Shortness of breath after stopping smoking

So true. Here in NY it's been in the 50's this weekend and I have been out the whole time. Washing the cars cleaning up around the house a little(where ever the snow has melted) out with the family and I feel great. Can't wait until the spring I love being outside. One thing I will miss is early morning sitting out on the patio with a java smoke and reading the paper. Oh well I rather have my health. Keith

You can still have java and a paper though. Dont let it take away from what you enjoy. Dinking the coffee actually for me helped me realize my sob/chest pain was not heart related. Just getting over a double surgery and boy I cant wait for a venti dark...no cream.  LOL

I over did it on the coffee today. 3 cups and caused me to have anxiety. I may need to lay low on the Java :-(

BUT.......At least you know that its not a condition, just anxiety which can be dealt with on different terms....keep that in mind.

You're right...will see what tomorrow brings

Well needless to say I only slept a few hours I think? Now I sit at work with major SOB from a lack of sleep. I have to say the last time I have major anxiety like this was a month ago so it is getting better because it use to be every few weeks so the spacing it getting better. Hope it stays that way. Hope everyone else out there is doing better. Keith

It will. Mine started when in the middle of a brand new job. Talk about trying to keep things in check. But I was busy. It went away until I thought about it, and im like I was having an attack then I was distracted and  it only came back when I though about it.     Sound familiar?? If not,it will soon enough.    

I had insomnia for several months as well and that alone makes everything tougher.

I have not had insomnia since Oct. It only came about last night because of the anxiety.What is nice is that the anxiety no longer hangs around for long. Like now, I am fine. This morning and last night was a different story. If I had any clue I would be going through this I would have never picked up that first cig. It is hard not to think about it and if you don't catch it then it will sprial out of control. Keith

I forgot that I developed that as well in the beginning...I had to take a shot of Nyquil in order to sleep at night....I do it as part of my routine I forgot when it originated....first, it was insomnia, then 3 weeks after quitting, SOB and then anxiety....lovely....isn't it?...

So where do you stand with the anxiety now? Is it manageable w/o prescription meds?

I refused to go on any anxiety prescription and yes, it is manageale, some days....it's getting better....I have had 7 -8 good days the last month where I felt like I was at like 80% better, so, I know I will not always feel like crap...I am capable of feeling better...so, that's what I hang on to....it's been 9 months since I stopped and have been dealing with this....

Prior to my double surgery, I was on anti anxiety medicine but had doubts about wheather I could go without it. Its been 2 weeks since I went under the knife and have gone without it. So just like an earlier post, I just compare my anxiety to my truama and the latter wins out.

Well if you can go with out them then that would ideal. I took these meds for 2 weeks when I first quit and I hated the way I felt on them. They did help keep the anxiety out but at the same time made me like a zombie and depressed. I'm just glad I no longer have the panic attacks that was the worst although the high anxiety with SOB is no fun either. Did you go on the meds because of the quit? Keith

It just amazes me that I'm 8 months in and I felt better as a smoker? Makes no sense at all and I'm having a hard time trying to understand how that can be? Did the chemicals in cigs numb my body? I hope for all of us this healing comes soon because waiting to feel better is like watching paint dry. I can't imagine it taking years to me that would be torture as it is now 8 months feels like an eternity. I am at the point though where I have more better days than bad now and when I get those bad days like last night and this morning it's tough and seems more amplified. Keith