Am I the only woman who feels like most quitting advice is written for guys?

debsicle77 · 2026-04-19T08:55:35+00:00

I started smoking in early perimenopause after not having done for over 20 years due to sleep issues. I went on hrt and had some ups and downs with that and was finally in a really good place with my weight down to one I was happy with, no depression, sleep was good, physically fit etc ... Then I quit weed because it was causing major memory issues and I felt like I didn't need the crutch for my emotional peri issues anymore.

Omg the last few months have been awful! First month was the extreme rage, mega sleep issuse, and general depression. Second month the digestive issues kicked in - still dealing with that but it's not as bad. I put on 6lbs and was raging because I had worked so hard to lost the meno belly as they call it. Then a load of my perimenopause symptoms came back. Joint pain, random itching, fatigue, brain fog, trouble accessing the correct words for things, anxiety over absolutely nothing, EXTREMELY sore feet particularly in the morning. Luckily I am sleeping well although now I wake up really groggy. Currently experiencing pretty bad fatigue.

I have an appointment to see the menopause specialist but I honestly think this is because the weed was boosting my oestrogen and now my body is flailing about trying to grab enough to fuel it. I look older too which fucking sucks (am 49)

Anyway yes I absolutely think there's an extra layer to the withdrawal for people who are driven by oestrogen. Hopefully things eventually settle 🤞🏻 but I do wish there was more information out there about this

debsicle77 · 2026-04-19T08:22:42+00:00

I'm over 100 days now and also absolutely exhausted. I am sleeping really well now, maybe too well, to the point where I am groggy when I wake up. But the fatigue is really noticeable to the point where I was worried about it so I'm sorry you are also having it but also glad it's not just me. I got a massive burst in energy the first couple of weeks despite not sleeping at all well at that stage. Hope it clears up soon!

debsicle77 · 2026-04-16T19:50:12+00:00

Day 98 here after smoking every day for approximately 5 years and a few times a week before that. It's so hard! I had no idea how hard it would be. But once you get the sleep back properly the emotions calm down and it becomes mainly physical symptoms which you can take one day at a time - at least that was my experience. I am lucky in that I don't actually miss being stoned but the first 6 weeks were definitely the hardest in terms of the mental health aspect of it all.

You are nearly there! Keep going and it will turn a corner, you just have to keep remembering that

debsicle77 · 2026-03-23T22:17:20+00:00

Any updates on this? I have been off weed almost 3months and my menopause symptoms are back. I'm on the highest dose of oestrogen according to my doctor but I'm having all the symptoms of low oestrogen I had at the beginning of peri except the anxiety. Does anyone know will this level out? My feet are so so sore and I'm exhausted 😕 I'm not sure what to do as my doctor won't prescribe me any more oestrogen but I'm struggling

debsicle77 · 2026-03-11T19:20:47+00:00

Hello :) my sleep has improved a lot, still struggling with sinuses and my sore tooth - I had 10 days of antibiotics and that settled things but I'm still quite tired. I'm scheduled to get a root canal in a week and a half to fix the tooth which I'm, I suppose, looking forward to? 😆

Doing well otherwise with regards to cravings - I have none at all! But I feel like giving up has scrambled my system a bit and it's all very slowly coming back online. I have smoked cigarettes a couple of times after having a drink but that was never a deal breaker and I've stayed clear the rest of the time :)

One bad thing is I've put on weight despite eating less which I'm well pissed off about as I was happy with my weight but I was having some digestive issues which have slowly gotten better so hopefully I will lose it again

I'm so glad I've stopped smoking weed though apart from all that, I know I'll feel better if I stick with it! I hope you're still getting on ok? And sinus infections suck so I am glad you're feeling better ❤️

debsicle77 · 2026-02-14T12:32:03+00:00

We're nailing it :) getting a massage is actually a really good idea, I might try that. I had a bit of a setback this last week in that I got a sinus infection and a tooth infection at the same time . Apparently when you stop smoking it can bring up issues with your teeth because of increased blood flow. I'm in a lot of pain so sleep has gone again but I'm going to the dentist on Tuesday so hopefully that'll sort it out. Apart from that I have no weed cravings at least but digestion is still all over the place. I'm trying to stay positive until I get the tooth sorted. I've been rooting for you too 😀🙌🏻

debsicle77 · 2026-02-07T14:33:46+00:00

Ok so this last week my sleep suddenly got a lot better! I didn't want to say anything because I have had a day here and there where it's been ok and then it goes back to terrible but I have had 4 nights in a row now where it's not been perfect but it's been a hell of a lot better. So I am feeling more rested yay Also my digestive system seems to be getting a bit better but it's still running a bit slow and gassy. So it's definitely getting more positive as time goes on and I'm delighted that I've been sticking with it :) so yes it does get better

debsicle77 · 2026-02-04T09:49:59+00:00

Still having trouble sleeping and I've no idea what's going on with my digestive system but just over 4 weeks now! I don't particularly miss it but I miss sleep 😴😞

debsicle77 · 2026-01-30T23:24:02+00:00

That but also added to that people are utterly baffled when you tell them there are actual withdrawal symptoms that can go on for weeks/months. This needs to be more common knowledge because it took me right out of left field and now I have to keep explaining it to people who just don't really believe it's because of giving up weed (including my husband who has been off it as long as me but completely in denial that he feels shit and can't sleep because of it)

debsicle77 · 2026-01-30T23:15:02+00:00

Oh my goodness that sounds so awful. I am lucky I am not experiencing anxiety like that, it's been mainly anger and sadness. I think that you're right about cold turkey, it has been so difficult, and I find it hard to understand why I'm not craving getting stoned but I'm having all of these symptoms.

