I quit smoking and now I feel worse!!! Please help?

Question

Hello, I am 28 yrs old, I started smoking at 16. I decided to quit smoking for a variety of reasons and so a week ago I stopped cold turkey. My cravings have gone down considerably, I really don't want to smoke, but my problem is that now I feel alot worse physically then before. I'm having trouble breathing, I feel some chest pain and I feel tingly in my chest and face. This is sometimes but the trouble breathing is pretty much all them time. Today I woke up and felt like I smoked 2 packs yesterday, just very crappy. Why is this, and is it normal, please help!!!

Answer 1

Your lungs are beginning to heal and in this process, unfortunately the way you feel will become worse before it gets better. Hang in there! If you really feel bad, you could contact your doc for some long acting inhalers just to satisfy you, but they are normally steroids and those do a number to your body and you really don't need them. When you are having this feeling, stop what you're doing and breathe in deeply through your nose and out through your mouth. Do this a few times and just do your best to relax. Don't just expect to feel 100% overnight because you won't. I've been there and done that. Remember, you have your age on your side! You can do it!

Answer 2

Hey there! good question, it is kind of "*** backwards" huh? But it is true! Ok, the blood pressure thing, can't say, but I have been smoke free for 2 months, have also quit before, and this likewise puzzles me. One thing is that it does appear that the nicotine effects go far beyond what is published.. I have aches and pains that I didn't have when I smoked, I STILL crave a cigarette and it has long been out of my system. Now, new info indicates that, if you have been smoking a loooong time, and/or your FOLKS smoked around you.. well, you are a "super" addict! Harder to quit than joe blow, and cravings don't end so fast if ever. Physiologically you will need to get a doc to answer for better detail on HOW, but those receptors in your brain.... well, they are still missing that nicotine. Even tho you are "off" the devil weed, you might want to consider going on Wellbutrin (or its generic), which helps folks quit.. worked for me, when I was on it, didn't much crave smokes, and when I did smoke a cig, didn't get that "kick" upon inhalation.. was like sucking air thru a straw. The drug binds up with the neuro receptors so that nicotine can't attach. There is also a newer drug that works similarly but is more effective, don't remember the name. Long and short of it.. despite whatever a doc might tell you, or current thinking.. you feel as you feel. And while you ARE a year older than you were a year ago, and blood pressure can go up on its own as can aches and pains, I think it is time for you to invent your OWN treatment and see if this is more than age catching up! Do NOT try nicotine replacement (gum or patch etc) since you are already off the ****, but DO think about one of the drugs above.. see if they help. And it could just be a coincidence.. and if the drugs above don't help, then rethink your level of exercise etc. and see if more/less helps? t

Answer 3

Natural Quit Smoking Magic

Answer 4

Yes, that is absolutely normal. See you have these little hairs in your airway. When you smoke, they fall asleep. Once you quit smoking....well the first month, they are yawning....the second month...they are starting to look around a feelin' good. ...by the third month, they are dancin' and throwing a party. What that means to you is that you are going to cough like crazy for about three months.

In addition to your cilia waking up, you probably have damaged some of your airways from smoking. You may need to start on an inhaler of some sort...like a bronchodilator...combivent, albuterol....something like that. If you see a Pulmonologist, they will probably order a Pulmonary Function Test just to see where your lung function is at and if you have done much damage to your lungs.

Good luck....and call that doctor to make an appt.

Answer 5

Listen its fine i quit smoking 1year ago and i had had same symptoms as you have recently, its fine hold on...do other things e.g what you wanted to do before but you couldnt cos you have found an excuse.You know smoking is a kind of drug so dont wonder that you feel unwell.You decided to give up smoking so you did 1st step evrything is fine.When i quit smoking i had a red face, i couldnt sleep,i felt tired and i could not breath.Wish you best of luck dear hold on

Answer 6

Nicotine is an extremely addictive substance that you've been putting into your body on a regular basis for 12 years.

Your body is very dependent on it and pretty much every cell in your body is screaming for it.

Cold turkey is a rough way to go, but it seems to work for a lot of the people I've known.

Chest pain and trouble breathing are likely the result of withdrawal.

Your symptoms seem more severe than normal and the "tingly" feeling in your chest and face is a concern.

Based on you situation, I think it's all withdrawal, but you should definitely call a doctor if it gets worse or doesn't improve in the near term.

Answer 7

First of all, Congratulations on quitting.

Stopping cold turkey may not have been the best decision...but the point is that you quit. Your body is probably going thru nicotine withdrawl. The Tar deposits in your lungs may have made some of the muscles atrophy, and that could be why you're having trouble breathing. Try some deep breathing exercises and you may consult your doctor about getting an inhaler...

Once again, Congratulations, and good luck!

Lauren

Answer 8

Congrats on your life changing decision. Just hang in there all that you are feeling is normal and you will start to see good changes soon. Been 12 years for me and I have never felt better as far as breathing and such is concerned. you can do it.

Answer 9

you feel that because you still for a long time smoking, but please go on and keep your way to leave smoke forever. you will still feel bad may be long time but belive me after that everything in your life will be better not only your body but everything.
just go on.

Answer 10

You are going through withdrawal. You might want to try Commit lozenges to stave off the symptoms.