Shortness of breath after stopping smoking

What is odd I have a problem with squiggly lines in my eyes and it comes and goes.

Joe, the doc is right. I'm at 15 months had every test done you can imagine and all of them come back fine. In the beginning the SOB was a killer. It did not ease up until after 6 months. I know that it all anxiety related. I still get it from time to time. 30 years of smoking really messed with my brain chemicals. I never had anxiety as a smoker but one I quit my god did it come out. If I start to think about my breathing I get all wacky and will get SOB. Most times though I'm fine. Glad that you stopped I hated being a slave to cigs. It's nice now being able to go somewhere not having to worry about where or how I will get a smoke in. Good luck..Keith

Same scenario...I am 32 years old and started smoking when I was 16. Its been three weeks since I quit smoking. I feel shortness of breath when I am just talking to someone. I will update how I feel in a couple of months. Best, Mike

wow...this is really well thought through and helpfulk. thank you so much

Good luck Mike...hopefully the SOB will pass sooner than later for you.

Thanks Keith, it helps to know others have gone through the same thing.   Did you have pain at times in your chest or burning?  I wonder if quitting smoking cold turkey just really shocks the bodys balance or system.  It's amazing how Anxiety causes physical symptoms to manifest.   This all gives me a new compassion for folks who suffer from Anxiety D/O .  I'm thankful that this shall pass.  Take Care Joe

Yes had all sorts of pains. I developed really bad acid reflux and lost 30 pounds because I was not able to eat from being nauseous all the time. I changed my whole diet ate very bland foods. After a few months my stomach healed and i was able to eat more. Of course I gained it all back :). I tell you, to this day 15 months later I'm so frustrated because having anxiety sucks. Like I said before, never once in all my life until I quit had this. Maybe it was just a coincidence that it came on after quitting? I know there are chemicals in cigs that make you feel good or appear to make you feel good. Now that it's been taken away after having it for 30 years will take time to adjust I guess? Again, it's not bad like it was in the beginning but still frustrating when it happens because I have nothing going on to be anxious about. Eat right, take a really good multi vitamin and exercise has really helped me. I push myself all the time to the point where I can't breath but I don't care because I am learning to control my breathing which I think has helped me control the anxiety. Keep it up and posting how you feel. I can't tell you how this site has helped me get through this. I have friends that have quit like it was nothing but not for me. I have had every weird symptom crop up the worst being digestive though. Any questions just ask. Keith

i am also feeling same thing...i can exercise well...but when i rest i feel short of breath and little bit dizzy. So i want to know that how much time will it take to come back to normal

Well today makes 460 days for me not smoking, today was the first day since I left the hospital in may that I"ve been able to get a 99% reading on my oximeter, I was schocked, I"ve been trying for months to get a 99 or 100 with no sucess, thats with no oxygen , maybe I"m doing better, we will soon see if i can pull it up ever time with a 99 or 100 I will be so happy, It has been a long depression ride . I wish luck for everyone that has quit this drug the best of luck, I know the pain and scary days and nights this drug causes for a few people who attemps to quit. thinking we are gonna die, we are rushed to the hospital time aqfter time just knowing this is it I"m dead just to be told no, not this time or you are in great shape there is nothinjg wrong with you , yea lets trade4 places and you will fill what it feels like to know your dieng, and know one knows but you, Any way best of luck to every one . THANKS RALPH

Well I"m pulling up 99% all the time now, must be getting better, but i really can"t tell when it comes to endurance, after a few mins. got to stop and catch my breath, putting a new roof on my house and i get tired and short of breath so quick, got most of the old roof off, but its an unusual wet season here its rained 24 of the last 26 days and that doesn"t help matters, any way HOPE EVER ONE ELSE IS DOING BETTER. "THANKS RALPH'

If you are able to climb up and down a ladder and install a roof at your age I think you are doing all right. Keep it up Ralph.

Hi everyone  I quit smoking 8 days ago cold turkey and would like to add a few things i have experienced and still am experiencing from the withdrawal. The first few days were  brutal for me. I ended up in hospital 2 times thinking i was having a heart attack. I had shortness of breath and a feeling like i couldn't catch my breath. EKG, blood work,chest xray all normal. The days that followed consisted of a shallow breathing, shortness of breath. not sleeping normal. Pulse rate drop to the 60s. Now day 8 . Still off schedule  Im not feeling as tired I'm breathing a little better. Ive learned not to let every little feeling go to my head or id be in a mental ward . Its my body healing process as crazy as it is .I wish everybody that is trying to quit the best of luck and know that your not alone in these fffd up feelings.

i quit smoking 38 days ago after smoking for 30 years a pack and a half a day 2 weeks i started with the shortness of breath lightheaded and some dizziness ive had no cough since quitting.

Yes Richard it is very common for a few people to get short of breath after smoking along with a lot of other problems. it can last anywhere from a few days to a few years.

Welcome "newbies"....everything that you have said to the shortness of breath to the no coughing I can relate to....and yes, most of the shortness of breath I was experiencing I believe was anxiety related (all of which I never experienced until I stopped smoking).  I will say this...every day for 15 months I thought I was dying and that I would be like that forever but I can tell you it does go away...mine lasted for 15 months but it varies....so, to ease your mind I would have a pulmonary functioning test done and rule out the common things like COPD and emphysema and "C" and hang in there...just my suggestion....but I can tell you...all of the things I read from all of you and exactly what I went through...