Deep breaths

[Natalie0988]

Hi am 33 I stopped smoking just over 3 weeks ago and now I find my self needing/wanting to take involuntary deep breaths and yawning which I can't seem to finish the doctor don't seem bothered as my oxygen levels or 98 and on my peak flow chart am hitting 300-350 any idea how I can't stop this

[Hidden]

It takes months for the body to adjust to the effects of stopping smoking and begin to recover. I never had any breathlessness or cough when smoking, but after stopping had almost 12 months of bringing up nasty gunk, shortness of breath, and generally feeling pretty manky as my lungs and airways cleared. The need to take deep breaths could well be tied to nicotine withdrawal, even if you’re using nicotine replacement therapy - patches and oral intake are not the same as inhalation. The research also shows that many smokers only breathe deeply when they’re smoking, they tend to be shallow breathers otherwise, so now that you’ve stopped, it could be that your body is just trying to tell you your breathing is too shallow. Trying some deep breathing exercises and learning to breathe ‘properly’ (fun fact: many, many people don’t breathe properly, and would benefit from being taught how) might be of help. There are plenty of videos available on YouTube.

[Natalie0988 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you I'll have a look in to it am not using any replacements so that could explain in

[Hidden in reply to Natalie0988]

If you’re going cold turkey, you are doing a cracking job - I couldn’t do it!! I should have said well done, too, because it’s an incredibly hard thing, but I promise you it is so worth it when you look back having been stopped for a while. Keep going!

[Natalie0988 in reply to Hidden]

Aww thank you so much it's not easy there's still times I think about having a tab like I moved the sofas the other day and was like right I'll go for a tab before I do the rest but I didn't my boyfriend still went for one as he says he's not ready to give up xx

[Tempo57 in reply to Hidden]

Excellent advice!

[corriena in reply to Hidden]

Blf sight has plenty of info and exercises for this

[Hidden]

Congratulations in stopping smoking. Keep drinking plenty of water to help the body release toxins and practising diaphragmatic breathing 2-3 times daily may help, search you tube for video (COPD TV - Diaphragmatic Breathing) You may find that it sets you off coughing but its only your lungs trying to clear, have water to drink when doing the exercise in case.

Oranges, pealing and eating helped me all those years ago along with exercise and drinking plenty of water. Keep up the good work.

[Natalie0988 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much

[Badbessie]

First of all well done on giving up smoking. As others have suggested your body is adjusting and you may find you start to cough more as your Cillia in your throat start to work again. It may take a few months before things calm down.

[Natalie0988 in reply to Badbessie]

Thank you

[Gingerboy1960]

You’ve done a fantastic thing by stopping smoking, please don’t start again. It’s the best thing you will ever do, The problems you have will sort themselves out. Good luck!

[Natalie0988 in reply to Gingerboy1960]

Thank you am hoping so just don't und why I feel worst for not smoking