Reader’s Question

I’m a 40-year-old female who has smoked for 25 years. Each time I’ve tried to quit, I get physical symptoms that I have read are normal and should go away. For example, I get a sore throat. For most people this lasts a couple of weeks. But mine lasts three months, which is as long as I have ever made it not smoking. The last couple of times I quit, in addition to the sore throat, I would have what I call a “shaky trachea” as well as the sensation that my trachea might actually collapse on me. Two doctors have told me they think the sensation is due to anxiety, and I was subsequently put on Xanax (which I think is a horrible drug unless you want to stay on it for life!). At first, I thought the medicine was going to help, but intermittently I still experience the sensation and resulting panic. I do not want to be on any medications and am currently tapering off the Xanax.

Do you have any suggestions? Though I feel there is some merit to the anxiety diagnosis, I remain very concerned that there may be other problems causing my symptoms.

Thank you for any suggestions.

Our Clinical Psychologist’s Reply

You are right to be concerned that taking medicines like Xanax is not the ultimate solution to any anxiety-related symptoms associated with quitting smoking. And, as you’ve probably noticed, “panicking” following the experience of disturbing symptoms only helps keep anxiety levels high.

There are plenty of non-medical strategies to dealing with your anxiety. Learning how to put your body into a relaxation state and to use that skill whenever you feel anxious is one important method. Controlling and changing thoughts that fuel anxiety is another.

Although you’ve gotten the opinions of two doctors, unless you’ve been examined by a specialist in throat disorders, you probably won’t have all your anxieties about possible physical causes of your symptoms relieved. One thing for sure, if you have any physical issues going on, you certainly won’t do yourself any good by resuming smoking.

So, put your mind at rest by getting a thorough evaluation by a specialist and some counseling by a therapist trained in anxiety management strategies. And reinforce yourself for your commitment to remain smoke-free.