HELP! Smoking while sleeping

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Hi Natalie, great to meet you! 

 

Colleen already posted the link that I was thinking of, so now you know all about the pitfalls of quitting by gradual withdrawal...

 

You have already received so much great advice, that I just wanted to wish you well, and say that quitting Cold Turkey is not as scary as you think - you can do this!

 

Welcome to the Train!

[sgt.barney]

Any advice?

Yer doin' it wrong.

 

 

 

 

 

Easy Peasy

[Tink]

welcome natalie you have come to the right place to get support and education about this addiction

 

but for goodness sake stop smoking in bed!! - that sure will kill you quicker than the diseases associated with smoking - my blood ran cold when I read you falling asleep while smoking

 

put them downstairs or outside it will soon look less desirable to have to get out of bed first plus its safer!!

 

to quit research what feels best for you, go to your doctor, read and post here you have already started your journey by joining the train

 

It is never as hard as you think its going to be

 

the rest is one step at a time

 

welcome again to the train :)

[natalie_3]

Hello Natalie,

You have come to the right place.

Please read all you can and learn about nicotine addiction.

It is gruesome,  YOU have the power to quit !  It isn't as hard as you think.  

I smoked for what, 45 years ?! and quit last October just to see if I could do it.

Guess what ?  I am free !!!.  and the freedom is so beautiful !

You can do it too if you want.

I am sleepy right now, but I look forward to more communication with you.

Hoping you listen to these wise people here, they have taught me so much.

love,

S

 

Hi!

45 years! Wow. Congratulations!!!

Can you tell me more about your experience?

Thanks,

Nat

[natalie_3]

HI natalie,

 

Cut back method of smoking, blimey, tougher then quitting and that's my honest opinion. For me, I would spend all day counting the hours and holding on waiting for the next cig. Gradual torture is correct but it seems less scary then a really real quit - but it's not. Here's why... your brain does it's nicotine reflex between about 20 mins to an hour after your last smoke, so from that point you have a craving. It starts mild and builds up (this is probably what's actually waking you in the night!).

 

When you actually quit it's really not the same. Your thinking changes quite quickly. So instead of thinking when you would have a cig, you distract yourself and keep busy and the craves are less (remember now, as a smoker, if you are busy you smoke less don't you) so you just prepare some stuff to do so you think about it less and get the nicotine out of your system, hey presto, then there's less craves anyway and you just have to put in new habits, so when you would smoke you now do xyz instead. 

 

A load of guys and whyquit.com is also a great reading site that says it, advocate cold turkey. Others will say they used a patch, or gum, or zyban and so the list goes on...the truth of it is the fact you have posted here means you are really not liking your smoking habit at all. Totally understandable, it steals our health and money and we don't really even notice how bad it is in truth, until we kick it out and our thinking starts to change. A number of these guys also used a book you read while you still smoke called Allen Carr. What works for one won't always work for another so don't worry about a one size fits all approach, go with your gut instinct of what feels right to you.

 

Welcome!! x

 

Thanks so much for your reply!

For what you explain me it would be better to try to cut it cold turkey. It scares me in a lot of ways because I´ve been analyzing it and my psychological addiction is also quite strong, it´s not only the nicotine withdrawal but the fact that I find confidence in the cigarette. It has become my safety blanket. I can´t picture my life without smoking! Advice on that?

:)

Nat

[natalie_3]

Natalie welcome on  board the QT, you will find lots of help and advice here, the gradual withdrawal from cigarettes just doesn't work hunny we have all been down that road, I'm afraid that's the addiction keeping hold of you, in a year's time you will still be cutting back...trust me on that one, if you are seriously wanting to quit, do it, the fear is also part of the addiction its the one thing that kept us all smoking for years, the fear of missing something, what will I do without my smokes....you will be a lot healthier and happier for a start, no more dipping your feet in the water, close your eyes and deep breath and jump in, we are all here to catch you and be with you on your journey, its wonderful xxx

 

Hi Jackie!

Your lovely welcome gives me the strenght to jump in!

You´ll be hearing a lot from me LOL

Thanks

Nat

[natalie_3]

Hi and huge welcome to this wonderful,place.....

I smoked 52years,tried the cutting down method quite a few times....and failed

My advice ....read everything you can,then read it again......education is the answer....

Don't over think....jump in here.....we will support you....

The actual quit...is not as scary as you think......you just think it is....

You can do it.....believe in yourself.....xxxx

 

Thanks! 

I´ll try! And congratulations! Quitting after 52 years sure wasn´t easy. If you don´t mind sharing your experience with me?

