Heartburn and rib pain.

[Shinyemily]

Hey I have some terrible heartburn as it turns out. Apparently common after breaking up with nicotine. Its leaving a hit rib ache though which lasts for hours and daily. Dr confirmed that it is caused by the heart burn (GORD to be precise) anything I can do to ease the rib ache and help? Ibuprofen is a no for GORD.

[New_Quitter 1 Month Smoke Free]

Hey there, rib pain and gerd are again, common from quitting. I quit around 3 months ago, the first few weeks were a breeze. All the crap came showering down on week 4 - week 8/9. Anxiety is the biggest bummer here where you think every humanly possible sensation may kill you soon. Right from foot pain, to a few coughing sprees, mild headaches are all blown out of proportion due to the withdrawal. That being said, it's a good time to revaluate your health goals. I wouldn't worry too much about the pain, you could get it looked at by a doctor or two, at 26 you shouldn't really have much to worry about. Soldier on for a month and you'll forget that any of these happened.

Whenever you hit an anxiety attack, take a walk, pinch yourself, read articles about withdrawal, read 'Good News' articles and skim past the attack.

[RoisinO1 Administrator 3 Years Smoke Free in reply to New_Quitter]

Excellent advice New_Quitter - hope you are keeping well?

[New_Quitter 1 Month Smoke Free in reply to RoisinO1]

Hey there Roisin01. I've been doing well. Nearing the three month mark. Been an interesting couple of months. Couldn't have done it without the support of this community. Thanks a ton once again 🙂

[RoisinO1 Administrator 3 Years Smoke Free in reply to New_Quitter]

Good to read New_Quitter

[KathieO 100 Days Smoke Free]

Zantac

[RoisinO1 Administrator 3 Years Smoke Free]

Hey Shinyemily - glad you have been put at ease and the mindset to plod along now. For the rib pain, maybe try those Deep Heat wraps. I found them great in the past. Keep in touch

[Shinyemily 9 Months Smoke Free]

Hey guys. Thanks for the advice. Its hard for me at the moment as I have generalised anxiety disorder and I hate to say it I was using cigarettes as a coping mechanism in a way. I obviously had enough of it though as I was potentially putting my own physical health over temporary thoughts. The Dr assured me heart burn tends to travel all over you believe it or not and that it's very common after quitting smoking. I have taken my GORD tablet for the day so hopefully it helps reduce the burn and gets things back in order. Last thing I want is to spend the weeks coming up to Xmas freaking out over every ache and pain. Last night was the 1st night I slept properly throughout without waking up. I feel a little dizzy this morning but that might be because ice also cut down caffeine as caffeine isn't a helper with heartburn. In a few weeks I will feel "me" again. Just want to be the bubbly Emily I am lol I love this site as everyone here is just so understand and assuring I'm not alone with these symptoms and that it WILL get better overtime. Thank you all xxx

[Hercu Valued Contributor in reply to Shinyemily]

Hi Shinyemily....I read your post's and feeling your pains...

I called it the "Wrath" of the nicodemon...Remember we were relying on a cigarette to make us cope with life's curve balls...Whilst smoking we also had pains and uncomfortable issues but we just lit up a ciggie and carried on...

After stopping the true reality hits us like a snow ball and we are not feeling that False Euphoria anymore and want to blame it on quitting..

I promise it does get better and better and better.......... as time passes....Yes, our decades of battering our bodies and brains with nasty Chemicals catches up on us as I have learned 4 weeks ago having a triple bypass....

Luckily for us, there is this forum, caring and amazing success stories which is proof that quitting is worth the initial suffering..Surely you will become the "bubbly Emily" you are..

Strongs !!!

[RoisinO1 Administrator 3 Years Smoke Free in reply to Shinyemily]

Hey Shinyemily , I too used smoking as my crutch to deal with every day life, from getting up in the morning to dealing with stress, socializing, a funeral, a wedding, a birthday, a holiday, after cutting the lawn, gardening, the list is endless. Prior to stopping, I was in a very dark place and smoking up to 40 cigarettes a day. That was just over 3 years ago, I am SO happy I stopped, it has been a roller coaster of a ride but worth every up and down. I promise, you will feel the same too

[Shinyemily 9 Months Smoke Free in reply to RoisinO1]

Hey guys I am ok. Rib pain seems to of disappeared now and barely coughing up specks of the dreaded tar so that's good! Chest pain is gone too. Feel a little queasyand dizzy but they are common side affects of the new tablets I am on. So far they're working very well.

[RoisinO1 Administrator 3 Years Smoke Free in reply to Shinyemily]

That's great news Emily 😊