I quit smoking 12/08/2015 ~ and within a couple of weeks, I was experiencing ear issues, everything sounded like static. This got worse ~ went to the doctor and was told it was an inner ear infection. Took antibiotics to no avail. I was experiencing so much pain in my head ~ tried to describe my pain as "my brain hurts like it did when I had bacterial meningitis"! also, that I could hear but could not distinguish words, so after seeing 2 ENTs and a neurologist... No one has an answer.
After 4 months (almost to the exact date), I am experiencing none of the aforementioned symptoms. I feel fantastic ~ thank goodness. And, I might add ~ after all the months of pain and frustration, NOW I find this web page that explains it all, I believe.
Thank you so much..
was a smoker for 31 years .I quit February 16 2015 .Everyday is a struggle but continue to concur this addiction.Stick with it dont give up.There is nothing wrong with you its your body giving you back life..
Hi everyone and congrats. Quit 8 months ago after smoking for 30 years im a 45yrold male. In the beginning I went to ER 3 times, 3 ekg tests and also blood work x rays all came back normal. But I wasn't done .I still felt like something was wrong I just didn't feel right so i went to a cardiologist and had a few tests there. echo was normal and stress test normal. So that put me at ease for a bit. But 8 months in I have to say I still sometimes feel dizzy or light headed and my eye sight seems off sometimes but i had that checked and they tested me and it was normal. I don't think Ive ever been so conscious of my body and every little ache and pain or breath i take. I get nervous if my heart beats to fast but then i get nervous if its to low. I know I sound crazy and even my friends are telling me enough is enough get over it. It feels nice to tell it to some others that maybe can relate to some of my issues. thanks
Hi same here. 8 months in and I can feel good for a couple days and play tennis, do errands etc Then other days i feel dizzy and have anxiety. Never had any of this while i smoked. But I smoked for 30years. hang in there
My husband and I quit smoking just over a year ago...we have been feeling like Sh*t ever since...not constant, but often enough...dry cough, aches and pains, cold/flu like symptoms, sleepless nights, anxiety, tired...these forums have helped because we both thought we were/are going crazy!! It makes it so much better realizing we are not alone in this...I guess misery does love company...And, things are improving...we are hanging in :)
I quit almost 2 years ago and still have some anxiety from it. When that kicks in it triggers SOB. I just deal with it better than smoking.
I feel the same way. Today makes my 9th day and I am having a hard time focusing. Overall I just feel bad. Im glad that I am not the only person feeling this way. But keep up the good work. Although I can see it I believe it will be worth it in the long run.
Hello Everyone!
I am a 42 year old male. Started smoking as a dumb kid in high school. I quit smoking about mid september 2014 so I am around my 8th month. I did however use the patch for two or so months so off of everything for 6 months. I just wanted to write and let every one know my journey. Like most people here I have had a miserable time and looking back it was almost unreal. Forgive the long post but I want to put it all out there. The reason I quit was I was feeling the effects of smoking and had a sore throat at the time. I had been carrying around a patch that someone gave me for some time. I just decided I had enough and tossed the smokes and put the patch on. This is where my life took a drastic change! I had no idea what was going to happen to me nor was I ready for it.
First couple weeks not to bad, went to my primary doctor for the sore throat and was put on a course of antibiotics and steroids. No real change, then my body lost it. I started having chronic head congestion, waking up and just blowing mucus and snot out of my head for half an hour, then no breathing through my nose for the rest of the day. This carried on for a week and I went to see an ENT. He told me I had chronic sinusitis and put me back on more steroids and antibiotics. So for the next five months I visited him regularly about every three weeks. He prescribed every antibiotic he could and more steroids. Multiple sinus sprays and flushes to include compounded meds. Had two CT scans and was diagnosed with moderate sinus disease. He wanted to do surgery but I have held out.
The other side effects I had during the first six months. SEVERE anxiety! Had no idea what was wrong, I started searching the internet and was freaking out. I had convinced myself I had just about every common cancer and other horrible ailments. I was compulsivly checking my body and what came out of it. I had turned into a freaking mess. I had never been like this and it was scary. I would get a flashlight and look into my mouth repeatedly through out the day, palpate my body for lumps and bumps and search every little symptom I had (bad idea!). I was absolutely miserable! The people around me thought I was nuts and did not understand what was wrong. Even the doctors told me it had nothing to do with quitting smoking. Insomnia, feels like months of no sleep. I was exhausted! I was in a daze most of the time, foggy feeling and dizzy. Finally about a month ago my sinus started to get back to normal, slowly things started to calm down.
I can finally say that in the past several weeks I have actually felt alot better. For the past couple months I have been having odd pains, upper back and shoulders, abdomen and groin pain. Weird feelings like I never had before. They would usually only last a week or two then on to another symptom. The anxiety is greatly reduced, it is still there but I have a better grasp on things and can reason with myself. I am no longer freaking out. I do have days where my mind gets the best of me but I am a ton better! I am just hoping as I near the 1 year mark that I retrun to my old self completely. I had almost lost hope and was considering smoking again. I have no desire to smoke anymore just want to feel back to my old self and like others have said maybe that is the fix. Thus I have come this far and will not go back especially after this journey. I have spent so much money on office visits and medications.
As of today I am having very minor upper back ache, but I have some urinary/bladder/prostate issue now. I have held off going to the doctor for the week, but might be headed in tomorrow as I am telling myself this is probably not related to all other issues, but who knows I have read in the thread about prostitis and UTI etc.
So for everyone early in their journeys DONT GIVE UP!! There is light at the end of the tunnel! You are not crazy it is your body getting healthy and detoxing.
BE STRONG AND CARRY ON!
Next month it will be 2 years for me. I still have anxiety as a result of quitting. Before as a smoker never had it now it just comes on. I have no reason why it just does. I always get through it but it's very strange. Guess I will just deal with it as this is the payoff of not having to smoke. Maybe smoking kept my anxiety at bay and I had it the whole time but just never noticed it? Hang it there. Keith