wow, this thread has stuck around a long time. im glad its here and easily found by google. i quit just over a month ago(feb 6, 09) from a pack a a day 5 year habit and its been a bit of a rollercoaster. the first week went pretty good, and a felt great.....then after that its been an up and down of withdrawal and detox symptoms. lack on energy and concentration, bloating and gas, bad sleep, wierd aches and pains and more. some days i feel ok, other i feel just aweful. but i read this thread a few days ago, and ive since talked with a few ex smokers who all say this is quite common(although not at all what we are told to expect).........i certainly feel better. for a while there i was getting in a mood that i didnt want to do anything, i actually felt like i couldnt do much of anything.
well, today i decided to push myself and prove myself wrong. i took the old bike out, dusted it off and went for a 20km ride. not only did it feel great, but i proved that im much better off than i thought i was, and it gave me the needed conviction to go forward with this no smoking thing.
good luck to everything else here, and thank you all for your input. one day at a time and we can beat this god-aweful addiction. :-)
well, today i decided to push myself and prove myself wrong. i took the old bike out, dusted it off and went for a 20km ride. not only did it feel great, but i proved that im much better off than i thought i was, and it gave me the needed conviction to go forward with this no smoking thing.
good luck to everything else here, and thank you all for your input. one day at a time and we can beat this god-aweful addiction. :-)
I am now into the eleventh month of quitting my 30 a day, 30 year habit.
Even as I write this, I have the need to constantly clear my throat of phlegm. Yet I have no idea at all if this is due to the lungs still clearing themselves of smoking debris, or because yet another throat or bronchial infection is finding my membranes a more fertile feeding ground since I gave up.
Actually, I don't see how I can know. And ultimately, I'm not sure that it's
useful to know.
What I'm trying to say is that, from my own experience and that of the other posters here, it seems that in order to see this project to a successful conclusion, then we will have to be able to tolerate this condition of confusion and uncertainty, wherein we don't know the detail of what's happening to us.
What we all do know however, is that with every day that passes it is
inevitable that we are that one day closer to our goal: to be free of smoking, however far away that goal is.
So please may I say to any reader who is considering giving up your attempt because of confusion and uncertainty: Please please stay with it.
This is it, what you are suffering now, this is what it is to give up smoking!
Wonderful, Fantastic, Magnificent.
Even as I write this, I have the need to constantly clear my throat of phlegm. Yet I have no idea at all if this is due to the lungs still clearing themselves of smoking debris, or because yet another throat or bronchial infection is finding my membranes a more fertile feeding ground since I gave up.
Actually, I don't see how I can know. And ultimately, I'm not sure that it's
useful to know.
What I'm trying to say is that, from my own experience and that of the other posters here, it seems that in order to see this project to a successful conclusion, then we will have to be able to tolerate this condition of confusion and uncertainty, wherein we don't know the detail of what's happening to us.
What we all do know however, is that with every day that passes it is
inevitable that we are that one day closer to our goal: to be free of smoking, however far away that goal is.
So please may I say to any reader who is considering giving up your attempt because of confusion and uncertainty: Please please stay with it.
This is it, what you are suffering now, this is what it is to give up smoking!
Wonderful, Fantastic, Magnificent.
First, I would just like to congratulate all of us for quitting especially in spite of feeling really sick afterwards. I'm a newbie to quitting having smoked half a pack a day for over 20 years. I'm on step 3 of nicoderm patches and still craving but won't let myself go back to smoking.
Secondly, I appreciate finding and reading everyone's experiences because now I know I'm not alone at all. I thought I would feel better after I quit. I knew it would take some time. I am guessing that because the cigarrettes have over 4,000 chemicals in them, that maybe it takes a really long time for our bodies to get rid of them completely and that is why we feel so sick. It is disappointing but I try to find out as much as I can online and from ex-smokers, just like I did here and that helps me to feel better about my decision to quit smoking.
I suppose the years of smoking could have also masked other problems, some of which, others have already mentioned. I don't like the nightmares or sudden bouts of nausea along with the cravings but I do think that it took me smoking for years to build up the toxins and so it might take years for the toxins to leave me as well. :-) I certainly hope so! I wish everyone well and I'll add this site to my faves and then come back here either way, but especially if I feel a lot better so I can give some encouragement.
