Off for a week, is this normal? - Smoking Cessation Message Board

m1ke · 09-06-2005, 05:36 AM

Hiya. My dad's been off smoking for a week or so now, and we're quite worried about him. Wondering if this is normal. He's been smoking for 30 years or so, and has some back and blood pressure problems - since he's quit he's been feeling really tired all the time, and his back seems to be aching more than usual. He's doing really well, but is really frustrated at his lack of energy and feeling sick a lot. Is this the case for all withdrawing smokers, or do you think there's something extra wrong here? It's a week on, at what point do these symptoms said subsiding?

Thanks a lot
Mike

Deda · 09-06-2005, 07:31 AM

Hi M1ke...

Some people here do report feeling lousy, and have physical problems after they quit. I had problems myself with pain issues, but since I had just been diagnosed with a thyroid problem, I thought it was that. (I think now it was a combo of both quitting and my hypothyroid). When I had a relapse and started smoking again, all of my pains improved significantly. But I still wanted to quit, no matter what! I smoked for 30+ years myself.

These same types of issues come up on this board often, and on the thyroid board, when people there have quit. Smoking is known to "mask" pain, and I truly believe that is true because of my own painful experiance. It's now been almost 2 years that I quit and I'm feeling pretty darn good. Oh, I still have some back pain, and this and that, but nothing like the pain I was going through before. It took me a good 18 months to start feeling human again, but please don't forget, I also have a thyroid problem and an autoimmune disease. All I can say is, just keep encouraging your dad to keep quit his going, and maybe do some things to improve his health, over all...better diet habits, supplements, daily exercise, meditation, proper sleep. I think the stress involved is hard on the body also. Possibly have him talk to his Dr. about this...maybe they can prescribe something that might help him. If I had to do it all over again, I think I would've got on an antidepressant, for a year or so. Please tell him to hang in there though, it is SO worth it! In the long run, he'll be glad he did, and will start feeling great, even better, once again.

Good luck...
Deda

Saara B · 09-06-2005, 06:14 PM

Hi Mike,

I am glad someone else is feeling as i do.... i am also in my first week of quitting and feel so tired and lousy, i have smoked for 8 years (very heavily) and feeling really run down and tired. It really scared me when i had a sleep yestereday and woke up nautious and spinning! Apart from smoking I eat really well and exercise therefor i can only put this down to withdrawl symptoms from smoking...

I would say your father is going through what i am right now, I am sure it will pass after a week or so??

good luck