Shortness of breath after stopping smoking

Thank u soo much for the advice i am just over 100 days but cheating by using ecig as much as i smoked .....i had a dry cough for 9 weeks but no chesty cough at all ...feel like elastic bands around my ribs all.time ...think it probably anxiety but dont know why i have it ...annoyed as should be feeling great ....also got burning mid chest ? Maybe given myself an ulcer

I tried and quit for 9 months using e cig but found it so easy to pick up a cigarette again so quit this time cold turkey !! I too had the band like feeling almost a sore burning sensation I'm still getting it although nowere near as bad. since I've stopped though I've been diagnosed with Gerd, I also have gallstones And going through change so I'm very confused as to what is causing what if you know what I mean ! I did suffer the anxiety and depression at first and can see how it can consume some people, thankfully after reading this forum I calmed down a lot, it's quite possible it could be change in digestive system maybe visit your gp. How many and how long did you smoke for ? X Kerry X

25 a day for 38 years!!! Easy provided i have my ecig i know i wont ever have a real cig again ...thank u to this blog i am trying to control the band feeling ..dunno wot it is but reading this makes me believe its anxiety and then it seems to lessen ☺

It is anxiety but if you feel unsure get Drs to do a chest X Ray it will ease your mind ! It goes get better hang in there, cigarettes is all your body has known for a long time so to stop that is going to cause some symptoms but keep drinking hot honey and lemon it will help ! Try the soothing music with the deep breathing also ! I'm here for a chat if you need one :) Kerry

Dear Kerry thank you soo much ...i had a chest xray 2 weeks ago so anything odd would have been picked up.then i am sure ....will hang on in there ....wish i had a cough even lol ...did have dry cough and sneezing for couple months doc thought post viral bronchospasm....hate the tight band feeling and burning pain cos makes me worry its something else l...also got palpatations like my heart racing and gonna explode out of my chest grrrr....if i go to docs they will.say anxiety so kind of no point going ...just soo frustrating x

I know exactly how you feel, I worried and googled the tight band thing, problem was it could of been so many things ranging from anxiety to awful disease and illness it really doesn't help to worry, I found trying to take your mind off it and relax does you the world of good, I'm suffering at the minute with all my digestive issues but as soon as I've had my op (6weeks to go ) for my gallbladder I'm going to try some yoga and do more walking, it is very frustrating, but stay positive class each day as a small step to your ultimate goal of non smoker and feeling much better !!

The best way to combat shortness of breath after quitting smoking (for me atleast) is to do some light physical activity i.e jogging, walking. The best time would be in the morning when its nice and crisp outside. Its not a cure but definitely helps improve lung function and good blood flow.

Yes! Wheezing, constant cough, gasping for air.. I never felt this way while smoking.. I wake up all night coughing and wheezing.. It's horrible.

I did not use Chant ox and I'm having the same issues.. I quit cold Turkey a week ago.

Hello all, I feel I should comment, I was a heavy smoker, now 42 ,smoked heavy since 16, Before I quit I was up to 2 packs a day along with 1/2 can of snus. I have been on this site reading since my last quit 4 months ago. Still nicotine free. I have quit prior for over a year but never like this time cold turkey , last times I used NRT. (gum patches or locengers) Every time in the past including this time I had all the symptoms, gas, sleeping problems, energy stomach issues, diarrhea, mood swings, aches pains , shortness of breath, aches in misc parts of the body, I turned into a hypochondriac, seen doctors etc. All I can say is that this time being it's about my 5th time at a quieting over the years since I was 30 I feel I have made it. I hardly come on her any more but the last few months I was a regular visitor on here and I want to be one of the few that have returned to tell others that recovery is possible. I am not a 100% but after the 4 months I am going into a positive direction where I feel back to normal, actually better than when I was a smoker which is hard to remember(we all forget when we quit smoking about the harsh feeling throught in the morning, plugged up sinuses) but remember all the good times we had when smoking, It took me 5 tries to get to this point. Just remember that when you quit you CANNOT touch any shape or form of nicotine whether it is an inhaler, vaper, gum chew snus , patchor anything. IT WILL PUT YOU back to square one of the quieting process no matter what type of nicotine you receive. Please all of you remember that nicotine is a very very addictive drug. Take a look at all the movie and rock starts that go to rehab over and over for addiction, some lost there life. They had all the money and resources available to help them and couldn't fight it Nicotine is no different.. Think of a heroin addict you would see on the street. We are no different. I dont know about the rest that have been quit for a couple years and haven't recovered, I am not saying your wrong, but I was there for over year but used the gum etc and never recovered but suford the whole time and finally relapsed. Now I can go out and have a drink with the friends, step out side and watch them take a smoke break not wanting to go back. I also quit on my own without and doctors orders etc. I am just trying to let you all know that you can recover, it seems doom and gloom on here reading that it goes for ever and feels like it also. I hope the best for you all and please take my advice on quieting. I started my family late in life and have to be around for my little ones is the reason I quit. Thanks and sorry for the no paragraphs etc

Thank u much appreciated

oh I so get it--it is so discouraging and hard to live with--Im ok if I lay down--4 mos and Im nOT enjoying life--53 year history--Long time--do I have enuff years left to get totally well? I don't know--but Im pretty much homebaound--I can go for short times--but start panicing the minute I notice my breath--took a 3 block walk today and it seemed like 3 miles getting home--horrible and frightening--I don't care if it is in my head or where it is--Im sick of it--How long I keep asking

Have you any medication for your anxiety ? I have to say I'm not a fan of it but it did help me when I wAs suffering like that

How long it takes to feel better I think depends on how long and how much one smoked. I smoked heavy for 47 years. Quit cold turkey 32 months ago, still have some sob and anxiety but so much better then it once was. It continues to improve. Do whatever you have to, not to smoke. Nothing can be gained by smoking, you'll just be starting over. God bless everyone in this Easter season and good luck. Doug

Me too feels like your dying and you sit up get your mind off of it try again in boom it's back sucks butt