All the best and thanks for sharing and all of your encouragement to stay smoke free!
Secondly, I appreciate finding and reading everyone's experiences because now I know I'm not alone at all. I thought I would feel better after I quit. I knew it would take some time. I am guessing that because the cigarrettes have over 4,000 chemicals in them, that maybe it takes a really long time for our bodies to get rid of them completely and that is why we feel so sick. It is disappointing but I try to find out as much as I can online and from ex-smokers, just like I did here and that helps me to feel better about my decision to quit smoking.
I suppose the years of smoking could have also masked other problems, some of which, others have already mentioned. I don't like the nightmares or sudden bouts of nausea along with the cravings but I do think that it took me smoking for years to build up the toxins and so it might take years for the toxins to leave me as well. :-) I certainly hope so! I wish everyone well and I'll add this site to my faves and then come back here either way, but especially if I feel a lot better so I can give some encouragement.
All the best and thanks for sharing and all of your encouragement to stay smoke free!
Hi - I came across this thread by accident and it caught my eye when I read some of your symptoms. I have not been feeling well either after I quit smoking for the second time on Feb 2008. During this time I gained at least 25 lbs., have had chest pains, became a lot weaker and tired, old feeling. I was telling my husband I helped him carry a dresser down a flight of 13 stairs 1 1/2 yrs ago and I couldn't think of doing that now. My knee also has problems with pain as well as my shoulder like arthritis. I feel like I have asthma sometimes with a tight chest and lose my breath easily when I dance, exercise, get upset or exert energy. I developed acid reflux and was constantly bloated like I was full before I even started to eat. I was also feeling depressed and decided to go on anti-depressents and just not feeling like myself. There are so many more symptoms I can relate to all of you.
Went to the doctor for every test under the sun because I especially thought I had heart problems or lung problems but everything came out ok. Just high cholesterol from gaining all that weight and eating whatever I wanted.
The good news is that I know that because I quit for 12 years and went back due a bunch of unforseen bad circumstances, that it takes years to get back to feeling good but all these symptoms went away for me then and surely that will happen again.
I gave myself the first year to stay away from cigarettes no matter what it took and this year to lose the weight. I am on weight watchers and lost 4.5 lbs along with the acid reflux and that uncomfortable bloated feeling so I feel a little better. I still get those sweats though.
You're all doing great and so am I - as my Mom used to say "this too shall pass" so stay strong and true to yourself. Good Luck!
Went to the doctor for every test under the sun because I especially thought I had heart problems or lung problems but everything came out ok. Just high cholesterol from gaining all that weight and eating whatever I wanted.
The good news is that I know that because I quit for 12 years and went back due a bunch of unforseen bad circumstances, that it takes years to get back to feeling good but all these symptoms went away for me then and surely that will happen again.
I gave myself the first year to stay away from cigarettes no matter what it took and this year to lose the weight. I am on weight watchers and lost 4.5 lbs along with the acid reflux and that uncomfortable bloated feeling so I feel a little better. I still get those sweats though.
You're all doing great and so am I - as my Mom used to say "this too shall pass" so stay strong and true to yourself. Good Luck!
Greetings All:
Like others here I found this board through Googling "quit smoking still going crazy". My wife and I both quit on 1/1/09. Since then (actually only a week ago) she has had the worse cold she's had in like 10 years or so. I have gained around 12lbs. I have isolated some of this to reaching for a second helping at dinner instead of lighting up, but I'm not sire how many of you realize that you will gain weight simply from your heart and lungs not having to work as hard? Yes, not smoking allows your capillaries and other parts of your circulatory system to dilate, you heart doesn’t have to work as hard pump blood, less work = less calories burned = weight gain (keeping caloric intake same as pre-quit). Same thing for your lungs! They’re becoming more efficient at injecting oxygen into the bloodstream. The more efficiently your system works the less food you need. You can combat this by eating less or exercising more, nothing else will help.
As far as other symptoms? My right ear gets stuffed up. No idea why, didn’t happen while I was smoking. Also I get this painintheass nose whistle! This happens all the way in the back of my sinus cavity.
