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1. gpaters

   

   2 posts
   Registered:
   21 Feb 2018
   20 Feb 2018

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   Hello. I'm a longtime smoker, 30 years. I'm 49 years old, and the smoking really started affecting me badly. Long story short, I came down with a virus recently and I was pretty much forced to quit. I wasn't planning on quitting. It just happened. I have now gone 8 days without a cigarette. I have surprised myself so far, but I  am going through major withdrawals at various times. Usually evening and night hours. I am starting to cough a lot and get headaches. I'm trying to stay strong but it's been a real grind. Any ideas how long the physical withdrawals will last? Will I stop coughing and hacking all the time? Thank you for listening/ reading.
2. brieffree

   

   1477 posts
   Registered:
   28 Nov 2017
   21 Feb 2018

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   Hello and welcome Gpaters
   
   Congrats in your quit time, 8 day's free is is great!
   Is important to drink water and distract your self
   
   I been told I had to quit time ago at same age. And I am free now.
   
   We all have our time to quit, maybe this is yours.
   
   Your body started healing as fast you quit!
   However, if you still have some issues go see the Doctor to check you out. And help you to recover.
   
   One day at the Time!
   
   Keep us informed how you do.
   
   When I started to quit the first 2 weeks wee the worse. But, it get so much easy day by day.
   
   
   
   
3. valerie, quit coach

   

   46 posts
   Registered:
   29 Nov 2017
   21 Feb 2018

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   Welcome Gpaters, 
   
   Congratulations on staying quit!
   
   As Brieffree said, your body is healing itself. The withdrawal symptoms varies from person to person, but be kind to yourself through this process they will lessen with time. Your lungs are repairing themselves and your body is absorbing more oxygen, which could explain the headaches you are experiencing.
   Headaches can also be related to your coffee intake, so cutting down on caffeine can help, take warm bath/shower or try some deep breathing techniques. As for the cough drinking a lot of fluid like water and juice can help, gum or cough drops can also help. 
   
   If you have more questions or concerns feel free to ask them on the forum and get support from the community members or contact a quit coach at Smokers' Helpline: 1-877-513-5333. 
   
   Have a nice smoke-free day! 
   
   Valerie 
4. monab

   

   2 posts
   Registered:
   22 Feb 2018
   22 Feb 2018

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   Hi I am 4 days in of not smoking, I am using the patch, mints and gum,  Yesterday was absolutely horrible for me but I made it through! I am 52 yrs old and have smoked since I was 14.  My granddaughter has told me she wants me around for a long time and begged me to quit.  I fear gaining weight and I am already overweight!! fingers crossed I can do this!
5. ocean

   

   286 posts
   Registered:
   29 Nov 2017
   22 Feb 2018

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   Welcome Gpaters,
   I'm 5 weeks in, and the first three weeks were brutal, but I also had some relative easy times interspersed which weren't that bad at all.  It's really unpredictable, and I could only look at the half day to make it through.  I'm feeling much better now, but I still wear the Patch during the day.  I see someone at a local hospital who told me the fatigue lasts about 3 months, but mine was at its worst  from day 5 to day 15 ish.  I feel energetic again, but sometimes get tired earlier at night than is typical for me.   Don't look ahead at more than one day at a time.  I almost loved the nights because that meant the day was over and completed, lol!  Congratulations, you'll start to notice healthy changes, but it took about a month before I did, and it's nothing amazing yet, I had smoked for 42 years.  My sinus' are never stuffy anymore.