I quit smoking at the end of 2007 and started experiencing all these symptoms described above - physical and mental. I went to the doctor and complained about my lack of energy, trouble concentrating, and general malaise. He said that I was simply going through the changes that people experience when they quit smoking and didn't offer any more help than that.
Finally, after five months I went back to smoking so I could feel like myself again. And guess what?! It didn't help. I was still suffering from the same symptoms and finally got treated for depression. I wish my doctor would have recognized the clear symptoms of depression instead of blaming it on quitting smoking. Maybe I wouldn't have started again.
So if you're going through any of this, don't let the doctor (or anyone else) tell you that it's normal for you to feel this way. Get treated for whatever is ailing you and good luck!
I'm still smoking and the depression has been treated and I "feel like myself" again. But at what cost???
Finally, after five months I went back to smoking so I could feel like myself again. And guess what?! It didn't help. I was still suffering from the same symptoms and finally got treated for depression. I wish my doctor would have recognized the clear symptoms of depression instead of blaming it on quitting smoking. Maybe I wouldn't have started again.
So if you're going through any of this, don't let the doctor (or anyone else) tell you that it's normal for you to feel this way. Get treated for whatever is ailing you and good luck!
I'm still smoking and the depression has been treated and I "feel like myself" again. But at what cost???
"Remember that those cigs have tons of chemicals that have dramatic effect on chemistry of our brains and had literally reprogrammed it over time. This explains why we are all going through this detox process but what really interests me that NOWHERE, NOWHERE will you find any warning about these nasty symptoms and steep road to recovery. Funny, even when I mentioned it to the doctors that this and that may have connections to my quitting they had dismissed the idea without thinking about it twice. "
I am SO thankful to finally find others with the same problems! I started smoking 39 years ago and stopped smoking 11-07 and the problems started almost immediately---swelling in the body--insomnia--weight gain--lethargy--foot and heel pain--painful hands/fingers...THEN extremely high triglyceride levels...
I went to 3 Doctors already---when asked if this could be related, I was told NO...and dismissed...I have been poked--prodded...checked for heart failure, cancer, liver and/or kidney failure...nothing...I asked again if it could be related to me quitting and still the answer is NO...
My daughter talked to a professor of hers (pre-med) and this professor said YES--it is ALL related to stopping the smoking....and it's common for ex-smokers to develope diabetes and high trigylcerides because the body is going crazy! Crazy from all the extra oxygen ..fat can build up in the blood...etc....cell damage has occured--she said it was like opening up a theme park with only one employee...where do I go first? Where do I start?
At least now I know it's just not me--I am not crazy and niether are any of you...I was getting really depressed---now I'm just angry! Angry that I am being dismissed...angry at the tabacco companies...
Depending on how badly my body has been affected will determine how long it will take to truly heal--I will NOT start smoking again...nothing is going to control me like this again...not with my knowlege anyway--
So until I feel better--I take pharmaceutical grade fish oil for the triglycerides, vitamin B supplements and drink orange juice to try and repair my cells.
I, too have looked online for help or answers..this is the ONLY place I've found...and you know it must happen to hundreds of people...
I am SO thankful to finally find others with the same problems! I started smoking 39 years ago and stopped smoking 11-07 and the problems started almost immediately---swelling in the body--insomnia--weight gain--lethargy--foot and heel pain--painful hands/fingers...THEN extremely high triglyceride levels...
I went to 3 Doctors already---when asked if this could be related, I was told NO...and dismissed...I have been poked--prodded...checked for heart failure, cancer, liver and/or kidney failure...nothing...I asked again if it could be related to me quitting and still the answer is NO...
My daughter talked to a professor of hers (pre-med) and this professor said YES--it is ALL related to stopping the smoking....and it's common for ex-smokers to develope diabetes and high trigylcerides because the body is going crazy! Crazy from all the extra oxygen ..fat can build up in the blood...etc....cell damage has occured--she said it was like opening up a theme park with only one employee...where do I go first? Where do I start?
At least now I know it's just not me--I am not crazy and niether are any of you...I was getting really depressed---now I'm just angry! Angry that I am being dismissed...angry at the tabacco companies...
Depending on how badly my body has been affected will determine how long it will take to truly heal--I will NOT start smoking again...nothing is going to control me like this again...not with my knowlege anyway--
So until I feel better--I take pharmaceutical grade fish oil for the triglycerides, vitamin B supplements and drink orange juice to try and repair my cells.
