Quitting Smoking Side Effects : What Happens To Your Body When You Quit Smoking With Cold Turkey, Zyban Or Chantix
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Stop Smoking Side Effects
There Are More Physical And Emotional Side Effects When Quitting Smoking With
Cold Turkey Methods Such As:
- Chantix or (Champix outside of the USA)
- Zyban or Wellbutrin
- Hypnosis, acupuncture
- Nicotine patches
- Commit Lozenges
- Nicotine nasal spray
- Nicotine water
- Electronic Cigarettes
- Nicotine Laser Treatment
- Cold Turkey
SYMPTOMS......DURATION.......TREATMENT
OF STOPPING SMOKING COLD TURKEY
Smoking can affect the body in monumental ways. Not everyone experiences the same symptoms. Here are some of the most common complaints when a smoker stops smoking with cold turkey methods.
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DIGESTIVE
- Acid Indigestion/Heartburn - If you had acid indigestion before you quit, it will get a bit worse and then it will go away. If you never had heartburn this symptom can last for about 3 weeks to 3 months. Try Tums or DGL (Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice), which may help acid reflux too.
- Gas or flatulence - This may last several weeks. Don't eat gas producing foods like beans, cabbage or cauliflower. You can also try Beano.
- Diarrhea -This can last a few days. Try any over the counter remedy. The body is adjusting to the new digestive changes.
- Constipation - This may last for several weeks. Cigarettes used to act like a diuretic and also like a laxative. Try an over the counter remedy for relief.
- Nausea - This symptom almost seems like the flu. It usually lasts a week. Drinking any carbonated beverage should help.
Natural Ideas for Sinus problems
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RESPIRATORY
- Sinus Congestion - This is caused by a clearing out of the sinuses. It is almost as if (for a short period of time) someone turns on a little water hose in your head. Take an over-the-counter medication until the "dripping" stops or use a Netipot to help clear things out. This symptom may last up to 2 months.
- Cough, Throat Clearing - This is due to a cleaning and clearing of the reactivated cilia in the lungs; your body is clearing out the debris, tar and phlegm. We can't get our Oreck vacuum down in the lungs so coughing up the debris is a good thing. This may last a few days to several months.
Phlegm - This is also due to reactivated cilia. It can last a couple of months.
Hoarseness - This is also due to the fact that smokers are not "smoking" the soft tissues in the throat and the new non-smoker is getting some tender "baby" tissue almost like when a baby is teething. Basically, the tissue in the throat is regenerating. This may last several months. Use lozenges or whatever you would do for a sore throat. Hot tea with lemon and honey can help.
A Netipot Can Help Sinus Problems
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CIRCULATORY
- Dizziness - The dizziness is due to increased circulation of oxygen to the brain and the symptoms should only last a few days until your brain gets used to the extra oxygen. Give your body time to readjust to all the extra oxygen!
- Stiffness/Leg Pains - This means improved circulation. Remember you are changing at a cellular and muscular level. You will have temporary muscle changes. This almost feels like when you were having growing pains as a little kid. Take a hot bath, get a great massage, rub on Tiger Balm or just put your legs up to rest. This process may take several weeks so give yourself a break!
- Tingly Fingers & Toes - Have patience. This is also caused by improved circulation. This may last a few days to a couple of weeks.
- Swelling/Bloating/Tight Waistbands - This is due to fluid retention. Drink a lot of water and cut down on sodium. People tend to gain 3 to 7 pounds of temporary water weight when they quit smoking cold turkey. For you men, this is the closest you will ever come to PMS!
Pump Up Your Metabolism
Afraid of weight gain when you quit smoking? The time to start understanding why people gain weight is before you stop smoking. There are two main reasons why people gain weight when they quit smoking.
I have described this in more detail How To Stop Smoking And Not Gain Weight
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SLEEP CHANGES
- Insomnia - After you quit smoking, you don't go into such a deep sleep as you did when you smoked. You tend to go into REM-Rapid Eye Movement (or a lighter dream state) more often, usually every 90 minutes. Sometimes new non-smokers are not used to this "lighter" sleep and mistake the high quality REM state for not sleeping well. It almost feels like you have been up all night. Your body will get used to the new higher quality, lighter sleep.
Calms Forte is made by Hyland's and it is a great sleep aid. It is herbal and non-addictive. It makes you feel rested and not drugged in the morning. I have taken it and have told many students about it and even had my mom taking it!
- Dreams - When you quit smoking, sometimes you might have vivid dreams, maybe even nightmares. Having dreams or even nightmares is a very good sign because it means that you are working out the problems of the day at night and not smoking for them during the day. Everyone needs to dream and if you don't dream at night, you will need to daydream during the day.
- Vivid Dreams with Zyban Wellbutrin or Chantix - Although is typical to have very vivid dreams when you quit smoking, I have heard that the dreams that you get from taking the drugs, Zyban or Chantix are more "over the top" or a lot more dramatic than the dreams that you would get by using natural methods to stop smoking.
TROUBLE SLEEPING ON THE NICOTINE PATCH
You may be on too high of a mg. dosage of nicotine patch. Contrary to what the patch manufacturers or doctors tell you, you need to look up the nicotine level of the cigarettes that you were smoking to know what level of patch you need to be on.
Nicotine makes your heart-rate beat 10,000 more beats a day and stresses out the heart.
There are 3 strengths of nicotine patches
- 21 mg
- 14 mg
- 7 mg
The patch manufacturers and doctors will ask how many packs do you smoke a day and then if you smoke a pack a day they will put you on the 21 mg patch.
They say if you smoke 1/2 pack a day they will put you on the 14 mg patch.
Many times people can't even sleep because the nicotine level is way too high.
To make sure that you are getting the right amount of nicotine if you are going to use a patch, look at a nicotine chart.
If you smoke 1 pack of Carlton's that would be 20 x .1 = 2 mg of nicotine so that person should go on the lowest patch of 7 mg and that is even very high.
Let 's say you have some one that smokes:
1/2 pack of American Spirits Ultra lights so that would be 10 x 1.79 mg of nicotine = almost 18 mg nicotine. That 1/2 pack a day smoker probably could start out on the 21 mg dose or even the 14 mg patch.
It depends on the nicotine level, not on how "many" they smoke.
A lethal dose of nicotine is 50-80 mg. all at once, and that is why you are told not to smoke when you are on the patch..... that much nicotine is very hard on the heart.
Pregnant women should not take ANY drugs to stop smoking.
FATIGUE, SLEEPINESS, DROWSINESS, AND DON'T GIVE A RIP!
Nicotine is a vasoconstrictor, therefore, constricting your blood vessels and stressing out your heart. As a smoker your heart must work harder, making your heart beat 10,000 more times a day.
When you stop smoking your heart rate slows down to 10,000 beats a day, thus slowing down your metabolism. When you are not getting that punch of nicotine, you get tired, sleepy and lethargic.
Don't worry this is only temporary and will only last a few weeks. After that period of time you will have more energy than when you were a smoker!
You can take cat naps, go to bed earlier, drink fruit juice and water.
If you have to drive or run heavy machinery you can get some Enerjets thatare coffee flavored lozenge with caffeine in them and should keep you awake and safe or you could just have another cup of coffee.
Fatigue is the chief cause of smoking, so it is important to get your rest.
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SORE MOUTH AND BLEEDING GUMS
When you smoked, you were literally smoking your gums and throat. Your gums and tissues built up a crust just like if you were smoking a salmon.
When you quit smoking that old, hard crusty tissue will slough off and in its place you will get new, baby tissue, almost like when a baby is teething.
Only about 1 out of 30 people that quit smoking or chewing get sore mouth, gums and tongue, but if you are affected by this symptom your mouth will feel like it is hot and on fire.
Don't suffer with this symptom. It may last as long as 8 weeks.
A student in one of my Nicotine Solutions classes had to have her dentures relined because there was that much of a change in her gums from quitting smoking.
Try Amosan to relieve sore mouth, gums and tongue. Amosan is a soothing mouth-rinse. It comes in a powder and you mix it with water and rinse with it and then spit it out. It is very soothing and you will be glad you didn't suffer with this symptom.
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IRRITABILITY
Irritability is caused by fluid retention and there are 2 things you can do to stop irritability when you are in the process of quitting smoking or chewing.
Physically - Drink as much water as you possibly can and cut down on foods that are high in sodium.
Foods that are high in sodium are soups, pickles, packaged or highly processed foods, or any food that you can see the salt on.
Salt makes you retain water and water retention makes you cranky.
Emotionally - You need to teach people how they are going to treat you. In the past if you quit smoking they said, "oh you were nicer as a smoker". Now you have to explain that you are going to handle life in a different way rather than smoke for it ...and trust me..... eventually it will all smooth out.
I really like the book and the calendar called "Getting in Touch with your Inner Bitch" ..sorry guys there is no male counterpart.
People ask "is it more difficult for men or women to stop smoking"?
Women sometimes have a slightly more difficult time to stop smoking because when you quit smoking there is a hormone change. Women naturally have more hormones and are usually more affected by quitting smoking.
There is more of a chance of being cranky or irritable if you quit cold turkey. If you find a program that allows you to keep smoking while you are learning how to quit, you will have more of a chance of quitting calmly, comfortably and permanently.
Drugs are not always the answer because stopping smoking is such a multifaceted habit that you need to deal with it on many levels.
It takes more than just a pill like Chantix, or Zyban to stop smoking. It also takes more than just hypnosis, which is just mental, or acupuncture which is just physical to quit smoking.
The smoking habit has a little bit to do with nicotine (maybe 5%) and more to do with stuffed emotions, behaviors and habits. The nicotine is only in your system for 72 hours and after that, all you are left with are your feelings, emotions, behaviors, habits and routines. Those are the things that need to be dealt with while you are still smoking in order to quit permanently and to be happy about it!
You need to be ready, prepared and detoxified before you actually stop smoking so you don't feel like you lost your best friend or got hit by a freight train when you finally do stop smoking.
Stopping smoking does take preparation...it doesn't happen overnight.
It takes 21 days to break a habit and smoking is a habit.
OTHER SIDE EFFECTS
- Itchiness -If you are doing a lot of itching, it is just better circulation, and it will only last a few weeks.
- Depression - If it continues take an herbal drug remedy called Sulfonil by Thorne. You need more than a pill to quit smoking, but it will help the depression or anxiety.
- Headache - This is usually caused by cutting down on caffeine. Increase your caffeine and it should go away in a week.
- Excitement - Your emotions are all over the board. Give yourself some time to smooth out.
- Hot Flashes - I had hot flashes when I quit smoking in 1978. I would have smoked in the shower if I could have kept them lit. There is a hormone change when you quit smoking for men and women.
I had hot flashes when I
- quit smoking
- lost weight
- went through menopause
When you quit smoking, hot flashes will only last a few weeks and you can use a natural progesterone cream. Rub a 1/4 tsp on a fatty part of your body in the morning and in the evening.
I recommend a natural progesterone cream called ProGest made by Emerita because both men and women can use it. It doesn't have other ingredients in it like Black Cohosh and it is natural. (It is NOT hormone replacement therapy or HRT).
Note for Men...you will not grow breasts if you rub this cream on! If you have been a smoker, natural progesterone cream will also help with osteoporosis. Smoking is one of the main causes of osteoporosis.
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Author of My diary of giving up smoking with Nicotine Solutions
Is she a Movie Star?
She stopped smoking with Nicotine Solutions and here is her diary!
Ha! True confessions!
http://hubpages.com/hub/My-Diary-of-Giving-up-Smoking-with-the-Nicotine-Solutions-Course
http://hubpages.com/hub/Six-Months-After-Stopping-Smoking-the-Easy-Way
http://hubpages.com/hub/One-year-after-I-successfully-quit-smoking-and-how-I-did-it
Don't Suffer Through The Horrible Side Effects of Cold Turkey
COLD TURKEY IS SO YESTERDAY... At Nicotine Solutions You Keep Smoking While you Learn to Quit.
It takes at least 21 days to permanently change a behavior and that is why taking a pill like Chantix or Zyban or doing hypnosis or acupuncture does not address this mutifaceted habit.
The habit of smoking has you Emotionally, Socially, Psychologically, Physically and Financially.
You need to smoke while you learn to stop to :
- Detoxify from the nicotine
- Change youy habits and routines
- Learn new routines about what to do first thing in the morning & last thing at night
- What to do after meals
- What do you do with your hands
- How do you reward yourself
- How do you complete activities
- What do you do under stress
- How do you deal with emotions
- Who will be your new companion
- How will you get escape or "me time"
- And....most importantly how to start your car without that cigarette!
If you are ready to quit forever and become a happy non-smoker, then there is help out there for you, like Nicotine Solutions. You don't have to suffer and it can be calm and comfortable.
What Can A Non-Smoker Do To Help A Smoker Or Chewer Stop Smoking
Stephanie and I have collaborated on How To Help Someone Stop Smoking.
Stephanie Eldringhoff helps non-smokers support smokers to stop smoking
CommentsLoading...
Cees,
Yes depression can be part of symptom of recovery. I don't really like to recommend drugs but sometimes is you used to smoke for depression it may have always been there but you might have smoker for that emotion so now it seems to show up more.
You might want to get to the doctor to get some temporary medication for depression and go off of it as soon as you can.
Hi its my second post in here. Its been 8 weeks more of cold turkey. Side effect more or less gone... Mentality part i was wondering. Could i suffer from depression after so long?Nth seems to interest me. I lost my job. Anyone in here suspect he/she got depression too?
Hay ivv ben smoking sence I was 12 I'm 19 now its my 4th day without a cig I'm.spittin out tar from my lung. I have hard time sleeping have headach a lot is that normal to feel that way
I am on day 40 after 25 years of smoking I read that rubbing project would help with sleep is this ok even if you are on the combined pill??
I am so tired I can't sleep for more than 3 hours I tingle in my fingers badly I have been to the doctors more times in the past 3 weeks than in the last 3 years!! I am permanently dizzy I cry every day my feet tingle . I did it cold turkey and I really don't want to start again as I'm not even craving it's just I feel so so poorly I am convincing myself dying anyway that if it helps me feel normal I will do it !! Can anyone help and does anyone else feel like this
You didn't do anything wrong! My computer was in the shop for a week and I am now getting caught up.
Lela!! if I posted something wrong is why you are taking them off tell me I need help mental help w.e I need communication from people plz tell what I did wrong in them last posts
Let me know when you get back and if you have problems email me at easeout@nicotinesolutions.com
Lela Bryan
Jean Mayheu,
On the sleep you could try Calms Forte. It is an herbal remedy that is non-addictive. It is made by Hylands and you can find it in the good health food stores.
The chest feeling tighter and runny nose are symptoms of recovery. It might be a little due to the altitude as well.
Time will tell when you get back if you will want a cigarette.
There are many sleep changes from quitting smoking. You will sleep lighter and get better rem sleep and it will seem like you are not sleeping at all but it is actually a better quality of sleep because you are getting better REM sleep.
It will probably last another month or so
The chest feeling tighter and runny nose are symptoms of recovery. It might be a little due to the altitude as well.
Time will tell when you get back if you will want a cigarette.
Hi Lela! Good advice on not taking the cold turkey route. Ironically, I am on a trip which is higher altitude than I am used to and haven't had the same desire to smoke. Usually I smoke a pack a day but am down to 5 or 6. I know if I don't worry about whether or not I can have one I will eventually be able to stop (especially with your advice) I am noticing side affects. My chest feels like it wants to explode ( could be altitude also?) and my nose is sniffly and I'm coughing up all kinds of garbage. I feel like I have a cold but I think it's related to the lack of smoking. I hope when I get back home I find myself still with less desire because it's exciting to be able to shrug off a cigarette and not pine away for them.
Wow. Cannot sleep is my worst complaint. Love this site.On my 3rd day, I could fight harder with some sleep, hopefully tonight. Thank you.
ouch. i just quit. then i felt a burning sensation to the left outer corner of my mouth, and itchy. Then it came and went for a couple of weeks. Then I awoke one morning with this huge crusty patch visibly noticeable. Only on the outside. Then I awoke this morning with matching on the other side. I used honey, vasoline, and only am brushing at night. Nothing on the inside. Now it appears the lip portion on the top lip and bottom lip are getting bumps and appear to me shedding.
i havepacked in for nine days and god i feel like crap depressed keep going on at my boyfriend moody sad and bloody down in the dumps wished id never smoked just got to keep going and try to calm down good luck everyone
I stumbled over your site today as I quit smoking dec 31,2010 , new years resolution. I have been sick ever since . But now that I have read the symptoms here I realize its all due to me quitting smoking . I must say my sinus's are really bad since I quit , just wont stop running , driving me crazy. I smoked since I was 16 and now I am 46 and finally quit. I am so proud of myself and only wish the rest of my family would give it up . The first week was the worse but after 3 weeks no more cravings . Cold turkey did it for me . Now when I drive by people that are braving the snow storms standing out side their place of work having a smoke break I realize that the cigarette truely does control them and I feel good that i no longer have to do that ....:O)...learned alot from your site and thank you
It's so good to be able to read about other people's experiences. Thank you for setting up this website. And everyone's right about how much more extensive the information on withdrawal symptoms are on this site.
It's Day 6 for me and it seems to be getting easier - but I'm not sure. Today I told my daughter she has two weeks to leave home. I've been on her case from Day 1 and yesterday she told me I'm using her as a punch bag. Maybe I am, but it's because I can suddenly see how much she's been using me over the years. Now that I'm not smoking, I can't hide behind the cigarette or have the dopamine to make me feel better. This wasn't supposed to happen. Quitting was supposed to make us closer. Instead it's resulted in me asking her to do more chores in the home or move out. I feel I've been a slave to her the same way I've been a slave to tobacco and I've just claimed my freedom! Is this normal??
