Shortness of breath after stopping smoking

I have been quit now for 14 months, and still have tightness in my chest and SOB. How long have you been quit,coldfeet, and are your symptoms getting better? I am worried my SOB is early emphysema.

Masonhorse, I used an asthmas inhaler for the first two months. It is amazing how much it helps. I seem to be free of most of the SOB. See a doctor, or I believe you can buy something close to it at the drug store. Have you tried anything? musimex, cough medicine, hot tea with honey, yoga, spoonsfuls of honey? Could be stress related. Sounds like you need to do something can you start with a doctor? Hope you're feeling better soon.

Dear friend, the answer is a big YES. It is now upwards of 630 days and counting. The yearning for that unholy smoke does grip me occasionally, but I have managed to keep on saying No! The secret is in maintaining your cool, to avoid being provoked at every (silly) thing the other guy may say or do. Avoid stress in any manner. I learnt breathlessness is also caused due to a mental condition that tells you a cigarette is the end of all evil. Do something else to keep oneself occupied instead of spending couple of minutes on blowing unhealthy smoke. Have a great experience.

Thank you coldfeet. I have no desire to smoke any more whatsoever. My good days outnumber my bad days, and I am glad to know there is hope.

That is positive attitude

Thank goodness I am not on my own - I was really beginning to think I have something major wrong with me. I have been smoking for 45 years ( stopped for 1 year back 12 years ago and had no sypthoms what so ever then) This time when I stopped 10 weeks ago - I must say I have never had some many ailments in my life (60 years old).  I am very active and walk at least 3 miles a day - every day. After stopping smoking this time I immediately had SOB - it felt like my windpipe had narrowed in width by 50% and I struggled to get a full lung full of breath - I was in China at the time on business and I think panic set in at that time being so far away from home (UK).  I then started to have a problem with my eating - I would only be able to eat 1 sandwich for lunch and felt as if my stomach was going to burst I felt so full - my tummy and stomach extended out as if I was 4 months pregnant - loads of burps and wind (excuss me) it was absolutely awful - I was convinced I had stomach cancer, I remember sitting on the plane to come home from China having to stretch my diaphram out and hold my head back to get rid of the pressure behind rib cage behind my chest area and to open up my windpipe, I really thought I had picked up the dreaded lurgy from China.  I must say it has slightly got better from medication but like all of you I wonder just how long I am going to feel like this - anybody out there had similar symthoms to me ????????  

that is a very dangerous drug prednisone, google it

I am 19 years old, and have smoked steadily (not quite a pack a day, but almost) for about a year and a half.  I was also a pretty heavy Cannabis-smoker, and was used to drinking a few cups of coffee a day.  I was hanging out with my friends, and we smoked weed, and I was just sitting there having a good time, then all of a sudden, started having a panic attack, and bad chest pains, and I had to go sleep it off, made for a really awkward night.  I didn't smoke cigarettes, weed, or drink any coffee since that day.  I went to my Doctor's office two days later, took an EKG test that came out fine, told them what had happened, and they diagnosed me with an Upper Respiratory Infection.  They gave me a 10-day antibiotic, and I just finished it this Friday.  Since quitting smoking cigarettes, weed, and drinking coffee all cold turkey at the same time, I've felt absolutely useless everyday.  Some days are okay, others I feel like not getting out of bed.  I've been trying to eat healthy, drink green tea, exercise regularly, the whole nine yards.  The chest pains are still occurring, and shortness of breath has been a problem as well.   I've been nothing but nearly worrying myself to death.  I have a strong feeling most of what's happening with me is because of anxiety.  I try everything I can to not stress about anything or think negatively at all, but at the most random times when my mind is clear, I'll suddenly either get chest pains or shortness of breath which sparks panic in me.  I haven't had any panic attacks since the first initial night, but I still just can't shake the feeling of worry like something else is wrong even though I'm almost sure there's not.  Is anyone else having this problem or anything similar?  It's almost been two weeks.

Dear Guest, It has been 3 years since I quit. I do get SOB once in a while, but it is a lot better than when I first started. Stay with it and learn to do something else instead whenever you have the urge to smoke, like drinking water! carry a bottle of water with you wherever you go. Do not use orange juice , because the sugar could get you to put on weight. Some Vit C and Vit B12 daily will also help. It helps take away the feeling of depression or prevailing doom! Check out ' Breathing Excercises" or try swimming in addition to regular excercise ; say 5 times a week. It helps to expand the rib cage and improve breathing. Stay away from smokers! Things will certainly get better! Good Luck!

THE BODY DOES NOT LIKE SMOKERS TO QUIT! It will bellyache all the time. Gas and bloating is one such response. Carry a strip of Disflatyl at all times, and chew one tablet after each meal, starting after breakfast. It is a big help. Carry one staying Nicotine Free. NONE ( NO more Nicotine Ever!) Good Luck!

yes!!! also my stomach felt the same, 1/2 sandwich and full...it felt like my stomach was streching, aching..... for a month, with SOB, headaches, its getting bettter everyday....

Hi everyone, im going on a week of no cig, and its been the biggest nightmare i could have ever imagined, Shortness of breathe, cold sweats, 103 fever, anger its dreadful, but the good part is, even though i feel like crap, i feel so much better too, ive tried so many times to quit, going 2-3 days with no cig, patches, gum, e-cigs ive tried it all, and i still always go back to old faithful, ive had asthma since i was 6 years old, and have smoked for going on 7 years, since i was 18 (yeah i waited until i could legally buy a pack lol)  Shortness of breathe i can deal with, cold sweats dont bug so much fever is breaking, the one thing that bothers me though   THE ANGER!!!! i have 2 kids 1 and 3 so imagine dealing with that level of mischief while trying to quit, i find myself being forced into being nice, stopping myself from yelling, and begging the kids just to leave me alone so i dont get mad lol, its horrible though, ive read and read until my eyes hurt on what i can do for this, but each site says basically your going to be mad for no reason, express yourself openly to keep from being stressed..... Yeah cant do that, so has anyone had to deal with anger, and random tantrums and anger bursts. and should i ask my doctor for some sort of pill like xanax to curve the anger during this time?

Hi, I used to take xanax before but what happened was many Dr. dont like to prescribe it for long term. It can be addicting. For me it was more mentally. I ordered "anxiety free" from Amazon a few weeks ago and so far I love it. Not like Xanax but does the job, and its all herbal and natural. It has ingredients like Passionflower, GABA, vitamins. I watched Dr. Oz talk about some of these natural cure herbs and I went with this. I also ordered Valerian root but havent tried. It will relax ya. Good luck

I too had a round of feeling extra full.. barely get down a can of soup without feeling like I ate a seven course meal. Some of that has settled down for me. My appetite came back and I can eat a little more than before.

same here.. I did not use anything to stop smoking. But I experience SOB too. and this idea drives me crazy. I do stg good for my health-may be the best thing to do-, yet feel worse than ever. I realized many illnesses that I didn't realize while I was smoking. I hope it gets better..