I, too have looked online for help or answers..this is the ONLY place I've found...and you know it must happen to hundreds of people...
Just wanted to add my two shillings worth to this thread. A very interesting read and nice to know that other people are also experiencing similar troubles. I gave up 11 months ago now and my health during the last year has been worse that ever. The first few months I all of a sudden started getting severe panic attacks, impending feelings of doom, feeling like I was about to die - not very nice.
After about the 6 month mark this passed, only to be followed by persistent breathing trouble that still has not subsided to this day. Often I feel like I can't get enough air, like I don't have the effort or energy to breath. When I can take a deep breath it 'catches' in my throat/upper chest and makes me cough. Nowhere mentions these side effects lasting for more than a couple of months - however I'm almost a year in!
The worst is the worry that permanent damage has been done and even though I've quit, it's now too late and the damage is done. Even with that thought in mind, there's no way I'll go back to smoking. I could not go through all this again.
After about the 6 month mark this passed, only to be followed by persistent breathing trouble that still has not subsided to this day. Often I feel like I can't get enough air, like I don't have the effort or energy to breath. When I can take a deep breath it 'catches' in my throat/upper chest and makes me cough. Nowhere mentions these side effects lasting for more than a couple of months - however I'm almost a year in!
The worst is the worry that permanent damage has been done and even though I've quit, it's now too late and the damage is done. Even with that thought in mind, there's no way I'll go back to smoking. I could not go through all this again.
THANK GOODNESS I HAVE FOUND THIS, this info is just brilliant - putting my mind at ease - I thought I was on my way out.......... packed in 4 weeks ago from just a 5 or 6 a day habit for 10 years cold turkey. Have not had a well day since..... totally lethargic, thoroughly brassed off with life, panicky and full of cold/flu like symptoms. Been almost unconsciously and unwillingly reviewing every aspect of my life and feeling out of control and I'm filled with a feeling of overwhelming panic that I can't come up with any solutions to the parts of life I want to change.
To read that other people have experienced similar problems and that what I am experiencing under the circumstances is 'normal' is such a relief. My wonderfully supportive partner will be delighted too - I'm sure he thinks I'm going round the bend.......
I lost my father to lung cancer last year and my mother to breast cancer 9 years ago, so I have to stay with this quit - finding this thread (and I agree this information is not widely publicised) means my solution is to get help now and not start smoking again to relieve these awful symptoms.
Thank you all and good luck to everyone who is trying to stay quit ;-)
To read that other people have experienced similar problems and that what I am experiencing under the circumstances is 'normal' is such a relief. My wonderfully supportive partner will be delighted too - I'm sure he thinks I'm going round the bend.......
I lost my father to lung cancer last year and my mother to breast cancer 9 years ago, so I have to stay with this quit - finding this thread (and I agree this information is not widely publicised) means my solution is to get help now and not start smoking again to relieve these awful symptoms.
Thank you all and good luck to everyone who is trying to stay quit ;-)
Hi all,
Wanted to share some updates since last time I posted.
I quit cold turkey 19 months ago and was going through severe withdrawal symptoms including depression, anxiety, skin issues, frequent throat infections and loss of self confidence.
I am very happy and relieved that I have my health back now. I am still gong through some mental issues which I am hoping will pass in the next few months but the physical health including weight is under control.
I am able to run for over 2 miles without an issue. The lungs' output had definitely improved although until recently I was not able to take a very deep breath without coughing at the end.
The guttate psoriasis spots had completely vanished - thank god.
It did take a significant amount of time for my body to regain its strength and rid of the cigarettes poisons...very long time...19 months....but it did happen eventually. I know that the common knowledge out there indicates it only takes a few months but YOU CANNOT stereotype. For me, some symptoms started months after I quit and persisted until recently.
So don't doubt yourself and stay strong .... your body will recover no matter how weird the symptoms are. IT WILL!
Wanted to share some updates since last time I posted.
I quit cold turkey 19 months ago and was going through severe withdrawal symptoms including depression, anxiety, skin issues, frequent throat infections and loss of self confidence.
I am very happy and relieved that I have my health back now. I am still gong through some mental issues which I am hoping will pass in the next few months but the physical health including weight is under control.
I am able to run for over 2 miles without an issue. The lungs' output had definitely improved although until recently I was not able to take a very deep breath without coughing at the end.
The guttate psoriasis spots had completely vanished - thank god.
