You’ve probably heard people trying to quit smoking only to face all the ugly stuff known as withdrawal symptoms. In return, this may have raised your curiosity about the possible side effects of quitting smoking. Like any other forms of addiction, you’ll be experiencing side effects when trying to quit. It’s not that difficult and there’s nothing to be scared of because with proper assistance and care, you’ll be surprised that one day, you will care less to light another stick.
When you quit smoking, you’ll likely to face the side effects of nicotine withdrawal. We all know that nicotine is a very addictive substance found in cigarettes. A very clever toxin, nicotine binds to the different areas of your body, including the brain’s receptors, giving you that pleasant sensation every time you smoke. Once your body gets used to it, it can be very difficult to come off. And since you’re cutting the supply of nicotine to your body, withdrawal symptoms will start to appear.
Both your moods and emotions are going to be affected. You will become irritable, depressed or anxious. Anyway, I assume you are used to this kind of feelings especially when you are in a situation wherein you are not allowed to smoke. Most of the time, you feel you are “on edge” and unable to focus in your routines. Things that would normally take you 15 minutes to complete but today, you’ve been staring at it for an hour.
Don’t fear this kind of quitting side effects, the best way to overcome this is to start doing what you have to do. As soon as you’re doing it, you will forget about the urge to light a cigarette. To show you an example, how many times have you taken any type of exam that don’t allow you to smoke? I assume that during the exam you were totally focused am I right? So don’t believe those myths saying you can’t focus or you can’t concentrate.
During the withdrawal stage, you might experience difficulty in going to sleep and the quality of your sleep might be extremely poor. This is quite normal, keep in mind that this is just going to be temporary. Not everyone is going to experience this, each individual varies from one to the other. So just in case you experience this, don’t take it too seriously, it will soon pass trust me or talk to your physician to have some peace of mind.
What about sharp pain in the chest, coughs, colds, headaches, fever, etc. Well, your body is healing itself and trying to get rid of the toxic waste you have longed injected to it, so I think it’s quite normal if ever you do feel them. Drink plenty of water, take aspirin or pain reliever or better yet again talk to your physician. And be prepared for coughing out a lot of dirty phlegm (ughhhh) out of your body.
Although the side effects can be pretty bad at first, remember it’s not going to last forever. After 10 days, the symptoms will start to dwindle, and you’ll feel healthier day after day. Right off the bat, they’re pretty nasty, but it’s fortunate to know that you can actually minimize those symptoms the first day.
We know that nicotine withdrawals can be overbearing and the side effects can be at times too huge for you to handle. But hold on to your horses, taking nicotine forever isn’t healthy for you as well. You either stop today or suffer forever.
Keep in mind that quitting smoking side effects are only short-lived. Learn what happens when you quit smoking and in the end, you will see that what you’ve been through is all worth because you’ve freed yourself from a bad habit, addiction and misery. As mentioned earlier, the moment you stop smoking your body starts to rebuild itself, and you’ll notice positive effects that quit smoking has brought in. Overtime, you’ll feel healthier and better.
Quitting smoking is not an easy road to take but all worth the effort. If they can do it, there’s no reason you can’t. Quitting smoking side effects are all but temporary, always visualize the end results, hundreds are quitting each day, join us, do the right thing by ending your habit and addiction today.
Don’t doubt your decision, we all know why you are here; I have done it, they have done it and we all believe that you can – be a non-smoker today!
Please read the comments below to motivate you further in quitting nicotine addiction.
Day 4 of quitting. I smoked 20 plus a day for 30 years, I have a horrible taste in my mouth, feel dizzy and restless sleep, Thank god for this site as i tought iwas giong mad but it is all normal.
I have been off them for 17 days now after 23 years. At the end of the first week I rewarded myself with a top that I wanted to get but couldnt afford as I was spending the money on cigerrettes at £8 a packet!!!! I have noticed the lack of concentration and restless sleep. Its hard but I dont want to die young so have to get through the short term side effects
I will not smoke from today.
Let’s see how i feel… will coment on it very soon.
I just made it through day 21 after 6 years of being addicted to those damn cancer sticks. I feel so much better mentally and physically. For everyone out there thinking about quitting, I say go for it and try not to use patches or gum. Quitting 100% cold turkey is the only real way to break away from smoking. Just remember who you are quitting for, a child, a spouse, a friend, in my case my father who quit with me since they found nodules in his lungs, but the person you are truly quitting for is yourself. Good luck
Day 16 here for a 41 year old 3/4 pack a day since I was 15. My breathing is amazing. I ran a mile and a 1/2 last night with out stopping. I had not run in years but the lack of sleep made me yearn to burn off some energy. I have not sleept well since I quit with the exception of a 12 hour sleep last Sat. I probably got 7 hours of actual sleep so give it a try. Smell has come back but not taste. I jhave been the biggest jerk of my life but the world will have to deal until I am my old self. The 4 kids are getting the worst of it but the wife who has never smoked understands. I will make it!!!
today is may 16 and on May 12 i suffered a t.i.a and spent 4 days in the hospital one of the life changes is to stop smoking. i have gone cold turkey since then. it is not easy after about 42 years of smoking but i want to live. my spouse of 45 years also smokes so that makes it worse . please the ones that have commented about only smoking for a few years it is easier with out 40+ years of toxins in your body and we ALL have a long life. i will get through this i do have family support.
