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Bad sleep and itchy skin

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Bad sleep and itchy skin

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 206

Hey Collina -- One of the things I've really appreciated in this quit more than the 5 gazillion that preceded it is the chance to create new rituals almost every day. It sounds a whole lot more challenging than it really is; instead of wondering how in the world I'm going to get through the "next thing" without that mandatory cigarette, it's wonderfully liberating to do a new thing instead.

Remember, Collina, our business invented the phrase "new normal" in the wake of devastating disaster. Things will never be the way they were before, so we embrace the new normal. For you and me, it's the best thing that could ever have happened to us.

peteg

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 17

I don't know about Glenda the GOOD witch, but probably some kind of witch.

Peteg - I'm laying low at this point, I don't know how I would deal with the EOC (watch for the broom instead) or any type of deployment, that's one of my fears but again I think how much easier will that be? No running out of smokes, sneaking around, bumming, getting interrupted and then embarrassed because someone finds you outside smoking. And coming back in with the rotten smell of cigarettes clinging to my clothes and hair, like I'm hiding anything.
I have a competition this weekend, and I have a little ritual, that includes smoking, so I'm reworking that in my mind also. I know I'll get through it, but those little nicotine bugs keep telling my brain it won't be nearly as much fun (won't relieve the last minute stress) without a smoke. LIARS.

Just keep going, I will never light that first cigarette again! I have a chance to get it right this time.

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 206

You all are hilarious!!

With Collina in her bubble, all I can picture is Glenda, the Good Witch of the North floating around.

I promise the mean flying monkeys won't hang out forever... they disappear.

Hey Collina, we're probably in the same line of work; we might even know each other!! I'll keep an eye out for wandering bubbles in EOCs.

peteg

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 30

I am pretty sure night sweats are a normal part of the quitting process. Mine lasted I think from day 5 to day 14. I normally run hot so it was pretty gross as I would wake up soaking and in need of a night shower for my night sweats...so gross and annoying....the sweating went away and I haven't had a problem sleeping since...actually I think I sleep better now than when I was smoking. I have quit multiple times as well, and with this quit I'm on now was the first time I got the "night sweats". I don't know what to tell you about the itchy skin thing?!?!?? Good luck with your quit and sweat those NicoDemons right out your skin! There are a lot of great people on here with amazing advice and stories so keep reading and posting!!! :)

-G

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 17

For My Jewels, I have a similar allergy, but seem to be getting over it, as I become more rational. I also have no support or mention from my husband or even teen-age children, but why would they support or even believe I will do this, for good this time? I haven't been successful, until this time. It's totally different this time, easier some how, and I'm really just trying to stay with the non-smoking mindset.

The first 5 days, I stayed in a bubble separate from my husband, in my own space which was calming and soothing, all about concentrating on me. And I will go back to that bubble anytime I need. This time instead of letting the fierce, angry, bubbling craving take me over, I'm putting a visual in my head of a nasty nicotine bug screaming for a fix, but I'm starving it!! So I try to take myself to a quiet place when I feel it coming on and ride it out imagining the bug shriveling up.

No I haven't completely gone crazy, but this is what these ugly, nasty, controlling killer cigarettes have driven me to. I'll NEVER have another first one.

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 11226

Congratulations on 6 days!

Please remember sleeping disturbances are not only common but temporary! Here are a few tips to help you get back into a regular sleep schedule:

•Try to get on a sleep schedule. Go to bed at a regular time each night and get up at a regular time in the morning. Try to not stay up late watching TV and try not to sleep during the day. If you get on a sleep schedule, we guarantee that you’ll begin to feel better.
•Try to make the room you sleep in as quiet as possible. Consider ear plugs or a sleep mask.
•Use your bed only for sleeping. Don’t lounge around in your bed. If you spend too much time lounging in bed, watching T.V., drinking coffee, or eating, your body will learn that your bed is NOT a place for sleeping.
•If you can’t sleep after half an hour in bed don’t stay in bed trying to sleep. Get up and do some quiet activity. For example, read a book for a half hour and then try going back to bed. If you still can’t sleep, get up and do something quiet once again.
•Try to keep your bedroom at a comfortable temperature - not too cold and not too hot.
•Try to get some exercise every day. You’ll feel better and sleep will come much quicker.
•Try not to exercise or work hard late in the evening. It could make you feel ‘wired’.
•Don’t drink anything with caffeine or alcohol for 4 hours before you go to bed.
•Try not to eat a heavy meal in the evening. Don’t eat just before you go to bed.
•If you’re not sleeping at night, avoid naps during the day.
•Use relaxation techniques. Box breathing may help you relax at bed time.

In regards to the itchy rash it is best to talk to your doctor about this.

Ashley, Health Educator

Here to help :)

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 150

Jewels,

You are doing amazing! Just one minute or one second at a time. I can totally relate, I am sure alot of people here can. I feel like the past 22 days have been an emotional rollercoaster. One moment I am on top of the world telling myself how easy this quit is, and the next I am overcome by intense cravings. Sometimes these cravings make me cry, sometimes they make me scream, sometimes they make me numb....but they always go away.

I have been glued to this site for the past 22 days. I spend my time reading old posts and new posts, writing my thoughts and feelings in my craving journal, and posting my feelings on here. This has helped a lot.

I read this one post (but I cannot remember where it is...if I find it I will repost it!) of a letter that one person gave to their children, husband, friends when they quit.....which set out a list that explained what it is like to quit smoking and to ask for patience during this process. Does anyone remember where this post is? It may be helpful to have something like this to give to your husband.

You can do this!

~Alice

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 28

Thanks Alice and Charm for the reply

This whole sleep sweating thing sure is serious detox...omg i couldn't even imagine going through detox with harder drugs, eventhough they say it is harder to quit smoking than heroin...

As for all this itchy skin I am becoming convinced that maybe it isn't the weather, or quiting smoking...quite possibly I think it is an allergy to my husband...lol...after all he hasn't been very supportive with my smoking cessation. He was never a smoker and thinks I'm such a bitch right now during my withdrawls. He says I have done this to myself...and yes I have but what a prick... maybe subconciously my body is creating antibodies to him and I'm breaking out into an allergic reation....Sorry for whom ever is reading this, I really am talking sh@t but I am starting to jonse (crave) a ciggy...so my hands are going nuts typing. I am really sad right now and am sinking. Can anyone else relate?

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14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 312

Good morning Ladies,

I had the problem with sleeping, still do after 37 days. At the beginning I did wake up sweating, and that is soooo not normal for me, I am usually freezing. That has stopped, but I can't go to sleep, I can't stay asleep and I finally just get up due to frustration. This website tells us that after quitting smoking that we probably won't need as much sleep as before...PLEASE TELL MY BODY THAT. lol

Congrats 4 my Jewels, on making it to week 2....

Congrats Alice you are past your 3 weeks..

Charm

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14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 150

Jewels,

Congrats on surviving hell week!

I experienced similar symptoms. I had nightmares and night sweats. It seems to be a symptom that some quitters experience. If you search old posts for sleep problems, you will get a whole bunch of stories and advice. I am on day 22 and have gone from nightmares and night sweats to sleeping 12 hours a night.

My skin has also been extremely itchy. I contributed this to the change in weather. The cold weather usually dries out my skin. But, maybe it is caused by the quit. Has anyone else experienced this while quitting?

Cheers

~Alice

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