Hiya I'm new!: Hey there. I'm lana and I'm only... - Quit Support

Quit Support

15,419 members29,996 posts

Hiya I'm new!

Lanaroberts96 profile image
Lanaroberts961 Month Winner
19 Replies

Hey there. I'm lana and I'm only 19 but I decided to quit smoking and e cigarettes altogether. It's been 3 weeks ish since I stopped cold turkey, and ive had a really hard time with tight chest/breathing difficulties, chest pains and heart palpitations. I went to the ER as I was in pain and they did and ECG and all the other tests, including blood tests to check everything over. Nothing came up, but I'm still struggling to breathe sometimes and feel generally unwell and have done for weeks. Not coughing much at all though. Think I'll go back to the doctors next week. Is it possible to get Athsma from quitting? Because apart from smoking for 2 years im a generally healthy and young person. I think this has turned me into a hypochondriac! I do suffer with anxiety so I think that might not help either.  Any support or feedback would be welcomed! Thanks 

Written by
Lanaroberts96 profile image
Lanaroberts96
1 Month Winner
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
19 Replies
glolin profile image
glolinLONG TERM WINNER

Hi Lenaroberts and welcome to quit support.

Well done on your decision to quit smoking..this truly is the best possible thing you can do for your health. 

Smoking can mask other health conditions - but also what your experiencing is also common symptoms of your body recovering from the cigarettes and all thos nasty chemicals😀😀✅✅

Keep seeing your GP for tests...but more than likely this is your body recovering...it does get better 😀😀👍

Let us know your quit date and we will add you to our wall of winners 😀😀🍀🍀🌷🌷

droopyJ profile image
droopyJ

Hiya lana and welcome 😊 If only I had been as smart as you when I was 19...😟

As glolin has said, your doing the very best for your health (and wealth). By stopping now, the chances of you getting a smoking related illness when your older decreases by the day  👍 So keep that in your mind throughout your quit.

No matter how long you smoke for your body has to get rid of the crap that you've been putting into it. That can manifest itself in many ways but each quit, like each body, is different. I had no cough but shortness of breath 5 months in. There are some great pinned posts so have a read. I've also put up two posts re over breathing and hyperventilating, have a look coz that could be you too😊

Also stopping smoking should hopefully help with your anxiety.... We become more anxious when we smoke as we wonder when we will be able to have a cig, can we afford them, have I got enough to see me through..... We practically plan our waking lives around them😟 No more though Coz were free and we have taken back our lives😊

Start putting the money you save away and treat yourself to something nice, that really helps too.

In the meantime if you need us then holler and keep this site nice and close and we will support you. And say to yourself NOPE...... Not One Puff Ever 🚭🚭🚭🚭🚭🚭🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀

bigron2238 profile image
bigron2238

Hello Lana that you decided not to commit suicide. At first it's going to seem so hard but take it minute by minute, hour by hour day by day. Baby steps,FIND a activity that you enjoy, ADD up the money you will save and what you want to treat yourself to with it.In short you must learn how to live and enjoy life.WORDS that gave me strength were I REFUSE TO DO DAY ONE AGAIN.KEEP GOING,WE ARE DOING IT AND YOU CAN TO.

Fagless profile image
Fagless9 MONTH WINNER

Hi Lana, the desire to smoke does all kinds of weird stuff to our bodies and minds. You are young, presumably healthy and only smoked for two years. It sounds more like anxiety and panic attacks as your mind tries to trick you into smoking again. Hang in there it can do not get better

Fagless profile image
Fagless9 MONTH WINNER in reply toFagless

It can only get better

jillygirl profile image
jillygirlAdministratorQueen Bee

Hi Lana, Welcome to our friendly community.     Well done on deciding to quit. Best thing you can do in more ways than one.

Like the other members have said , it is  more likely you have anxiety.  Try and keep yourself busy. When you first quit  it seems all you can think of is smoking .   It does get better as you go along.  Be proud of yourself, tell yourself your a non smoker. 

Stay positive.   :) xx

 sp.yimg.com/xj/th?id=OIP.Mb...

dunn profile image
dunn15 Month Winner

Great decision ...hang in there!!!

droopyJ profile image
droopyJ in reply todunn

Loving that new 8 month super smoke free badge you got there Dunn 😊 Well done hun😊👍

dunn profile image
dunn15 Month Winner in reply todroopyJ

Thank you!

Briarwood profile image
BriarwoodAdministratorDucky in reply todunn

Congratulations Dunn on your new 8 month winners badge👍🏼 you're doing really well and hope you're very proud. Great quit, well done👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼😊

dunn profile image
dunn15 Month Winner in reply toBriarwood

Thank you!

Hey Lana ,

Welcome to our friendly quit support family 💐

You're a smart young woman to quit now at 19... Your body will be able to repair any damage done better at 19 than at 29.. 39....49 and on and on..

