Breathing worse after quitting smoking update.

[Jq67]

Morning All.

I had great support after stopping smoking 4 months ago from this forum so I thought that I would stop by and give an update which may help others.

After stopping smoking my breathing actually started to get worse. It was like I couldn’t take a full breath in and my chest felt tight. My heart would pound after walking up a flight of stairs and I felt permanently anxious.

I smoked for 28 years - 10 a day and never had any ill health so it was all quite worrying after stopping smoking and feeling worse. You are meant to feel so much better - right ??

I went to the doctors and they gave me a peak flow test which was fine. I blew my normal values so there was no restrictions in my breathing.

Even after she listened to my lungs , checked my oxygen told me everything seemed fine I still wasn’t convinced as I had been on Dr google and knew so much more than her.

Four months on and my breathing is back to normal and all the other weird symptoms have passed.

I don’t really think about smoking anymore. The occasional twang every now and then which soon passes.

I would smoke a couple of cigarettes ( dunhill consulate menthol became my choice ) first thing in the morning with a coffee religiously and as you smokers and ex-smokers know is/ was our favourite cigarette of the day .

But hand on heart I really don’t miss smoking those morning cigarettes or any other time of the day cigarettes.

Yes the first 2 or 3 months might be hard if you have been a long term smoker. You may have horrible side affects but in long run it will be worth it. They will and do pass.

Oh and I have put on some extra pounds because I feel permanently hungry.

I am beginning to see myself as a slim person in a fat body. Maybe I’m trans-slender.

[jillygirl Administrator LONG TERM WINNER]

Thank you for your encouraging post. Its great for our new members to read. 4 months is fantastic. xxx

[TheTabbyCat Administrator LONG TERM WINNER]

Hi Jq67,super well done for your 4 smoke free months!!I hope you'e really proud of yourself and have managed to treat yourself to something special.

Thanks for sharing your quitting journey,your success story is so encouraging for new members who may be struggling. xx

[Briarwood Administrator LONG TERM WINNER]

Huge well done Jq, lots to be proud of👍🏼

Thanks for encouraging others, it really does make a difference🚭✅xx

[Bilabong]

Thank you for this post. Difficulty breathing is probably the one question that has plagued all new quitters(including me) and Im sure your answer sums it all up for most people.

[Ladywhite 13 MONTHS WINNER]

Wow. It feels great to know i am not alone. Its been 3 mths quitting and e breathlessness is e only symptoms i have which is sooo annoying and worrying. I really hope it will go away soon. Will exercise help anyway?

[n3wb1e 1 YEAR WINNER]

30 mins exercise will help you together with some breathing exercise. i'm with the same shoe as you. 3 months smoke free and uncomfortable breathing. we can do this though! ☺️

[Ladywhite 13 MONTHS WINNER in reply to n3wb1e]

Yeah, the uncomfortable breathing is annoying. 😅 Im doing the breathing exercise everyday and it helps somehow. Just my mind is racing all the time. Trying to keep calm.

Lets do this! 😊