Quit smoking a year ago - sick ever since!

Me too, feel awful, digestion ruined. The only thing that helped was changing my diet when I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes -- to low carb (no sugar, no starch), high protein and good fat. This diet also makes the fat simply melt off (actually it "liquids" off -- water is released and you have to pee a lot) and is a much healthier diet than the usual. The best explanation for it is Dr. Richard K. Bernstein's Diabetic Doctor's Solution how starch/sugar raises blood sugar and insulin resistance, pushing the blood sugar into your fat cells.

I'm a 27 year old female, and I smoked since I was 14. I quit smoking over 4 months ago (cold turkey, btw, and I found it surprisingly easy concidering how much I smoked). The only problem is, I have felt horrible ever since. My throat got really sore right away, and my glands under my jaw swelled up and when I went to the walk-in clinic, the Dr told me it was allergies, and told me to take Alegra D. That didn't work, so I went back, and a different Dr gave me the antibiotic Doxycycline, so I took those, and that didn't work. So, I went back again. This time it was Dr "Feelgood" (no seriously) and first he asked me if my visit was to do with my "privates", then proceeded to tell me that Doxycycline cures Chlamydia. Lovely. I tell him no, and I explain that I've been sick for over a month. So he props me up in this porn possition, like with my butt sticking out, and my arms up and together from my elbows to my wrists, and starts massaging my neck, back, shoulders and breast bone, and tells me that I'm too stressed. (Which is true, I just quit smoking and I'm sick all the time, FFS!) But still... So he finally looks in my mouth, and says "Ohh, I can see all the way down to the bottom of your throat, you have a good 'ahh' mouth." Again. Lovely, Dr Feelgood, now what's wrong with me? So he tells me that it's pretty much all in my head, and sends me on my way, feeling slightly violated. ANYWAY! This all happened in June and July, and now it's September, and my glands are still really swollen, and are bothering me. Is this normal? I'm really scared, and my anxiety levels are through the roof. I mean, I cry a lot. I don't want to smoke again, but I didn't feel like I was dying when I did... And when I Google this stuff, the Internet says swollen glands for long periods of time is a VERY BAD THING. Please someone, make me feel better?

Hi Piper's Mommy.
I posted on the previous page and was the one who quit on July 12. It is now exactly 9 weeks for me. It wasnt to bad for me on week 3 and week 4. It was mainly minor aches. On week 7 ive had some sinus issues. It was off and on for me. Now my sinuses are clear. The only problem i have now is mainly Anxiety. Its mainly health anxiety and it drives you crazy, i know. The mind if very powerful and can overtake your body. Physical symptoms may arise from anxiety but then go away - then it comes back. I am alot better now then my first week but every pain i feel, even minor, i think its something serious and gives me an episode of anxiety. Ive gotten so paranoid i have bought every type of health guides to better my immune system. I am going long here but i just want you to know that during the recovery phase you will go through a phases of anxiety. When you are completely recovered physically the anxiety will fade away. Which i hope is the case with me. If you need some sites on more about withdrawal symptoms or need some more advice please IM me. I have done so much research the last two month i felt i was back in college writing a research paper. Take care

I've  been quit 9 days and I can't agree with you more. The anxiety is the hardest thing for me to deal with. I suffered anxiety prior to quitting and it's actually more physical then mental now. Of course when my chest tightens I think I'm having a heart attack and my sinuses are very clogged. I don't want to go back to smoking but I do want the emotional and physical ailments pass. Ive read through so many of these posts and can relate to the light headed feeling to the shortness of breath. I smoked a pack a day for 25 years and I'm not going back. 

Hang in there aavanj.

I still get shortness of breath, sinus issues and get muscle issues in random areas. I also got skin issues on my face the last month as well. So i have been trapped in my home for the last month not seeing my friends and family. So being home all the time increases my depression. My skin has cleared up and ive been learning to relax better. I have never had anxiety issues before so it is all new to me. I have done alot of reading from other testimonials and what ive learned is that it can take a long time for many. You have to remember that your body is slowly recovering and adapting to a smoke free environment. Your anxiety will fade away once your body feels closer to 100 percent. It can take months or a year but it will get there. I went through every physical symptom and it has been subsiding. Good luck

Thanks Rob_From_SoCal! I appreciate the response. I've done tons of research as well... I wish I had known all of this before I ever started. My main worry right now is my swollen lymph nodes. It really scares me. Has anyone else had this? How do you get rid of them? I take ACV all the time, and use a hot magic bag, but nothing is working!

Just wanted to update my posts. Now I 149 days without a cigarette (last cigarette on 20 April 2012). I feel myself getting better. I have not experienced shortness of breath, lung irritation and heart palpitations. Just stay dry throat, difficulty swallow saliva and headache.

I force myself to go jogging even while jogging I felt headache. I also take supplements like Vitamin C and B12. I eat bananas, coconut water and orange. When I'm bored, I eat melon seed and candy to distract my desire. I temporarily avoid drinking coffee and tea.

I advise that you all be patient. As you all know, every pain is sacrifice, each sacrifice requires patience.Do not let anxiety control your conscious mind.

An up to date...

 

It's been 3 months now...I still feel digestion problems and nausea in the morning but it's getting better...

