Having stopped smoking , i am now experiencin... - Quit Support
Having stopped smoking , i am now experiencing strange dreams and having really bad stomach pains. Is this a common symptom?
Hi ya Lanemorph, and welcome to this lovely quit smoking site 
Erm, strange dreams are pretty common am not sure about the stomach pains though.
Are you using any NRT at all ??
Pete
Hi Pete.
I am using the patches and mouth spray.Also, without wishing to sound like a hypochondriac, my joints are really painful. Before i quit, a few months ago, i had no health issues.
Hi Lanemorph,
I think you have seen my blog quitsupport.healthunlocked....
Yes, I have the joint pains too. Revisit the blog above and there is some more information, thanks to Monky.
Its only me again, i've just found this about the dreams you may be having !!
Emjay one of our support advisers bloged it some time ago, it just may help you to understand what you are going through
Vivid dreams explained
Posted by EmJay ROY CASTLE 17 Aug 2012Report
For those of you who are newly quit, I thought I'd repost the following...
James, one of our lovely Stop Smoking Advisors has found some information that I thought you might all find interesting;
Vivid dreams are found to not be a side effect from stop smoking products. It has been discovered through research that it is part of the recovery process. The brain begins to repair itself and reverse damage caused from smoking. Neurobiologists have discovered that brain cells sprout new axons and nerve fibres during dream sleep. A chemical named serotonin in the brain triggers the brain to dream.
Smoking depletes serotonin production in the brain. When serotonin levels in the brain are balanced it creates a happy and contented state of mind. When serotonin levels are low a depressed and anxious state of mind is created. It is believed that smoking cigarettes can deplete serotonin levels by up to 50%. What compounds this problem is that the brain accepts the chemicals in a cigarette as a serotonin substitute on the basis that any chemical response is better than no chemical response at all. So therefore, when an individual stops smoking, serotonin production improves and the brain begins to compensate itself for lost serotonin production. The brain then produces more serotonin than needed, resulting in vivid dreams and nightmares.
Research has shown that it takes the brain 3 weeks to regulate serotonin levels.
Further research suggests that with an increase in serotonin levels there must be an increase in oxygen levels too. When a person stops smoking, carbon monoxide no longer takes priority over oxygen on the red blood cells. As a result of this change, oxygen levels of the individual increase. More oxygen is carried around the body and to the brain. When the stop smoker sleeps there is a higher percentage of oxygen reaching the brain than when they where a smoker. This process helps promote a process called rapid eye movement (REM) while sleeping. REM is an important process in dream production along with serotonin production.
It is essential to reassure a client that the first three weeks of a quit attempt are crucial. Vivid dreams are all part and parcel of the recovery process and the pathway to a healthier life style.
It is a positive symptom as it is the brains way of repairing itself and returning to a better deeper sleep.
Hi Lanemorph,
I too am using the patches, which are the 25mg - 16 hour ones, i was using the inhalator, but just changed to the mouth spray also because i think it helps me more, so i will see if i get any of your symptoms this week, erm if you have a look just below your blog, you will see Jai who has bloged a question about painful finger joints !!
May i ask how long you have been quit for and do you take any other medication ??
If you think that i'm beeing too personal, then just dont answer eh
I want to help you if i can
Pete
Hi Pete,
I stopped 6 weeks ago. Just woke up and decided that there would never be a right time. There would always be some crisis or excuse but smoking wouldn't prevent these happening.
I am on mirtazapine which is a anti depressant and i will always need to take them and Prednisolone.
I have read Jais' blog so maybe it is a common factor when one quits. I have never had any problems prior to stopping but i know that the benefits of being a non smoker far outweigh those of one that does.
May i say, i am delighted to find this group as i feel everyone motivates each other. My friend who quit with me goes to a group session but there isn't one near me at night.
Thanks for your support i appreciate it very much
Lanemorph, i dont go to a group session, I just asked at my local chemist and found out that they do 1 to 1 on a Saturday morning, which is great for me because i work different shifts
Maybe ask at your local chemist, also could be a lot cheaper for you if you have a look on my blog just below this
I am sure Emjay or Jarvo will be in touch shortly, and if you give them your post code, erm in private message of course, then maybe they will find your nearest quit smoking help centre
I'm very sorry i couldnt help you more Lanemorph, but as you said, it is much much healthier to be a non smoker
Please dont go away, because somebody on this lovely site will be able to help you.
