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[Itsmeagain1]

Hi everyone can I get some advice my sats have been good but since stopping smoking 10 weeks ago I'm so out of breathe what is going on in didn't feel this bad smoking I've had swollen ankles bloated stomach indigestion headaches please can someone tell me how to feel better I'm struggling here also have a flushed face grrr I'm empyhsemic

[Damon1864 Volunteer]

I felt just like that when I stopped 8year ago, it took me a little bit of time to get over it but I'm fine now. Have a good night and take care of yourself 😊 Bernadette xx xx 🌈

[Itsmeagain1 in reply to Damon1864]

I can't go to the toilet or kitchen without struggling to breathe my nurse gave me water tablets as my ankles are swollen how is that suppose to help and how long did this sob last for u

[Damon1864 Volunteer in reply to Itsmeagain1]

It lasted about four more nths but things started getting better after that🤗🌈 xxxx

[Itsmeagain1 in reply to Damon1864]

Really god that's means at least anot her 6 weeks at least feeling this bad wish I never started

[Response in reply to Itsmeagain1]

But just think how great you'll feel in 6 weeks! we've had more than that in lockdown. Your old age will be better too (and you don't want to feel like this then) - keep going - when you look back in 6 weeks time you'll feel proud of yourself.

[Itsmeagain1 in reply to Response]

Awe bless u I hope so

[Itsmeagain1 in reply to Damon1864]

Thankyou

[1968]

Hiya, when i stopped smoking i was breathless for a few weeks, doctors say there is a chemical in the cigarette that opens the airways, hence when you stop you get a bit breathless, the rest could be your body reaction to stopping, everyone is different.

Don't stop stopping, it's the single best thing you can do for you & your body.

Say well

david1968

[Itsmeagain1 in reply to 1968]

To be it's scareing me as it seems to be getting worse I just went from the front room to the kichen sats normally good but went from 94 to 87 and b pm from 85 to 112 I was so pleased stopping the ciggies but need some good reactions from my body I'm trying

[1968 in reply to Itsmeagain1]

Make an appointment to see your doctor for reassurance, Stay focused and remember small steps first.

[Itsmeagain1 in reply to 1968]

I'll try but had no luck so far only call from nurse my doctor seems to be elusive lately in the last 6 times I've either tried to make a appointment this year not seen him once had 4 phone calls and 2 appointments with a nurse hmm mm I'm wondering what I'm supposed to have done wrong

[Hidden]

Sounds like your body is detoxing, drink plenty of water and eat oranges for vitamin C aid;

medicalnewstoday.com/articl...

quote

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that may help to protect the lungs from the oxidative stress caused by cigarette smoke. So supplementing with these vitamins may help when stopping smoking.

unquote

[Itsmeagain1 in reply to Hidden]

I have been eating oranges bananas drinking water so far not doing a lot I'm not sure if taking water tablets will help me as I don't want to keep getting up either

[Hidden in reply to Itsmeagain1]

only prescribed medication. Water tablets I've heard once on them you are stuck on them. Exercise, ankle rotations , just keep doing anything everything that helps. 10 weeks is a long time though to be detoxing, maybe chat with your doctor or check in on the Quit support site for added input.

healthunlocked.com/quitsupp...

[Itsmeagain1 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you but my doctor just passes Meds at me do sent seem to want to talk just try these try that they won't even see me at the moment they gave me water tablets after 5 minster talking on the phone no check up I have a mask they have masks I wanted to see someone but nope just take these water tablets they haven't even told me how much I'm supposed to drink with them and these ones lose potassium unlike other ones that don't thank you for your reply

[Hidden in reply to Itsmeagain1]

they are not doing person to person appointments only in very serious situations, telephone appointments because of covid-19, and I guess if you were making a real issue of your swollen ankles they would offer you water tablets. The way forward is your choice.

Wishing you every success with remaining smoke free and hope you find after a time things will settle down.

Bes wishes

[Kristicats]

You may be starting with emphysema flare up? are you taking steroids? Steroids could be the cause of swelling .

In order to help reduce ankle/ leg swelling your feet need to be raised up when you are seated as high as your heart( if that makes sense ) in order to drain the fluid back into the tissues. Also try to raise them whilst lying down on pillows. Meanwhile do you have a respiratory nurse or clinic that supports you re your breathing problems? to contact?

Stopping smoking does cause a cough and some chestiness for a while as your lungs and body are learning to function without the poison/ chemicals. Certain nicotine replacement aids can also cause cough and effect on breathing because they dry the back of your throat.

If you are worried/ struggling with breathing don’t hesitate to phone 111 if your doctor is unresponsive. you don’t want to end up with a serous infection.

Hope your feeling easier soon and really well done re quitting the coffin nails I’m sure when you’ve got over this awful time with SOB and oedema you will feel healthier without them. Take care, get help

Cx

[Itsmeagain1 in reply to Kristicats]

Bless thank you I recently was told told to take antibiotics and a course of steroids but that finished weeks ago I have a copd nurse but to be honest she isn't much help I'll keep elevating my legs thank you for reply hun

[Darceydoo in reply to Itsmeagain1]

Hi have you spoken to Lung Uk?

[Ceab]

Persevere, its the single most important thing you can do, i have emphesema, its hell i understand, are you taking your inhalors in the morning, i use anoro, i use clenil and ventalin all three until my breathing gets better. Please dont go back to smoking. Im sorry i dont have more advice but i wanted to reach out to you. Stick with it. It will come good.