It did take a significant amount of time for my body to regain its strength and rid of the cigarettes poisons...very long time...19 months....but it did happen eventually. I know that the common knowledge out there indicates it only takes a few months but YOU CANNOT stereotype. For me, some symptoms started months after I quit and persisted until recently.
So don't doubt yourself and stay strong .... your body will recover no matter how weird the symptoms are. IT WILL!
I work with women that are reducing/quitting smoking and find these symptoms to be common. One way of looking at it is that they're not just withdrawal symptoms, but recovery symptoms.
Yes, your body is often more succeptible to infections because it's been exposed to cigarette smoke, but some illnesses are often signs of your body healing. It may be unpleasant to cough etc, but this is your body trying to get rid of many of the toxins that have collected over the time that you smoked.
There are also many other factors that affect quitting. Smoking is often a way to handle stress, suppress your appetite, socialize, and so on. When you take out smoking, you're taking out all of these things that often make it easier to function in your daily life.
The best solution is to look at your quitting symptoms and ask what smoking provided to keep it from being a problem before. Then look for healthy ways to address those symptoms such as exercize, healthy eating (for stress not just weight management), talking to people about your feelings.
Good work and keep it up!
Yes, your body is often more succeptible to infections because it's been exposed to cigarette smoke, but some illnesses are often signs of your body healing. It may be unpleasant to cough etc, but this is your body trying to get rid of many of the toxins that have collected over the time that you smoked.
There are also many other factors that affect quitting. Smoking is often a way to handle stress, suppress your appetite, socialize, and so on. When you take out smoking, you're taking out all of these things that often make it easier to function in your daily life.
The best solution is to look at your quitting symptoms and ask what smoking provided to keep it from being a problem before. Then look for healthy ways to address those symptoms such as exercize, healthy eating (for stress not just weight management), talking to people about your feelings.
Good work and keep it up!
I work with women that are reducing/quitting smoking and find these symptoms to be common. One way of looking at it is that they're not just withdrawal symptoms, but recovery symptoms.
Yes, your body is often more succeptible to infections because it's been exposed to cigarette smoke, but some illnesses are often signs of your body healing. It may be unpleasant to cough etc, but this is your body trying to get rid of many of the toxins that have collected over the time that you smoked.
There are also many other factors that affect quitting. Smoking is often a way to handle stress, suppress your appetite, socialize, and so on. When you take out smoking, you're taking out all of these things that often make it easier to function.
The best solution is to look at your quitting symptoms and ask what smoking provided to keep it from being a problem before. Then look for healthy ways to address those symptoms such as exercize, healthy eating (for stress not just weight management), talking to people about your feelings.
Good work and keep it up!
Yes, your body is often more succeptible to infections because it's been exposed to cigarette smoke, but some illnesses are often signs of your body healing. It may be unpleasant to cough etc, but this is your body trying to get rid of many of the toxins that have collected over the time that you smoked.
There are also many other factors that affect quitting. Smoking is often a way to handle stress, suppress your appetite, socialize, and so on. When you take out smoking, you're taking out all of these things that often make it easier to function.
The best solution is to look at your quitting symptoms and ask what smoking provided to keep it from being a problem before. Then look for healthy ways to address those symptoms such as exercize, healthy eating (for stress not just weight management), talking to people about your feelings.
Good work and keep it up!
I turns out that I had 2 significant addictions, one of them being cigarettes....
I have been struggling with elevated levels of anxiety since shortly before I quit smoking 1.5 years ago. Until now, I was solely blaming nicotine withdrawal for symptoms of depression, lack of confidence etc. this but I may have been dead wrong. I think that my drinking of 6-7 large cups of coffee daily may have been the primary culprit behind my issues.
I am putting coffee away and will monitor how this changes my mood. There is significant information out there linking caffeine to anxiety so I am willing to give it a shot.
If you have been the stereotype smoker you must have been drinking lots of coffee as well. If you quit and are having anxiety issues - I recommend cutting down on your daily java intake!!!! Why not give it a shot...I will.
Cheers to you all and stay strong!!!!!
I have been struggling with elevated levels of anxiety since shortly before I quit smoking 1.5 years ago. Until now, I was solely blaming nicotine withdrawal for symptoms of depression, lack of confidence etc. this but I may have been dead wrong. I think that my drinking of 6-7 large cups of coffee daily may have been the primary culprit behind my issues.
