Feeling ill four months after quitting cigarettes

[gummibear1]

I quit smoking in November after 48yrs and have felt rotten since!! I am frequently short of breath with very little energy. I have just been diagnosed with another chest infection and more antibiotics and prior to giving up, would have taken it in my stride ,taken the pills and got onwith life, but no, not now, instead I feel like I’m half dying and taken to my bed for the duration!! This can’t be how the story went, surely? What’s going on? All advice very much appreciated.

[Tree20862]

I think it is a coincidence.

[Eddie1973]

Hi I’m sorry you’re struggling and feeling ill. I’m 4 months too and stopped as diagnosed at only 45 with copd. I’ve struggled with some things more when quit and sometimes I want my smoking days back but what logic dictates to me is that I will die young if I carry on smoking. If I stop then I have a chance, even if the first months/ year are crazy 😊

[Hidden]

What's going on is that you have probably saved yourself from an early death by stopping smoking. After 48 years of pumping toxic smoke into your lungs it's going to take them a while to realise that there's been a game change. Take the pills, use the inhalers, follow the doctors instructions and the advice you will find here on the group and you will become a new man. But it takes time and a certain amount of self-help which won't involve lying in your bed all day. 😉

[Fleurbaby]

Hear, hear! To all of you guys who have answered gummibear1, l am 57, smoked for about 35/40yrs, stopped cold on August 4th, 2017. cold Turkey since, l miss my cigs, but, it helps in New Zealand, the taxes on cigs, go up by 10% every 6mths or yearly, packet of 20 cigs cost from $25 + some are already over $30 a pack of 20! So, that helps!

No one, even tourists will be able to smoke from 2025.

The brain is overactive since a couple of weeks after your stopping, it is overactive to your body sending signals to the brain about attacks on your organs and extremities etc, it's sending little white soldiers all over in response to cries for help!

Part of the problem is the copd, it is a disease which causes the above, plus wears down the body and the immune system, HENCE..........!! You will have no choice mate! R & R plus support in rehab is all you can do to fight it.

[2greys in reply to Fleurbaby]

"No one, even tourists will be able to smoke from 2025."

Now that is music to my ears, more countries need to follow suit. Tobacco has destroyed far too many lives already, not just to those made ill by it, but also their families.

[Putsywillow1 in reply to 2greys]

Just added to this post but wanted to pass on to you something I read read on one of the med. websites. It seems taking baby aspirin not only helps cardiac but believed to be helpful for COPD, I.e. emphysema & asthma, as it acts as an inflammatory. Would appreciate your take on this as you are our medical investigator & seem to have the best sources of information.

Wishing you well & that you’re on the mend. Always look forward to your posts. Thank you.

[2greys in reply to Putsywillow1]

Yes low dose aspirin is beneficial. Not only as an anti-inflammatory but also the blood thinning does help the circulatory system in the lungs itself. Quite often forgotten with emphysema, is the damage caused to the blood vessels of the lungs which will of course affect the gas exchange rate.

You can have a reasonable FEV1% but poor gas exchange or a poor FEV1% with a good gas exchange and everything in between. This why some people struggle with breathing when at stage 1 and some can be stage 3 yet seem to cope better, we are all different

I will add, always take aspirin with food, so as to decrease any risk of stomach ulcers and subsequent bleeds.

[Putsywillow1 in reply to 2greys]

Thank you so much for responding - I just knew you would provide us with some very valuable information.

Have a good day!

[hypercat54]

Hi I gave up smoking for 16 months with the help of the quit support site (link below). I found out that smoking can mask other conditions and I found I had an underactive thyroid. Smoking can cause this too. I also found myself more short of breath.

Unfortunately I have gone back to it and feel quite a lot better. There comes a point when you don't get health benefits from stopping but just damage limitation, and as someone said to me did I really expect to smoke heavily for 44 years and get away scot free? Now I am grateful just to still be mild copd. Get yourself on the quit smoking site and they will help and encourage you all the way. This is my advice and they are a lovely bunch.

