Shortness of breath after stopping smoking

How long has it been for you? I'm in my 7th month and still get SOB but not as bad has I did 4 months ago. Last night and today has been a bad anxiety day for me and for now apparent reason. Thank God it only hangs around now a few hours where before would be 24/7. I don't think Richard will get back to you as he posted his question back in 2008. Keith

QUIT 11 MONTHS AGO & NEVER USED CHANTIX

How do you feel now? I quit 7 months ago and can no longer take the anxiety and my doctor said I would really benefit from taking Zoloft?

Yes I am experiencing the same thing. I'm 54 years old and have smoked for about 38 years, most of that heavy; 2 packs a day. I used Chantix to help me quit. After two weeks of smoking on Chantix I finally mustered up the courage to quit. After a few days I felt very short of breath and would have to gasp for air as I was speaking. It felt like someone hit me in the chest with a hammer. I've been tobacco free for two months now and have found it very helpful to take very deep breaths when I feel a shortness of breath. It seems to be helping. All I can do is let my lungs heal over time and keep deep breathing.bgood luck to all who have to endure this discomfort.

My shortness of breath kicks off bad anxiety maybe I should try the Zoloft for awhile get back on track with life. I just felt ashamed that I need to take something like this but I guess it's for the best for me and my family.

I stopped back in April, cold turkey, after smoking for 19 years....3 weeks later, SOB. I thought I was dying...all tests came back clear...everyone says my lungs are probably healing to give it time...well, i guess they were right because I have been feeling soooo much better....today, I was able to walk into my building withou stopping to catch my breath....I feel like I am not gasping for air for the first time...I am soooo excited about how I feel...I still feel a little off when it comes to my breathing...but I am noticing a huge improvement today....ironically, I thought it was going to be real bad because I was stuck in my house due to snow for the last 3 days and hardly did any kind of substantial walking...I will continue to update....

So 9 months now for you? Maybe I should give it more time for going on Zoloft? I'm 7 months in myself.

Listen...as recent as last week I was considering going on something myself because I was becoming very discouraged. I wouild hold off, personally... I have a question for you...besides this happening to you for the past 7 months...have you EVER heard of this before....because I haven't! I am just so glad I came across this forum...None of my doctors over the years ever warned me this may happen once I stop...so, I was just curious to know if you have ever heard of this happening to anyone else before it happening to you?

Also, I want to add...my husband and I have been so desperate for answers as to when I was going to be feeling better that we feel the need to ask every medical personnel we come in contact with .... and believe it or not, the consensus is that my lungs were healing and that I should start taking mucinex and drink lots of water to break down tar buildup that when I was smoking I was able to get rid of because I was coughing so much and ironically, once I stopped smoking I no longer cough (which was true)....so, on New Year's Eve I coughed for the first time (that was after I had taken mucinex 3 times)...so, I don't take it every day, but more like every other day...not sure if that's what's helping me out now...but I am coughing and I am beginning to feel better...so, it won't hurt to try, right?

true. I have never heard of this happening before quitting. In fact, I was so bad mentally the first 2 months I ended up in the ER 2x thinking I was going to die. That is when I learned about anxiety which i never had before and was told that nicotine has a way of surpressing these problems and can come out once you quit. A good friend of mine went through the same thing and he said after about 12 months he woke up one day and all the crazy symptoms were gone that was 4 years ago. I really don't want to start on zoloft as well because that will be just another habit I will need to kick and more withdrawal symptoms to go through.

Here are more good stores about withdrawal symptoms. Before I quit I never thought about my health. Now that is all I think about which then sets off the chain of events. Funny I can go weeks with out a single problem and then Bam it hits and is a strugle to get out of. https://www.steadyhealth.com/Quit_smoking_a_year_ago___sick_ever_since__t85171.html

Exacty...so, hold off...and trust me...I know what you are talking about...I really thought I was dying too....and to my family, I believe they thought I was doing this to myself and kept telling me to just stop thinking about breathing....?!!!! Really, how in the heck do you do that?....ugh....

So, this is day 2 with me being able to walk into my building without stopping to catch my breath....I am very excited about my overnight improvement...i am hoping this will continue on....I do feel somewhat compromised still...but i am able to continue taking steps without the pressure, lightheadedness and dizziness... I will continue keeping everyone updated.   Again people...I stopped April 26th...so, almost 9 months ago...hang in there....

Tody makes 7 months and 3 days for me , just spent the last 10 days in the hospital , I have now spent total of 34 days in the hospital.

Hospitalized for SOB?