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1. tickles

   

   2 posts
   Registered:
   14 Aug 2020
   14 Aug 2020

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   Hi i am new to this site thank you for having me.
   I am wondering if anyone has had the same issues that i seem to be experiencing or if i need to think of something else.
   I quit smoking Easter of this year so approximately 4 months ago. After the first week i got sick and was laid up for almost 2 weeks. Through google searches i have noticed that one side effect is flu like symptoms so that is probably what that was. The problem i am curious about is basically the entire 4 months and it doesn't seem to be letting up. I have been exhausted all of the time, lack of energy, congested, shortness of breath and tightness in my chest oh and the bleeding gums as well forgot about that one. Is this normal should side effects last this long and have they been known to last longer?
   I have been trying to quit for a number of years now and i have tried basically every method that exists. The longest i have lasted in previous attempts was one day short of three months but even then i didn't feel like this.
   Usually i try to stay active when i quit and i tried that this time as well but this time i got sick and have not been able to get the energy since. I do push myself out of the house. I have kayaked, walked a little and golf once a week but it seems like every time i try to get physical i end up completely burnt out for at least two days straight. 
   I have been working with my doctor and so far i have had a chest ex ray, blood work, tested for Covid-19, Nuclear scan of my heart, stress test, Echocardiogram and will soon be going to get more tests done on my lungs. 
   At this point everything has come back clear or ok. Just the other day i started wondering if all of this has just been side effects of quitting smoking. I am 50 years old i have been smoking since i was 10 but seriously started when i was 15.
   So i have been a regular one to two pack a day smoker for the last 35 years. Over the last 7 years i have been on and off trying to quit and change my habits. I did manage to change all of the longest lasting habits like smoking after food or smoking while driving. I quit cold turkey as well so no aids.
   Sorry this became so long winded i just wanted to make sure i wrote down as much information as i could.
   Thank you for taking the time to read my post 
   
   
2. brieffree

   

   1478 posts
   Registered:
   28 Nov 2017
   14 Aug 2020

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   Hi tickles
   
   Welcome to helpline!
   
   Personally Congratulations in your quit! 
   
   All you describe seems to be part of clearing up your system like two of weeks  or so, is good that you are working with your Doctor, give your self time and good rest, eat healthy, drink plenty water will help clear up faster!
   
   Don't forget that we were hearting ourselves for many years, now is time to recover so your Mind and body feel it!
   
   Also this whether doesn't help so much, so much humidity make it feel more tier. 
   
   Keep your self active as your body can, give your self a break after do not push so much in ones.
   
   I hope it helps
   
   Keep the good job!
3. jenna lee, quit coach

   

   265 posts
   Registered:
   28 Jun 2018
   15 Aug 2020 in reply to tickles

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   Hi Tickles,
   
   Welcome to Smokers Helpline.ca! We are happy to have you were as part of our online community.
   
   Congratulations on quitting since Easter! I want to commend you for all your efforts and adopting physical activity such as kayaking into your quit plan.
   
   Sorry to hear about your health concerns of withdrawal symptoms since quitting. You are correct; withdrawal symptoms can appear as flu-like symptoms.
   
   Everyone's body and smoking history are different, therefore, some people may experience different withdrawals for different time periods. For example, some people's withdrawal symptoms go away after 3 days, while others may experience them for 3 months. You do seem to have a long and heavy history of smoking (years smoked and amount smoked) and therefore, it is not too surprising that your symptoms are feeling more severe and lasting longer than average.
   
   You are doing the right thing by keeping your doctor in the loop and getting testing done, as these symptoms seem to be out of the ordinary for you. The good news is that your tests have come back negative. The other good news is that, although these withdrawal symptoms are uncomfortable, they are a sign that your body is healing itself from the years of damage the smoke and chemicals were causing. 
   
   I hope you start to feel better soon,
   
   Keep up the amazing hard work you are doing,
   
   Jenna Lee
   
   
   
4. tickles

   

   2 posts
   Registered:
   14 Aug 2020
   15 Aug 2020 in reply to jenna lee, quit coach

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   Thank you Jenna
                               Have you seen posts from other people who have had side effects lasting longer than the typical?
   Thanks Todd
5. jenna lee, quit coach

   

   265 posts
   Registered:
   28 Jun 2018
   16 Aug 2020 in reply to tickles

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   Hi there,
   
   I am skimming through the 'welcome' forum, and do see that people are reaching out with similar concerns as yourself. They all seem to be earlier in their quit, however, it may help you to see their questions and other member's responses.
   
   Feel free, if you'd like, to peruse through the forums.
   
   Keep us posted; hope you feel better soon.
   
   Jenna Lee
6. treepeo1

   

   255 posts
   Registered:
   06 Feb 2020
   17 Aug 2020

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   Hi tickles,
   
   Withdrawal symptoms and healing rates differ from person to person.  I am glad to hear that you are being monitored by your doctor and that all of your test results have been good.  Keeping your doctor in the loop when you make such a life-altering change is always a good idea.  Never be afraid to discuss your concerns.  There may be help available to you.
   
   It may not feel like it now, but quitting smoking is the best thing you could ever do for yourself.  Your oxygen levels will normalize.  You will get more nutrients from the food you eat.  You will decrease your risk of heart attack and of lung cancer.  And the list goes on and on.
   
   Besides the health benefits, you will no longer have to sneak around trying to find a place you can light up.  No more standing out in the cold alone.  No more yellow fingers, and no more smoke breath or stinky clothes.  Haven't you enjoyed the freedom that you get as a non-smoker?
   
   I applaud you for quitting, tickles.  Hang in there, because it is bound to get better.  And do something nice for yourself.  You deserve it!
7. brieffree

   

   1478 posts
   Registered:
   28 Nov 2017
   17 Aug 2020

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   Hi Tickles
   
   Now that I remember that since I quit and start to eat Heftier, my digestion system change, Before was regular now after 5 or more years free very slow.
   Also my Mud change too, I am a lot more eccentrical, I say what I think. AND is not good. So I need to be in Control!
   I use to smoke a lot. Then stop or else.
   I am more focus in my quit than my JOB! so, I need to be focus!  I need to relax!
   Every one of us is different some people do not have symptoms is all depending how big was the relationship with smoking. 
   
   So, with that in Mind!
   
   Relax and enjoy to free!  
     
8. atp

   

   501 posts
   Registered:
   31 Dec 2018
   19 Aug 2020

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   Tickles,
   
   Congrats on quitting smoking. It is the best thing you could do for yourself. 
   
   Much like you I quit cold turkey when I was 50, after smoking more than 30 years and I can relate to what you are going through. 
   
   The bleeding gums are a sign of the improved blood flow. That is a good sign. Get a waterpik to help firm up those gums. 
   
   I wonder with the exhaustion and lack of energy it may be a side effect f quitting, but good that you are seeing a doctor to rule out other stuff. I know in my case I felt tired and was sleeping more - likely because I wasn't smoking at night and reduced my coffee intake as well.