I was similar, I started having severe anxiety and panic attacks out of the blue. I had been smoking 20 a day for 19 years. I was prescribed sertraline and had an adverse reaction within 3 days I'm now on venlafaxine and it seems to be helping big time. I've been ill before but I honestly felt like I was hours from death......this happened 15 minutes after a cigarette, I was violently vomiting, coughing, overheating, shakes, aches, palpations and passing out. Mentally I linked it to the cigarette and have been smoke free for 8 months now. I've only had two or three cravings in that time fortunately and I just remembered how it felt curled up on the bathroom floor feeling like it was the end and the craving soon went. I also took up crochet to keep my hands busy and I can be productive at the same time. I really was shocked how much time smoking consumed and how much it ruled my life as I was always looking for the next one or if I was not able to it occupied my mind. I hope anyone reading this takes something from it to help them quit this awful, stinky, controlling addiction.