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.