All we can do as ex-smokers is say “I’m not going to smoke now”. We are going to stick with this (as one of the other posters stated we too have saved a small fortune since January). I would like to start jogging again but I’m not too sure how my 46 year old joints are going to take it!
Anyway, good luck to all of you. The longer you don’t smoke the fewer the cravings will be and the less and less you’ll think about it, BUT I agree with all of you who are disappointed that we don’t feel better now that we did when we were smoking!
Like others here I found this board through Googling "quit smoking still going crazy". My wife and I both quit on 1/1/09. Since then (actually only a week ago) she has had the worse cold she's had in like 10 years or so. I have gained around 12lbs. I have isolated some of this to reaching for a second helping at dinner instead of lighting up, but I'm not sire how many of you realize that you will gain weight simply from your heart and lungs not having to work as hard? Yes, not smoking allows your capillaries and other parts of your circulatory system to dilate, you heart doesn’t have to work as hard pump blood, less work = less calories burned = weight gain (keeping caloric intake same as pre-quit). Same thing for your lungs! They’re becoming more efficient at injecting oxygen into the bloodstream. The more efficiently your system works the less food you need. You can combat this by eating less or exercising more, nothing else will help.
As far as other symptoms? My right ear gets stuffed up. No idea why, didn’t happen while I was smoking. Also I get this painintheass nose whistle! This happens all the way in the back of my sinus cavity.
All we can do as ex-smokers is say “I’m not going to smoke now”. We are going to stick with this (as one of the other posters stated we too have saved a small fortune since January). I would like to start jogging again but I’m not too sure how my 46 year old joints are going to take it!
Anyway, good luck to all of you. The longer you don’t smoke the fewer the cravings will be and the less and less you’ll think about it, BUT I agree with all of you who are disappointed that we don’t feel better now that we did when we were smoking!
Hello,
Like many, have found these posts interesting. I quit early January 2009 after 40 years - 1.5 to 2 packs a day. Mostly depression as a side effect although I seem to have developed a post nasal drip, none of my teeth feel like they fit anymore and they often ache. Had gum issues while smoked but teeth seem much more sensitive now. Throat has felt hot (inflamed maybe). Advil seems to help. Anyone else have specific mouth issues?
Like many, have found these posts interesting. I quit early January 2009 after 40 years - 1.5 to 2 packs a day. Mostly depression as a side effect although I seem to have developed a post nasal drip, none of my teeth feel like they fit anymore and they often ache. Had gum issues while smoked but teeth seem much more sensitive now. Throat has felt hot (inflamed maybe). Advil seems to help. Anyone else have specific mouth issues?
I knew on Jan. 1 (when I quit) that I would feel like sh*t on or about the 1st of April. Having quit many times before, I get a nasty raunchy taste
and feeling in my mouth, throat, and stomach, and feel like puking.
I don't know if it is something purging out of my system (after 3 months).
Or, if something has finally purged and now I am withdrawing from it.
I've never found anything on the net other than people feeling great
after quiting. ?
and feeling in my mouth, throat, and stomach, and feel like puking.
I don't know if it is something purging out of my system (after 3 months).
Or, if something has finally purged and now I am withdrawing from it.
I've never found anything on the net other than people feeling great
after quiting. ?
Hi,
I feel a good suggestion to curb nicotine cravings is using Chantix, which is a medicine that works just like nicotine. Its main ingredient is Varenicline, an agonist that activates pleasure cells in your brain, just like nicotine does to make you addicted. You’ll get the same experience you would have got after smoking, and it makes the prevention of smoking easier.
I feel a good suggestion to curb nicotine cravings is using Chantix, which is a medicine that works just like nicotine. Its main ingredient is Varenicline, an agonist that activates pleasure cells in your brain, just like nicotine does to make you addicted. You’ll get the same experience you would have got after smoking, and it makes the prevention of smoking easier.
