Thank God I found you. All of the literature is saying I should feel better after a few weeks of not smoking. I has been 4 months and I feel like c__p. I have always exercised, but now I get winded. I have gained about 10-15 pounds even though I still exercise. I feel sick everyday some weeks. I am happy to see others experience some of the same symptoms. The CDC made feel like I was crazy.
So I posted on page 71 with a long list of ailments I had experienced. I'm now another few weeks on and appear to be continually getting better. So in short keep strong and keep fighting and it will get better.
I still have digestive challenges and reflux along with bouts of anxiety. But the all consuming constant crushing anxiety and inability to breath seems to have passed, thankfully. Sinuses are still a challenge a bit but again they are improving, albeit slowly. Also still coughing up some impressive colours and debris.
Exercise it getting easier. That is 6km runs each day now and do wonders for balancing the mind. 10kms on weekends for longer thinking / balancing.
In short it isn't easy but for those in months 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 be rest assured how c**p you feel you will be time feel better. However health anxiety will go through the roof and it won't come soon enough. Also don't expect to wake up one morning 'fixed' instead prepare to feel a bit better as the weeks/months pass.
Stay strong..
I still have digestive challenges and reflux along with bouts of anxiety. But the all consuming constant crushing anxiety and inability to breath seems to have passed, thankfully. Sinuses are still a challenge a bit but again they are improving, albeit slowly. Also still coughing up some impressive colours and debris.
Exercise it getting easier. That is 6km runs each day now and do wonders for balancing the mind. 10kms on weekends for longer thinking / balancing.
In short it isn't easy but for those in months 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 be rest assured how c**p you feel you will be time feel better. However health anxiety will go through the roof and it won't come soon enough. Also don't expect to wake up one morning 'fixed' instead prepare to feel a bit better as the weeks/months pass.
Stay strong..
I thought I would add my story to this page as I’ve found it incredibly useful and supportive.
I gave up smoking on the 25th August 2017 after 34 years.
I am 50 years old so I started when I was 16.
Just before I gave up I was smoking between 20-30 roll ups a day.
Before giving up I was getting chest pains on and off, breathlessness, tightness around my chest and losing my teeth to rot.
The nicotine withdrawal lasted about a week and it was like having my soul sucked out the top of my head. During this period I denied myself no pleasure or luxury that helped me, so if I wanted to eat a whole chocolate cake then so be it, kebabs, biscuits, crisps, takeaways nothing was out of bounds as I figured the most important thing was to stop smoking.
It peaked for me on the 4th day where my brain felt like it had a thousand electric maggots crawling around inside my head and I couldn’t concentrate, constantly hungry.
After that, the cravings began to subside and then all the other side effects, which you don’t hear or read much about, started to kick in.
These effects are:-
Chest pains
Breathlessness
Aching Joints
Exhaustion
Insomnia
Lack of concentration
Anxiety
Stress
Depression
Pain all over my body
Blurry vision
Tingling under my chest
Headaches
Dizziness
Bleeding gums(!)
Throbbing ears
Facial ticks
Mild narcolepsy(!)
I took myself off to the Doctors for every test – Chest xray (fine), blood tests (fine), blood pressure (fine). I’ve never been to the Doctors so much in my lifetime for check ups and symptoms and every time I get the results back, they’re fine!
I believe it’s my body responding and healing itself to what I’ve been doing to it these past 30+ years and of the above symptoms the following have gone :- Insomnia, lack of concentration, bleeding gums, narcolepsy.
These symptoms are still prevalent (this is at the 3 ½ month stage of cold turkey) :-
Chest pains, breathlessness, aching joints, exhaustion, anxiety, stress, depression, pain all over body, blurry vision, tingling under chest, headaches etc
Some symptoms have reduced in intensity to a great degree.
I’ve had some terrible anxiety problems, mainly in the evenings but sometimes during the day.
I’ve also put on a bit of weight, but this was to be expected.
On the balance of things I do feel ‘better’ for giving up and I have no intention of ever smoking again!
I think because the changes can be gradual and incremental sometimes it’s hard to notice a difference but they all add up over time and I am also (as of today) £500 better off!
