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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How Long Do Withdrawal Symptoms Of Smoking Take To Diminish?

I was able to quit smoking six months ago. Previously smoked about 5-7 cigarettes a day for 15 years. I feel great. Have lots of energy. Great appetite and sadly have gained about 5 pounds. However, siice I quit I am regularly coughing up clear and sometiem greenish phlegm, Not a lot and not everyday. Sometimes, the phlegm will have tan to brown specks. I also find myself with slight shortness of breath but not enough to be disabling in any way. A friend told me my lungs are simply healing and this can take a long time. Thanks
Tue, 30 Sep 2014
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Addiction Medicine Specialist,  's  Response
There's more than one type of withdrawal with it !
First is the really bad cravings. These are because nicotine damps down the brains response to nicotine (kind of like if you are being shouted at all the time, you don't hear a normal conversation). The response to nicotine breaks. The brain compensates by trying to overcome that. You go OFF nicotine, the sensitivity to it goes WAY UP. Cravings, and HUGE response to it (first cigarette in the morning effect). This goes away in 1-2 weeks at the most.
BUT, there are other brain effects that take 1-2 MONTHS. Then, there are learned associations that are memories ("I really miss having a cigarette with coffee.. it tastes good together"). Years. Sorry. Mildest craving, purely intellectual. but really long lasting.
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How Long Do Withdrawal Symptoms Of Smoking Take To Diminish?

There s more than one type of withdrawal with it ! First is the really bad cravings. These are because nicotine damps down the brains response to nicotine (kind of like if you are being shouted at all the time, you don t hear a normal conversation). The response to nicotine breaks. The brain compensates by trying to overcome that. You go OFF nicotine, the sensitivity to it goes WAY UP. Cravings, and HUGE response to it (first cigarette in the morning effect). This goes away in 1-2 weeks at the most. BUT, there are other brain effects that take 1-2 MONTHS. Then, there are learned associations that are memories ( I really miss having a cigarette with coffee.. it tastes good together ). Years. Sorry. Mildest craving, purely intellectual. but really long lasting.