3 weeks and no desire but lungs are killin' me - Quit Support

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3 weeks and no desire but lungs are killin' me

calisooner profile image
calisooner1 YEAR WINNER
15 Replies

I am a 44 y/o male, 22 years in the Army, smoked for 27 years, and prayed and quit smoking three weeks ago. I didn't pray to quit smoking, I prayed to eliminate the desire to smoke. Which worked much better for me. I tried everything to quit, you name it, I did it. But this time was different. I actually prayed for this and stayed with my prayers and it worked.

On another note, now that I do not have the desire to smoke any more, I have such tightness in my chest, I can't even walk a flight of stairs while at work. I'm completely winded as well. I went to the hospital and they told me it's either a viral infection in my lungs or anything else we'll have to rule out with a CT scan. I received an inhaler, which helped me out today but the coughing is pretty tough on me. My throat is sore as well.

Any suggestions from the group?

CaliSooner

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calisooner profile image
calisooner
1 YEAR WINNER
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15 Replies
Briarwood profile image
BriarwoodAdministratorLONG TERM WINNER

Hiya calisooner and welcome to quit support 😃

Congratulations on 3 weeks quit, terrific achievement, so well done 😃

Unfortunately one of the side effects of quitting is a cough and I know some people have a really tough time for a while. If you have a look at symptoms of recovery on the right of this page, you'll see its pretty common. It's a sign that your body is recovering but at the moment it doesn't feel like it to you. I'm glad the inhaler has helped you. Have a good look round the site as there's a great post about breathing techniques that might help as well. you did the right thing getting checked out as any medical issues can be sorted out. It's quite normal to feel worse before you feel better but it's really worth it in the long run. So hang in there and hope you start to feel better soon 😃 x

Bluejeans profile image
Bluejeans11 Month Winner in reply to Briarwood

Hi Briarwood: Calisooner said she had a tightness in her chest and you replied that a side effect of quitting is a cough. A cough and tightness aren't the same. I too am having squeezing tightness in my chest when I retire for the night. The only help is taking big breaths...the chest calms down and then the pattern repeats itself. What do you think?

glolin profile image
glolinLONG TERM WINNER

Hi calisooner and welcome to quit support😊

Great effort on your 3 week quit as these can be the hardest

Like briar said, coughing is a very common symptom of your body recovering from smoking.

This will get easier as time go by ☺️☺️ So try and stay calm.

Drink lots of fluids as This helps flush out the toxins. You are doing very well with your quit 😊😊

monky profile image
monkyAdministrator34 Months Winner

Hi ya Calisooner a big warm welcome to our quit support community and a massive well done on your 3 weeks quit :) :)

I see you've had some great advice from the Girls :) and as they say, it is a common side affect, some of us have a cough for a few days and others I'm afraid have it for a few weeks :o You've done the best thing to go and get checked out and I'm glad the inhaler is helping :)

Erm, maybe try rubbing some Vick on your chest, this may just help loosen it a bit :o I'm just wandering Calisooner, is your quit date 17th March ? cos then I can add you to our database and the wall of Winners :)

Good luck and hopefully speak soon, Pete :)

calisooner profile image
calisooner1 YEAR WINNER

March 16th is my quit date. Thanks for the input and warm welcome. much appreciated.

droopyJ profile image
droopyJCRAZY LADY

Hi calisooner, welcome to the site.. and well done for you 3 week quit..😁😁

I never had a cough but I am now experiencing breathing difficulties and tightness of chest..😢 I am now waiting for a copd test...I have an inhaler but it doesn't seem to work...we are all different and so are our quits, am glad that you have been to see your gp 😃

Keep up with your amazing quit and let us know how you are doing 😊😊

Betts profile image
Betts in reply to droopyJ

Calisooner, 3 weeks is brilliant. Huge congratulations!

Sorry to hear about your breathing difficulties and tight chest. Getting it checked out is the right thing to do.

You had a cold a few weeks ago did nt you droopy? Maybe it's a lingering aftermath? Hope the tests come out OK, everything crossed here.

I had a cold at the weekend, still suffering :( so tired! and my chest is really uncomfortable now, tight, and the first time coughing since I quit. sore throat.... Bah!

Bit worried....

Anyways all, get well, feel proud of that quit :) Good job!!

droopyJ profile image
droopyJCRAZY LADY in reply to Betts

An betts, thanks hun.... Sorry to hear your also under the weather... there's a lot of it about.Hope your feeling your normal lovely self soon 😃

glolin profile image
glolinLONG TERM WINNER in reply to droopyJ

Hopes its nothing to serious Droopy . It sure would be a little scary for ya

longdistancehugs.com/wp-con...

droopyJ profile image
droopyJCRAZY LADY in reply to glolin

Thanks glolin.....loving the hugs ...... Sorry but have not been home fora few days....😃

Briarwood profile image
BriarwoodAdministratorLONG TERM WINNER in reply to droopyJ

Aw Droopy, just seen this and really hope you feeling better. As Betts said maybe the cold you had is lingering and I know it's easier said than done, but try not to worry about the test. Hope all goes well for you and I'll keep everything crossed for you too 😘 x

droopyJ profile image
droopyJCRAZY LADY in reply to Briarwood

Thanks sis..... been like it since the op...will wait and see 😃

mdelsan2 profile image
mdelsan2

I have asthma and got a pft test...So i follow a pulmonary doctor he said it is irritation from cilia growing back in throat.Take halls..I had alot if heartburn on prevacid ...I smoked about 27 years also...Nevergo back...MYCHEST HURT FOR 6 MONTHS TAKE COUGH MEDICINE..Finally i feel amazing,.Yoy will get there...,Good luck.

monky profile image
monkyAdministrator34 Months Winner in reply to mdelsan2

Aup Mary its lovely to see you :) and am soooo glad your feeling loads better now :) :)

Bluejeans profile image
Bluejeans11 Month Winner

Hi Cali.

Prayer is the answer. Prayer ended my affair with rye whiskey 25 years ago.

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