I was a pack-and-1/2 a day smoker for a decade. I quit in Aug. '05. I'm 31yo, I've been doing cardio exercise for months now. I noticed circulation probs that have become less severe since I quit smoking, but my arms still go to sleep easily while in bed. I also feel short of breath sometimes, when laying down & on the treadmill. The worst symptom is an intense "pain" or empty feeling (somewhat hard to describe) emanating from my throat in the early mornings after I urinate, it keeps me from going back to sleep. I think "angina" describes this pain, but it's in the throat--not the chest. I used to think this was a withdrawl symptom from nicotine. I used to get it back when I was a smoker; it would go away with my 1st morning cigarette. But as I weened myself off nicotine, first with nicorette gum, then cold turkey since Dec '05, the pains have gotten worse and sometimes persist into early afternoon, not every day but at least several days/week. I also rarely get satisfying sleep.
Heart Diseases - 5 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
It is possible that these "pains" are withdrawl symptoms, but if they've been going on for as long as you've stated, it may be best if you see a doctor and ask him/her. I hope everything works out for you and you are in good health. take care and blessed be ye path.
2 :
I highly suggest you let a doctor decide what is going on with you. If the pain continues it may be something serious I have experienced chest pain since I have quit too I am using the nicotine gum as well. Good for you on quitting that is great take it easy on the excercise you may be over doing it.
3 :
Acid reflux disease? Barretts esophagus? Look those up.
4 :
It does sound a lot like acid reflux. You may be supplementing your nicotine urges with food (especially before bed) or just the stress of resisting your urges may be causing some increased acid production. Angina is not typically after sleeping or urinating, unless it is "unstable angina" which is unpredictable (but not consistently at the same time). Throat pain can be angina, but usually is accompanied by sweating and shortness of breath and will sometimes radiate down to the chest with a crushing feeling. As far as the acid reflux part of the equation (not likely Barrett's Esophagus, which is a change in the skin lining the esophagus), you should try taking an acid reducing medication once per day an hour before dinner. You should also not eat any food at least 2-3 hours before bed, and if possible, you might want to put a phone book under each foot at the head of the bead. A couple of medications you can try (over the counter) are Prilosec, Pepcid or Zantac. Avoid medications like Tums, Pepto, etc, which are short-acting and do not treat the underlying problem. If your symptoms don't resolve after a week, you will need to have this problem looked at. You are at significant cardiac risk (because of your other symptoms and history), so you should be getting regular check-ups (twice yearly minimum). If you experience chest pain on the treadmill, you need to be seen IMMEDIATELY. I am happy to hear you are exercising, and you should keep it up every day.
5 :
There are several things that you could be experiencing. First off I believe that you are suffering from Acid Reflux AKA GERD. Try not eating for at least two hours before going to bed. Also you can buy over the counter meds like Zantac or Prilosec. Limit your soda pop intake as well. As for your arms, it could be that your spine is out of alignment. Usually with angina, there is heart pain with numbness of the left arm and jaw, heavy sweating and shortness of breath. But your age leads me to believe that it isn't angina even though you are a previous smoker. GOOD JOB! Hereditary also would play a big part in heart disease as well. Good Luck and recommend seeing a physician
Read more discussions :
- Are ST and TWave abnormalities significant in an E...
- How early can heart disease start
- What are the factors that influence coronary heart...
- What are the chances of cancer/heart disease when....
- Does anyone have statistics for how many people ha...
- How does one's food pattern over time contribute t...
- Does anyone on here have heart disease or heart pr...
- is there any bright future for children with heart...