Nat

[natalie_3]

Hi Nat - everyone has already given you great advice so I will just say welcome and reinforce you can do this! Like almost everyone here I made efforts to cut down and that never worked - but after over 30 years of smoking I said enough and quit cold turkey - the truth is the thought of quitting is much worse than the actual quit. There will be some rough times - but that is what we are here for - to support you through them ! You can do this

 

Thank you so much for your lovely welcome! 

Knowing I have this support really helps me. 

:)

Nat

[natalie_3]

Hi Natalie, great to meet you! 

 

Colleen already posted the link that I was thinking of, so now you know all about the pitfalls of quitting by gradual withdrawal...

 

You have already received so much great advice, that I just wanted to wish you well, and say that quitting Colt Turkey is not as scary as you think - you can do this!

 

Welcome to the Train!

 

Thanks a lot!

You´ll be hearing from me  :P

Nat

[natalie_3]

welcome natalie you have come to the right place to get support and education about this addiction

 

but for goodness sake stop smoking in bed!! - that sure will kill you quicker than the diseases associated with smoking - my blood ran cold when I read you falling asleep while smoking

 

put them downstairs or outside it will soon look less desirable to have to get out of bed first plus its safer!!

 

to quit research what feels best for you, go to your doctor, read and post here you have already started your journey by joining the train

 

It is never as hard as you think its going to be

 

the rest is one step at a time

 

welcome again to the train :)

 

I know it´s incredibly risky! And I don´t rest all night!

Maybe as some other members said, my body wakes up on a huge craving. 

I´m definitely going to quit once and for all. 

Thank you for your welcome.

Nat

[Tink]

I know it´s incredibly risky! And I don´t rest all night!

Maybe as some other members said, my body wakes up on a huge craving. 

I´m definitely going to quit once and for all. 

Thank you for your welcome.

Nat

nice to see you nat :)

 

yes unfortunately the more nicotine you put into you body the more it wants - crap addition!!

 

the freedom you will gain from quitting with be amazing I cannot wait to see your journey and your transformation

 

have you set a date or have a plan yet nat?

[natalie_3]

nice to see you nat :)

 

yes unfortunately the more nicotine you put into you body the more it wants - crap addition!!

 

the freedom you will gain from quitting with be amazing I cannot wait to see your journey and your transformation

 

have you set a date or have a plan yet nat?

 

Hi :)

Yes, thanks to the advice I´ve received and some things I´ve reading I´ll stop...tomorrow!!!!

Someone said "the sooner the better", and I think it´s true, I´m always waiting for Monday, New Year... and I keep putting it off. A question, does NRT like the patch or gum keeps this addiction going?

[action]

Thanks a lot!

You´ll be hearing from me  :P

Nat

 

Good ;)

 

Hi :)

Yes, thanks to the advice I´ve received and some things I´ve reading I´ll stop...tomorrow!!!!

Someone said "the sooner the better", and I think it´s true, I´m always waiting for Monday, New Year... and I keep putting it off. A question, does NRT like the patch or gum keeps this addiction going?

 

This is very true - I was putting it off for years waiting for the 'perfect' last day, 'perfect' frame of mind, or 'perfect' last cigarette... none of which ever happened.  I could say I had planned to stop smoking, but the truth is that I was 'planning' it for years... never the 'right' moment!  One day last November I got a bout of Flu the likes of which I had never had before - it came along with a nice dose of Chest Infection for good measure.  I was laid up in bed for a few weeks, during which time I did not have the energy (nor the desire) to get up, dressed, down 2 flights of stairs, and out into the cold to get my fix.  When I was finally better, it had been 2 weeks since I had smoked my last cigarette, which was around 12:30 lunch time on October 12th 2013.  At the time, I had had no idea it would be my last - it was just a cigarette I had outside a shop in town, and ir tasted foul (I already had the sore throat at the point, so it really hurt to smoke!)... So, I decided to see 'how long' I could last... fast forward 10 months later, and I am still smoke free, and loving life :)

 

So, what I was trying to say (in my sometimes ridiculously long-winded kind of way) is that you don;t need to wait for that 'perfect' time - you can just quit and stay quit, no matter when you smoked your last one ;)

 

So, you will be having your last smoke today?  I really hope so, because I would love for your to be a non-smoker ;)

[natalie_3]

Good ;)

 

 

