what are the withdrawl symptoms of quitting smoking and how long do they last?
483714
It all depends on your dependency to the physical and mental aspects of smoking. I quit on January 1st. I ended up with a horrible flu and clinical depression. The flu is a "good" thing though. Your body has to repair the damage caused by the smoking. Flu-like symptoms are rare, but it is usually coughing, shivers, cold sweats. If you take Wellbutrin to help then you might have night terrors from the medication. The length depends on your social situation. If you have friends who smoke or like to go bar hopping (in states where indoor smoking isnt banned) then your cravings will last a long time. Become a hermit and youre fine, lol. But I don't recommend that. Part of the quitting process is learning to look cigarettes in the eye and not smoke them.
618716
I smoked for 11 years at it wasn't easy to quit.  What I found worked best was to make a list of all the time throughout the day when you usually have a smoke.  Take a good look at the list and decide which one you don't 'need'.  Cut that one out and do it for a week.  Then take another look at the list and cut another one.  Keep going as long as you have to to get down to none.  By the time you get to one, you usually have enough confidence in yourself to look at it and think "I don't need this - it's not worth it."  It took me 11 weeks to quit that way because my average intake was 11 cigarettes (just over half a pack) a day.  By doing it this way, I didn't feel deprived because I knew my next smoke was just a few hours away.  I hadn't quit cold turkey and I made the decision as to which one to cut out and when.  It gave me a great feeling of empowerment.  I know it sounds like it would take forever this way, but slow and steady really does win the race.\n\nBest of luck!
1138425
If you smoke sparingly,it should take 1-2 weeks to leave your system.However,if you are a heavy user,it might take as much as a month.Good luck.
591531
age 56..smoking 40 years...started when i was 16...yea i have tried to quit many times..smoke 2-3 packs a day..of course smoking affects my health...short of breath...chest pain..double bypass
1074280
it will help stimulate the release of endorphins, our very own natural body chemical which helps with the relief of pain and stress. Studies have shown that nicotine releases endorphins to the smoker, which gives them a sense of relaxation. When a smoker tries to quit, it is that sudden drop in their own endorphin level that leads to severe withdrawal symptoms, cravings, irritability and stress. Our treatment increases the endorphin level and at the same time restores balance, therefore greatly either reducing or even completely eliminating the withdrawal symptoms associated with quitting smoking.  \n see more at http://www.nomoresmoke.com/\nbeside that my mom has tried it and she been smoke free for almost 7 month.
342281
Ever wonder what happens to your\nbody the moment you stop smoking? \nWithin 20 minutes of smoking that last cigarette, the body begins a series of changes that continues for years. \n20 MINUTES \nBlood pressure drops to normal. \nPulse rate drops to normal. \nBody temperature of hands and feet increases to normal. \n8 HOURS \nCarbon monoxide level in blood drops to normal. \nOxygen level in blood increases to normal. \n24 HOURS \nChance of heart attack decreases. \n48 HOURS \nNerve endings start regrowing. \nAbility to smell and taste is enhanced. \n2 WEEKS TO 3 MONTHS \nCirculation improves. \nWalking becomes easier. \nLung function increases up to 30%. \n1 TO 9 MONTHS \nCoughing, sinus congestion, fatigue, and shortness of breath decrease. \nCilia regrow in lungs, increasing ability to handle mucus, clean the lungs, and reduce infection. \nBody's overall energy increases. \n1 YEAR \nExcess risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker. \n5 YEARS \nLung cancer death rate for average smoker (one pack a day) decreases by almost half. \nStroke risk is reduced to that of a nonsmoker 5-15 years after quitting. \nRisk of cancer of the mouth, throat and esophagus is half that of a smoker's. \n10 YEARS \nLung cancer death rate similar to that of nonsmokers. \nPrecancerous cells are replaced. \nRisk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney and pancreas decreases. \n15 YEARS \nRisk of coronary heart disease is that of a nonsmoker.