On April 10th 2012 was my quit date after 24 years. I have made it 35 days! I have had lots of anxiety and still crave cigarettes constantly. I get through it though. I guess the toughest part has been seeing myself as a non smoker- I look in the mirror and I’m not sure who I’m looking at. I am on the 7mg patch now and I use the Nicorette inhaler to help with the really bad cravings. My doctor has put me on Ativan to help me sleep at night and deal with the anxiety. I work in a high stress job where everyone smokes and no longer have the connection with my coworkers I once had. I have never quit for this long without sneaking a puff- I am determined to beat my addiction to cigarettes! I have an amazing support system and grateful they all believe in me <3
I look forward to the day when I don't have any more cravings- I never want to go through this EVER again! Best of luck to all of you!!
are you still a non smoker? I’m 46 yo Spent 5 day in the hospital and having a stent in in my
main artery after being 90% blocked.. I need to get another stent put in next week.. I’m not smoking for 4 days and I am determend to not ever smoke again
I have been smoking since I was 16 and now I’m 27. I’m on day 5 of quitting cold turkey. Yes its been hard with the sleeplessness and the coughing is terrible. Sometimes I feel dizzy and others I’m “on edge”. It’s nice to know I’m not going insane and that we can get through this. After reading everyones comments i feel more at peace that this can be beaten. Now i just have to work on my husband to quit..
I am 19 and have only been smoking for three years. I quit cold turkey and its been 7 days. The 7th day for me is by far the worst so far. Which I found very surprising considering I thought the first few days would be so much harder. The hardest part is picturing myself without a cigarette. Or any booze. ( booze gives me a craving right away) The best thing to do is turn to healthy concious friends. Friends who have already quit and are loving it. Visit multiple quitting smoking websites for support. My boyfriend that I live with is quitting as well, however, not cold turkey. So he goes outside for one so I don’t have to be around which is also very helpful. But sites like this will help you a lot through the tough journey. And don’t let any non smoker tell you it’s easy. Because it’s nowhere close.
day 17. cold turkey. aged 43, been smoking since 16.
my side effects covered the gamut, and i’m still suffering from most! sleeplessness and/or waking up at 4:00 a.m. and unable to fall back asleep; anxiety (had a panic attack on day 5 w/the thought of taking my kid to the dentist); aches/pains; exhaustion; overeating; chest pains; lack of patience…. the list goes on.
strangely, it DOES make me feel better to know that its all normal, and i’m not the only one suffering. the human condition such as it is, always nice to know we’re not alone!
wishing everyone good luck.
i know how you feel have been going through the same hope my family won’t desert me for being a b—–d
Good luck. We are in the same boat.
Well, for me it’s day 2. This is the worst I’ve ever felt. So bad that I thought about going to the ER. I assume dizziness and a rapid hear rate(probably due to anxiety) will subside soon????
absolutely! Dizzy for 5 days but it passed. Stay with it!
I quit smoking on May 2nd at 6.20pm outside Las Vegas airport. I told everyone I new that the date was set and with my holiday over, tired and a long plane trip back to the UK, what better time to do it. Ive decided to go cold turkey and lots of weight watchers boiled sweets,you see Ive lost 3 stone over the past 6 months and dont want to get fat again. So far Ive had the sleeplessness, tiredness, but still waiting for the cough ! Ive been smoking approx 20 cigs a day since school, that was 35 years ago. So if I can get this far than anyone can. Its very hard but each day that passes is a great bonus, that makes it all worth it.
I’m going on my Second week cold turkey it was easy untill today my chest is tight and I have been spitting up phlem and blowing my nose all day it sucks but I think of it as all the toxins leaving my body you have to think of the side effects in a positive manner I have been smoking 7 years and for the first time in those 7 years I DON’T want a cigarette seeing the side effects of quitting has made me want to stay smoke free ! One tip I read was that a cigarette craving only last about 3 minutes so once you feel that craving just count you’ll find out that you will forget about it quickly hope that helps someone good luck everybody !!
Hi guys,
I’m on day 3 without a cig, and I’m struggling most with my emotions and stress levels!!
I have an outburst of crying more than once a day, and I’m constantly down in the dumps, and feeling like this is way too much to handle!!!
Is anyone else really struggling? I’d love to hear from people and keep updated with someone in the same situation as me!
I’m on day 2 and feel the same way. I have no energy and just want to sleep all day. It sucks, but I know it will pass.
I’m on day 3 and I can’t fall asleep or stay asleep my nerves are shot and I’m horribly constipated.. does anyone know if this is normal? I’m trying to get my husband to quit also while I’m taking care of my mom because we have both smoked more than a pack a day for over twenty five years. I’m using nicorette which is awful, gum, and an electronic cigarette. when does it start to get better?
i am on day five and yes it is horrible i eat a lot of tootsie pops . my mom had a massive stroke and she was also a smoker now she is unable to speak,walk or take care of her own needs. i do not want to end up like her. i have smoked on and off for 40+ years./ i am trying it cold turkey. a lot of water will also help to flush out the toxins. and yes my spouse also smokes.
I’m on day seven and I feel that way. Like I can’t control my emotions and my anxiety level is through the roof. What I have noticed makes a huge difference is keeping in mind the original reason you quit in the first place. It motivates me so much to keep going. Write it down somewhere you can see it whenever it gets tough and that should help you keep on track.
Another would be, whenever you get a craving, spell out your abc’s twice and it will pass.
Hope that helped you out a bit. Maybe keep in touch on our progress
Quick question, 10 days quit, cold turkey. I have felt really really rough but that is starting to fade now.
Biggest worry is that I am now very short of breath. Normally at the gym 3 or 4 tines a week, however it’s that worrying I’ve not been for a week.
Is this normal, will it pass. I hated wheezing but I never felt like this. Quite worried
Thanks
Im on day 12 after smoking for 11 years bad anxiety paranoia tiredness and all i want to do is eat after just losing 15kgs im kind of scared of the thought of weight gain i need some suggestions on things i can replace these feelings for!! Congrats to all u non smokers really not an easy thing to do.