All the best and I hope this helps people on the same journey, it’s a tough but extremely worthwhile thing to do so hang in there, you’re not alone!
I gave up smoking on the 25th August 2017 after 34 years.
I am 50 years old so I started when I was 16.
Just before I gave up I was smoking between 20-30 roll ups a day.
Before giving up I was getting chest pains on and off, breathlessness, tightness around my chest and losing my teeth to rot.
The nicotine withdrawal lasted about a week and it was like having my soul sucked out the top of my head. During this period I denied myself no pleasure or luxury that helped me, so if I wanted to eat a whole chocolate cake then so be it, kebabs, biscuits, crisps, takeaways nothing was out of bounds as I figured the most important thing was to stop smoking.
It peaked for me on the 4th day where my brain felt like it had a thousand electric maggots crawling around inside my head and I couldn’t concentrate, constantly hungry.
After that, the cravings began to subside and then all the other side effects, which you don’t hear or read much about, started to kick in.
These effects are:-
Chest pains
Breathlessness
Aching Joints
Exhaustion
Insomnia
Lack of concentration
Anxiety
Stress
Depression
Pain all over my body
Blurry vision
Tingling under my chest
Headaches
Dizziness
Bleeding gums(!)
Throbbing ears
Facial ticks
Mild narcolepsy(!)
I took myself off to the Doctors for every test – Chest xray (fine), blood tests (fine), blood pressure (fine). I’ve never been to the Doctors so much in my lifetime for check ups and symptoms and every time I get the results back, they’re fine!
I believe it’s my body responding and healing itself to what I’ve been doing to it these past 30+ years and of the above symptoms the following have gone :- Insomnia, lack of concentration, bleeding gums, narcolepsy.
These symptoms are still prevalent (this is at the 3 ½ month stage of cold turkey) :-
Chest pains, breathlessness, aching joints, exhaustion, anxiety, stress, depression, pain all over body, blurry vision, tingling under chest, headaches etc
Some symptoms have reduced in intensity to a great degree.
I’ve had some terrible anxiety problems, mainly in the evenings but sometimes during the day.
I’ve also put on a bit of weight, but this was to be expected.
On the balance of things I do feel ‘better’ for giving up and I have no intention of ever smoking again!
I think because the changes can be gradual and incremental sometimes it’s hard to notice a difference but they all add up over time and I am also (as of today) £500 better off!
All the best and I hope this helps people on the same journey, it’s a tough but extremely worthwhile thing to do so hang in there, you’re not alone!
Hi all,
I am Niranjan from India. I have been smoking 15 to 20 cigarettes a day for the past 25 years. Recently I found out that I developed Candida Infection, which resulted in autoimmune disease in me. I have elevated levels of IGE in my body. I also found out that smoking gives more yield of the candida fungus. So, I have quit smoking from yesterday. Ofcourse, I am having lot of urge for nicotine. I have started my quitting program from yesterday. I have also started taking Yeast cleanser as I have developed oral thrush.
So, wish me success, so that I will completely come out smoking.
Thanks friends
I am Niranjan from India. I have been smoking 15 to 20 cigarettes a day for the past 25 years. Recently I found out that I developed Candida Infection, which resulted in autoimmune disease in me. I have elevated levels of IGE in my body. I also found out that smoking gives more yield of the candida fungus. So, I have quit smoking from yesterday. Ofcourse, I am having lot of urge for nicotine. I have started my quitting program from yesterday. I have also started taking Yeast cleanser as I have developed oral thrush.
So, wish me success, so that I will completely come out smoking.
Thanks friends
Help i quit last 7 months but i still suffer from chest pain/discomfort sometime my back hurt it scares me i always thought that im gonna have a heart attack.
Wow... U are telling exactly what i been through.. I quitted on the 1st Aug 2017 ,now still have these symptoms once in awhile what feeling much better now.. The worst is during the 3-4 month.. I am glad that things get better as times goes by..
It's important to go to the Doctors and have it checked out.
Chest and back pain are quite common after giving up smoking, even after several months would you believe! It's not something you really hear about when giving up but stick with it, it will get better, and go to your Doctors to get it checked out.