This is very true - I was putting it off for years waiting for the 'perfect' last day, 'perfect' frame of mind, or 'perfect' last cigarette... none of which ever happened.  I could say I had planned to stop smoking, but the truth is that I was 'planning' it for years... never the 'right' moment!  One day last November I got a bout of Flu the likes of which I had never had before - it came along with a nice dose of Chest Infection for good measure.  I was laid up in bed for a few weeks, during which time I did not have the energy (nor the desire) to get up, dressed, down 2 flights of stairs, and out into the cold to get my fix.  When I was finally better, it had been 2 weeks since I had smoked my last cigarette, which was around 12:30 lunch time on October 12th 2013.  At the time, I had had no idea it would be my last - it was just a cigarette I had outside a shop in town, and ir tasted foul (I already had the sore throat at the point, so it really hurt to smoke!)... So, I decided to see 'how long' I could last... fast forward 10 months later, and I am still smoke free, and loving life :)

 

So, what I was trying to say (in my sometimes ridiculously long-winded kind of way) is that you don;t need to wait for that 'perfect' time - you can just quit and stay quit, no matter when you smoked your last one ;)

 

So, you will be having your last smoke today?  I really hope so, because I would love for your to be a non-smoker ;)

 

Yes. Today I´ll "enjoy" my last cigarette. I have a couple of question, I hope not to bother you. Is NRT another way of continuing the habit or it really helps? Did you have issues with your weight? I´ve read you only gain around 5 pounds but I´m not sure because I put on weight easily. 

Thanks :)

Nat

[Sazerac]

What's up ?
Go to the Quit Train Blog and start educating yourself.

Just quit. It aint gonna kill ya.  You won't regret it.

 

Look at sammie's blog !  He is brand spanking new and rockin' it !

Everyone here has a great story. You get started on your story, quit NOW.

Love, 

S

[action]

Yes. Today I´ll "enjoy" my last cigarette. I have a couple of question, I hope not to bother you. Is NRT another way of continuing the habit or it really helps? Did you have issues with your weight? I´ve read you only gain around 5 pounds but I´m not sure because I put on weight easily. 

Thanks :)

Nat

 

I'm sorry Nat, but I am no expert on NRT, because I have never used any.  Some folks use it and build successful quits, while others have failed using NRT, and only found their freedom going cold Turkey.

 

About weight gain - everyone will be different here... I didn't gain any weight - well, actually, I lost about 5 or 6 lbs when I had the flu, and gained it back just after, so I was back to my 'normal' weight within a month.  But, everyone will be different.  A lot of us have started eating more healthy diets and doing a lot more exoricse since we quit - honestly, when you stop smoking, you see so many other ways in which you want to 'improve' your life.  However, the best advice I can offer is - do not worry about your weight too much at the beginning of your quit - a few extra pounds isn't anywhere near as bad for you as smoking is, and you can work on loosing them later, when you are a non-smoker :p

 

It might be an idea to start some new threads asking those very questions - only because this is your 'intorduction thread', and once people have said hello, they might not come back to this thread often - so, please don't be afraid to start any number of new threads, with whatever questions you may have ;)

[Nancy]

Yes. Today I´ll "enjoy" my last cigarette. I have a couple of question, I hope not to bother you. Is NRT another way of continuing the habit or it really helps? Did you have issues with your weight? I´ve read you only gain around 5 pounds but I´m not sure because I put on weight easily. 

Thanks :)

Nat

Welcome, Natalie!  I will try to answer your questions.  There are varying opinions on NRT.  Some people believe it helped them to step down the nicotine gradually; they just didn't believe they could do it without help. I was like that, but I chose Chantix instead of NRT.  Others believe Cold Turkey is easier, it gets the nicotine out of your system more quickly.  I've seen it compared to taking the band aid off slowly, or ripping it off all at once.  Whatever you decide, we will be here to support you.

 

As far as weight gain, I would recommend putting your quit first right now, and dealing with any weight gain later.  I gained 8 pounds, but now weigh less than when I started.  Keep healthy snacks and juice handy, quitting plays havoc with blood sugar levels so you need to eat frequently.

 

Congratulations on your decision to quit!

[action]

Look at sammie's blog !  He is brand spanking new and rockin' it !

 

Our Sammie is a lady ;) :p :rolleyes:

[Tink]

nat whatever you chose to quit please do not worry about the weight so much but having a plan can help with that too

 

healthy snacks and exercising can help with the quit 

 

you can get a double wammy feeling fitter and healthier with your quit

 

most people have picked up healthier lifestyles and hobbies you just have to keep moving and have plenty of water and heathy snacks with you

 

there is a thread here that you can read and join in with 

 

I feel you will love your new life :)

[sgt.barney]

 I can´t picture my life without smoking! Advice on that?

 

 

You don't have to picture it.

 

Just live it.

 

 

 

Easy Peasy

[Doreensfree]

Thanks! 

