Quitting smoking

[Bohoney1]

Hello. I've quit smoking for 3 weeks now after 32 years of smoking. I am using the patch and my doctor put me on zyban  when I saw her sept 5 because I couldn't stop crying. The crying has gotten better I feel terrible. I think I'm obsessed with my breathing to the point where I feel it all the time. My chest feels tight. I feel myself inhaling all the time. I've been to the emergency room twice now in two weeks. Chest films taken. They put me on high does prednisone for. 5 days which made it worse! I think I'm going insane about this. I read that you should be coughing up old mucus etc... I'm not coughing at all. I think I need psychiatrist. Has this happened to anyone?
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[Bohoney1]

Well it's been a little over 3 months now and I am calmer. I've been to psychiatrist and I'm on an antianxiety med too. Still am nervous about my breathing but is getting better. I took up jogging as an exercise. Makes me feel better. Up to 3 miles every other day. Its wonderful to jog without the smokers cough. Like I said still have a ways to go but it is getting better

[fredda40]

Good for you on quitting. You said you smoked for over 30 years so it will take time for your lungs to improve. You should go see a pulmonary doctor to rule out COPD/Emphysema and asthma. The doctor will give you a breathing test to see if this may be affecting your breathing. If so, proper treatment can get it under control. I found quitting cold turkey worked best for me. No patches or meds as this just makes it harder to cleanse yourself from nicotine. I chewed a lot of sugarless hard candy and changed the things that made me want to smoke. I felt better after 2 months and even better after 3 months, and I continue to feel better each day. Your energy level will increase over time. I was lucking to quit when I did as I stopped before the breathing became a lifetime problem. If your breathing doesn't improve there is medication that will help you get to feel better again. If you are crying for other reasons such as depression or anxiety, then talk to your doctor for proper treatment. Be patient and try to relax. Anxiety will affect your breathing as well. Good Luck! Hope you feel better soon.