Chest and back pain are quite common after giving up smoking, even after several months would you believe! It's not something you really hear about when giving up but stick with it, it will get better, and go to your Doctors to get it checked out.
I've read through this entire thread with interest. I quit in September 2016, cold turkey, and initially was absolutely fine. That was after smoking 20 a day from the age of 17 (I'm 42). Then about two weeks in I started to get 'tingling' and pins and needles in my hands and feet as well as being extremely tired all the time. This has been going on for well over a year now. I've had MRIs, full blood works, physiotherapy (!), full body health checks etc. The doctors keep coming back to 'it's a virus' which as we all know is their code for "I don't know". Full list of symptoms over the last 16 months or so:
- Eye pain (largely gone now)
- Difficulty swallowing (completely went after a month)
- GERD/Heartburn (rare now but was every day for about three months)
- Extreme fatigue (still present)
- Brain fog/difficulty concentrating (still present)
- Lack of motivation (still present)
- Pins and needles in hands and feet. Occasional numbness in face (still present)
- Foot pain (still present)
- Pain in left leg (still present)
- Occasional back pain, neck pain and shoulder pain (still present)
- Pain in left side of abdomen (still present)
- Digestive problems (diarrhea) and appallingly smelly wind (still present)
- Irritability/grumpy mood (still present)
Through trial and error I've managed to isolate some triggers for the worst of the above, and it all seems to be stomach-related. If I drink alcohol (even only a glass or two of beer) or eat any spicy food, the symptoms get worse immediately (especially the tingling/pins and needles) and stay for a few days. Cutting fat and processed sugar out of my diet seems to have helped, and I've also lost 3 stone to be back down at my ideal weight. I'm doing a month completely off the booze and spicy food to see what this does.
I want to believe that this will improve over time but after 15 months or so of constant pain and no answers I'm struggling. I have no intention of going back to the smoking, but am starting to get utterly fed up with feeling like c**p every day.
- Eye pain (largely gone now)
- Difficulty swallowing (completely went after a month)
- GERD/Heartburn (rare now but was every day for about three months)
- Extreme fatigue (still present)
- Brain fog/difficulty concentrating (still present)
- Lack of motivation (still present)
- Pins and needles in hands and feet. Occasional numbness in face (still present)
- Foot pain (still present)
- Pain in left leg (still present)
- Occasional back pain, neck pain and shoulder pain (still present)
- Pain in left side of abdomen (still present)
- Digestive problems (diarrhea) and appallingly smelly wind (still present)
- Irritability/grumpy mood (still present)
Through trial and error I've managed to isolate some triggers for the worst of the above, and it all seems to be stomach-related. If I drink alcohol (even only a glass or two of beer) or eat any spicy food, the symptoms get worse immediately (especially the tingling/pins and needles) and stay for a few days. Cutting fat and processed sugar out of my diet seems to have helped, and I've also lost 3 stone to be back down at my ideal weight. I'm doing a month completely off the booze and spicy food to see what this does.
I want to believe that this will improve over time but after 15 months or so of constant pain and no answers I'm struggling. I have no intention of going back to the smoking, but am starting to get utterly fed up with feeling like c**p every day.
How are you feel8ng now?
I quit over 3 years ago, I get short of breath for the last year, seem to get sick more often, makes me wonder why i even quit
I quit over 3 years ago, I get short of breath for the last year, seem to get sick more often, makes me wonder why i even quit
quit 50 days.feeling all you describe.is it normal?
Just an update on this almost a further two months down the line (so ~7)
Background: 39 - smoked for ~ 22 years but generally not heavy
Of my original symptoms:
- Sinus issues - gone
- Breathing issues - sometimes / but I can run 10km now without issue
- Anxiety around health - a lot better but still sometimes - although I find it easier to stop it now).
