If you suffer from Major Depression, like I do, quitting can bring on severe depression.

yes that is something to consider (depression) if things continue the way they are I probably will end up with it .When doctors and info become limited its easy to fall into depression . I'm going through a barrage of side effects and not getting answers mostly because of very poor medical system here in Canada and very uneducated doctors .Sorry I must sound angry .

I really fear the worst that I went into the hospital with one thing and came out with another possibly from the surgery or staff .I just hope it isn't any severe STD but I'm going through all kinds of skin problems which I never had before .

...an uneducated guess here but that all sounds medicine related. Have you tried googling and learning all about every medication you are taking, I think that is what I'd do. Sorry, sounds pretty awful.

Hi, Banff.

After 6 months you should be way past any physical withdrawal symptoms. I suggest you see a doctor about your symptoms, especially the skin infections and breathing difficulty.

Peace and blessings,
Shevie
Quit May, 2005

Funny you should mention the itchy thing....I noticed that my skin has been itching like crazy since I quit smoking 3 weeks ago.

I just chalked it up to the cold weather or possibly a reaction to the chantix.

I would be curious to find out if anyone else had this problem. Could it be the nicotine leaving through our PORES?

Tamera
I have been quit for 3 Weeks, 14 hours, 22 minutes and 5 seconds (21 days).
I have saved $88.12
by not smoking 431 cigarettes.
I have saved 1 Day, 11 hours and 55 minutes of my life. My Quit Date: 11/10/2007 12:00 AM

hey shevie

the doctors don't tell me anything even when I ask . I was given a strong antibiotic and then a 3 month prescription for herpetic whitlow of 2 fingers to keep the disease away . I also flared up to the exact things acyclovir is supposed to prevent then I end up with a staph infection where I shave yet I'm doning insane amounts of washing and facial cleansing. If one smokes heavily for thirty years the body is going to act much different without all those cig chemials but then I had no resemblances to any of these skin complications prior to my operation .

btw Tamerak2

it sure feels good to save all that money... for me it would be to the tune of over $1800.00 saved so far . also I agree this itch is just crazy ...its reeeeeally itchy !!! and if you scratch it hurts ?

Hi Banff, I think that what's going on is not smoking (or nonsmoking) related. I suspect you have some allergies to your meds which is triggering some uncomfortable reactions. Hospitals are notorious for carrying staph bacteria so most likely that's where your staph infection came from. There are several strains of staph and some are far more resistant to antibiotics than others. Smoking can mask a whole lot of symptoms and perhaps by quitting your body is now able to manifest conditions that need correction. Shevie is right, by 6 months into a quit you should be long past the major physical changes quitting brings. Time to change doctors if that possible and start demanding some allergy tests and a chest Xray to have a look at what's going on with your lungs. I also have to wonder if you are not exacerbating your skin condition with as you put it "insane amounts of washing". Are you scrubbing or just doing gentle patting? Hard scrubbing can honestly make a bad skin condition worse. Check out the Allergies and Immunities Community here, perhaps they have some insight into what's going on with you. Good Luck Banff and keep up the great quit!

Thankyou LankyYank ...the concensus seems to be pointing in that direction . You are very correct about changing doctors ...the doctor here did not diagnose a heart condition or lung problem even though I was a frequent visitor for 3.5 months with breathing problems prior to a heart attack .Thankyou for your input it really helps me dispell that it could be smoking related . I don't ever plan on smoking again At first I convinced/scared myself into believing that if I take just one puff from a cigarette I will have a spontaneous massive irreversable heart attack I still play with that possibility of sudden death . I've ben tired of smoking for quite a number of years .

You have a computer, I saw you said you been using Commit Lozenge. I guess you know they keep putting nicotine in your body. If your using them the way you said, then you are full of nicotine, plus check out the side effects on them. They can be causing all your problems. I quit cold turkey, 5 months ago and feel great. I would advise you to check out all side effects your meds has. Most of all YOU WILL HAVE TO WEAN OFF THE Commit Lozenge .Sorry don't want to make you mad, but for your health you need to check it out for yourself. Then get mad at me

Hi Lov

you are right I obviously made a typo ...The lozenges I use are basicly sugar free candy with menthol which cost about a dollar each package of 22 lozenges (The brand name is "Fishermans") they are not actually commit or nicotine lozenges . I made the mention because I eat them like there is no tomorrow . I shoud go correct that I really don't know what commit lozenges are ...oops . btw I don't get mad unless you are the doctor who failed to diagnose my heart condition .(She also made my wife break into tears when she was 20 weeks pregnant by telling her she had menopause and was a scientist and there was no baby inside ..."twice")lol

Well first off I want to Congradulate you quiting and 6 months is Great.Sorry I took it was smoking aid lozenges.
I hope you can fine a good heart doctor there, I always had the idea they had good medical care there. We have lot of heart doctors here, most of them is good, they know we have a choice. I am sure it did upset your wife. We are having a Pledge not to smoke until Christmas would love for you to join with us. Take care

absolutely Lov

for me I pledge not to smoke ever again yikes ! I think what helped me in the long run is the Betablockers I take , they slow your heart so your heart can't beat fast therefore making your heart last longer . You really do feel calm with them so quitting smoking probably is a cake walk for anyone on them . It wasn't hard at all for me ...they are kind of like chamomile tea ,St.Johns Wort, yoga, serenity , peace and tranquility pills lol mind you they kill your sex life lol

Go to the disscussion and sign it.Thanks you

There are several side effects. One being nictotine withdrawl.