Shortness of breath after stopping smoking

Not being the only one brings ME so much comfort!  lol

It is amazing to me that we think we felt better as a smoker! I know my b/p was lower, I weighed less, and all around seemed much happier. Now, my breath is fresher, I do not cough, do not smell like an ashtray, have many more $$$ at the end of the month, and best of all is that I can say, I quit.

I agree that I am saving money and smell better but my bp is the same as well as my weight. After quitting I am left with anxiety and shortness of breath which I never had when I smoked and all this leads to depression sometimes so yes I felt better as a smoker. I did not quit because I had health issues I quit because of the potential issues down the road and for my family. ~Keith

My sob isn't as bad as it was as I have been trying to get outside and walk, which has not been easy in this NH winter. Yesterday I was walking on a snowmobile trail until I thought that if smoking didn't get me, I should not chance an encounter with a snowmobile! I find that I do feel better physically and just the enjoyment of being outside is emotionally calming. I know I still have a considerable amount of stuff which I cough up, but I guess I had a lot of years putting that stuff down there! I had anxiety issues many years ago, went on a mild relaxer for a bit, and the horrible symptoms subsided. It was a good fix for me at the time. I am sure there is an emotional friend in the smoking thing that made us feel better. We are getting better.

I agree smoking was an outlet and maybe kept anxiety in check but I never felt this way when smoking. The doctor wanted me to try Zoloft(anti-depressant) but I never needed that kind of stuff and I really don't want to go down that road now. I will give it more time. Hey I smoked for 28 years so i can't expect to just feel better over night it took a long time to get here and will take awhile to heal. ~Keith

well a year on from my last post i am still suffering but not as badly i had a ct scan it said i had no lung disease but my allergy lever was high they think i have allergic asthma which is a all year round allergy to dust which is the worst cats dogs cut grass pollen everything really its a wonder i am not allergic to myself. the only thing that i can wonder is the cigarettes may have suppressed the mucus on my lungs quitting caused my lungs to go into over drive and i did suffer at points i thought i was going to die every breath i took at one point was a labour i was close to giving up. but i am still here some days i get bad mucus other days not so bad the tar spots in my phlegm stopped a long while ago its been over 2 years since my last cigarettes i think it all depends on how many thinsg that i am allergic to i come into contact from the day before dust is a killer also i tend to take forever to get rid of colds and they always settle on my chest. i have though started doing workouts on my boxing bag to help me improve my lungs and its really helped me aswell as phisio and breathing exercises nose clearing and learning to breath correctly apparently i had been taking too many breaths and didnt realise so this helped me aswell i do situps every day so my ibs is kept in check the punch bag helps anxiety or stress build up and makes me feel good. i know i am not 100 percent fit or probabaly never will be again its just something i will have to live with i will keep trying to improve my lungs i wont ever touch a cig again but i am still here and when i think back there were times i thought i couldn't go on but i have done

Welcome back Logansrun35....I am glad to hear that you are, at least, having a slow progression to feeling better...I must admit I am reading this at work and when I read 2 years I almost burst into tears.   I quit 11 months ago and quite frankly, am exhausted and can't imagine another year of this....I sufferred horribly from allergies when I smoked..  Ironically, I have not had one sinus infection since I stopped which is completely a miracle.....I suffered all year long when I smoked.  Maybe I should also see an allergist...ugh?...I don't know.   Thanks for keeping the people on this forum updated....

I agree I hear 2 years and get so depressed. I'm already having a bad day because of SOB from my anxiety levels. If I knew all this before quitting I don't think I would have and I can see why many people go back to smoking this is hard and can really break your spirit. ~Keith

Keith....my anxiety level and SOB are out of control today as well...and I don't know why....I have been sitting here trying to get it under control but am failing miserably.... :-(  

Any reason why you won't explore going on an anti-anxiety med? Like I said I don't want to because there are days I am ok but then days like today really get me down.

I am just not a fan of mood altering medications...  I may have to break down and try something tho...today sucks!

I hear you. I took this stuff I picked up at the Vitamin Shoppe called Ignatia Amara it is homeopathic for stress and I feel so much better. This stuff is a lifesaver. You should look into it. Also, Calmes Forte works great.

I'm going to try them first....I have them written down lol...I just need to pick them up....thanks!

  Hylands makes 250 count for the same price but you can only order it online.  ***this post is edited by moderator *** *** web addresses not allowed*** Please read our Terms of Use

Thanks!   I will check it out!