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.
poster:lauram
thread:314336
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040215/msgs/314336.html