Am I right to be scared?

[Krack3rJack]

OK...I'll admit it.  I am afraid.  I have not talked to anyone about it, so I am going to puke it here.  Just facts on what I am experiencing and how they make me feel.

Prequit info

- Smoked cigarettes with some unsuccessful NRT quits for 33 years 

- Diagnosed with anxiety and panic disorder in 2011

     - Coping techniques from a psychologist have served me well

- Diagnosed with Laryngeal Pharyngeal Reflex (LPR) in 2019

     - Taking Omeprazole once daily to control the acid 

- Was not liking the way I was breathing a month or two prior to my quit

     -  It was not awful, but it was not exactly pleasant 

I QUIT!!!

- I quit June 8, 2020

- Since then, I have experienced the benefits of breathing easier

- I am also experiencing things that are scaring me: 

     - Abdominal gas that feels like a trapped burp until it is able to slip out

          -  Makes for very uncomfortable pressure

     - Feeling short of breath, but I believe I am breathing fine.  No panting, wheezing, or breathlessness

          - Scares me at times, but then I walk around a bit and use anxiety coping techniques or sometimes a burp comes               and the feeling fades away

     -  Sleep has changed and it scares me

          - Instead of 6-7 hours per night the I would get pre-quit, I am waking pretty much promptly at 4 hours

               - I get a feeling that I am short of breath despite decent inhale and exhale that is taking place

               - My heart rate increases as a response to this feeling

               - Sometimes I can use relaxing techniques and get back to sleep and sometimes I cannot

               - Today I got up, had some water, did a big blowout of my lungs just in case, but could not relax

               - Sinister thoughts of COPD creep into my head

               - IS THERE SOMETHING WRONG WITH ME????

     - Tightness in the throat

          - Sometimes I think it's anxiety causing a globus sensation and other times I think I am being overrun with                           phlegm.  

          - More sinister thoughts come to mind at times like am I having a heart attack, or heading that direction

          - I also realize it could be increased reflux and that my system is possibly in overdrive due the this sudden cold                  turkey change.

So there.  I said it.  I am scared.

[Thomas3.20.2010]

I agree! All quit journeys in my opinion should be supervised by a Dr. Keep going! You're doing Great!

[Krack3rJack]

Thank you for all the wise and considerate responses!  I am going to make a doc appointment tomorrow to discuss these symptoms and make sure everything is OK.  I feel deep down that everything is OK, but I do think working with a doctor would be a very good thing.  Thank you all again!!

[indingrl]

Thanks for YOUR courage and SELF honesty - I agree with EVERYONE call YOUR DOCTOR - welcome and good job STAYING a non smoker - yahooooooo - WAY TO GO

[elvan]

You have gotten great advice so far.  I see this blog is a week old, any updates?  Are you feeling better?  Did you see the doctor?  You really might need a medication adjustment and you are just about at a month quit...have you read about NML?  If you are not familiar with it, now would be a good time to read this. https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/groups/best-of-ex/blog/2011/05/24/no-mans-land-days-30-to130-appr... 

It IS going to get better, there is no way to avoid all of the discomfort...I remember reading that when I first started and yelling DISCOMFORT? at my computer, it does seem like a bit of an understatement.

Let us know how you are doing.

Ellen