I quit smoking but what should I do with my sleep?

[something]

Hi, guys, I quit smoking for the day 6th now. This is my first try to quit smoking I have never tried to quit before, I freaked out that I may develop lung cancer later on and I immediately quit, I generally nfeel qwell, I can breath more easy, I feel lighter and I did not cough even once in these 6 days, I was smoking for 4 years, now I am 23, also I am on Nicotine gum\4mg, I do around 5 gum-to 6gum a day, I am still experiencing stupid things, when I go to sleep I can not get a proper sleep, I am always waking up, every two hours and checking the time on my phone, when I again fall a sleep, and after two hours again waking up, and like that all night, also I have very bad dreams, and I sleep dreami9ng about stupid, crazy things, nonsenses I have never dreamed before, what should I do because 5 days I feel tired and restless, I am really getting exhausted, and I still have a desire for cigarette, while doing my night job at the night club, or when I am getting bored or when I am stressed out. What should I do with these things happening to me, I am getting really tired now, but I do have strong will to stop and not to touch any cigarettes ever, I did not touch a cigarette for 6 days. Help me out what alternatives do I have? Thanks a lot for reply. Moreover what is Nicotine is it damaging your body in anyway? Is it a drug? what does it do?

[Jade59]

Thank you sweetheart.  Thanks you for your concern.

Yes, I still smoke.  For 34yrs now with one quit in 07.  I have a new quit date of Feb1st.  I posted on the forum for support.  I could really use your help if you wouldn't mind?  We can be there for each other.  

Congrats on getting a grip on the smoking at such a young age.  I wasn't nearly so smart when I was 23.  Then, I LOVED to smoke, lol.  Now, at 49, I've been seeing the negative aspects of smoking for some time, just didn't have the will to do anything about it until relatively recently.  

I'm so glad you're getting some sleep finally.  Makes all the difference doesn't it.

Your attitude and strength is truly admirable.  

[something]

Please quit for this time, as the main issue is Your health and scare that You may develop lung cancer in the future or COPD, please do not even think about smoking anymore, and let me know how are YOu doing!

[something]

Hey,

Do not worry it was not too harsh and I do not have a though that You was not nice person. THanks for Your help, reply and advice, I am getting better sleep already and better apetite, In general I feel amazing! Do You smoke, or You have quit for all and for good? I hope You did , and I hope that You will never touch a cigarette again.

Nice to hear from YOU!

[Jade59]

I remember my first quit and how GREAT I felt.  It's wonderful isn't it?  Congrats on keeping up the good work!

I meant to come back and post to you again yesterday.  I felt my post was too harsh and I want you to know I'm really quite nice : )  I was just feeling all growly yesterday in anticipation of my own quit that's coming up.  So sorry...

I hope you're sleeping better. : )

Keep posting because your success is not only helpful to me, but to us all.  

[something]

You should be proud for not smoking so long, keep going! I am sure I will not get addict to Nicotine Gum, as it tastes horrible! Moreover, better to be addictive to gum then cigarette.

[something]

Hey, I am still smoke free, I did not give up for environment, and one more thing I really feel wonderful in general that I do not smoke now I feel I can go faster, breath easy, run easy, smell, taste, I feel great, will never smoke in my live again ! thank You guys for YOur support!

[Jade59]

Hey,

Congrats on your quit!  Your sleep will get better, I promise.  But, as others have stated, the gum, patch is still putting nicotine in your system, just not at the levels you're used to.  So, it seems you would be in a constant state of withdrawal.  I would also think that once your body got used to 6 pieces of gum a day, then your sleep would probably go back to normal, but then what?  Go through all this again in order to get off the gum.  What a waste of time, don't you think?

The patch at night?  Forget that.  You're just adding more nicotine and sabotaging your own quit.  If you can, eliminate the gum and get this over with.  

I'll be posting here in a day or so for support on my second quit.  Wasn't successful the first time because I gave in to the mental war.  I'll be going c.t. again, so maybe we can do this together?

Melatonin, Valerian Root, Tylenol PM. are all good OCT drugs.  Or, speak with your doc about the Visteril.  That's an anithistimine, but you need an rx for it.  I assume you want to get some sleep sooner than it would take for you to wait for a drs appt. : )

Good luck honey and keep posting.  This is a wonderful forum with great supportive members as you can see. : )  

[teko]

I dunno, I think the patch is still putting the drug in your system, at a reduced amt, yes, but it is still nicotine. Lack of sleep is normal, as for the dreams? Ck the side effects of the patch. You need to go to whyquit.com and read, come here for support as often as needed, I am sensing your resolve dwindling. Careful now!

[elwoodsf]

No, the patch does not make you sleep better. I accidently left it on when I went to bed and I did not sleep.

[kathyjo]

It gets better so just hang in there. Maybe it is the gum. I don't think that your body goes through the nicotine withdrawals like it if you weren't chewing the nicotine gum. My cousins hubby has been chewing for 15 years and is now addicted to the gum!
There are 599 additives in a cigarette so it could be that you are reacting to the loss of any one or more of these additives.