I have been smoke free for 2 years this week, done the patches for a week and kept forgetting to put them on. I found it easy to quit as I was in the right mind frame i had, had enough of smoking and couldn’t be bothered anymore.
To everyone that has just quit keep it up, if you fall off the smoke free wagon, its a small hiccup try again, not everyone does it the first time.
The only side effect I have had was weight gain, my doctor said to me isn’t it better to gain a few pounds than fill your lungs with chemicals. So now 2 years on I have a wardrobe fill of clothes that don’t fit me but I am smoke free and the next hurdle is a good pair of walking shoes to lose a few kilos.
Quit 3 days ago, still have slight cough, dizziness, chest pains. I had quit about ten years ago and didnt feel a thing, but this time Im hurting after smoking for 30 years, but Im going to beat it. its all in the mind.
Day 1 of quitting…ive been a smoker for 20 years now. Im a mother of 4 kids and i tried stopping before but i wont last a day without lighting a cigarette. but now i vowed in front of my kids that i will stop this stupid vice and hope that this promise of mine will not be in vain. im doing this not only for my kids but for myself as well. i hope i can make it…will post everyday on the progress of this journey…i know i will not regret that im a quitter!!!
Good luck, you can do it! I am also at the end of my first day without a cig. I’ve smoked for 23 years and have a history of cancer in my family. We have to do this for our children…you are not alone!
What a mess I am! March 1st went into respiratory arrest, on a ventilator for two days due to smoking that caused carbon dioxide retention added on to pneumonia. Lived through that and swore I would quit after being in the hospital for 10 days. I made it about two days after that before buying a pack and having one. Since then I will still have one a day. I’ll go buy a pack and smoke one, then throw it away. Why can’t I go ahead and go cold turkey? My chest hurts, I’m unhappy now, which is a catch 22 because I’m unhappy with myself too for having that one a day cigarette. My whole body aches, alot of mucus, dizziness. I keep going through the withdrawals every day while fighting with myself. Will that next cigarette cause another respiratory arrest? Some people think this is so easy and “how stupid could she be, to just not quit” . Easier said than done, huh? Dont get to this point people out there! Quit and don’t sneak em! Anyone that prays out there, I need you! This addiction is a tough one! Thanks for listening!
I will pray for you. There is nothing too hard for God to work out – some of your symptoms sound like the withdrawal. Keep trying. It’s never over unless you give up.
Terri…don’t give up! And do NOT feel bad about yourself. This is a challenge that you are undertaking and you should be proud of yourself. Stick to the 1 per day…just don’t make it 2. Promise yourself never ever tohave more than 1 per day. In a month…maybe you can handle .5 per day. Focus on the good you are doing for your self and you can do better. It’s hard not to feel bad though…becuase the lack of nicotine causes all these depressive feelings. I quite again a few days ago and I just want to sleep and not talk to anyone.
I’m on day 6. I feel like crap. Light headed muscle aches extremely irritable and on top of that extremely bad head aches. I’v also found myself extremely tired. I quit cold turkey with good thoughts but it’s seems like it’s getting worse. I want a freakin cig so baad right now doing everything I can not to head to the store and get a pack!
I, too, am on day 6, Rob. You know what has helped me? Cinnamon! It has saved my life. I know it sounds crazy. Brach’s makes a suger free hard candy. The taste is strong…relatable to the strong taste a cigarette leaves in your mouth. I know you know what I’m talking about. Well, I’ve been popping a cinnamon candy when the urge gets to be too much. I smoked for 15 yrs…..and it’s working. Suger free….can’t beat that. I calculated how much money I would save on a monthly basis…… $230.00 a month. I was shocked. Good Luck everyone….keep on keein’ on .
I just recently quit smoking and I am having a very hard time. It has been about 48 hours since my last cigarette and now I find myself chewing tobacco. What should I do know?
Hi Dave, Congratulations!
Obviously you are looking for a replacement to control your habit. Try drinking a glass of water instead when you feel the urge. Addiction urges will only last a few days. Your almost there!
Don`t chew Tobacco ,I am on my 2nd day and I have been fighting it .Smoked for 20 years about 30 a day minimum. I have been irritable but feel that I am winning .Can you imagine how much nicotine controlled our lives?.No More Nicotine …..Cold tukey
I gave up smoking Jan this year with few issues however within two weeks I had very bad indegestion followed by stomach and toilet problems which have continued. I am often debilitated with extreme tiredness and my joints and muscles ache and then after a few days this clears and I feel fine. Then for no apparent reason I become weak again and very lathargic. My bowels have remained loose since Jan and feel uncomfortable most of the time.
Any thoughts or suggestions please anyone as I am now really rather cheesed of with not feeling well – should I start smoking again?
First, Congratulations Barb! Please don’t smoke again, after quitting for that long, I doubt if its the symptoms brought by quitting smoking. You’re now a non-smoker so instead go and see your doctor, have a check up to find out what’s causing it. And trust me, your doctor (no doctor) will suggest you go back smoking again.
Cheers!
Barb, if you think you feel bad now imagine this: spending the last 6 months of your life connected to machines that breathe for you – possibly through a hole in your throat…talking is out of the question. 7 or 8 bags of IV medications most of which give you worse bowel problems than you can imagine right now – all of which goes into your diaper that someone else has to change…when they feel like it. The poisonous chemo is so strong that as you wait for your diaper to be changed it is eating a hole on your bottom that will only get bigger. Hair loss is the least of your worries because you only spend your days thinking about how much easier it would have been to quit smoking than barely existing, because you can’t call what you’re doing “living”.
Do you still want a cigarette? I had to watch two loved ones die this way to make up in my mind that it wasn’t worth it. Thank God for Chantix, I’m not as nice as I usually am but this medicine is just short of a miracle drug. I’d rather take this than chemo, radiation, dialysis or have people poking on me every 15 minutes in the hospital…or hospice care.