482720
Quitting smoking is the hardest thing to do.  I quit 4 months ago.  I smoked 2-4 packs a day for over 40 years.  I never considered quitting until they took me to the hospital by ambulance.  I have 1st stage emphysema which is a miracle but will live with the consequences of smoking for the rest of my life.  I wish you well.  I can not imagine smoking one cigarette a day.  It seems a bit ridiculous.  However, if you smoke one cigarette a day, it seems that would not necessarily be bad for you.  Tobacco is an herb and has medicinal properties, but you would have to grow the tobacco yourself, since each cigarette produced by our huge tobacco companies has been enhanced with over an hundred chemicals which go directly to the brain and cause the craving and addiction which has proven too difficult for some people to quit even to the point of death.  I loved smoking for most of my life but have been devastated at the horror of coming "off" of this drug for the last 4 months but am determined to remain smoke free.  I have tried the commit lozenges, nicotrol gum, a nicotrol inhaler and the patch and am using the gum right now.  Hopefully, I will be able to get off of all nicotine by the end of this year but in any case, I am no longer polluting my environment and causing grave harm to my health.  There is a huge pool of resources available to "quitters".  I have used them all, even down to a counselor that I got by calling 1-800-nobutts.  Again, I wish you well.
1082886
Mine lasted about 30 days.  I smoked for 22 years and quit 4 years ago.  The cravings lessened each day over those 30 days but it's really different for everybody.  Good luck and congratulations for quitting.  Stick with it.  It's worth it.
594710
I've found that first you have to make it through like 3-5 days of withdrawel. Do not be around anyone that smokes. Then avoid being around anyone that smokes, second hand smoke is even worse. You have to change your attitude and tell yourself good things like only losers smoke!, or my clothes will smell better, I'll be more attractive, and brush your teeth more, chew gum, candy, etc... avoid bars and alcohol. Because people that drink, smoke! Your friends will have more respect for you , but first they need to go through the my buddy quit now I need to quit stage. Don't presure them to quit if they force you or tempt you their not your freinds, your real freinds willl respect you, for example not smoke in you car, at your hous they'll go outside. And last but not least go cold turkey. NEVER use nicotine products, they'll just keep you addicted. And most of oall thank God for helping you quit all the time and healing you from this dreadfull illness!
182472
I felt it as well.  I quit smoking almost 2 years ago, and I remember that annoying feeling.  Do not worry, it will pass.
473988
I've quit more than once and the key is to keep busy so you don't dwell on the habit. The act of smoking is as addictive as the nicotine.\n\nGenerally, it takes about seven days for the body to rid itself of nicotine dependence, so your "withdrawals" will probably last about a week. Keep busy and when you feel the craving, divert it to something else (NOT candy, cookies, etc.). Preferably, some kind of physical activity (mop the floor, straighten your closet, etc.)\n\nKeep some cigarette butts (hidden away) that can be lit and good for no more than two or three drags if you really get desperate. Taking a "hit" will help alleviate the symptoms.\n\nObviously, only use them in case of severe symptoms, don't take more hits than absolutely necessary.\n\nYou can do it, but the method you choose has to be one you are willing to use since no method will work if you don't apply it.\n\nGood luck.
1033597
I've taken a course to learn how to hold smoking cessation classes. You've got the best thing already....WANTING TO QUIT.\nIf you can hold off the first 3 days, you've got the hard part over with, according to most who quit. ALL symptoms should be gone in a couple weeks.\nJust keep trying. I personally recommend the "cold turkey" method because if you use a product to help you stop smoking that contains nicotine it will continue supplying your cravings for nicotine, prolonging the process. If you can find a stop-smoking product that does NOT supply nicotine in any way, it's probably safe.\n\nTry to distract your urge-most of them won't last more than a few minutes. Try:\n\nChewing some gum\nGo for a walk\nTake a shower (one place it's difficult to smoke!)\nAnd anything else that will distract you!\n\nYou can make it!\n\nP.S.  I'll email you with more info if you're interested. Add to your post saying so, if you want.
