Quit smoking a year ago - sick ever since!

Istop, I think after time the body goes back to an equilibrium - a balanced state after some time. It amazes me that some people are not affected by nicotine withdrawl, and for some it is devistating. Before I quit smoking, I didn't even have a doctor. Since I've quit, I've had numerous doctors vists, two ER vists, and a visit with an electrophysiologist who specializes in the heart's electrical system. I'm finally at the point, after almost 11 months, where on most days I feel better than I ever did while smoking.

 

Bababooey I believe you are right. Our body recovery is a complex and slow process. What I have noticed is that people tend to have signs of getting better after 3 months cycle ( 3 months, 6 months, 9 months ). Every part of your body is affected and then of course there is the emotional side as well. I don't know why some people do not get affected by this ....

 

 

Today I have 5 months since I quit. My progress is slow but no different from many of you around here.  

After all this time  I  feel like  things are getting better but the rate is so slow. I still got anxiety over my SOB, tight chest,  joint pain, sinus pressure, horrible post nasal drip, gum bleeding, sore right arm ..flu like symptoms.

 

PS: a coworker of mine has quit almost at the same time as me. HE HAS NO WITHDRAWL SYMPTOMS , nothing at all, not even a cough.  I am 35 he's 45 years old. It's so hard for me to compile this.          

 

Next update will be at 6 months.

 

Bababooey, so what happened to the electrophyiologist test? was the fine? i am asking because into 13th month quit and a little bit heart is fluttering or sort of palpitations , they have been weekend over the passage of time but still little bit left ... i am sure u must be working out or doing swimming etc . i dont do any exercise so may be thats why i am taking bit more time... after 13 months things are much better but little bit palpitation left and a pain started in back neck and head from last week ....interesting thing is i have never had headaches ever since i quit but from last week i have been having pain(stiff neck) and headaches....

By the way, for me some alcohol in the evening seemed to alleviate some of the symptoms - eg sob, chest tightness etc Obviously not a great solution but would be interested to see if same for anyone else Now 10 months for me and gradually seeing improvements - going to try and exercise more to see if it accelerates recovery. Previously I just haven't felt up to anything more strenuous than walking. As someone said before long walks seem to help - at the moment I try to walk minimum 1 hour per days, and up to 5/6 hours at weekends

yes I started to feel like that for 2 months now after I stopped smoking on Aug 2012 around my birthday in April 2013 this year I have had bad chest pains a sore throat,stubbing pains in the back and often my right lung has warm tingling feelings that seem to move around.

The worrying about all this is the worst, that's why I'm here at this time of writing.

Talking to people does not work I feel alone in this fight after being a happy smoker for 35 years these last 2 months have been HELL.(almost felt like ending it or having a smoke). long walks do seem to help when I have the time to get outside.

The key to stop smoking and overcoming the detox period is to keep your body in constant motion.  Set a goal for yourself. It's been three 3weeks since I quit (April 15,2013). 6 Months before I quit I set up a date when I was going to quit.  During this time I set up a 16-20 mile a day walking and running routine.  I started 1/2 mile run at a time and went from a pack a day to only 6-9 cigarettes a day right before the day I quit.  During this time as I increased my running I would smoke less and less.  I knew that once I completely stopped I would get colds/flu syptoms, and chest pains, and tightness in my lungs.  Now its been 3 weeks since I stopped smoking and I can now jog 4 miles straight.  The only problem is I get a cold everytime after I jog.  The tingling throughout my body and tightness in my lungs are almost gone.  Go out and run a few laps and all your problems and sicknesses will go away...

Hi Guys

 

Sorry! I've been busy with work and all but I'll be posting for my 11th month soon...

I just want to say : keep it up...anxiety causes alot of our pain that in return creates health anxiety...

 

Keep on posting!

 

Istop

 

Hi Guys, I have finally completed one year(Except for 10 days when I cheated). Feel 80% myself again.

I still have issues mainly with stomach and digestion. Health related anxiety has come down. Generally I get upset stomach in the evening. Sometime I get this weird feeling like things are not moving in my stomach and my digestion has halted. I am too obsessed with my current project these days and not exercising, diet is also not great.

