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New to quitting smoking and so sick

7 posts, 0 answered
  1. nerak47
    nerak47 avatar
    48 posts
    Registered:
    23 Jan 2018
    30 Jan 2018
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    Good morning folks, 
    Hi everyone! I'm new to this site and new to quitting and man oh man ~ my Dr made a comment about the amount of times I've been to see her...infection after infection (sinusitis, bronchitis, laryngitis...a lot of "is`s). 
    I've been smoking for over 30yrs and being physically sick is taking a toll on me. I do believe that my aches and pains are temporary ~ I'm  not giving up on the no smoking but dammit! so not fun. 
    I'm doing good on Champix and my body wants to revolt. I read up on "smokers flu" and apparently a real thing. I came from smoking 10-15smokes/day to maybe 3 or 4 and this has waged full on war between head and body. It was a relief to see I'm not the only person to get terribly sick while trying to get healthy...anyone else genuinely sick after?





  2. marianne, quit coach
    marianne, quit coach avatar
    278 posts
    Registered:
    30 Nov 2017
    30 Jan 2018
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    Hello Nerak47,

    Welcome to our online community!  So good to hear of your decision to not give up on quitting.  

    You have had quite the journey and sound very ready.  

    It is comforting to know that you aren't the only person going through withdrawal.  Members here will open up with their experiences to you, they are so supportive!  

    Also, keep connected to your doctor if you persistently feel unwell as they can assess the medication, etc.  

    Hope your week goes well and touch base even daily.  Your on the best path ever!

    Best Wishes,

    Marianne

  3. treepeo
    treepeo avatar
    832 posts
    Registered:
    29 Nov 2017
    30 Jan 2018
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    Hi Nerak47,

    So glad you joined this site and are making the effort to quit smoking.  I know it's not easy, and our bodies do revolt.  There are a whole range of things a person can experience.  I found that I couldn't sleep and I was very tired.  I also had to work a lot harder to concentrate.  I would be doing something and then just space out.  My lungs ached something awful, so badly, in fact, that it scared me.  But having smoked for over 43 years, I could expect no less.  Fighting this addiction is really difficult.

    The good news is that these symptoms don't last forever.  And when you get over the worst of them, you are going to start feeling a whole lot better.  And then you will probably find that you get fewer chest infections, etc.  And even if you do get one, it probably won't last as long or be as severe.  I quit just over a year ago, and believe it or not, my lungs are still clearing out.  But holy cow, my chest feels so much better.  No kidding.  There is a lightness to my chest that I haven't felt in years.  Which is such a relief, because my smoking was causing me all sorts of problems.  So I am relieved that I stuck with it and quit.

    Hang in there, Nerak47.  Quitting is so worth all the withdrawal symptoms you have to go through.  I always say, quitting causes a little bit of pain for a whole lot of gain.  
  4. nerak47
    nerak47 avatar
    48 posts
    Registered:
    23 Jan 2018
    31 Jan 2018
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    Thank you for the replies! 

    Yes, it has been and continues to be quite the journey. I do stay close to my Dr and she sends me for all kinds of proactive tests ~ neither 1 of us wants to discuss things after something is discovered once I am completely quit. I am good that way! 
    I am sometimes having fun with how absent minded I've become ~ at same time, it can be kind of scary and believe there are days I should not be allowed out..lol. I have always been that way, no worries or concerned enough. I too, have to force concentration ~ a little adhd here too, again nothing serious enough. I take a non addictive sleeping aid as I didn't like how I literally tossed and turned like a bloody salad - I can often nap after waking up and nap again too. 
    The infections are really frustrating for me...I'm a suck for pain and they hurt. 
    I am going to stick with quitting smoking - I'm making progress for my actual quit date...it's kinda like a trail run for when real run (Feb 6) happens. Just wasn't so ready for how unwell I got and may be again. 
    I look forward to so many things as a non smoker starting with physically.  Thank you for your words of encouragement and shared experiences

    Nerak47
    Last modified on 31 Jan 2018 19:45 by nerak47
  5. ocean
    ocean avatar
    286 posts
    Registered:
    29 Nov 2017
    31 Jan 2018
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    Hey Nerak,
    I'm new to this too, 17 days in, and I actually didn't get the Smokers Flu yet.  But I did suffer with real fatigue to the point I felt like I had a permanent resting face for a few days, and could have fallen asleep at the drop of a hat while at work.  I also had, and still do have an upset stomach, but there is a real virus that has invaded my workplace so I don't attribute it to my quit.  I used to get earaches and sore throats, but I haven't had any this time.  And I'm noticing a real improvement in my sinus', they're clear as day the last couple of days.  I didn't feel any healthy signs until today when I realized that my sinus' have felt amazing.  Good luck to you, I'm sure you're gonna rock your quit.
  6. nerak47
    nerak47 avatar
    48 posts
    Registered:
    23 Jan 2018
    02 Feb 2018
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    Good day peoples
    I must say it's comforting to know i am not the only person - I seriously thought there was something wrong with me because I am all of a sudden a professional napper and lethargic. I am starting new job on Monday; I've had 3 weeks of no work and although my other half would dare to disagree, I am glad for the time off. 
    There are many things that were just imagined or perceived as excuses because for the most part the many experiences we have seem invisible. I am appreciating the fact I do not have to defend myself so harshly because now there is a light at end of tunnel and it ain't a train coming. I am also very glad and relieved to know I will be better!!!
    I like the idea of being able to say "1 week in" or "23 days in"...at same time i feel panicky about "never" smoking again - I will get there though providing I quit 1 hr or 1 day at a time. My quit date is fast approaching
  7. ocean
    ocean avatar
    286 posts
    Registered:
    29 Nov 2017
    02 Feb 2018
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    Hi Nerak,
    You're very fortunate that you had three weeks to rest during withdrawal.  Ideally a part time job would be ideal because you can sleep more in the day, but you have something to do that gets you out and busy as well!  Hopefully the weeks will get more energetic, and I'm on an upswing just now.  But I feel so bad for people with little kids, etc... who can't go to bed at 6pm, or those who put in overtime during the first month of a quit.  It's great to hear you so motivated, and cutting down like you have you've mostlly finished withdrawal.  Keep on rocking it!  And cook some favorite meals and freeze them before you start your new job, you'll thank me later, lol.
7 posts, 0 answered