I would like to hear real stories of nicotine withdrawal by heavy, longtime smokers who quit.? I recently quit smoking, cold turkey after 20 years.  It has been over 2 months now and I am still suffering from a whole complex of withdrawal symptoms which include: Heart palpitations, anxiety, depression, dizziness, irritable bowel syndrome, weight gain & strong craving for nicotine. I've been back and forth to doctors and all testing shows that I am basically healthy and they've advised me that these are classic symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. But I feel very ill and fragile.  I've been prescribed anti anxiety/anti depressant drugs. I don't wish to take them though. I'm  willing to try and  wait for my body to stablize on its own. My question tho, is:  HOW LONG could this take??  I would like to hear from people who've had the same or similar symptoms. Especially if you are a woman in menopause or postmenopause. How did you deal with it?...Did you resume smoking?...If so, did these symptoms disappear when you did? How are you doing at present?

Summarized question: How long does nicotine withdrawal take?