is dizziness, feeling sick and a headache normal.

[micaela]

I stopped smoking 8 days ago, this seems to be getting worse, has anyone else felt like this.

[yellowsnowdrop]

Micaela, Welcome to the place you absolutely need to be for advice and positive vibes to help you thru this.I'm VERY glad you found us.I'm Helen and I'm sure loads of others will chip in but here goes. I've been quit for 5 months and Nicotine free now for 6 weeks and I had all kinds of things wrong when I gave up(Chest Infections x 2 and breathing problems also)I'm sure EmJay will be in touch soon but I think if you're worried about ANY of your symptoms it's best to go and see your G.P and get checked out. The dizziness COULD just be your Blood Pressure getting back to normal. Are you using Nicotine Replacement Therapy? If you are are you on Zyban or something similar? This could be the reason. If you're cold turkey then it might just be your system getting rid of all the nasty stuff in the cigarettes but if I were you I'd maybe think about just getting a check up with your Doc or Practice Nurse to be on the safe side. Good Luck and WELL DONE on the 8 day quit. H x

[micaela in reply to yellowsnowdrop]

Hi Helen, I'm not using anything, I thought because I had been ill and wasn't able to smoke for 3 days then I may as well try and stop, so far so good, I have been smoking for about 39 years and this is the first time I have done this, I tried about 5 years ago with the patches, unfortunately they didn't work for me. hopefully it will be for good this time thank you. Well done on your achievement I hope I will be the next to follow you and succeed

[jillygirl Administrator Queen Bee]

Hi micaela, Dont worry too much, feeling like this is pretty normal for the first couple of weeks. Your body is adjusting itself to having no nicotine . It is repairing itself. I will look for some posts we have had on that may help you. Dont give in you can do it.

[micaela in reply to jillygirl]

thank you

[Hidden in reply to jillygirl]

I'm sorry jillygirl, but that isn't necessarily the case. You're body isn't adjusting to "no nicotine".....the body is adjusting to no longer receiving a 2000 chemical cocktail dose every hour or two. Nicotine is a small, small part of that.

[monky Administrator Cake sniffer outer in reply to Hidden]

Hi ya DSinthebuffny, welcome to our quit support community you dont say whether you have quit smoking or trying to quit I would love to know

DS, this post is over 4 years old now and we have learnt a lot more since then as in, there are over 4000 toxins in a cigarette and nicotine plays a very big part in that, cos it keeps us hooked on them

Please let us know your quit date if you allready have and we can award you with a well deserved Winners badge after your name

Speak soon, Pete

[jillygirl Administrator Queen Bee]

STOPPING SMOKING - THE HEALTH BENEFITS ~~

Stopping smoking is the single most important thing that you can do to improve your health. That is a fact.

Unfortunately, not every benefit is visible and you can be left thinking to yourself that you don't feel any different.

However, there are a lot of changes going on behind the scenes that you may not be aware of, but you can rest assure that your body is busying itself away and repairing as much of the damage that smoking has done to your body as possible.

Your body will begin to repair itself as soon as you stop smoking and you'll go on feeling the health benefits for the rest of your life.

20 minutes after stopping, your blood pressure and pulse rate will return to normal. Circulation improves in hands and feet, making them warmer.

8 hours after stopping, nicotine and carbon monoxide levels in the blood will be cut by half and oxygen levels will return to normal. Chances of a heart attack start to fall.

24 hours after stopping, the level of carbon monoxide in your body will be that of a non-smoker and your lungs will start to clear. You could always ask at your local pharmacy or GP surgery and see if they can check your carbon monoxide levels for you.

48 hours after stopping, your body is becoming free of nicotine and your sense of taste and smell is improving.

72 hours after stopping, you should be breathing more easily. Airway passages in the lungs begin to relax. Energy levels increase.

2 – 12 weeks after stopping, your circulation is improving, making walking easier.

3 – 9 months after stopping, your lung function has increased by up to 10%. That means less coughing and wheezing and fewer breathing problems.

5 years after stopping, your risk of having a heart attack is halved.

10 years after stopping, your risk of contracting lung cancer is halved and your risk of having a heart attack is the same as if you’d never smoked.

[micaela in reply to jillygirl]

this is so interesting and motivating thank you.

[jillygirl Administrator Queen Bee]

Helpful tips for quitting./symptoms

Quitting Smoking

Symptoms of Recovery

Cough/phlegm

This is a positive sign that your lungs are clearing themselves after years of tar and toxins. It may also be caused by the new natural activity of the nasal passages and reactivated cilia.

Can last from a few days to a few months. To soothe these symptoms, drink plenty of water and consider sugar free boiled sweets to keep your throat moist.

Hunger/Weight gain

Cigarettes cause the body to release its own stores of sugar and fat by a drug type of interaction and this acts as an appetite suppressant. When you quit smoking you may find that your taste improves but do NOT substitute cigarettes with food, drink plenty of water, if you crave sweets eat fruit or opt for sugar free sweets.