There are things that have improved... Generally I have more energy than when I used to smoke. Immunity is good. Whiter teeth, Clear skin, last longer in bed :)

 -Kumar

HI Guys,

 

My 11th month update :

 

Again better and better but I still have Digestive/stomach issues here and there. I've been controlling my anxiety most of the time but it still happens that when I do not feel well I believe that I'm sick and then I fall into all kinds of thoughts...I'm woking on this with my Psy....She told me that I need to re-program my mind in relation to health.

 

Next update for my 1 year anniversary!

Kumar : congrats!

Keep on posting

Istop

Hi Rob, how about your sugal level? has your sugar come back to normal?

Hi Mamabuna, how about your sugal level? has your sugar come back to normal?

I am 51 with 31 years chained with cigarett. Today 5/22 is exact my mark of full 3 years smoking free. I have gone most of the withdrawals like all listed here... weight gain, SOB, feeling colds, anxiety... Now I got much better that I feel never relapse it.

I wish to thank this topic and everybody posted here for my successful in quitting smoking 

Thuan LC

Hi Guys!!

I almost forgot to give you my update. I quit on July 12, 2012 – so I am around 10 months in. I am doing all right – I still have a little anxiety but I am working on it. It is hard to retrain your brain but I am getting better.

Physical Symptoms – I don’t have any major issues. All major issues have greatly subsided. I personally think my hard work got me through this. I exercise a lot and my diet help balance my body out. It took me 9 months to get to where I am physically. I took it very slow in the beginning. People quit exercising because they try to do too much in the early stages. You can’t do it that way.

IStop is right about anxiety/stress/nervousness/depression – It is the biggest hurdle left for me and probably all of us. I’ve noticed my body reacts right away when my health anxiety kicks in. I start to get nervous and shaky, I get SOB, I want to vomit, tingling feelings, head pains, and I get fatigued. You start to get crazy thoughts and then it makes things worst. Once you overcome your anxiety, I think we’ll be good after that.

Smokefree – funny you ask. I recently went to the doctor. I got some test done and my glucose level is perfect and my blood pressure and heart rate is at optimal levels. My fasting glucose was in the 80. After a meal it was perfect as well – Dr. was impressed with my turn around since the beginning.  I worked hard at this as well. I was pre-diabetic levels when I went to the emergency room 10 months ago. I used to drink lots of Dr. Pepper and Beer when I smoked. Not anymore – I pretty much cut all sodas. I used them as treats – once in awhile I have a glass of Dr. Pepper or a beer with my dinner. I think most of your issues now are all mental – I think your anxiety is causing your physical symptoms. That’s just my opinion. I hope you get better.

Get well soon everyone. I am off to Vegas for Memorial Day weekend. Third time since I’ve quit – to test your will power- the best place is in Vegas, smokers heaven. If you don’t light one up or take a drag in Vegas then you know you have beaten your addiction.

 It takes a lot of will power to do this guys and I am proud of all of us. Trust me – more people fail then succeed when it comes to nicotine cessation. 

Hi Rob, I am really happy that you are getting better day by day ...its really good to know that your BP ,heartrate and sugar levels are back to normal. My case is different in yours is that you were prediabetic right after quitting smoking and my sugal levels were pefect for 1 year after quitting smoking ....i am in my 14th month and got my sugar checked last week and it was in the prediabetic range ..... If you google quit smoking and diabetes risk you will see that after quitting smoking you are at 70% risk of getting diabetes... this information is good for all ex smokers here so that they will take care of their sugar levels..... major difference between you and me is you exerciese alot and i dont ..... i have started brisk walk recently .....improving my diet and hoping to see betterment .....quitting smoking and getting prediabetic at the age of 37 is really saddening.....my BP and pusle got back to normal but nowadays this sugar level :(...

Hi Rob, I am really happy that your bp,pulse and sugar all came back to normal. You were prediabetic right after quitting smoking and my sugar level raised in the last blood test last week after my 14th quit. If you google and write diabetes risk after quitting smoking then u will see that ex-smokers are 70% more at risk of developing diabetes after quitting smoking. the difference between you and me you exercise alot and i dont but my BP and pulse got back to normal but now this elevated sugar :( ..... prediabetic symptoms at the age of 37 is saddening :(..... we quit smoking for the betterment where as we get opposite