Need help BAD

[nsd_user663_63362]

I just stopped cold turkey after smoking for over 10 years ! I'm very constipated now and I'm having back pain I can't eat is this common ? Can someone help a brother out !

[nsd_user663_42220]

Smoke Free, welcome to the forum and try not to panic. Nearly everybody suffers from 1 or more side effects when quitting but it's normal and only to be expected.

After all, your body has been used to regular "injections" of chemical stimulants over the years (each time you smoked a cigarette) and you have taken that away. It will take time for your body to re adjust to life without them.

You smoked for 10 years so you can't expect to get used to not smoking in just a few days. As long as you realise this and keep it in mind, you will not keep worrying that things aren't going well.

Everyone has to go through a period of readjustment and this can take several months. It's normal and eventually you will reach a point where not smoking becomes as normal to you as smoking once did.

There are going to be ups and downs and there may be side effects.

Whilst everyone has different physical reactions to quitting, many, many people have some or all of the following...

A temporary period of sleep disruption (possibly as long as 1-2 months or more)

Constipation

Weight gain

Bleeding gums

Feelings of anxiety, loss, depression, restlessness, boredom and bad temper etc.

Sore throat

A lack of concentration

There are probably more, but these are common and nothing to worry about in the short term.

I'm not trying to put you off, I'm trying to prepare you for what to expect.

Forewarned is forearmed and all that.

None of it is too uncomfortable and all of it is beatable. There are plenty of long term quitters on here which prove that.

Just take it 1 day or 1 hour at a time if you have to. Keep saying that you'll stay smoke free for 1 hour or 1 day more etc.

It's surprising how you start to rack up the days and weeks.

Will there be wobbles? Yes. Can you beat them? Yes.

I felt like you during the early days of my quit and experienced a few of the side effects I mentioned earlier. I too quit cold turkey, but after 30 years!

I have now been quit for nearly 3 years and I know I will never smoke again.

You can do it too, good luck to you.

[GrahamA 3 Years Smoke Free]

At the very least Capitain's list shows what we have to "look forward to" again if we relapse then stop again later!

[nsd_user663_57918]

Fibre gel sorted me out, I drunk a glass a day and it kept everything moving.

[nsd_user663_48073]

Hi there Smoke Free, no need to panic, you are not alone with your symptoms. Here are my CT side effects approaching three weeks;

sleep disruption - can't sleep at night, want to sleep all day.

Constipation

restlessness

boredom

bad temper

Sore throat and rough cough

A serious lack of concentration

Aches in many muscles - arms, legs, back, neck

But on the up side, I smell better (when I can stop the flatulence), I am gaining energy, I'm gaining weight, which I really needed to do, and I don't have to stand outside in temperatures down around -40 Celcius.

All in all, a damn good trade.

[nsd_user663_60964]

Yes, it all sounds horribly normal to me (no one tells you that you'll feel worse before you feel better) and I am sure it will pass soon but I'm with Tea- get it checked out by your GP to be on the safe side (and for reassurance if nothing else).

Hope you feel better today

[nsd_user663_52101]

Water water water....stay well hydrated,helps flush toxins too.

Kiwi fruit are fantastic for constipation.....

Stick with it and your body will soon return to normal 😊

[nsd_user663_61059]

Well done for stopping.

You will find all sorts of weird things will happen to you.