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Read a member curated list of EX Community content over 10+ years

YoungAtHeart
Member

Early Withdrawal Symptoms

I copied this in the early days of my quit and thought it might be helpful to the newbies on the site.  The document was noted as written by Nancy Smith.

Nicotine's chemical properties are addictive. If you take that nicotine away from your body, it will miss it and you will experience physical and mental withdrawal symptoms.

These symptoms surface after three-five days of quitting smoking and linger for approximately two weeks. We list out some of these symptoms to help you prepare for these side-effects to smoking cessation. Rest assured that these symptoms, while some are unpleasant, will only be transitory and once you're rid of them, will leave you feeling much better after quitting smoking.

Emotional withdrawal
Depression: You may feel low, sad and hopeless. Hence,  it is important to surround yourself with people, preferably non smokers and friends who support your decision to quit smoking.
Anger: Emotional upheaval can make you angry. Others may not be aware of it, but you know what's happening to your body. The age-old remedy of counting to10 isn't such a bad idea. Stop, think, regain your calm and composure before losing your cool.
Boredom: You may have noticed that when you were bored, tired or depressed you tend to smoke. Now that you are on your way to a smoke free life replace these voids with hobbies or get involved with people around you. Pay more attention to your loved ones.
Loneliness: Withdrawal of smoking can make you feel lonely, impatient and irritable. If your friends are busy, take up a dance class or cooking class. It is important to expect these feelings of loneliness, so stay prepared.
Mood swing: Tempers will flare and tantrums will increase. These are not exactly PMS symptoms. Nicotine was once your evil friend but now you have to bear with the loss of the addiction. This will throw your emotional reactions to daily happenings into a tizzy. Most quitters will need help with these mood swings. Replace the smoking placebo with something else. Invest in some great music and strong coffee, maybe?

Physical withdrawal
Nicotine obstructs the flow of oxygen and nutrients to various parts of the body. Now that you have quit smoking, your body has to hit the reverse button to detox.
Bowel discomfort: It's time to change your diet and fitness once you quit smoking. Quitting smoking can cause cramps nausea, flatulence and constipation, therefore it is important to increase roughage and exercise your body.
Nasal and throat problems: When you stop smoking, your nose and throat will try to clear the mucous that has accumulated over the years. You may experience coughing, dry throat and mouth. Fluids are the key to clearing this process.
Increase in appetite: Craving for cigarettes can be confused with hunger cravings. The best way to stay healthy is to consume fluids and low calorie snacks.

Headaches: Lack of nicotine can lead to headaches, the way out of it is with massages, plenty of water and rest. Gently massage your temple, drink water, take a hot shower and take a deep breath.

Lack of sleep: You may experience insomnia after you quit smoking. Take a hot shower before you hit the sack, do breathing exercises too and most importantly avoid caffeine close to bed-time

Restlessness/lack of concentration: You feel like there is energy bursting in you; transfer this energy into something constructive. In these situations smokes would calm your nerves, but now switch off that thought and cultivate a new habit. You may feel you can't concentrate too; try listening to music or take a break from your routine life.
Weight gain: Increase in craving can lead to weight gain, especially if you indulge in unhealthy food. But don't be dejected, you can cut it out with exercise and the right diet.

Sweating and shaky hands and feet: You will feel that your hands and feet tremble. It is a passing phase that will stop. If you experience these withdrawals you know your body is simply shedding an addiction and leading you to a much healthier life.
Skin trouble: While quitting smoking is associated with healthier skin, the period of withdrawal will cause some skin trouble. Some people with sensitive skin might break out into a fresh acne case or suffer from some ulcers in the inner-cheeks, tongue and mouth. The reason is simply that your body is letting go of the toxins and leveling up.

Instead of losing motivation after reading these withdrawal symptoms, the one thought any quitter must focus on is this: The fact that your body is changing so much when quitting, simply showcases how much it is continuously changed and affected while you still smoke. Avoid poor health and dangerous diseases - stay quit!

Nancy

Tags (1)
51 Replies
maja2
Member

Thank you for posting this.  I definitely recognize some of these!  

TW517
Member

What a great idea to post this!  There are so many newbies now, I'm sure they will appreciate it. 

