What does nicotine withdrawal feel like??

DH is trying to stop smoking again ! He is doing really well and is really serious about it but tonight he was soooooo grumpy. I had to explain to dd why he was grumpy as he was giving her such a hard time. He hasn't stopped completely. He has changed to rollies and makes them very thin and he probably had about 8 cigs today instead of 30.
But having never been a smoker I don't know what the withdrawal is like? Is the grumpiness relieved by a cigarette? Does it feel like a really bad case of PMT? He didn't say anything but I could tell he was sorry for his behaviour but I just wanted to understand it a bit better. But don't want to ask him for fear of sending him back to the cigarettes.
Oh and just have to say i love, love , love the new plain packaging!

I found it felt like being sick of yourself, a high level of frustration or agitation. Yes it did go away with a cig. I don't think it felt like PMT, but each person would experience that differently. I was snappy and short tempered, and felt restless and bored. I didn't feel like doing anything though!

Good on him, I found the first week the hardest. Hope it gets easier soon :)

Similar to frog, but I also felt the physical symptoms - headaches, dizzy, vague, shaky, dry mouth. It is an horrendous feeling, but worth it in the end. Rather than limit his cigs, would your DH try gum or patches? I found the gum great as it also gave me something to do with my mouth. Now just need to break the addiction to the gum, which I've been chewing for about 5 years!!! At least it doesn't contain any of the nasties besides nicotine and doesn't passively affect the health of anyone around me! I couldn't have quit without the gum, it took the edge off the craving and the physical symptoms.

Good luck to your DH, it really is worth it!

lol yes. grumpy is a polite way to put it.
cutting down is a great way to start giving up.
I went cold turkey and was a total nightmare to live with for 2-3 weeks.
as with most addictions finding a routine is hard. living the way non smokers do takes adjusting to.

I wish him ( and u) all the best for this. giving up smoking is a really great thing to do.

graham Carr has a good book to help.

Good on him! I remember feeling frustrated a lot of the time. I used the Nicorette inhaler every day for the first couple of weeks and then only when I needed it. Usually when out socializing. I'd get secretly bitter with friends and family that would duck out for a smoke when I was there lol
A supportive partner to tell you how well your doing and appreciate it is invaluable though so good on you for doing your best to help.