I’ve quit twice now. The first time lasted for two years. Started smoking again for another six years. Now I’ve been smoke free for seven years and no longer feel urges. Surrounding myself with non smokers helped a lot in the beginning now I have a smoker bf but dont even feel an urge to smoke again. Both times I quit cold turkey when I found out I was pregnant. I think the first three days were the hardest. Well worth it.
i was a smoker for 36 years and packed them in about 6 months ago, since packing in all i seem to do yarn, is this normal ?
This July will be 2 years since i stopped smoking cold turkey, after about 40 years, not one cigarette, through some of the most trying times of mine and others lives. If you’ve tryed it and done it somewhat before i think it could help.
Im 17 been smoking for about 9 months im on 7th day still feeling some of the effects but things seem to be getting better hoping i can keep this up for my family and gf georgia
I’ve quit smoking for three days now and I can’t stop shitting my pants. Its terrible I’ll cough or sneeze and it will just explode down my leg. Anybody else experience this?
On Day 5 – So far not too bad this time.
A little shaky, a little light headed at times.
Some minor muscle aches and tingles.
This time I have been Pushing the Vitamin D and it seems to help.
3000 – 6000 iu at day.. starting 2 weeks prior to quit.
Last time i was a wreck by now.. this time I would call it manageable.
Will be 41 this June, Have been smoking since I was 13.
I won’t do the math because I wont like the number.
what’s the deal w/vitamin d? why would it help? i’m willing to try anything!
I am on day 45. the last time i quit, i quit for 6 years. This time has been harder, but doing good. I have to admit, I have a crutch, an electronic cigarette. I am finding that I am using it less though. We all CAN do this. everything will even out and we will be fine. I promise!!!
Day 10 for me (smoker for 12 years). This is only my second attempt at quitting….Last time i was completely miserable and experienced depression. I was in complete physical pain and felt terrible. To be honest, i really wasnt ready to stop, i love(d) to smoke, especially in my car. Im an outside sales rep, so the fact ive gotten through 10 full days in my vehicle without breaking down is huge. This time, I want to be free of smoking. Its a social nuisance, completely terrible for you, and i envy people who are non smokers. Reading all of your comments has been so refreshing because i too am paranoid over the way ive been feeling, and by the looks of it its normal. I have random chest pains, became ill today, but one major thing ive noticed is i have no mucus cough in the morning, something ive had for many many years. We can do this, stay strong everyone…..
Hello all.
So I have been a VERY heavy smoker since i was 15.(1-2 packs a day) i am a 21 year old male, living in a large city where smokers are on every corner. The worst part of it all is how tense everything is. My body and neck are so stiff . I also have major DROWSINESS and WEAKNESS… will this ever go away… !? I need some SUPPORT!!!
Hi, I quit 8 weeks ago after smoking for20 yrs. I went cold turkey , no patches or gum ,I’m not trying to put anyone off but i feel awfull still have runny nose & constant sores in my nose, chest pains have gone but breathing feels worse not better.I’ll never smoke again but when am i going to feel any benefit i’ve been cycling 3 times a week and havent put on any weight so at least thats ok good luck to everyone
Hello Everyone this is my 8th weeks of quiting smoking and i feel irritable most of the time to my self is that normal??? And also i had a ear infection..I was smoking for more than 10 years of my life and i thank our almight GOD cuz he help to me stop my addiction in cigarettes and also my main reasons is to live longer watching my kids growing up not leaving them die in a lung cancer…So pls dont think its harder cuz the truth is no… Everything is on our mind but if you do quit smoking now trust me you will be gratefull for the rest of your life!
I am also having some ear infections since I quit smoking ,its been 35 days now and I feel itching in my ears , is that the same you feel ?
Hi All,
I quit smokign cold turkey 11th April. Dont seem to have had insomnia, but indigestion and nausea started this week, it could be something to do with hormones maybe? Should I see someone about that? Quite annoying.
Thanks guys and keep up the good work.
As Jo above says, I know I will never smoke again too.
Hi fellow quiters . Another major quiting session again. When i was reading all the comments i realized that i am not alone. I was smoking since i was 14 yr old. Now this is my 5th time to quit. Im turning 30 now i think i should start taking it seriously. Im just worried this time because of low temper control, being sensitive, and most of all being paranoid. This is suck it was only my 5th day of quiting but this is the worst session. Well good luck I hope all of us succeed.
Hi, im 20 and ive been smoking for 7 yrs and i just quit cold turkey yesterday. the first day was fine.. i was strong headed and i slept good, had a little anziety tho. today…is horrrible!!! it feels like my lungs want to jump out of my chest they hurt, having muscle pains all over, my adnoids hurt in my neck, im nausiated, my joints hurts, my head wants to expload, hurts to breath,head is spinning, not very mad but very emotional, if i see a cig or look at my 1 yr old i tear up, i want to live a long and healthy life for my son. it feels like im getting every symptom u can get!!! this sucks but it will be worth it. does anybody have any advice like would it be easier to drink coffee or niccotine patches or SOMETHING!! congrats to the people who made it!:))
Do not drink coffee!!! I read somewhere that it made the withdrawal worse. Drink water or juice. I chew a lot of gum – minty since I smoked menthol cigs. This is still my first day without one but it hasn’t been bad – I’m taking Chantix, my insurance now covers it 100% so it was a no brainer. Yeah, the dreams trip me out (some are awesome!!!) but they aren’t nightmares, just weird but really seem real.
