Are these withdrawal symptoms?

[R3DRYD4H]

Hi everyone! I am new to this forum and stumbled upon it to see if the symptoms I'm experiencing in my body are actually just a result of quitting smoking. I quit cold turkey 7 weeks ago after smoking for 11 years (I started at 12, I'm 23 now). It fluctuated how much I would smoke throughout the years, but I was always under the 'a pack a day' range. I felt the rapid heart rate, anxiety increase, difficulty breathing phase very early on, but my sleeping wasn't too bad. It seems like a lot of weirder symptoms have had a delayed onset... around two weeks ago some joints have been aching on and off and all my bones are cracking WAY more than they used to (before it was just my knees). It doesn't hurt when it cracks. I have also woken up to my left hand tingling some nights. My sleep has become interrupted and I don't exactly shake, but vibrate, and my heart rate hasn't decreased all that much. Also developed stiff neck, tight muscles and TMJ (I grind my teeth when stressed). My chest still hurts sometimes but it's just my right side so I don't worry about my heart, this could also be anxiety. It all just seems to be happening all at once. I was wondering if quitting smoking has something to do with these feelings.

Perhaps I'll keep observing and if they don't fade talk to a doctor about it, but I just want to know... Has anyone experienced this delayed onset of symptoms? Is the joint cracking something you've experienced and does it subside/how can I help it subside? I am working on relaxation techniques, meditating more, doing yoga, scheduling massages. I'm so determined to take care of this body I've been abusing for years now, and it just shows that I need to work on other self-care techniques, not just lighting up when I feel stressed.

I get the cravings, but it's not as hard as just thinking that I didn't have these problems before I quit... I was super active and energetic. I was still anxious but not this much. I know that smoking now would just make it worse and not help the situation - but sometimes it makes me wish I never tried to quit...

Thank you to anyone that has read this far. I really appreciate your time.

[Mphunte 2 Years Smoke Free]

The symptoms are insane, I HAD ALL 1 MILLION OF THEM. It gets easier, I went to the doctor 6 times in 3 months, now I go when needed. I still get a random thought of wanting to smoke, and I tell myself (silly you are a non smoker) Hang in there trust yourself, you've got this.

[R3DRYD4H in reply to Mphunte]

Thank you so so much for your reassuring reply. I really didn't educate myself enough on the symptoms before quitting, quite shocked even though I knew it was never gonna be easy. Tried to quit many times in the past but never been as determined. Your words have helped today. I don't even want to smoke more than I just want these symptoms to go away, but it has to get worse before it gets better. I'll stay strong.

Hope you're well and a huge congratulations for making it past the one year mark. That's an awesome achievement!

[Hercu Valued Contributor]

Good Morning R3DRYD4H......

The symptoms is almost normal and I called it "The Wrath Of The Nicodemon"

(I got goose bumps reading your post and recognizing the symptoms)

That weasel gnawing on your brain feeling.....

Nicotine is one of the strongest drugs and is rated next to Heroin and the withdrawal symptoms is much the same but the difference is that there are institutes for Heroin junkies where they can get all the therapy needed but we Nicotine Junkies must fight it on our own.

Truly a very hard battle and certainly one of the most difficult things I did in my life almost 5 years ago.

I had the believe that my brain and body was rewired by nicotine as to believe that the only way to be happy is to light up the next cigarette....which is almost true because every time when you light up there is a vast amount of Dopamine released and gives you that satisfying or happy feeling (Thus why Dopamine is known as the happy chemical)

All this means that you must now rewire your brain to release Dopamine on other situations like nice long walks, start a hobby etc... (Beware not to indulge in other bad thighs, eating, gambling etc..)

Please try and talk to your Pharmacist and get over the counter herbal supplements to assist you in your battle..It really helps...Green Tea hot ore iced is a good start...

[R3DRYD4H in reply to Hercu]

Thank you so much for your reply. Congratulations for making it five years, that's so incredible and amazing to you to be encouraging those of us that haven't made it as far yet.

Honestly, all I want to do right now is smoke. I thought it would be easier after the first month, but it's just getting harder. I'm starting to wonder if this is really the right time for me to quit, because I'm in a really high-stress period of my life anyway, but I've also already put my body through so much it would be all for nothing. I wrote a list today of things I don't miss about smoking, but it hasn't helped much. Feeling weak. Developed more health problems than when I was smoking.

[Hercu Valued Contributor in reply to R3DRYD4H]

Hang on in there..it is truly worth it.....very difficult to start of but once you have tasted the sweet, sweet life of a "smoker that don't want to smoke" anymore you will agree it was worth it...Remember the three's...3 hours, 3 Days, 3 weeks, 3 months, and then the 3 years..and you are free....

I will always be a smoker but one who refuses to smoke anymore....I am a outdoor junkie..I still do Kayak fishing launching in the surf...but diagnosed with COPD after 38 years battering my lungs with chemicals...

I will never smoke again...to much positives..Smelling, tasting breathing....the list is endless...

Strongs...

[R3DRYD4H in reply to Hercu]

Your story is inspiring that I want to read it over when I get the urge. I know I'll feel even more depressed if I give up on this now, and will just have to put myself through it in the future. Will think of the threes. Thank you so much for your support. All the best to you.

[NattyLee]

Hi. I am in month 5. I have interrupted sleep. I have mood swings DELUXE! Headaches from time to time? Feel tired, listless.... Month 5... I wander? BUT I have no cravings at all. I have put on weight but that you have to make peace with for now... Get out and exercise, walk, gym, ride a bike, swim.... If you want chocolate have it, for now... You deserve it. This is a HUGE achievement. We are all very brave to quit. My Dad died of lung cancer I owe it to him to stop. Nats x

[Amandapanda09]

Oh I feel this post on so many levels. I had so many weird symptoms. I went to my doctors freaking out that something was seriously wrong with me, nothing was of course. The things that nicotine and all the other chemicals can do to your body is appalling. Around the six week mark I had a two week span where I did NOT sleep. I was wired and exhausted at the same time. This didn’t help my anxiety. Some symptoms you’ll have pop up random times and disappear the same. If you are truly worried something is not related to quitting get checked out but you wouldn’t believe the things that are just from quitting. Hang in there, I’ll have a year at the end of this month and I suffered mightily. Best of luck!

[Cigpeace]

There are symptoms of some of it, I hate to say this but it’s true, I had major anxiety and issues , it’s hard if you fail try and try again , sometimes you might say your ready but your not, ck your self you’ll be okay

[Mowtown70]

Hey you are doing marvellous I quit in November but I could never have gone cold turkey. Remember you are depriving your body of something you having been feeding it for 11 yrs ! So it’s rebelling against you, I am sure this will pass in time . Keep going it won’t always be like this and you will look back on it as one hell of an experience. I’ve been smoke free for 14 weeks now after 50 years.