It’s been almost two full days and, while my breathing hasn’t gotten worse or better, it’s a stark reminder of how damaging smoking and vaping can be. I knew the dangers but here I am anyways.
It’s not a pain or even a difficulty in breathing, but a slight heaviness. I can hold my breath, there’s no wheezing or coughing, but I’ll go to my doctor if it doesn’t go away.
I’m not afraid of dying, but I’m afraid of suffering. Unfortunately, my younger self didn’t care.
If you were a smoker/vaper, how long did it take for you to really notice breathing easier? Did you also feel a “heaviness” in your chest? (Not looking for medical advice, just emotional/sobriety support)
when i stopped smoking cigs i was going to the gym and exercise was giving my lungs and chest a bad time so i decided that maybe if i stopped smoking my health would improve and it worked that was a long long time ago now ,wish you well
I smoked from age 12 to about 37, then vaped until 40. Been free for 6.5 years now.
I want to say it took a few months for the initial heaviness to fade. It took years for most of the shortness of breath to subside. I still struggle to breathe when doing hard cardio or hikng. I’ve likely damaged my lungs beyond repair. Even then, I’m 1,000 times better than I was 6 years ago.
Keep at it, each day will be better than the previous.
I’m so glad you’re doing better. I hope you don’t have irreversible damage. It’s scary how simple it is of a concept to not smoke, yet we were both addicted. Now look at us
When I first quit I craved and craved
It was very difficult
Then now some days later I think of cigs then just dismiss the thought and move on…sometimes my head even says I want a cig but I can just say no to myself so much easier
When I first quit I used motivation, reason and will and even supplements to get through the days
Now I just say, na I have better things to do and move on with my day
I know I need to be patient but the discomfort in my lungs is persistent. No pain when inhaling or wheezing, nothing like that, but that “discomfort” is there nonetheless. My anxiety is through the roof but I’m keeping as calm as I can manage.
It’ll be my first time on the mats (Brazilian jiu-jitsu) since quitting. I will know VERY quickly if my lungs are not working properly. Regardless, I will schedule an appointment with my doctor. If I struggle a lot more than normal tomorrow, I’ll go to a walk-in clinic.
All of this hassle is because of my choices and I can’t forget to be accountable. But I also need to love my choice of quitting vaping as well!
Amen to that. You also need to allow yourself time to heal. You have a clear plan to seek medical attention and advice if the issue persists. Hoping all goes well. Brazilian jiu-jitsu has my head spinning. Wow.
I smoked weed everyday for 12 years and started having breathing issues when I was 26. I was shocked to hear I was developing COPD and immediately quit. I already exercised, but my doctor suggested stepping it up, especially cardio. My breathing only got better from that. Until…
My alcoholism took off and I started smoking cigarettes a few years later. Like an idiot After 4 years, I tried switching to vapes for the better smell, but the way it hurt my lungs was insane! Cigarettes never felt like that. I quit smoking when I had covid in Jan '22, but bc alcohol’s a depressant, I didn’t notice a significant change to my lungs until after I quit drinking the following year. They’re far from perfect now, but I’ve also put alot of other things into them besides smoke
Anxiety can also exacerbate negative health symptoms. The anxiety after I quit drinking could make it feel like I was having a heart attack…if I let it. I think you have a good plan in place. It’s unlikely this will get worse, but you know your body so do what feels best for it Well done on 2 days
My goodness this is so similar to me, I quit drinking first (and quit in my 20s— I was a functional drinker but epilepsy stopped me!). Cigarettes were real hard to kick but I managed that.
Cannabis helps me sleep (insomnia triggers my seizures) as long as I don’t overdo it, which is exactly what happened with the THC vape pen! I was using it WAY too much.
Anxiety is so scary how it can influence our perception!
So glad you were able to quit and have a healthier life!! We got this
They told me if I walked 5 miles into the forest, then it would take me 5 miles to walk out of it. When I drank, I smoked - cig in 1 hand, glass/bottle in the other.
I stopped drinking in 1984 and was able to quit smoking in 1989. I think I have more long term damage from smoking than drinking though. I also snorted quite a bit so that added to lung damage.
Probably took a year to overcome damage from drinking, maybe 2 years to overcome worst damage from smoking.
Had I not stopped in the 80s, doctors told me I probably wouldn’t have survived into the 90s much.
After 4 years, I tried switching to vapes for the better smell, but the way it hurt my lungs was insane! Cigarettes never felt like that. I quit smoking when I had covid in Jan '22, but bc alcohol’s a depressant, I didn’t notice a significant change to my lungs until after I quit drinking the following year. They’re far from perfect now, but I’ve also put alot of other things into them besides smoke 
Well done on 2 days 
We got this 