I wonder if anyone posting on here is hired by the tobacco industry to discourage people from quitting? As one of the posters mentioned, each body will have its own way of detoxing. Recommendations I have been given for how best to speed this process up is:
1) Drink Plenty of Liquids - ideally Water (will make you feel fuller and speed the process of removing the chemicals from your body)
2) Exercise - once a day force yourself to go out for a walk 20-30mn. For those more adventurous try jogging or biking
3) Sleep - this is critical. Try to get 7-8 hours of sleep each day, as the body heals itself during the evening.
Good luck and know that each of these symptoms are because you are getting your body, health, mind and life back.
1) Drink Plenty of Liquids - ideally Water (will make you feel fuller and speed the process of removing the chemicals from your body)
2) Exercise - once a day force yourself to go out for a walk 20-30mn. For those more adventurous try jogging or biking
3) Sleep - this is critical. Try to get 7-8 hours of sleep each day, as the body heals itself during the evening.
Good luck and know that each of these symptoms are because you are getting your body, health, mind and life back.
Never smoked, did you? And did you did you were never adicted. The person who you quoted and accused of working for the tobacco companies (BOOOOOO BIG TOBACCO BOOOOOOO!) is obviously suffering major depression and YES it can come from quitting smoking or any other dependency and YES it can last FOREVER if not treated. "The body heals itself during the evening"......I work nights! I guess I'm screwed, huh?
I just quit those damned lozenges that I have been addicted to now for 5 years. The first day I just slept for about 20 hours and now on day 2 I have the worst case of the sh**s you can imagine. I FEEL LIKE HELL!!!!! NO WONDER ITS SO HARD TO QUIT!
Hello all,
Just wanted to say thank you to all that have posted on here. Your messages & support have been vital in helping a 16 year (from the age of 18 to 34), pack a day smoker continue to continue quitting :-D...I'm off them one month now! I know that I will never smoke again.
I have suffered with headaches, a dull pain that I get in my chest and a scratchy voice that has developed. I went to the doctor 'cos I was so worried about the big C but he told me not to worry, that it was just my body cleansing itself. I am still experiencing a lot of discomfort but my resolve to stay quit will not lessen. I hate cigarettes (and I was someone that couldn't have coffee or a beer without them). I have not felt once, since I quit, an urge to smoke. There have been times where I have felt like breaking down & crying due to the damage and abuse I have stupidly inflicted on my own body. I am not ashamed to say this. I have also begun to eat a lot more fruit & veg. Blueberries, Apples, oranges & pineapple are supposedly all good for the lungs, so I eat a variety of them. Broccoli & cauliflower are also according to science (researched on Wikipedia and the net) very good immune strengthening veggies with the added benefit of being beneficial to lung health. I have also invested in a Chinese herb called 'Mycelium of Chinese Caterpillar fungus'. Science is investigating the healing properties of this particular strain of fungus and it is supposedly, helpful in aiding & protecting the lungs. To anybody out there that has considered returning to smoking, please DONT. They are bad, bad news!! There is nothing good about them. Hope my words are a help to others, in the same way as the ones I have read here have been a help to me.
Thanks, Robert
Just wanted to say thank you to all that have posted on here. Your messages & support have been vital in helping a 16 year (from the age of 18 to 34), pack a day smoker continue to continue quitting :-D...I'm off them one month now! I know that I will never smoke again.
I have suffered with headaches, a dull pain that I get in my chest and a scratchy voice that has developed. I went to the doctor 'cos I was so worried about the big C but he told me not to worry, that it was just my body cleansing itself. I am still experiencing a lot of discomfort but my resolve to stay quit will not lessen. I hate cigarettes (and I was someone that couldn't have coffee or a beer without them). I have not felt once, since I quit, an urge to smoke. There have been times where I have felt like breaking down & crying due to the damage and abuse I have stupidly inflicted on my own body. I am not ashamed to say this. I have also begun to eat a lot more fruit & veg. Blueberries, Apples, oranges & pineapple are supposedly all good for the lungs, so I eat a variety of them. Broccoli & cauliflower are also according to science (researched on Wikipedia and the net) very good immune strengthening veggies with the added benefit of being beneficial to lung health. I have also invested in a Chinese herb called 'Mycelium of Chinese Caterpillar fungus'. Science is investigating the healing properties of this particular strain of fungus and it is supposedly, helpful in aiding & protecting the lungs. To anybody out there that has considered returning to smoking, please DONT. They are bad, bad news!! There is nothing good about them. Hope my words are a help to others, in the same way as the ones I have read here have been a help to me.
