Feeling tightness in my chest after quitting, how long will it last?

[erika5]

This is crappy and I don't want to feel this way anymore. I'm using the patch and I've been smoke free for 13 days now. I just can't stand this tightness in my chest. I already have anxiety issues and this is making my anxiety worse. How long does it usually last and what about the patch... should I stop using it, could it be making the tightness worse?

Thanks,
Erika

[Rayface1990]

I’m feeling much better now, I did get tested for Covid-19 and I came back negative also.

[Barbscloud]

That good news.  Glad you're feeling better and your test was negative.  That's a relief.  You can't be too safe with this virus.

Barb

[Rayface1990]

Thank you

[RoseH]

It could be stress...  If you have concerns about it, we are not medical professionals, I suggest you make an appointment with your primary care doctor!

[Barbscloud]

Rose,

FYI, erika5 is an old post.

Barb

[RoseH]

Oh my!  I am still learning this website...  I will make sure to note the time from now on!  Thank you Barbscloud‌

[CommunityAdmin]

RoseH‌ It's an older post but still very relevant as lots of people come to the site via this post. Glad to see it becoming active again with new comments.  Just make sure you click to Reply button to one of the recent comments instead of the original question. The original author may or may not still be getting emails from us.  Who knows.

Mark
EX Community Manager

[Johnlaka]

If anyone can please help me I’d appreciate it more than you could ever know. I am a 27 year old male who has been a heavy smoker since 17. My whole life I have battled with anxiety and a panic disorder. Recently, (about 2 months ago) I stopped smoking cigarettes and switched to the juul. I have never seen an allergist before but can guarantee I have terrible allergies and possibly even asthma as I do wheeze often. 2 times a year every year my chest starts to hurt I don’t feel good and end up on a Z-pack. As of now since quitting cigarettes and smoking the juul I feel worse then I ever have. My chest is extremely tight but what’s even worse is the tightness in my back. It feels as if my lungs are in actual pain. I also cough up mucus that has black specs throughout all of it. Is this normal? I have felt like my chest and back are in a vice grip for the past 2 months. Some days worse than others. 

[CommunityAdmin]

Johnlaka‌

You'll see similar posts here where others have reported congestion and tightness while their bodies are expelling the tar.  You'll also read that it gets better over time for most as well. Sounds like you should check in with your doctor or other health care professional to ensure that is what is happening and not something else as well. We don't provide medical advice here. Do keep making a healthy choice to remain smoke and vape free.

Mark
EX Community Manager

[Giulia]

Hi John (I'm assuming that's your name).  Welcome to our quit family.  There are so many potential reasons for your symptoms.  As Mark said you'll find other posts referring to congestion and tightness in the chest.  You might type 'tightness in chest' in the search box (magnifying glass, upper right).  I just did and a whole bunch of blogs came up.  But if it's been going on for several months, it's a good idea to see a doctor about it.  Better to be safe than sorry, you know.  Quitting can certainly exacerbate anxiety, but there are methods of dealing with that.  Stick around the site and you'll discover much.

If you're feeling worse by using JUUL, then it's the perfect time to get off that too.  /blogs/Giulia-blog/2018/03/01/quitting-is-a-skill-that-can-be-learned?sr=search&searchId=274781f2-4e...‌  Kudos on quitting cigs.  That's the first step.  JUUL the second.  Chin up!  The object is to feel better, right?