Shortness of breath after stopping smoking

All he is saying is to practice deep breathing. You can search Deep Breathing in Youtube and it will have a ton of videos. The one from David Carbonell is very good. This breathing is used in yoga and helps calm your anxiety. Another item that helps build lung capacity and helped me after quitting was a Voldyne Exerciser. You can get one cheap on Amazon. Good luck. Keith  ***this post is edited by moderator *** *** web addresses not allowed*** Please read our Terms of Use

I just cant catch a break. 500 miles from home and my appendix takes a dump........off topic I know.

Sorry to hear that .... and I know some times it does feel that way....hang in there...I hope you have a speedy recovery....

That sucks! This is where being a non-smoker helps otherwise you would be sitting in bed thinking how can I get out and have a smoke? I know I would. Hope you are with family to comfort you? For the last few weeks I have been off myself with anxiety and keep saying that it has to get better, but after 7 months you would think I should be completely good and that is not the case. Oh well nothing to do but just keep plugging away. Keith

So true Keith....I am at 9 months but I do feel like I am getting better....I will have 4-5 days of feeling fairly good (75%-80%) and then a couple of days of feeling bad again...but I am noticing a difference and I will take those good days because they give me hope...

Wow, that is exactly how I am now. True, I feel much better than I was months ago so I know I am heading in the right direction. Same for me 4 days feeling ok at 80% then bam, anxiety, SOB for a day or so. I am able to snap out of it quickly unlike when I first quit and would be messed up 24/7 and weeks at a time. Please keep posting here as I will too. I really want to see how we progress and if it ever goes away completely. I noticed a few people that use to post on this weekly no longer do after a year so I assume they have gotten better? Thanks Keith

I absolutely will continue to post.

Today makes 240 days for me, it seems as everytime I get sick, mty progress goes backwards for weeks,,s o b all the time, cant walk very far . wake up- all during the night going for #1 i hope this is my last sickness for awhile, its almost 8 months now.

Just keep going. Yesterday was my 8 month. I think the SOB is due to anxiety because we stress more over our health. Somthing that helps me a great deal is Calms Forte. I know it says that it is a sleep aid but I take 2 pills during the day or anytime and it relaxes me. It is not like sleeping pills that makes you tired it calms your thoughts which is why you are able to fall asleep but it is great for anxiety. It's worth a shot?

Are those over the counter???

Yes. any drug store like CVS or vitamin shoppe. Works great, read the reviews. Some people said it did nothing but very few. It works great from me. Think I will pop 2 now as I'm feeling some anxiety creeping in and for no reason ;) If it prevents me from using prescription meds then I'm happy and hope it holds me over until all these symptoms are gone for good..I hope. Keith

I went to AC over the weekend for my Anniversary and I must say...I had the worse SOB experience every.

I understand. I think you worked yourself up because you were thinking what happens if I can't walk far or get an attack and I'm not close to home what do I do? Then it happens and makes it worse. Happens to me as well but it's getting better the more I go out and force myself to do things. Just keep doing what you are doing it will get better. My guess is that the doctor will not find any issue because you were fine prior to quitting smoking. You don't quit smoking and get sick you quit and do your body a favor. It's your mind that needs to heal. After this next visit you should lay low from the doctors I think you get yourself more worked up looking for problems that probably don't exist? Good luck and keep checking in I think it helps because you're right, family and friends have no clue unless they have been through it. The tobacco companies knew exactly what to put in these cigs to get you hooked and keep you hooked. It is not a multi billoin dollar business for no reason. Keith

Thanks Keith....you are so right as to everything you have said. I will keep posting. :-)

Also, try to exercise 3 or 4 days a week. Me I use an exercise bike since it's winter and have a ton of snow here on Long Island so my daily walks are limited. This will help build lung capacity so when you do go places and there is a lot of walking involved you will be use to it. Also, try that Calms Forte it rally does calm your nerves. This morning I had SOB while at work. Took 2 pills and within an hour I was fine and forgot what I was getting worked up about which is nothing I'm sure. Tomorrow I'm going Snowboarding with the family and I'm not going to get worked up and enjoy the day..I hope :) Keith