Chest tightness/pressure

[RHRS]

Hi, I've been smoke free for 24 hours and started feeling severe tightness in my chest but I can't pinpoint exactly where it's coming from. Is this normal? 

[CommunityAdmin]

RHRS wrote:

Hi there! Thanks for checking! Chest issues are gone. I was planning on seeing my doctor this week but tightness/pressure disappeared. I've been exercising hard, with BPMs as high as 165. If it'd be a heart related issue and I'd feel something while exercising. Still smoke free and feeling out of breath and dizzy at times but for what I read those are normal withdrawal symptoms.

Again, thank you so much for checking

Great to hear!  We actually get quite a few people wondering about this (https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/docs/DOC-1121-feeling-tightness-in-my-chest-after-quitting-how-lo... ) has a lot of people looking at it. It must be somewhat common.

Mark
EX Community Manager

[elvan]

RHRS  Thanks so much for the update, so glad that you are staying smoke free.

[Giulia]

Glad to hear that chest pressure has diminished.  Keep an eye on the "out of breath and dizzy" symptoms.  If they continue for too long, have them checked out.  You're almost at your one-week milestone.  How 'bout THAT!  Big Time Kudos!

[RHRS]

Hello Giulia,

Well, I hate myself right now. Last night I had an argument with my partner and without thinking I bought a pack of cigarettes and had a couple with a glass of wine. I was doing so good, but I learned another trigger I need to avoid.

Woke up this morning feeling so guilty so went to the gym to sweat off all the toxins.

Here we go again, day one. Ugh.

[elvan]

RHRS  Really sorry to hear that...anger AND alcohol, a miserable combination for quitting a quit.  Please do pay attention to the shortness of breath and dizziness and see someone if they continue.  You might need to see a pulmonologist to get evaluated.  It may all get better with time but it's not a good idea to chance it.  The shortness of breath and dizziness are trying to tell you something.

Stay close to the site...really, it makes a difference.

Ellen

[Giulia]

We keep trying to get the point across here that drinking in the early stages of a quit is a big danger zone.  Are you SURE it was "without thinking?"  Sounds like you bought the cigarettes before you had the wine.  There wasn't one tiny "oh, I know I shouldn't, but...."  thought?  We need to find an alternate "go to" when we're stressed or upset.  Because stress and upset are going to continue to happen throughout our lives.  That's part of our homework.  "What am I going to do under X Y and Z triggers?"  

When I quit for the last time eleven years ago, I said to myself "It doesn't matter if X, Y or Z happens.  I will not smoke because of it."  My commitment was so total that there was no possibility that I would go and buy or bum a cigarette.  THAT's the place where you eventually need to get to in your head in order to be a successful long-term quitter.  That's the place where no excuses are allowed.  NoEXcuseVille.  THAT'S where Freedom lies.  

Keep at it.  Sometimes it takes a few turns around the block to determine that we really never want another Day One.  Sorry you're having one.  But glad you haven't given up!

[elvan]

RHRS  As Giulia‌ says, I am really glad that you are getting right back on your quit.  She is right, you know, you made the decision to smoke...believe me, I did the same thing in reaction to anger...puffing away furiously, envisioning the cause of my anger going up in smoke.  It never, ever did anything for me but I could go on and on about what it did TO me.  I did not drink anything alcoholic for six months because I was afraid that it would make me let down my guard...even after six months, it was challenging.  Now, after more than three years, it is not even a passing thought.  I HATE being around people who are smoking, they are stealing what little air I have by polluting it with their waste products.  I don't resent them, I just treasure my breath so I walk away.

Stay close to the site..blog HELP before you let yourself go down that road ever again. NOPE was my mantra, anger was my biggest trigger, I think it always has been.  Please understand that you are stuffing your anger down and it is alright to be angry, sometimes, it is the healthiest thing you can feel and you can feel it without guilt.  It took me a long time to realize that.

Best,

Ellen

[RHRS]

elvan‌ and Giulia‌, you're absolutely correct, and thank you so much for the tough love. I was laid off last February and my coping mechanism has been wine and cigarettes - more than the usual - therefore every time I'm angry, upset, or feeling low, well, you know.

I'm committed to improve my health, self-esteem, and continue my journey smoke-free. I will work on my alternate "go-to's" 

Thanks again for your comments. I feel I'm not alone on this anymore. 

Cheers. 

Ricardo

[elvan]

You certainly are NOT alone and before you know it, you are going to be helping other people.  I am completely serious about that, you are going to be offering support based upon what you learn.  I am a different person now that I don't smoke.  I take full responsibility for all of my decisions.  I will not smoke again, I would sooner shoot myself and get my suicide over with instead of dragging it out.  I am a retired nurse and I KNEW better than this...what a horrible way to die, I am really FOND of taking slow, even breaths.

Stick with us...you won't be sorry.

Ellen

[Giulia]

One of the great things about quitting is that it gives us that self esteem.  And it becomes happily habit forming!  You are DEFINITELY not alone!