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I quit smoking for surgery & now so sick and can’t breathe!

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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 5/29/2015 5:30 PM (GMT 0)
First off, I’ve tried to quit smoking for YEARS; I’m not a heavy smoker but know it’s bad and irritates GERD. I’ve failed in the past because at about the 10 day mark, I get very sick and have even worse chest pain and trouble breathing. I get close to hyperventilating and that scares me. However, my surgeon told me I must quit several weeks prior to NF surgery and after as well, so I will be smoke-free for 6 weeks when I have my surgery. I’m currently at the 3-week mark.

Has anyone else struggled with this? I know it’s embarrassing to admit that I/we smoke, but it’s a devil to give up and only those who have smoked for a long time and tried to quit may truly understand the horrible side effects of quitting for some of us. It would seem that after stopping, one would feel better but it’s NOT the case with me.

This condition is keeping me from getting in proper shape for my surgery and being able to BREATHE is key. I had no trouble breathing 3 weeks ago and started power walking and even though I’ve had shortness of breath ever since I developed GERD, I could breathe deeply with no dizziness. Now, if I do that, I get light-headed and feel like I might pass out.

Anyone else go through this and have any suggestions for me? Thanks to all.
Posted 5/29/2015 7:13 PM (GMT 0)
Congratulations on quitting! I don't smoke, just know several who do, and they can't quit, don't really want to. I wish they would because I see and hear what they're doing to themselves. I've too often been told that I wouldn't have made it through my (most recent) surgery if I'd been a smoker. That's sort of what your surgeon is telling you.

Quitting smoking is like quitting pain meds. There's a horrible time with pain and misery until the body readjusts back to normal. The people on the Chronic Pain forum can tell you how bad it is for them if they have to even just cut down on their meds. I'm only on a few pain meds and I know how bad it is when I have to be off for a day or two for a test or procedure.

Ask your PCP or an internist what you can do or take to ease the sick feeling. There are pills for nausea and anxiety. We're not doctors here, so we can only sympathize and tell you our stories.

I'm glad you will be smoke-free forever. Best wishes!
Posted 5/29/2015 10:23 PM (GMT 0)
This is very normal all the chemicals being released from the body making you well again good luk hang in there
Posted 5/29/2015 10:24 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Linda Sue,
It's no wonder why you are struggling - it's a known fact that nicotine is actually more addictive than heroin! Have you asked if you could use nicotine patches or chew nicotine gum - which would hopefully take the edge off your symptoms? - I would talk to your doctor. It's hard enough going for an operation without adding to your discomfort. They may say no - but they also may be able to suggest something that will help you.
Hoping you feel better soon!
Posted 5/30/2015 4:54 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks ALL, for the info and encouragement. I was hoping to get some input from smokers/former smokers and how and what they did prior to having surgery. Only those who have smoked for many years know how nasty it can be and I need to be able to breathe when I have surgery.

The withdrawal is just as bad as getting off PPI's, only it doesn't start right away. It usually takes 10 days to 2 weeks to make a person deathly ill. I don't cough and I don't have phlegm or mucus. Feels like I've been run over by a TRUCK! cry
Posted 5/30/2015 5:24 PM (GMT 0)
Linda Sue - Recovery from ANY addiction takes time, and yes, is hellish! Painful, unpleasant, scary..... And it takes time. Right now the 'Devil' is trying to get you to smoke again. Don't give in! You would have to start recovery all over again. I too have heard that nicotine is more addictive than illicit drugs.

You are beginning a new life, that is tobacco-free. The immediacy of withdrawal is awful, but as time goes on it won't be so bad. You will have good days and bad days. Just hang in there, you can do this!

Find some activity for your hands. Crocheting or knitting? Key-boarding to fill idle moments? Coloring? Puzzle books? Table puzzles?

Just think of all the money you're saving by not smoking. You can put it towards enjoying the new and improved you post-surgery.

Good luck with your project, and keep us posted. Thinking of you!

Ingrid (Fresh Greens)
Posted 5/31/2015 2:48 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Linda Sue,
Keep on going! Surgery is getting closer. I only wish some of the smokers in this room would reach out and give you some words to help! I know you are going through a personal hell right now - but whatever happens 6 weeks after surgery is over is up to you! My hubby likes an odd cigar - and I have never stopped him - life is way too short! xx
Posted 5/31/2015 4:54 PM (GMT 0)
Sweetie UK, thanks for your understanding. I can always count on you! Yes, life is way too short to be miserable or deny ones' self the occasional indulgence!

I know there are smokers here but perhaps they are embarrassed to admit it. Hey, who cares? NOW is what counts and we can't change anything we've done in the past. Heaven knows we 'smokers' beat ourselves up worse than anyone else CAN!

