Sleep
I am presently on week 2 of quitting smoking, and I cannot seem to
get out of bed to go to school in the mornings, try as I might. Yikes! In my
first couple of days of quitting smoking I couldn’t sleep to save my life,
and now all I want to do is sleep. Arggghhhh! I cannot afford to lose any
time, but yet if I wake up before my body tells me, I am unable to think
clearly. It is like my brain is foggy. I know that exercising would help
me, but I am heading into my final exams (in my fourth year) and I do not
have time to be exercising right now. Does anybody have any other
suggestions?
October 5th, 2006 at 9:28 pm
Ever since I quit…I feel like I have narcoplepsy…I can sleep 12-
13 hours at night and want a nap the next day…
Maybe I have become subconsciously addicted to those patch
dreams…or..???? …I’ve almost always been a champion
sleeper…and I might be suffering a wee bit from depression
(although I am on medication…have been for 3 years)…
but this is nuts….
does anyone else have experience with this?
elizabeth
October 6th, 2006 at 6:44 am
Hi E—I had (and still have) some sleeping disturbances of various kinds. Sleep was an issue even before quitting—I wonder if it’s partly age and menopause related, in addition to the significant changes in brain chemistry after quitting. Within the last 6-12 months I would often find myself having fallen asleep while sitting up on the couch, and certainly nodding off to sleep while meditating. Nothing even close to this had happened prior. Partly I think most of us are truly tired a lot of the time. And then there were more changes in sleep after I quit. It seems to have settled down a bit (I’m at almost 7 weeks), but it doesn’t surprise me anymore to wake up at 3am wide awake, nor to nod off during a lecture.
I did discover something a couple of days ago though. I was feeling the sinking, nodding off feelings very strongly, and almost wanted to just go to bed for a nap—this was at about 3pm. Instead, with lots of encouragement, I went for a walk outside. It was a vigorous walk for about 45 minutes, that included some very slow jogging—really more sliding along—but it got me breathing hard at times. Well I was wide awake for the rest of the afternoon and into the evening–shockingly wide awake! So one of the things I’m learning is the pleasure and significance of movement, exercise, and oxygen and what a difference it makes in how I feel. What kinds of physical activity do you do?
Judy.
October 6th, 2006 at 1:59 pm
Sometimes, when I’ve experienced that kind of sleepiness, it has had to do with a feeling of what I call soul hunger. That ache that I can’t even name until I find something that belongs there—a connection or an energy or an image that starts to fill it—and then I realize how “hungry” I was. When that ache happens, if some kind of “soul food” is not in my awareness or on the horizon, then to sleep offers a kind of comforting. And sometimes comforting seems to suffice when it seems like being awake is just a fight for an empty consciousness.
But gradually I’m finding how good it is to be really alive and awake—it’s worth it to push and go for the walk. That’s how it is for me anyway. And btw, the “soul food” I’m talking about is not really food, but a good talk with a friend, or music, or a good book—or time with a lover—those transcendent times—like that.
Judy.
October 6th, 2006 at 5:51 pm
Elizabeth,
I wish I had something of value to add to this thread. Other than to repeat
that quitting initiates all sorts of changes and consequences, and that
most are temporary, I’m afraid all I can do is wish you a speedy and gentle
return to a sleep schedule that’s comfortable. Mine has been a mess for
years and it’s got nothing to do with smoking or quitting.
Steve
October 7th, 2006 at 12:07 am
Oh yes I have had this problem since quitting 22 days ago I was always an early riser and people laughed about it and teased me but now I’m lucky to get up in time for work on the days I work and I sleep in on the others I was a person that could never sleep in and sometimes or most times id say I am groggy for a time after I get up and this is very different
The only way I can account for it is that for the past many years I have awakened to smoke at least every two hours through the night and I know I can’t do that anymore Now that can account for the less awakenings but why the sleeping in I’m unclear of why and why I am groggy but whatever the cause I know it is directly related to my quit . Lori
October 7th, 2006 at 9:42 am
Pam, Courtney, Lori et al
Thanks for taking the time to repsond
it’s interesting; i did have a thyroid test quite soon before I
quit..
I do think that Judy hit the nail on the head..I need to get outside
more!!
hope all are well, happy and smokeless
October 17th, 2006 at 10:39 am
In a message dated 2/1/2005 7:47:53 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,
aevans45@… writes:
Maybe I have become subconsciously addicted to those patch
dreams…or..???? …I’ve almost always been a champion
sleeper…and I might be suffering a wee bit from depression
(although I am on medication…have been for 3 years)…
but this is nuts….
does anyone else have experience with this?
Yes for sure, I have much more energy now then I did the first 2 weeks, I
slept a normal night sleep, as I have kids to get up and out for school, but I
took naps ..several a day, and It may also have had to do with the little
caffeine cut back I did. I also think your body needs extra rest because you
are healing, at least that’s what I like to think…:) I am feeling quite
normal now, and one thing that keeps me on an even keel throughout my day, is
exercising, I can’t stress how great it is ,even just a little bit makes a
world of difference in my attitude through out the day. Good Luck and Keep up
the
good work!!
Kicking the nicotine addiction out of my life for Three weeks, four days,
10 hours, 7 minutes and 29 seconds. 635 cigarettes not smoked, saving $143.00.
Life saved: 2 days, 4 hours, 55 minutes.
Mary
October 17th, 2006 at 2:48 pm
Hi Mary,
Couple more days and you’ll have your first month under your belt, well done.
About the ‘excessive’ fatigue…. please go see your Dr.
Some meds are metabolized differently in the absence of nicotine or at
different nic levels. So when we quit it’s occasionally necessary to
readjust med dosages. The other thing to check is thyroid function. I
believe that’s a simple blood test.
Steve
October 18th, 2006 at 1:09 am
In a message dated 2/2/2005 9:57:10 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,
mrsdecker_99@… writes:
Hello,
Just got home from doctor. My heart burn has been awful since quitting.
Had long talk with doctor. SS that cigs/ the tobacco act as an
anti-depressant! That explains all the crying etc when I quit.
She also said that many people get ill a month or so into the quit, but not
to give in. All part of
leaving the addiction behind.
Hugs,
Cindy( who has been tobacco free for 4 wks and one day.)
Congratulations on one month quit,, Is your Dr. saying that the heartburn is
from depression? My heartburn got better at the beginning of my quit, but it
has been bothering me again, as of late, just wondering.
Best Regards,
Mary
for Three weeks, four days, 21 hours, 9 minutes and 50 seconds. 647
cigarettes not smoked, saving $135.88. Life saved: 2 days, 5 hours, 55 minutes.
kicking butt
October 19th, 2006 at 5:50 am
Steve–
Thanks so much for mentioning the thyroid thing to Mary. I would
hate for anyone to go through the hassle I’ve gone through due to the
fact that my thyroid condition was not caught early. Fatigue is one
of the things that can denote a thyroid disorder.
Best wishes–
Courtenay.
October 19th, 2006 at 1:05 pm
Hi Cindy–
You might also want to look into standardized licorice extract pills,
which can reduce the amount of excess acid being produced in your
stomach. A treatment like this is usually done in the short term,
under a doctor’s supervision. Licorice pills are available through
high end health food stores. I’ve heard great things about licorice.
Best wishes–
Courtenay.