What symptoms did you have when you quit smoking?!
Question: Hi, so far i'm into day 3 of cold turkey, am short tempered, not sleeping well & am having nightmares. Just want to know what else I can look forward to, lol. Thanks
Answers: Hi, so far i'm into day 3 of cold turkey, am short tempered, not sleeping well & am having nightmares. Just want to know what else I can look forward to, lol. Thanks
First of all, kudos to you for taking that huge and difficult step.
By about 72 hours after your last smoke, most (around 90%) of the nicotine will be out of your system, and that's, unfortunately, when things get really interesting. Your cravings will usually get worse because your body chemistry has adjusted to nicotine, and now there's none to be had, so your body gets really desperate for it. You will probably experience even more of the symptoms you already have, only they will be worse. Your head will also start playing the "I can have just one" game with you, and you will just have to ride it out by whatever means necessary. It can take a month or more for your body's natural chemistry to return to a normal balance, but that's different for every person, so you may have those symptoms for a while.
The one that was really hard for me when I quit (which unfortunately only lasted four years) was when my lungs finally started cleaning themselves. Your lungs will start trying to clear the chemicals down there, so your body will produce huge amounts of mucus, and you will find yourself constantly coughing and bringing up gunk. That particular symptom is hard to manage, but like all the others, you just have to ride it out. For me, it lasted almost a year, and my lungs were so hammered that I caught every infection that I was exposed to. I have heard of people using Mucinex (guaifenesin) to help clear their lungs, but it doesn't work for everyone. It's just as easy to push fluids for as long as necessary so that you can maintain the mucus build up and keep coughing it up.
You may also experience emotional problems, like getting upset at small things very easily, or crying episodes which just don't stop. That's all to do with your brain trying to achieve some stasis without the nicotine. In fact, the problems you are currently having all stem from the fact that your brain is starving for nicotine right now. They will gradually slow and then cease entirely, but it will take time.
You may experience extreme hunger. I know that's a big fear for most people, because they gain a bit of weight. You can help yourself with that one by keeping gum and sugarless hard candies or lollipops on hand. Even if you do gain weight, the average weight gain for smokers who quit is usually less than 10 lbs., and that's a lot less harmful to you than the smoking is.
You may have some dizziness which is related to your blood pressure. Smoking raises it, and it will gradually go back down, but during that time you can get dizzy or feel faint. That's because it will take your blood pressure some time to stabilize, as well. Just be careful when you stand up quickly, as you can get lightheaded and fall right back down into the chair you just got up out of.
Some people get the crawlies, or other weird sensations on their skin. Again, that's related to your brain seeking to rebalance itself, and will go away after a while.
You may get headaches. Keep some aspirin or Tylenol or whatever works best for you on hand. The headaches are usually caused either by the stress of quitting, or by your blood pressure trying to regulate itself. They will fade with time, too.
I know there are some other symptoms, but those are the basics. Just keep your goal of being smoke free firmly in your sights, and seek help and support from your friends and family, and you should do really well.
And one last thing. If you fall off the wagon, don't give up. Just dust yourself off and get right back on. Most people who manage to quit for good have to try multiple times before they manage to do it permanently. Don't be hard on yourself if you have some problems.
Oh! One more thing. Set goals for yourself, and celebrate the milestones. Treat yourself to something small after your first week, and make plans to treat yourself as you hit milestones like first month, second month, etc... You are doing something incredibly difficult for yourself, and you deserve to be rewarded.
Be well ;)
Why not try taking nicotine patches or gum, may help with craving.
hiya I have just done my first full week cold turkey day 3 was my worst day I had a massive wobble as my very dodgey fringe will testify but I got through it I got some licquorice root from holland and barret whic h has helped trust me I tried lozanges and they were nasty now that you have stopped the nicotine it would be crazy to use a substitute now
your sleep will omprove just dont forget to give yourself some credit and a small treat at the end of the week I bought myself a pair of shoes yesterday
I am rooting for you heres to your will power xx
edit btw when it gets realy tough just get through it an hor at a time the licquorice root will serve a couple of purposes stop you snacking something to do with your hands and give you a kick at the back of your thoat oh and aids your going to the loo
Ummm Migraines, nausea sometimes, cranky moods, irritable, short-tempered, CRAVINGS!!! Snacking instead of smoking, gaining weight because of it. Coughing up nasty little tar balls in your phelgm. The good part of it, if you've been smoke free for 15 years you've regained your life back :)
cough, sometimes headaches. Got to 4 months and gave in.
You must act like a non-smoker. Read Allen Carr's book. Very helpful.
For a full two yers i usedto wake up at night, i dreamt that
i had succumed and lit up a cigarette and i used to feel ashamed of myself! I was moody for a few months.
But IT WAS WORTH IT Your taste buds come alive, you
enjoy your food better, you no longer smell like an ash tray,
and at over