YES I QUIT COLD TURKEY 25 DAYS AGO, I AM BLESSED TO SAY THAT I DON'T HAVE ANY SIDE AFFECTS, THANK YOU JESUS . I BELIEVE ITS A MIND THING, THIS IS THE FORTH TIME I HAVE QUIT COLD TURKEY, AND BELIEVE ME ITS THE BEST WAY FOR ME. I BELIEVE THAT NO MATTER HOW YOU CHOOSE TO QUIT, IF YOU DON'T MAKE UP YOUR MIND THAT YOU WANT TO QUIT THEN YOU WILL FAIL. I TRULY BELIEVE THAT, AND I HAVE ALSO LEARNED THAT IF YOU NEVER PICK UP A CIGARETTE AND SMOKE IT, (JUST ONE AFTER YOU HAVE QUIT SMOKING ) THEN YOU WON'T START BACK, THE LAST TIME I QUIT FOR 9 MONTHS, AND I DECIDED TO JUST SMOKE ONE CIGARETTE AND NO MORE, BAD MISTAKE, I WENT BACK TO SMOKING AND I SMOKED TWICE AS MUCH AS I DID BEFORE. SO AS LONG AS I CAN KEEP MYSELF FROM PICKING UP THAT ONE CIGARETTE, I'LL BE OK. I HAVE SMOKED FOR 33 YEARS, SINCE I WAS 18 YRS OLD. MY MOM DIED FROM EMPHESIMA AT 60. SHE SMOKED FOR 50 YEARS. NOT ME !!!!
BTW.. wanted to add some side effects from the cold turkey method. Day one is hard I won't lie. Day two and three get harder... by Day 4 your feeling confident. The best thing to do.. DO NOT GIVE IN. THe first 3 days are the hardest and then TRUST me , it gets easier. Just do whatever you can to get through them first 3 days. I don't care about what anyone says, if you want to eat.. eat all you want on them first 3 days to get through. That extra 2 pounds you might gain is much better then the cigarettes you will save yourself from smoking the rest of your life. By the way I added mine up and it was over 65,000 I spent in my 25 year addiction. Thats enough to make you want to quit. Dont use nicotine replacements, you will just have to wean off them later and fight that addiction. Just take your last pack and soak them in water.
The easiest day to quit... Saturday. why, because if you wait til a routine day like a Monday , you will be wanting to reach for that smoke with AM coffee, at lunch breaks, drive to work etc. Saturday is the best day and then break up your weekend with something new and different.
I couldn't talk on the phone for a week when I QUIT. I told everyone nicely also. Because like Pavlov's dog.. the phone rang, I lit up. Don't be afraid to tell people this, they should be supportive.
So, by Day 5, you will be breathing easier and your cravings will go from 5 a day.. down to about 2 by day 5. Yes trust me and they do NOT last that long. When you get one, breathe. get some sugar free gum ( not too much sugar free gum or your time will be spent on the can all day, not fun ).
You can do this.. you owe it to yourself to do this. and with all the money you save, go buy yourself something fun.
Thank you for the list of symptoms that can occur when giving up smoking. I have gone nine weeks now without a cigarette, but feel dangerously close to giving up on giving up - again! It's all this weight I have put on. Six kilos. I don't know how to stop overeating when I give up smoking. Great! If I stop giving up, I'll be obese - and a smoker again! I know if it wasn't the weight thing, I could cope giving up.
Hi Lela, I just came across your site after researching the side effects to quitting smoking. It's 2 am (insomnia!). I quit cold turkey 5 days ago. I knew I would have side effects, I knew it's considered more difficult. But, after 4 attempts to quit, 25 lbs added to my frame, and every stressor in my life magnified, I decided I WILL quit! NOW! I was so tired of it, the excuses why I couldn't quit, because of the stress, the weight gain, the habit, the boredom, etc. Then I realized...I have all those things and I AM SMOKING!! Quitting wont bring them on and smoking won't make them go away! I know this time I am going to do it, and this is because in the past 4 days, I lost a very dear friend suddenly (36 yrs old), my homelife has been extremely stressful, and my best friend of 31 years just left on a 3 year tour of Germany, leaving me pretty much "alone". And through all this, my urge to use smoking as a stress relief is NOT THERE. Something in my mind just clicked. And really I am not having any symptoms other than insomnia. Im actually LESS moody. In fact, I'm pretty calm! What I do find most interesting is that I have an ongoing battle in my mind. I have no interest in smoking, but my brain is actually arguing with me to smoke! Literally, it tells me to go outside, to smoke before bed, that I can smoke just sometimes, or "healthier" cigarettes. My rational brain thinks its ludicrous and tells my addicted brain so, but it still shocks me how real that little voice in my head is! Anyway, I just wanted to say, after 9 years of steady 1-2 packs a day smoking, I am going to be smoke free. Reading your site has definitely been the most informative, and I will refer back to it for reassurance if any new symptoms present themselves. Thank you!
DMac
Wow I don't know where to begin. Like I say in everything on this hub, cold turkey is the most difficult way to stop smoking.
Drugs like the nicotine gum and the patch only address one tiny aspect of the habit.
Lela
Hi. I quit cold turkey 28 days ago. After watching my dad die from smoking and what my mom is going through now as she also smokes scared this 20+ year smoker into quiting. I think cold turkey is the way to go (again, it is my thought and it works for me) as I've heard of many getting addicted to the meds, even the o.c.t. and natural aids. If you have never purchased a package of nicotine gum, you have no idea how expensive they are! To help my quiting, I focused on one thing that I hated the most about it and that is the smell. I obsessed about it, only smoked outside, washed my hands constantly, took showers and brushed my teeth before greeting my wife. Never smoked at home (wife) nor in my cars (investments that smoking diminished value). I picked a friday before I went on vacation as my target date and stuck with it. I had to shake 'rituals' which was the hardest (so far) part. Rituals such as rushing out at lunch to pound down smokes, stopping at certain places on my way home or to work to smoke.... I will agree with the getting tired and drinking a ton of water (64+ oz per day). I chew Dentine ICE Artic Chill and eat Lifesaver Mints after lunch to help my urges (I guess brushing my teeth after lunch would have the same effect). I DID buy Nicotine gum for EMERGENCIES ONLY. I still have a pack in the desk of my office that I have not a peice yet, it is just reassuring that I have a life line near by.
And when I DO have my urges... which I've heard of 8 yr old NON smokers still do... I tell myself to give it up... your not getting one... and fight it. I know it sounds very simple and stupid... But I figure if alcoholics, herion addicts and coke heads can give it up... I sure as heck can!
Hi Sherard,
Cold turkey is never what I recommend to stop smoking because of this very thing. A lot of anxiety and it almost feels like you are loosing your breath or your heart is palpitating.
These are temporary and will go away.You could ask the Doctor for something for the anxiety and just take enough to get you through.
Hyland has an over the counter herbal med for anxiety.
Maybe you are learning about some of this in medical school too.
Main thing is to stop dwelling on it. what you think about expands.
I really think this is normal and you are going to be fine.
I do teach a class called Nicotine Solutions that has you smoke as you go through the program that gives more preparation to be more of a long term non-smoker and it take the anxiety and all the symptoms that you are feeling down to almost nothing.
These feelings and symptoms should be temporary.
Hi Lela I am 19 years old, i have been smoking for a year now and i have quit aout 5 days ago cold turkey. i do feel alot of the symptoms and the anxiety. Right now i am in medical school and little things make me think about the worst of things that can happen like stroke or heart attack. I wanted to ask what can i do to cope with the panic attack and anxiety, this is what i feel the most and i feel my heart more than ever aswell beating. I went to the hospital and took an EKG and the doctor said i was fine but i still get worried something was missed. I know i am not special and anything can happen to me but i want to know if thhngs like this is normal and if so how to over come it? I do feel like i am dying, i feel my body is going to give out on me and i know i need some help so please if you can just send me some info i would greatly appreciate it.
Dear Naryanti, Its been 8 months now since i QUIT. U are gettin there. I wen thru the similar ordeals. U have already WON. Keep goin and DONT look back to the bad 'ol days. I am proud of ya.
I have not smoked for 3-4 weeks now.. I don't recall the day i quit cause my head is not clear... But what ever the day was I been dealing crazy side effects.. all the ones you talk about.. i did quit cold turkey... And for along time I feel like there is something wrong with me because they don't tell you about all this .. they just say quit smoking it's better for you.. Well I did.. I don't know sometime i just want to cry.. there that much pain.. But I came this far and deal with alot already..The only is to move forword, right... Just wish i could know the time line on this side effects to be over.. Right now am so worry about my health like there always something wrong with me everyday.. it's one after one more.. like my new one my feet has a hot spot.... Can that mean bad circulation on my leg to do that.. I don't know.. i don't want to go to the dr cus I been there for these other thing like chest pain and so on.. It add up at the end... Now am just going on and on like a crazy person.. but I thank you for puting this up.. I think it help people understand that there is side effect and so they can be ready to deal with it not crep up on them...Thank you..
I am not counting days but it has been over two weeks cold turkey. Just read the information on your site it is going to be very helpful. I have read a lot of the messages and comments above, I am feeling many of the same side effects of quitting. I feel i am more informed and will be better prepaired for what is in store. To everyone good luck we can do it.
Hi Renee,
This is going to sound strange to you but in the Nicotine Solutions program you would smoke for the first 6 weeks but you would really be changing all your behaviors around.
6 weeks more of smoking is not going to make that much difference if you can quit for good and not have to go through those terrible cold turkey side effects.
The main thing is to quit forever and not go back to them after the baby is born which is what a lot of women do.
You want to be done with them and have as few side effects as possible.
Whatever you do don't quit with any drugs like Chantix or the patch because that is not recommended when you are pregnant.
you might want to go to http://www.nicotinesolutions.com and check out a free informational meeting.
Lela
What a great motivator to stop! Often the morning sickness turns you off cigs anyway. good luck!
What happens if u quit cold turkey because you are pregnant. Been trying for years to get pregnant and we are estatic! Don't want to mess this up!
Oh Vikrant,
I just don't know what to tell you. Maybe ask your doctor if they have a heavy duty acid relief medicine. It will go away.
Lela
I have experienced many of the symptoms you mention since quitting New Year's day 2010. Digestive problems, bloating, weight gain, itchiness and an increase in hormones. My period came back after having hot flashes last fall and no period for about 6 months.
Now my complexion is broken out. I am not sure if it's hormonal or from internal toxins. Any advice?
I stopped smoking cold turkey on August 17, 2009. I have been smoking since I was 19 and I am now 59. I have been so sick with chest colds, difficult breathing and weight gain.. in fact 25 lbs. I will never go back to smoking but there are times I miss it. I walk just about everyday, 4 miles but my legs and feet hurt. My legs feel like concrete. I feel I am retaining fluids because I feel very puffy. Up until a couple weeks ago my cough was so deep in my chest it would keep me up at night. Despite how I feel, I still am so happy and proud of myself. I just need to get this weight off now.
Thank you for your reply. I feel like fish bone is stuck inside the throat. It is paining a lot. Do I go thru any medical test. When I went to doctor he suggested that my nose bone is bit bend due acidity saliva is stucking in the throat. He suggested me breathing exercise and steam.
I am from India how can I buy DGL from Amazon or suggest me some other medicine.Is it curable or not ?
Vikrant,
This is exactly the reason that I do not recommend cold turkey. It has been 3 months and you are still suffering.
You can go to the middle of my hubpage or I have repeated it for you here.
Acid Indigestion/Heartburn - If you had acid indigestion before you quit, it will get a bit worse and then it will go away. If you never had heartburn this symptom can last for about 3 weeks to 3 months. Try Tums or DGL (Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice), which may help acid reflux too.
You can buy it on Amazon. the link is in the middle of this hubpage. Good luck with this It should eventually go away.
I think I would stick with anti acids. Maybe even a stronger anti acid that a Dr. can prescribe.
Not sure what good steam would do you????
Hope this helps
I quit smoking atleast 3 months ago.Now I am facing gastric,acidity problem and pain in my throat.I feel that there is somthing struck in side.Kindly advise what should I do,even I have been to ENT Doctor also but,problem is still same.I am taking regural steam as advised by doctor.
I quit cold turkey seven months ago. I felt nauseated and light-headed every single day for two weeks straight. One morning I woke up and those withdrawals had disappeared.
Seems to be how cold-turkey works. You're inundated (ambushed, really) with all kinds of nasty withdrawal symptoms that seem to slough off, one after another, as time passes.
If you can just tough it out for the month or so while they last, you literally wake up one morning free from all of them.
I'm not saying everyone should quit cold turkey, but I think anyone can.
Well Logan I guess to each his own. There are a lot of people that need help with quitting smoking and don't want to go through all of these horrible symptoms of cold turkey.
Lela
Hi: I wish I found this site 5 months ago when I quit. Nothing was ever mentioned about the suffering one can go thru quitting cold turkey. I've been thru it all and still battling. Now an upset stomach. I guess this is the closest I'll ever get to PMS thankfully. My suffering started 2weeks after I quit. One thing after another. All has been discussed on this highly informative site. Tests came back ok & dr brushes off associating these symptoms with quitting. Any help for those of us that have gone cold turkey. Will recommend this site to others. Thanks!
"But I have the devil on my shoulder telling me to light up a cigarette so all this can go away. Any helpful tips?"
Tell the devil to go back to hell. That crankiness is your body trying to bully you into lighting up--at one point, I'd laugh at how my own brain would try to deceive me into having a cigarette. But I promise you, that will pass (I used to beat on my bed till I felt better).
Mind over matter. Look at the size of a cigarette compared to you. Surely, you're not gonna let yourself be pushed around by a little nicotine?? The stronger the craving, the more you're winning by refusing yourself.
Quit cold-turkey 6 months ago. I was deluged with withdrawal symptoms--the absolute pitts for about 3 weeks until I noticed that the withdrawals would vanish one after another with each passing day, until the first month, when most had left.
Sleeping still isn't quite comfortable, my fingertips and toes still tingle and pinch sometimes, and my throat becomes hoarse at night. The rest of the withdrawals have, well, withdrawn.
I decided to eat as little as possible so that I wouldn't gain weight and it worked. I haven't gained weight at all, so not gaining weight is, in fact, do-able when you quit. And quitting is do-able--if I can after 30 years, you can.
Just hang in there.
I had my last cigarette on Sunday, November 8th and I started to quit cold turkey. My boyfriend and I have been smoking for a while and I am having more trouble than he is. I have a hard time staying asleep at night and I am very tired in the morning and throughout the day. I really miss smoking...It's like I was in a relationship for almost 10 years and we just broke up. I have been chewing lots of gum and trying to keep myself busy by going to the gym. I go straight home sometimes just to sleep off the urges. I feel like crying all the time, I am very cranky, and my boyfriend and I have been doing a lot of bickering with each other. I keep thinking to myself, quitting is a good thing! But I have the devil on my shoulder telling me to light up a cigarette so all this can go away. Any helpful tips?
I am on day 3 of quitting COLD TURKEY and I am the most mad and sad and depressed and mostly ANGRY that I have ever been. The anxiety is immense and I have even accused my boyfriend of cheating on me, cause he took to long at the grocery store. I mean he is smoking, when he comes in I can smell it and makes me what it more. I am on the verge of insanity. GOING CRAZY HERE...
Hi Lela. I finally quit 2 months ago ( after 20 years of chain smoking) I sure do fill great.
I have actively re-commenced my favourite hobby - bodybuilding. I did and still am going thru some of the symthoms you mentioned above. I was afraid initially seeing blood every morning while brushing. But after reading your articles above, i have become stronger and starting to believe. I thank you and your team for your commitment to help others. God bless you all.
id also like to say your site was informative and comforting in a way that knowing what ive been going through, as far as withdrawel symptoms, will go away, and i dont want to experience this again, i have felt so bad lately thought i had the swine flu, im feeling much better now, having had more time off of work, and recovering from my illness, including throat irritation,and breathing difficulty, sinus problems, along with tiredness, cramping,
glad to know that my body was reacting in such a way caused from cigarette withdrawel, not necessarily nicotine as it is out of your body in three days, CIGARETTES ARE A MENTAL AND PHYSICAL ADDICTION.
i quit smoking, now it seems to be hard when im exposed to second hand smoke, it seems that i withdrawel and want to smoke. I think thats the worst part, it was easy for me to avoid smoking for the first couple of days being somewhere i would not smoke, with my dad, for the weekend, after that my desire to quit smoking was to better my health, i felt some of the warning signs of cancer, one of which were symptoms of a common cold, throat and sinus irritation, flem coming up when speaking to another person, (quite embarrassing, disgusting), tired of bad breath, even smelling like cigarette smoke bothered me. its still hard to avoid people that are smoking, i just try to remember that it is the most difficult thing i could ever do, it does take time, the worst may not be behind me but the hardest step is taking the first step, and that is ridding your body of nicotine. wish me luck, a smoker for 19 years, since i was 14, and smoke free for two weeks now.
Hello..... great hub here... I am currently quitting smoking... have not smoked in a week, and I have been having the worst stomach pains and cough i have ever had. I feel sick all the time, but I'm trying not to give in.
Thanks for stopping by Kirstenblog! I hope you check out my preview class called Nicotine Solutions. Lela
I really enjoyed this page! I even read it all the way down to the end! I think maybe I should get my hubby to read it. We had a heck of a time trying to quit and winded up substituting tobacco for nicotine free ciggys, ginseng ones. Of course for my case I was really not ready to quit and was doing it for him, he didn't have the same problems and was not very supportive in the end and yes I have smoked proper ciggys to spite him as it was never an internal thing. I keep thinking about how to internalize the desire to quit and recently woke up in tears feeling a connection between smoking and my dad. As a kid I was removed from the home as there were loads of court problems regarding custody of me and with my step mom drinking and abuse he lost all legal rights to me. My dad has been a very heavy smoker all his life, right from an early age. I think there might be a feeling of loss when I try not to smoke that is inter connected with the loss of my dad.