I believed smoking helped me cope for 5 months into my quit and that belief finally ran its course.... I don't need cigarettes anymore or want them but I still have to watch out for Mr Nic especially if I have a drink

Best wishes from 🇨🇦

Nellyquit profile image
Nellyquit4 Weeks Winner

Hi, lama well done you !  'cold turkey ' you are so lucky and smart to be be getting out of this trap at a young age.  I always said when I got  to 21 years of age I'll stop ? hey thirty years later I was still puffing away it just wouldn't let me go .  it ruled me and it controlled almost all aspects of my life,  yes I tried the e cigs too ( six months ) it was worse for me because I still took nicotine in the ecig and felt my levels where going up. I never had the thing out my hand,  even had it round my neck that's when I thought what's this doing to me  ? I'm swapping one addiction for another , looked awful and felt worse on them than the cigs . why did I never feel that about tobacco ?  I let it creep up on me I guess😔  I'm not knocking e cigs I don't know enough about them I'm only speaking from my own experience but I just didn't want a new friend if I can do it so can you (I only smoked about seven a day but I just couldn't give it up hang on in there 🕸

DebraErics profile image
DebraEricsLONG TERM WINNER in reply toNellyquit

Congratulations on quitting, to all that have.  I feel that way too about NRT's. so I went cold turkey.  Not a popular opinion,  ((no NRT's, or cold turkey)) LOL but I  like you,  feel  if you need them to get through it, by all means use them. But don't fake yourself out, and think you've really quit nicotine ....yet.    You DID quit cigs, and that is an accomplishment.  Quitting nicotine will come, if that is indeed the intent.  Many have done it before, and are doing it  every day.   NRT's have helped so many , get completely of cigs, and nicotine, so if helps, it can't hurt.

Lanaroberts96 profile image
Lanaroberts961 Month Winner in reply toDebraErics

I've quit nicotine altogether ...no patches or even e cigs! I think the e cigarette was worse because I was taking in more nicotine than usual.  :o

DebraErics profile image
DebraEricsLONG TERM WINNER

Congratulations Lana!!  Well done.  You are so much smarter than I was at your age.  I SHOULD have quit  before  I turned 18.  Stay with it, be patient, and KNOW it's good for you.     When the darkest craves hit, remember they don't last long, and reflect on something you enjoy that's smoke free.   Make a list of "goodies" for you,  or others you can buy with all that extra cash. or savings.    You are a non smoker, how cool is that? Pretty dang cool. :)

Briarwood profile image
BriarwoodAdministratorDucky

Hi Lana and welcome😊

Wow, wish I had been as clever as you and quit years ago. It's tough to start but you're going to have a healthier life ahead of you. It's well worth it now although the side effects are unpleasant, they will pass. Hang in there as you've got a wonderful life ahead of you, smokefree. The nicotine monster will try to get you back so be strong and don't give in. You can do it, one day at a time. Good luck and NOPE🚭🚭😊

madametobacco49 profile image
madametobacco49

Lana--What you are experiencing is very common--and will pass--Some people never get it--some early in their quit like you and some later--I didn't start it till about 3 and a half or 4 mos--Im dealing with it now--It is much better--Its kind of like you think you cant breathe bur you are really getting adequate oxygen and your body doesn't quite know what to do. Then the mind starts freakin out and you can have or feel like you are going to have a panic attack-and it gets worse...vicious cycle-It seems like when smoking we were totally unaware of breathing--except to take a drag--and then didn't really think about I...-It will get better--I find shallow breaths thru my nose help or breathe in thru nose and out mouth--but dont start gasping for air--you are fine,just part of the process--I was worse in crowds like in walmart or restaurants or grocery store--so anxiety was becomiing a big part of it--You can find breathing exercises and many posts about this subject on site here--Just try not to panic--and let your body remember what it needs too--it feels bad but it is really healing--Feel free to write back--Nice meeting you and welcome --you came to the right place--Its ALL here--Hugs MmeT

Panickedmanic profile image
Panickedmanic

I for sure empathize. It’s almost to the point I have to concentrate on not concentrating on breathing.

I am freaking out just about every minute.

I am exercising like I’m supposed to but I just want this to go away.

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Issues after quitting smoking

Hi Guys, I quit smoking around 4 months ago but have had Shortness of breath and a tight chest. Had...

Chronic Bronchitis Or I'm Just Paranoid?

Hi guys, how are you all doing? I just want to ask, does chronic bronchitis develop even after you...
de_dust03 profile image
18 Months Winner

I'm new to the site, just saying hi! 11 days quit :)

Hello everyone, well I have finally quit, I have been threatening to for about 2 years :) I was a...
Carrie124 profile image
2 YEAR WINNER

Quit smoking 17 days.

Hi guys, I've quit smoking I'm on day 17 cold turkey. I'm suffering with real tight chest and hard...
macman_92 profile image
13 MONTHS WINNER

I'm new and excited to be a nonsmoker

Hi! Just came across this group when I googled "my mouth hurts from quitting smoking." After...

Moderation team

See all
TheTabbyCat profile image
TheTabbyCatAdministrator
jillygirl profile image
jillygirlAdministrator
monky profile image
monkyAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.