Today is day 27 for me & day 11 without the patch. I’ve been very emotional & moody. But….no cough or spit up yet. My workout will begin in 3 days. I’m currently working on my breathing pattern. This has been a huge accomplishment for me. I’m happy & I think cigarette smoking is now in my past. Good luck guys. Yayy for us non-smokers!! Woohooo lol
im on my 8th, 9th week of stopping.. i had an anxiety dis order to start with then decided to stop smokin.. i will never touch a fag again. first two weeks anxiety went through the roof bad palpatations.moods wer awful dizzyness. went ok for abit but last week felt run down stuffy nose bad palpatations again im havin an ecg to put my mind at rest my doc thinks its stress. did not think it would be this hard to stop. the no smokin now not a problem just worst anxiety ever. feel on edge dizzy hot crying at everything!! hpe it gets better.. any else feel the same?
I’m at 9+ weeks right now and have had to go to the doctor for chronic heartburn and anxiety. I smoked for 20 years and after getting through all the dizzy spells, aching joints and numbness I will NEVER go back to smoking. Quitting is not something I want to go through ever again.
yes stoped smoking 4 months still got anxiety seems to get better for a week or so then just go right down hoping its going to get better still acke and still get pains not much fun
This is my 4th day of not smoking and the side effects have finally caught up. ive been smoking coming up to 5years now and this will be my second major attempt to stop. Side effects which consists of horrific cold, irritable, fever, shaky, cough, and heavy chest with pains. Also slight paranoia and constant worry. scared this time to quit because been dependant on it for so long now
Been 16 days now – bit grumpy and eating too much – weight gain is an issue so am trying to increase excercise. Otherwise all good – sleeping well, no cough, no inhaler and peak flow seems to be increasing a little. Yucky gunk being expelled! Have smoked for 32 years.
Hi All,
I’m on my 5th day of attempting to quit smoking. I’m still a dependent on nicotine because I’m using the patch which seems to be helping me a whole lot. I too am having the worst symptoms. My head is spinning constantly, my chest and muscle aches a whole lot. I have a cold that I can’t seem to kick. But I believe that this is it. I will succeed. I wish you all good luck.
Day 1 – cold turkey,, no side effects just yet but feelin a little angry,, gotta keep busy x
I have only had about 10 smokes in the past week and today is my 1st full day with out even a draw but I do have many sideeffects like chest tightness, heart feels like it skips some, and all of a sudden it feels Ike thier so much pressure in my head that it going to pop. I’m 32 years old and have smoked since I was 13 would like to know if this is normal and also some anxiety too. Thanks everyone.
I’m on my second day and I know I’m done with smoking. It’s finally time. We are smarter than this to keep putting posion into our body’s. More power to those who need it.
been smoking for 7months now and i have finally decided to quit, this is going to be my first day wish me luck
Hi folks its been a week since I quit cold turkey after almost a pack a day for 10 years (I’m 24) and honestly its been a really freaky experience. My side affects have been headaches, hypochondria, more emotions towards things that shouldn’t even cause someone to shrug their shoulders at, back pain especially in the center and lower back, and coughing up brown mucus in the morning which started on day 5 (someone told me its my lungs getting some of the tar out). Anyone else experience these, and if so, how long did this go on for you? Don’t be shy to e-mail me as I’m interested in hearing some of your experiences.
The only thing that seemed to get rid of all these temporarily is that I signed up at a gym (was diagnosed with diabetes the week I quit cold turkey…go figure). I guess endorphins and adrenaline trump all? Thanks for reading.
Phazeoutx(@)gmail.com is my e-mail, I thought since they asked for it they would post it, but guess not
Recently I was on my 3rd attempt to quit smoking and on day 40 I failed. The first few weeks somehow seemed easy. I had issues like trouble sleeping and all, but somehow got through them. The last 2 weeks though I started staying like dizzy feeling. The part that got me was not feeling like me, I was so sad and all and all that really scared me. I was like this can’t be good nor from quiting smokeing. I also let some family members attempt to bug me with their smoking and all get to me, therefore I fell. Can anyone tell me if all these things were normal cuz I really wanna quit for good.
I have had all the same problems at 9+ weeks after 20yrs. Whoever thought quitting would be this awful.
Hi, I’m on day 6 of my attempt to quit smoking. My side affects have been bad sleep with crazy dreams, and I’m having really bad muscle pains in my legs and arms, is this normal?
Good luck everyone who’s on the path to a smoke free life.
Hi…after smoking for thirteen years i decided to quit smoking realizing the manifold increase in the number of lung cancer cases around the world..though its been only three days but considering the fact that i used to be such a chimney, it feels good..well actually i have not felt anything till now and nor do i miss smoking so much…i remember having spent nights reading comments of ex smokers and their will power and tens of wasted attempts but today i feel quitting smoking is actually possible if u have some long term goal in life and determination to achieve that goal…QUIT SMOKING BEFORE IT KILLS YOU..!!
Day 3. I have never been so anxious before. Never been so tired and unmotivated to do anything. Cough. Aches. Headache…….How long will this last….
i have been a smoker foe 31 years and just went cold turkey 4 days ago HANG in there it does pass ……i use to smoke a pack aday …….find anything to keep busy just keep moving ! it also helps burn any extra poulds that might be put on ! good luck
I had smoked for over 15 years and went cold turkey too ( over 2 weeks ago). I had cravings to eat and I suppose that is your body feeding itself to repair all the damage that you had done. This only lasted about a week. Now after meals I either chew a piece of gum or eat a jolly rancher. Love the air that I can finally breathe
It’s been 4 days since I quit and I feel awful,no sleep,soooo moody,head feels like its in a vice and I don’t know what to do with myself,having to retrain my brain,keep thinking things like oh while the dinners cooking I’ll have a smoke! This is my second attemp,managed 7 months a couple of years back so hoping it’ll be my last,it’s been really helpful reading all the comments,keep going all,we can do this.I’m using the gum and it does seem to help,just need something to help my family put up with me!
