Thread: So, when do I start feeling better??

What's all this bullshit about feeling better after giving up smoking ?

A bit of background. I've been a smoker for 30+ years and have have tried many ...okay several...well okay a few times to give it up. The longest previous record was about 3 weeks with the average being around 2 days.

Anyhow, had a wee heart attack on 19 March (for those living in un-Christian Asia and therefore probably unaware of the event, that was the Wednesday before Easter - which really stuffed up our Easter holiday plans), spent nine days in the CCU (Coronary Care Unit) at Royal Brisbane Hospital and went back and had a stent put into my LAD (left anterior descending) artery last week after 2 previous attempts. Not a pleasant experience I can tell you. They stuck a catheter into my femoral artery at the groin and prodded and poked around my heart with a piece of wire for almost four hours while I was wide awake watching it all on a monitor. Eventually they managed to do the angioplasty (the little balloon thing) and put the stent in. Bloody hurt too. I had to stay in for observation for two nights and got out last Saturday.

So basically it has been over four weeks since I've had a smoke (or a drink for that matter - I don't trust myself. It's always been my downfall in the past!!). I was dreaming about cigarettes every night for a couple of weeks but fortunately that has passed. Except for a few constant trigger times during the day (e.g. with morning coffee, after meals) the urge seems to be gradually waning.

But, I don't feel any better. I've always been told by ex-smokers that you start feeling better immediately. AbsoluTE BULLSHIT! (Sorry, smidge short-tempered!). I feel exactly the same, if anything a little uncomfortable....like I've forgotten something. Did it cold turkey, no weaning off, no patches, nothing.

I forgot to mention the inconvenience factor. You should see all the pills I've got to take (some of them for the rest of my life). I have to get up 20 minutes earlier every day just so that I can take my pills!!

So all you ex-smokers out there, when do I start to feel wonderful and healthy?? If this is all there is I may as well start smoking again.

Originally Posted by JoGeAr

I have to get up 20 minutes earlier every day just so that I can take my pills!!

Welcome to the club, and I never even smoked..

I felt better after a few weeks. Best thing I ever did was quit smoking.

Well Jo, as far as I can see, It just don't get no better
The last cig I had was Dec 1st and ended up that evening in the hospital, Dr.s had been telling me for 20 years to quit as my lungs were shot.
Well I ain't had a smoke since then and I crave em awful, I start every day to go and buy just 1, but I have heard that smoking is like drinking and it is that one that fucks you up.
T got on the kids scooter today early and went over to a friends house to say Hi and take him a couple of the Polish sausage I made, he is a swiss and wanted to try it, and on my way to his house I went by 2 shops that I used to go and buy 1 cig at a time from, but I had a damn fine idea to stop and buy one, but I didn't.
My breathing is easier, no shit coming up by the bucket full, and not coughing all the time but I still can't get any oxygen into my blood and the least muscular exercise is more than my lungs can take and they just will not supply oxy to my blood, even if breathing 2PPM pure oxy out of a bottle.
If I thought that having a cig would kill me on the spot, I would have one, but i know it won't so will just have to keep fighting the craving and live a little more comfortable life, whats left of it..

Originally Posted by blackgang

Well Jo, as far as I can see, It just don't get no better

Yeah, right. Thanks, I appreciate it.


But really, all the best to you too and I hope things improve.

It is bloody hard! I stopped for 6 days a month ago and felt great after two days .The thai food that I love just tasted even better without the nicotine.
The cough I had after 30 years of smoking went within a couple of days but is back now and in truth I know i HAVE to stop!
Maybe tomorrow

Jo, best of luck. Your brother told me a bit about your situation when I saw him, and hope things improve for you. (he's a nice guy by the way - we had a few good laughs) Seems a few on the forum have health issues.

Do the people who love you feel better that you have stopped?

That's keeping me off them.

I don't know anything about that Gallow,, No body even likes me so damn sure ain't any that love me.

And I don't know about that Taste thing either,, that fungal infection I had in my mouth and throat eat all the soft tissue and took all the taste buds and so everything tasted terrible, and it is still getting better and improving slowly.

I tried to quit smoking when I was working on Orcas Island, went to a dr. and got patches, and didn't carry cigs to work, I eas running a 225 cat backhoe for a logging co and they furnished my pickup, an old raggedy assed ford with a worn out engine and was blowing by more that stayed on top of the pistons, and my smell returned in a few days, and that pickup smelled so bad that I bought some cigs and put off quitting til a later date.

Now how that for an excuse to go buy another pack??

But Dec. was the second time I have had a fungal infection, last time was 97 in Mexico and was from the black mold in my house and got into my inner ears and fucked up bad and I had to leave mexico and had a hell of a time with it, and this time it took damn near a month to find a med that would stop it..
Maybe not smoking will help, I have no idea as I smoked for over 60 years.

maybe, even a bit late!!

Well, I would think that life wouldn't be that great with a stent in you. You've got to give yourself some time. If you had a slight heart attack I would guess you are far from healthy. You may have smoked for 30years but if you grew up in a house filled with smoke from your parents that's even your childhood too. Like Dalton said things aren't even great for those of us who haven't smoked. Stay positive and find some fresh air. Living in big cities can be just like smoking cigarettes. Living in Bangkok is probably like smoking two packs a day.

living anywhere in Thailand is equivelent to at least 1 pack a day too.

I find it does help to run a small air con with hepa filters and spend as much time as possible in that room.

Originally Posted by JoGeAr

But, I don't feel any better. I've always been told by ex-smokers that you start feeling better immediately. AbsoluTE BULLSHIT! (Sorry, smidge short-tempered!). I feel exactly the same, if anything a little uncomfortable....like I've forgotten something.

You should see all the pills I've got to take (some of them for the rest of my life). I have to get up 20 minutes earlier every day just so that I can take my pills!!

So all you ex-smokers out there, when do I start to feel wonderful and healthy?? If this is all there is I may as well start smoking again.

I smoked from age 14 to 24 and quit many times. I finally quit permanently at 24 in the spring. My experience was the same as yours. I didn't feel any different. I really don;t know how I finally quit, I just lost the taste for it.

Regarding the pills you have to take, prescription drugs have many dangerous side effects. Find a doctor who isn't pill-happy. I know this is difficult in the west as they get huge incentives from the pharma co's.

If you can't find a second dr for a second opinion, find a natural healer who can guide you in your overall health. I knw several people who have gone off their meds as a result of natural- and self-healing.

Good luck to you.

^Yes sir, so do I, and I also know a couple who have died or killed themselves after going off the meds given them by their doctors..

If you are not going to do as the Dr. orders, then do not take up his time and spend your money.

you will never feel better

but you will feel bad longer.

You got that shit right..

I haven't had a smoke in about 16 years. I wouldn't say that I feel any better.

But I also don't feel worse that an extra 16 years of smoking would have made me feel.

The last 16 years of smoking sure did fuck me, and thats for sure..