When I was a smoker, it used to make me mad every time I became ill or had some physical malady and my wife would say, "You need to quit smoking!".  My reply was always, "Not every illness is smoking related you know".  Then I quit, and had every symptom listed above and more.  With each new symptom, I would tell my wife, "I think this is because of my quit."  Her reply was always, "Not every symptom you get is quit related you know".  Touché

elvan
Member

A little refresher on those early withdrawal symptoms...love it.  Thanks for posting, Nancy.

Mandolinrain
Member

Wish there was a way that this post could be up front always Mark..... Very good reading here for the new ones coming in.

CommunityAdmin
Community Manager
Community Manager

Giulia
Member

Mark‌  I have nothing to do with what goes in Best of Ex any more.  Not since groups became managed by Company Management and especially since that particular group became a widget on the main page.   It is no longer up to me to say what goes in Best of EX, to agree or not agree, nor is it up to me to move a blog or post - or copy one as I used to - into Best of EX, since ownership of groups is not under member auspices any more.  Am I missing something here?  I have a whole list of Best of EX items that people have suggested on site, that I'd love to put in there.  But I didn't think it was my place to do so any longer.  Especially after you suggested (I believe it was you) that there should be a Best of EX Advisory Board.    See:  /blogs/Giulia-blog/2017/03/08/best-of-ex-advisory-board  and /blogs/Giulia-blog/2017/11/08/best-of-ex-advisory-board-ii 

If no one is interested in being on the Board, I would be more than happy to give you the  list of those writings that people have recommended for Best of Ex, along with a few of my own suggestions.  Just let me know.  

And of course, this post by YoungAtHeart‌ would be a good one to place in there.  Mandolinrain

pir8fan
Member

OK! I am confused AGAIN! Giulia? Is your "Best of EX", no longer Your "Best of EX"? 

Giulia
Member

pir8fan  "Is your "Best of EX", no longer Your "Best of EX"?"  MY best of ex?  Tommy - don't ask me, for obviously I must not "get it" myself.  My understanding is that when the groups were taken out of our personal administrative capabilities, (i.e. we were no longer in charge of what was posted in them nor how we went about it) they were no longer OURS to do with as we wished.  That we were consulted and considered in the process was great.  But now there's a different "parent," shall we say, raising our babies.  And, what can I say - I'm not into communal living.  Best of EX is not MY group anymore.  I am not in control of it.  I don't determine what goes in there and what doesn't.  I can't move it around nor edit it, add to it...  All I can do now is make suggestions just like anybody else.  But those suggestions have to go through a higher source.  That of our Company Manger.  Just like the Freedom Train is not yours any more.  And I think you understand what I mean by that.  

So, since I have been told it's simply not best  to copy and paste an entire blog into Best of EX,  and we need to get permission from the person who wrote the blog to move it, and since I would have to ask permission every time not only from them but from our Company Manager who would then have to approve and move it...  I haven't.  Especially since it was suggested that there be an Advisory Board to determine what should go in there or not.  That kind of indicated to me that perhaps it shouldn't be a one-man show.  And I butted out.  So in answer to your question:  The Best of EX - as it currently stands in the Widget - IS, yes, the original material I thought best to add.  But no, my friend, I am not in charge of the Best of EX.   It is no longer mine.  And if it is - it sure is news to me.  Is the Freedom Train Yours?

But this has spurred me on to consider having my own personal Best of Ex.  I'm thinking the only way to do that and have autonomy over it is to put it out in blog or conversation format.  (Sort of like the Elder's List.  That, at the moment, is still under my jurisdiction.)  Since it's not recommended that we copy blogs, then I would just offer the links to those blogs I personally think have a universal value to the community at large or those recommended to me personally.  Title it Giulia's List or Wisdom's Warehouse or something.  Perhaps with snippits of the blogs themselves to entice readers.  What do YOU think, Tommy?  There's a lot of great material that needs to be added.

susan_m
Member

Giulia‌, you asked Tommy for his opinion, but I'm butting in to give you mine. Shocking, I know. You've brought up the issues with and your concerns about the Best of Ex before, and it remains an unresolved item.

You clearly feel very strongly about this, as you should.  The bottom line is that there is a real need to be able to quickly and easily reference the most helpful blogs that users have written, so "Giulia's List" or "Wisdom Warehouse" is perfect.  It's too bad that you're having to consider such lengths, but I know that you'll do it to help others. 

I'm happy to help any way I can.