Some weight gain is normal and can be attributed to metabolic alterations.

What would you rather be;

a) a slightly overweight non smoker or

b) underweight and dead?

Ulcers/sore mouth

these are caused by a chemical change in the make-up of the body tissues when you stop smoking and may last for several days. Ask your Pharmacist or Dentist for advice.

Feeling depressed

It’s not unusual to feel depressed when you stop smoking, this is because so much of your life has revolved around cigarettes. Remind yourself how well you’re doing and of all the benefits of quitting and your reasons for doing so.

Constipation

This is common after quitting smoking because the intestinal movement can slow down for a short time.

Drink plenty of water, be sure you’re getting enough fibre in your diet and eat more fruit and vegetables.

Insomnia

and an increased tendency to dream. Tea and coffee contain caffeine and without nicotine, your body absorbs much more of this stimulant, which can make you restless, irritable and sleepless for a while. It rarely lasts longer than a week. Do some deep breathing before going to bed, take a bath and drink non-caffeinated drinks.

Fatigue

nicotine is a stimulant so it’s not unusual to feel more tired when you quit smoking. Drink plenty of water, get some fresh air and avoid eating sugary snacks, which will only stimulate you for a short time.

Dizziness & Tingling in fingers

This is due to the improved circulation and increased oxygen to the brain and body, now that the blood vessels are no longer being constricted by carbon monoxide. Should only last between 24-48hrs.

Heartburn

The paradox here is that smokers who had heartburn while they smoked find it disappears, while some smokers, who’ve never had heartburn, often suffer with it for a short time when they quit. Avoid acid producing foods and ask your Pharmacist for advice. Can last between 3 weeks to 3 months (not the same intensity throughout)

[Puvan91 6 MONTH WINNER in reply to jillygirl]

Hi all, are you all still there? I am 1month plus free of smoke. I felt dizzy whole day and sometimes my left hand and legs tingling always.. anyidea?

[MoChase in reply to jillygirl]

I am experiencing dizziness. It started at about day 4 and I'm on day 6. Do you know if this is normal to experience this after so many quit days. I am not using any aids. Cold turkey. This seems to be the only withdrawal I've had (thank goodness).

[Pinkiezoom 26 Months Winner]

Hi micaela I hope you feel better soon. X

[micaela in reply to Pinkiezoom]

thank you x

[yellowsnowdrop]

Micaela,

You're doing really well and yes,absolutely in a very short space of time you'll be standing where I am now and believe me flower,the time just zips by.Stay with us and we'll help as much as possible.Helen

[Hidden]

Hi micaela

Yep....I was off work with faintness/bad dizziness. I have now stopped for just over 7 weeks and about 3/4 weeks ago I started getting dizzy. I went to the GP. My blood pressure plummeted so they sent me for ECG, blood tests, chest X-ray, etc. haven't had official feedback on the X-ray but everything else is ok (and I think the X-ray will be also) The GP says it must have been viral but I swear it has something to do with quitting. It was awful and still hasn't gone completely.

I would get checked out if I were you to be certain but don't be surprised if they give you a clean bill of health. The body is a funny thing and I put it all down to healing......and the body being a bit shocked!

[tkofawkes]

yup, quite normal. It means that your bloodstream is working much better and that your brain is getting more oxygen. So, since you haven't got used to that much oxygen lately, that's it.

It'll go away in a several days.

[madametobacco49]

I do off and on and Im going on 10 weeks--I have an upset stomach tonight

[tonitrus 11 Month Winner]

Just quit today, as far as i am looking at it, i am no longer a smoker, after having 2 breathing episodes and hard time breathing i figured it was time. Then having issues in breathing on a day to day, i had cut my self back to about 8 cig per day. but now after about 6-7 hours appetite is barely there, little sick to the stomach and i am used lozenges if i get any cravings, this will have been the 3 time in the last 25 years i did quit and i wish to stay this way.

[Miss-Molly 4 Weeks Winner]

Hey there ... I have quit smoking now for about a month . I went cold turkey as I’ve tried the patch In The past and I didn’t get good results.

I would just like to mention that I can relate to the dizzy feeling as well . For me Its more of a motion sickness type of thing 😲. I feel it more when I’m active rather then Just relaxing. I’m staying strong but I hope I start to feel more normal soon ...

[MissJan3 in reply to Miss-Molly]

Hey Miss-Molly, I’m exactly the same, I stopped cold turkey 3 and half weeks ago and for the last three days I’ve been dizzy and nauseous, and the only way to explain it was that it felt like motion sickness!

[John122 7 MONTH WINNER in reply to MissJan3]

Hey did you're feeling go away I'm at week 5 and experiencing that as well as tired and watery eyes