7 weeks but struggling with feeling awful - Quit Support

Quit Support

15,424 members30,050 posts

7 weeks but struggling with feeling awful

Maison8 profile image
Maison847 Months
18 Replies

Hi 7 weeks today

Can taste and smell better but still really quite ill with insomnia and constipation

I don’t crave smoking at all and gave up cold turkey

Was constipated before I gave up and see a specialist but really bad now

Everyone assured me that it takes several months to feel better when u have smoked for so long (40) years

Sorry to sound so negative but the elation of finally giving up is marred by feeling so awful

Thanks x

Written by
Maison8 profile image
Maison8
47 Months
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
18 Replies
tiggs1 profile image
tiggs1

So sorry to read that you are feeling crappy in what should be such a positive time with what you are achieving. Being constipated can make you feel unwell so hopefully if you can get some help with that things will start to improve.

I am fortunate that other than struggling to get to sleep on a night even though I am exhausted I seem to be feeling ok with everything else.

Wish I had some advice I could give but I’ve only been stopped 6 weeks, hopefully someone else here may be able to help.

Good luck x

Maison8 profile image
Maison847 Months in reply totiggs1

Thankyou . I think I just need to ride it out and be patient but I feel pretty ill but guess after 40 years it will take time

Thanks again

Briarwood profile image
BriarwoodAdministratorDucky

Hi Maison, sorry to hear you’re feeling so awful. When we stop smoking our metabolism slows down and it takes time for everything to settle down.

Cold turkey hits hard but on the plus side you are smoke free and nicotine free too. After 40 years of smoking our bodies struggle to function with this big change. All I can say is please hang in there as it won’t always be this way.

I think we have to give ourselves time and I know that’s hard when you feel this awful.

Warm water with lemon juice first thing in the morning may help to cleanse the system.

Hoping your specialist an come up with something to improve this.

You are doing so very well Maison, 7 weeks smoke free is a massive achievement👏🏼👏🏼

Hang in there💪 and be very proud of yourself🚭👍🏼xx

Maison8 profile image
Maison847 Months in reply toBriarwood

Thankyou . Don’t want to smoke but feel pretty ill really but guess busy needs time to adjust and the brain is a complicated thing . Dopamine receptors all over the place !!

Thanks again x

quit07 profile image
quit0728 MONTHS WINNER

M sorry to hear about the issues you are facing.. 7 weeks is not long enough time for your body to adjust to smoke free life. Healing takes time and unfortunately is not a very pleasant experience. Constipation was something I suffered from too after I quit cold Turkey. It took me 7-8 months to start feeling myself again. Constipation issue got sort of resolved in 4 months or so.. Hang in there, get help from a doctor if need be, use laxatives, warm water, soluble fiber, prunes, etc. Dont quit ur quit. For insomnia also get help from a doctor, I did not face this problem so that is about how much i can say. I hope u feel better soon. Well done on 7 weeks.. Keep up the good work, stick with it. Cheers..

Maison8 profile image
Maison847 Months in reply toquit07

I realise it’s a long haul and never feel like smoking but do feel pretty ill

Thanks for support x

Witty41 profile image
Witty41LONG TERM WINNER

Hi Maison I had the exact same issues about a month into me quitting. The constipation and insomnia was enough to drive me insane. I ended up seeing my dr who for me suggested a gentle laxative. For the insomnia I found meditating before bed helped me a great deal. I use the insight timer app. All I can say is I'm glad I toughed it out. I went through times I figured hey I may as well smoke then go through all this crap. In the end it's worth it believe me.

Maison8 profile image
Maison847 Months in reply toWitty41

Thankyou so much . Don’t want to smoke but really feel ill !!

Will stick it through

Xxx

glolin profile image
glolinLONG TERM WINNER

Hi Maison,

Do try and hang in there. Like you I quit after 40 years of smoking. I was smoking 30 a day. For me, I expected a tough ride, I knew after all the years I smoked it was not going to be easy. I rode that roller coaster of emotions which included feeling crappy with throat from hell, insomnia, heartburn, constipation to mention a few.

