Getting upset over this feeling

[Buffy6956]

Hello everyone

I had a stent fitted four weeks ago but gave up smoking five weeks ago and since giving up I’ve noticed my voice has felt weak (strained even) and I constantly feel the need to clear my throat to no avail btw . Has anyone else experienced this? It’s starting to really get me down . I never had this problem when I smoked and it makes me tempted to go back to it to get rid of this throat feeling but I won’t however it seems a shame that I’m experiencing this when all I’m trying to do is better myself . Imagine if you were to look up to the sky and bend your head back as far as you could then try to talk!!! Well that’s how my voice feels constantly and it’s beginning to really depress me

[gilreid1]

Buffy. Six months prior to my bypass I stopped smoking after about forty years. Your body goes through all sorts of weird changes. Your lungs start to repair themselves and you will be coughing but it will not last. Please try and stick with it. You’re long term health will improve for sure.

[080311]

Hi Buffy what I know is starting smoking again will not improve your voice and it certainly won’t improve your heart, so please don’t start again, you don’t mention what medication you are on I know after my OHS I was put on Ramipril and had the most awful cough they changed it to Candesartan and cough went. Maybe a call to your GP or your heart nurse is called for.

Your doing so well for not starting smoking again, hang on in there.

Stay safe best wishes Pauline

[Buffy6956 in reply to 080311]

I’m on atorvastatin 40mg aspirin 75mg and clopidogrel

[080311 in reply to Buffy6956]

Hi, maybe a call to a health professional is the way to go, if it’s getting to a point where it’s really getting difficult for you then help is required, and smoking isn’t the answer. You are doing so well not to have had a cigarette so please keep going. I know it takes a great deal of strength but you can do it.

Best wishes Pauline

[SpiritoftheFloyd]

Hi Buffy

Yep, I was the same when I gave up smoking, coughing so much but to no effect. It's just you're body slowly adjusting to you not smoking.

Please don't give in and start smoking again, you've done really well to have stopped for 5 weeks and are probably over the most difficult bit of quitting.

Suggest you have a word with your GP to see if he/she can give you anything to relieve these symptoms

[Rico166]

Hi Buffy,

When I stopped smoking over 10 years ago now, I had the same and it lasted from around 6-8 months. I felt the same as you, but I persevered and suddenly it all stopped. As others have said, our lungs and circulatory system is finally able to do its job unhindered and there is a long period of expelling all the muck we have ingested over the years. I found that brisk walks helped me. I also think that there is an element of the nicotine addiction that comes into play and it tricks our minds into thinking we are coughing and spluttering more than we were when we smoked. But, if you are worried, go and see your GP or smoking cessation nurse who will be able to give you advice and possibly something to help with the side-effects of quitting.

It will get better, I promise!

[Sunnie2day]

I switched from cigarettes to a vape pen in 2013. My voice sounded weird, I hacked and coughed and felt as thought I had something in my throat for nearly a year after quitting 'real' tobacco. One morning I realised, 'Hey, no coughing-hacking-something in my throat' feelings, wow! As for my voice, well, it did sort itself for a while but I have Essential Tremor - the voice is going but it's not owing to stopping smoking.

So worth quitting, I have absolutely no regrets and I don't miss smoking a cigarette at all.

[EMBoy]

8 months ago, I collapsed in the supermarket car park and was taken to hospital where they fitted a pacemaker. As a result, I gave up smoking after nearly 50 years and wish I'd done it a long time ago. I still get the odd desire for a fag, but not the cravings I used to get.

I can identify with the strange feeling in your throat and the weird voice. Smoking causes the body to produce more mucus, so when we give up, there is less mucus to cough up. I once heard about the actor who did voices for Disney cartoons - he gave up smoking and was no longer able to do his job as his voice changed so much.

It's amazing how quickly the lungs feel better, so stick with it - it's worth the discomfort.

[scotsrish]

Hi Buffy i had HA and two stents two months ago plus quit smoking two months ago. What medication are you on because i would bet that they are the problem with the throat clearing plus they can cause heartburn and gerd PLUS ! You will have extra mucus from quitting smoking in lungs, bronchial and throat. Don't even think about going back to being a nicotine slave that's just crazy thinking. You are free now so enjoy that and keep on healing. It might also be your thyroid.