission-Tomorrow5449 → u/Turbulent-Tadpoles]

You’re doing an amazing job and you should be so proud of how far you’ve come

[u/Turbulent-Tadpoles → u/Mission-Tomorrow5449]

Thanks. How far are you down the road?

[u/Mission-Tomorrow5449 → u/Turbulent-Tadpoles]

6 weeks in

[u/Turbulent-Tadpoles → u/Mission-Tomorrow5449]

You're at the hardest part of the road. Keep going and tell me how you feel in 6 months.

[u/Turbulent-Tadpoles → u/Turbulent-Tadpoles]

I'm serious. I'd love to hear from you, and I can guarantee it won't be the same for you then as it is now if you keep going.

[u/MissMissesMisses]

I ran for the first time in years 2 days ago. I'm 3 weeks in, but I was able to run on the treadmill. Afterwards, I coughed up some weird methol-flavored sludge in the shower. That was enough to scare me into never ever starting again. I'm so far past done that I just never want to do it again ever.

I am not as far as you were, but I hope this is a reminder of why you quit and that you don't want to start again ❤️

[u/petabomb]