Cold/Flu Symptoms After Quitting Smoking

[hcour]

Six weeks off the smokes and today I started getting cold/flu symptoms - headache, sniffles, fever, achy muscles, tired - I'm practically a NyQuil commercial. I remember going through this exact same thing those times I quit smoking cold turkey when I was younger. The ironic thing is I almost never get sick like this, not for years and years. I read something once along the lines that smoking can actually prevent colds and flu because it coats your lungs with so much crap or some such thing.

So I'm feeling pretty rough, which hardly seems fair - quit smoking and get sick! But, who says life is fair, right? And this is actually the first real negative side-effect I've experienced from quitting this time; the vaping just completely blew through any of the usual unpleasant psychological, emotional, and physical issues I've experienced in the past when quitting.

Alright, thanks for letting me whine like a little girly-man for a bit. Now I'm going to take some more ibuprofen, drink some juice, crawl into bed and watch some football.

Oh, but I think I'll have a vape first.

 

[Syav]

I'm thinking it could be the weather change. A lot of people get sick during this time of the year when it gets colder.

 

[haiqu]

The day after I stopped smoking - and this was only last week - I spent 2 1/2 hours sneezing, coughing and blowing out gunk. Hang in there, it's temporary and the result is worth it. My lungs feel a whole lot better after only a few days.

 

[williebb123]

people think im crazy but i stoped smoking 2 times b4 e cigs came out and both times i got a cold , while smoking i hardly ever got a cold been vapin over 2yrs now and i just got my first cold this week

 

[RosaJ]

If you get a fever make sure you see your doctor. Drink lots of water (not just juice) and if it is from vaping it will go away, if not, you have an upper respiratory infection/problem that has nothing to do with vaping.

We have to remember that even though we have switched to a more healthy lifestyle doesn't guarantee we won't get sick with whatever is going around.

Hope you feel better soon!

 

[pericat]

There is a sticky in the health subforum on what can happen when you quit smoking and your body starts cleaning up. If that sounds like your experience, take heart, this too shall pass. Also, stock up on tissues. I've gone through eight boxes this last month. Getting better, though.

 

[tater_salad]

Colf / Flulike symptoms are a side-effect of quitting smoking.. all those little hairs and such that get burnt off when you smoke grow back and your body needs to get aclimated to using them again etc. I'm sure that the recent sudden shift in summer to fall isn't helping much either.
I did a bit of research when I tried quitting smoking the first time several years ago.. becuase I felt like poop..
hopefully you can Bear through it and get healthy.. Trust me you'll feel 1000x better once you finally kick the habit for a bit.

 

[ninjuh]

I've had those symptoms for months after quitting smoking. Everyone is different. I think its your body learning to work without all the chemicals. Also in a strange way, I feel like NOT smoking cigs actually weakens your immune system in a way... just what I've noticeD.

 

[xanderxman]

Colder weather will not increase your risk of getting a cold, unless you have asthma or other respiratory problems. Colds generally circulate more rampantly during the cold season because people are inside more often and closer to other people. The "cold weather makes you sick" myth is one that I wish would go away. My grandfather would refuse to go outside barefoot or with wet hair because he thought he may catch a cold.

I think what you are experiencing is normal for those that quit smoking. Our bodies are trying to get back to "normal" after years of abuse. It is only right that we suffer a bit for the damage we have done intentionally.