Chasing Stars
I quit smoking 100 weeks ago today.
Here are some particlars:
For those who would quit smoking
Go for it.
I smoked 3 packs a day for 40 years.
Take the injury that is felt when you quit
as an adventure. Whoa doggies !! woohoo.
It is like winning a state championship
in basketball in Indiana as a kid (Boy's Club).
Which I did.
Here are a number of fun things to experience
when you quit heavy smoking cold turkey :
What are the side effects of quitting smoking?
Each person will experience each a different
set of maybe 1/2 of these symptoms
Irritability
While smoking can ease ones tension and seem like a relaxing escape from a hectic day, quitting is just the opposite. There are no mini-breaks, no moments of sitting alone and contemplating. Every small thing becomes just a little bigger. Noises are louder, lights are brighter and frustration is always just below the surface.
Anxiety
Not just worrying, but distress caused by fear of danger or misfortune. Once you quit smoking, you may find yourself more anxious over the harm smoking might’ve done to you before. You also may be bothered and worried about returning to smoking or that you won’t really be able to quit.
Itchiness
All the time. Your skin may itch, your head may itch, you might feel like the clothes you are wearing are itching you. But it’s probably just a side effect of not having something you’ve come to rely on.
Depression
Many people fall victim to depression when they first quit smoking. Feelings of regret, or that life won’t get any better are common emotions. Sadness for no apparent reason or the constant feeling of a dark cloud over your life, even when you know better, are also feelings you may experience.
Headache
A pounding at the back of your head or right behind your eyes are the descriptions some people give of the pain they feel after quitting smoking. It can be expected that when your body isn’t getting what it’s craving it will ask for it via pain. And pain in the head is a very common way of asking.
Fatigue
Strangely enough, you may feel tired. Almost like you can’t complete the simplest of tasks without wearing out. No energy, lethargic. You may sleep more, or at least want too.
Difficulty Concentrating
Another common side effect is to have a very difficult time focusing on the project at hand. Especially if it is boring. Your mind may wonder to smoking and you find it hard to pay attention to what is before you.
Acid indigestion
A burning sensation in your stomach and chest areas after you eat or drink coffee shouldn’t be a surprise. Very often people experience this phenomenon after they’ve given up smoking.
Gas
Strangely enough, gassy moments should be expected. Painful and embarrassing though they might be, don’t be taken by surprise.
Diarrhea
Inconsistent stool is another area that can be effected by the lack of nicotine and routine in your day. Diarrhea is something that is unpleasant, but won’t last forever.
Nausea
The sick taste in your mouth, light headed, dizzy feeling that takes up residence in the pit of your stomach and makes it feel as if you are on a boat at sea with no land in sight. That is called nausea. It may feel like your stomach is turned inside out.
Constipation
Again, it needs repeating, inconsistent stool is an area effected by the lack of nicotine and routine in your day. If bowel movements become rare or difficult that could be from quitting smoking.
Skin Blemishes
Discoloration, acne, rashes are all irritations that could arise when you quit smoking.
Hives
Raised bumps like whelps, that itch and spread rapidly are hives. They usually show up when you are stressed or nervous. They may also show up when you give up nicotine and smoking.
Sinus Congestion
Surprisingly the feeling that your nose is full or constantly running are also side effects. You may even have such strong congestion that you find out this is what’s causing your headaches!
Cough
There is a smoker’s cough and then there is an ex-smoker’s cough. The difference is that an ex-smokers cough will end one day. But you probably will experience fits of violent coughing as your lungs begin to detox and taste fresh air.
Phlem
Sometimes the reason for your coughing is the over production of phlem. This is something your body will over produce for awhile and coughing is one of the best ways to get rid of it.
Hoarseness
Your voice may be gone for a bit or you just might drop it an octave. This isn’t permanent. It also may be a blessing in disguise by forcing you to keep hard candy handy for your throat, and it might help with the transition to being cigarette free.
Gasping for breath
You may catch yourself short of breath and wonder how the next bit of oxygen is going to arrive. In those cases you will end up gasping for breath as if you’d just climbed a 14,000 foot peak.
Dizziness
Light headedness, a spinning room, moving walls and floors are all things you might experience as a side effect. Just find a place to sit for a moment while you grab your bearings and catch your breath. It’ll be okay.
Body Pain
You may feel pain throughout your joints and anywhere your nervous system can call out for its nicotine fix. It will continue to get louder before it gets quieter, which means the possibility of more pain.
Bloating
While not life threatening or terribly painful, bloating can be quite uncomfortable and actually be the culprit behind several of the other side effects from quitting smoking. You can expect your stomach and entire mid-section to feel full, even when you haven’t eaten.
I nsomnia
Lack of sleep. While you might feel extremely fatigued and sleepy, you also might find it difficult to fall asleep. Tossing and turning, nowhere to be comfortable. Bedtime could become your worst enemy. But this too shall pass.
Crazy Dreams
When you do finally find sleep, your dreams may be more vivid then you ever remember. And more outlandish.
While you won’t probably experience all of these side effects you most assuredly won’t experience none of them, so it’s best to be prepared. But if you are prepared you’ll be able to get through it, and that’s what is important.
Have a great time. As a wrestler used to say.