82950
First you should know it is hard but doable, you’ve been smoking for 10 years so you should not expect to quit within 10 days or so. Second you should find the reason, ask yourself why I smoked? You enjoyed it or it helped you to forget some of your problems and so on. You should first uproot the reason then try to quit, I am sure you can you can you can and YOU CAN ,NEVER BE DISAPPOINTED.
650649
There are a couple things you can do that will help you with withdrawal and the urge to smoke.\n\n1. Work out alot, run eat healthy, don't drink alcohol, cut down on coffee, for me all those things make me want to smoke, don't watch movies with the main actors lighting up or x-files. Nor hang out with friends that smoke.\n\n2. Withdrawal symptoms go away but we just have to remember to take a deep breath and not to punch that guy in the face because he's taking too long at the register and it's not his fault he's a dumb ass. Just remember, it's because we've been smoking for X number of years.\n\n3. Also becareful when in stressful situations, you'll definately want to light up. Death or breakups, or getting fired etc.\n\n4. It all comes down to your personal choice, and giving in or being in control of your decision\n\n5. Anthony robbins says to imagine how happy you are be healthy and living longer, your children etc. Instead of imagining how good that five minutes will be after lighting up because that doesnt last.\n\n6. Or just look at this link: \n\nhttp://whyquit.com/whyquit/BryanLeeCurtis.html
1131615
The absolute BEST way is quite honestly COLD TURKEY.  The reason is...it takes 72 hours or 3 days for all the nicotine to get out of your system and once you live through those three days then it's just mind over matter as your body's NEED for nicotine is gone.  The patches, gum etc. anything with nicotine in it and the "tapering off" just prolongs the agony of nicotine withdrawal.  \n\nYou have to replace that "bad habit" with a good one so be prepared BEFORE you quit....and know what you are going to do INSTEAD of smoking.  Remember the average 'craving' lasts 3 minutes.  \n\nI used whatever it took to get through the first 2 weeks, sugar free suckers, licorice root (you can buy at the bulk store usually) to chew on, sugar free gum, tic tacs, and believe it or not straws the extra tough ones that come in drinking boxes (I chewed through about 7 of them and just keep cutting off the chewed end) and you can also "inhale" through the straw and then slowly exhale.  Drink a ton of water, now instead of smokes and a lighter I carry bottles of water with me everywhere.\n\nI also learned how to knit to keep my hands busy, you could do crossword puzzles, circle words, Suduko puzzles, or some kind of manly crafty thing like leather working or wood burning I suppose....\n\nAlso I downloaded a little counter from the site I posted below....I was so determined not to have to reset my counter back to zeros I wouldn't have another smoke!\n\nGood luck, you'll need it.....but trust me when I say looking back from the other side it is SO WORTH IT!!\n\nIn three days you'll start to notice how bad smokers really smell and you'll think OMG I used to STINK like that too, in 2 weeks when you run your tongue over your teeth they won't feel like they have fuzzy slippers on them anymore....and if you can make the 3 week mark without slipping at all......I believe that the statistics for maintaining the smoke free lifestyle are about 60% for those that can make it to the 3 week mark!\n\nGOOD LUCK!\n\nOne year, ten months, four weeks, 8 hours, 28 minutes and 34 seconds. \n13947 cigarettes not smoked, \nSaving $4,602.53. \nLife saved: 6 weeks, 6 days, 10 hours, 15 minutes.
475143
I think some of the symptoms are headache, stomachache, crankiness. My doctor told me that the physical addiction is over 24 hours after you quit smoking. The hardest part is breaking the habit that you've grown used to.
571064
BRAVO.. 7 days sure thing you're lungs are already starting to clear... drink LOTS of water to help your body kick the toxins faster I've heard walking everyday helps too.  Give it 2 more weeks and the nicotine will be completely out of your system.  \nHere's some sites that have more info...  \nKEEP IT UP!!!