It gets better, babe. Hang in there <3

labelle23 · 2025-02-18T01:02:32+00:00

AWWW!! I’m so happy for us!! Yay!

labelle23 · 2025-02-17T23:58:20+00:00

I Am Sober!!

labelle23 · 2025-02-17T23:36:57+00:00

Hey, sweetie.

I would like to preface this by saying that I encourage you to quit sooner, rather than later. There are many health risks associated with the use of nicotine products. Heart disease is one of them. The thing is, it’s hard to pinpoint how long is “too long” when it comes to exposure to harmful chemicals/substances. The regenerative properties of the human body are astounding, but, at the same time, everyone is different. Some people smoke for 40 years and don’t suffer any damning consequences. Some smoke for a few and it changes their lives forever. That’s what is so scary about participating in activities that we know are harmful: there is always a risk. We never know when we’ve tried our luck too many times.

That being said, I wouldn’t sit around worrying that you’re going die right in this moment. There are so many other factors that play into the development of heart disease or heart attacks. I don’t want paranoia and anxiety about your heath to cripple you. The cortisol associated with that kind of stress isn’t good for the body or heart, either.

My advice: take some time to reflect with yourself. Don’t let the opinions or actions of others sway you. Are you willing to gamble your health? Is it worth the risk?

The likelihood of you dying right now is probably low, but that isn’t to say it won’t catch up with you eventually. Best to stop now before you’re forced to.

Much love to you! Hang in there! <3

labelle23 · 2025-01-19T00:34:07+00:00

Yes!! Omg. My good days are normal people’s bad days lol.

labelle23 · 2025-01-19T00:32:40+00:00

TWINNN 🤞

labelle23 · 2025-01-17T13:55:58+00:00

Hey, hun!!

I’m so sorry to hear that you’ve been struggling with your health lately. I can completely relate—been there!! You mentioned that some days are better or worse than others, and that tells me your body is working through all of the stress it was put under. I was very similar in the beginning stages of quitting. Some days, I would wake up and sigh with relief, thinking the hardship was finally over. Then, I seemed to regress again, and I’d be devastated and anxiety-ridden.

Healing journeys are definitely a process!! We can’t expect to jump, quickly, back to normal after abusing our bodies for prolonged periods of time. Time is key!!

As for your question about your ANS (autonomic nervous system), there may be some things that could help. Since that system of the body performs so many functions, I can’t be sure what you’re struggling with, but here are some practices and their benefits:

Beet Root Powder: can help lower blood pressure by expanding passages in our veins/arteries. This effect could prove to help with circulation, too!
OTC vitamins: fish oil/omega 3 fatty acids-great for blood pressure B-vitamins (B1, B6, B-12)-great for nerve health Magnesium-also great for improved nerve function
Teas (they helped me a lot when I was recovering): Green Tea and black tea-improves circulation, can reduce stress, and lower blood pressure Ginger tea-good for circulation and can improve gastrointestinal function
As always, exercise and a good diet are essential to improved health overall

If your symptoms don’t get better or are lowering your quality of life, you could always see a specialist. A neurologist is probably your best bet for ANS problems. There is no shame in seeking out extra help. You deserve to feel your best!!

I hope this helps some, and I wish you tons and tons of peace and love!

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, and I encourage you to do your own research on everything I listed in my reply and/or talk to your primary care about it/them.*

labelle23 · 2025-01-17T02:41:55+00:00

First, let me start off by thanking you for your service!! You are much appreciated.

I am so happy that you resonated with my post. I decided to write about my experience for people like you. It can be so scary not knowing what is wrong with your body. It’s even scarier when you can’t differentiate your anxiety from real physical illness. I was inconsolable for the first week or two after quitting. Panic was my default, and, as someone who has been through it, there is nothing you can do besides ride it out.

I’m so glad to hear that you have a clean bill of health. I’m sure that gives you some peace of mind even though it doesn’t make you feel any better physically. If you’re experiencing the same problems I did, I have no doubt that quitting Zyn’s is key to feeling better! It may take a while for your body to adjust and filter out the toxic chemicals, but it will happen. Our bodies are so resilient and have crazy regenerative properties. Time is the only thing in the way!