[Itsmeagain1 in reply to Ceab]

Aww thank you I'm trying just wish I could feel better

[Ceab]

Just one other thing , can i ask are you overweight, i have lymphodema, affecting my ankles and lower legs so bad i cant wear skirts, i was amazed how much they reduced with losing weight and i was able to wear skirts again. With any breathing problems extra weight is a nightmare

[Itsmeagain1 in reply to Ceab]

No I'm under 10 stone hun

[joyce74]

It takes some time to adjust when you stop smoking. Like you I had different problems for about 4 months. I gave up 9 years ago 6 months before being diagnosed with COPD had I not stopped I may not still be here. Well done you. Hope you have treated yourself with the money you have been saving.

[Itsmeagain1 in reply to joyce74]

No I'm shielding I paid a electric bill over the phone lol I know how to live 😂

[katieoxo60]

Its nearly 16 years since I stopped smoking. I recall being very out of breath with a chronic cough, after two years i was assessed for cancer and it turned out to be COPD. My breathing did improve with treatment but not the cough. Would give yourself time for the breathing to improve, you have made the right decision, now it will take a lot of willpower to stay with it, but you should feel better in a few months time, one day at a time is best motto and do not feel bad if you stray from the path in the beginning. It is not easy I tried three times before success. Good luck and best wishes.

[sueworsley64]

Like you, I struggled with SOB after giving up smoking. I tried various remedies but still had problems, then I read about N-Acetyl Cysteine food supplements which are used to loosen mucus in the lungs.

I took 2 x 600g tabs every day and gradually found my SOB getting better. Now I only take the tabs occasionally and I wake up every day being able to breathe freely.

[Itsmeagain1 in reply to sueworsley64]

I have no cough and no mucus just sob and headaches swollen ankles and big stomach and pain in my leg

[Kristicats in reply to sueworsley64]

I have taken NAC 600 twice daily and my exacerbations have been far less and more manageable also keeps mucus off your chest.

[Itsmeagain1 in reply to Kristicats]

What is NAC600 hun

[Kristicats in reply to Itsmeagain1]

As Sueworsly64 mentioned above

[Ergendl]

All the gunge in your lungs from years of smoking is starting to loosen up and come out. When that goes you will feel much better.

[Itsmeagain1 in reply to Ergendl]

I've stopped smoking before a few times I've never been this bad I stopped last time last year I didn't feel anything like this I'm not coughing I am not producing any mucus just the sob

[Ergendl in reply to Itsmeagain1]

Hope you feel better soon.

[Itsmeagain1]

😊

[Itsmeagain1]

So do I hun it seems to be one thing after another now my TV has gone just adding to my already stressed life 😠 I can't catch a break lately thank you for your reply hun

[Jomo46]

Keep with it. I know it’s hard.

Xx jo

[Treewade]

I stopped smoking 17 years ago n can still remember it took soo long to improve infact it got worse for a few months coughing breathing mood weight gain the addiction to extra chewing gum and polos i used to suck polofoil when id run out, when i stopped smoking i was dependent on my blue and brown inhalers i probably puffed them as much as cigarettes towards the end before stopping completely but 17 years on i use my inhaileronce or twice a year and its been like that for many years hope you start feeling the benefit soon xxxxxxx

[Itsmeagain1 in reply to Treewade]

Bless u well done I did stop for 3 and a half years when I was originally diagnosed but after doing so well despite being put on steroid inhaler I didn't need my nurse said oh well we didn't know then what we know now my doctors was a 1hr and a half walk away one way so didnt need inhalers then after all that time she said oh well I said u wouldn't get worse u have but u have already done the damage jeez bed side manner rubbish as I went straight back to the ciggies so hopefully I get a bit of positivity from my docs

[lKeith]

Itsmeagain1

Hi,

Stopping smoking has many withdrawal effects, keep with it your body will eventually thank you for it. The ailments will eventually go away and if you have emphysema or COPD of any sort your breathing whilst it may be bad would have been worse with a ciggy to cope with.

There is no fixed time that the withdrawal symptoms may last but believe me it will get better the longer you go without a ciggy.

IKeith

[Itsmeagain1 in reply to lKeith]

Thank you I look forward to that day 😊

[marrigold]

Same thing happened to my sister, she had smoked all her life, then stopped due to a really bad chest infection, but hasn't been well with her breathing ever sice, she thinks she felt much better while she was smoking, who knows,I know they tell us to stop as it helps, but my mother in laws doctor told her not to stop as she's in her 80's and it would do more harm than good.

M x

[Itsmeagain1 in reply to marrigold]

I agree I've never had so much wrong with me I thought maybe if I stopped I'd stand a chance at being offered treatments that wouldn't otherwise be offered to me if I continued to smoke but a few years back I stopped for 3 and a half years got offered jack I do believe your body sometimes fights u but i must admit I am getting despondent as never felt this bad how's your sister now any better ?

[Tissot]

You are anxious but it will pass persevere good luck

[PhilGM]

It will improve believe me, when you think of all those years of tar and chemicals contamination your lungs have endured it is hardly surprising that they are suffering during the regeneration process! I always think that water tablets were developed to eliminate a symptom rather than cure a problem, but I suppose having swollen ankles is more uncomfortable than having to make a few more trips to the loo!