Hey Ex-smokers..do you have these problems now that you DON'T smoke?

@CharRay7 (1549)
United States
December 21, 2009 2:26am CST
Hi everyone, I'm one of those ex-smokers out there like a lot of you are. I smoked for over 30 years until I finally gave it up about 11 months ago. I really enjoyed smoking and didn't want to quit. But my doctor said that if I didn't stop, I might have a heart attack, and besides, I was coughing all the time.. continually..and it wouldn't stop. I even coughed a couple of times so bad, that I couldn't catch my breath.. I think that scared me into quitting. Anyhow, I have found that being around someone who smokes actually nauseates me. I promised myself when I quit, I would not be one of the ex-smokers that drive the smokers nuts about the smoke etc. Before I quit, I was all for the right to smoke and after I quit, I knew I had no right to judge others. However, I have found that being around smokers, being in a house with smokers, being somewhere someone has smoked... even outside.. actually makes me nauseated. Of course, my husband, who still smokes, thinks I'm nuts. Since I almost got sick when he smoked in the house, he's been nice enough to go outside to smoke. When he walks back in the house, I smell it and have to fan myself to avoid getting sick. I can't even go out back and talk to him outside while he smokes. I can't handle it. Has anyone else had these problems after they quit smoking? Happy MyLotting! Char
1 person likes this
5 responses
• United States
22 Dec 09
Hello char, I quit smoking back in July and like you smoking makes me sick to my stomach. I don't think it is quite as bad as what you have it but I can notice the stink of smokers all over the place. My husband quit smoking about 3 months before I did so I am lucky enough to not have to deal with the smell of smoke that often. My mom smokes and has for over 30 years and I am so scared that it is going to kill her...she coughs something fierce and there are times when she has so much trouble catching her breath. She wheezes after taking just few steps and is overweight so with all of that combined I know it doesn't look good. I have told her so many times that she needs to quit but I don't think she ever will even if a doctor has told her too because I don't think it can get any worse than she is now and that hasn't scared her into quitting so I don't think anything will. The smoke seems to more gag me as in a way to take my breath away more than it does nauseate me, when I am at someones house that smokes I just need to breath a lot deeper than normal. They say that second hand smoke is worse and now that I am not a smoker I can tell another thing that I have noticed since I quit is that I hate that smell and I can't believe that that is how I smelled and that is how my kids smelled when they went to school and I can't believe that. i am so glad tat I am no longer a smoker and feel so much better since I quit.
1 person likes this
@CharRay7 (1549)
• United States
22 Dec 09
Thanks for your response! I know I was in the predicament your mom is in.. overweight and coughing all the time.. not being able to catch my breath.. it sucks.. but until she knows in her mind that it is time to quit, she won't. It doesn't matter what you tell her or a doctor tells her. I know.. It actually took something to scare the heck out of me before I quit. I also can't believe I sent my son to school smelling like that. I feel so bad now. Even when he was a teenager, he would come home from a friends home and he would tell me that his friend's mom said he smelled like smoke but he didn't smoke. I wish I would have quit alot sooner, but I didn't. Happy MyLotting! Char
• United States
22 Dec 09
I know it is going to take a reality snap before she quits I just pray it isn't too late. My mother in law smoked for 35 years finally quit when she was put into the hospital with emphysema and now has to be on oxygen. That is actually what did it for me and my husband once he saw what his mom went through he had enough now it took me a bit longer but while it was one of the hardest things I ever give up it was also the best...my doctor told me when I was 24 that if I didn't quit he would give me 6 years because of my diabetes , it took me three years after he told me but I knew I had to and am so glad I did and hope it hasn't done too much damage...
1 person likes this
@Java09 (3075)
• United States
21 Dec 09
I gave up smoking five years ago.I can't stand smoke,second hand smoke can give you breathing problems and cancer too,because you're still breating it in.I'm definately not tempted in any way to breathe in smoke.It repulses me.Smokers smell bad too.I breathe alot better,I don't allow any smoking in my house at all.I'm concern about cancer ,heart problems, and emphazema.That's what made me quit.I'm sure I stunk like smoke all the time too.
1 person likes this
@CharRay7 (1549)
• United States
21 Dec 09
Hi Java, Thanks for your response! Yes I have heard that second hand smoke can be a health hazard as well as directly smoking. I just wished that I would have understood how bad I smelled when I smoked. I probably only made it worse by adding cologne. Happy MyLotting! Char
@Java09 (3075)
• United States
21 Dec 09
Good for you for quitting and good luck!
• Philippines
22 Dec 09
Hi! Hmm.. I've heard of people who have quit smoking and experienced the same thing you did; I, however, don't have any problems in that regard. I can actually be in a room full of smoke and not care.. I do battle one other thing: the temptation to smoke again. I just try to convince myself to put off smoking one day, one instance more. :) It's worked, so far. :) Congratulations for finally quitting. :) Studies say that within 15 years, a smoker's lungs would be able to regenerate back to its normal state. Here's to your health! P.S. Among other reasons, by the time I was ready to quit smoking, I was already feeling chest and back pain.. I was a smoker for only a year or two.. I realize now that it's never too late to quit smoking. :) It's, as the cliche goes, better late than never. :)
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@CharRay7 (1549)
• United States
22 Dec 09
Thanks for your response! I don't really have the temptation to smoke anymore because it makes me sick to be around it. Oh I've been in a mood that I thought I'll just go buy a pack and just smoke that and quit. But luckily I never gave into it. Happy MyLotting! Char
@dsis26 (54)
• India
22 Dec 09
Hi CharRay, you create a great job for you and your family.You proved that if you decided to quite smoking so you done it.Many smokers want to do it but can not done.I am not a smoker so could not have any experience about smoking.But my father was smoking regularly and he also have hurt problem, he can not breath freely.Doctor give him medicine.Its cost was very high. So its very difficult to bare. Then we found a solution that change my father's health condition.That is yoga.You saw many Yoga program will be held in a TV .We saw a program like this.Then my father doing regularly Yoga and he is fine now. Sow you try it and also tell to your husband to do it. I think you have found a perfect solution of this way. Wise you solve this problem very soon . Happy MyLotting,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
1 person likes this
• United States
22 Dec 09
It'll be five years for me on Jan. 10th and I can't stand it when I'm around smokers. I can even smell it when I'm in my car and the car in fromt of me has someone smoking. My sense of smell is so hightened that the smell of smoke is nasty. When I was doing it it didn't bother me. Now I can't go to a bar that still allows smoking without leaving with a major headache and ready to take a shower. The next morning I always am sluggish and not feeling well also. It's amazing how much smoking actualy can affect you. Now I don't get nauseous but I definitely don't want to be around a person that smells like smoke. I don't like the smell of it at all.
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@CharRay7 (1549)
• United States
22 Dec 09
Thanks for your response! Isn't it amazing how much better we can smell after quitting smoking. It's unbelievable. I wouldn't have believed it myself if I hadn't of quit myself! Happy MyLotting! Char