Hey Lisa... Did u start craving smokes after your dream? It really is something else not to just quit, but to stay quit. I think you are 2-3 months quit? I am still using the lozenges. I feel really bad about it some days, and then some days I don't...

Jenny, I really hope that u are not in as much pain today as u were earlier this week. You guys are rocking it. I am so happy for you both, as well as Erika too!!

As long as you don't smoke in real life, Lisa. Research shows it doesn't mean it's a result of a desire or intent to smoke. 

Among 293 smokers abstinent for between 1 and 4 weeks, 33% reported having at least 1 dream about smoking. In most dreams, subjects caught themselves smoking and felt strong negative emotions, such as panic and guilt. Dreams about smoking were the result of tobacco withdrawal, as 97% of subjects did not have them while smoking, and their occurrence was significantly related to the duration of abstinence. They were rated as more vivid than the usual dreams and were as common as most major tobacco withdrawal symptoms. In subjects abstinent for 1 year, 63% recalled having dreams about smoking. They had on average 5 of them, and about a quarter occurred after the 6th month of abstinence. Having dreams about smoking was prospectively positively related to maintenance of abstinence. An explanation of this finding based on the association of smoking in dreams with aversive emotions is offered.

For those who like the geeky research. 

Dream of absent-minded transgression: an empirical study of a cognitive withdrawal symptom - PubMed (nih.gov)

Thanks for the info Paul.  I am not a fan of the smoking dreams . I need to learn to not get upset by them.

                                            Lisa 

Hi Jerthie, 

Yes , I am at 3 months / 104 days.  I didnt crave a smoke right after the dream but have had some rough craves on and off since.  I think the strong craves are mostly from stress, so I am trying to get the stress levels down. 

You will get off the lozenges when you are ready.  Try not to beat yourself up about it.  

                                              Lisa 

Lisa,

That sucks so much the concussion might’ve put you back from being done with PT. I know you’ve been really looking forward to that! PT really isn’t fun in any way.

Congrats on your 100 days! Those smoking dreams do seem to have snuck up on you and are getting you quite a bit. I hope the info Paul gave helps. I love all the experienced people here!

The food stuff hasn’t been as hard as I’d expected after the first week, as long as I don’t try to go out. I’ll just eat at home for 6 weeks, lol. I’ve become one of those California people that would ask for special food when ordering.  The diet is so limiting, there really isn’t anything at a restaurant I could order, I think. Next week will be 3 weeks and I’ll be halfway to seeing if it helps.

I hope your Mother’s Day was nice with your son. Sounds like a relaxing one. I had a nice time with my mom for a bit. My kids went out with me to see the new Marvel movie that night, so that was fun. 

Jenny

Jerthie,

Hey there! Good to see you here. I’m sorry you’re still struggling with the lozenges. I know you’ll drop them when you’re ready!

I have better days and worse days with the pain. The same with my attitude about it, lol. A better attitude helps on the worse days, but is harder, of course. I at least have hope for things getting better and treatments helping and that makes a huge difference. 

Jenny

Thanks Jenny, thanks Lisa. I too, think I will get off the lozenges at some point in the future when I want to and when the desire is genuinely there!

Lisa, that smoking dream was a dream, and you did not let it detail you from your quit, which is now at 100 days. That is awesome. It truly is. It is difficult and it is challenging to fight through strong cravings and urges, even when you are at 2 or 3 months quit. Last year I had quit the lozenges for 9 weeks, and then I let myself crumble on one of those days where... It wasn't really a physical craving, but more of a romantic longing for an old and dear friend. Unfortunately, I see them as that still. It puzzles me because I know that nicotine is not my friend, but I almost treasure them still.

Jenny, that is a positive way to see your suffering... That you just bear with it while keeping a positive attitude. After all, that is all you can do.. Orr are there any exercises or medications you can take. I will definitely be praying for you! You are so full of light and good humour! May God bless and keep you both!!

Hi Jerthie,

I think reminiscing about smoking is similar to thinking fondly about an apartment that had peeling paint and broken plumbing. Or a relationship that was self-destructive. A lot of things seem better in memory. I haven't dreamt about smoking in a while (though rarely remember dreams) but when I did, I was younger. I was in college, HS, it was 1995; it wasn't 2023 

Good night all

Hey Paul... I know nicotine is not a dear friend, but I really don't know how to quit. I appreciate your response. Maybe I can continue to just cut down. You are doing amazing. Keep that up!

Jerthie,

I have some things I can do when the pain gets bad, so that helps sometimes. I think a positive attitude and humor helps whenever possible. It’s just not always easy and sometimes doesn’t feel possible. I’ve had to apologize so many times to my family for getting snappy when pain levels are high. That’s not fun for anyone.

I’m thankful I don’t have wanting a cigarette every hour to add to my anxiety and irritability anymore. 

Jenny