I went 3 whole weeks without smoking and then I 'backslid' for an evening; only a few .. it was relaxing and I could breathe again, but now I'm back to 'no smoking' and I won't have anymore because I am a bit short now of 4 weeks OFF smoking before surgery. I will ramp up my use of spirometer and walking, no matter how rotten I feel. I'll do it because I NEED to do it.
Posted 5/31/2015 4:58 PM (GMT 0)
Good for you, Linda Sue! Just hang in there...
Posted 6/6/2015 6:58 PM (GMT 0)
Where are the 'former' smokers???? I know you're out there! I'm having a hellish time with this! How am I going to have surgery if I can't BREATHE???? I really need some input from someone who had surgery and was told to QUIT SMOKING. I need to know how you managed.

It's been almost a MONTH and I've just been informed that my surgeon will be out of town for my surgery date of June 23rd and now I've been moved to June 30th!! An additional weeks' wait!

Nicotine replacement never worked for me and if there is nicotine in my blood work, they won't do the surgery. sad
Posted 6/6/2015 7:35 PM (GMT 0)
Oh Linda Sue, smoking is so bad for your GERD its unreal! There's a lot of evidence to say that smoking actually even causes GERD due to damage to the vagus nerve and/or coughing creating a hiatus hernia! Not to even mention the irritation to the stomach and esophagus!

But I'm not here to berate you, I smoked for 10 years (since the age of about 13) and quit on and off for a few years but the GERD never stopped me so I'm just as bad! tongue

Quitting smoking is an awful experience (God knows I've done it enough times) I can't say I ever felt the symptoms you are having, infact after the initial first two weeks of the physical withdrawal in my various quitting attempts it was absolutely liberating to not feel the horrible effects smoking had on my body. All I can think of is it's simply your lungs expelling all the crap they've been filled with. Perhaps some Albuterol could help, but you'd have to speak to a doctor about that one.

I'm not sure if anyone's already mentioned this to you, but please please please check out Allen Carr's Easy Way to Stop Smoking. I recommend the audiobook, it's fantastic. Just read a few reviews first and they'll all say the same thing as me 'I can't believe it worked, I have no desire to smoke and all from reading a book etc etc'

If all else fails, look up Champix. Bit of a nasty drug as I'm sure you'll find out with a quick Google, (or you may already be aware) but it definitely works!


Sorry to hear about your surgery being postponed, but at least it's happening! I'm 4 months post Toupet now and if it wasn't for the scars I'd have forgotten I'd even had it!

 

Post Edited (JB_The_Great) : 6/6/2015 1:39:47 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/7/2015 9:02 PM (GMT 0)
JB, I appreciate your comments. I have smoked for over 50 years! (I'm 68). I've quit dozens of times over many years but it just never stuck. I was always a light smoker, really enjoyed it and never developed a cough. I'm doing my best but it's rough, especially since my surgery has been moved back a whole week!

I will check out the book you mention but don't want to take Chantix because of the possible side effects and I'm so close to surgery, I will tough it out.

I AM able to 'power walk' up to 1.5 miles twice per week since I quit on May 9th working on good breathing and using a spirometer several times every day as my surgeon requested. I am still short of breath but can breathe fine if that makes any sense! Once the acid can no longer bathe my vocal cords, perhaps my voice will be normal once again and I won't have shortness of breath.

I'm so glad your surgery was a success! I can't wait to have mine!
Posted 6/12/2015 1:53 AM (GMT 0)
Linda Sue - How is that not smoking going for you? I smoked from age 13 to age 22. Never really got into it, like you did. But I have suffered from other, far more expensive, addictions in my life to date. Only alcohol these last few years. I quit drinking for 4 months before my surgery. It was hard! Having wine or a cocktail every few days now, post-surgery. Probably shouldn't. I posted you about smoking before; you didn't comment. I think you didn't realize I have had different addiction problems. But I have; just not nicoteine.

I was so dizzy and discombobulated by surgery time; I became very sedentary. My surgeon said if it makes you dizzy, don't do it! Blocked blood-flow returning to my heart due to giant hernia. Ugh! I almost died....

But here I am, trying to encourage you on your journey. I am 14 weeks post now, and doing better all the time. You are two years older than me. You can do this! All of it!

Cigarettes are part of who you used to be, not who you are now or who you will be in the future!

Best, Ingrid
Posted 6/13/2015 7:21 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Ingrid,
I appreciate your concerns and I'm wishing you well with your recovery. I'm doing okay with the quitting smoking although I've 'black slid' a few times, I really don't enjoy it anymore because, like everything else that goes in my mouth, it HURTS. I will manage it though and be glad to be done with it.

I come from an alcoholic family and although I enjoy my drinks a couple of time a week, I could give up alcohol much easier than tobacco, but can see how easy it could be to become hooked on alcohol, too. Just enjoy the alcohol in moderation and you will do fine. Your body will tell you if it's too much.

You take good care, Ingrid and post your surgery journey for others so we can follow your progress.

I will be doing that, too, after my surgery on June 30th.
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