Either I caught a stupid cold or could I be experiencing a mild "Quitter's Flu"?

[SeaTownLassy]

I'm a month smoke free (yay!!) and although I had read a bit about "quitter's flu", I thought the illness was brought on by nicotine withdrawal and never thought anything of it.....my reptilian brain logic saying "Well, we're getting our nicotine anyway, so we should be fine", right??? Well, a few days ago, I started getting this weird sore feeling on the sides of my tongue....almost like I bit the sides of my tongue or burnt my tongue with hot food. Didn't think anything of it as I was chain vaping that day and I figured it was just a result of chain vaping that particular flavor.

Then yesterday, I started feeling a slight sore throat, and a rumbling in my chest, so to speak, and it began feeling like it does when I get bronchitis.....the raspy rattle in my lungs on the inhale, and the very productive cough. Well in the shower, I spit up some of the lung junk, and it was soooo gross...it looked like the color of snus spit. Blech!! And all day today I'm coughing up lung junk, although not a gross looking. This is now accompanied with frequent sneezing copious amounts of mucous out of my nose, and my voice has changed to that "having a cold" voice.

So....I googled "Quitter's flu", and a lot of the symptoms listed are what I've experienced over the past few days (the sore tongue too!), so rather than get all paranoid (I got over a really nasty bug that laid me out for almost a month this past April and I don't want it again) I just wanted to check with you more experienced vapers.... Could this be a mild Quitter's flu, or perhaps is it a coincidence that I just caught a cold after a month off the cigarettes? Other than the funky cough, runny nose and sneezing, I feel fine....no fever, no aches, no fatigue, no malaise.

Any feedback or advice is appreciated.

 

[GPSTrucker]

It could just be a virus, but remember there are a lot of chemicals in cigarettes other than nicotine. Somewhere around 4,000 or so, many of which are addictive.

Either way it's best to ride it out and not go back to cigs. You will be healthier in the long run.

 

[Talyon]

From what I've read it could be quitters flu, and it's also possible another flu, I've had that happen 3-4 times in succession and had a flu for almost 3 months.

See how it goes and drink lots of fluids, if not getting better in a few days make an appointment with doctor just in case u need antibiotics.

Hope your better soon. I hear menthol in lower nic is what many use while under the weather.

 

[ScottP]

I think I was about a month in when all of the crap that had built up in my lungs finally started breaking free and being coughed up. People don't seem to realize just how much black tar they have put into their lungs over the years by smoking. That has to come out as part of the healing process. I agree it was really gross looking. The first bit was really dark in color but lightened up over time until it was all gone and I almost never cough any more.

 

[mare ze dotes]

I would not get to upset over it as long as you are feeling fine. If you are getting it up and out. That is good. Monitor your self. You might have a cold/flu by coincidence. When I get/got bronchitis it makes me sick for 2 weeks and then 3 month of coughing up to clear my lungs. (thats why I started vaping in the first place)

I can also say when I started vaping I gagged up in a most unlady like fashion for 2 month. (Where is a bag for my head when I need one)

 

[SeaTownLassy]

Lol, I think I might have allergies or something too....woke up with swollen eyelids. Luckily no funky discharge or redness so hopefully not pinkeye.

~Restita

 

[skyztheLynnit]

I think I was about a month in when all of the crap that had built up in my lungs finally started breaking free and being coughed up. People don't seem to realize just how much black tar they have put into their lungs over the years by smoking. That has to come out as part of the healing process. I agree it was really gross looking. The first bit was really dark in color but lightened up over time until it was all gone and I almost never cough any more.

I smoked for 20 years and quit a little over a month ago.. i haven't gotten sick or coughed up anything funky.. are there ways the tar expels itself sight unseen?
If i wake up with brown goo in my tear ducts or black eyeballs I'm gonna freak out but at least I'll know my body is getting rid lol

 

[BostLabs]

It was week 2 or 3 for me. Exactly as you describe it. Mine lasted about a week, lessening as the week progressed. Then, bing, it was gone.

 

[SeaTownLassy]

The sore tongue thing is weird though. I read somewhere that it has something to do with your tongue "regenerating" , so to speak. I just wish it didnt make me lisp while its happening, lol.

~Restita

 

[Crash Moses]

I smoked for 20 years and quit a little over a month ago.. i haven't gotten sick or coughed up anything funky.. are there ways the tar expels itself sight unseen?
If i wake up with brown goo in my tear ducts or black eyeballs I'm gonna freak out but at least I'll know my body is getting rid lol

Same here. I haven't coughed up anything and I quit six months ago. I distinctly remember coughing up brown tobacco tasting phlegm in Marine Corps boot camp. I'm wondering if heavy expansion and contraction of the lungs during exercise may have helped clearing the gunk out. I certainly don't get that kind of exercise now.