I´ll try! And congratulations! Quitting after 52 years sure wasn´t easy. If you don´t mind sharing your experience with me?

Nat

Hi nat....

I quit after all those years,just the same as all the good folks here....I promised myself

Never to stick anything in my mouth ever again and light it.....I was told as a newbie.....

Whatever happens smoking is NOT on the table.....

Something's stick in your mind,and these were two of them.....

It's so doable.....and even more so with the support here.....

It's your decision whether to go cold turkey or use n.r.t......all roads lead to Rome.........

Yes I said it right....(it's a joke here).....

Glad your here....xx

[ChRiSpY]

Hello and welcome... not sure where you are at here with your quit... alot of posts to read here and I am just plain too lazy to read them.

 

Scared?????  I can see it... I was too... scared of relapse... it is part of what kept me going... I was NOT GOING TO FAIL.. period.

 

Pick you path...NRT or no NRT and let's rock this quit.  I used Nico gum... it really helped me to stop smoking...it took the edge off.  HOWEVER... it took me longer to end the nicotine addiction.  Different strokes for different folks.  Do what you need to do to quit.  Cold turkey or NRT... let;s go. 

 

It will suck either way... for sure... but you know what the other side is AWESOME.. you are about to become a new person.

[Doreensfree]

Yes. Today I´ll "enjoy" my last cigarette. I have a couple of question, I hope not to bother you. Is NRT another way of continuing the habit or it really helps? Did you have issues with your weight? I´ve read you only gain around 5 pounds but I´m not sure because I put on weight easily. 

Thanks :)

Nat

Nat,there is a section here on healthy lifestyle,if need be....I didn't gain anything either.....

There are some goods tips on how to lose weight .....

I was about to have two feet amputated if I didn't quit.....

That would have lost me a few pounds I'm sure.....

But there ARE better ways.....

Putting on a few pounds is so much better than smoking....xx

[Still winning]

Thanks so much for your reply!

For what you explain me it would be better to try to cut it cold turkey. It scares me in a lot of ways because I´ve been analyzing it and my psychological addiction is also quite strong, it´s not only the nicotine withdrawal but the fact that I find confidence in the cigarette. It has become my safety blanket. I can´t picture my life without smoking! Advice on that?

:)

Nat

I just meant that cold turkey is advocated by most - I didn't do it, I was scared senseless and needed a crutch :)

 

The physical addiction is simply staying on course and not smoking. Easy to do actually, much easier then I ever let myself believe it would be. Chrispy mentioned the two I was told and used as well. Smoking is not on the table today and the only rule is don't put something in your mouth and set it on fire.

 

The mental side. Is a mix, honestly. Some days I was so excited to not be smoking it didn't feel mentally tough at all, it felt like a wonderful free fall to freedom. No I'm not known for being flouncy in my descriptions lol, I genuinely loved the freedom and I hadn't ever considered I would feel like that. Some days sucked and I felt grumpy as all hell. But there it lies..."I FELT" it was only a feeling, a thought. For some reason I assumed it would be so much more, I was genuinely scared it was so much more but the reality is I would think something and then I could choose - would I carry on thinking about it or would I shout do whatever it needed to face that thought, simply tell it where to go or just distract myself with something else to do,

 

End game, a thought can't do me any damage at all, smoking could really do damage in so many ways. I'd rather face a few bad thoughts then some of the illness I've seen smoking cause or the financial hardship I let it cause me. It became a no brainer!  Plus that's what this forum is for. When you feel great POST, when you feel rubbish, POST. If you are having lots of thoughts POST or blog, or message someone you trust and let us carry you and support you.

 

Ultimately I quit from almost 40 per day, for over 20 years and I did it - but these guys cheered and we love to do that for you or anyone who wants a quit. We "get the fear, the feelings" and we say jump! There will never be a right time. There will never be a point at which it will feel right. You are going to feel scared and excited at the same time. Jump anyway!!  We will hold out a net :)  Your slavery will soon be done by the sounds of it and what we offer is to support and help you find your own freedom from addiction to nicotine... you can have more self worth, more money, better health, less fear, it's fabulous!!  

 

For now though, no overthinking. You simply wake tomoz and don't smoke. If you want a patch or gum and it feels right for you, then fine. If you just want to get it done, then don't. Face tomoz, don't think any further. Wake choose no smoking today and post...I promise, you will feel good about it. xx

[Still winning]

PS, I forgot to say. In max one week, I couldn't see any future in me ever smoking again. Even on tough days I still made a choice not to smoke. Don't worry that you can't picture it, that's only because you haven't done it in so long. It will honestly just happen if you don't smoke. xx