Did anybody else take a long time to feel ok after stopping smoking?

Question

I have put a similar post before but I gave up a 40 a day habit over 9 months ago and I still feel terrible!

I have been told that some people suffer really badly for up to 2 years and I wonder if anybody has experienced this extreme reaction. I am so moody, it is unbelievable-all my emotions seem to be in mayhem! I have pains all the time, digestive problems, mouth ulcers, colds weight gain etc etc-none of which I suffered from before! I feel so depressed and anxious but I have medication anyway.

Answer 1

*First let me say...........WAY TO GO!!!!*
Giving up cigarettes is one of the hardest habits to break, period.
And 9 months is a major milestone!!
On to your concerns.......
As long as you've been to the doc to rule out anything major with your symptoms, I suspect that you're having a hard time because you are having to try to figure out how to deal with every day stressors without the aid of your old best friend. I have been there. In my life, I went from sucking my thumb as a child, gave that up at age 6 for biting my nails, gave that up at age 15 for overeating, gave that up at age 20(I was pretty over weight by then) for cigarettes, which I gave up for the last time 6 months ago for "oh, crap.......I'm 43 and need to start taking care of myself";)
Figure out a way to deal with your stressors. It may take a while,(it has me) but there are ways to do it. And as for the weight gain.........just let yourself eat as much as you want, but make it healthy choices, like raw veggies and dip, lean meats, whole grain foods, fruits(I love oranges for this, it takes a while to peel, and slows down those urges to over eat).
And as a last resort......get your meds changed. If one doesn't work, ask your doc about something else.
I hope you are feeling back on track soon!

Answer 2

I have to say that 18 months after quitting smoking I have never felt better in my life.
I think that perhaps some of what you describe, if not all, is unrelated to the smoking (or not).
Weight gain and mouth ulcers are something which I did suffer from when I quit, but the weight gain evens itself out and the ulcers stop too.
I have digestive probs but they are unrelated to my smoking or my quit, and are due to another cause. Perhaps you could ask your GP for a check up.
Another thought is, that if you were prescribed your meds prior to your quit, perhaps your meds need adjusting now that you don't have all those other chemicals going into your system too?
BTW - congrats on the quit.

Answer 3

Yes! First I want to say, Congratulations on your quit. I quit two years ago this May. I have had digestive problems ever since. I went through a spurt of depression. Talk to your doctor about that. My doctor put me on a mild antidepressants for about 4 or 5 months. All is better with that. I also had weight gain, I gained 20 lbs, I lost 10 of it, but I am having a hard time loosing the last 10, maybe after winter when I can do more things outside. At least that is what I am hoping for.
My best to you, and talk with you doctor.

Answer 4

i gave up 5 years ago, and it took me over a year to feel somewhere near normal. The first 6 months after giving up i was riddled with allergies which i rarely suffered from, and not even allergies tablets could cure it. I also had digestive problems which lasted a little over a year and put a small amount of weight on too. oh yes and the mood swings were terrible!
but 5 years on i'm glad i'm rid of the nasty habit and feeling so much better for it!!!

Answer 5

All probably unreleated to quitting the smokes. The physical withdrawl lasts only about 2 weeks. Its the mental part of it thats hard. I'm in the process of quitting right now. Its been 2 and a half months....I feel pretty good. But, in order to help with some of the energy, I've started doing some light workouts at the gym, like a half hour on the eliptical or treadmill....Give it a try, you got nothing to lose by it..(And no, I dont like it, I actually dont feel like going most days) So It can be done.

Answer 6

Well, except for the mouth ulcer, all that is caused by quitting smoking.

And for the suffering, it's mostly on how long you have been smoking and by how much.
I've only smoked for about 6 months and stopped within two or three weeks
All you can do is wait till your brain balances it out with dopamine (nicotine flooded your brain and replaced dopamine).
You could use those patches and gums if it won't interfere with medication. Ask your doctor.

Answer 7

yes usually takes 6 months but depends on the amount of cigarettes smoked. anyway you will feel rubbish and wanting to smoke for 2 weeks, then your desire goes down and starts nervous eating and coughing mucus because your lungs are trying to get rid of all the rubbish accumulated inside. this lasts for about 4 - 5 months and goes progressively down (the bad bit is only a month or so) then you will feel slightly tired and finally you will be ok
remember this is only a guideline of what happens it varies with the subject

Answer 8

Bit doubtful if giving up smoking is your only problem. Physical addiction to nicotine is over in a few days. Although psychological addiction can persist almost indefinitely, I would not expect the symptoms to be very significant at this late stage.

I suggest you chat with your GP about how you are feeling, he may offer help.

Answer 9

When I stopped smoking it took me almost two years to stop feeling like that. All you have to do is keep up the good work and that will go away. Whats happening is your body is used to getting nicotine and now that youve stopped your body wants it and is trying to make you give in. Dont give in. All you have to do is wait it out because the time it takes to get over the addiction will be different for everybody. Just hang in there.

Answer 10

You will feel better soon i have given it up 14months ago i feel very anxious but apart from that i started to feel better after i had given it up for about a year
now i hardly ever crave and if i do it lasts a few seconds
It might be a good idea to see your doctor to ask for their advice