What a rush""""
I quit smoking 100 weeks ago today.
Here are some particlars:
For those who would quit smoking
Go for it.
I smoked 3 packs a day for 40 years.
Take the injury that is felt when you quit
as an adventure. Whoa doggies !! woohoo.
It is like winning a state championship
in basketball in Indiana as a kid (Boy's Club).
Which I did.
Here are a number of fun things to experience
when you quit heavy smoking cold turkey :
What are the side effects of quitting smoking?
Each person will experience each a different
set of maybe 1/2 of these symptoms
Irritability
While smoking can ease ones tension and seem like a relaxing escape from a hectic day, quitting is just the opposite. There are no mini-breaks, no moments of sitting alone and contemplating. Every small thing becomes just a little bigger. Noises are louder, lights are brighter and frustration is always just below the surface.
Anxiety
Not just worrying, but distress caused by fear of danger or misfortune. Once you quit smoking, you may find yourself more anxious over the harm smoking might’ve done to you before. You also may be bothered and worried about returning to smoking or that you won’t really be able to quit.
Itchiness
All the time. Your skin may itch, your head may itch, you might feel like the clothes you are wearing are itching you. But it’s probably just a side effect of not having something you’ve come to rely on.
Depression
Many people fall victim to depression when they first quit smoking. Feelings of regret, or that life won’t get any better are common emotions. Sadness for no apparent reason or the constant feeling of a dark cloud over your life, even when you know better, are also feelings you may experience.
Headache
A pounding at the back of your head or right behind your eyes are the descriptions some people give of the pain they feel after quitting smoking. It can be expected that when your body isn’t getting what it’s craving it will ask for it via pain. And pain in the head is a very common way of asking.
Fatigue
Strangely enough, you may feel tired. Almost like you can’t complete the simplest of tasks without wearing out. No energy, lethargic. You may sleep more, or at least want too.
Difficulty Concentrating
Another common side effect is to have a very difficult time focusing on the project at hand. Especially if it is boring. Your mind may wonder to smoking and you find it hard to pay attention to what is before you.
Acid indigestion
A burning sensation in your stomach and chest areas after you eat or drink coffee shouldn’t be a surprise. Very often people experience this phenomenon after they’ve given up smoking.
Gas
Strangely enough, gassy moments should be expected. Painful and embarrassing though they might be, don’t be taken by surprise.
Diarrhea
Inconsistent stool is another area that can be effected by the lack of nicotine and routine in your day. Diarrhea is something that is unpleasant, but won’t last forever.
Nausea
The sick taste in your mouth, light headed, dizzy feeling that takes up residence in the pit of your stomach and makes it feel as if you are on a boat at sea with no land in sight. That is called nausea. It may feel like your stomach is turned inside out.
Constipation
Again, it needs repeating, inconsistent stool is an area effected by the lack of nicotine and routine in your day. If bowel movements become rare or difficult that could be from quitting smoking.
Skin Blemishes
Discoloration, acne, rashes are all irritations that could arise when you quit smoking.
Hives
Raised bumps like whelps, that itch and spread rapidly are hives. They usually show up when you are stressed or nervous. They may also show up when you give up nicotine and smoking.
Sinus Congestion
Surprisingly the feeling that your nose is full or constantly running are also side effects. You may even have such strong congestion that you find out this is what’s causing your headaches!
Cough
There is a smoker’s cough and then there is an ex-smoker’s cough. The difference is that an ex-smokers cough will end one day. But you probably will experience fits of violent coughing as your lungs begin to detox and taste fresh air.
Phlem
Sometimes the reason for your coughing is the over production of phlem. This is something your body will over produce for awhile and coughing is one of the best ways to get rid of it.
Hoarseness
Your voice may be gone for a bit or you just might drop it an octave. This isn’t permanent. It also may be a blessing in disguise by forcing you to keep hard candy handy for your throat, and it might help with the transition to being cigarette free.
Gasping for breath
You may catch yourself short of breath and wonder how the next bit of oxygen is going to arrive. In those cases you will end up gasping for breath as if you’d just climbed a 14,000 foot peak.
Dizziness
Light headedness, a spinning room, moving walls and floors are all things you might experience as a side effect. Just find a place to sit for a moment while you grab your bearings and catch your breath. It’ll be okay.
Body Pain
You may feel pain throughout your joints and anywhere your nervous system can call out for its nicotine fix. It will continue to get louder before it gets quieter, which means the possibility of more pain.
Bloating
While not life threatening or terribly painful, bloating can be quite uncomfortable and actually be the culprit behind several of the other side effects from quitting smoking. You can expect your stomach and entire mid-section to feel full, even when you haven’t eaten.
I nsomnia
Lack of sleep. While you might feel extremely fatigued and sleepy, you also might find it difficult to fall asleep. Tossing and turning, nowhere to be comfortable. Bedtime could become your worst enemy. But this too shall pass.
Crazy Dreams
When you do finally find sleep, your dreams may be more vivid then you ever remember. And more outlandish.
While you won’t probably experience all of these side effects you most assuredly won’t experience none of them, so it’s best to be prepared. But if you are prepared you’ll be able to get through it, and that’s what is important.
Have a great time. As a wrestler used to say.
What a rush""""
