Lung health and the effects of smoking

It isn't necessarily anything dire, but I suppose I should ask...
I picked up smoking about five years ago. In the beginning, it was just maybe two cigarettes with my morning coffee, or perhaps another couple in the evening without much thought... About three years ago, the habit grew to roughly a pack a day, and then about six months back, it escalated to nearly three packs daily...

I have decided to quit, and I haven't touched a single cigarette in five days now... and I am still holding steady. My decision to stop stems from two main factors—primarily because three packs a day is truly excessive, and secondly, because of some discomfort in my lungs.

Well, regarding that second point, I am curious about something:

To be clear, it isn't an intense pain, but rather more of a constant, sharp sensation in the outer edges of my chest area. This "stabbing" feeling actually started about two or three months ago, so I tend to assume it is due to the heavy smoking volume.

Occasionally, I experience a minor urge to cough, usually just one or two instances of a dry cough, during which the lung discomfort becomes significantly more pronounced.

The lungs also seem to ache a bit more whenever I take a deep breath...

It isn't catastrophic, I suppose—but it is irritating, and it is bothersome... I am wondering if anyone else here has dealt with similar issues??? Or perhaps you might know what these symptoms could indicate, or if there is any reason to worry???

I am scheduled to see my doctor next week for some testing and checkups. I am just asking here for informational purposes, thinking I might receive a helpful response...

Thanks! 😁

Seriously, I have no clue what you're waiting for.

Michelle Cook83 said:I honestly have no idea what on earth you're waiting for.

Just another workday.😎

Three packs in a single day is way too much; that's pure intoxication. You definitely shouldn't smoke any more... it probably isn't anything serious.

Three cartons... that's basically 60 cigarettes😲 gone in just a few hours. I honestly have to wonder how you pull that off. I mean, are you lighting up at the office, or even while you're trying to sleep? I can't help but imagine what the people around you must think—they must be constantly living in a cloud of smoke.