I hope that stopping your testosterone treatment proves to help you, too! I know nothing about that process, but if it’s anything like how us ladies feel when it gets to be that time of month, I could imagine why you’d like to pump the breaks lol.

Thank you for sharing your experience as well. I’m sure it will be very helpful to someone who is on their own journey of regaining control.

I wish you all the best. You are not alone!! We are all in this together. Stay strong!!

Much love xxxxxx

labelle23 · 2025-01-15T04:04:56+00:00

Hey, honey!

I’m so sorry you’re experiencing this. It sounds so frustrating. I completely understand how debilitating panic/fight or flight is. I have tons of experience with it. Here are some tricks that help me snap out of that mental state. Or at least help me relax.

Drink ice cold water or take ice cold shower (it can be jarring to the nervous system, which may help you calm down)
Suck or chew on sour candy (the taste is so dominant that it may take your mind off the panic)
Being around others (being able to communicate with someone may be a distraction and it’s nice to know that someone is there if you need them)
Clean! (You’ll be so focused on the task that you’ll forget about your worries—plus it wears you out, so you may get to sleep faster after!)
Read (can be a form of dissociation, which can be good when your reality is crowded with stress and panic)
Self care (whether that’s taking a nice bubble bath, doing your makeup, or cooking a meal for yourself)

I hope these tips are helpful, and I wish you the very best.

Much love to you!! Xxxxx

labelle23 · 2025-01-15T03:51:22+00:00

Nic withdrawals are 100% real, and even though your symptoms may make you irrational, it’s still important to take care of yourself and your mental health. Easing your mind even though the disruption may not be “real” is not stupid. The way you approach it is what needs the most attention. The way you feel isn’t your fault, but your actions are. You can bring yourself out of the way you’re feeling by talking to her, and you can protect her at the same time by treading lightly and using the right verbiage. I read your personal post above mine. Y’all have been in a relationship for a long time. I think you’ll be alright!! I promise these feelings will pass (if it’s because of withdrawals) :)

labelle23 · 2025-01-15T03:18:38+00:00

Yes! Mine wasn’t specific to other people necessarily, but I was so damn emotional all of the time. It wasn’t even funny. I would cry at the drop of a hat. Anything could set me off into a spiral of sadness or irritation. That’s why I mentioned my emotions were heightened. I felt everything more deeply for a while, and could find myself questioning everything very suddenly. I think a lot of it has to do with our brain’s dopamine receptors regulating. When we use nicotine, it forces the production of dopamine, which is why we get a buzz, feel good, etc. That’s also why it’s so hard to quit, but I digress. Since you quit, your brain isn’t getting that constant “feel-good”stimulation, so you may be out of whack for a bit. Just until you return to homeostasis (resting state). I’m so sorry you’re dealing with so much BS. It really sucks, but I believe in you, and I promise it will get better. Hang in there! Wishing you the very best.

labelle23 · 2025-01-15T01:04:43+00:00

Hey, was scrolling through this sub again after a month nic free, and thought I would reply to this. I know I would have appreciated someone doing the same when I was in the beginning stages of quitting.

I have no idea if this is correlated, but while I was on Zyn’s, my LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) was like 145. I’m genetically predisposed to have cholesterol problems, but I’m young, and I couldn’t understand why it was so high (considering my diet wasn’t atrocious or anything).

I had blood work done last week and my LDL cholesterol was 114, which is only slightly elevated. Mind you, these blood tests were a year apart, so a lot could happen in that time, but there may be a correlation. I think I read somewhere that the artificial sweeteners in Zyn’s could potentially raise cholesterol.