Read the articles at whyquitdotcom, especially the "Motivation."  
With "cold turkey" the physical withdrawals last about 72 hours (3 days for nicotine to leave the body) but the emotional addiction is the hardest thing to deal with. Once you learn why it is you smoke, and understand your triggers, then you can work on that.

I smoked for 38+ years and I haven't had a cigarette in 1 year, 3 months, 2 weeks & 2 days. It was the most difficult thing that I have ever done but absolutely the most rewarding and my proudest moment.
If I can do it, then anyone can!
Good luck and we are here for support. You never have to feel alone.....

Kathy Jo

[something]

hi, James, that is what I am saying- people do not understand that it really hard to stop smoking and that it is addiction, I talk about people who have never smoked before. They say just quit and stop moaning...thats not one two three and thats it. For me 4 years is a lot, because it will be already 5 years of smoking if I did not stop, in summer. I do develop seats and anxiety and strong desire to smoke when I go outside or just simply walking through the street as I used always to have a cig on the run to work, or when I am stressed out, or nervous, and You are right specially after eating! I would like to wish You to quit smoking now and completely- say stop now- think about cancer and look at the adds in the internet. 30 Years is a lot, you really need to quit, so please try to do it and let know when You will do it and how u keep going!

[jimgreg]

have you ever heard of vistreal?? it will help you get to sleep in 1 hr or less..its not additive either.you need a script for it..its a histamine base..i use it every now and then to incuce sleep. its for people with anxietys and it will sedate you not hard but easy enough to go to sleep!!!!!!!!!!!! also you can go to cvs,walmars Walgreen's..to get a med thats not a script,,its melontin our bodys make this..you take 1 tab 90 min before bed will help you zone if you know what i mean..YOU TRY THESE I GUANTEE 1 WILL WORK FOR YOU...6 DAYS IS GOOD..I BEEN SMOKING FOR 30 YRS ALSO..I WANT TO CUT BACK BUT THERES NO SUCH THING TO CUT BACK!! ITS YOU STOP OR YOU SMOKE..THATS THE WAY IT IS..YOU KNOW IF YOU CUT BACK AT THE END OF THE DAY YOU SMOKED ALMOST WHAT YOU REGULARLY WOPULD MABEY 4-7 LESS..I SMOKE CLOSE TO 2 PAKS ADAY..I,VE ALSO HAD IT WITH THEM...THE POATCH HELPED ME ALOT..BUT AS SOON AS I GOT OUT OF THE HOSPITAL BAM SMOKING..THEYSAY THE WITHDRALWS  ARE THE CLOSEST TO HERION ADDICSHIONS!!!!!!  DO YOU HAVE THE SWEATS?? OR ALOT OF ANXIETYS?? AND WHAT TIME OF THE DAYS DO YOU CRAVE THE MOST....I BET ITS WHEN YOU WAKE UP AND AFTER EATING!!!   ITS A DRUG AND YOU BEEN ON IT SO LONG 4 YRS ISINT LONG BUT IN REALITY WHEN SMOKING EVERYDAY IT IS..AND ITS A DRUG A BAD ONE TOO.....GOOD LUCK TO YOU.......JAMES

[something]

Hi, thanks a lot for Your reply! I do not wear the patch of Nicotine at the night time, but was considering to get one in case I could sleep better. How do You think what causes it? Should I use Nicotine Patch to help me to have normal sleep, I feel like I was not sleeping for a week or so, and I can not get to sleep as I dream all the rubbish..Moreover I committed to stop smoking but I need to study at my University now to write exams and I am so tired, can not concentrate, I am lost. I have heard that people develop a stronger cough then they stop smoking as lungs are clearing up, but can You, please tell me why I am not coughing up but vice versa it immediately stopped when I stopped smoking, I still was coughing up mucus- 6 days ago:)
I would say big congratulations to You 30 years of smoking and then stopping is a big step- Glad that u made a commitment and You have changed Your life, I think better stop now then it is seriously too late

And do u know any information about NICOTINE? what is that? how it affects my health and does it affect my lung if I use only Nicotine chewing gum?

THANKS A LOT

[elwoodsf]

What a great comittment you are making towards becoming healthier. Not only does smoking take away lung capacity it also creates wrinkles. There are many other effects but I will save you from listing them. I've smoked for over 30 years, today I have one week. When I first started reading your lack of sleep I was wondering if you were wearing the patch at night. That will give me wild dreams and lack of sleep. My triggers are in the car, first thing in the morning, being bored. Smoking is an addiction and cigarettes are a drug. They run my lifestyle, take away my life. I've known people who are still smoking on their death beds. I am experiencing the cough occasionally. Chock it up to years of smoking.

You are headed in the right direction. Congratulations on 6 days of renewed health. The sleeping will come back, the dreams will calm down. Your body is screaming for a cigarette. I know people who have taken "Simply Sleep" or something like that. It is like Tylenol PM without the Tylenol. Exercise, fresh air. Your gum use is not very high so I'm thinking that is not related to your not being able to sleep.

Stick around, keep posting and, most importantly, keep on keeping on. One day is all you have to be concerned with. Take Care ~ El