Hi Piper's Mommy, You need to relax. Just calm down. count days one by one. it will take some time before you get better. you know what every person face different problems after quitting smoking and they are so wierd that you wonder how come it is related to smoking but just hang in there and follow the few advices. 1. Eat as much fruit as possible 2. Excericse as much as you can 3. Find a effective multi vitmanin and have it daily, also take B vitiamins ... 4. Take hot showers, sauna, steam, massage 5. hang out with friends 6. sleep as much as you can Just forget for 2 months at least whats going on with you and after that if you dont feel better then go to some specialist...

I have been quit for 14 days now. I quit on my 31st birthday after 16 years of smoking about a pack a day. I didnt really have a reason to quit, I was just sick of doing it. I figured I would feel crappy for a few days while the nicotine worked its way out of my system. I timed it perfect from work, took a 3 day weekend and spent it in bed. Now, 2 weeks later I still feel horrible. I cant conentrate on anything. I feel so lightheaded all the time and later in the evening it gets so bad I feel like im going crazy. I take a anti-depressant/anxiety medication and that does not seem to be helping at all. Alcohol seems to be the only thing that calms me down but also really makes me want to smoke so im trying to avoid it. Anyone have an ideas how long I will feel light headed for?

You are getting more oxygen to your head and might get light headed or dizzy. It can also be anxiety - you might have a floating feeling or have a cloudy feeling - Kind of hard to explain. Thats more of an anxiety issue. I felt this way for the first month of my detox. Hopefully, you dont get any more symptoms like many of us did. I hope you get better and it takes time to feel normal again. Good luck.

GOOD NEWS!!!I quit smoking about 4 months ago and I like you have been sick on and off since.  I have grown pretty frustrated and experienced a vast majority of the problems listed in this thread.

Now, before I get into my medical issues relating to smoking.  My info is I am 28, 6'4 about 300lb and I work in Law Enforcement.  I am a strong young able bodied combat tested professional.  Before I stopped smoking I made changes to my lifestyle to ready myself.  I started walking regulary and eating healthier food while keeping a close eye on habits and transferance issues. 

First, I had some kind of sore throat infection deal.   Treated with antibiotics which upset my stomach when mixed with nicotine gum.  The Doctor treated my stomach issue with an antacid medication.  Now, when you throw an antacid on top of a antibiotic you have pretty much moved and stopped all digestive abilities in your stomach which caused pain and another ER trip.

Finally that all started clearing up about 2 months into my quit.  I started feeling good, things were shaping up and I was doing well.  Then suddenly I had this pressure, a lump in my throat neck area.  Below and around my adams apple, naturally this was rather concerning.  Another trip to the ER and that Doc gave me cortizone and sudifed.  A few days later when the meds departed my system everything came back.  My regular Doctor has been treating me for allergies and explained something important to me directly relating to this thread.My chest, lung, breathing and repeated illnesses after quitting are directly related to the detoxing process.  My sinus problems are from my sinuses being able to actually smell and feel and process pollen, rag weed, hay fever and whatnot.  My sinuses are not sufficated by smoking so they are going crazy.  My lungs like all of you are slowly cleaning themselves and brushing away mucus, phelm and whatever else we were unable to expell as smokers.  The problem was obvious, my lungs were pushing nastiness up and out my sinuses were pushing nastiness down and out well those two actions connect right in the middle my throat.There is a sphincter muscle seperating the airway and digestive tract.  That muscle was clamping shut to prevent that nasty stuff from going down my airway while nastiness from my airway was trying to get out.  That was the lump in my throat.  Steaming devices helped, expectorants helped, allergy meds helped calm my sinuses, little by little it has been getting better.  Overall, I have lost weight.  Learned a great deal about nutrition and internal chemicals and their role in our health.  I had palputations in the past and increasing magnesium and potassium regularly by eating spinach and bananas and other rich foods along with regular excercise has stopped and removed my palputations.  It is a step by step process that I have never experienced before and I am proud to still be a non-smoker and seeing these medical issues slowly resolve one by one.So, stick with it people.  Dont give up, these problems will get better one by one.  Take a proactive role and you will be fine.  The hardest part is over, this phase is just clean up work now.  Good luck and please remember if you have anxiety not to panic, do breathing excercises, focus on everything else, it will pass.  You did the right thing by quitting. :)

I feel for you, hope you are doing better

i too gave up smoking 7 months ago. I feel run down and again have a cold and ulcers on my head and edge of lip. As i was a heavy smoker for 30 years i suppose my body is expelling the toxic load!!! I feel low on occassions and isolate a bit and do get bouts of depression since quitting. smoking ifesyle is too complex where and when one is able to smoke and also have to admit my breathing is so so much better as i have asthma. good luck with your quit and carry on the trudgery of getting over your addiction. It can only get better i say

i too gave up smoking 7 months ago. I feel run down and again have a cold and ulcers on my head and edge of lip. As i was a heavy smoker for 30 years i suppose my body is expelling the toxic load!!! I feel low on occassions and isolate a bit and do get bouts of depression since quitting. smoking ifesyle is too complex where and when one is able to smoke and also have to admit my breathing is so so much better as i have asthma. good luck with your quit and carry on the trudgery of getting over your addiction. It can only get better i say