Sadly my dad suffered a collapsed lung over a year ago and spent months in hospital, he had scars on his lungs that we at first worried might be cancer that they couldn't test until he recovered from the lung collapse. He was adamant that he would never smoke again...... My aunt (his sister) recently told me he is back on the ciggys! It is amazing how strong this addiction is!
Re-read and realized I was rather more rude than I intended.
Valuable site with good information about what people may expect to experience.
I encounter often that people believe they have "the" way and tend to discount other approaches, which work for many many people.
I'm sure your approach helps many.
Hi Mark,
Thank you for visiting my hub Let me know if there is anything that I can do to help you with your stop smoking adventures!
Interesting site but I think your perception about the in-value of the patch is not accurate. Well, we all have our fixed perceptions that we rarely see beyond.
I quit with the patches and would not have been able to otherwise. I don't really see it as cold turkey because I very consciously weened myself into lower and lower dosages until I finally could go without the patch altogether.
It actually provided me the time to change the habits, which you mention is the key to quitting without problem. On the patch, the hand to mouth habit faded, had a chance to deal with emotional impulses, exercised, etc.
So I think your comments about the patch come from your limited box, what we believe and see is what becomes true for us.
Good article - I just quit cold turkey 20 days ago. I am hoping to be less of a bastard by the time a month is done. LOL
Conversational hypnosis is an excellent method to cure the ailments present in the subconscious mind.conversational hypnosis is good a treatment as it has no side effects. Learned a lot from this blog. It is a nice blog.
Lela, my wife decided that we were going to quit smoking. The habit was getting too expensive. Both our parents are cancer survivors. It's now day three without a cigarette. It's been really tough thus far. I'm glad I found the hub and all it's useful advice.
David - Winchester, KY
Oh Diane,
That is horrible that you are still going through the side effects. It doesn't have to be that way. It can be calm and comfortable!
Join me for a free preview http://www.nicotinesolutions.com
just happened to find this site....great stuff...quit 6 weeks ago...side effects are still terrible....no energy...sleep allot...anyways i will keep reading and may join for reinforcements.
Dawn,
I am glad that you stopped by too! Stopping smoking with an herbal supplement is a little like saying that I am Just going to practice parallel parking to pass my drivers test and that is it.
Instead there are many things you need to do to pass a drivers test, you need to practice driving on all types of roads, you need to read the entire manual with all the rules etc. So just taking an herbal supplement doesnt address the multifaceted nature of the smoking habit.
Smoking has got you every way you turn such as emotionally, physically, psychologically and especially with your routines!
I noticed that you signed up for a free preview so I will be able to explain everything to you at the meeting!
Don't beat yourself up about going back to smoking. This you can quit in a more informed that is permanent and it doesnt have to hurt with all those side effects. Most of things are an effect of cold turkey and Nicotine Solutions is not cold turkey. Can't wait to talk to you today!
Lela
I am glad I found this page. I tried quitting on an herbal supplement and it worked for about 1.5 months. My side effects were really terrible - head ache, nasal congestion, joint pain, trouble sleeping, weight gain, etc. - I felt so horrible, so I decided to smoke again (hair of the dog and all that) and I am disappointed in myself. I will try again, keeping in mind all that you mentioned here. Wish me luck!
I've smoked since I was 19 and I'm 31 now... It's been 4 days since I quited cold turkey and I hope I succeed going forward. The side effects isn't bad as I constantly fall asleep when I get dizzy. So no insomnia here! I've gained about 5 lbs of water weight over the past week and I exercise often so I really can't see the mass but the scale don't lie! I have convince myself that smoking is dirty and I can't see myself going back to it! Nicotine is the demon of the addiction and it will be wrong to smoke again. With all the repercussions of quitting, I cannot put my body through this hell again by continuing to smoke! This is an excellent hub as it helps me cope with quitting.
Great hub. This has been very helpful for me since my doctor told me I had no choice, I had to quit. I am using some of your tips and so far so good. Thanks!
Nice hub.
This hub has a lot of good information in it but I'm probably biased but you really can't consider hypnosis or acupuncture as cold turkey as you mentioned when you started out. But I'd love to hear your reason's for including them in this category.
What an awesome resource! Once someone has worked to overcome the physical and psychological addiction to smoking, they can also use help to address the side effects of the body detoxifying. Thank you for creating such a thorough encyclopedia of symptoms and treatments.
I've smoked since i was 14 (I'm now 31). I quit smoking 2 weeks ago. I've tried to quit several times before and have failed miserably within days, even hours sometimes. For me it has always been the case that i was waiting for something to happen... waiting to become a non-smoker, waiting for the cravings to go away, even sometimes waiting for a time that it would be ok (or safe) to have a cigarette!! I know, sounds weired but that's how it was. I put it down to this. On previous attempts to quit i felt like i was a smoker not smoking - denying myself. This time around i felt like a non-smoker instantly. I want to be a non-smoker and i don't want to smoke any more. It's such an amazing shift in consciousness and i don't know why i never got it before or felt that way before. I'm already a non-smoker and there's nothing to wait for, just the rest of my life to be getting on with. And i tell you, there is so much more i am doing with my time now that i'm not smoking, or thinking about the next time i can smoke!! I've had a few wobbly days so far but it's about getting through what's happening to my body and not about the fact that i want to smoke - i don't!! The shift happened for me when i got ill about a month ago. I got a disgusting cold, which turned into a chest infection like i had never experinced before. I got a double strength dose of antibiotics from my doctor, which is unusal for me as i hardly ever have to take medication for anything. I could hardly breathe and yet i was still smoking! One day on the way home from work i was smoking and wheezing and coughing. I stopped at the traffic lights, looked at myself in the mirror and said, enough is enough - this is going to kill you and if you don't give up now this is how you will be at 50 or 60 and no course of antibiotics will shift it, you'll be stuck like this. it was my wake up call and exactly the impetus i needed to stop. I threw the half smoked cigarette out of the window and knew it would be my last and it was and it feels great. (This is the longest i have ever not smoked for) I' ve gone down the route of patches to wean myself off the nicotine as i've been a heavily addicted smoker for 17 years and felt i needed that support while i broke the habit, however, breaking the habit is not bothering me too much - i've found plenty of things to do with my time and enjoyed not having to smoke when i would usually. I'm even ok around friends who are still smoking - it's not making me want to smoke. However, i am experiencing a lot of the symptoms you describe above, especially sore gums, which has come on in the last couple of days. it's like an ache in my teeth and tingly stinging gums. I was pleased and relieved to read the info on your site and to find out it is normal, but also upset that it could take weeks to settle down. What's your best advice to cope with these symptoms? I am now a determined non smoker and i know i will never smoke again - my urge to not smoke is greater than my fear of being able to overcome the adjustments my body needs to make as it repairs itself although any help / tips / suggestions in dealing with these things would be great. I know your preferred method of quitting isn't the cold turkey route, but for me i had to do it this way because 2 weeks ago i couldn't breathe and i think if i had smoked another cigarette i would have given myself pneumonia or something!!... But I guess my question for you is, even though i have chosen this route, would you be able to help to deal with these symptoms i am experiencing and to work with me to deal with the mental and emotional aspect of becoming a non-smoker, even though i have already stopped smoking?
Sorry this is so epic
Sincerely
Jo
I am proud to say that I quit smoking 21 days ago! A group of friends from work decided to quit together and I am one of the ones who made it this time. I have decided to never ever smoke again and would like to thank you for the site, it really helps when dealing with the effects of quitting.
I recently quit smoking, cold turkey It has been 6 days so far. one thing that made me decide to quit was being in a happy mood. The other was people asking me "why do you smoke?" my answear was not valid, it was just some excuse. And a habit can be another answear, but Bad habits are for bad people. If you really care about yourself, you wont smoke, that also goes for other bad habits. Also the most true thing is You can't help people, they have to help themselves. ultiamately it's your choice. People might influence your choice. but you have to find peace, and happiness in yourself. Recently I met this girl, and she is putting butterflies in my stomach, so i decided to quit for her, but also myself. Since she didn't smoke, I thought it needed to be done. Plus I could tell she didn't like it. It is also a turn off for alot of non-smokers. but mainly smoking is bad, no arguments there. So if you like bad things, than smoke, if not stop fucking smoking. It's very easy, it's overcoming it mentally. Just like solving an overweight problem. Excercise daily, what's the big deal? you can't take 10-20 mins a day to excercise? but you can spend at least 60 mins a day watching tv. (probably more like 200+mins for most of you). Also Smoking influences young kids, it influenced me, my uncle smoked I thought he was the coolest guy ever, that's what made smoking cool/exceptable too me. It made it alright, well My uncle smokes so i can too. Btw Im 18 years old, I've been smoking since 15 very heavily. and before that a few once in a while. 15yrs - half a pack a day 16-17 ---1 pack a day, 17-18,1-3 packs a day really varried, parties 3packs, regualry days 2 usually, unless it was cold/rainy. So I'm not of a legal smoking age, I'm 100% as long as I have this girl with me I'll be smoke free. Also once I have kids quitting is a must.Sincerly Carpet91 (can't give my name I'm a minor) :(
Great article Lela. This is one of the most difficult habits to overcome. My wife has tried to stop several times and still continues today. She is gearing up once again to attempt to stop but is waiting until after her nephew's wedding. I use to myself but made a decision to stop 10 years ago "cold turkey" and have not had the desire or smoked since that time.
Great article! As a nonsmoker, it gave me great insight as to why it is difficlut to quite smoking. On the other hand, if one really wants to quit. All they have to do is apply themselves and make it happen. It is a decision to be made a follow through with it. Even if it takes a great deal of support from a freind, spouse, etc.
Greatest thing - it is possible!
Exercise is a great way and the only way to get more years added to your life before it is to late. The human body is amazing in how it can repair itself when taken care of.
Tom Varga
Lela,
Excellent advice! There are places that list some of what happens to the body when you quit smoking, but your hub shows a thorough list of the body's changes and how to ease detox. The information isn't to scare off smokers -- or those supportive of smokers wanting to quit -- it's great to arm them with knowledge!!
Thanks for your hard work in helping people quit and in helping to save our planet! You're awesome!
Jennifer
I'm convinced that continuing to smoke THESE days is an affront to one's own self-esteem (whether acknowledged or not). Thank you for serving this information feast. Knowledge IS power.
Peace and Love,
DeeJay (djh:edbd)
To The pioneer21,
I mainly created this hub so smokers could understand what was going on with their body when they stopped smoking with cold turkey. I am all about helping smokers stop smoking calmly and comfortably.
Cold turkey is not the way to go because of all of these side effects. Banning smoking would just make smokers and cigarettes go underground!
Thanks so much for your comments and support!
Lela
Boy, there is a ton of excellent information here. Very comprehensive and interesting. Even though I am not a smoker and have never been, there is definitely things here I am going to share with some friends that are in the hope that I can help influence them to quit!
What you are doing to both help the earth and people is awesome. YOU have amazing info here and have surely done your homework. Both my parents are smokers who have attempted to quit way too many times. I will print this out to share with them. Thank YOU!
~Expect Miracles
I love that you have provided this information for everyone. It is shocking to think what effect cigarettes have on your body, and that these side-effects actually happen because you stop taking in the rubbish that are in cigarettes. Even though this hub makes it sound horrific in the short term to actually quit, it highlights the shocking effects that smoking has on their bodies.
Smoking should be banned- its a frightening habit.
Amethyst! Thank you so much for your wonderful gift that you are going to contribute to any smoker that attends a free lesson!
Lela
Lela has been a friend of mine for many years and I have seen her successfully help thousands of people quit smoking with her program and stay non-smokers.
Patricia Wressell
Great Hub page Leyla.....Wonderful information.....and guiltfree.....most appreciated
Sian
The most beautiful thing that you can do for your soul is to honor the physical body within which it resides! Quitting smoking will not only make you feel healthier and more alive but it will send a RESOUNDING message to the Universe that you are Worthy - you might be surprised by the positive side effects to other areas of your life! Try it NOW in celebration of Earthday Birthday and you'll receive an added bonus from yours truly! Go Lela!
Peace and many blessings,
Amethyst Wyldfyre
DeeJay!
Wow you are the best! I am so excited to have you in my class! It will be so much fun to teach you how to stop smoking!
I enjoyed talking to you the other day!
Lela
Angela,
You are the reason that I created this site. I have learned this information having taught people to stop smoking over the last 30 years. Most doctors don't even know this information. If you have any questions just stop by and ask!
This stop smoking business takes a while.
Lela
Jennifer,
Wow yes cold turkey will do that to you . There is a better way. I you want a more comfortable way to stop join me for a free sample lesson. Check out nicotinesolutions.com and attend a free meeting. It might give you some more pointers on being able to feel more comfortable in the quitting process.
See how you do and if you want more help pop by for a free class
Lela
I am so glad I found this site. A lot of great information that I really needed at this moment. I quit 21 days ago and started feeling really bad. Even though my food and liquid intake was better what I did while I was smoking I was feeling bad. On this site I found out about what goes on in your body and why you feel the way you do! Thanks....it made me continue in my journey of quit smoking. I been a smoker for 30 something years.
I quit smoking 4 days ago. This has been the hardest thing i have ever done. I have had all the side effects. Started out with the dizziness, fatigue, and anxiety attacks. I was a heavy smoker for 11 - 12 years. Right at a Pack a day. some times more.
John,
I don't think you would actually die from stopping smoking going cold turkey although a lot of people feel like they are.
Again, I don't recommend stopping smoking by going cold turkey because it is so hard on the body and so abrupt of a change with your metabolism.
The main reason I don't recommend cold turkey is because people go through so much pain and discomfort they usually go back to smoking.
Many times when I talk to someone that quit smoking 20 years ago, they say they still want a cigarette and most of the time it turns out that they quit cold turkey and didn't do any preparation physically or emotionally to stop smoking and so they are still suffering 20 years later because they just quit smoking cold turkey and didn't give their body time to adjust when they originally stopped smoking.
In Nicotine Solutions we have you smoke as you learn to quit so your body adjusts to changes in your routines and metabolism.
Thanks for asking the question! if you want to go to my nicotine solutions site you an sign up for a free preview and I can get you started on some assignments that are a easy, fun and not cold turkey.
Lela
can i actually die from going cold turkey a friend said i could
This site is so informative , many stop smoking information sites dont tell you the things that your body does to recover and so makes the whole quitting process worse , when you know what your body is trying to do it makes it even easier to quit
Hi,
Thanks for this content, it has answered quite a few questions I could not get answered elsewhere. I quit smoking cold turkey, with no helpers except will power 5 weeks ago after having smoked for nearly 15 years, and I have been going through more side effects than I ever imagined - bleeding gums, retaining water, weight gain, agitation, dizziness, sleeping disturbances, itchiness.
It has all made me more motivated to never smoke again as only now am I seeing how much this addiction affects the body.
I know it's going to be all worth it long-term, so I am giving myself time - but this article has certainly helped.
:)
Hi Doreen,
I actually don't recommend cold turkey or quitting without any preparation because of what you are going through right now. Quitting smoking abruptly is very jarring to the body and sometimes people never get over it.
The one thing that I can tell you is to take is Calms Forte which is mentioned above and it is a non-addictive sleep aid that is made from herbs.
Believe it or not when I quit smoking in 1978 at age 30, I got cold sweats, about 8 years later I lost quite a bit of weight and I got the same type of sweats and low and behold when I was 50 and went through menopause I had the exact same sweats.
What I know is there is a hormone change when someone stops smoking and when someone stops smoking cold turkey it is 10x worst because it is so abrupt on the body.
Your body is like a construction zone right now and your hormones are really being affected.
Another thing that won't hurt in this transition period that is mentioned above is Pro-gest Emerita by Transitions.It has no side effects and it can't hurt you and from what I have seen there is a hormone change when people stop smoking and a lowering of natural progesterone. (I am NOT talking about HRT or hormone replacement therapy or synthetics...horrible stuff ..If you want to get off of that read Dr Christiane Northrup's book ...Don't do that cold turkey either).
Put a little Pro-Gest cream~pea sized on at night on the fatty area of your body and also in the morning (you can get it at Amazon above). It will help with the night sweats and the sleeplessness.
It is geared for women in menopause but it will help with the symptoms of quitting smoking as well.
If you get those 2 products it should help you through the rough spots. Quitting smoking does involve a hormone change and I know you are a lady but I jokingly tell my male students that this is as close as they will come to PMS!!!
Lela
PS Hope this helps check in with me and let me know how you are doing.
hi i am on day 4 i quit using nothing have trouble getting to sleep and staying asleep been waking up sweating will take any advice tya
Freda,
I am delighted that you found the hub helpful. I would like to offer a suggestion that is really going to help you in your quest to stay smoke free....
Words are very powerful. Instead of saying urge or craving say that you had a thought.
Using the word urge or craving in connection with stopping smoking will act as a trigger, but if you use I had a thought....the so what it was just a thought!!
It will really help!
Lela
Hi, loved this site, thank you for all the info. I quit smoking on Sunday night (4 days ago) and so far, so good! (Not using anything, no replacements, hypotherapy, nothing.) Been trying for YEARS. Whenever I get the fluttery, nervous feeling (the urge for a cigarette), I tell myself that it is just my body's EXCITEMENT for finally being cigarette-free. I smoked a pack a day for over 20 years. Handling this one craving at a time...
Misty,
You just stay with your own program and you each need to deal with it in your own way
So Lela, how do you stop yourself smoking if for instance your Husband has not quite managed to give up, even though you have. Isn't the temptation impossible to fight simply using willpower?
Misty,
There are ways to keep your friends AND quit smoking calmly and comfortably....
Lela
Thanks Lela, it looks really promising, and I am relieved to know that other smokers around me won't make it harder to give up, especially as I don't want to lose my very good 'smoker' friends. Thank you :)
Hi Mistyhorizon2003,
What great questions!
