Dr.,
I am seriously working on quitting smoking. I recently had an Angiogram, and there was not enough blockage to justify Stents. I am currently taking Metaprolol, Plavix and Lipitor. I know that it is not a Heart issue.
However, when I was smoking regularly, and even the times that I had slipped a little, I would start to have shortness of breath, a headache, a crick in my neck, mild palipitations and the feeling of a lump in my throat. I also would feel like I wanted to go to sleep really bad.
These symptoms would last for approximately 3 - 4 hours, then slowly subside. I don't know if it is a developing allergy to the smoke, or the beginning of a Lung disease.
When I was having my procedure in the Hospital, my Oxygen level in my blood was 99% steady, and my chest xray looked good they said. So it seems that my Lung function was ok.
It is truly a very scary sensation. I have made up my mind to quit that nasty habit, but I would really like to know what this could be. It started mildly about 2 years ago, and progressively worsened. I smoked for approximately 40 years. About a pack a day. I am afraid to use a patch because of the possibility of my becoming allergic to nicotine.
Do any of those symptoms sound familiar?
Thanks, Craig (ck1028)