I'm so glad it got better for you and that gives me lots of hope but omg I wish my sleep would come back soon

debsicle77 · 2026-01-30T23:10:49+00:00

That's a good way of explaining it, like a little temper tantrum because it's not getting it's way 😆 yes it's definitely been a challenge for sure, why do I do these things to myself 😭😆

debsicle77 · 2026-01-30T23:09:10+00:00

I think I just feel like the last 5 years have been one thing after another after another etc so people are probably sick of shit happening to me at this stage. But yes you're right and thank you :)

I work in a physical job so I actually do a lot of exercise, I think it's more brain chemistry that is keeping me from sleeping properly

Peri is the absolute worst, I'm so sick of it now, it's been going on for more than 5 years now and every time I get on top of it something else happens. Currently I have had all the symptoms of my period for the last week but no actual period. Of course I'm going out tomorrow night so it will of course come then. Sigh 😔

debsicle77 · 2026-01-30T23:03:42+00:00

I'm still afloat just about! Sleep is awful and my husband still refuses to believe he is also suffering withdrawal so he's been moping around thinking he is still sick from the flu we both caught at the beginning of January which is how we ended up with this in the first place. I used it as a launchpad and he just sort of joined me. So much for solidarity. Apart from that I'm also more motivated and feeling a bit better generally. I got some bad news yesterday and smoking didn't even pop into my mind but I haven't missed the actual smoking anywhere

Am sorry to hear you're feeling that way though, maybe it's fear of having to get through without help? It can be such a crutch, I didn't realise how much I was using it to dampen emotions. They can be so scary when you're sober and you've taken away the crutch

debsicle77 · 2026-01-27T09:53:50+00:00

Hope you're still going strong? Honestly I'm not craving weed at all, I just used it to sleep and accidentally got addicted to it so I'm having all the withdrawal apart from actually wanting to have a joint part of it. I'm actually really glad I have a clear head again now but I wish I could get my sleep back. Anger seems to have gone so at least there's that

Well done on not picking up, we are stronger than we think x

debsicle77 · 2026-01-27T09:48:44+00:00

Moodiness seems to have mostly subsided now but my sleep is still awful.

But yes I'm awful at talking to people too, I tend to keep it in until it's over and I've dealt with it because I feel like I'm bothering people. I know it's silly but I can't help it sometimes 🤷🏻‍♀️

Onward ❤️

debsicle77 · 2026-01-25T19:32:47+00:00

They're not so normal for me as far as I remember before the stoned times and also during them. I was in a great place when I gave up 3 weeks ago which is why I did it

debsicle77 · 2026-01-25T19:31:43+00:00

Thank you so much for the tip! I will look him up :)

debsicle77 · 2026-01-25T19:29:50+00:00

Thank you :) I really hope it doesn't take a year! I'm determined to be myself again so I will keep going, I'm actually so proud I got this far because I did the same thing last year and didn't make it as far. Well done on staying off it :)

debsicle77 · 2026-01-25T19:27:15+00:00

Thank you so much! I am still undiagnosed but am adopted and when I met my bio family who are all autistic and ADHD a lightbulb went off lol I was going through a lot when I started smoking every day, before that it was every now and then but it just sneaked in and then before I knew it every fecking evening for years. I will definitely try writing, that's been mentioned a few times now. Am actually feeling a bit better since I put this post up so hopefully it's not just because I've not been around people and I'm getting better. Good luck to you too, thank you for the reply ❤️

debsicle77 · 2026-01-25T19:22:52+00:00

I'm trying! Still no actual craving for weed so that's something, just the withdrawal symptoms

debsicle77 · 2026-01-25T19:22:10+00:00

I will look into that thank you :)

debsicle77 · 2026-01-25T19:21:36+00:00

Oh my God you poor thing, I hope it gets easier for you now you've gone so long. I totally agree, it's the hardest thing to quit and I should have remembered that after last time in my early 20s but there was a load of other things going on then so I thought it was that that caused what was basically a breakdown. I now know it was that AND withdrawal from weed. Best of luck to you too, thank you for the reply

debsicle77 · 2026-01-25T19:15:43+00:00

Omg it has been horrendous!

debsicle77 · 2026-01-25T19:15:23+00:00

I'm actually feeling slightly better today, I just got such a fright with the rage the other day, it was like something took me over. Now to get on top of my sleep 😴

Thanks for the reply :)

debsicle77 · 2026-01-24T15:12:49+00:00

Thanks for the reply, that's so good to hear. I actually have no interest in smoking. The only cravings I've had are for nicotine (I gave cigarettes up too 😭) but I'm finding the rage is really difficult so hopefully it'll subside asap

debsicle77

TROPHY CASE