Nicotine Solutions has a 90% success rate of the people that complete the 8 week course (you get to smoke for the first 6 weeks whooo hoo) ..90% quit smoking and after a year there is still a 70% long term success rate.
If you have checked out any other programs most of them are right around 18 to 25 %. I get so upset when the so called experts (that have never smoked) say that smokers have to try quit at least 8 to 11 times before they can quit for good....whaaaat ?????
Why not get it right the first time! It is like paint by numbers... if you just follow the assignments I give you while you are smoking you WILL be successful. I have been teaching people to stop smoking ever since 1978 when I quit smoking 2 packs a day.
About being around other smokers you will learn a technique that will allow you to be around other smokers (even if they are your spouse) and not be triggered by the other smokers. Its like magic!
Also believe it or not you will not be triggered by other smokers but you will have compassion for other smokers as well. I don't like it when people quit smoking and then they are on their soapbox to get every body else to quit. You will have compassion for other smokers and chewers.
I would like to invite you to attend a free intro to check out nicotine Solutions and see if it is for you
http://www.nicotinesolutions.com
Thanks for your questions
Lela
Hi Lela,
I am seriously thinking about enrolling both my Husband and I in your program as looking at your site I am really impressed, and the testimonials are great. I do have a natural fear of failing again though, and it leaves me so very down when I slip up and start smoking again. It is also hard when your Husband smokes, as he usually weakens before I do and smokes, at which point I know there are cigarettes in the house (even if he has hidden them), and so I immediately find I have to have one.
The other problem we have is that our two best friends smoke, and we see them socially most weeks and don't want to stay away from them. It isn't as bad here in Guernsey as it used to be, because smoking is now banned in pubs and workplaces (which makes it easier to smoke less), but of course after alcohol our willpower goes down, and we end up going outside with them for a cigarette.
Do you think your program could get us around these concerns??
Thanks :)
Misty
I can help you stop smoking ..how very silly of Quitline... I am going to contact you and I will set up a meeting over skype with you and your husband. You are 8 hours ahead of me we can work this out!!
I have taught thousands how to stop smoking....
lela
Help , I am struggling with giving up and it really scares me. I gave up for 6 months on Zyban, and about 2 months on Champix, but I am still smoking. Not sure what I can do next as my Husband and I have been expelled from Quitline for smoking for 6 months and there aren't any alternatives.
This site is really informative. I quit 2 weeks ago, and having some really bad cravings. Was thinking that I may have tumor or other issue from all the side effects that I'm having.
Guess I just need to wait it out a little longer. Thanks!
Excellent article, good for me, I am still into early days of my cessation period, quit only 5 days back and it is hell of a mental and physcial battle but i have managed to hold on by now and hope i will stay away. Tried everything from gradually cutting down or increasing the period between smokes, nothin helped, 9 long years of 15 Ciggs/day weighed down every time and then one night, i just threw everything into nearby lake and went cold turkey ..........
Not everybody get all symptoms though but I am getting few of them but one thing about the article is real true - WATER helps, anyone who wants to quit - gotto increase it to 3-4 lts a day .......
I'm 29 and will be turning 30 in september, i've been smoking for about 10 years and decided that i should be a non-smoker by 30. It's been 3 weeks now since i stopped smoking after reading allen carr's book. I was browsing the net and came across your website, it is really infromatiave and thorough and i'm going through some of the side-effects and it's great to know that they're a passing phase and i can look forward to feeling better at the end of it all.
great website and thank you for all the insight.
The hub would be a great help to anyone wanting to quit you have covered everything.
Conversational Hypnosis is just a name for a program, to assist with life skills, coping with people etc. It's all related - a tool to bring about a positive outcome - just like you say it can assist with smoking too.
I like the bit about "giving up" smoking. I can relate that to "losing" weight - one should think of "getting rid" of there as well.
Hi Marg,
Not everyone gets a lot of symptoms, but I'm sure most smokers quitting experience a few of these. It sure doesn't have to be painful when you quit!
I looked at your hub and learned a new term.....conversational hypnosis... that is a new one for me.
Lela
Great in depth hub. Gosh I too did not realise how many problems people can have with giving up smoking. I gave up 24 years ago and was lucky I guess. I remember one night three months after giving up I was at a party and just HAD to have one. It made me so giddy and nauseous I couldn't decide whether to sit it out or bring it up. Yuk!!! LOL . So.... I was right after that.
Thanks Carla!
I know the student you are talking about that just went through my Nicotine Solutions class.
Nicotine Solutions is recommended in the Book called Natural Therapies for Emphysema & COPD. She was on a blog about early stages of COPD and another student that quit smoking with Nicotine Solutions recommended my program on that blog.
Everyone of my classes are very small (no more than 9 people) and tailored to the students.... so I get to know all my students very well!!!
Lela,
Hey! I have a friend that went through your program (I really think think it was you, NicotineSolutions is who she quit with) and she is a happy non-smoker now. She had the beginning stages of COPD and was desperate to find solutions. (You may or may not remember her.) She found you through a COPD website that recommended your program.
She has had fantastic results! I am so glad I found you to thank you for giving her the tools to reclaim her health, and her new found freedom (now she isn't sneaking around as a closet smoker anymore! Yay!). Your program is so comprehensive! I am grateful for all that you are doing to help smokers. Thanks for being out there!!! SO glad you are on HubPages!
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Thank you Lela. It's very assuring to know it is normal.
I see the blood in my mucous only after I brush my teeth. And I only get the blood when I clear my throat kinda vigorously, or for a long time.
I check it the other times too, like for example after I do my breathing exercise, but I don't see it.
So may be I'm just over-working the throat when it already is having a lot to do recovering itself after all the torture it had to endure because of my horrible habit.
I'm not doing it now and I don't notice the blood in my mucous anymore.
One thing is for sure... I've quit smoking for ever.
I hope every other smoke addict gets the strength to quit too :)
And thank you for your wonderful article Lela... Can't express how much relieved I feel
Hay I'm 19. Ben smoking senc I was 12 quite 4 days ago ben spitting up tar from my lung and get dizzy and having headaks is this normal
I quit January 6, 2012 with laser treatment. I have gained 14 pounds. I have yet to cough up anything. I have a dry cough IF I cough at all and I do at times suddenly become breathless when saying a word in a sentence. I still have insomnia. I have had a constant nagging pain between my shoulder blades. Like so many others, I can truly say I felt 100% better as a smoker. I don't crave a smoke but I would sure like to feel better than I do
Hi Lela,
Its been 6 weeks of cold turkey, well i got most of those withdrawal symptoms like others except coughing. My hardest challenge is mentality part. I couldn't take stress at work making me having bad performance at work. Abit of stress will make me go crazy and that feeling is scary. Whats the best way to handle with this problem Lela? Stress is inevitable...
wow lots of useful information learned on this page, not just your standard answer like every other site! I have been given up for 8 days now and it's been hell I got a bad bout of tonsillitis which I still have. have had aches and pains, insomnia, crying I did buy a nicotine replacement but went cold turkey as I was so ill but I am still determined not to go back to it, will take my electronic cig in my bag when I am out with friends and if I do get the urge I can use it, soooo determined to succeed this time just need to change my habit triggers, must be determined soaked 4 pkts of cigarettes as I thought enough is enough! but like I say thank you great info page x
Quit on Saturday got a real sore throat on Sunday which by Tuesday was full on flu. I think stopping has made me feel worse, but do you think the way I am feeling is all down to stopping as it happend so fast? I am thinking it might just have been that I was getting sick anyway? I was not that heavy a smoker just 4 or 5 a day some days just one.
I feel so terrible. Can't sleep, felling faint. Just find it hard to belive that it is all just because I stoped. I did not even crave a it at first because I felt so ill the last thing I wanted was a fag. Not even a week in yet, confused help?
Fiona,
Yes nicotine is only in the body for 3 days you are right.
Nicotine is really only about 3% of the problem. The rest is behaviors, routines, detoxification, learning how to deal with stress and emotions, how to complete things.
It take 21 days to change a habit!
I knew I was experiencing some weird side effects when I'd stopped smoking before but anyone I spoke to about them thought it was me that was a weird hypochondriac(even the NHS quit support team).
This time - hopefully the last time, I found myself wavering after two weeks of no smoking but this page has been incredibly helpful and my resolve is back. THANK YOU!!
Im 43 and have been smoking since I was 18. Tried to quit with patches and gum and now trying cold turkey on my first day. I have atrialflibberation and noticing chest discomfort. Im pretty active at work so im trying to stay busy. Just so hard.
I'm quitting after 20 years of smoking because of the awful taste of the new Fire Safe cigarettes. I have been getting sick ever since introducing FSC's to my body. Anyway... I threw away the carton, ashtrays, and lighters in the house. Still have a secret pack and lighter in the car. Will dispose of those tomorrow. Roommate and cooworker smokes, so it will be a challenge to resist their attempts at sabotage.
Hi helpless,
I will be happy to write back email me at easeout(at) nicotinesolutions.com
I will be happy to talk with you about your symptoms
two nights of fever and swollen lymph node in back of neck, (just had dental issues) I am a mess...i need some sanity. can you write back?
i am trying and i got the gum, now i get headaches and even fever..why?
Great work! As a new quitter it answered a lot of questions I was beginning to have. Keep up the good work friend! :D
I need to quit and i have anxiety and mild asthma, I have been smoking since I was a teen and now 30. Because of my anxiety I have tried but can't even make it through the first day and then I get mad at myself, and I seem trigger anxiety. I really need help, I just think if i could make it through the first day I think I could do well. I came to your page and have been looking at it, because it will help with the anxiety for the symptoms of quitting. Any advice on getting through the first day. Mornings are the worst for me.
Great site, very interesting facts, saving to favourites. I gave up cold turkey 17/4/10 and slipped a few times first weeks but almost 2wks no ciggies end of this week. I don't have a problem with wanting a smoke as I don't want one BUT the symptoms of tiredness, brain fatigue and being snappy are making me snappy!!hehe
How long before I am me again?? I was feeling alone with how I feel, so this site has made me more comfortable that I am ok, there is a reason behind the way I am feeling and not going crazy. (hopefully this is all temporary?)
wow
Pab,
The fact that you have not told me if you have been feeling poorly or had other symptoms since Dec 18 when you stopped smoking leads me to believe that you need to go to the Dr. to see what the pains are about. It doesn't sound like it is from stopping smoking
Lela
I stopped smoking last Dec. 18, 2009. I smoked for like 30 years. I stopped like slowly for I was coughing big time. So cigarette was not pleasant for I would right away suffered coughing. SO what I did was slowly I did stopped. I smoked like ten sticks a day and during that time the last day I had like three, then completely I stopped. I am happy I did. I feel fresh and my mind, throught and my mouth are clearer.
But since three days ago I expereince a pain on my back, then on my side then last night I woke up with extremely terrible pain in my stomach. I was about to drive myself to the emergency room. But I kept it for a while and after few hours it stopped. But I am so worried and don't know what is this. Never that this type of a pain happened to me, so I attribute it to my quitting smoking. Could you guys give me some hint, enlightenment what is this? Please....
Quitting cold turkey can be much like an alcoholic stopping drinking. My friend literally went into shock and fainted a few times! Just passed out cold! Must be careful! Nice hub.
Daniel
Joyce,
I have an idea for you to check out. Since you did gain some weight in the process of quitting you may have plantar fasciitis. If it feels like you are walking on concrete and your heel hurts go to your doctor and see if that is what you have. It would be from weight gain.
I recommend Brent Abel from http://www.webtennis.net
He has a non medical approach that will help the pain go away. The pain in your foot is unrelated to stopping smoking except for the fact of the weight gain.
For the puffyness drink lots of water, cut out salt for a while.
Lela
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Kimbercool,
Well, the sore throat is very typical when you quit smoking. but the ear infection would be something to make an appt with your doctor.
Kimbercool,
Well, the sore throat is very typical when you quit smoking. but the ear infection would be something to make an appt with your doctor.
Hi Lela,
It's been 11 weeks now since I quit smoking. I've been expirencing a sore throat on and off and also a slight post nasal drip. I smoked about 6 years no more than 3 to 4 cigs a day. Do you think the sore throat is from quitting? Also how long does this generally last? I also, had an ear infection about a month ago. I'm usually never sick nor have I ever had an ear infection is this related?
I had my last, one cigarette on May 21st, five days ago. I started smoking at age 13 and am now 61. I quit 'cold turkey' knowing that smoking was causing more problems than they were worth. I guess it was a psychological turning point as I don't want to even put a filthy cigarette near my mouth. Just the thought of the smell turns me off...I seems to have some side effects from stopping such as headaches and a bit of dizziness, otherwise, nothing. I'm not eating anymore than usual and I will wait a couple months to see what other side effects come into play.....My blood pressure is down to 131/86 instead of the usual 159-189/90..and no chest pains anymore. In fact, they stopped almost immediately. I had lots of heart muscle pain that's is completely gone now.....amazing...time will tell if I can manage to stay away from those lousy, health deteriorating sticks....
try Hylands over the counter for nerves for the anxiety and calm forte for sleep (I don't have stock in Hylands I just like their peroducts) sore tongue try amosan. It is a powder mix it with water and it will be very cooling and feel really good.
You are making new baby tissue and the old tough "smoked skin" is being replaced by new baby tissue and it is almost like a baby teething.
It can be much easier if you don't do it cold turkey.
I tell my students that have quit smoking with Nicotine solutions and have sleep issues to use Calms Forte made by Hyland, rather than Melatonin just because it seems to be more effective. Melatonin does work for some people!
Hey everyone,
Hope all are doing well in the oh so pleasant adventure of quitting smoking!
I am 20 yrs old and just quit smoking cigarettes and marijuana cold turkey 2 weeks ago, after smoking regularly since Grade 12, and it has been complete hell.
After reading this, a sense of alleviation surged through my mind, knowing that there are thousands out there in the same boat as I am (Minus the Mary Jane). Take the pain people, it is only temporary. I'd rather have pains now, than be in the hospital on life support, wishingI hadn't taken up this poor habit of smoking in the first place!
You can get through any obstacle, providing you have a mental capacity of some sort.
SUFFER NOW, and you WILL ENJOY LATER! - Wise words from a great grandfather who died of lung cancer.
PS. Looking for a natural assistant? Try melatonin. IT WORKS WONDERS! I know I am only 20, and not a Dr., but please consider my opinion/suggestion!
stop smoking its hell
stop smoking its hell
well its day four, been smoking for 6 years im 22. The symptoms im getting are anxiety, sore tongue and throat like a burning feeling, and cannot sleep ha....but itll be worth it in the end.
ive quit nearly 5 weeks ago and the main symptom now is being tired ,i dont want to get up in the mornings ...help is this normal,i smoked for about 40 yrs
Annemarie,
Yes it really surprises some people that think that they will immediately feel better from quitting smoking and then they feel worse than they did when they were a smoker. But that does go away.
I quit smoking a little over a week ago. Got sick immediately. Didn't know that was a good sign tho. This sitr has alot of good information I never knew. Thanks. Best of luck to everyone!
I'm over 20 weeks into quitting, strangely I have started dreaming about starting smoking again. Three times in the last week! Even though it is a relief when I wake up, it is quite disturbing and starting to make me worry.
Kitkat73,
It is interesting because the chief cause of smoking is fatigue and when people quit smoking they have a hard time sleeping.
Smoking makes a person sleep deeper go into a coma like sleep not getting enough high quality REM sleep.Smokers get used to this low quality coma like sleep and then when smokers quit smoking they sleep lighter and get more REM but it feels like they are almost awake and so it feels like they are not getting any sleep at all.
Eventually you will even out and it usually takes about 3 weeks to a month for the sleepless nights to go away.
The body is no longer trying to escape the nicotine (poison) and allowing a lighter sleep and more dream time or REM (rapid eye movement) which is a better quality of sleep but doesn't seem like it when you are going through it!
High in there it will get better.
I'm on day 5 cold turkey had a horrible night hardly slept! I'm irritable and moody!
Hi Alero,
Cutting down on cigarettes will just make them into a reward! Let me give you an example. If you normally smoke 30 a day and you let half of them burn up in the ash tray and cut down to 10 what will happen is they will become like a reward and you will be thinking about them all day
and they will be on a little velvet pillow and precious.
If you had someone that smoked 30 and let half of them burn up in the ashtray and then someone who only smoked 5 but they were very precious to them ....
who would have a more difficult time quitting smoking?
Yep you guessed it the person who cut down and felt they were depriving themselves.
I would like to invite you to a free informational meeting and show you some of the assignments in Nicotine Solutions nicotinesolutions.com and in that class you can smoke while you learn to quit and not feel deprived. I think that would be the best for you.
Then you will be able to quit for good NOT just when you are pregnant ad then light up in the delivery room!
When you quit smoking the reason you feel dizzy is that you are getting more oxygen into your blood and you are not used to it and in a couple of weeks to a month that will go away.
the blurring of the eyes has me worried. never heard of that before maybe wait for another week and if the vision problem does not go away check with an eye doctor. Lets face it everything in your body has been affected by your smoking and it takes a while to fix things.
As far as feeling like a zombie... that is what I call muddleheadedness... it is also from oxygen in your brain and that will even out too in about 2 or three more weeks.
Hi Tracey,
When you quit smoking the reason you feel dizzy is that you are getting more oxygen into your blood and you are not used to it and in a couple of weeks to a month that will go away.
the blurring of the eyes has me worried. never heard of that before maybe wait for another week and if the vision problem does not go away check with an eye doctor. Lets face it everything in your body has been affected by your smoking and it takes a while to fix things.