Thanks, Robert
As I sit here 2 1/2 weeks since my last cigarette light headed and struggling to breath trying to get through work I am so greatful that I found this site. I have been smoking for a sickening 15 years as I am only 27 1/2 years old. At least a pack a day for 10 years. The first 2 weeks were great (except for the first 2 days) until 2 days ago. When I realized I felt like I couldnt breath. I had had this before but only for a few minutes not ALL DAY. I am hopeful though because everytime I think about smoking I remember why I'm not. I have 3 children and everyday I am reminded why I need to quit. Hopefully before I damage there lungs. My other half is also trying to quit. He is struggling a bit more than myself but I continue to have our 6 year old remind him why he needs to....lol She'll thell him "because I don't want you to die!!" That enough for me for sure. It only took me forever to get there.
I too am having one heck of a time. I have a suggestion which helped me. I also suffer from a large portion of the symptoms mentioned in these posts and I found some great help in a book called "Prescription for Nutritional Healing" by Phyllis A. Balch. I found this book at the suggestion of others who, like me, are interested in a more natural approach and also not finding what I needed from doctors. I am NOT knocking doctors by any stretch, I just think that a pill isn't always the answer.
There is a section for candidiasis disorder which was very enlightening. Most women will regognize this term as associated with "yeast infection" and others with oral thrush usally found in breast feeding infants. This is only a couple of the ways it can manifest. In short, (paraphasing from Ms. Balch) "this fungus is always present in the itestinal tract and when in disproportionate quanties can cause a mutitude of infections". The listed symptoms are a long paragraph, but cover mouth and sinus issues, a number of belly issues, fatigue, depression, etc. and can present as an immune deficeintcy. Most improtantly, this problem is often misdiagnosed.
In addition to the suggestions within the book, my Dr. suggested a probiotic called Florastor made by Biocodex, Inc. This can be found behind the counter at most pharmacies (no script needed) in child and adult strenths for around $35.00 for a quantity of 50. A simple internet search can give you multiple hits for research.
I have found this book to be a wealth of information, particularly on this topic, as I have not ben able to find this level of information anywhere else.
Be proactive, do your own research and consult with a trusted healthcare provider.
There is a section for candidiasis disorder which was very enlightening. Most women will regognize this term as associated with "yeast infection" and others with oral thrush usally found in breast feeding infants. This is only a couple of the ways it can manifest. In short, (paraphasing from Ms. Balch) "this fungus is always present in the itestinal tract and when in disproportionate quanties can cause a mutitude of infections". The listed symptoms are a long paragraph, but cover mouth and sinus issues, a number of belly issues, fatigue, depression, etc. and can present as an immune deficeintcy. Most improtantly, this problem is often misdiagnosed.
In addition to the suggestions within the book, my Dr. suggested a probiotic called Florastor made by Biocodex, Inc. This can be found behind the counter at most pharmacies (no script needed) in child and adult strenths for around $35.00 for a quantity of 50. A simple internet search can give you multiple hits for research.
I have found this book to be a wealth of information, particularly on this topic, as I have not ben able to find this level of information anywhere else.
Be proactive, do your own research and consult with a trusted healthcare provider.
I have been smoking since I was 19 and now im 25 and want to quit. I don't smoke a lot, a pack lasts me about a week or so. but still I know that even one time of smoking is bad for your health. Im a very weak person, especially when it comes to addictions. It's hard to give up smoking, even with all the daily stress I suffer from. I tried going a gym to stop my anxiety, but that only made it worse because when I wasnt in the gym I wanted to smoke. It was even hard to hang out with friends because everywhere I would go, somebody always seemed to be smoking, and that would drive me crazy!!! I will keep trying to quit, hopefully everyday will be just one step closer. I hate when the people who have never smoked critize me and say "just quit, it's that easy"...I mean, how would they know...anyway, I wish everyone the best when you finally decide to take that big step and stop smoking, you will feel better about yourself and hopefully overpower this ruthless addiction. God bless!!!!!! ;-)