We all quit so very differently, please give yourself the time your body needs to adjust. It will get better. There is no time frame as we all experience different symptoms of recovery.

Be very proud of your achievement so far as you have done brilliantly. Stay strong 💪💪 you have got this 👍👍

Maison8 profile image
Maison847 Months in reply toglolin

Thankyou so much . I know I won’t smoke but just feel so ill !

Thanks again

Sykes29 profile image
Sykes2919 Months Winner

So Sorry you are feeling rubbish. 7 weeks is fantastic! The first couple of months are the hardest and you WILL feel better. Hang in there!

Maison8 profile image
Maison847 Months in reply toSykes29

Thankyou guess I thought a few weeks and I would crack it !! Don’t ever want to smoke but guess my brain is crying out for nicotine ?

Take care and thanks again

Happybear profile image
HappybearLONG TERM WINNER

Hello Maison8, sorry to hear you feel so awful.

The insomnia does get better but it takes several months from my experience. It will get better but that doesn't help much now.

Sending some positive vibes.

Frostytime profile image
FrostytimeLONG TERM WINNER

Hi Maison8 I can totally understand how you feel:( I’m going onto day 79 and have felt so awful! Cold turkey after 35 years and many failed attempts behind me! I can’t fail this time! I can’t go through withdrawals again and thats what I keep saying to myself!

My worst symptom is insomnia, feeling anxious and just blah 😑 it really does have such an impact on our health!!the weight gain for me is a big one too! I just have had no energy! And shortness of breath!.

I’ll ride through this crappy phase and tell myself this too will pass!

On the upside my teeth and gums feel amazing, there’s moments where I feel really proud of myself and financially so much better off!

Sending you so much positive energy for feeling good! We deserve peace after being enslaved to the nico demon! Totally agree about the dopamine receptors, smoking depleted our supplies but now I keep saying I’m just in the reprogramming phase!

All the best on your quit! I’m looking forward to the 6 month milestone 💛👌👍💪and seeing more positive changes in our quit! It will happen, we’re so close!!! :)

Maison8 profile image
Maison847 Months in reply toFrostytime

Thankyou for your really encouraging message .?it is 3am and once again I am awake , full of gas !! And can’t sleep

I am cuttting down on meds for ptsd

As know they exacerbate problem

Thankyou again xxxxx

jbc87 profile image
jbc87Badge pending

Try CALM magnesium! Check pharmacy to see if it has any interactions with any of the medication you’re taking. But it’s supposed to calm you and your bowels. It hasn’t helped me with sleeping but has helped get things moving along.

Maison8 profile image
Maison847 Months in reply tojbc87

Thankyou 😊

Maison8 profile image
Maison847 Months in reply tojbc87

Thanks 😊

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

5 weeks...feeling good

OK, so it has been 5 weeks of "not one puff ever" and I feel like I turned a corner in the last...
Schmicter profile image

Six weeks and struggling!

I quit six weeks ago. Tried to get an appointment at my GP smoking clinic but they had a one month...
Finley2012 profile image
30 Months Winner

7 weeks today, I can't believe it!

I can't believe it, I really can't believe it. I almost feel sane now, still getting cravings but...
Friezfriend profile image
13 MONTHS WINNER

7 weeks

Got to 7 weeks nope!! Not one puff ever, feeling pleased, stinky fags are a thing of the past now,...

5 months clean. Feeling ok, but damn you Google!!!!

5 months clean and random symptoms keep popping up. Old devil nic won't give up and holds on tight....

Moderation team

See all
Briarwood profile image
BriarwoodAdministrator
TheTabbyCat profile image
TheTabbyCatAdministrator
jillygirl profile image
jillygirlAdministrator

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.