As far as feeling like a zombie... that is what I call muddleheadedness... it is also from oxygen in your brain and that will even out too in about 2 or three more weeks.
hello lela ,
wow thanks for all the list of side effects. its only been two days that i decied to stop smoking, have been feeling dizzy and the heart burn. have been smoking for over 8 years now am 33 and planning to have kids with my partner so i was told by my dr that the first step to that is for me to stop smoking. finally two days ago i decieded that am ready to quit smoking. i normally smoke 20 to 30 a day but since two days ago have only had 10 in total pls tell me if am making any progress i just need some to talk to about it.
i stopped 9 days ago have had severe headaches evry day and vision is slighty blurred cant explain it but feel like a zombie its wierd ..not starting again but will this feeling go away x
John Martin,
Even when people quit without nicotine patches some people will have pimples or zits on their face. It is caused by the body getting rid of impurities and toxins from the nicotine.
A question that I have is that you said that you have quit smoking for 4 months but you are using the nicotine patch.
You should only be on the patch for 3 months and no more. Get yourself down to the lowest level 7 mg and get off of the nicotine as soon as possible.
Nicotine is a poison. A lethal dose of nicotine is between 50 and 60 mg.
So hopefully if you are still on the nicotine you can get off of it , but the skin outbreaks are not from the sugar in the gum.
Ihave been a non-smoker for 4 Months now and I am coming up in zits on my face. I feel like a teenager again. Has anyone else had this problem? I am using nicotine gum, could this be due to the extra sugar?
Hey Kevin,
The best way to get over the withdrawal from Chantix is lots of water, lots of deep breathing and Exercise.
The symptoms of Chantix can stay in the body for quit a while.
The fact that you are getting migraines doesn't surprise me because Chantix does change brain chemistry.
I don't know if you are metaphysical at all Kevin, but some people say that symptoms of sinus are being annoyed with someone that is close to you.
Did you used to smoke when you were coping with people that might be annoying and now you have to cope in a different way.
On a physical level sinus is just a clearing and dumping out of mucous.
Wow Jenny,
You need to get the GI acid reflux under control. It sounds like you have had this maybe before you quit smoking and the smoking was masking it.
Even though you don't like or want to take drugs (Pharma) Take whatever you need to help with the anxiety and the acid reflux to get over that and later when that is healed
then you can gradually go off of those drugs!
Like I have said over the over cold turkey is hard on the body but you been able to get this far get a little help from the drugs to get over the anxiety and acid reflux.
You can't leave that untreated.
Lela
Hi Vamc,
Blood in the mucous when you stop smoking is from irritation. It could be that you are sloughing off old "smoked" skin or mucous and it will go away.
For years you have been doing the equivalent of smoking your nasal passages like you would smoke a salmon.
Now that you have stopped smoking the body is sloughing off the old layer of "smoked" skin and leaving new baby tissue. Growing the new baby tissue may at first be irritating and maybe that is why the mucous has blood in it.
I don't think it is anything to be concerned about.
Your nasal passages could be dry and irritated and then you might try Vaseline or a netipot or saline rinse.
Your body is like a big construction zone with yellow tape rebuilding itself and sometimes it gets worse before it can get and feel better.
Lela
Jada,
Everyone is different and I guess cold turkey worked for you. How long have been a non-smoker? I agree with you that there is no need to substitute nicotine for nicotine
Hi Jenny,
Many people feel like they have a smokers flu. The heartburn will get worse before it gets better. Any pharma that you take to deal with the anxiety or the heartburn would be better than being a smoker.
So I would get through this rough patch with something that is going to cure the GI tract and smooth your anxiety and then down the road you can gradually get off of those drugs.
You really don't want to just not do anything and hope it goes away cause it may not without some help.
I know it is discouraging when you quit smoking and then a bunch of other things that seem worse.
Don't worry this too shall pass and you wont have to be on Prevacid for the rest of your life.
Like I have said over and over cold turkey is difficult on the body.
Hey Kevin,
The best way to get over the withdrawal from Chantix is lots of water, lots of deep breathing and Exercise.
The symptoms of Chantix can stay in the body for quit a while.
The fact that you are getting migraines doesn't surprise me because Chantix does change brain chemistry.
I don't know if you are metaphysical at all Kevin, but some people say that symptoms of sinus are being annoyed with someone that is close to you.
Did you used to smoke when you were coping with people that might be annoying and now you have to cope in a different way.
On a physical level sinus is just a clearing and dumping out of mucous.
Hey Kevin,
The best way to get over the withdrawal from Chantix is lots of water, lots of deep breathing and Exercise.
The symptoms of Chantix can stay in the body for quit a while.
The fact that you are getting migraines doesn't surprise me because Chantix does change brain chemistry.
I don't know if you are metaphysical at all Kevin, but some people say that symptoms of sinus are being annoyed with someone that is close to you.
Did you used to smoke when you were coping with people that might be annoying and now you have to cope in a different way.
On a physical level sinus is just a clearing and dumping out of mucous.
I disagree about how people shpuld ween theirselves off gradually. when i tried doing that i just smoked even more in a day. doing it cold turkey is best cause the real problem after the nicotines out of ur system after just three days its all in ur head. u have anxiety get xanax. eat healthy foods when u have a craving, drink lots of water. nicotine gum, patch lozenge is just as bad as smoking a cigarette.
Hello Lela...
Need your advice please. I quit smoking one month ago after 18 years although it was unintentional. I had a stomach bug I battled for a couple of days and the thought of a cigarette disgusted. By the time the symptoms of my bug cleared up, I realized I hadn't smoked all those days while I had the bug so I figured I would continue not smoking. Well...I have many of the symptoms listed above but the most troublesome for me is the heartburn, anxiety and insomnia. I thought the stomach bug was still lingering so I took myself to emergency to get checked out. They sent me home saying I have anxiety issues and I'm anxious to get over the stomach bug. The heartburn was constant for the next several weeks and really bothersome. I made an appointment with my family doctor and she sent me for an ultrasound which came back normal, then we did an upper GI series which showed I had Large Acid reflux. My doc then prescribed Prevacid and said I should take it for 3 months. My experience with heartburn throughout my life has been very minimal. But this heartburn after quitting has been killer. I'm not sure what I should do. I'm not big on pills from pharma and worried that I will never be able to stop taking Prevacid if I start or should I just tough it out and see if it goes away on it's own after a few more weeks of not smoking? Can you please let me know what you think. I'd really appreciate it.
thanks for the quick response..the nauseau isnt too sever..just the dizziness and feeling of being slightly confused..these seem to be possible migraine or sinus/tension headach symptoms..I did go to my doctor and he does not believe my symptoms are related to the chantix..you said these symptoms do generally clear up and each person has a different timeline..any suggestions on what may lesson these symptoms during this withdrawel process..i really believed the day i quit smoking i would feel great and be able to run a marathon!!..i had no idea what my body would go through..i even laughed at my mom who said i may be withdrawel!!..of course after finding this blog i may owe her an apology!! ..thanks lela
Hi Kevin,
Sinus is typical it is a letting go of debris and being light headed is caused by more oxygen going to your brain and that should start to go away by now but everyone has a different time line.
The fact that you still have nausea after 6 weeks sounds like it is from the drug and you might want to go to a doctor for that symptom. Everything that you asked about is normal except the nausea.
Hope that helps. Let me know how it goes!
Hi there..i am smoke free now for 6 weeks..yay!!!..however i did it witht he help of chantix and am not sure if the symptoms i have now are normal or possibly side effects from the drug..anyways..i am experiencing major sinus pressure and dizzyness..nauseau as well but i assume that is in association to the dizziness..is it normal to have these types of symptoms this far along in quitting?? any response would be great!!
I quit 2 months ago... Previously had a sensation as if some thing was struck down my throat, constantly. It is gone now but there's new odd thing, more scary I have to say, that I'm observing. Now when I brush in the morning and clear my throat, I see a tiny amount of blood in my mucus. Is it some thing to worry about?
Today is my 31st day without a cig after smoking a pack a day for 40 years. So far so good
I went Cold Turky. It was cool to supress the crave... but the effects have been crazy. I never looked in to side effects of quiting before I stopped smoking.
Went thru dizziness, gas issues, and constant headache... I am now able to with stand all. May be I am getting ued to it or may be my body is getting used to excess Oxygen and more bload circulation.. In addition for some reason I read eatting raw garlic improves the immune system. I know they don't go hand in hand... but it helps... I am now success fully running 4 weeks. I share with everyone I know and I try to influence the Smokers to quit.....
Good happened to me....
Not sure how? why? but one fine day I had the last one and I said to my self this is my last one..on the 4th of April 2012 at 9:10am PST.....
I quit smoking back in 1981, cold turkey. It is the only way to quit. As for all the crap you go through, well hang in there, your body is detoxing and cleaning out all the crap in your system. Every thing you worry about, complain about, feel bad, mood swings, sore mouth, headaches and the list goes on are all part and parcel of your body detoxing. Once you quit DO NOT START AGAIN for the next time you try and quit will be 10 times harder.Every time you do that it will get harder and harder. Remember you are an addict to nicotine and every other stuff that is in the cigeratte. You will always be an addict. Once you get that figured out in your head, because addiction can screw with your mind, you will be able to be in better control of quiting and staying quit. You must change your patterns of life, activities, friends that smoke, and eating for a year and maybe a bit longer till you have total control. Then you can slowly go back to the pubs, dances, etc where there is smoke. I took up alot of physical activity, like long distance running, starting out very slow here, also swimming, and martial arts. The more you use your lungs, going slow at first till you build up stamina and strength, the easier it will be to get control of not smoking and feeling better. In time you will get to the point that even to smell cigarettes will make you very sick and that is a good thing. It takes about a year to get over the brunt of the detoxing, but you MUST HANG IN THERE and do not light up. Leave any area where you are even slightly tempted. I use to smoke two packages a day for over 15 years. You can do it, but you must be strong in the mind.
My boyfriend quit smoking two days ago. Hes tried several times befofe as well. This time he has alot of strength and will power. Any tips for what i can do to support the positive change? Or things he should do?
I am 33. Been smoking since I was 18. I need to quit smoking for all the reasons any health conscious person should. I have quit once for over a year 6 years ago. Living on West Africa, the only option open for me then was going cold turkey. I just quit cold turkey again 24 hrs ago. I think most of all this is simply psychological. Go with the flow. If you feel lethargic, rest. If you are hungry, eat. Listen to your body, but do NOT pick up another cig. Period. Easier said than done huh? Truth is, with cold turkey, you need 2 things. A, sheer will power and B, determination.
Allen Carr, etc and all em nicotine alternative producing companies who make millions off poor smokers trying to quit that make it sound difficult to quit. It isnt. Remember, in the end, everyone goes cold turkey. Either by gradually weaning off nicotine or simply quitting, there comes a day you have to stop, period. Why waste money? If it doesn't work the first time, you gotta keep trying. No guarantee a patch, cessation etc will work anyway. In my opinion, the e cig is the best product for quitting in the market so far. Oh well, wish me luck! :)
ok I'm now in my 18th week in giving up smoking. I created a hub page about it. http://alanrammel.hubpages.com/hub/My-experience-i It feels like for good this time.
Ok i have a question and maybe some of you ex-smokers can help me out. I Quit smoking on March 10, 2012. I quit cold turkey and haven't picked up a cig since. I had varies withdraw symptoms such as cough, mucus or phlem in throat,itchy throat and sore throath. For the most part my withdrawal symptoms have disappeared but the only thing that is still bothering me is a sore throat on and off. I don't have a sore throat daily but, it comes and goes. It feels like my throat is more sensitive to cold air or maybe even dry air. I also, currently live in the house with a smoker. Can anybody tell me how long their sore throat's have lasted or whats the longest they have heard? Also, what else could be causing it? Could it be allergies that have been masked for years because I was smoking? Im 31 years old, female, in good health, and I smoked about 5 years. Please give me some insight?
Aamirbc,
Not having a cough after you quit smoking is not unusual. It just means that your body is clearing out in a different way than most.
It depends on your age and how long you smoked and also the strength of nicotine you had been smoking.
Its been 6 days now when i quit smoking, whereas I am not having any cough till date. Is this something unusual or dangerous?
I quit smoking cold turky on easter sunday this year. are you to have some chest pains, feel like your gonna cry all the time. any other side effects or any thing else that can be helpfull .
Heather,
you are the shape you are because that is your shape. Smoking or quitting will not change your shape, however when you quit usually you will have more stamina and actually be able to exercise more so you could get more fit.
Now the opposite could be true, you need to let the habit die of neglect and NOT feed it in any way. For instance NEVER substitute candy, gum, sunflower seeds or toothpicks for the habit because one of 2 things will happen, you will keep the habit alive and go back to smoking or you will keep feeding the habit with food and gain a lot of weight and then you will say I was thinner as a smoker and go back to smoking. See my other 2 hubpages on how to not gain weight when you stop smoking for more advice.
Hi,
I am apple shaped, and i heard that it could be due to my smoking, I quit yesterday, if i am this shape due to smoking will it be reversed? (unless I am just naturally apple shaped)
- Heather
Yes Mike ,
That is your body cleaning out!
I have gone a week without a real cigarette after 25 years. I do not know life without them since I started smoking on spring break when I was 15.
I do smoke the BLU Electronic Cigarettes. Unfortunately, I have the coughing side effects and some of the nastiest looking stuff coming out of my lungs and throat that smell horrid (but its a good thing said the doc).
Harvey,
I am so sorry that you had to through all of the cold turkey problems.
THANK YOU for your comments ...I could not agree with more!!!!!!!
hi everyone ive read a lot of your articles and id like to tell u about my quiting smoking 7 months ago. i quit cold turkey because i had to dr pulled a tooth and ruptured sinus caviey and told me could not smoke for 2 months or i would have serious sinse problems. its something i do not recommened to no one.. symptoms are still hanging around getting better but wow anxiety was very bad dreams were just as bad and i had gotten a disorder called flaking which is in your eyes as particles float in your sight. which is still with me to day.anxiety still hanging around but much milder..my ears would plug for some reason. and still do occationally.maybe its from the tooth maybe its from cold turkey dont know but i hope that no one has to go through what i did.. it just seams like soon as something gets better something else seems to come around..not trying to scare people but i think quiting slowly would of really helped me out but didnt get that opportunity. hope this helps some of u.
It is all about detoxing from the nicotine.
You are still on the patch so you are detoxing from the nicotine and that is what is going on with the digestive problems.
Your body has been used having the nicotine to "aid in digestion" so you are not out of the woods until you are completely off of the patch and then there will be more detoxing to do after that.
What you are doing with the patch is giving your body nicotine with a different delivery system . I am not taking away anything from your accomplishment, I am just saying that you will still have to go through that as long as you have the patch on and beyond.
Nicotine is a poison an it has a real hold on your body whether it is in the form of a cigarette or the nicotine patch.
You can eat alkaline based foods like milk and that would help with the sour stomach.
Okay, I was so glad to come across this:) I quit smoking a month and a half ago and I am using the patch. It is totally working for me but the only thing I have been dealing with is some digestive issues. It does not happen all of the time and in fact it has only happened 4 days total across a two week span. I get sour stomach, belching and my stomach rumbles. I get hungry and cannot eat that much as I feel full then there are times the thought or smell of food makes me sick to my stomach. I smoked for almost 20 years and knew it was time to stop so I am more than willing to deal with this occasionally. I knew that smoking had changed my body and seeing that my family has suffered loss from cancer I felt it was time for me to not give cancer a helping hand with me. Anyway, I am happy to be smoke free and as of today I am going down to the lowest patch and could not be happier. If dealing with a sour stomach from time to time is the only thing I have to deal with for trading what smoking could do to me in the future, I am more than happy to deal with it. I wish everyone nothing but success and remember that you control your life, not a drug. xoxo
Olg,
I'm glad it was helpful to you!!!
I was reading this because I have been a bit depressed about the weight gain and trying to find info out on metabolism etc.
I smoked from the time I was 14 up to 4 months ago DEC.5 2011 was my last day...
I still miss smoking sometimes and would love to just light one up...
But, I love not having this thing control me anymore. I cannot believe how my entire life revolved around smoking...how I planned things around it, etc. I am so grateful to be done with that control over my life...and thats what keeps me going...
It was one of the hardest things ever to quit...I quit cold turkey and was depressed and anxious for almost 2 months...but now I feel much better.
Anyway, I just wanted to say I enjoyed reading all of your comments and found it so he;pful and wanted to say thankyou.
I also wanted to say that all of you should really be so proud of yourselves.
Thanks for sharing your experiences and good luck.
Hello All...
Ok so I woke up This past Saturday and decided!! I want to live, I have two Beautiful Daughters and A wonderful Wife! And I want to live... My wife try's to be supportive. But she thinks that all that I am feeling is in my mind. I was a late smoker started at 24 and I am now 37. But I too am struggling with this habit! I have gone cold turkey because I know I'm strong and I must admit I kindda like the challenge! But is chest tightness normal?
Yes tightness in the chest is a symptom of recovery. It seems counter intuitive but you might go through a period of time where it feels constricted.
Hey Andy,
I did of video of my neighbor Barbara testing out an electronic cigarette. In fact she demonstrates every thing about electronic cigarettes and you can even get a free trial if you want.
Here is the link
Hello All...
Ok so I woke up This past Saturday and decided!! I want to live, I have two Beautiful Daughters and A wonderful Wife! And I want to live... My wife try's to be supportive. But she thinks that all that I am feeling is in my mind. I was a late smoker started at 24 and I am now 37. But I too am struggling with this habit! I have gone cold turkey because I know I'm strong and I must admit I kindda like the challenge! But is chest tightness normal?
Hi. I decided to stop 3 days ago. Have had a few moments where I could murder a fag and feel a bit tired and dizzy. I've decided to try go proper cold Turkey because I have failed with patches and gum in the past. Was thinking about the electronic cigs. Anyone ever tried them?
day three . cold turkey.. felt like puking all day... very informative hub.I will get me some licorice..
Terry,
When I quit smoking if felt like I couldn't breathe deeply enough and always felt like I wanted to breathe deeper, but that went away in the first few months. After you have quit smoking for 11 months I don't think it is still the effects of quitting smoking.
