5 Day non-smoker & Feel A Mess

[Nycki]

A month ago I had a panic attack in the middle of the store. I had been getting them more frequently, but never as bad as that day. I decided to go to the ER, as I couldn’t get my heart to slow and felt like I couldn’t catch my breath. (Little bg: been a smoker for 19 years, about a pack a day. I’ve been traveling around the states for the last 3 years and am currently in California. All of my family and friends are back east. My panic attacks or anxiety has gotten worse over the past few months.) Back to present, in the ER they gave me a chest x-ray and blood work up. The doctor gave me a vitamin B injection (said that could be causing my dizziness) and a script for Xanax. I don’t really like taking pills but they do seem to help calm me down when I start to feel anxious. When I followed up with my PCP 2 weeks later she gave me the results of my chest x-ray & blood work. She stated my x-ray was normal, but showed MILD COPD changes. Blood work was fine. As soon as she mentioned COPD I knew it was time to give up what I loved most, and I knew it was going to be harder than anything I’ve ever done. I am 5 days in and I am doing this cold turkey with no support from anyone. I have GAD, which is a form of anxiety/panic attacks, that hit throughout the day over anything and everything. I’m an over thinker, which doesn’t help the situation. I started experiencing dizziness before I quit smoking and found the doctor believes I have a bad case of vertigo. This dizziness hits hard and honestly scares the crap out of me. Nothing helps, and when I spin the anxiety kicks in. I feel as though I’m on a merry go round and can’t get off. The first thing I think about is having a cigarette to help the anxiety but I no longer have that option. Day 4 was horrible. I was very moody, irritable and the cravings just kept on coming. I’ve been having vivid dreams and waking up in sweats. Basically, I’m a total mess. I haven’t left my house. I can’t tell if I’m feeling better or getting worse at this point. The dizziness is holding me hostage to the point I don’t go anywhere. Today day 5 I find myself crying and emotional on and off, just waves of anxiety and depression. I keep trying to think how much better I will be if I stay a non smoker. This is what has gotten me through 5 days. Being alone makes it a lot harder, but I know if someone was here with me I’d probably just be a major b*tch and full of anger and attitude. I just want to feel better. I miss being outside. I miss traveling. i read that after the first week it gets easier, but at this point I can’t imagine a day where I won’t ever want a cigarette.

[Frank_Grimes LONG TERM WINNER]

Nycki, I'm glad you decided to quit. It is a choice I made at the start of the year so I understand how tough it is (I went cold turkey too). Keep going because it will get easier!

[Hev123 LONG TERM WINNER]

Keep going Nycki, you will have ups and downs, I wish I could tell you it gets easier, but everyone's journey is different, you just have to stay strong, I'm on Champix, and a zero nicotine vape for the evenings, it really does help but I still have strong cravings every now and again, it's ssssooooo hard!

Hope your ok, stay strong, our lives will be so much better - eventually - without puffing that poison!!

[jillygirl Administrator Queen Bee]

Welcome to Quit Support Nycki, Well your having a tough time one way and another, what I will say is stopping smoking is the best thing you can do for your health. It may not seem like it now, but your body will be benefitting already. If you really find it hard , dont be frightened of using a nicotine replacement , You can always get low nicotine or zero nicotine E.cigs etc. As for feeling dizzy , I would get checked out again ,if it doesnt settle. You may need a 24 hour heart monitor to see how your pulse rate is. Sometimes this doesnt always show up on a general examination. You could also ask your doctor for an inhaler to help you open your airways to help with the c.o.p.d.

For more information have a look at the pinned posts, which may help you. The pinned posts can be found at the bottom or the right of this page. Depending on which device you are using.

Good luck and keep us posted. I will add your name to our database and assign nyou your winners badge. xx

[Hadoush 8 MONTH WINNER]

Hi Nycki, It's never easy to quit smoking, i'm on day 5 of being a non smoker, using nicotine patches and Lozenges at the same time, still getting cravings from time to time, but they help me staying sane and hopefully this time i will stay as a non smoker forever!

Good Luck and Don't Loose Hope!

[Briarwood Administrator Ducky]

Hi Nycki and welcome😊

You are never alone here as lots of lovely people understand how hard it is. It will get better and although it’s an emotional roller coaster we are all here to help. Hang in there and take one day at a time and you’ll get to where you want to be.

5 days smokefree is great so be proud and there’ll be better days ahead😘

[Hindsight1 5 MONTH WINNER in reply to Briarwood]

Hi Nycki, congrats on challenging yourself on one of the most important life decisions you'll make. Have you tried downloading a stop smoking app.? I'm on day 20 and it's a neat tool to keep track of exact time since last cancer stick, track your bodies repair, and a lot more. Good luck and we're all in this together, and here for you!!

[charlie73]

Hi Nycki

I wish I could say the same it does get easier I’m only 2 weeks and 5 days I have days whete I’m crying, angry and I just want to smoke, but I picture myself in a hospital bed with a breathing machine or worse lung cancer, you can do this I suck on peppermints and I have a no nicotine vape which helps when it’s really bad!! We r all here for you keep strong👌☺️👍💪🏼🎉