I am putting coffee away and will monitor how this changes my mood. There is significant information out there linking caffeine to anxiety so I am willing to give it a shot.
If you have been the stereotype smoker you must have been drinking lots of coffee as well. If you quit and are having anxiety issues - I recommend cutting down on your daily java intake!!!! Why not give it a shot...I will.
Cheers to you all and stay strong!!!!!
sick sucks. been sick for 4 months,...i quit 4 months ago. cant sleep, i think i might even be going blind. i might loss my job due to the effects. we should get monetary justice from health canada.
My girlfriend and I both quit smoking and ever since then we have alternated back and forth with being sick. I've been quit for eight months and I've had bronchitis several times, increased asthma attacks, upper respiratory (has never cleared up) and increased blood pressure. WTH?!! My girlfriend has had strep, bronchitis, stomach virus (we think?) and oddly enough developed this pustial on the back of her throat. She said it felt like a razor blade. It lasted all day, that night she threw up once and BAM it was gone...completely. I don't get it. Our doctor refuses to believe it is connected to the smoking cessation. Ridiculous! what else? It's enough to make a girl consider picking back up honestly.
I will share my own experience of quitting smoking here, I had many symptoms after I quit smoking in mid April.
I went through palpitations, night sweating, hot flush, nausea, shortness of breath, tight chest, tingling feet/legs/hands, diarrhea, insomnia and acid reflux, etc. I can't say all of them were withdrawl symptoms but I did not have most of these symptoms when I smoked. It was SO Hard to deal with, I went to doctor's office 3-4 times. It gets easier since April but still having few of the symptoms on and off. And I will say worth it, you will get better health of quit smoking!!
TA
I went through palpitations, night sweating, hot flush, nausea, shortness of breath, tight chest, tingling feet/legs/hands, diarrhea, insomnia and acid reflux, etc. I can't say all of them were withdrawl symptoms but I did not have most of these symptoms when I smoked. It was SO Hard to deal with, I went to doctor's office 3-4 times. It gets easier since April but still having few of the symptoms on and off. And I will say worth it, you will get better health of quit smoking!!
TA
I quit smoking 2 years ago and have gained 30 lbs, developed arthritis in my knee that has curtailed my life, and now ulcerative colitis. I am wondering how many other quitters have experienced the onset of major illnesses and if there is a correlation between quitting and getting ill. Has anyone done a study on this? With all the propoganda against smoking, this type of research would have little financial backing I assume but there could be a serious link. It would be my guess that auto-immune disorders could be triggered by the lowered dopomine levels. I am also a recovering alcoholic, 26 years sober.
OMG yes, this sounds like me! I quit August 2007 and since then have gained over 20 lbs that won't budge, had arthritis suddenly appear in both knees and now lately have been dealing with a chronically inflamed bowel. Come the first of the year I will start a strict elimination diet of any potential irritants/allergens to see if that will help before I start drugs. I am so dismayed by what a sickie I am these days!
It has been 16 weeks since I quit smoking. I smoked 1/2-1pack a day for 15 years. When I first quit I thought wow this is smooth sailing. About a week after quitting I develoved chest pain,shortness of breath,chest palpitations. Thought I was having a heart attack.. tests came out fine.. Problem I think was hadn't had anything to eat and had 3 cups of coffee. I never knew there was nicotine withdrawal symptoms. I was in bed for about 3 days just trying to get through it. Since then I have had 2 bad colds. Bronchitis. Lung pain. coughing up tons of mucus. I have been on two rounds of antibiotics.I was on inhaler for 2 weeks. Had a chest xray it was fine. I have been going out walking even though I feel bad. The lung pain is still there..feels like burning or itching in the lungs. The funny thing is it usually feels better after I've been walking awhile. I will feel good one day and think ok it is over...however for no reason my lungs will start to hurt and I will feel dizziness and almost like and adrenaline surge. it's getting better...but I want to feel 100% anyone else go thru this???? I feel like I am losing my mind!!!
I quit 12/23 and I have most of the same issues you have. I have been to the Dr. once and now take prilosec for Refulx and it has helped a bit, but I have generally felt like c**p since I quit. I am going to the doctor tomorrow again to see what he says, but it helps to know others are going through the same thing.
To be honest, I don't really have a problem not smoking. But this constant sick feeling makes me want to smoke more than anything else.
To be honest, I don't really have a problem not smoking. But this constant sick feeling makes me want to smoke more than anything else.