I would suggest going to a throat specialist and see what they say. sorry I am not more help but it does not sound like anything I have heard of
most intresting.. i went cold turkey after my heart attack may last year!! were i had 2 stents put in my arteries.. i had to really.. but after 11 month i can walk for miles not out of breath,, feel good.. but now this is a big but!! my voice started to go very low every night and when i talk i felt breathless.. i seen a ent expert and they said it could be acid reflux.. and that my flaps on my vocal cords are slitley open.. again may be.. but what i find is i get a little down.. wondering is it my heart.. but walking 2 miles up a steap hill in 20 min its not.. yet just by talking i voice fatiage and tired though it. could i still be feeling the effects of stopping after 11 month???... the hospital just tell you to stop and not how and what the affect your likely to feel over the many months..i just wish someone could tell me whats going on but know one can... idont take tablets.. just asprin daily which you have to for life.. oh yes im 62 smoked for 45 years had the test dont for C.O.P.D and passed.. saying i havd the lungs of a 65 year old im 62 so ok i lost 3 years.. been lucky.. one last thing.. in the morning i feel great.. but by teatime it starts all over again breathless when i talk and voice fatige.. can anyone help and have they had the same problemss cheers
So Adam,
Let me just say that congratulations on stopping smoking and keep up the good work.
I do have a few things to say about your comments. How long have you been off the patch and Zyban?
Nicotine is only in your body for 72 hours. Have you ever quit smoking for 3 days and then gone back to it. I know people that have gone back to smoking after they have quit for 3 months, 6 months or even a year or two.
If nicotine is 95% of the problem (as you believe),then why would someone go back to smoking after 3 or 6 months etc.
The reason that people smoke after a meal is due to the drop in blood sugar and the relationship of nicotine, caffeine and sugar.
If Zyban with the patch has a 37% success rate, then that is one of the lower success rates, just a bit above cold turkey that has a success rate of around 18%.
Cold turkey and drugs like Zyban or Chantix have low success rates because they are a one dimensional approach to a habit that is many aspects to it.
Smoking is a multifaceted habit that needs to be addressed on many different levels. Smokers and chewers need to detoxify from the nicotine, learn to deal with stress, deal with emotions, regulate their blood sugar levels, learn what to do with the cigarette after a meal, first thing in the morning, last thing at night, with coffee and alcohol. And how to be around smokers once you quit and even how to complete things because most smokers complete things with a cigarette.
I quit smoking in 1978 and have taught tens of thousands of smokers to stop smoking all over the world.
I am NOT FOR OR AGAINST the patch, or other nicotine replacement therapies or any kind of drug, in fact, I am for what works.
Over the years as the patch, Zyban or Chantix came on the market, my students would ask me about them and I would say, "great go ahead and use it and let's see how it helps the process" by using it in conjunction with my behavioral program.
If ANY of the drugs or products would have enhanced Nicotine Solutions in ANY way, then I would have already added that product to it. My program gets a 90% success rate without any drugs or nicotine replacement.
The drugs and nicotine replacement products always seemed to mask what the smokers needed to get in a mess with so they could stop smoking calmly, comfortably and permanently.
I will step down off my soapbox now ...wheww....you got me going-- Lela
Of course, I can only speak from experience, but I contest that nicotine is responsible for closer to 95% of the addiction (rather than 5% noted here). All of the habits, such as smoking after a meal or immediately in the morning, arise almost entirely out of the brain's desire for nicotine. I replaced cigarettes with the nicotine patch for three weeks before quitting entirely and I had almost no cravings at all, since my desire for nicotine was almost always satiated. The times I did crave were when the nicotine levels in my blood dropped faster than usual, such as when drinking coffee or under extreme stress.
Very, very few people would smoke after a meal if cigarettes didn't deliver nicotine. Smoking isn't really pleasant in any way except for its mood altering effects. In my experience, Zyban is the most helpful tool for combating cravings. According to my psychiatrist, Zyban and the patch together have the (statistically) best outcome; about 37% success.
IM GOING 4 DAYS WITHOUT ONE AND ITS GETTING REALY HARD
I quit by cutting back using an e-cigarette, after the first day I just didn't crave any smokes so I just stopped. Have had some symptoms like the hot flashes and restlessness at night, but got almost a week in and doing better. A good tip for people afraid of gaining weight and over eating I got from someone else, Break out some carrot sticks and hold the dressing. Stay away from sweets and fatty foods. :) I feel great quitting after 13 years of being a smoker, and I'm determined to not be chained like that again. :)
Hi Shonn,
I am sorry that I have not replied to your posts. My hard drive on my computer had to be replaced and I just got my computer back.
If you want to email me at easeout (at) nicotinesolutions.com and let me know what's a good time to talk I would be happy to talk with you and give you some advice on what would be helpful for you. Everyone is different so I would want to ask you a few questions.
Lela
PS Sorry that I didn't get to this sooner but do let me know your schedule and I am sure that I can help.
Im trying to quit smoking & the people im around smoke & its hard to quit & and that little voice in my head saying I cant do this just smoke one just one and you will be ok
if you would just listen to me I can quit but why is my posts getting deleted ??
Well I just posted something a few min ago plz read it I beg you from the bottom of my heart & now I dont even see the comment with me pouring my heart out ? U feel as if it aint ment for me to quit really what happen to my last one ??? I even told my freinds on facebook about this page but now the one I put up spreading my heart out is gone ? why ?? isnt this site to help you ? is that why it is up ??
OK I have tried this several freaking times !!!!! Please someone hear me out I was reading this & just started crying I hate this trapped life I hate smoking I hate every thing about it I have been smoking for 6 years or so bout a pack every day Im tired of it I hate it I cant do this alone I want someone to team up with me that is seriously trying to quit & I will wright you every night to see how you are doing & for you to see how i am doing I can do this but I cant get threw these hard times with out help I have ripped packs by packs up screaming Im going quit to the top of my lungs & then go right back to it my dad has 6 stenses in his heart from smoking my pap pal & mammal both died from it but what really got me was I take karate classes & its really hurting me its destroying my life one smoke at a time & starting today Im quitting cold turkey I know its hard to do & i will take any advice I can get 0r you will give & im screaming out to somebody thats going threw the same thing as me please answer me less do this together this site has changed my life I feel I have the strength to quit now my dad has quit for like 20 some years & saids he still wants one & some time craves one that scares me 2 about quitting how can you go your whole life wanting something that just sounds horrible but Im done if it takes that to quit then Im ready for it weight w.e all loose it im done with this life its hell I cry when I smoke anymore how the hell is that worth it im done just someone plz answer me help me plz be my partner threw this I will message you back every night see how you are doing we will fight this together someone plz answer my cry & i wish every body else good luck quit liying to your damn self saying that you enjoy it thats bs you just think you cant escape well theres a door for every thing you just got to find the knob thank you
Yes that is just your body cleaning itself out. Some people take long or have more debris than others.
It has settled in your lungs at night and when you get up you are moving it around. Eventually it will go away just taking a really long time to clear up
I quit about 2 months now .. I went cold turkey and all them side affects that was listed I went thru about 70% of them it's all worth it tho and I can't stand cig smoke now it's really weird but I felt sick for about 2 weeks and ppl got on my nerves more often then usual .. If u can quit I'd have to say that I feel free of nicotine but I did smoke weed In the beginning to help with my urges and 1 cigar
I stopped smoking cold turkey two years ago but I still have long bouts of coughing up copious amounts of phlegm--mostly in the winter--and mostly in the mornings. This condition goes on non-stop for about two to three months. I've been x-rayed several times, scoped, and tested for lung capacity. I'm told I have COPD. I rarely cough during the day, just in the morning when I consciously try and get the phlegm up. I have no problem breathing. I don't wheeze or crackle. Anyone else here experiencing the same thing after having given up smoking for at least two years?
Hey Lola,
Smoking is an addiction mentally, emotionally physically and financially. Smoking is also habit forming after even one puff for most people and also It defines many routines such as first thing in the morning, last thing at night, after meals and some cars won't start with out it.
Lola whatever you want to call it addictive and habit forming drug that has ever existed. There are studies that if 100 people tried many different drugs including heroin, cocaine and nicotine that out of the 100 people the majority would end up getting hooked on nicotine.
The funny thing is that I have had students try e cigarettes with NO Nicotine and they still went through my program (Nicotine Solutions) to get rid of the habit!
Melissa,
Yes it is very normal to gain 3 to 7 pounds
of water weight at first and then it can become permanent weight gain. Usually the weight gain is caused by quitting cold turkey become it takes the body time to adjust to the metabolism changes.
You might want to try to step up your exercise and cut down on salt or processed foods.
Kamal,
Some people slide right through it.
Darlene Peebles,
Good for you Darlene!
I was a smoker since I was about 16 years old and am now 42 years old. I first found this website about 5 weeks ago when I was researching the side affects that I will encounter when I choose to quit smoking. My main reason for quitting is to rid all of the chemicals and dependency and have the ability for my body to heal quicker. I was recently diagnosed with Breast Cancer in Jan. 2012, to me this was a wake up call. I realized that if I can be susceptible to breast cancer, then lung cancer is also a strong possibility. I therefore, decided to quit about 5 weeks ago, Cold Turkey, and have not touched a cigarette since. I am very proud of myself and most importantly, my children are extremely proud of my success in quitting and staying quit. I am more irritable and cranky but everyone around me realizes that this is because I no longer smoke my problems away and I tend to be more open and blunt about my feelings on topics of interest. I am going to be a breast cancer survivor and forever an ex-smoker (A True Quitter) :)
I quit smoking (Cold Turkey)..it has been 60 days since my last smoke.I used to smoke 2X20 packs a day and have been a smoker for the last 32 Years.Never felt the difficulty of quitting and it was much easier than i presumed reading all the articles with withdrawal symptoms etc...i don't know why but the withdrawl effects for me were very mild and don't even crave for a smoke at all.the only side effect i had gum bleeding for about 6 weeks...
I have quit for 2 months now cold turkey and I feel terrible im so bloated I can't fit my clothes Im so uncomfortable I don't get the craving for a smoke but the weight gain and uncomfortable feeling makes me wanna start just for them to go away but I really don't wanna do that. Is this normal? I am 30 years old and have smoked everyday since I was 13 years old.
Hi Penny,
Good for you that you quit smoking. I am glad that you got off of Champix early. There can be some bad side effects from Chantix or Champix.
I don't think that you need willpower if you go through a process that prepares you to quit while you are still smoking like Nicotine solutions program.
Lola,
Smoking is multifaceted. It is a habit, an addiction and it has you emotionally and in many different ways. Allen Carr is one method to stop smoking. Some people need more support that reading a book, but if it worked for you ...great. How long has it been for you since you quit smoking?
Mrs Smith,
Hmm I think you should go to the doctor. This does not sound typical.
I stop smoking November 23 20111 had no problems untill december 22 2011. Today is feb,13 this past month has been very bad for me and now that my lung is not so swollen whenever i lay on my sides the lungs now feel sore is this common or normal. I hope some one can relate to this journey of no more smoking
Smoking is NOT a habit. It is an addiction. I stopped smoking with Allen Carr :=)
i was on champix ,i quit my third day being on the pill i only had to take them for 8 weeks ,i was smoking more then a pack a day and i was a smoker for 30 years,you need wilpower but champix was the start to a great end for me and i would recamend it to everyone ,tks champix
Shay,
Usually itching is from increased circulation. It almost feels like a rash and it usually happens on the the legs and arms.
Could you tell me more about the twitching on the lips. I dont know if that is something that is related to quitting smoking until you could describe it more fully.
Shay,
Usually itching is from increased circulation. It almost feels like a rash and it usually happens on the the legs and arms.
Could you tell me more about the twitching on the lips. I don't know if that is something that is related to quitting smoking until you could describe it more fully.
I'm tryin my beat not to smoke been a smoker for 2yrs and 3days is as far as I am now I'm itching my lips are twitching and my body is changing moody not so hungry and I have more energy is tha twitching supposed to happen???
Bunny Bond,
That feeling of not being able to take a deep enough breath or being breathless after you stop smoking is caused by you just breathing deeper than you have done as a smoker for a very long time.
It takes time for your body to go into natural mode and eventually you will come out of it and be able to deep breathe normally.
It does seem counter intuitive that when you quit smoking you should be able to breath deeper. One other thing is that you used to do your deep breathing with smoke and now you have to switch that to deep breathing with oxygen!
i quit smoking 6 mos ago cold turkey now i have a hard time breathing some times it wakes me up i cant take real deep breaths what can i do to help it?
I quit smoking 7 months ago, cold turkey. I thought I would feel better if I did. I am 60 years old and smoked for 40 over years. I feel like crap. Nightmares, tired all the time, for some reason I started swelling in my face, hands and legs,after I quit. I felt so bad I started getting no exercise at all. Now I can barely walk around the house. If I thought going back to smoking would make this all go away, I would start back today. This is all due to stopping smoking or I am dying one...that is how bad it is.
Thanks a lot for all this information.
I have a simple but quite intriguing question, which answer I do know a priori, so bear with me...
Is it SAFE to quit smoking? And do not laugh at it, I have heard the contrary many times...
OK, you'll now say "yeah, that's what weak people say to give themselves freedom to smoke" etc., etc. But really, many people is convinced that they have relatives who fell seriously sick (normally with cancer) when they quit smoking.
You might now say "no, they developed the cancer because they _were_ smoking not because the quit smoking". Fine. But the case I have at hand now is unfortunately real: three identical twins ("the bolds" we call them :-)). All of them used to smoke. One quit around six or seven years ago. The other two continue smoking today...while the third (who quit) is unfortunately in his last days of life, from a lung cancer...
I have quit smoking recently. I have done other times. I am now feeling really unsecure, and would appreciate any word of courage that to quit smoking IS SAFE, and will not increase my probabilities of developing cancer....
Does this make any sense to you?
Thanks, and regards from Spain.
Cheers,
P.
what happened when i quit smoking suddenly???????
Thank you so much for this posting! It's the most thorough one I've read so far. I started smoking to cope with an abusive boyfriend and never stopped! Now, 4 years later, I'm ready to quit! :)
Today at 2pm will mark my 24th hour without a cigarette and I hurt. I weaned myself down from over a pack, to half a pack and then I smoked one less everyday until yesterday. I smoked 2 and it made me nauseous so I quit at 2pm. I didn't sleep last night, I'm shaky, I'm in full blown panic attack mode. My chest hurts, I'm nauseous, my throat hurts really bad and basically my whole body aches but it will be worth it in the end. I quit for a month last year and forgot how bad the withdrawals were. I will not be doing this again. I swear this is the worst withdrawals I've had in the 5 times I've quit. This is it. I feel so bad, I'll never pick them back up again. I am making a journal of how bad it is this time around just in case I turn around one day and want to start smoking again. lol
Chantix or Champix as its also known helped me quit after 15 years of smoking. I have not had a smoke in 5 months now.
The drug did make me dream a bit more and also took away the desire to smoke. You just need to hang onto the new contrast added to your life when your not smoking.
I still have dreams where i am smoking...even in my dreams i going "wtf am i doing??"
Good Luck every1
I gave up almost a month ago... my real problem is that it feels TOO EASY. I dream I have smoked but have not done it. If I found it this easy I'm afraid I'm going to do it again, though I don't want to.
By NOT recommending cold turkey (which actually means taking NOTHING) people will have a hard time quitting the quitting aids. I quit 1 month and 3 days ago cold turkey and it is THE best way to do it.
It takes 3 DAYS to have nicotine completely out of your system ..... 72 hours and that is why the first 3 days are the hardest.
I think that if after a month you still miss or want nicotine then maybe you didnt quit for the right reasons as by then the rollercoaster ride should be smoother than the first couple of weeks.
30-40 per day for 20 year smoker -
I quit 4 days ago with Champix. Day 1 was an absolute nightmare but it's getting increasingly better.
Side effects have been lethargy and headache - so definitely a lot better off than some of you. Also hungry! It's the whole 'hand to mouth' psychology
The only thing I am REALLY battling with is the psychology behind it all. I keep trying to convince myself why I should have one. (At the moment it's because I know I can give up, so could just have one!) The devil is sitting on my shoulder!!
Good luck all - keep it up
Well, i ran out of smokes a few hours ago. I am going cold turkey. Wish me luck! I saw this site a few days ago and LOVED reading others' posts, really gave me inspiration! So glad i found it again, AND WILL BOOKMARK IT!
Today is day 2 for me and I feel like I want to die!!! My throat hurts so bad, I'm coughing up black stuff, headaches.....I just want to got to bed and sleep until it all goes away!! I know this is all normal but OMGoodness is it hard!! I will stick with it though and I WILL be a non-smoker!!
I chose laser therapy. I had tried hypnosis, the patch 3 X and Zyban 2X. Stress is my downfall. However all that changed 6 days ago. I have not cheated and am starting to feel like this is the one that worked! After you get past the feelings of not knowing what to do with yourself, panicking because you don't think you can drive your car without smoking or you want to tear someone's head off (really), you feel calm. I smoked for 45 years since I was a teen and never thought it would ever end. The secret weapon is the detox process that goes with it. I have read some of the side effects of Nicotine withdrawal and they are so accurate. The one I feel the most is that there is just too much oxygen around me--too weird! I have a lot of stressors both family and work related and I actually was able to not cave in and light up; I actually found an unopened, new pack of smokes when packing an overnight bag on day 2 and was able to easily throw them into the burn drum outside! Detox: Orange or pineapple juice with 1 tsp of cream of tartar at bedtime for a week. 200-800 mg of Magnesium every day for 1 month (calms the central nervous system) 1000-2000 mg of Vit C per day for a month. This helps with cell regrowth and healing. Really works! Still have insomnia (work midnights too), hoarseness, restlessness but getting better. Remember you can't use nicotine replacement with laser because it essentially tells the brain you are a non smoker. Having 1 puff or using nicotine substitutes undo the effects
Good luck every one!
ok gonna get with the programme! I'm gonna set up a giving up smoking blog page about my giving up smoking on Hub Pages today! will post link in a bit
iv been stoped just over 6 months i went cold turkey i have for the past month realy bad acid reflux heartburn iv had all the side efects the first 3-4 weeks i found it easy because i new deep down i wanted to stop i know this may sound silly but i brainwashed myself into thinking the first 3 weeks was realy 3 months and that it would be silly to start again after all that time but it worked for me.....glad iv stoped i should have done this years ago i started at 15 im now 46 so its had a hold of me for 30years.now im in control i cant stand the smell of smoke now it chokes me.but know one tells you the truth about all the body changes when stoped i now have put wight on and look older and iv now got middle age spread after being skinny all my life this is the first time in my life iv been able to put waight on and my family and friends say i look alot better for it.
