Sleep Problems After Quitting

[Bdwallhau]

Have any of you experienced serious sleep challenges after quitting? I’m just shy of two weeks into my quit. I’m NOT using the patch, Chantix, or any other med known to interfere with sleep. I am using the lozenge, but most days I only use two with the second one coming after lunch. 

For three nights now, I’ve fallen asleep just fine, and then wake up 30 minutes to an hour later.  That pattern continues for the rest of the night, sleeping an hour and then waking up again. If I’m really lucky,  i’ll sleep two straight hours at least one time during the night.  Finally, around 4 AM, I give up and just stay up. I am EXHAUSTED.  I need to fix this somehow, or I’m worried it could lead to a slip. I'm not young enough to go without sleep like this and still manage to work full time. 

 If you’ve had a similar experience, what did you do that helped?  Is this a quit-related thing that will end soon? What do you guys think? 

[GyorgyiM]

I would check out this site (below)  and hopefully you can find your "niche" to help you sleep. My advice is not to let it upset you and not to fight it. That only makes it worse (trust me). I just do some deep breathing when I realize my body and mind are up and about....This is normal and it will pass.....It is a small price to pay (irritation and restlessness) on a temporary level to get your body back to a healthy and HAPPY restful place.

12 Ways to Relieve Insomnia When You Quit Smoking 

Miles of  Smiles...

[Bdwallhau]

Grazie, GyorgyiM‌.  I'm doing well with most of the items on the link, but there are 1 or 2 I can do better with (not taking naps, and trying warm milk and/or herbal tea).  I remember how tortured I was by lack of sleep on Chantix and even the patch. That was the main reason I decided this quit would be without those meds.  So, I was taken by surprise when this issue developed a few days ago.

Your advice not to fight it and not to let it make me anxious is very good. It's easy to fall into that trap. I already have, in some ways. I need to fix that.

[Giulia]

In my case the sleeping problem is not past tense (but not due to my quit as I quit 12 years ago).  You're correct in that Melatonin is helpful in getting to sleep but not necessarily keeping you there.  My problem varies.  There is no pattern.  Sometimes my thoughts are churning before bed, sometime I'll awaken and my mind fires up then.  I thought it might be alcohol related as we eat late and I have a cocktail late, but I haven't had a drink for a month and there's no change.  I will say that I probably get over stimulated by watching stuff on my computer into the wee hours, or responding late at night on this site as that tends to get my mind ablaze also.  I haven't tried it for sleep, but isochronic tones and binauiral beats tend to immediately chill my brain.  You might google them.  I suspect people either love them or hate them.

[Giulia]

Good link list Gyorgy has given you.  I have trouble sleeping and alternate OTC meds.  One night Melatonin, another Ibuprofen PM, Unisom, Benadryl type antihistimes can help.  I alternate simply because the body can become accustomed to one and then it stops working.  Something they don't work anyway.  And obviously the non drug way is preferable and check out the side effects of any drugs before you take them.  

As Gyorgy said, this sleeplessness is not uncommon in the early stages of quitting.  Sometimes I'll just get up and do something non stimulating (like iron) for half an hour.  That often helps get me back to sleep.  Maybe a game of solitaire?  Eventually your body will adjust and go back to it's normal sleeping pattern.

[Bdwallhau]

Giulia‌, did you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep? I considered trying melatonin, but I'd heard it's most effective for those who have trouble falling asleep. Since my issue is with staying asleep, I didn't think it would help. But, if your issue was also with staying asleep and melatonin was helpful, that's encouraging.

It's reassuring to hear that this is normal and will likely change.  Sooner rather than later, I hope!

[GyorgyiM]

You might have to go out and buy a dog.......LoL

Hope you find your "niche"...

Smiles...

[Bdwallhau]

Ha ha! I have two dogs, and my husband would be thrilled if I let them sleep in the bed with us! I've always resisted sharing my sleep space with them, but he loves it when the dogs crawl into bed and cuddle with us. I guess now I have reason to cave

[GyorgyiM]

CAVE! CAVE! CAVE! Yippppeeeeee, we get to sleep on the bed!!!

!!!

[maryfreecig]

When I have had sleep problems (waking up), I take 1/4 dose of mouth melt unisom--has been neither too much, nor too little. While awake, I think of only neutral things and allow no festering or pestering thoughts, no work thoughts.