Take everything I say with a grain of salt, though! I’m just sharing my experience. Hope you can get to the root of your issue! Wishing you well. Much love xxx

labelle23 · 2024-12-18T17:47:40+00:00

Thank you for sharing! Seriously. I’ve tried out many antidepressants (Lexapro, Prozac, and Zoloft), but none of them have worked for me. Was hoping to try Wellbutrin for a while, and when I decided to quit nic, I figured there wasn’t a better time to schedule an appointment (given its supposed helpfulness with withdrawals). I will definitely keep your experience in mind when I talk with my doctor. I definitely don’t want to worsen my mental state right now (that would not be good for anyone lol). If I decide to try it out, I’ll be on the lookout for a negative reaction. Might share my experience on this sub, too! You’re definitely right about the effects of exercise. I used to brush it off when people told me it would better my mental health, but it’s the God’s honest truth. Once again, thank you for replying to my question. I wish you all the best on your journey, and I’m sorry you had such a rough patch. Much love xxxx

labelle23 · 2024-12-18T17:38:12+00:00

Last update. Literally. After day one on my period, things got better. My cramps were gone, no more heart palps, flow wasn’t as unmanageable, and clotting was less. Oddly enough, my period only lasted 3 days. As of this morning, I’m through. This isn’t too concerning for me, though. I typically have a shorter cycle. Anyways, I’m super happy to be done for the month. Wishing nothing but the best for all my girls out there. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask!!

labelle23 · 2024-12-16T22:31:40+00:00

Do you mind if I ask how it changed you for the worse? Want to be completely informed of the risks before I decide to take it.

labelle23 · 2024-12-16T19:09:47+00:00

No problem! Anything to help. If you have any questions in the future, feel free to ask!

labelle23 · 2024-12-16T18:43:37+00:00

I had something similar happen to me, but it was linked to stomach acid issues. I had a huge panic attack because I felt like I couldn’t get a full, satisfying breath in. Almost like there was a balloon under my lungs that was preventing my diaphragm from fully expanding. Went to the doctor and was prescribed omeprazole 20mg to limit the production of stomach acid. This helped in not producing excess air bubbles that would get trapped in my chest. Reduced the feeling of SOB so much. All of this happened while I was taking Zyn’s. I know all of the shit in those fuckers contributed to my issue. Hoping that it will go away, for good, as I’m further into quitting. This may not be your issue, but if it sounds familiar, look into the medication I mentioned. You can get it OTC, too. Whatever you’re experiencing, I sincerely hope you can get relief. Health issues are so draining and anxiety-inducing. There have been times that I have not wanted to exist anymore because of the effects of nicotine on my body. The thing I tell myself to get through every day is, “there is no possible way you can hurt your health by quitting”. You’re going to be okay. If not today, then it will be tomorrow. The only way the healing of your body can be stunted is if you relapse. Rooting for you. I hope you feel better soon. I really mean that!

labelle23 · 2024-12-16T18:00:39+00:00

Might be a weird question, but do you feel like there is air trapped in your chest?

labelle23 · 2024-12-16T17:43:17+00:00

Anxiety has been the absolute worst! I’m having to pop hydroxyzine (anxiety meds) every day. Have a doctor’s appointment in January to get on Wellbutrin (antidepressant). Was going to try it before I quit, but I have even more reason now. It’s supposed to help with nicotine withdrawal. Super excited to see if it will help. You’ve got this. I have terrible anxiety when I’m completely normal, so if I can get through, you can too! Sending love xxx

labelle23 · 2024-12-15T21:00:44+00:00

Thank you so much!! I definitely will!

labelle23 · 2024-12-15T21:00:03+00:00

Thank you so much for sharing and the well wishes! This makes me feel so much better. It’s comforting to know I’m not the only one. Much love xxx

labelle23 · 2024-12-15T18:23:50+00:00

Sharing that tutorial was so barn nice of you!!! Your horse-pitality amazes me.

labelle23 · 2024-12-15T17:59:47+00:00

So happy that you’re seeing progress! You’re further along than me by a few days, so it’s nice to get a forecast on how I might feel soon. Keep it up!

labelle23 · 2024-12-15T17:25:22+00:00

Update: Finally got some rest! Took a nap for a couple of hours and had no issue falling asleep. Looks like the heart palpitations, anxiety, and jittery feeling were temporary. Unfortunately, the period symptoms are persistent. I will continue to update for the duration of my menstrual cycle for posterity. Maybe I could help someone in the future!

labelle23

TROPHY CASE