I quit nicotine and didn't flare

Here's the short version:
I was totally abusing the nicotine (ecig) and didn't realize it until I ended up in the ER and DH said "hey, what are the symptoms of nicotine overdose?" I was at 90lbs, using all day, at 24mg strength. Stupid.
Was planning to taper off but using it was making me very ill so I quit cold turkey on 2/22 I think.
I feared a flare up but, despite loads of stress and anxiety (deets in the long version), it never happened. I have had a few days where BMs might be a bit off if I'm more stressed, but nothing major.


The long version:
After the ER I had the most stressful time of my life I've ever encountered, and I'm still dealing with emotional healing/anxiety.

At that time we were not insured, so I had a pile of bills.

DH was going thru major stress at work, plus coming home to me feeling weak and going thru nicotine withdrawal, we just could not be there for each other. Tough.

A month after the ER I made the decision to cut ties with my parents. My father is an emotionally abusive narcissist and my mother has been abusive the last 2 years (since I had limited contact with my father, she was taking over for him I guess). Changed my phone number, blocked them on Facebook. That was huge, the healing is going to take a while.

For 6 weeks I couldn't leave the house (without DH driving) because of the anxiety.

I mention the anxiety and all this other garbage only because I know that many people experience some pretty intense anxiety after stopping nicotine. I have so much else going on, there's no telling how much of it might be from nicotine withdrawal. Either way, it's been really hard.

The only thing I've been treating since quitting the nicotine is the anxiety, mostly through reading and doing work within myself, but also a couple of supplements. Nothing that I feel would have kept my UC in check.

Anyway, I'm shocked I haven't flared but just wanted to give an update.

I do still feel that nicotine is a valuable and very effective method, but I don't feel that I could safely go back on it after letting it get so out of control.

Nic users, keep yourself on a schedule or something and stay safe! :)

I usually only do the e-cig for roughly a month and then I quit. It definitely prolonged my last "remission" when enemas weren't enough. I'm sure kids help out on the stress level. ;)

Oh wow, thank you for posting this. So many of us try nicotine for our UC. Even when it helps us, we have to remember it can be harmful too. I hope you stay in remission and that your anxiety goes away.

Poppie do you use St. John's wort for anxiety? I've been wondering if that would help and I have some already.

Will look into that type of yoga, Old Hat, thanks for the rec.

Thanks for the well wishes :)

Thanks for replying!

I do think I'll give it a try. All the stuff going on sure doesn't make me jolly. And I quit drinking (occasional beer) because it makes the anxiety worse. Coffee too.