Shortness of breath after stopping smoking

yes your weight has everthing to do with how long your s o b last

Please explain to me how my weight has anything to do with my SOB NOW when it never did when I was overweight AND SMOKED....In fact, just because I was "over weight" did not mean I was unhealthy....I never had a bad physical, not once....I used to hike often, now I can't walk to the front door...

It takes time like I said a good friend of mine took 1 year. I hope you decided to go and enjoy superbowl parties with your husband and daughter. I think if you keep going for tests you will just keep going more nuts about the quit. Keith

Unfortunately, I did not go. And, you are probably right about the tests....ugh...frustrated.

go back and read this board you will see that the over weight takes 3 to 4 times as long to get over s o b

I must have missed that ....So, for someone who is not overweight how long will it take them to get over SOB? I just wonder because I stopped twice before with no problems whatsoever. Both times I was pregnant with my daughters...

It really depends on the person. Its been 4 months for me and some days I feel like calling 911 half the day. My body went COMPLETELY NUTS at first. I quit nicotine,caffine and alcohol in the same day. Everyrhing except the sob and chest tightness remains. It is getting less frequent. It seems at first that it will never end and brings you down.....you have to fight the depression or anxiety. Fear sometimes wins over logic but just keep in your head that no matter what....You are getting better.

nature does not allow pregnant women to get sob

Well, I have determined that the way I feel first thing in the morning will determine how bad my SOB will be...and today, it's not bad, at all! I am not sure what I am doing differently, if anything...but I will take it! And, you are so right...Thanks.

Interesting fact I had to share with others...left us saying...hmmmmm....that's right...

Just think about what you said. You determined how you will feel first thing in the morning. That is telling you right there it's all mental and you need to not dwell on being SOB otherwise it will happen because your mind can do that. I am slowly learning how to block this stuff out but it's not easy and takes time. I really want to be 100% by Spring and Summer because I want to be out enjoying life going to the kids games and what not. I am about 75% there and determined to get better hope you will as well. Maybe being a little overweight will take longer maybe not? Everyone if different it all depends on you so keep going and please enjoy going out and being with your family. I'm telling you, you will not die from being SOB and if it happens while out with the family, then don't mention it to anyone just roll with it and it will go away I promise. Keith

Thanks Keith....you are absolutely right...and I am trying...I truly am....Keep posting... :-)

Here is something I read in a medical journal.... We know that smoking will deplete serotonin production levels in the brain. Serotonin is a major neurotransmitter in the brain. When our serotonin levels are balanced we feel happy and contented. When serotonin is low we will tend towards depressed or anxious states of mind. It is believed that smoking cigarettes can deplete our serotonin production levels by as much as 50%. What compounds this problem is that our brains will accept the chemicals in a cigarette as a serotonin substitute on the basis that any chemical response is better than no chemical response at all. So, in the absence of adequate serotonin production, the brain will actually promote the desire for cigarettes in an effort to stimulate the chemical response pattern which it might normally find from balanced serotonin levels. In effect, the more we smoke, the more the subconscious will want to promote smoking. So we have a Catch 22 situation, where the apparent solution, is in fact the cause of the problem itself! We can see also that smokers will become more depressed as they get older as they rely more and more on the substitute chemicals provided by smoking and produce less and less serotonin naturally. It is now recognized that someone who has smoked throughout their life will stand an 80% greater chance of suffering from severe depression or severe clinical anxiety in middle to old age than a non-smoker. Smokers can eventually become incapable of actually generating any real happiness at all in the growing absence of serotonin which is absolutely essential to our wellbeing. We also know that when we are depressed or anxious, even mildly, we simply have less control generally. Anxiety takes up a lot of space and we know that smokers will have less cerebral efficiency than non-smokers simply as a result of smoking, so the importance of generating positive serotonin production when you quit is paramount, because if you get that right, then your control is even greater, and a whole new pattern of positively can be established. The good news is that we can begin to generate better production of serotonin very quickly indeed. Serotonin regulates mood and mood regulates serotonin. Mood is dependent on our thought patterns. So, if we quit smoking with a positive mindset, that is, being really pleased that we are finally taking control and doing something good for ourselves, then we can quickly generate the extra serotonin which replaces the “need” to smoke. Smokers who fail to quit usually do so as a result of entering the challenge with a negative mindset. Trying to quit smoking whilst feeling as though you are losing something will invariably create a “victim” mentality which sustains a negative mindset and the result, of course is a serotonin deficit. This of course, means LESS control, LESS contentment, and MORE craving. So, a positive mindset is essential for success. When we get this right, it can be incredibly easy to quit. Often people will find that they have virtually no cravings at all when they get all the factors of understanding right and make provision for increased serotonin production. This means using the time that they might have spent smoking more productively. Exercising, cleaning the house, visiting friends. Whatever will help you to feel good about life. If you are stressed generally, it is very important that you take time out to relax deeply as this is inextricably linked to the level of control you experience. Avoid stressful situations wherever possible, and remember that negative introspection (worry) is counter productive. Stay positive. Notice the good things in your life. Keith

Very interesting....thanks for sharing Keith!

nice explain further pls I need it for my father...doctor cant trace properly....or manage him properly thanks.