The side effects of quitting smoking

[Jenny]

There are many side effects of quitting and some can be really uncomfortable.  You may experience some or all of the symptoms below but rest assured it's temporary.  These symptoms won't kill you,  but continuing to smoke most certainly will.

 

• Headaches or a general heaviness. This is a classic smoking withdrawal symptom, often caused by your sinuses clearing out.
• Shaking, sweating or feeling very cold.
• Coughing, hacking, runny nose, wheezing and shortness of breath. Seems strange to get these when you've quit, but your body is ridding itself of years of tar and built-up residues. In other words, at last taking the opportunity of having a good clean-out.
• Insomnia is common. Well, it is stressful to quit and break your normal patterns. As with all stress — good or bad, sleep challenges can surface.
• Sour stomach or stomach pains. Your digestion might get out of whack for a little while.
• Pains, pains, pains. Some smokers get stomach cramps, sore gums, pains in chest... pains anywhere. Your mind and body are going through a healing crisis and they are going to remind you of what they are missing.
• Tiredness and a general zapped feeling.
• Mild depression or sadness. There goes your best friend that you turned to in need. Tobacco was always handy to blot out your worries and give you your fix.
• Anxiety. The jitters and fear of facing life without tobacco might try and overwhelm you.
• Boredom and loneliness. There are now a few gaps in your day to fill up. A smoker spends a lot of time hanging about either smoking, rolling or buying and preparing things for their habit.
• Anger or short-temper. Despite making a positive change in your life, this can still be stressful. All life changing events, good and bad are seen by the body as stress. It's not necessarily bad, but it can cause you to over re-act and be a bit on a knife-edge for a short time.

Be kind to yourself during this time.  Get extra rest and avoid stressful situations when at all possible.  Exercise is a wonderful aid in helping the body and mind.  Most of all believe in yourself because you are a warrior!  You got this!

 

 

 

--The list above are statements I have found and identified with from various articles .-- Author (s) unknown.

[BAT]

The side affects are worth it.

[MarylandQuitter]

Great post!

 

• Pains, pains, pains. Some smokers get stomach cramps, sore gums, pains in chest... pains anywhere. Your mind and body are going through a healing crisis and they are going to remind you of what they are missing.

 

I never though of that and it makes perfect sense.  Powerful statement right there. 

[Leanna]

The side affects are worth it.

Same. 

 

I'd rather be uncomfortable temporarily vs. dying early.

[andrew66]

i think we are all very lucky as unpleasant as the side affects are they are a very small price to pay for the amount of abuse we put our bodies through sometimes over many many years

[Evelyn]

Stomach pains? Really - have them really bad

[Nicole Diver]

I think the mild depression or sadness is the most common one.

It's soon replaced by the never ending,all encompassing relief at no longer slowly killing oneself.

[Tink]

it is a reminder of the damage we were doing but how much better we feel now :)

 

for me it was more annoyance - disruptive sleep patterns and mild depression

 

it all finds its level in the end physical or mental - would I do it all again - HELL YES but I DONT EVER WANT TO!

[Sazerac]

There are many side effects of quitting and some can be really uncomfortable.  You may experience some or all of the symptoms below but rest assured it's temporary.  These symptoms won't kill you,  but continuing to smoke most certainly will.

 

• Headaches or a general heaviness. This is a classic smoking withdrawal symptom, often caused by your sinuses clearing out.
• Shaking, sweating or feeling very cold.
• Coughing, hacking, runny nose, wheezing and shortness of breath. Seems strange to get these when you've quit, but your body is ridding itself of years of tar and built-up residues. In other words, at last taking the opportunity of having a good clean-out.
• Insomnia is common. Well, it is stressful to quit and break your normal patterns. As with all stress — good or bad, sleep challenges can surface.
• Sour stomach or stomach pains. Your digestion might get out of whack for a little while.
• Pains, pains, pains. Some smokers get stomach cramps, sore gums, pains in chest... pains anywhere. Your mind and body are going through a healing crisis and they are going to remind you of what they are missing.
• Tiredness and a general zapped feeling.
• Mild depression or sadness. There goes your best friend that you turned to in need. Tobacco was always handy to blot out your worries and give you your fix.
• Anxiety. The jitters and fear of facing life without tobacco might try and overwhelm you.
• Boredom and loneliness. There are now a few gaps in your day to fill up. A smoker spends a lot of time hanging about either smoking, rolling or buying and preparing things for their habit.
• Anger or short-temper. Despite making a positive change in your life, this can still be stressful. All life changing events, good and bad are seen by the body as stress. It's not necessarily bad, but it can cause you to over re-act and be a bit on a knife-edge for a short time.

Be kind to yourself during this time.  Get extra rest and avoid stressful situations when at all possible.  Exercise is a wonderful aid in helping the body and mind.  Most of all believe in yourself because you are a warrior!  You got this!

 

 

 

--The list above are statements I have found and identified with from various articles .-- Author (s) unknown.

 

Bumping for new beautiful smoke free creatures to put their minds at ease.  

However do consult your Quack if you are seriously concerned.

 

Please rest assured, these side effects are short lived and do not affect everybody.

I didn't experience many physical side effects

other than feeling, tasting, breathing and smelling better 

and the benefits continue !

[Sirius]

While I have no first hand basis for comparison I have heard that dying from some of the smoking related diseases is really, really painful to say nothing of the anguish 

the loved ones go through watching as the disease consumes the victim, or the medical expenses that beggar the survivors.

 

As a comparison, the unpleasantness of going through withdraw is a walk in the park even if it does take weeks, months, or years.

[Doreensfree]

I can promise you,feeling uncomfortable for a while...is no where near the horror of living with copd on a daily basis..for what could be years and years...

[Sirius]

I can promise you,feeling uncomfortable for a while...is no where near the horror of living with copd on a daily basis..for what could be years and years...

 

You feel bad when you quit smoking but it gets better over time.

 

With COPD it's just the opposite with no end but THE END.

 

The other difference is you can quit smoking but you can't quit COPD!

[IndigoChilde]

Wow, I hadn't noticed how much quitting affects you. This explains a few things. Though, my depression got so bad I had to see my psychiatrist. Thankfully this time I'm not dealing with the heavy suicidal depression I had last time. Remember everyone, some depression is normal, but if it doesn't go away or really bothers you, see a doctor about it. It could be worse than just withdrawl.

[jillar]

I had a lot of these including short of breath, insomnia and brain fog but I think the strangest one was my tongue was so sore. Come to find out it was shedding that ugly white film and the brand new pink tongue underneath was tender. 

With time everything settles down just like everyone promised it would so hang in there if you're dealing with any of these