Lacey,
This is going to sound strange but in some way your mind set when you stop smoking when you are pregnant is to go back to smoking once you have the baby. When you stop smoking for good somehow your body knows and your brain send a signal that this is for good and we better do some clean up work around here! (I told you it was going to sound strange)
I have been teaching people to stop smoking since 1978 and this is just what happens. Of course I don't teach a cold turkey method so what my students go through is very mild to quitting cold turkey!
Hi Lela :) I'm 34 and smoked for 15 years. However,I quit 2 weeks ago cold turkey and so far so good! Luckily for me despite the stupid smoking I stayed in great shape over the years as my will allowed me to go to the gym a lot and keep up my lifting weights, cardio and I also do not drive, so I walk up to between 1-2 miles a day which I have been doing since I was about 16 as I love to walk! I could however use a few pointers when it pertains to the habbit aspect of it. The nicotine withdrawl to my surprise has not bothered me at all, but the habbit of doing it, such as when I go to talk on the phone, or step outside to talk to a buddy who stops by, I find myself wanting to reach in my pocket and grab my lighter lol, but when that happens it does cause me irritably. So please let me know some of your helpful tips to combat those hard times! It's a wonderful thing you are doing on here!
I am so glad I came across this page. I quit smoking 8 days ago, cold turkey, and I thought I was losing my mind. I didn't know there was that many side effects just from quitting smoking. I have defiantly thought about starting it up again, but I know this time is it, I don't want to smoke anymore. I am 30 years old have been smoking since I was 15. I have 2 young children and I want to live a long and healthy life with them. One weird thing is, I gave up smoking each time I was pregnant and of course started back up again after, but I never had the symptoms that Im experiencing now when I quit when I was pregnant, is there any reason for that?
thanks I'll have a look at that. I need all the help I can get right now
Nicotinesolutions.com has informational calls that you can get some sample ideas on how to start changing your behavior of smoking without using drugs.
Smoking is a multifaceted problem that needs to be dealt with on many different levels
I am new to researching the physical and psychological effects from quitting smoking. I am 42 years old and a smoker since I was about 15 years old. I have been a pack of day smoker for about 15 years, give or take a few in good times and times of stress. I realize that I crave smoking more when I am frustrated, stressed, or overwhelmed. How can I naturally cope with these stressors without resorted to nicotine to calm my nerves or curb my anger?
I have used nicotine gum over many attempts to stop smoking over the years. The side effects for me are mouth and tongue ulcers. Also I get depression when quitting smoking as my body learns to do without nicotine. I find that chewing gum only prolongs this period making me susceptible to failing for a longer period.
Hi Robert,
hmm I have not heard of quitting smoking and then getting halitosis, usually it is the other way around. You might want to go and see a doctor it might have some other cause?
I quit smoking about a month ago, but I was only smoking 1 or 2 cigarettes a day. I now have terrible halitosis would like to know if this is a common side effect and how long does it generally last. I haven't seen it posted as a side effect on any sites.
Lisa!
I am so sorry you are going though all this.
Lela
Well it's good to know I'm not the only one! I have quit for four months now. I'm ready to jack in my job, I'm so emotional, I'm rowing with anybody who doesn't share the same opinion and I've just spent £8 on a mouthwash because my gums are bleeding!! I know "healthy body, healthy mind" and I know I need to get to the gym but just can't find the motivation! It is comforting to know I'm not alone! I may even go and do some yoga right now :)
Quiting smoking is hard but not impossible, it's all in your mind and if you learn to controll yourself mentally then you are a winner, it's about how strong you are and will power. I am 22 years of age and started smoking when I was 13, by the age of 16 I was smoking a packet a day and hooked. I have been an asthmatic from the age of 8years and now my asthma has gone worse and I have decide I am giving up the cancer stick for good, tomorrow will be my 5th day and this will be a great achievement.. Just believe in yourself and anything is possible :) good luck to you all, be strong:)
Thank you Cheryl
I am so happy I found this page!!!!
Information is power! I feel so rejuvinated. I quit smoking November 12 (3 weeks ago) Cravings come and go, I just have more pepermint then I used too. It helps with settling my stomach, and deep breathing helps a lot with the cravings. So the part that is getting to me is the phelm and hoarness. I hate having to clear my throat so much. But after reading the reasons I am happy to clear my throat now : )
WHAT A WONDER HUB!!!!
Thank You!
Marie,
I know that having sore muscles is a symptom of recovery. Your muscles and cells are rebuilding on a cellular level.
Cramps and loose stool is also a symptom. Not so sure about blood in the stool. Maybe better go to a doctor about the blood part.
Let me know
Lela
Hi Lela
I stopped smoking 19 days ago, for the past week and a half I have had cramps, diaherra and now with blood in it. Is that a side effect? I smoked 30 a day cut down to 20 about 18 months ago then down to 6 a couple of months ago and now 0. I am very sore and just trying to figure out if this is a side effect.
It is never too late to quit! Your body starts restoring itself 20 minutes after you quit smoking.
After a year a lot of restoring has taken place and after 10 years (except for the carbon residue) you would not be able to tell that you ever smoked.
hello all I am in week 3 of cold turkey. the first two weeks were ok because I was in the hospital for upper respitory problems, due to smoking im sure. Now on week three i am sleepy all the time and light headed... I am thankful to the stories of all the people on this page cause I thought I was losing my mind feeling so different. I was never a pack a day smoker maybe a pack every 3 to 4 days but that was too much to. I smoked for the last 10 to 15 years, my question is does the body heal itself from all the years of smoking or did I do to much damage to my body from smoking???
Stacia tell him to hang in there. I am on the 48 hour mark from 1 pack a day, 24 years. This is not the first time I tried to quit either. Hopefully this time will work. My neighbor needs a lung transplant after years of smoking and I have decided I do not want to go down that route.
my husband just started to quit smoking and he is having a hard time coping, he has hot flashes,head spining, feels neasua and heart racing what can i do to help him.
I am 2 years smoke free... and still feel pretty bad. I still suffer major sinus congestion, post nasal drip, phlegm, and mouth ulcers. I have just started using nasal irrigation and think that it is helping.
I also suffer from psoriasis, so am not sure if my over active immune system has made my recovery take much longer. Some days I just want to start smoking again in order to feel better.
No, my psoriasis has not improved since quitting :(
I am really upset that the medical community does not really prepare you for what happens to your body after you quit smoking. Maybe they really don't know because why would they study that?... they just want you to quit!
Lela,
Thanks for this site and info. I was having trouble adjusting to the new life, and was getting worried with every new development, viz. Heartburn, tingling in figures, etc. Then after reading this I realized its all expected. But I still want to go ahead and quit this time. After going through these symptoms, I hate my decision to start smoking more than I would ever think of re-thinking giving up this effort.
Thanks for the help,
AB
Hey everyone I didnt read all your posts but I wanted to say my husband and I have so far been 15 days with out cigs we smoked pack to pack and a half each a day and sometimes he smoked Cigars. We are doing okay he is using the Losenges and I am using patch we have quit 3 times but this time feels different. Guess we are just quiting to be healthy we live by a hill and our goal is to walk up that sucker its pretty steep. :o) We look at it each day and say maybe tomorrow we can do it looks like a nightmare I think but we will get there. There are crazy things that still trigger it for me it can be the oddest thing like getting in my car, writing a check for a bill, or just petting our dog with one hand and the other hand isnt busy. IT drives me bonkers but we are doing well and anyone else who is trying to quit YOU can not quit for anyone else you have to do it for your self and what helped us so far is every night we lay in bed we hold each others hand and jsut pray that the good lord will help us make it another day. Theres lots of power in prayer and its working :o)
Rob,
I can totally understand the fear. Good for you for quitting after so long. It is a horrible addiction. I hope everything comes out okay for you.
9 weeks and counting, i feel terrible and i'm having a lot of problems with my repiratory system. i thought i had lung cancer and that was the driving force behind my quitting, my lungs are congested and so is my head, i can not sleep due to the anxiety of thinking about having cancer. So i had a chest x-ray and i am waiting for a lung function test. by the way the x-ray showed nothing. ihave smoked most of my teenage and adult life and i am now 47. being scared is the best motivator i can think of.
James I teach Nicotine Solutions worldwide.
I quit smoking Cold Turkey a few months ago, without doing any research or speaking to someone about it. Over the last few months I have felt like I was about to die and I am still feeling awful. I had a stress test, they took pictures of my heart, MRI, Blood work after blood work, urine samples, Ear nose and throat doctor, went to my GP who thought it could be my hormones. I kept explaining to the doctors that I was dizzy and my body hurt. One doctor said my mono came back, not the case. Doctor after Doctor, I explained, "It feels like someone is ripping my skin out, I feel like I am going to pass out, extremely dizzy, congested, my fingers feel tingly, sometimes I feel like I can't feel them at all, I even have head aches and I have never had them before." One prescribed me Xanax and the other anti-depressant. Needless to say, my heart, blood work and everything came back ok. I can not believe that stopping smoking can cause all of these symptoms. I felt like I was going to die, which did not make anything feel better. I am thankful for your information. I have scheduled a meeting with a therapist tomorrow- face what I have been hiding from.
JB,
Everyone is different and maybe due to the level of nicotine you were consuming, your age or how nicotine was affecting your body, you maybe never have any of the side effects from stopping smoking so just consider yourself lucky and be happy!
Lela
Well it's been two weeks since I quit. Oddly, other than some slight irritableness, I have had no side effects at all. Should I still expect some after all this time?
I've got 11 cigs left in this pack and will go cold turkey at about noon tomorrow. The information on this site has been invaluable. I had no idea of the many side effects of smoking until I read this site. I feel much more prepared for this journey ahead of me now. Thanks.
It is so difficult for non-smokers. We saw my uncle die from lung cancer and it was horrible. My dad basically had to see that to decide to make a change. He was a hard core smoker, two packs a day, since he was 16 - so it was really difficult. Ultimately, the smoker has to make the choice. I know it's so hard; I will never smoke because of it.
Hey Robin!
Oh my gosh! I am so sorry that your dad felt ill for months after quitting smoking.... and the rats..... oh my gosh... It is so hard for the non-smokers to know how to support the people in our life that are smoking!
Chris!
Feeling like you are loosing your breath is common when you first quit smoking! Hang in there. It does go away. and the the coughing is just your lungs clearing out.... yes I know it is annoying but you cant get in ther with a hoover vacuum to clean out your lungs!!!
This is such an informative Hub! Thanks for sharing all of your knowledge on quitting smoking. My dad smoked for over 30 years and quit 10 years ago. I remember throwing out his cigarettes as a kid. It was so hard for us to see him smoke when we were learning how horrible it was for you in school. He said he felt physically ill for months after quitting and didn't feel back to normal for a year. I always steered clear of cigarettes because of his experience. When we were young my sister and I had two pet rats that lived in the garage where he smoked. They both died of second hand smoke related emphysema! Yikes! ;)
It's been over 72 hours since my last puff.... Having muscle cramps and felt like there's something stuck in my throat. Thanks to this site, at least I know what to expect.
Thanks again!
hey im on like my 5th day of not smoking and i have coughing a-lot... i had a cold before i stopped and not sure if it caused from the cold or if it is caused from not smoking...all i know is, is that i woke up one day and just didnt want to smoke anymore so here i am trying to quit cold turkey ... how long will this coughing last? also when i wake up from sleeping its like my throat is dry and then i really start coughing after i breathe in but it feels like im going to lose my breath....? any suggestions...?
Tara
Oh my gosh....the school bus driver!!!
I started smoking when I was 18. I have been kicking my self ever since then I am now 27 and smoke free for 4 days. I am starting to smell better and my senses are stronger then ever which reminds me I need to change the cat box lol but seriously when I was younger people who smoked used to totally turn me off. but then I had a rough senior year of high school. My school bus driver offered me a cigarette and I was hooked. Well now I can say I am free of the addiction :)
Hi I quit 71/2 hours ago and am already suffering the sweats, headaches, dizzyness and nausea. My body reacts so badly to change. Was out with freinds (smokers) i felt tempted and almost had 1 but remembered what i read on this page and so wanted to thank you all for your words of encouragement.
Great..
If you are aware of the risks, it will be easier to face the problems.. In time of Diarrhea, you can see your bum and say "I knew you would come" :).
On a serious note, if you have these information then one ca tackle the issues easily as he is aware of the risk and has the mitigation plan. Atleast one is aware that this was going to happen and doesn't come as a surprise.
I am planning to quit too and hence going through different articles to have the understanding of the problems that I am going to face.
All the best all.
On Sunday I will be smoke free for3 months after going cold turkey. It was insane the 1st few weeks and sometimes I still catch myself walking outside to go and have a smoke. Guess the habits will be the last to go. I have had to completely change my life. I eat healthier and I excercise every single day - just to keep my weight down. Only problem is - Food taste SO much nicer!
Good luck everyone. We are stronger than we give ourselves credit for!
Sorry JBay....spelled your name wrong!!
Jay,
I'm now on week six, and it's still tough. I too am having sinus issues (post-nasal drip, stuffy nose, etc), and that has been my biggest complaint so far! I also thought I was going mad and that something was horribly wrong with me until I cam across this site. I think I've had every possible side effect listed here over the past six weeks. I thought that once I quit smoking I would be up and running marathons.....for the most part it's been all I could do to run water!!!! LOL!! No, really, you're not going mad.....it may feel like it, but that's why I wish I come here before hand. I quit cold turkey, and the more I've read, the more I realize that it's a jolt to your system, and that had I done this differently, I could be avoiding a lot of what I've gone through. But just hang in there.....it does get better!!!
Holy Cow! I am so glad I ran across this page. I feel like total crap! It's been 2 weeks. My sinuses are all messed up and Im sleeping like 3 hours a night. I think I might be going mad!
I just wanted to say that I wish I'd encountered this site before I decided to quit. I could have done myself a huge favor by avoiding these nasty withdrawl symptoms. I've been quit 28 days now, and with each day I feel so much better, but it's been a doozy, and I'm still having side effects. Not as bad as the first week, mind you. I guess the worst thing now is the sinusy cough mess I've got going on, and the lightheadedness....other than that, I can take deep breaths without hacking, laugh without hacking and get up in the morning without hacking. I cannot be happier that I quit, but I wish the journey was one more pleasant. I would also like to say that I appreciate the fact that this site has so much wonderful information (I've bookmarked it) and that it's not a "know it all" kind of sight. I've searched many sites, and get put off with the attitudes you find because most quit smoking sites are run by people who never smoked a day in their life. So thanks for giving people a place to come where they can feel comfortable and can gain the knowledge necessary to quit!!!
I quit for 2yrs but a messy divorce drove me back to cigarettes ......2 days ago, I dropped them cold turkey again and the side effects with my sleep are diabolical to say the least!....No pain, no gain though, tight? Well I am sending well wishes to all of my fellow quilters, may we all heal and deal with this addiction with God's. speed!
150 Days and itching like mad
two+half months smoke free.this is the hardest thing i have done in my life.cold turkey is evil.most of symptoms i suffered .fear of everything is still the worst.
cool information. Yesterday I quit. I am craving for cigg ehh :)
I think I am 2 months or a little more into it,I had everything plus pains in my head.the head pains are getting better I went cold turkey after 23 years a giving my self a bit of brain tissue damage from chain smoking the last year..it seems if you smoke like me a pack in 3 to 4 hours a day you OD a little and the tissue in your brain can be affected ...dose not happen to every one ,just my luck it was me.I met a man that almost went blind from the same like me he did cold turkey,he told me it was almost a year until he felt better.For all those trying just hang in there you can do it.At 39 I have high blood pressure,brain and eye damage from smoking 20 reds a day in about 3 hours for a year strait.be glad you do not have my med bills :D
Little over 2 Months then it started getting better Get some Honey and take a teaspoon full every Hour
Paramose, how long did you have the sore throat & sinus stuff? Did it get worse before it got better? I'm concerned about the throat symptoms.
TMC
Gave it a bit more time mine just been 100 days I m starting to get better Hang in there
Been quit for 32 days & started with the sinus, ear & throat stuff last week. My voice is weak sometimes & my ears feel stopped up. How long does all this sinus, ear throat last? What sypmtoms did you have?
Anxiety attacks are some of the worst I've ever had. I just want all this to go away, but I did it to myself!! Players have to pay!!!
I have quit or trying to quit smoking today not using anything only will power, I have been smokin for about 10yrs , I have tried before and failed miserably I get really angry an I mean REALLY Angry when I haven't had a cigarette , everytime I try my eyes go weird and I get a terrible headache I can go all day nrly without one but soon as I get home I am straight to the shop and then smoke my head off . Today will be the day I STOP no matter how hard it's going to be I'm not going to let it beat me !!! I will post back in a few days to see how I'm getting on :)
At last some where I find the answers I need I gave up 9 months ago and seem to constantly have respirtory infections it really sucks but I will never smoke again! Now I know why it is much easier to deal with! Thank you for making this information available :) Superb!
you really know what you are doing thanks a lot
Great information on this site. I have been smoke free for 58 days. Cold turkey. I just had enough of burning $6 on a daily basis and feeling terrible physically. I stumbled upon this site by accident and love the helpful info. My unsuccessful attempt in the past was due to lack of knowledge and understanding of what my body was going through. Giving in so that I don't have to be so miserable. I'm ok with facing my problem head on and not using a smoke to help me calm down or to help me think more clear. Actually, it was doing the opposite. Anyway, good luck all. You can do it, when you have a weak moments just remember what motivates you to quit in the first place and stick to it. Think of it as a challenge that you can over come. I'm still taking one day at a time. Good Luck!
