So tired since I stopped smoking

[Ilovemycatsomuch]

I stopped smoking 10 days ago, after over 25 years as a smoker.

I am using a vape with 18mg liquid and am only having the occasional craving, which doesn't bother me to much.

I feel very confident that I won't smoke again.

But.... I feel completely exhausted, physically weak and mentally foggy. I can sleep for 8-9 hours at night and then keep falling asleep in the day! I don't have to work at the moment and I don't have any children to look after, which is a good thing because my motivation to do anything is at rock bottom. I feel like I'm barely functioning...I haven't had a shower or dressed for at least 2 days! I just want to sleep.

Has anyone else who has successfully given up smoking been through this? Is it normal, or is there something wrong with me? And how long will this last?

I'm not about to start smoking again to make this go away, but I hope there is a light at the end of the tunnel!

This is nicotine withdrawal and it lasts about 3-4 weeks. Just stay healthy, eat well, get outdoors and exercise, do small things that make you feel good about yourself.

@SweetBabyCheeses99 Thank you. I can't believe how flat I feel. However, it's good to hear that it's temporary, and really this is an ideal time to go through this....especially with the lack of socialising (due to omicron!), and no work to do at the moment either. Silver linings!

Caffeine and nicotine make each other work more/less can't remember exactly, but you often have to change your caffeine habits and not just due to the association of "coffee and a cigarette" there is a chemical reason.

Nicotine is a stimulant, so reducing nicotine will a) mean you don't have the stimulant and b) mean you have the withdrawal symptoms of nicotine including low energy/fatigue. The second will resolve after a few weeks. The first part is trickier and for me I realised that I had been using smoking to help with my ADHD symptoms (which I thought had outgrown as a teenager eg. When I started smoking). I also used it when I was anxious or stressed which I replaced with breathing exercises, walks and short yoga sessions, and socially which was solved by changing my social group and giving up alcohol (more self control, no social smoking).

@Tinylittlecabbages Thank you Tiny. I have anxiety, depression and ptsd....which predates my smoking. It's all been quite well controlled recently. It does resonate with me, the using nicotine to address underlying problems. I definitely feel that the sudden dip in my nicotine induced stimulation is causing a bit of an increase in my depression! I have been reading today about dopamine etc, so it does make sense.

Thank you for your advice. And I will try to make it a priority to increase stress relieving and mood increasing activities each day. It is sooooo hard, because I feel so flat! But it is the only answer. I'm certain I do not want to smoke again!

Well done on 10 days that's awesome 👏🏻 I gave up nine months ago and remember the first month being tricky for the same reasons. I just took it one day at a time and focused on eating well and getting gentle exercise. Good luck!!!

@mysterybag Thank you, I need to hear that! And well done too 💐