I plan to pack in again asap and will rely heavily on their support. x

healthunlocked.com/quitsupport

[Damon1864 Volunteer]

I gave up smoking seven years ago yesterday, it was the best thing I ever did. Yes I was really struggling at first but I have never gone back to it, have a bit of faith in yourself and you will realise that you made the right choice. Hope you start to feel better soon,take care of yourself 😊 Bernadette xx

[JollyRancher11]

Most cigs contain Cocoa, by what I read in the past it opens the airways to allow faster nicotine absorption, I may be wrong about it being Cocoa... Plus nicotine is a stimulant which the lack of after many years can cause fatigue. Remember you have been deep breathing with every puff of a cigarette smoked all those years and now as a non smoker you no longer do that. I've got another quit date set as I quit for a while and experienced the same thing. My coach told me to practice using a straw or just pursed lip breathing as if I was smoking because it creates a relaxed state. Our bodies go through a lot of changes after quitting all for the positive though

[joyce74]

It is common to feel bad for months as your body gets used to not having all the all the rubbish from tobacco in your system. It happened to me when I gave up over 8 years ago. Don't think I'd be here writing this if I hadn't stopped. Well done to you for stopping and take care of yourself x

[Help_61]

Well I quit 4 years ago ever since I’ve had breathing problems my lung function has dropped to 30 percent been in and out of hospitals before I gave up I never been to a hospital for 35 years. ?

[Tetrazzini]

Yup!! They don't tell you about that when you stop.

I was really unwell for six months - my cough stopped but that was it. You are nearly there - stick with it because it is really worth it.

Well done so far and good luck.

[Hidden]

Well done on quitting. What you’re experiencing is completely normal by my experience; I don’t have a lung condition (my daughter does) but it was a good seven months for me of proper breathlessness and coughing up all sorts of grim rubbish before I turned the corner. It’s the natural clearing process having smothered your lungs with tar and toxic chemicals for years, frustrating and not particularly pleasant, but it did pass in the end and four years on from my last cigarette I feel a helluva lot better than I ever did when I was smoking. Keep at it, you’ll get through it.

[katieoxo60]

Well done for giving up, it takes sometime to get the lungs clear after quitting. If it carries on speak to your GP or practice nurse. I quit in 2005 and was diagnosed with COPD officially in 2011. I went through a 2year spell like you so I understand how it feels. I almost went back to cigarettes but instead went to my GP because I realised there was something wrong and it was not merely withdrawel symptoms. Give it a little longer but if symptoms persist go back to doctor they may be able to give you something for the symptoms to easy your quitting along. Drink plenty and suck a mint or eat fruit the fruit will stave off infections. Good luck and hope you feel a little better soon. Keep coming here for help.

[Grayjay]

I stopped 19 years ago just before my triple bypass. In the hospital car park actually 😅.What you need to do now is exercise. I.E Walking, Swimming, Cycling, join a Gym etc. Your body will take some time to adapt. You're young enough to give yourself a new lease of life.

Good luck and well done👍

[Roz2409]

Hi gummibear1, I too had given up smoking in early November and ended up in ICU on the 23rd November! My smoking was masking the fact I had ACOS (Asthma and COPD Overlap Syndrome) and I had to be resuscitated three times. Make sure you get checked out as my shortness of breath (over 4 weeks) led to a dangerous build up of carbon dioxide because I wasn’t exhaling properly. Smoking is not worth dying for because I nearly did and I’m so glad I’m still here! I haven’t touched a cigarette since and I don’t ever intend to again but sometimes you get a second chance so grab it and enjoy life. I still feel sluggish and I am recovering from being on life support but everyday is a blessing and trust me you are doing just great!!! 👏🏻👏🏻

[SusanKidd]

I had been smoking for 42 years before I gave up. After quitting, I was plagued by COPD breathlessness, incessant coughing, bouts of bronchitis and plenty of wheezing. Sometimes feeling dreadful and really low because of it.

These symptoms gradually disappeared over the 10 years since stopping, even to the extent I no longer use Ventolin or Spiriva.

Amazingly my recent COPD tests have shown I no longer have COPD. They are just NORMAL readings.

I have not done anything special to achieve this except try to keep away from smokers and anywhere there is pollution.

So there is light at the end of the tunnel. Just bear with it - your health will improve.

