Quitting Smoking with Epilepsy?

[crazychick10793]

I'll admit it, I need to quit

problem is...I feel like I withdrawal 100x worse than most anyone I know and I think epilepsy may play a part in it.

I literally was passing out and throwing up and unable to function trying to just quit cold turkey, and I'm not by any means a heavy smoker. My friends thought I was nuts.

I've heard the gum and the patch and such lower the seizure threshold and are not a good option. Can anyone give their side on this?

I'm kinda lost. Where do I turn from here? onder: Do I just start cutting back?

 

[masterjen]

Congratulations for being ready to quit smoking. As for how to go about it, first ask your neurologist if there are any quit smoking aids that you should avoid or that are most favorable when someone has seizures. Your pharmacist might have some input in this as well. Once you are armed with that bit of information, you're ready to investigate the different types of quitting methods that are safe for you to try.

 

[LW6279]

What about an E-Cigs and cut back slowly?

 

[QueenieKP]

I nearly burnt down my house (caused £4000 worth of damage to my bathroom cos I was a bit dozy and threw a ciggit butt into a waste paper bin, fire alarm didn't go off but luckily an aresol exploding in the bin did and woke up hubby).

Was really good incentive to try and quit.

I am using nicotine patches, tried gum but it tastes faintly of ash tray so just have a tab in the morning while I wait for patch to kick in (takes an hour).

I also have an e cig which I used heavily at first but less and less frequently now as the 'buzz' isn't the same, it in my opinion is better than the inhilator as you get to exhale the vapour, but I think it's more the weaning you off a psychological crutch.

In times were I think mmm one ciggit won't hurt or I've stressed out and bought 10, instead I have had the e cig to puff on in moments of temptation!

There are meds that can help with quitting Zyban and Champix but generally no good for people with seizures or history of depression.

Potentially there could be a risk because NRT can disrupt your sleep etc but probably GP, pharmacist would be a good first port of call to have the discussion. If you went for a patch I would recommend a 16 hour one rather than a 24 hour one as the longer patch made me crazy insomniac and gave me weird dreams.

It's hard, pretty much any med has the potential to interact with out AED's and lower our seizure threahold, I just know burning my house down could have wiped me my son and hubby out, so best of luck in your attempt to quit. I am 2 weeks smoke free today and have saved the grand total of £108.50! I also haven't punched anyone in the face (which is possibly an even more momentous achievement).

 

[QueenieKP]

Do you have the equivalent of the NHS quit smoking service?

I went to a couple of group support sessions and then I meet weekly with my smoking cessation consultant and talk over how it's going and it's really helpful and I get my 'products' free it's a 7 week supported smoking cessation course.