When does the sore throat end?

[kmsj75]

Hi, everyone!

I first posted here when I started Chantix and was still smoking. I'm proud to say that I am now on Day 20 of no smoking!! Yes, my husband still smokes, which has made it more difficult, but I have no plans of going back.

Back to my question- I still have a pretty constant sore throat and drainage. Not allergies, virus, etc. I have had it since Day 1.

Anyone had it last this long? I know it can be a side effect of quitting, but 20 days later? Maybe I'm being impatient, but thought I'd ask.

Thanks!!

[historyteach]

Well, kmsj,
If *I* still had it after 20 days, I'd call my doc.
It may be allergies that have been hidden all these years because of smoking.
Or asthma that was never diagnosed because the symptoms were masked due to smoking symptoms.
Or any other reason. Like a good ole summertime cold! You *know* how long they last!

Please let us know, if you decide to call. I'd be interested in what they have to say.

Shalom!

[chippa]

Way to go KMSJ!!!

I couldn't believe all the weird things my body did when I quit- it was seriously like I was another species of creature- the coughing was ridiculous and you're like "Hey, I QUIT smoking, what's wiith sounding and feeling worse than I ever have in my life??!"

Keep it up, I'm just posting to say that I know what you're talking about, but I'm not worried about you yet, do what makes you feel better in your mind, obviously you want to take good care of yourself (that's why you quit!)

and reward yourself often-

Tell your husband hee has to be really nice to you also! My wife still smokes and I'm at 6 months 21 days smoke free!!

[cess101]

Hello and Congratulations kmsj,

I don't recall having a sore throat at all when I quit, which was 1 year 7 months ago plus some. Try throat losenges, gargle (salt-water gargle sometimes helps with cold symptoms), popsicles, chew ice, drink herbal teas, chicken soup or boullion, lots of Vit. C juice and fluids, and take several teaspoonfuls of Honey. If that doesn't help, and it gets to being 1 month or more since your quit day, then seek medical attention. It could be something totally unrelated to quitting........

Everything seems to be a little different for each quitter. When I am around other smokers, my nose gets all congested now that I've quit. Isn't that weird?

Anyway, think of physical symptoms as your body's way of healing. It had to carry a lot of gunk all these years from your smoking so give it a lot of TLC and R & R during these so-called early days of quitting. You deserve it. It takes a lot of hard work to quit and your body is probably working double-time too.

It's actually a good thing that we become more alert to our breathing and what's going on with our bodies as a result. Quitting is very stressful. I remember how tense my shoulders would get. It probably looked funny. They felt like they were tensed up all the way to my ears at times and I would (silently) have to sort of remind myself to "ReeeLaaax" and release the tension. You do become more aware and alert like that, at least quitting cold turkey like I did (suppose I should add). Maybe you can try something like that to relax your neck and throat would help. Perhaps you are unnoticeably breathing in and out through your mouth a lot since you've quit smoking; could be?

There's a list of "The Benefits of Quitting" that tend to help some quitters. I don't have it here by the computer right now but I will post it up as soon as I find it. It goes through some of the healing benefits as time progresses during smoking cessation.

Take good care now.

cess101

[cess101]

BENEFITS OF QUITTING

After 2 Hours--
Nicotine begins to leave your system. Physical withdrawal symptoms begin in most people. This is a good sign. Your body is cleaning itself out. Hang in there! Within several days all the nicotine by-products will be gone!

After 20 Minutes to 6 Hours--
Blood pressure and heart rate begin to decrease (although it may take up to a month for them to return to their normal rates)

After 9 to 12 Hours--
Carbon monoxide level in blood goes to normal. Your lungs work more efficiently and you may feel less shortness of breath.

After 24 Hours--
Chance of heart attack decreases

After Two Days--
Nerve endings begin re-growing. Taste and smell improve. In addition, your breath, hair, fingers, and teeth will be cleaner.

After 1 Week--
Withdrawal symptoms diminish.

After 2 Weeks--
Circulation begins improving. So does your confidence level because you feel good about your progress.

After 1 to 3 Months--
Coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue, irritability, shortness of breath, and amount of stress on the body greatly decrease (although this could take up to "9 months" for some).

Within 2 Months--
Blood flow to hands and feet improves, keeping them warmer. Skin begins to look healthier too.

Within 3 Months--
The cilia (a hair-like cleaning system in the lungs) begin to recover and remove the mucous, so you can cough it up, cleaning your lungs and reducing the chance of infection. You may notice increased coughing for several days.

After 1 Year--
The risk of lung cancer or heart diseases are reduced and your chances of having a heart attack decreases dramatically. Plus, you will have saved anywhere between $1,000-$2,000 dollars just from not smoking.

Resources: Try to Stop (MA) brochure (former website) and,
The American Cancer Society and
The American Heart and Lung Assoc.

[cess101]

I hope posting those Benefits of Quitting help somebody. There's no better day then today to begin quitting. Little steps lead to enormous results! The physical withdrawal symptoms are only temporary. During the early days of quitting (withdrawal and all), it helps to Keep reminding yourself of that and of the Benefits of Quitting. It sort of gets your mind off the physical symptoms you may be feeling. I know it sounds silly but tell yourself something like: "This too shall pass." Believe "you can do it."

You Can Do It!
One Day At A Time = ODAAT

cess101

[kmsj75]

Thanks so much, everybody!

I can say that it is better than what it was, however if it's not better by the time I hit Day 30 (I'm on 22) I'll be calling my doctor.

This forum has helped so much!
Kris

[chippa]

cess I still have that up right next to my desk-

I loved that list and I would look at it about every fifteen seconds during the first few weeks

Now, I have to wait for another 4 months or so to get to my next ***** in the armor that smoking has built around my health

kmsj keep it up! I'm so proud of you for hanging in there!

[cess101]

Thanks for the feedback chippa. "Every 15 seconds?" That's funny and I hear ya. (although, haha dear me, I'll be here trying to figure out the 5 ***** word all night). Anyway, I was caught up on the first "Benefits of Quitting" I think for 2 weeks. I kept saying "This too shall pass" as wicked as those physical symptoms can be. Don't rely too much on one ancedote. I found a combination of things like a comprehensive smoking cessation program (either inhouse or online is good), support from other quitters, and having lots of alternatives handy at the spur of the momen to be very helpful. I guess you could say I attacked this nicotine addiction from all angles. That's a good way to look at it.

You are all doing grrreat - Keep up the good quits. Try some of Chippa's recipe tips. Mmm-doesn't his messages make you drool?

HALT =
Hungry: Don't smoke; try a chippa recipe tip instead.
Angry: Cigarettes are inanimate objects. Nicotine is a stimulant. Soooo won't help with anger at all.
Lonely: log in and talk to other quitters instead.
Tired: Zzzzz, take a snooze/get a few winks or if it's daytime, take a brisk walk (perhaps up & down a few flights of stairs) or get up and stretch. Same if it turns out to be boredom.

Happy weekend to everyone.

cess101