CPAP & Quitting Smoking!

[pilewis]

Hey all,

I am sure there must be others out there who have undergone this and managed with success or may have come across my issues below. Any help or advice would be fantastic.

Ok for the last 3 months now I have been trying to give up smoking. I have been using combination therapy of both Nicotine gum and Patches. However, for the last 3 weeks I have decided to drop these off as it feels like I am cheating and have given up on the cigerttes and moved to NRT.

But, and this is where the issues are. I am feeling very tired all the time and although am using my CPAP as normal I am finding I am going to bed a lot earlier and sleeping more and more hours and when awaking still feel like have only had one or two hours sleep. I make sure I use my CPAP when I take the naps but it doesn't seem to help.

I have looked through websites about Nicotine withdrawal and it says a lot of what I am happening is common but just wondered if anyone one out there has experienced this or is or has any good advice.

Many thanks in advance!!

[Sparticus]

Strange

Things are getting stranger by the Hour, maybe it just my paranoia!

Anyways check out this post

http://forums.cpap.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1730

[pilewis]

RE: Strange

Hmm think need to re-read this one! Must have missed this one

Mind you doesn't help with the pain am in at the moment must see what can do!!

[Tigers Fan]

Heroin, tea, nicotine - you name it.

Hi pilewis

Being British, many of us don't consider the psychological implications of addiction withdrawal, and yet ..........

Consider your smoking as self-medication to help you cope with some difficult emotions. Remove the medication and the painful emotions are free to surface - ouch! - what to do? How can I prevent this experience? A favourite is to transfer the addiction to something else (mince pies!!!!!) and another is to sleep, be permanently tired in order to not experience the emotions. Problem with this is that in suppressing/sleeping/being tired the painful emotions, all your other emotions (and life) are suppressed too.

You can let things take their own course (and finish up who knows where) or take action. My recommendation is to submit yourself to a disciplined sleep regime of regular bed and waking times and then talking to people about what you experience emotionally - I feel sad, depressed, angry, I keep thinking of the time when ...., Mum, Dad, Loved One keeps popping into my mind.

Another model is Twelve Steps - go to an AA Meeting (is there an SA programme?) and think 'nicotine' when they talk about alcohol.

I worked for the NHS for a few years helping people come off alcohol and heroin mainly but nicotine and tea came up regularly. Cocaine needs a different approach.

Good luck!

TF

[symmit]

I'd always say the first thing to do when you've created a hole in your life is to fill it with something else - find a new hobby!

[Sparticus]

Hi Pilewis, Im now on ermm day 34 I think, Ive stopped counting lol. Yes when you stop it does effect your OSA quite badly, so much so that in my 34 days I think Ive worn my mask about 6 times, I just dont bother. I know Im still having apneas but nowhere near as bad as it was before, cant wait to see the data.

I used patches to start with for 4 weeks then just couldnt be bothered with them anymore so just used nothing. After 100's of attempts to quit not sure why this time is so easy, maybe this time I really wanted to quit and with fags approaching £10 a pack it just aint worth it anymore. I do miss my smoking but I cant justify the expense. If you want my honest opinion forget all the junk thats out there and get yourself an electric fag, the blowing smoke deals with the mental side of quitting and the NRT deals with the cravings, also it does feel nice in the hand. Mine sits on my computer desk and sometimes im sucking or playing with it without my knowledge lol It also cheers me up when I see peoples faces when Im puffing away in shops lol GOOD LUCK!!

[jackyk]

well done sparticus. i always vowed i wouldnt complain about the smell of smoke etc once i stopped. unfortunately i cant help it, it knocks me sick now yukkkkkkkkkk

[Sparticus]

well done sparticus. i always vowed i wouldnt complain about the smell of smoke etc once i stopped. unfortunately i cant help it, it knocks me sick now yukkkkkkkkkk

My E-Ciggy is apple flavoured lol smells quite nice lol

[Berneta]

E-Ciggy

Well if Fishburn is still all that primitive--you better watch out Graham. Bet those Apple E-Ciggy's make you smell good enough to eat. LOL xx Berneta

[Sparticus]

Well if Fishburn is still all that primitive--you better watch out Graham. Bet those Apple E-Ciggy's make you smell good enough to eat. LOL xx Berneta

Where would you like to start lol

[Berneta]

Apples

Hi Graham, I can start anywhere--happen to love apples. But I should warn you, my teeth are my own and sharp. Maybe you should just give me an apple ciggy, LOL, x Berneta

[Sparticus]

Hi Graham, I can start anywhere--happen to love apples. But I should warn you, my teeth are my own and sharp. Maybe you should just give me an apple ciggy, LOL, x Berneta

ok you win heres your apple, I wont give poison out lol so no ciggy x

[Sparticus]

Dont Do It!

My Advise to anyone thinking of quitting smoking, dont do it! Unless you are prepared to go through hell and back with your sleep. Ive now got RLS, Insomnia not to mention my osa which must be registering off the scale as I cant sleep with my mask anymore, dont ask me why because I just dont know. I think my body will be crashing soon because something isnt right

[symmit]

Sparticus - it was never going to be easy to give up a habit and an addiction that's been part of your life for years, but long term you'll be thankful for it. It's your choice to smoke or not to smoke, but once you're body has got used to the lack of nicotine, and the removal of the activity of smoking, you'll be happy again.

Have you tried your GP to see if you can get some assistance with the insomnia short term?

[Sparticus]

Im not smoking!

yes its my choice and I choose not to smoke, I have no more urges to smoke and Im feeling a million times better "BUT" with me stopping it has wrecked my osa routine, now either my o2 sats have risen or maybe its my lungs with their extra capacity that have to get use to all the apap again I dont know but something is definatly not right? I have been sat here since 3am and if I could have slept I would have, I still think my SWSD is a factor, well I will phone the sleep clinic shortly and speak to my doc