I’m in the process of quitting, just started yesterday. Down to 2-3 cigs per day from a pack a day. I’ve been highly anxious and have a very bad headache. Also, been overcoming this through the use of netflix. Been having movie marathons with close friends that im having stay the night all the time. (They’er Non-smokers) So they account me on the non smoking thing. Do whatever you can do to take your mind off smoking, ie. your favorite hobbies, video games, work, clean, etc. We can do this! just a little motivation is all we need. I’m thinking of the money i’ll save and imma put that in a jar
Wooooot! Btw… don’t drink. Causes me and plenty of others to light up a cigarette lol. Well good luck to all, you’re all in my prayers!
Well, I was a smoker for around eight months when I decided I was gonna quit. I’ve had a cough since Jan. 2012, but I’ve noticed that since I quit smoking about three weeks ago it has drastically reduced. I have a sore throat and a lot of excess mucus, which I am hoping will clear up along with my allergies that happen EVERY year. Good luck to everyone & I hope we all quit for good!
Hello…..
I stopped on January 12th this year – cold turkey. At first it was easy but now I am so tired and very emotional, unhappy and irritable which has never been me, i spent most of today crying>
Now I am thinking is this really worth it? Does anyone know how long this will go on for and what is the best way to deal with this emotional turmoil?
Any help would be great – thank you
Hi, What you are experiancing is exactly the same thing I went (still going through) two weeks ago at my twentieth day of cold turkey things really turned bad. Instead of smoking i went and bought the nictine patches, it really helped. Much, much better but still not perfect.
Personally I think I am and you still are addicted to nicotine and that is contrary to so much that I read that the nicotine addiction is gone after only a few days, i don’t think so.
Good Luck!!!!
Well this is my third day from not smoking cold turkey. I have not been able to sleep that well but I also been eating alot more lately. I feel chest pAins on and off I did a study sand found out that weed helps the sidifects And is way easier to quite. Any comments on that?
I quit cold turkey two weeks ago. Its been tough. I’ve smoked at least a pack a day for the past 10 years. I live in Egypt, where smoking is permitted everywhere. This is going to be tough. Good luck to all
i quit on Jan. 31st. Cold turkey. I think i have randomly lit 3 since then, but never finished one. I got pnumonia bout 2 weeks after i quit. Yes, insomnia hit me hard but its gone now. Now i have this weight gain even though i havent changed my diet, and (sorry fellas) i havent had a peroid since i quit. No im not pregnant, ive checked. Wondering if anyone might know wats that’ s about. Thats how i found you guys, wish i had 2 mths ago. Oh yea, gonna see my dr bout that
next week
Hello, Samantha.
I quit smoking on the 18th of February, 2012. I haven’t had a period since I quit, but cannot be certain that the reason is because I am menopausal. I am 46 years old, and until I quit, I smoked heavily from the age 14. Well, I began smoking aged 14 – I’d say that I’ve smoked heavily over the past 20 years. Particularly so since November of 2011 – stress, due to the ending of a relationship. I’ve read that smoking induces premature menopause. Also, my periods had been erratic for a year before I quit smoking. Another sign of impending menopause.
If you don’t mind me asking, how long & how much did you smoke? And, how old are you? Incidentally, I found quitting easy, as I’d prepared myself by reading up about the physical and psychological side effects – fore-warned is for-armed. I read a lot of informative articles which all pointed to the fact that the psychological addiction is harder to break than the physical. I read a huge number of articles in order to help me deal with breaking the psychological habit. It took up until a couple of weeks ago for me to stop thinking about cigarettes. I was spending £80.00 a week on 260 Silk Cut Silvers -shocking! I have been putting £80.00 a week in a jar. I keep the jar i a kitchen cupboard. Every time I open said cupboard, I see a pile of notes staring at me – am determined to religiously add to it for a year – just one of the tricks I picked up to keep me motivated.
Thank you for your time.
Jessica.
oh im 34 yrs old, i started smoking young, maybe about 12yrs old. I prolly smoked around a 1/2 to a pk a day. I saw the dr today, he said that quiting smoking creates all kinds of mishaps in ones body, esp. the wt. gain (15lbs now), but also hormonal imbalances. But, whatever, im running eveyday now at, least twenty-five mins. So i wont have the weight long. thanks for letting me know i was a tually loosing my mind for a while, gotta have some blood levels checked now but doc ery thing was fine. Good luck
Sam
I’m on day 21 of not smoking and up until last week I was finding it easier than I imagined then the insomnia hit! Been a really tough week which ended up to a trip to the gp who gave me some pills. If anything it’s made me more determined never to smoke it just goes to show what your doing to your body! Good luck guys!
Just to pick up on the side effects comments, I feel I have had just about everything going, however am writing to say stick with it as will start to pass and I agree with Natalie it has made me more determined. I am on day 25 and I have suffered:
- Insomnia – from day 1, only just started to get better, this has been the worst side effect
- Bad cold and sore throat – week 2 (now cleared up)
- Bad mouth ulcers – week 2 (now cleared up)
- Nose bleeds – since week 2 – ongoing
- coughing up rubbish – ongoing
and in response to Tony’s post, peeing loads, this has been since day 1, and has just gone back to normal in last few days.
Last time I gave up (7-years ago for 1 month only) had no side effects at all, but used NRT, this time cold turkey – so far though would say cold turkey working for me, first week was bad but now only have a few cravings a day (mostly eve after work) and they really are not too bad at all – I mean that too. Keep going all, we can do it.
