I quit smoking and NOW I can't breathe! What is going on?

Question

I quit smoking 2 wks ago (after 15 years) and at 1st it was awesome! I could take the stairs and not get winded, had all this energy... I wasn't sleeping and was eating everything that wasn't nailed down, but hey.... it's worth it right? So then 3 days ago I start having trouble breathing. It's like my body desperately wants to take a deep breath and it just CAN'T. I really CAN'T fill my lungs! My 10 year old son has asthma, and after 3 days of this I am going crazy (it's like Chinese water torture), so I tried his inhaler (a no-no, yeah, I know) but it didn't help AT ALL. And I have no doctor and no money, so that's out of the question. Is this a normal symptom when you quit smoking? I've read what seems like 4 million online pages now about smoking and NONE of them say anything about this. I never had any breathing problems (besides the obvious) when I was smoking .... so what the hell? I can't even hold a normal conversation because it sounds like I'm going to hyperventilate! HELP!!

I don't think it's an anxiety attack. Since when do they last for three days straight??

Why I don't go to a Dr. - Yes, I live in a big city. Yes, I work. Yes there is a program here. Yes, I am on it. Let me tell you about this lovely program. You call, sit on hold for at LEAST an hour (I am not exaggerating), get an appointment at LEAST 2 months from now. Then, in 2 months go to the Dr. and wait for at LEAST 4 hours (again, not exaggerating)! Then when they finally call your name you go sit in the the back for at LEAST another hour. Then the good ol' doc comes in, asks you when your last pap was, totally ignores what you have to say, asks you if you'd like some vicodin or zoloft, then tells you to make a follow up appointment. This takes a total of at LEAST 2 whole minutes, 2 1/2 if he actually makes eye contact. And it wasn't just a fluke "oh, someone was having a bad day" thing. I've been to this "clinic" on numerous occasions and this is best case scenario people. I have 2 kids, I'm a full-time student and I have a job - who has that kind of time? We're talking HOURS!

Answer 1

Its b/c its all breaking up in your lungs and flooding your membranes, it will pass, i would spit alot of crap out of your throat as much as possible.

Answer 2

Difficulty Breathing After Quitting Smoking

Answer 3

This is not an anxiety attack. Quit taking advice from people that have never had gone through this before, even doctors. I smoked for over 15 years and once I quit, I had the same symptoms, shortness of breathe. Some days are worse than others and yes, it will last a couple of months, depending on how long you smkked, how much, what kind of cigs you smoke, your body type etc.... don't worry about, its just your lungs slowly healing themselves and yes it takes time. Nonsmoker's always tell me that after 3-7 days the nicotine is out of your system and the hard part is over. Which is all bs. The hard part is just begining. You have to prepare your mind for this, but you can do it. There are plenty of aids out fhere and use them if you have to. Don't worry want other people say, just don't go back to cigs.

Answer 4

Natural Quit Smoking Magic

Answer 5

Isn't there a free clinic in the city where you live? You really need to see a doctor; you can not be diagnosed accurately on Questions & Answers! You definitely have a problem even if you are having an anxiety attack. As a former smoker, I can tell you that your breathing problem is not a normal occurrence when one quits. Subconsciously, you may be seeking an excuse to begin smoking again, but for your own well-being and for your asthmatic son's, you really need to quit! Please try to get professional help; worrying about your condition only increases your stress.

Answer 6

Cigarettes have a chemical in them that acts as a bronchodilator, which opens the blood vessels and allows more air to go through the lungs. therefore when you smoke you are acutally able to get more air in your lungs, when you stop you get less air and it harder to breath. In addition, your lungs are trying to "clean out" all the mucus, making it super hard to breathe when you quit. It happens to be everytime I quit smoking. I'm going through it again now. I've quite for 5 days, and it seems to get worse each day. It will stop eventually but each person is different. I suspect I will be able to breathe better in the next week or two. I know its scary but its also normal. Hang in there : )

Answer 7

Have you been coughing and spiting up gunk? I have seen that happen with people who were heavy smokers. Your body is trying to get all the crud out of your lungs. Don't put off seeing a doctor because you have no insurance. There are free clinics, if you live in the U.S. Drink a lot of water and maybe hot tea. It will take a few weeks for this crud to get out of the lungs. Also your body may be in nicotine withdrawal. That is not life threatening like withdrawal from alcohol is, but still you need to get some help from a doctor. Also if you work at least part time in many cities there are health programs that are like insurance. I have one and it cost nothing. I can see a doctor for $10.00 and go to specialist too.

Answer 8

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Answer 9

I quit smoking 10 weeks ago and the same thing happened to me a few weeks ago. I ended up going to the doctor and he put me on antibiotics and had me take mucinex. I had let my symptoms go to long and it turned into bronchitis. What happened is my lungs were starting to clear out but the mucus was to thick and with all that crap in there it just wasn't moving. Try mucinex and make sure you drink plenty of water. Good luck and hope you feel better soon.

Answer 10

I recently quit smoking and have the same problem,cant catch my breath.its not anxiety because ive been a studder for 54 years and that really causes anxiety.anyone that studders bad like me knows what I mean.I wish I could figure out why I cant catch my breath,its great that I don't smoke but I really need to breath too.

Answer 11

Hi, I quit smoking over a Year and a half ago and feel sooo great for it. Good on you for stopping and keep it up. You just have to keep really positive on yourself. Make sure you reassure yourself that everything is fine and nothing is wrong and it is great to be a non-smoker. Learn to relax maybe try sitting in a quiet room with maybe some quiet music to relax yourself and stand straight so all the air gets to your lungs. Hope this helps and good luck.