Quit smoking a year ago - sick ever since!

Hi all,  It's been another month for me and I wanted to give an update. Quick summary, I'm a 27yo male who quit nicotine, weed, and alcohol on January 3rd 2016. See my previous posts for more details. I've been dealing with loads of physical and mental symptoms ever since quitting. Like so many of you here I spiraled into severe anxiety and hypochondria, had panic attacks, felt like I was dying, almost quit my job, etc... Finally last month I decided I couldn't live like that forever. I read posts on this forum of people feeling like this for years and it freaked me out! I began to make many changes in my life. I wouldn't consider myself 100% at this point but I am 1000x better than I was a few months ago. To follow up on my last post:

Symptoms that have gone away:

• Shortness of breath
• Sharp pain in ribs
• Metallic taste in mouth
• Acid reflux / GERD
• Diarrhea / constipation
• Foggy head
• Clogged ears
• Chest, back, and groin pain
• Tightness in chest
• Headaches / sinus pressure
• Insomnia
• Shaking, tremors at night
• Hypochondria
• Severe anxiety / depression

Symptoms that have improved, but are not completely gone:

• Mild anxiety / depression
• Light headedness
• Pain / cramps in arms and legs
• Stiff Neck

Symptoms I am still experiencing:

• Vision issues (these are still quite bizarre)

As you can see things have gotten quite better. Treating the anxiety has helped me the most. I exercise, eat healthy, take supplements (vitamin D, magnesium, fish oil), meditate and regularly practice deep breathing exercises. I also completely changed my perspective and decided to focus on the positives in my life as a whole rather than the negatives of this particular situation. I stopped going to the doctor for every little thing. I got outside and socialized, spent time with my friends and family, and tried to stay distracted with work during the day. All of this has been helping immensely. 

I believe my symptoms resulted from a combination of my mind/nerves/body healing from my addictions, and were fueled by the subsequent anxiety and depression. I just want you all to know that you CAN and WILL get better, but you have to heal your mind before you heal your body. Best of luck to everyone struggling out there, stay strong!

Looking into some natural health websites. I'm smoke free for just a couple months with only that metallic taste to deal with, but I've always been a juicier and natural as possible sort of person so give those sites a try.

29 year old female - 11 years of smoking, last 2 years on and off every 2-3 months. NOW 9 months free of smoking.
I had all symptoms mentioned on this site, however my biggest concern were - dizziness, unstability, panic attacks in crowded places, not being able to comprehend lots of noise and movement, irritation, ringing and fullness in ears, and many more. I postponed driving now since my quit, until hopefully I get better in future. However symptoms DO improve over time with tremendous slow speed, however progress is definitely there. I thought before that I am done with life during my first few months as I was really in horrible state of health. Thanks to God he has mercy on us!
I went to many doctors and some of them were helpful, some not. In addition to all advices given here I would add the issue with blood vessels - when the circulation to the brain is not going properly. I took Vinpocitine medicine for sometime as advised by my doctor, natural herbs from blood vessel spasm. Also relaxation technique is good - Jacobson relaxation - powerful thing. And Albert Ellis - is good to listen or read - when times get tuff. Ginkgo biloba herb is good, Brahmi supplement heard good but never tried. And of course good diet and exercise.
I am far from perfect after 9 months, but put s realistic goal after 2 years to feel as good as possible with my all effort towards it.
Please post your updates it is so inspiring and helpful. God bless all!

Hi everyone. I last posted on 23 December 2015 when I was "quit" for 1.5 years. Today, it is 1 year, 10 months of completely no cigarettes. My biggest problem has always been acid reflux with a pain in my right side upper abdomen. This pain still comes on and off but I take no meds. I try to eat what I think does not aggravate the pain, e.g. tomatoes, oranges. I sometimes put a pinch of bi-carbonate of soda in warm drinking water. Sometimes I use apple cider vinegar and honey in warm drinking water. I eat a lot of yoghurt. I eat a lot of oats. Like all of us, I look forward to the day when I will have no symptoms at all that will remind me that I once was a smoker. I also pray a lot and thank God for delivering me from smoking, which I could never have done without His intervention. Let's keep encouraging one another. grace

I last posted on 23 December 2015. Now, after one year and 10 months, I continue to experience acid reflux and the pain that comes on my right side upper abdomen. I do not take any meds and I try to keep off foods that trigger it, e.g. tomatoes, too much spices, chocolates, citric fruits/juice. I eat a lot of yoghurt, oats, I put a pinch of bi-carbonate of soda in warm drinking water, sometimes I put apple cider vinegar and honey in warm drinking water. Like all of us, I hope that all these distressing symptoms will come to pass. I still thank God that He delivered me from this vice because I could never have done it on my own. Cheers, grace

Thank you so much people for the updates, knowing that it will be better. Im on my 5months now,no meds at all. Where exactly is that right upper abdomen?

The right upper abdomen is just below the rib cage. Many tests were done and they said it was because of acid reflux, at the point where the food comes back to the oesophagus. I had taken so much medication for many months until I read other people's stories on this blog and I stopped the medication. It was not helping me at all. But I guess there are those who the medication helps. Again, all the best to us all.

I am on 7 months now. Nausea, anxiety and depression. Cant get excited. Feel I have al sorts of diseases like tumors or cancer all the time adding to anxiety. It is the long term pshucological effects of not smoking. No it will pass. Just be strong and have a healthy lifestyle. exercise help for depression and anxiety

yee, feel same

Any updates? On my 7month now.. Still not ok..

Very similar symptoms and I am only nicotine free for 4 months.

Please please whoever felt better or cured over time, please post your updates, it is so important for all people whoever visits this website. Please...

The worst is over. Hang in there. RJC

Really? Are you sure you are not a representative from your said tobacco industry! There are plenty of people out there who have given up the cigarettes 'cold turkey' - no more nicotine!! Me included - with no adverse side effects after the first month! The best part is that I have given myself a huge pay rise - £100 per week - the benefit of not smoking! Good luck to all who have the courage to quit!

I quit smoking 4 months and eleven days ago

I feel sick and anxious all the time and I have gained a lot of weight.

Still waiting for these benefits.