Shortness of breath after stopping smoking

Hi, im 36 Male and have similar problems. Diagnosed as child with asthmna, but meanwhile my asthma was not active (no meds at all) until early 30. Then i started to use inhaler and all the symphtoms were well managed. I quit smoking 3 months ago, an 1,5 mont after quitting i having really bad SOB, wheezing and gasping for air from time to time. How are you doing? Did you get any better? I visited my doctor and i got oral steroids for one week butt to be honest it didn't help much. So even i use my inhaler (also steroids) i still fell much worse than before quitting..

Wow today makes it 19 days it's not you alone from racing heart beat to short breath sleepless nights been to the hospital spend five. Days from my x-ray to heart scan all came back good but the symptoms not easy hold down we will get there my concerns Ann Marie

Hi, im 33; i'd been a smoker for 14 years until 2013, smoke free since, in 2003 i'd quitted smoking for 8 months, no issues, but since 2013, my SOB is keep getting worse and worse, ive always been aware that i am allergic to dust and pollen, never been an issue while i was a smoker, but now, im diagnosed with allergic asthma. Allergies and SOB at their worst, im seriously considering getting back to smoking as allergy medicines and inhalers (including steroid) arent doing much for me.

Hello how are you feeling now ?

I have the exact same issue, I just stopped smoking a couple of weeks ago and I'm coughing up nasty phlegm, but worse I can't seem to catch my breath. I am also experiencing anxiety (probably worried about the breathing), and I wake up in the middle of the night as well.

The last person to reply on this topic was over a year ago.. I hope you are not all dead and that you have positive things to say in regards to your shortness of breath, I am two months smoke-free and have trouble breathing just going up and down the stairs, I am not hacking up any fur balls other than the normal overnight congestion... Just wondering if anyone knows how long this might last before I start breathing better. I feel defeated is if quitting smoking has not been a benefit and has been kind of a burden... Please give me something to look forward to that's positive.

It does get better, but with anything, if it is truly affecting your day to day life or activity I would go to your doctor and maybe he could give you something to take temporary as needed till it goes away. I have quit before and had started again after my mom passed away. Off and on again smoker, but didn't want to smoke after 40, had a hard time after my mom passed now I'm 41. Each time you quit the experience can be different. I smoke like a half a pack for two days then don't smoke for like 5 days to a week... Then I have the hardest time staying quit, you'd think it would be easier after the first three days but it isn't. I'm going to try to workout more to see if that helps with the anxiety, but I do get the bouts of SOB with anxiety at times too. It isn't congestion, feels more like a lack of expansion... Like I need to take a couple deep breaths. I think the people who hasn't posted on here must be feeling better as they don't feel the need to read /post much anymore. Good luck with your venture. It seems like a Max of about six months is what I have seen for this, but I suppose it depends on the amount of damage you have done to your lungs.

10 months quit gone to hospital at least five times since you would think someone would have told me this is a symptom from quitting!! please please help I need something to help my shortness of breath Im just about ready to smoke again i've smoked since i was in grade three buying packs for myself I am now 55 when i quit i did it cold turkey after smoking 2 packs a day i really can't believe i did it but i did. it please I need something for my shortness of breath but non addictive !! I don't want to quit one only to be an addict to something else

Hi friend, I am experiencing the same in night i feel like i stop breathing. Also i feel tingling effect in my chest & always my fingers are numb. Are you ok now? if yes can you tell me what to do?

Get yourself active..exercise and eat healthy. It helps.. I try to jog everyday whenever I can. I got panic disorder after I quit 8 months ago and have been to A&E 3-4 times.. check everything from chest X-ray, blood test and heart stress test.. all result comes out ok. Now I am just waiting for the 1 year mark.. I am feeling better when time pass..so keep it up mate.

Hi Cindy, I hear you and can only tell you to hang in there, know you are not alone going through hell. Since you have been to the hospital for five times I assume you have been checked throughout? If not please do a x-ray, spirometry, cardio stresstest and blood work to exclude everything. Read this the whole thread from A-Z which I experienced as a lifesaver during long dark nights. Big thanks to everybody who contributed. I was a heavy smoker for 25 years and almost in month 4 quitting now. After 1,5 month quitting extreme SOB, I am slowly doing better the last weeks but still have very bad days BUT also better days again. What worked and is working for me: 1. Read this WHOLE thread 2. See the doctor and do all the tests 3. Drink at least 4 liters of water/herbal tea a day sometimes with honey if you have a sore throat. Eat healthy light meals, no alcohol and for me one coffee a day only. Keep hydrated! 4. I used two inhalers/bronchodilator to take of the edge and offer some relief, they don't work that well but the do help. It's a short-action type and a long-action type (steroids) I only use the short action now when necessary. 5. I use nasal spray against congestion. 6. Exercise to keep or become fit in way you can handle. I really like swimming which is opening your (tight)chest and jogging. 7. Take a break when necessary / rest. Can't sleep use something to calm down whatever works for you. Don't be hard on yourself what you should or shouldn't use, you are in recovery. Good luck and don't start smoking again, think where you will end up doing that. JMB

ty for your support it s hard going through this when you quit the habit and still feel like crap in saying that i do need to exercise witch is hard since i have shortness of breath its bad even when i get talk at times i will keep trying ty again

It's not the reward you are expecting if you quit smoking but it will get better. Reading everything it looks like there is a relation between years and packs a day smoked-being fit-age if you experiencing SOB. Exercising is clearly hard but try at least to do short walks. Are you using bronchodilators? That made the difference for me, at least I can go to my job now and have a fairly normal day instead of freaking out sitting at home only focusing on my breath. All the best! JMB

It's been fourteen months since i quit smoking and now I have a hard time breathing, suckling up a lot of mucus lumps dark brown and some bleeding, my voice is shot used to sing now can't hold a note need some advice

Please see the doctor, hopefully will give you piece of mind. JMB