[Eddie1973 in reply to SusanKidd]

I love your post. I’m diagnosed with mild copd, I’m only 45! I’ve given up and started exercising and am feeling good. I can’t believe we all smoked for so long 😬😢😡 xx

[Nik5769]

Hi I quit after 44 years, also have bullae clusters of it on my lungs. For me and you it's early days yet giving up is like groundhog day tommorow we start all over again. I still can't breath and have slight chest infection. I am always tired. On the other hand things are clearer now I see just how bad it was getting smoking made things foggy and I too just took things in my stride. We have a lot of damage on our lungs it's not reversable. To stay in bed sometimes is good you might need it. Don't stop trying I was breaking ribs from coughing. My skin is better my hair even my copd check up its improved by 2%. Not much but it's not long since I stopped. We are still human and catch infection I was warned to expect a lot of chest infections when stopping smoking it can take years to heal your body is going through a lot keep trying with me. I am sorry you are going through so much make sure you get all checks done, blood tests don't leave any thing out you may have other things going on to, I do. Good luck

[grannyk3]

Good morning (I am in the USA)! Sorry to hear you're feeling so poorly. The good news is that even though you're not feeling better since you quit smoking the health benefits of doing so are still happening. I'm sure you know to be eating healthy and drink LOTS of water(unless you have a medical reason for limiting fluids) also, enough can't be said for getting in as much exercise as possible each day. Even a little bit is better than none. You deserve a pat on the back for job well done getting those nasty smokes out of your life!😉

[Clanger]

Hi, another good thing to quitting ciggies is you won’t stink anymore. To someone who no longer smokes, there’s nothing worse than sitting next to a smoker. It’s awful. I haven’t been near the wife in ages. Whether that’s a good thing I’ll leave to debate haha.

Keep the no smoking up. It gets more normal the more you don’t smoke until you no longer think of them but well done in making the first step.

Keith.

[Hidden]

I remember from the deep and distant past someone telling me that you should expect to feel rough for a week for each year that you smoked so hang on in there. You'll make it and really well done YOU. 👍😊

[lKeith]

gummibear1

Hi read your post and see that you have given up the cigs, good for you, now keep off them. Withdrawal symptoms are often different one to another but you must persevere your lungs will thank you for it. Chest infections can be tough but unfortunately they are part of the symptom, build up your immune system, exercise, eat healthily and take life at a slower pace, all of these will help. Don't give in to it.

IKeith

[Putsywillow1]

Just finished reading all these posts & agree with them all as I’ve experienced the same. I smoked for 45 years, quit 11 1/2 years ago cold turkey & officially diagnosed with COPD 5 years ago. Shortly after I quit smoking I started feeling lousy - shortness of breath, fatigue, etc. That being said, what I don’t understand is why. Logic would leave one to believe that the cessation of smoking & you’ll feel better - not always the case. I’m glad I quit & like all of us, wish we never took up the filthy habit but can’t change the past. - glad they’re expensive - can’t justify the purchase! I figure I’ve saved over $20,000 at least over the years but now I pay for inhalers! Not complaining, just venting! Thanks all for your input!

[Nik5769]

After 4 months not smoking I also not feeling brilliant started to get palpatations and bad nerves. However it's still an improvement do not cough as much and breathing improved. I have chest infection been on steroids. I never thought I would ever stop smoking still want one and need something to calm my nerves. I am vaping cbt oil. Anything as long as its not smoking. Because its been an achievement and smoking is what put me here severe copd emphasemia. I am not happy with my doctor I still need some kind of anti anxiety medication. My condition is chronic and irriversable so I know I will still be ill. Good luck and try to think you could be even worse if you smoked.

[Karenblue in reply to Nik5769]

I gave up for 5 months after respritrfauike but have since started again I don’t like smoking but I just can not seem to give up makes me feel sick wen smoking but still smoking nearly 40 a day how can I get out of it no help for me I think

[Nik5769]

It's hard I quit 4 months now everyday I want to go back to calm my nerves. I just take a breath sit back and think how yukky it was I only ever enjoyed one a day out of 20.I have been getting a dry mouth and buy a lot of ice lollies, vape different flavours. Also have niccoteen lozenger which I am trying to come off niccoteen now. Even if you started again you can still quit again keep trying. My cough has improved, my voice has come back. People comment how much I have improved. I couldn't speak from coughing and breaking ribs. Keep trying use everything available it is really hard and feels bad for months but gets a little easier to say no.