Foggy Brain and Fatigue

[deonta2004]

I had quit smoking in 2016 and I quit smoking for over 4 months. My overall goal was to eat right, lose weight and to quit smoking. I know people say that it would pass and it gets better with time. My foggy brain was horrible it really got to me because I would lose my words sometimes and couldn't think and it wasn't getting better overtime. I was so tired all the time that I would just go to work and as soon as I got home I would go to sleep. When I was at work I couldn't function and even I even went to 11 different doctors and specialist to try to figure out what was wrong with me. Every test result came back normal and only thing that they would do was send me out the door and say I don't know what to tell you and let them know if my symptoms get worse. Then I would just get told JUST DON'T SMOKE!!! I remember crying in one of their offices because I lost my words that I was about to say. I couldn't concentrate, focus, and it created anxiety. This was very traumatic for me because I had no where to turn to and everyone only said to JUST DON'T SMOKE and my symptoms were not getting better. I felt like no one could help me or knew how to help me. It was frustrating going through it and sometimes I couldn't explain it because I was afraid and alone and just TIRED. I was on the verge of losing my job and I dropped out school for the semester so I started back smoking. I recently quit smoking and it has been a week and I am starting to feel the fatigue coming on and I even have been binge eating at night. I haven't been having major craving and I thought my worse day would be around my 3rd or 4th day but it was my 1st and 2nd day. My craving are really mild now or not really there and I am on the patches. I have not problem with quitting or staying smoke free eating healthy taking vitamins or exercising. I am having a problem because I am terrified of being back into that space again!!!! I wanted to know if anyone else experienced this and how did you combat it?

[JACKIE1-25-15]

Here are a few blogs that will help you get started.  If you use the magnifying glass (search) any keyword you will find blogs on the topic to read and research.  Education is the key to a successful quit.  know what to expect. /blogs/jonescarp.aka.dale.Jan_2007-blog/2011/06/26/what-to-expect-in-the-first-four-months?sr=search... , https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/groups/best-of-ex/blog/2018/01/04/early-withdrawal-symptoms?sr=se... 

[minihorses]

I understand where you're coming from.  Everytime I'd quit I had the same crippling exhaustion, brain snowstorm that couldn't remember anything or complete a thought.  I can say for sure that you're not alone in that.  This community can attest for that.  I would definitely take Jackie's reading recommendations to heart.  She is a wonderful elder here that can guide you in the right direction of things to read, where to find them, and is so full of love and support!  She's personally helped me many times.  Read, learn, blog, ask, understand the what, why, and how this addiction affects people and how to get through to becoming free from cigarettes. Hugs to you!

[deonta2004]

Thank you so much for your response but the way I feel when I quit in the 4 months were different to where it littering disable my ability to function normally. My fatigue  withdrawals and foggy brain never went away and got worse as time went on instead of decreasing they were increasing. I had no nicotine craving or desire to smoke. 

[maryfreecig]

Smobriety is something more than not smoking (hanging on and feeling stuck is often called white knuckling it). Here at Ex, you will learn to build your smobriety--might be helpful to come here everyday.

All the symptoms you described are normal for some. But let me ask you this, if you had a crystal ball and could look into your quit future and discover that it would take you a defined period of time, say, one year seven months and three days to start feeling good--the way you wish you could feel--would that help? Would enduring the unpleasant feelings be easier because you would know when they are going to end? Would enduring the unpleasant stuff be worth it?

Most quitters do not have insight into when they will  turn the corner from one who remembers smoking to letting go. Just like you, plenty of early quitters, feel unhappy--something isn't right. But all quitters who stick with it, including me, find their break through. That is why quitting is referred to as a journey not an event. 

Come here. Learn to say to yourself, I can get through the crap I don't like, and I will get to a better place one day at a time. Why do this? Because that better place is there for you to get to. No one is an exception. Recovery is for all.

https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/groups/newbie-quitters/blog/2019/01/27/one-of-the-greatest-tools-...  by Jackie

/blogs/Marilyn.H.July.14.14.-blog/2019/09/30/its-bound-to-take-time-to-relearn-life by Marilyn

What is the Single Best Thing You Can Do to Quit Smoking? - YouTube  a great quit video

Quitting Cigarettes Journal  my story

Quitting smoking an uphill climb - YouTube  a vlog I made earlier on in my smobriety

[minihorses]

After re-reading your post I get that what you were asking wasn't about your current situations of feelings and cravings but about being scared of what happened to your body the last time you quit.  Please don't take this as being a glib reply but "That was then, this is now."  This is a totally different quit.  What were you doing/not doing in 2016 that you have changed this quit? It could be one tiny thing even. Maybe even just knowing that one thing could make a difference. 

I've quit a million times and each one was absolutely different than the previous.  To be honest my previous quit in 2017 I doubted I'd make it 8 months. I did Chantix,  I found EX where I read, learned, blogged, supported, but one nasty situation had me running back to them after 7 months.  Fast forward 6 months after that I started on this quit.  Everything was the same, Chantix, on EX, etc.  Still figured 8 months was a hope. I've run into nasty situations but the difference is one thing; me.  I changed and now I'm almost 16 months free! 

Be mindful of the past but look actively at the now and pleasantly toward the future. 

[NicMensinga]

Sorry you feel so terrible! Have you had your thyroid tested? Hypothyroidism can give you these symptoms.. Also HPA axis dysfunction. Have a little look in to that. There is a post on here relating to thyroid issues after quitting too! Hope you feel better soon x