Insomnia

[nsd_user663_56656]

I have been trying to quit smoking for about a week but relapsed at a party on Thursday (had two) and then stopped again since. Coincidentally the only night this week where I didn't toss and turn and got more than 5 hours of sleep was Thursday night. I also slept horribly over a two week winter break where I wasn't smoking but hadn't put the two together until now. I haven't been smoking long (about 2.5 years and very lightly until the past 10 months) - at my worst I probably smoked about 10 a day. I don't have any other withdrawal symptoms - I can go the whole day without thinking about smoking, but this insomnia is killing me. I am a grad student and have exams starting in a week and a half, sleep is essential for retention of all that I am learning (and I tend to get stressed out over exams to begin with). I was thinking of resuming light smoking during this exam period but the problem is right after exams I am also going into a very demanding summer internship where I am in early and leave really late - so that won't be an ideal time to quit either. I know my stats kind of make my situation seem trivial but I am pretty sure it is the smoking (I am hyper sensitive to all kinds of stimulants) - What do I do here? Is it going to pass over soon - I feel like a zombie but I really don't want to be smoking all summer just to manage insomnia - I want to quit.

[nonico 7 Years Smoke Free]

Sleep will come

HI Dtoronto

Well, congratulations on not smoking - the sleep thing is a nuisance & will go eventually, but I do realise you need to sleep now.

Exercise of course is the key, but you may not have time for that. If you're anything like me - not on any medication - then you'll be very sensitive to any medication. I find that if I'm getting desperate for sleep one or two aspirin ( or equivalent) with warm milk does the trick.

Good luck with your exams.

[nsd_user663_56458]

Well i am the same with not being able to sleep very well.

I am very tired at bedtime but am wide awake before midnight, then just about every hour after that.

It must have a lot to do with my patches. The first few nights i didnt remove them until about 8pm but yesterday i removed it at tea time( 5pm ish) and slept slightly better.

Im hoping my sleep pattern improves soon, not only am i grumpy from lack of sleep but also grumpy from not smoking) haha

[nsd_user663_54332]

I have been trying to quit smoking for about a week but relapsed at a party on Thursday (had two) and then stopped again since. Coincidentally the only night this week where I didn't toss and turn and got more than 5 hours of sleep was Thursday night. I also slept horribly over a two week winter break where I wasn't smoking but hadn't put the two together until now. I haven't been smoking long (about 2.5 years and very lightly until the past 10 months) - at my worst I probably smoked about 10 a day. I don't have any other withdrawal symptoms - I can go the whole day without thinking about smoking, but this insomnia is killing me. I am a grad student and have exams starting in a week and a half, sleep is essential for retention of all that I am learning (and I tend to get stressed out over exams to begin with). I was thinking of resuming light smoking during this exam period but the problem is right after exams I am also going into a very demanding summer internship where I am in early and leave really late - so that won't be an ideal time to quit either. I know my stats kind of make my situation seem trivial but I am pretty sure it is the smoking (I am hyper sensitive to all kinds of stimulants) - What do I do here? Is it going to pass over soon - I feel like a zombie but I really don't want to be smoking all summer just to manage insomnia - I want to quit.

Hi Dtoronto, and it's great you want to quit!!

Unfortunately, there is never a "good" time to stop 'cos life always throws a spanner in the works *but* the longer you smoke, the harder it is to stop.

Honestly, "light smoking" won't work - all you'll do is spend most of the day craving a cigarette and you'll end up thinking you enjoy the ones you do smoke more.

How about either using NRT to get yourself over the addiction and reduce your dependence on nicotine, or some natural sleep aids?

Good luck

[nsd_user663_54849]

Congrats on giving it a whirl.

No matter how much or how little we smoke there is always a reason why we shouldn't - need to sleep, stress of something, impending night out etc basically if we all listened to them we would all still be smoking, although you do have some valid points

The main thing I would say is although you may not sleep that well initially soon you will be sleeping better than ever. Nicotine is a stimulant after all I genuinely can't believe how well I am sleeping now I have quit

I guess what I want to say is if you really want to give up no excuse will be good enough, a couple of nights not sleeping so well and you will sleep like a top the next night. And agree exercise is the key!!

Good luck either way!