Why do I feel so ill when I have given up smoking after 37 years. Expected to feel great but feel really ill?

Answer 1

You would probably feel a lot worse if you had continued to smoke.

Answer 2

Don't believe all of the hype... I gave up smoking a year ago (having smoked about 15 a day for 10 years) and people tell you that you'll feel great - they are lying. Very few of the people who say these things have actually smoked any volume of cigarettes for any reasonable length of time. They are spreading the Quitting Propaganda.

First few months you definitely feel worse, then gradually life gets back to normality. I was pretty fit even when smoking, and noticed no real gains on that front, but what I did notice was a massive saving in cash - 30 quid a week is not to be sniffed at, and while you are quitting make sure you use that money to spoil yourself.

Answer 3

Your body not only has to remove all the tar from your lungs but smoking for that amount of time causes weakness and possible mild scarring,so it has to heal.You will experience a cough and after that goes you will prob feel a little raw when inhaling.However this will pass.After I gave up smoking I got an awesome chest infection the first winter and never felt so ill,but I recovered and have never looked back.You will reap the benefits I promise.Soon you will look back on it as the best thing you ever did when you can actually breath clearly after mild exercise etc.Also once you've been smoke free for a few months the smell of smoke on other people will be abhorrent!I smell it on people and am amazed I allowed myself to smell like that for so many yrs.

Answer 4

I to have stopped smoking and felt the same way I was told by medical proffesionals that it could take up to 3 years before I would feel the benefits and that I would be prone to all sorts of infections just as if I were still smoking. I am now nearly a year down the line and I must say though it has been hard it is now starting to feel worth it. Keep going your doing a good thing not only for yourself but for your loved ones also.

Answer 5

You've got withdrawal symptoms, and these will last some weeks to come. If you went cold turkey, and stopped dead; then it will be a lot harder to keep off the cigarettes. I know because I gave up many years ago, and didn't succeed by the cold turkey method. You will have to wean yourself off nicotine addiction by the slow method to be successful. Its the only way you can beat it. Even on the hard drugs you have come down on a reduced intake so the withdrawal symptoms are not as bad. Now you know why most people can't give up cigarettes. because its damn hard to do so. And you have to have some support from a professional or the health centres that do this. If you really want to give up, your will power and perseverance will be tested to the full. And if you get through your current misery and the awful withdrawal your having, you've got a good chance of beating this habit. 53 years ago since I had my last cigarette, the best thing I ever done, and the most proudest. Its not impossible but nearly impossible, and you've a hard task ahead of you. I wish you success. givemestrength

Answer 6

Hey there

I feel your pain ... I quit in April after smoking for about 20 years .. I just decided one day that once I had finished the pack I was smoking that was it .... Still off them :-)) but the first few weeks I felt really run down and my tastebuds were all over the place ... I still have days where food tastes strange and my god my sense of smell is driving me potty ... I never realized how much smoking blocks out ...

All I can say is it will get better but take everyday as a good result ... It's been 5 mths now for me and I "fingers XX" am still off them :-) I did put up a bit of weight but I am working on getting rid of that :-) I got myself a little puppy as a reward 4 weeks agao and she is keeping me buzy :-P along with my 5 yr old fluff, her older sis :-)

BEST OF LUCK TO YA TOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :-)))

PS Check out the website I attached too :-)

Nearly forgot I used to have to use an inhalor twice daily for my asthma ... don't need to now which is a great relief :-)

Answer 7

If you have only just given up smoking, then it is probably your body adjusting to the lack of its daily dose of poison. On the other hand, if you have been off nicotine for some time then maybe you are exhibiting symptoms of a smoke related disease, despite having given up. So go to see your doctor - at least you will get an expert opinion rather than the guess work going on here. Good luck.

Answer 8

I gave up smoking and felt lousy for the first month or so, but that was 5 1/2 months ago. I now feel a million times better. Stick with it.

Answer 9

So your body has put up with inhaling a foreign substance all this time & now Hey Presto! you want to be able to run a mile in whatever,get a check up find out how much damage has been caused & sensible do what ever your GP recommends for starters,then maybe in a years time you can look back & feel better for it all.

Answer 10

Congratulations! for doing it...
You are likely to experience a cough with lot of black phlegm and probably feel feverish for some time. this is just your body getting rid of the accumulated toxins and tar in your lungs. It takes a while to clear up. you could try some steam inhalation to speed up the process.
But do remember even one *** ever again and you'll be right back where you started