Getting out of breath.: Hi everyone! I am new... - No Smoking Day

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Getting out of breath.

beegeebopper profile image
6 Replies

Hi everyone! I am new here so if I do anything wrong please let me know! I am 67 yrs old and stopped smoking nearly 7 months ago after starting when I was a naughty boy aged around 12 yrs old. Yes it was cool in those days to smoke and nearly every picture in a magazine showed someone smoking or in the cinema films or on TV. My problem is being short of breath. I have been using the nicorette spray mist for a few weeks because I suddenly started having cravings for a cigarette but I've found I get short of breath very quickly & have had difficulty walking. Plus I had severe pains in the left side of my chest. I went to hospital & had various tests but everything came back fine. Can this spray mist cause the breathing problem? Has anyone else come across this? The pains in my chest have eased a little but the breathing problem remains. It is very bad. The doctor's at the hospital said X Rays showed no problems but I'm concerned because something must be wrong to be like this. Am I using the spray too much? I find I am using the spray up to 10 ten times an hour. If anyone has had the same problem, did they stop using the spray & did they get better? Any help would be greatly appreciated please & thank you to everyone who reads this & helps.

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6 Replies
Quit4Money profile image
Quit4Money1 Year Smoke Free9 Months Smoke Free

Sorry I have no experience with spray. Up to 10 times per hour seems excessive? Maybe do your own experiment and stop the spray to see if it improves breathing and pain. Glad you followed up with medical attention and tests rule out any defects. Cravings suck but spray might not be the answer. Maybe explore other parts of your life like socializing to divert your attention. I’m just throwing that out there. I’m an introvert and continually have to force myself to get out there. Who says people in their 50s and 60s can’t learn new tricks!

beegeebopper profile image
beegeebopper in reply to Quit4Money

Many thanks for your reply. I agree with you. I'm going to stop the spray & see what happens. It's weird really because when I've tried to stop smoking in the past it was very hard & something would set me off smoking again but when I stopped the last time I simply just stopped & had no cravings or side effects whatsoever until a couple of months ago & I wanted a cigg urgently but didn't give in so I got the spray plus the mints etc & the spray was the best of the lot until I started with breathing problems & pains everywhere. It's not very nice & I just want it to stop & go away! I will let you know what happens. Hopefully some good news.

KathieO profile image
KathieO100 Days Smoke Free

First welcome to the community! I see posts about the spray and I don’t recall reading anything that causes side effects like that but I do know that it will keep you hooked on the nicotine. Maybe the smokes have just finally caught up with you ? Thankfully X-rays come back negative. It may take some time to get your breathing where you want it or your breathing may never be the same after all the years of smoking. Every individual is different. Good luck to you !

Hi beegee .A warm welcome to our community .I agree with Kathue0 the spray will keep you hooked on the nicotine try to reduce gradually also pick a quitting day .

The ideal is to use the spray for a short time only and to make your quitting experience easier .

After your body it’s clear of addicting nicotine staying quit will be much easier and you will be able to star exercising for healthier lungs .

Keep it up 👍👍👍

beegeebopper profile image
beegeebopper in reply to

Hi everyone who has replied to my post! Thank you for your advice & I have made a note of them all. Especially a date to quit using the spray. I have tried to cut down on the number I take an hour but sometimes I do it but other times it goes up again. I must try to be more determined to stick to it. I will let you all know how I get on.

RoisinO1 profile image
RoisinO1Administrator3 Years Smoke Free

Welcome beegeebopper - unfortunately, the spray is so much addictive than the cigarettes and really should be taken off the market as a stop smoking aid due to this and its horrible side effects. We have had several members posting here about their despair at being addicted to it. See below recent post:

healthunlocked.com/nosmokin...

Wishing you strength, determination and focus to get off it, keep us posted when you can :)

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