i quit smoking, when should i feel better?

Kurisu Makise

Kurisu Makise

Kurisu Makise

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iv smoked for around 5 years and 2 months a go i quit, i just thought why not after i kept hearing about all these health benifits. its been 8 weeks and i feel s***. im constantly stressed, snapping at everyone all the time, food and drink tastes really bad, dull ache in my chest that was never there before, im always tired and eating tripple amount what i used to eat (gained a stone already) and still waiting for something good to happen.

anyone have similar experiances or know how long it takes to feel better? :(
 
@Samsara if you can't handle the stress of quitting - go for vaping instead. I've been quitting and relapsing for the past 2 years - In the end I gave up trying and now vape.

There's no chance I'm going back to smoking.
 
Keep at it mate. I'm only 3 weeks in, and a little snappy and always hungry. But I do feel good about it.

Are you using NRT? I did it cold turkey. So if you're using NRT, sounds like you're craving more NRT?
 
Feeling better by not dying of cancer, or can bretahe properly when running around after your kids in the future, or when you see how well your bank balance is doing, or when you look in the mirror and smile and are not greeted with disgusting stained teeth, gum disease and rancid taste and smeel from the smoke and tartar in your mouth.
Right about then.
 
Go out and exercise, your lungs needs stretching so your bronchioles open up.

My lung capacity these days with regular exercise is twice what it was. I exercised so hard yesterday i almost passed out.

Smoke dope instead, atleast that does something to you.
 
Andy said:
Go out and exercise, your lungs needs stretching so your bronchioles open up.

My lung capacity these days with regular exercise is twice what it was. I exercised so hard yesterday i almost passed out.

Smoke dope instead, atleast that does something to you.
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Your last line probably slightly contradictory to the rest of your post but I'll allow it. ;)
 
Samsara said:
not using NRT, going cold turkey from 25 a day.
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You're brave no wonder you feel like ****, best build a 2 mile exclusion zone around yourself

btw from experience you should feel better at 8 weeks and very much down to earth at 12 weeks but I fear that you're still thinking about smoking on a daily basis and hence your battle is that much more harder
 
Just remember that you're saving money and you won't smell like **** anymore. That should make you feel better for now! :p
 
Think about the saving, im sure that after a few days/weeks it'll become a little easier

Ps... .Sean I love the sig mate ooh ah samaras! :D
 
Andy said:
Go out and exercise, your lungs needs stretching so your bronchioles open up.

My lung capacity these days with regular exercise is twice what it was. I exercised so hard yesterday i almost passed out.

Smoke dope instead, atleast that does something to you.
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i always exercise and i spend a lot of time walking even when i smoked.

Subliminal Aura said:
You're brave no wonder you feel like ****, best build a 2 mile exclusion zone around yourself

btw from experience you should feel better at 8 weeks and very much down to earth at 12 weeks but I fear that you're still thinking about smoking on a daily basis and hence your battle is that much more harder
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your right im still always thinking about it and what i can find to replace it. most nights i have dreams that i light up again and then wake up feeling guilty, not the best start to the morning lol
 
.Sean said:
Just remember that you're saving money and you won't smell like **** anymore. That should make you feel better for now! :p
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i didnt smell bad at all apparently for a smoker, exs gfs and family said honestly 9 times out of 10 that i didnt smell of anything. and it only cost me £20 a month :P but thanks for trying
 
Look on the bright side , at least you won't smell anymore. As someone who has never smoked I can categorically say that smokers stink from their hair , breath and clothes. God knows how dirty their houses are.

Smokers are the 3rd world equivalent of normal people.
 
Hikari Kisugi said:
Feeling better by not dying of cancer, or can bretahe properly when running around after your kids in the future, or when you see how well your bank balance is doing, or when you look in the mirror and smile and are not greeted with disgusting stained teeth, gum disease and rancid taste and smeel from the smoke and tartar in your mouth.
Right about then.
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This really^
 
Samsara said:
its been 8 weeks and i feel s***. im constantly stressed, snapping at everyone all the time, food and drink tastes really bad, dull ache in my chest that was never there before, im always tired and eating tripple amount what i used to eat (gained a stone already) and still waiting for something good to happen.

anyone have similar experiances or know how long it takes to feel better? :(
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Less moaning, less stuffing your nose in the fridge and more exercise. Also, get that ache in your chest checked by your GP.

You've made a really good choice and it will get better but you have to make it better by not giving up one bad habit and then taking on several more.
 
I gave up cold turkey for new year, after smoking 25 a day for 12 years. I don't know why you're feeling so bad, physical withdrawal tends to be worst in the first week due to nicotine leaving the body (which takes 3-4 days). After that the cravings should slowly but steadily subside, and you'll only have the psychological aspects to deal with.

For me, the first week was murder and I'd have gladly killed someone at times but I understood why and had support from a couple of friends which helped a lot. The second week was still difficult due to emotional ups and downs etc, but I'm now on day 24 and barely even think about smoking any more. I even had to check how long it had been as I'd literally stopped counting (always a good sign!).

Everyone is different but I found it easier to quit cold turkey than with NRT. I found it important to be clear and motivated about why I wanted to be a non-smoker ('quit' implies I'm losing out, which I'm not), and also to identify my triggers for smoking. For example I know that being in the car makes me want to smoke so I put a couple of packs of Smints in there. That provided a nice hand-mouth action and a strong oral sensation to help abate cravings. Find something healthy that you can snack on like carrot sticks, apple slices or orange segments which will help the cravings and ease your appetite without piling on the pounds. :)

Exercise is important as well, as you'll find a lot of new extra energy as you get into the swing of things (nervous energy at first and later just naturally more energetic). I have a much better sense of smell and taste, tons of extra energy, can breathe easier and don't have asthma attacks any more (touch wood), and I don't stink of smoke. :D

You would likely benefit from speaking to your doctor or at least a smoking cessation clinic (eg Fag Ends). After this long I'd have expected you to feel way better. Maybe the psychological addiction is playing havoc with you, especially if you haven't identified your triggers and found suitable redirections. Either way stick at it mate, it really is worth it and it doesn't feel this bad forever. The day you go to bed and realise you've not even considered or thought about cigs or smoking all day is a good one!! Good luck. :)
 
I've given up several times for 6 months or more, just given up again today after smoking since just before Christmas. I've done it so many times now its not actually that difficult but that's a double edged sward.

The simple answer is you feel better in about 25-30 years when you'd otherwise be dead. Don't expect it to make a dramatic difference to your short term health. You need plenty of exercise for that, smoker or otherwise.
 
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