I quit and I feel congested? What the heck?
When I was on my 2nd week (heading into my 3rd week) of not smoking. I noticed that my chest felt so congested, but oddly I couldn't cough! Oh the irony.
At night I found myself taking very shallow breaths, scared me and scared my husband who can sleep through anything! I would sit up and drink more water, (hint: drink water water water) and try to calm down and not focus on the fact that my breaths were shallow and felt like I couldn't get air. (Another reason confirming, NEVER turn back to smoking). I propped my head as suggested, more water and even took Mucinex (not DM) because I didn't have a cough. I found that Eucalyptus/Peppermint lotion on my chest, not only help me breath, it was a natural "calmer". So if you ever experience this, please do suffer and be scared. Any Body Lotion/ Health & Holistic store will have it. From that night on I would put it on prior to sleep, now I found I don't need it as it is now one month, my shortness of breath at night has gone away.
Still dealing with the congestion, can't wait for that to go away.
I hope this helps, because it sure put my mind at rest and just to breath again. Take Care all., J
Doing the breathing exercise of breathing in through your nose for 3 or 4 counts and expelling through your lips. To strenghten your diaphram to assist in exhaling by feeling your stomach rise rather than your chest. Forcing air out of your lungs so that you get new oxygen by a forceful ha, ha , ha. I know it is scary as i had borderline copd before i quit smoking. The wheezing has stopped, but i still breath shallow at night i think because after using the facilities, i crawl back into bed and find myself short of breath. I am fine in the morning and it doesn't interfere with my life in any other way. Quitting smoking will lessen some of the symptoms and may stave off further complications.