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What Causes Mood Swings And Fatigue After Stopping Smoking With Help Of Wellburtin?

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Posted on Sat, 27 Sep 2014
Question: I was a smoker for 46years. I stopped smoking 75 days ago with the help of Wellbutrin. I am continuing to experience. mood swings and physical discomfort such as lack of energy and social isolation. Are these symptoms normal even after 75 days of not smoking?
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Answered by Dr. Dr. Matt Wachsman (23 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Yes, it certainly is !

Detailed Answer:
Wellbutin is somewhat helpful increasing the likelihood of quitting from 20% to 25% (this is not great) and.. as an anti-depressant has a Much better likelihood of helping the lows of mood swings (over 75% helpful on depression).

The relationship of mood swings and addiction is quite complex. Certainly some people have bipolar Illness and the mood swings cause risky behaviors including drugs of abuse (generally as bad or worse than even cigarettes!).

Not some. Every Single One of my patients say the cravings last a very long time after quitting cigarettes. Mood swings often go with this.

First, look into Cognitive Behavior Therapy which is counseling to identify the particular thoughts and feelings of what your mood swings are.

Second, realize that the CONTEXT of all of these mood swings, thoughts, cravings, feelings, is quitting cigarettes.. which less than half of those on cigarettes ever manage (GREAT JOB !!!!) and 75 days is a very significant amount of time off of cigarettes. Will see some beginning healing of lung function by about this time (and continuing for the next TWO YEARS).

Third, connected with this context of cravings and quitting you might want to try this
et post-its or colored duct tape or sticky gold stars. Whenever you have a trigger to smoke AND YOU DON"T put a star on where the trigger occurred. Soon you will be surrounded by triggers of positives rather than negatives!


Lastly, and I do not necessarily recommend this at ALL, are other medications used as mood stabilizers in true bipollar illness such as anti-epileptics and anti-psychotics (seroquel).

Thank you for choosing our service, Good Luck !
Note: In case of any other concern or query related to prevention, evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, or the recovery of persons with the any type of addiction or substance use, follow up with our Addiction Medicine Specialist. Click here to book a consultation now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Matt Wachsman

Addiction Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1985

Answered : 4214 Questions

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What Causes Mood Swings And Fatigue After Stopping Smoking With Help Of Wellburtin?

Brief Answer: Yes, it certainly is ! Detailed Answer: Wellbutin is somewhat helpful increasing the likelihood of quitting from 20% to 25% (this is not great) and.. as an anti-depressant has a Much better likelihood of helping the lows of mood swings (over 75% helpful on depression). The relationship of mood swings and addiction is quite complex. Certainly some people have bipolar Illness and the mood swings cause risky behaviors including drugs of abuse (generally as bad or worse than even cigarettes!). Not some. Every Single One of my patients say the cravings last a very long time after quitting cigarettes. Mood swings often go with this. First, look into Cognitive Behavior Therapy which is counseling to identify the particular thoughts and feelings of what your mood swings are. Second, realize that the CONTEXT of all of these mood swings, thoughts, cravings, feelings, is quitting cigarettes.. which less than half of those on cigarettes ever manage (GREAT JOB !!!!) and 75 days is a very significant amount of time off of cigarettes. Will see some beginning healing of lung function by about this time (and continuing for the next TWO YEARS). Third, connected with this context of cravings and quitting you might want to try this et post-its or colored duct tape or sticky gold stars. Whenever you have a trigger to smoke AND YOU DON"T put a star on where the trigger occurred. Soon you will be surrounded by triggers of positives rather than negatives! Lastly, and I do not necessarily recommend this at ALL, are other medications used as mood stabilizers in true bipollar illness such as anti-epileptics and anti-psychotics (seroquel). Thank you for choosing our service, Good Luck !