RESPIRATORY ALLERGY?

Hi all - does anybody know anything about (or has experienced)
respiratory allergies after stoping smoking? I have been quit for 5
weeks today, previously smoking around 20 cigarettes per day. I tried
the patches, but they seemed to make me feel yukkier, so did it cold
turkey after 1 week.

For the past 10 days I have began to develop what I think is a
sensitivity to something in the air - I've been sneezing constantly,
the roof of my mouth is itchy, my eyes itch and I've now started to
have some breathing difficulties - asthma like. The symptoms are
helped by taking Claramax (antihistamine). I'm hoping this is going
to be a short term thing whilst my nostrils become accustomed to
"fresh air" again.

I would value any feedback from those that may have experienced
something similar.

Thanks for your input, Jonesy

In the four years since I quit, I have developed seasonal allergies -
springtime when the oak trees bloom, and something in late October - that I
never had when I smoked. I suspect I probably always had the allergies, but
they were masked by my body's defenses against cigarette smoke, the more
offensive intruder.

Another thought is - has the weather changed near you lately? Have you
recently started using the heat in your house? I just came back from a
weekend in NJ (I live in FL) where the temps were in the 30's and the heat
was on constantly in the house. The sudden switch to dry, heated air made
my nose and throat uncomfortable and itchy, and I ended up with a nosebleed
on the plane yesterday, the first I've had in years. Now that I'm back home
and in moist air again, I feel fine.

If the allergy symptoms continue or get worse, you may want to consult a
doctor. New quitters tend to blame everything on the quit, but sometimes
there are other culprits.

Other than that - congrats on making it 5 weeks! That's a solid beginning.
Keep posting and stay strong.

AnneD


"Jonesy" <jonesthefarmer@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:78dea168-3715-42b0-8939-dcaa5d5d9531@t1g2000pra.googlegroups.com...
> Hi all - does anybody know anything about (or has experienced)
> respiratory allergies after stoping smoking? I have been quit for 5
> weeks today, previously smoking around 20 cigarettes per day. I tried
> the patches, but they seemed to make me feel yukkier, so did it cold
> turkey after 1 week.
>
> For the past 10 days I have began to develop what I think is a
> sensitivity to something in the air - I've been sneezing constantly,
> the roof of my mouth is itchy, my eyes itch and I've now started to
> have some breathing difficulties - asthma like. The symptoms are
> helped by taking Claramax (antihistamine). I'm hoping this is going
> to be a short term thing whilst my nostrils become accustomed to
> "fresh air" again.
>
> I would value any feedback from those that may have experienced
> something similar.
>
> Thanks for your input, Jonesy

Once upon a time, Jonesy said:

>Hi all - does anybody know anything about (or has experienced)
>respiratory allergies after stoping smoking? I have been quit for 5
>weeks today, previously smoking around 20 cigarettes per day. I tried
>the patches, but they seemed to make me feel yukkier, so did it cold
>turkey after 1 week.
>
>For the past 10 days I have began to develop what I think is a
>sensitivity to something in the air - I've been sneezing constantly,
>the roof of my mouth is itchy, my eyes itch and I've now started to
>have some breathing difficulties - asthma like. The symptoms are
>helped by taking Claramax (antihistamine). I'm hoping this is going
>to be a short term thing whilst my nostrils become accustomed to
>"fresh air" again.
>
>I would value any feedback from those that may have experienced
>something similar.

Hi Jonesy and welcome to the group!

Although I habe not experienced the same as you did, I would think
that what is happening are you sinuses starting to clear and heal.
Whatever it is, just don't smoke. THere might be some information in
our FAQ at www.quitbuddes.org. Talk to you doctor if it gets really
annoying. Just don't smoke. It would help you like a heroin shot would
help a heroin junkie.
5 weeks is marvelous! Congratulations! )

--
Tihomir 6M1W *I don't smoke anymore*
http://www.usenetpedia.com/google-groups.html
http://www.usenetnewsgroup.net/

-- Kevin Grant- I would rather die fighting than fight dying.

I notice some things bother me more like cigg smoke or perfume but I
believe I always had that and smoking just masked it. I had an allergy
testing done years ago and I was allergic to dust, mold, cigg,milk, etc and
never really clicked that it was bothering me until after I quit because I
knew how good or right I was breathing and how I felt after coming in
contact with dust. I had a full allergy attack just this weekend when we
pulled out the x-mas tree ( next year I will take it outside and roll it in
the snow before I set it up.
aaaachooooo
--
Lynn VOF Leaper
"Everyone seems normal until you get to know them."



"Jonesy" <jonesthefarmer@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:78dea168-3715-42b0-8939-dcaa5d5d9531@t1g2000pra.googlegroups.com...
> Hi all - does anybody know anything about (or has experienced)
> respiratory allergies after stoping smoking? I have been quit for 5
> weeks today, previously smoking around 20 cigarettes per day. I tried
> the patches, but they seemed to make me feel yukkier, so did it cold
> turkey after 1 week.
>
> For the past 10 days I have began to develop what I think is a
> sensitivity to something in the air - I've been sneezing constantly,
> the roof of my mouth is itchy, my eyes itch and I've now started to
> have some breathing difficulties - asthma like. The symptoms are
> helped by taking Claramax (antihistamine). I'm hoping this is going
> to be a short term thing whilst my nostrils become accustomed to
> "fresh air" again.
>
> I would value any feedback from those that may have experienced
> something similar.
>
> Thanks for your input, Jonesy

Hi Jonesy,

I've always had really bad allergies, but after I quit I was dismayed
to find them getting worse instead of better. The only thing I can
figure out is that my smoking was suppressing them. Similarly, my best
friend was (eek) diagnosed with asthma after she quit smoking. It's
very interesting what such a bad habit can mask, isn't it?

It's only been 5 months or so, and I continue to hold out hope that my
allergies will get better as time goes on. I will say that my sinuses
haven't been near as bad, although I can't say they're perfect.

I have read that it takes up to nine months or even a year for your
sinuses to clear up. So I guess the best advice is to give it some
time, although I agree with the others -- you should see a doctor if
the symptoms are bothersome to you. We have to give our bodies time to
heal from all the damage we've inflicted on them!

Congratulations on making it five weeks. Here's to keeping it up!

Love
Ashley