(Smoker for 20 years – 15 to 20 per day)
On Ash Wednesday I went to the stop smoking clinic at local pharmacy, started using patches, inhalator and lozenges (yuk!) cut down to 4-6 per day easily then 2 weeks ago he challenged me to have a carbon reading of zero at my next visit (last Wednesday 28th March 2012) so I knew that meant no cigs on Tuesday…. I did it! Carbon reading zero on Weds and haven’t smoked since Monday 26th March 2012. Still on the patches, reducing to week 2 patches this week and so on. Still using the inhalator, but not as much as I thought I would. Only thing is, have had 3 cold-sores and now an ear infection, advised by pharmacist to take Vitamin C and Zinc to boost my immune system. Surely my immune system should be GREAT now I’m not smoking, yet it feels like it’s gone AWOL
All your comments really encouraging and helpful – thank you! Here’s to FREEDOM!
Ive given up for 3 weeks now after smoking 20-30 a day & have had no withdrawal symptoms & found it easy & hardly need anything to help just occasionally gum
but 1 problem since giving up is i seem to pee a lot more & I seem to feel I need to go to the loo all the time but nothing to pee 
is this common? & will it pass? Any replies would be grateful thank you
Tony
Hi,, I am 26 right now,, started smoking at 19… and About 12 ciggs a day approximately…. Few days back got a gastric pain,,, got depressed,,, agony started surrounding me… But i made up my mind of leaving this NIC habbit,,, its been around 20 days i am without a cigg,,, after effects are so bad,, like: chest pain, tiredness, lousiness, loss of weight… But whatever be the effects i am determined enough to leave this habit and again get back to normal life soon… Gone through the comments of all,,,, thanks for sharing.. Now i am a bit relaxed,,,, and i urge all smokers to leave this for their better life…….. LOVE YOU ALL SMOKE QUITTERS……
I’m almost at 1 month of not smoking. It took a bout of bronchitis to give me the extra push to be done with it. This past week I exercised for the first time. I took yoga 4 times this week. Instead of smoke breaks I now take book breaks and I’ve gone through 3 books this way. I’m still coughing up crap and having issues sleeping, but I feel a whole lot better.
Just decided in the morning to quit . My first attempt at it , been soking for 11 years. 4 hrs. gone. feeling rea urge but have resisted so far. God knows what will happen in next few hrs.
I’ve given up now for 14 days and counting. It’s true what they said, but it does start to get better. =3. Just think about what you can do after you give up. I can actually jog/run again without getting out of breath!
my last day to smoke was feb. 4th 2012. super happy i have done so well. i am just now starting to feel effects of not having a smoke & for the love of pete…. i cant sleep. any ideas???
Do some exercise! Or just try to relax, even with a few hours of sleep you will see the difference when you wake up. Soon everything will come back to normal as a NON-SMOKER! Cheers!
I REALLY HOPE THIS INSOMNIA GOES AWAY QUICKLY . I’VE BEEN A CHIMNEY SMOKER FOR 22 YEARS . QUIT COLD TURKEY A MONTH AGO ………… I AM DETERMINED TO NEVER SMOKE ANOTHER FAG IN MY LIFE EVER AGAIN . IT WAS HARD WORK GETTING TO WHERE I AM NOW . I CAN HANDLE EVERYTHING …….. BUT ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO THE INSOMNIA SET IN . NOBODY CAN GO WITHOUT SLEEP . I ALSO DO NOT WANT TO REPLACE ONE BAD HABIT WITH ANOTHER . I DO NOT WANT TO BECOME DEPENDANT ON SLEEPING PILLS . WHAT MUST I DO …… HOW LONG WILL IT LAST . I FEEL LIKE I’M GOING INSANE . I NEED SLEEP .
sorry my 3rd day of not smoking!!!!!!! See I have no attention span right now either!
This is my 3rd day of smoking and I am really tired too, but I am also having presssure pains in my left chest area, kina like someone has their hand pressed up against my chest and wn’t release it. Was just checked a month ago for my heart (EKG, ECCO, and chest xray) doc says my heart is good, thank goodness cause I have smoked for 36 years. Anybody else got these types of withdrawl symptoms too? Just reply and kudos to everyone quitting!!!!!!!! So glad I found this website
Its my 3rd day smoke free also and YES I’m experiencing the same types of chest pains. It almost feels like bronchitis…hurts to breathe, sinus headache, and mucus (fun). I am also having a ton of trouble sleeping! Anyway, I know these will all pass and I have to keep reminding myself that! Better to have the breathing issues for the next few weeks than the rest of my life! I’ve been a smoker for 14 years andgood my motivation is knowing I’ll never have to experience that ache in my lungs when I wake up every morning. GOOD LUCK!
hi amy, i too had chest pains , like someone poking me in the chest constantly, and dizzy spells too, ive been stopped for 1 week now cold turkey, after using a electronic cig to start with, that gave me palpatations, but do feel better now, no chest pain, but dizzy spells
I quit March 1st after 40 years. I did Chantax for 7 days (what I had left over from previous attempts) and doubled my Wellbutrin for 10 days. I have been free of everything for 11 days and the only issue I am having is minor panic attacks and some sleep issues. Now I just need to get busy and start exercising to help increase my oxygen.
I gave up on my 40th bday that was 10 days ago having smoked for more than 22 years although i did stop when i was pregnant i am determined more than ever this time. if i feel the need for a ciggerate i just think of my boys wish me luck peeps
I am on my 100th attempt at quitting smoking. It has only been two days but I do feel better, although very tired. What a weird side effect to quitting. I need this to be the last time I ever quit. My stepdad passed away 4 months ago at age 5o from a stroke. He smoked for most of his life. I do not want to die at a young age from smoking and all the side effects it causes. Good luck to everyone!
I quit 13 weeks ago and still feel like crap. I do however feel a bit better after reading all these posts that other people are going through the same side affects. I am 54 years old and have smoked for 40 of them. I used the patch for my crutch. I’ve been off that for 4 weeks now. It’s one day at a time for me. Going to the Doc next week for a check up and maybe get an idea of when I might start feeling better. I tell myself this is all worth it every day all day long. It is a battle of mind over matter and I am determined to win this battle.