My husband smokes a car payment up each month, night sweats that stink, someone help me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am loving this site. It has really helped me through the past few days,as that is when I found it. Yesterday was a month since I quit. I have tried so many strategies in the past to quit and they all failed, so this time I quit cold turkey. I have been struggling with anxiety and depression for the last 2 weeks:( Hoping this will pass soon. Do you know how long this emotional part will last? It has really started to wear me down. I don't have any desire to go back to smoking but I am not enjoying this either. Please give me an answer if you can. Thanks again for all the info! It's been the best site so far!
Love this - it's so very informative. Thank you! I've been smoke free for 30 days now. I can't believe I've gotten this far and have done it cold turkey. It really hasn't been too bad, I have referred back to this page a number or times - it's actually helped to calm my nerves with a few things. You hit the mark on sooo many things. Unfortunately, it seems that I've hit a HUGE wall in the last couple of days. Seems funny (more disturbing actually) that days 29 and 30 have almost seemed harder than the entire glory week. I can only assume it's stinking PMS... I hope it goes away soon though. I just feel like I'm going to rip someones head off and feels like if I just grabbed a pack of smokes I would be okay. I know that isn't the case - but oh my. I can only hope that tomorrow will be a better day. Anyhow - that again for this page - I love it!
Wow! Great info. I'm on day 26 with the patch and although you say it's like switching from red to white wine it does help me quit the physical habit of actually having a cigarette.
The physical symptom's were very worrying for me and were becoming a discouraging factor until I came upon your site.
The twitching tingling toe was very distracting and I feel much more at ease now. I'm 51 and have smoked for 35 year and now I want to get out and start living again,running and playing sports etc.. I'll have to be careful as I'm not 21 anymore but I used to be very active and am really pissed that all those years of smoking have cut into that. I've got a ton to make up for.
I started with the 14 mg patch and feel it was maybe too strong but I think I'll finish the program before I switch to the lower patch, why blow it now although my mindset is that I'll never smoke again.
I thank you for the great info. You've put mind mine at ease. Great work!!!
Excellent hub,i quit 20 day's ago and have been thinking there was something wrong with me.I googled bleeding gums and came across this.Feeling a lot more positive now.My seven year old begged me to quit cos he was frightened of losing me so i have a lot of incentive,but it's still hard going.I smoked for 26 years with an 18 month break when i was pregnant and feeding my son.I've never smoked in the house.My son and i made a quit calender and every night he colours in the day that's past.Sounds silly but i'm so proud of myself at that time every night,it eggs me on the next day.GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE!!!!
Peter the itching is from better circulation, it is a good sign!!!
PAB I would also like to hear about your pain if it was about your quitting smoking or if they went away
Sorry for so many post I need all the help i can get
Saff
Can you update your condition i would really like to hear how You making out i seem to have the same problem
I have stop Smoking 8 Weeks ago the first 4 weeks were good now the last 4 weeks have been vary bad no Sleep vary bad thoughts nerve cramps around abdomen big humps will appear then go away come again thats when the bad things are happening in my Head i take Oxazepam for Sleeping i get about 3 hours of sleep a Night how much longer can this last i really need some answers I dont want to start again Thanks Peter
Yeah I do the itching and its really annoying lol
Me and my husband quite smoking cold turkey 13 days ago. I had been smoking for the last 18 years and him 35 years. I don't think that we are going to re-start we are doing really good exept for the itching???
Day 12 just reduced mg on patches starting to sleep better and slowly get rid of cravings
Just failed...again... on day 10 of Zyban. Was very confident until I actually quit. Didn't last 24 hours. I'm stopping Zyban today. Will this ever end?
I am on day 5/6 I am so exhausted I feel like a walking zombie I read the part on tiredness is this normal to be this tired??????
I am on day 9 and I am Never smoking again! Thanks for the info its great! x
I had been smoking for 3 in a half years. I had 6 months down but had ONE cigarette and was right back on it. The second time around is harder than before. I have 8 days under my belt and I get a few cravings. The thing I'm scared about is having some sort of cancer. Im only 21 and i know it sounds ridiculous but I read the symptoms and I do have ear aches and hoarseness. I think I'm fine but you know how humans can be hypocondriacs :P.
Shakira no one cares that you do meth. And why do you feel the need to tell everyone to shut up? If you haven't realized you are on a site that tells you how to quit smoking, if you have no interest in it than why are you here? Go find a site where you can discuss how amazing meth is with all of the other trashy losers who find it appealing.
whyy u sooo dumb ppl i live smoking it is great and i take meth!!! im so happy that i am doing it! so shut up
im thankful for this useful information! i have quit for a week now and my headaches hurt like crazy. i have fever.
I have quit now for 11 months i starting to feel alot better now and smokes cost $17 plus some change here in australia rip off keep at it if you dont quit the firts time who cares keep trying you know you want to quit it aint that hard
I lost my 40 year old son to a massive heart attack just 6 months ago. Buried in grief, is it crazy to think that I could quit smoking during such a difficult period, the worst of my life? I want to quit so bad, feel terrible from smoking, not to mention the cost - $8.60 a pack in NYS.
Good site, It seems to me that even though on line it give support to just be able to read what others are going thru. I have quit smoking again 3-4 weeks ago and i am getting cravings today and yesterday. May have something to do with my mom in law in the hospital cuz diabetes and heart problems.. stress crutch lol. but I am gettin thru it. Although i have quit before. My longest stretch of no smoking is around 3 years . I am hoping that this is the last time i quit and that it stays permanent.
Hey, that's me three days and counting, totally cold turkey! Smoked for, 8 years now and tried to quit about 4 times unsuccessfully! But somehow this times different, I've made a conscious decision, if that makes any sence? I'm getting tight pains in my chest, extremely hungry all the time and easily irritated tho I know this pain and symptoms I'm going through is better than dying painfully of cancer or getting my limbs amputated!Lol I can do this, so can anyone! If you start something, there's no reason why you can't stop it!:D
Every time I quit smoking without conviction I have had many negative effects (constipation, insomnia, nervousness, fatigue, drowsiness, difficulty concentrating). But when I stopped as a logical consequence of a journey that I decided to do toward myself, I do not know if you believe it, but I did not have any of these symptoms. No desire to smoke! No signs of abstinence!
The key is in our heads. If we think it will be hard, it will be hard. If we do not have a good motivation, it will be hard.
This has been my experience and I just wrote a page on the topic. I believe that stopping smoking is not difficult , is difficult to decide to quit, decide deeply.
Fucsia
futurehero73,
You sound pretty cranky to me.
Lela
PS I am not sure what you mean about grammatically a mess? If you come back could you enlighten me?
one more thing if you want a truly realistic timeline of quitting smoking search "quitting smoking timeline" they give time approximations of symptoms and reduced health risks. yet again pretty much the same anywhere you look. if you want a better idea just compare and collate the first few results.
hah suffer from cold turkey that's ridiculous. to live is to suffer, period. seriously people have no will power these days. and the patch and all of that stuff isn't cold turkey. the whole idea of cold turkey is zero aid no extra little things to helps nurse me through it. to quit anything cold turkey is to literally just stop doing it, nothing more and nothing less. cold turkey colloquially means approximately the same as abruptly. the closest to cold turkey of any of those is hypnosis or acupuncture and that's because they aren't drug related but still technically not cold turkey. even to ween oneself off is not cold turkey. i've quit and the last i had any nicotine whatsoever was less than a week ago and yeah i'm having a couple pains yeah i feel a little irritable but i can deal with it because i've made up my mind and i'm sticking to my guns. it's not hard once you learn to say no to yourself. you just keep saying no. still, very informative. though grammatically and organizationally a mess i do have to give kudos on level of information though it's pretty much the same amount as any other search result for "quitting smoking"
Thank you for the information, I quit 19 days ago, my tongue hurts, I have a sore throat, constantly tired, I searched and searched for information to see what is wrong with me, but there are no website out there that have such comprehensive infomation like this one. I thought it was the side effect of Zyban, but it is not. It is my system trying to get back to normal. Thanks you again.
THANK YOU FOR TELLING THE TRUTH!!! - I searched and searched and could NOT find a REAL website about QUITTING COLD TURKEY - Like James' post above - all the OTHER PLACES - made it sound like - in 1 week - you should feel like a MILLION BUCKS!!! NOT THE CASE!! I feel sooooo much better after I read ALL the things that might happen... I have about 3/4 of them!! LOL LOL But... KNOWLEDGE IS POWER... because of this site... I KNOW I AM GOING TO MAKE IT!!! BEST OF LUCK TO ALL THE REST!! YOU CAN DO IT!! ????
This is the most realistic list of symptoms and time frames I have seen. Most sites make it seem like you'll feel great in a week or two. But I quit 3 months ago and am still having throat and sinus and sore mouth problems, the occasional heartburn, and a few other symtpoms. There are many threads on the web where people have quit and are months down that path feeling terrible and wondering why. Many say that the symptoms listed in this article can last a year. I hope those struggling find this site.
wow this article makes me feel better. I have been having a lot of the symptoms (especially leg cramps) and was starting to think I was crazy. i thought i should feel better all at once since its been 5 weeks cold turkey and no cheating (I am finished for good after 10 years)I just want to thank you for this article it eases a lot of stress about the way i am feeling.
Hi just thought id say well i am feeling so much better after quitting my anxiety has gone still not as good as when i smoked cause got acid reflux but alot better then before/Although i do burp alot lol my heart feels weird but not as bad as before i actually thought i was dying before and wished i never quit now i hate the smell of smoke glad i quit and for the first time ever i managed to jog a mile. all my symptoms have either gone or minimised dramatically since i quit.its been a struggle but im glad i did it i hope in a month i am back to normal fully and cant wait for that to happen.I do advise people not to quit smoking cold turkey if they are really addicted to it but to take it slowly and ask friends to support you and not friends who smoke but friends who dont smoke.
Like your page and the people's thoughts. It been only one day, but i am having more problems with the habit of quiting, i really have quit a couple of times in the last months, but go back becuase i have a bad habit of when and where i smoke, have no side effects at all, maybe a headache or tension, but an excedren or mydol help tremendously, just want to smoke when I lay down to watch tv st night, when i come home for lunch from work, have a coffee in the morning on the weekends, or just go over and visit my mom, she has one only when i come over, one every few weeks. That will be the one that is the hardest. I am determined now though, becuase my doctor said that i badly need breast reduction surgery and they will not operate on a smoker, too much bleeding. I am having it down in December 2010, and just stopping 9/20. they said they will do a nicotin test on me and if there is any in my system, they will not operate. I hope i can cleanse my body of this by the end of December. I am told that it is completely out of your system in 16 weeks, is that true? I know I can do it, just have to beat the habit of it all.
saf,
How long will this last....hmm hard to say. Everyone is different. Every symptom has its own time line with each person
If you want to call me I would be happy to discuss it with you. Email me with your number and we will set up a time to talk .
easeout at nicotinesolutions dot com
Lela
man this is so true all this info i quit now its been over a month its been so bad i find the air really thin i find it hard to breathe i been having serious anxiety attacks bad constipation it felt like i was losing my mind i was dizzy tired couldnt sleep for days well to be honest now my sleeping is better but i still got breathing problems and ausea and anxiety i hope i get well and my heart feels sharp pains i mean since i quit i am eating healthy herbal fruit veg all the good stuff and still this is happening how long do you think it will last (my doc said all the symptoms are due to anxiety) but i want to know how long it will last any ideas.
What ever works, Jewels
I did it cold turkey and didn't have side effects. I smoked for 20 years. So just goes to show it can be done. Perhaps some people are different. I would not discourage anyone from doing it cold turkey, in fact kudos to them. Sometimes prolonging the inevitable by using nicotine aids (gum and patches) isn't a good way to go. But it's an individual choice.
I have been a long term smoker, starting at 9 years old and smoking a pack a day by 15. For a long while I smoked menthol cigs, and was able to quit cold turkey, at age 28. After 14 years of being a non-smoker, I returned to cigs. Then it was on one year off one year, on 5years off 9 months, on 3 years and off 2, on 5 years. That makes me 60 years old and I know I feel like I am 70. Today, I am using Chantix, and this is my quit day. Your article was very, very helpful... and fits my experiences. My only issue with what you wrote, is the factor that I have learned (about myself and perhaps others have had this experience) is that if I reduce the amount I smoke, my body/mind gets worse cravings and I get more agitated - almost as if my system knows that if it sets up enough of a ruckus, I will smoke and feed the habit. So, it seems for me, my best route may be the higher level of symptoms via quitting 'cold turkey' but they subside faster, rather than extending the process. This is harder than removing alcohol from my life! I did that in 1975 and never slipped. I guess that is the thing I have done with cigarettes - I've told myself that I cannot get high, cannot drink alcohol ever but I 'allow' myself cigarettes, even after a long abstinence. And it seems for me, that once I smoke one, I am off and smoking again.
So how do I make this time different?
Greetings,
Thanks for sharing the comprehensive info. I've quit smoking for about a week now, cold turkey method and do faced such symptoms like insomnia, get tired, sleepy and lethargic. I cant put much attention in everything i do. I didnt know that those symptoms actually are positive symptoms, what a relief...but really give a hardtime.
Narythi,
Thanks for stopping by again. I guess you will need to treat each symptom as it comes up. Maybe get some over the counter medicine for the sinus...or metaphysically I have always heard that people that have sinus problems are annoyed with someone that is close to them ..ring any bells?
Sinus may not be related to stopping smoking.
I wish you would have gone through Nicotine Solutions to stop smoking and then you would not have had to go through all these terrible symptoms!
Lela
It sounds worse to stop than to carry on. I mean in 2 weeks your sense of smell inproves - wow. What do you want to smell? I found that i didn't like the way i smelled so i started again. You can taste food again. I could anyway! When you quit you spend all day eating so you'll get sick of the taste of food.
giving up today after reading that and posible brain damage ,on another site .to think that your ability to defend your self and others cos of smoking hence do u go out in the rain to smoke
it me Narythi.. it been 3 month since the last time i been here.. last time i was here was about my feet having a hot spot.. well it been 4 months or something now since i quit smoking.. now am having problem with sinus ... Pressure under my eye and drip behind my throat.... HOW LONG WILL THIS PROBLEM LAST..? took diffrent things for my sinus but nothing seem to help but to make it worse... my dr don't seem to care... and I seem to be more forgetful or just became dumb.... you will think 4 months later i would get better.... anyone have crazy sinus problem....
im on 25 hours without one and i find the hardest part is the mental. the physical withdrawl is temporary and will not last forever, plus ive been in worse physical pain than this. its convincing the mind that cigarettes are just illusions of broken promises and that you are finally free and reborn. And the great part of that is if i can quit smoking, i can do anything in life with the right mentallity. PAIN IS TEMPORARY, PRIDE IS FOREVER!
quit 3 wk
11 days..the legarthy is the worst.. I am very motivated and energetic personand lack of energy has been a problem. Taste has changed. Loved the fact that I no longer cough at night or in the morning. And YES..it has to be the smoker's idea to quit. Period. My guy has also decided to quit (a few days behind me..but ok) so we are patient with each other. I am very proud of myself!
Lela,
Thank you for such a great page. The list of side effects were a little daunting but having the approximate time they would last makes it easier to think I can get thru. I have had one cigarrette in the past 48 hours (and that cigarrete was almost 36 hours ago.) The side effects are rough but the worst is the insomnia (which I've always had an issue with anyway) and the leg cramps. But I've been very full of energy and going for walks, and working out during cravings to try to help so I think it's also due to muscle fatigue. Anyway, it is helpful knowing it won't last forever. Thanks again.
I quit smoking for the 2nd time a little more than a week ago.Iquit smoking around the same time last summer this time it's so much easier don't know why but the withdrawl effects for me were very mild and don't even crave a smoke at all.
I sooo want a smoke right now Im jittery sad and cranky its been 5 hrs n counting
Thanks, you got me through day 18 craving! Now that I know where this page is I can read it again when I need too!!! You are so right..it is the life style not the nicotine that is the hardest to drop
i was googling insomnia as a side effect of quitting, and this page came up. it's very informative - you really hit the nail on the head, especially when the suggestions about habit/behavior change and preparation for quitting. i had never actually though through why quitting seemed like losing 'my best friend' and my 'me' time all at once! i hope knowing all this helps me out! thanks..
Hi IzzyP,
Good for you that you are stopping smoking. I am very concerned about all the law suits about Chantix. In the United States is has been banned for use by the DOT (Department of transportation) and by the FAA (Federal Aviation Association).
There have been many reported cases of suicides that come on suddenly and many lawsuits pending against the makers of Chantix.
I would look into Chantix a little more closely. There are other ways of stopping smoking that are much safer and don't involve drugs. ...(like Nicotine Solutions, ok it is a shameless plug but true..Nicotine Solutions has one of the highest success rates of 90% and the program multifaceted which deals with all parts of the addiction)
Excellent Hub!
I am documenting my quitting smoking with Chantix in my Hub (it isn't published yet so don't bother looking). LOL
People think a lot about quitting but the after shocks of doing so can be surprising. Your hub can help people cope.
-IzzyP
Lela Bryan Hub Author 2 weeks ago
Larry,
sorry I just saw this post. Spitting out tar is your body's was of cleaning out your lungs so that is a good thing. The headache is usually from caffeine but will last about a week if it is from nicotine.
I have answered the sleep issue if you scroll down about
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