Glad I Went To The Doctor Today
from 
JoeUser Forums
JoeUser Forums
I went and saw a doctor today about my trying to quit smoking and my depression. I'm really glad that I did. He was a very nice guy who seemed to truly understand the situation.
He told me that it was very common for people with clinical depression to self medicate with cigarettes to temporarily correct the chemical imbalance that causes the depression and he wasn't at all surprised that I was a heavy smoker. He said some of the chemicals in cigarette smoke acted as anti-depressants.
He spent some time talking with me and didn't make me feel like he was just trying to rush through yet another patient. I appreciated that. He said that he felt that Wellbutrin might be the right thing for me as it is an anti-depressant as well as effective in smoking cessation. He gave me a two weeks supply of samples as well as a prescription. He said to try the samples for two weeks and see if they seem effective for the depression and then fill the script if they are.
He also said something that I never thought I would hear a doctor say. He told me to not stop smoking for now. He said to wait the two weeks to allow the drug to start taking effect and controlling my depression and then if it seems to be working I can quit smoking.
He also told me that if it isn't helping at the end of two weeks to call him and he will call in a script for Chantrix and some other anti-depressant. Either way he wants to see me again in 3 or 4 weeks.
Now I feel like there might be some hope both in getting out of this depression and in quitting smoking for good. I'm really glad I decided to go and see him.
He told me that it was very common for people with clinical depression to self medicate with cigarettes to temporarily correct the chemical imbalance that causes the depression and he wasn't at all surprised that I was a heavy smoker. He said some of the chemicals in cigarette smoke acted as anti-depressants.
He spent some time talking with me and didn't make me feel like he was just trying to rush through yet another patient. I appreciated that. He said that he felt that Wellbutrin might be the right thing for me as it is an anti-depressant as well as effective in smoking cessation. He gave me a two weeks supply of samples as well as a prescription. He said to try the samples for two weeks and see if they seem effective for the depression and then fill the script if they are.
He also said something that I never thought I would hear a doctor say. He told me to not stop smoking for now. He said to wait the two weeks to allow the drug to start taking effect and controlling my depression and then if it seems to be working I can quit smoking.
He also told me that if it isn't helping at the end of two weeks to call him and he will call in a script for Chantrix and some other anti-depressant. Either way he wants to see me again in 3 or 4 weeks.
Now I feel like there might be some hope both in getting out of this depression and in quitting smoking for good. I'm really glad I decided to go and see him.