My last smoke was on 2 Dec 08. The cost..the smell..and realizing it wasnt helping my health made me just throw away the pack and never look back. Funny thing was i never really missed it ….i suppose i had just made up my mind to do it i guess..
Dont miss them at all any longer..breathe easier but never did cough up any black phlem or anything like it either. Smoked for 46 years and wish i had all the money i threw away up in smoke..haha.. good luck in your endeavor of quitting. It isnt as hard as you think. Find some pics of some damaged lungs and it should make it a whole lot easier!
Best of luck! We are in the same boat – I was sick as a dog the first 7-10days but now its just trying to build up some energy. Guess I can’t ask for everything to be rosy right away!
It’s good to hear that a month or two or more of crap is normal. I worry that the ddry cough, or wet cough, is something more than withdrawal, but that’s all it probably is.
pretty inspired and assured. i am quitting today. if i keep this up for 4 days from now. i wud definately post again. wish me luck.
my husband and I gave up smoking 16 days ago and personally I havent felt so well in years. The only problem with us both though, we are so tired now. I am 55 but a very active 55 and as we have our own business (cafe) which is just run by the two of us,I have always been able to “run round” serving,waiting on tables and clearing up by myself with no trouble at all. However, I now find myself needing to sit down more and by 2.30 pm I could very easily fall asleep! Reading all the reviews on this site, this tiredness seems normal and will pass as time goes on. The plus side to no smoking is that I can now wake up without that racking body cough that I used to have and having to smoke and cough my way through 10 fags in order for it to go, be able to go out in the frost without coughing, be able to mop the cafe floor without having to use an inhaler and best thing is not stinking of fags. I personally again, am finding it quite easy with the help from patches, gum, e cigarette,mints and inhalater !! LOL- ok at the moment im replacing the fags with a bit of everything but each day im using less and less of these “crutches” and know for sure that one day I will be using nothing. We also put £15 a day in a pot, as this is what we spent each day, and that is mounting up quite nicely for a treat for us both. I have been smoking since I was 12 and have never bothered to try to give up before as I thought it would be too hard-if only I had had the foresight to see how it was going to be but then hindsight is a wonderfull thing.
All that off my chest, just keep up the good work to everyone who is quitting and think of the money you will save and the better quality of life that you will have in the long run.
I have quit for a month already, however I am using the nicorette gum. It works well but I have been getting all the withdrawl symptoms gained a bit of weight, wake up at night with shortness of breath & hear this like phlegm stuff (so gross) inside my lungs it’s hell &
although there are times when I feel like total crap I do not want to smoke again I’ve seen images & heard stories of what smoking can do to people & has done that I do not want any of that crap. Seems smoking & its risks are not as cool after all. You CAN quit & YOU can win the battle.
i quit 9 weeks ago and have never felt so bad,i too thought i had underactive thyroid,have had flu sickness bug and worse of all ashma,i have never had it so bad and am now on my 3rd dose of streroids,just want to feel well again,that was the whole reason for quiting
I Quit Smoking about 8 Month’s lots of positive from quitting, I can now run a few miles, My workout are so much more intense, and I feel Great. I have not gained any weight in fact I lost weight. I am an avid gym goer, I go to the gym everyday. Quitting smoking changed my life for the better and I challenge anyone who says they can not quit smoking that you can! I will gain weight use to be my excuse if you feel that way get off your butt and go to the gym, even if you gain weight who cares you can always loose the weight you can’t loose the damage you are doing to your body with every smoke you have. I was not perfect on my quitting journey. I quit and two month’s later I smoked a cig after getting drunk, as much as you want to wake up and smoke again don’t. On new years I smoked two Cigs when I was drunk again but I have not gone back to smoking. You need to set it strait in your mind how bad smoking is and look at images or stories or others who have suffered from smoking. Guess what that will be you as well if you do not stop as soon as you can.
I quit 4 days ago and already im feeling better seems like the nic withdraw is gone now its a mind game.
day 20 for me cold turkey- still not 100% but getting better every day- slight flu like symptons- day 3 was the worst – stay strong and un chain from the nicotine guys n girls !
Quit about 8 weeks cold turkey. feel like shit and sleep all the time. eyes ichy and watering, runny noise. No get up and go. Go to work and sleep about 10 hours day. anyone out there like this. but not going back to smoking.
I quit cold turkey 5.5 months ago. I went into a major depression, slept all the time gained 15 pounds. Started using the e-cig felt alittle better. I am still sluggish. I have never been out of breath untill I quit. I must be the weight gain.
thats about 8 weeks off them for me…feel completely lethargic to the point i am worried i have underactive thyroid, want to sleep a hell of a lot but i dont, its so irritating..this is the 2nd time i have stopped, but i know i wont smoke again, the withdrawal symptoms are awful.
Hi Im just coming up to my 3rd week cold turkey, ive already had ear, sinus and chest infection…the pits… i am also tired all the time…. its just gonna take some time to get the old crap out of our system, once that happens i think we will feel like new.xx i already know, i will never smoke again. good luck
Hi, I quit cold turkey 8 weeks ago, after smoking 15 years. I am 36 years old. One week after quitting, i got an awful sinus and nose infection, very similar to a strong allergy crisis. It last almost 10 days before going away. I still feel a bit too aggressive but it is easy to compensate by doing sport. I also got 4 pounds and sleep 2 hours more each day.
It is not easy but I will get over these symptoms one by one and won’t smoke again!
Wow! Still aggressive at 8 weeks! Its all worth it but I had really hoped for better tolerance by then. I appreciate the heads up as now I have to admit this is a longer process than I imagined. I will win regardless.