Shortness of breath after stopping smoking

Question

Can anybody tell me if shortness of breath after stopping smoking is normal? I am 32 years old, male, smoked 8-9 cigarettes a day for about 15 years. I stopped smoking three weeks ago. I have never been short of breath in my life, however since I stopped smoking, I find myself out of breath, at strange times, even when sitting at rest. Is this just part of stopping smoking? It seems to be very difficult to find information on the side effects of stopping smoking! Thanks, Richard.

Asked by Guest on Mar 10th 2008 ⚑

Post Answer Follow

Answer by damienblack - Mar 29th 2012 ⚑ · Answer 1 · 2012-03-29 22:15:59

Hi. This sounds like pretty much what I'm going through. One or all of them. I'm asthmatic, I have been smoking for the past year and a half, about 8-10 cigarettes a day. I've recently decided to quit and I've cut down to about 2-3 a day over the past 4 days. I suddenly feel extremely low and unhealthy. My body trembles and I feel colder than usual, I feel shortness of breath most of the time, even during non stressful activities like going to sleep or sitting and watching a movie. I haven't left my apartment in 2 days because I don't know what's happening to me.But after reading most of the comments I'm looking forward to the positive side, that these troubles will go away in a couple of weeks. Should I let it take it's course or see a doctor?

Answer by Steve - Mar 29th 2012 ⚑ · Answer 2 · 2012-03-29 22:47:11

Since I first posted here it has been over a year. Nothing has changed. I have good days and bad days. I am trying to lose weight but because of this problem I cannot do any cardio exercise. I almost drowned last year because i went swimming in the ocean, after jumping off a boat and could not breathe. All of the inhalers and medications do not work. A couple of the doctors say that the SOB is a result of chronic sinusitis caused by years of smoking. It is very frustrating.

Answer by Diane - Mar 30th 2012 ⚑ · Answer 3 · 2012-03-30 10:52:36

Rob, thank you so much for your input. Good luck!!!!

Answer by Digitech66 - Apr 1st 2012 ⚑ · Answer 4 · 2012-04-01 14:15:56

I thought I would puit in a link that would answer everyones popular questions from a professional medical perspective. Check out this video , I think it will help answer some questions for you. BTW I quit a month ago and I am experiencing almost everything mentioned here.

Answer by coldfeet - Apr 2nd 2012 ⚑ · Answer 5 · 2012-04-02 06:34:08

I do not knowhow long you have smoked away. But, you are here. Give it more time. Frustration is not an excuse not to try.

Answer by donnae33 - Apr 2nd 2012 ⚑ · Answer 6 · 2012-04-02 19:28:15

Well, I notice these posted are from over a year ago and am hoping there is someone still out there regarding the SOB after quiting smoking. I had my last smoke New Years Eve 2011 and was smoke free starting New years day 2012. I do once in a while have sob and yes it is scary. I never cough anything up nor feel like I need to. Is this normal?

Answer by coldfeet - Apr 3rd 2012 ⚑ · Answer 7 · 2012-04-03 09:50:42

It certainly is not because you quit smoking, but because of your apprehensions dear D. I am on nasal spray and tablets10 months after quitting and still getting jolted by sob and sudden bursts of anger. No meaning in hitting out on someone near you and dear to you. PATIENCE is the magic word. Go on, try it.

Answer by Guest - Apr 14th 2012 ⚑ · Answer 8 · 2012-04-14 00:40:06

It's the panic attacks that I hate the most, sometimes the Ativan doesn't even work, can't even go into a store without panicking / then coughing up globs of phlegm, when I go home, the panic dies down, except the globs of mucus are still being coughed up. This is pure suffering and I really don't know what to do anymore. I quit cold turkey back in September 2011 and am still suffering, but I will never go back to smoking. What in the world is one to do - I also have the worst digestive issues. Hec on Earth!!!! AAAAAAAAAAArgh!

Answer by coldfeet - Apr 16th 2012 ⚑ · Answer 9 · 2012-04-16 01:48:50

Hey., don't lose heart. Think of all others who have been here before. And also of those who will be here. Let us leave something for the latter to learn from. Panic is a one way street. Don't enter that. Just keep it in mind, that you are throwing out years-of-god-knows-how-many-cubic-feet of nicotine and tar out of your body every second you don't smoke. Your body is getting cleaned up. GIve it time, much shorter than you took to abuse it.

Answer by Guest - Apr 16th 2012 ⚑ · Answer 10 · 2012-04-16 19:32:24

I don't caough up anything. Should I be taking something?

Answer by Guest - Apr 17th 2012 ⚑ · Answer 11 · 2012-04-17 00:21:44

could be sleep apnea

Answer by jrs - Apr 17th 2012 ⚑ · Answer 12 · 2012-04-17 03:38:26

Go to the ocean !

Answer by Diane - Apr 17th 2012 ⚑ · Answer 13 · 2012-04-17 21:30:27

Well, I have been diagnosed with lung cancer...........so please, if any of you are still smoking, please quit NOW!!!!!

Answer by coldfeet - Apr 18th 2012 ⚑ · Answer 14 · 2012-04-18 00:49:47

You are certainly in good company. Billions of us, you, I and many others who smoked away light years of human lives and blew up trillions worth of tobacco just to get our lungs abused and fill the coffers of tobacco companies and farmers. Colloquially, lungs and windpipe become sewers for tar/nicotine filth and need to be cleaned up. Too bad, we cannot use a mop or brush. The only way is STAY AWAY FROM THAT SILLY STICK OF TOBACCO ROLLED IN PAPER. DO NOT GO BACK, 6 MONTHS IS A GOOD INTERVAL, EXTEND IT. AND BETTER STAY FROM MEDICINES AS MANY OF THEM HAVE UNDISCLOSED, UNDENIABLE SIDE EFFECTS.

Answer by COLDFEET - Apr 19th 2012 ⚑ · Answer 15 · 2012-04-19 07:17:17

I am sorry to learn of your ailment dear D. From a remote corner of the world, I pray for you. I am sure modern medicine is wonderful and that it will certainly aid you. Do not lose heart. Please, my lat reply was not meant for you.