- Various visual problems (blurred, halo, pulsing etc.) - a lot better but sometimes
- Foggyness of head - pretty much gone
- Coughing up various colors (white, green, clear, black/brown speckles etc.) - much reduced
- Bloating - nearly gone
- Constipation - gone
- Loose bowl movements - nearly gone
- Reflux (acid) - gone
- Belching - nearly gone
- Pains on arms, legs, feet - gone
- Bleeding gums - gone
- Puffy face - gone
- Dandruff and worse - gone
- Dry skin - only on hands now
- Insomnia - a lot better, with dreams (although a little crazy sometimes)
I got a really bad cold around month 6.5 which made me rest in bed for a couple of days for the first time in years.
As with most of the people here it is getting better just slowly. Based on this timeline thus far it is looking like it will take a year or more. But I am feeling better than I have been although not always well..
Background: 39 - smoked for ~ 22 years but generally not heavy
Of my original symptoms:
- Sinus issues - gone
- Breathing issues - sometimes / but I can run 10km now without issue
- Anxiety around health - a lot better but still sometimes - although I find it easier to stop it now).
- Various visual problems (blurred, halo, pulsing etc.) - a lot better but sometimes
- Foggyness of head - pretty much gone
- Coughing up various colors (white, green, clear, black/brown speckles etc.) - much reduced
- Bloating - nearly gone
- Constipation - gone
- Loose bowl movements - nearly gone
- Reflux (acid) - gone
- Belching - nearly gone
- Pains on arms, legs, feet - gone
- Bleeding gums - gone
- Puffy face - gone
- Dandruff and worse - gone
- Dry skin - only on hands now
- Insomnia - a lot better, with dreams (although a little crazy sometimes)
I got a really bad cold around month 6.5 which made me rest in bed for a couple of days for the first time in years.
As with most of the people here it is getting better just slowly. Based on this timeline thus far it is looking like it will take a year or more. But I am feeling better than I have been although not always well..
Back again, today is 11 months. Most all crappy things have subsided still feel tightness and achy base of my neck near left collarbone, but no lumps or swelling. Not even pain really. Had acid reflux and gas pretty bad in months past but now seems to be subsiding for the most part. Still the random desire to have a smoke but I wouldn't call it a craving, ill see it in a movie, or someone else and go hmmmm, that looks nice, but then I smell it and almost gag. Body feels good, didn't gain weight, or at least noteworthy weight. maybe 5-8 pounds, which I tend to fluctuate anyways. Every month is better, it truly is. Everyone hang tight, and keep coming here. I don't feel the need to come back anymore, but I do because I know that there are folks coming back here everyday hoping for more replies. That was me in months past. Ive found this is the biggest, best support thread. So I update this one every month. Still gonna take time to feel 100%. but I almost feel that we wont know what that mystery 100% actually feels like. for most of us its been decades since weve felt a normal without the cigarette, so how are we supposed to know how normal feels! I know at my young age of 33 that 14 years of smoking hasn't done me any favors. but I know that I should feel better than I do! Last year I devoted to quitting, this year I devote to reshaping my body and seeing just how much better I can really feel. Stay the course all!
What you say is what i feel... Quitted for 6 months and most of the symptoms are gone but still have panic disorder.. Dont know if it is one of the withdrawal symptoms or an isolate case.
I'm so glad I read this!..I'm 6 days in an been having the shortness of breath, lung pain, an just feel horrible but when I go to the Dr I'm fine!!
I also quit Sept 2016 and mostly have same symptoms:
- GERD/Heartburn (rare now but was every day for about three months)
- Extreme fatigue (still present)
- Brain fog/difficulty concentrating (still present)
- Pins and needles in hands and feet. Occasional numbness in face (still present)
- Occasional back pain, neck pain and shoulder pain (started one month ago)
- Pain in left side of abdomen (still present)
additionally, sometimes I have a panic attack and high blood pressure + from day 10 till now I have a hand swelling. TQ
- GERD/Heartburn (rare now but was every day for about three months)
- Extreme fatigue (still present)
- Brain fog/difficulty concentrating (still present)
- Pins and needles in hands and feet. Occasional numbness in face (still present)
- Occasional back pain, neck pain and shoulder pain (started one month ago)
- Pain in left side of abdomen (still present)
additionally, sometimes I have a panic attack and high blood pressure + from day 10 till now I have a hand swelling. TQ