Hopefully speak again
Pete
Are you fine now
Hi Wait12, a big warm welcome to our lovely quit support community
I'm Pete by the way, just wandering if you have quit already and if so, when ? or are you thinking about it ? 
There's loads of help and advice on here and our members or just flippin terrific and very friendly too
Come and have a chat with us
Thanks Pete. I am not struggling, but finding this site means that there are others out there who are experiencing the same hiccups as i. Also, it's easier to persevere because i don't want to be a failure when others need support. Like you, i work irregular hours but if there is a group in the vicinity i would go.
Again, many thanks for your support.
K
Hi
I am so pleased i have found this site.....by accident! i am having loads of the symptons people are writiing about and have not felt so ill since i have stopped smoking. I have had the stomach cramps too 
The last time i stopped smoking it wasnt as bad as this and please be reminded that one cigarette can lead to the evil fags getting hold of you again! i stopped for ten years and then i stupidly had one, 7 years later i have stopped again it is only week 6 and i am having a rotten time but its nice to know this site exists
Hi lindatriphook and congratulations on finding our lovely community. Please come and join in the daily chat where you can have a rant and a laugh or ask any questions you like.
Well done on getting to your 6th week and sorry to hear you've been having stomach problems. Have a look through the archives or search the tags for any more info you may find useful.
Welcome aboard, Andi
Hi andi22, thank you for the welcome
I am having more than the stomach ache! i have joint pains, i have felt sick, i cant think straight, my memory has turned to blah! blah! blah and i have had nose bleeds its been really really hell.... it s been 6 weeks and no end in sight!
I was thinking that the research that has been done regarding stopping smoking before 40 may have something to do with it, i stopped smoking the last time when i was 34 and had smoked for nearly 20 years and compared to this it was a breeze! i am now 53 and have smoked for 8 years and i am suffering sooooo much
i am determined to succeed and too scared to go back to the fags because of the dizzieness and disgusting taste and letting what i have gone through over the last 6 weeks be for nothing.
Hi . Well im pleased to say that the stomach pains have gone after a week. The pain was so bad i was pacing the floor at night. I had really bad insomnia but that too has stopped. I am still having bad dreams. One thing i find interesting is you saying you have memory loss. Yesterday, i tried to remember where i was working the previous day and i just couldn't.!!! I even rang a work colleague today and told her my memory was going. Hopefully this too will pass.Oh, i do have joint pains but even so, i don't want to smoke. I' have gone 6 weeks today without a cigarette and i don't want to go back to day 1. Day 43 is more of an incentive to carry on for me.
I am pleased that you are determined to carry on, i'm sure all these little hiccups will pass
and you will start to feel better soon.
Just to let you know I still have the odd dream that I am smoking after many months of being a non smoker, but I just acknowledge that I can control real life but my dreams are random and uncontrollable , and every fag smoked when sleeping, is not real and that's how it's going to stay. Hope you soon get through this feeling and keep strong, being smoke free is fantastic
Hi John,
I can't really say if your dreams are due to not smoking or not. I must confess though i have had more dreams of my son since i quit, so maybe it is because of not smoking. Quitting is hard enough but, you have chosen a very difficult time to stop. I applaud you for your determination and hope things get easier for you.
LM
Well done John on quitting when your having such a hard time and feeling so sad and down, I dont know how you feel but it must be so painful, your a very brave man to pick this stressful time to stop and I wish you all the best. I am sure your Wife is proud of you and will help you in unforseen ways.
madmad
Hello is anyone still on here as posts are 2 years old...I would like to join you please x
Hi rosieredhead, welcome to the site..... click on the HEALTHUnlocked at the top of the page and it will take you to the recent posts You can then click on post and tell us a bit about yourself..... whether your using NRT or cold turkey and how long your quit or whether your just thinking of starting your quit journey .....
