Quitting smoking.

starree444 · July 2014

I've been having a really really hard time quitting smoking. I have all the tools (gum, patches etc) but work seems to really be a huge trigger for me. Some women I now said the possibility of becoming pregnant was all the motivation they needed. It doesn't seem to be enough for me

Has anyone else struggled with this?

DecemberGirl1216 · July 2014

I did....for me patches and gum just prolonged the withdrawal from nicotine and I started smoking again after quitting by using those. I had to do cold turkey to be successful. It took avoiding people and places associated strongly with smoking for a while until the initial bad withdrawal of quitting was over.

I know you can't avoid work, but staying away from break areas where you would smoke and people who become self conscious about smoking when you quit who will try to sabotage it....good luck, it's hard but so worth it

luvbunny · July 2014

Cold turkey. The aids just prolonged the inevitable for me like @DecemberGirl1216‌. The first few days were the hardest, once the physical withdrawals were over, the psychological habits were easier to handle. 10 months ago I quit and as hard as it was (I still crave at times) I'm so happy I did!

kelley72 · July 2014

Yes, agree with pp gum/patch etc just prolong your exposure to the nicotine therefore kicking the craving both physically and mentally in. The trick is to change your patterns. Chewing gum/hard candies helps keep the oral activity (often an issue for me) high.

Going for a short walk or doing something physical in the time period you would normally smoke helps too. Changing your actions and thought process, the craving only lasts for a few minutes unless you light up.

For me the first two weeks aren't too bad but that 3rd / 4th week was awful. I have a friend who said she just stayed in the pool/bath or shower... places it's impossible to smoke in.

Honestly during my last pg I couldn't quite put them down completely until I was 7wks. I got so sick with both myself and the smell that it made it easier. I am NOT advocating smoking until you are pregnant.

You will never regret notsmoking!

starree444 · July 2014

luvbunny said:

Cold turkey. The aids just prolonged the inevitable for me like @DecemberGirl1216‌. The first few days were the hardest, once the physical withdrawals were over, the psychological habits were easier to handle. 10 months ago I quit and as hard as it was (I still crave at times) I'm so happy I did!

I'm so afraid of going cold turkey. I don't know if I'll be able to handle work! I just feel like I have no resolve. Like, I tell myself I'm not going to buy another pack, but then I do.

KingLED · July 2014

For me the hardest part was the habits. Like, always smoking while I read my book on my porch. And always smoking at the bus stop because there's nothing else to do. Things like that. It's REALLY hard to stop wanting it even long after the physical withdraws are over with.

So, find new habits for sure. It's rough, but if you really want to do it you'll find a way. And I agree that cold turkey was best for me as well, but it's not for everyone.

Good luck.

divinemsbee · July 2014

I haven't, but I wanted to wish you all of the best wishes and luck in the world.

My dad has smoked for almost 3/4 of his life (he just turned 60 and started smoking at 16). He has several really bad health scares in succession at the end of last year and the start of this one (not being able to breathe-->COPD/emphysema diagnosis-->8 days in hospital and out for Christmas-->feeling really bad and running a fever-->hospitalized for pnemonia for 10 days-->positive sputum sample for possible TB-->house quarantine for 10 days). He's managed to cut down dramatically, and he quit for 6 weeks of so after the hospital the first time, but he still hasn't completely quit. His trigger is similar to yours, basically work and routine. He lives by himself now, so when he's stuck at home he falls back into old habits. The only thing that works for him is days when he is able to completely re-work his schedule. I live in hope that he can and will quit.

It's an addiction, a disease. It's such an incredibly hard thing to break the grips of and I'm in awe of people who do it. Have you thought about seeing someone for behavior modification (hypnosis or such)?

Good luck to you. I hope some other posters might have some ideas for you.

brettanomyces · July 2014

My H and I quit together several years ago, just for health, not because of TTC. It took us several tries. I HATED the patch, but it ultimately worked for H. My last, and successful quit I used Champix. I found it very effective but I would doubt it should be used at the same time as TTC.

sister13 · July 2014

I just wanted to say that recent research shows that for most people who successfully quit - they have tried many different things many different times. Keep trying and don't give up, though I know it is hard and can be discouraging if a certain method fails. It is impossible to know in advance, what is going to be the trigger or work to make it stick for good.

Good luck!

KingLED · July 2014

Also, reading over THIS helped make the motivation more concrete.

Adlestrop · July 2014

I haven't got tips to share but I just wanted to say a huge good luck to you, @starree444 and anyone else trying to quit. (I lost my grandma to smoking-related illness). I hope you enjoy all the benefits of getting smoke-free, and your families do too!

DecemberGirl1216 · July 2014

It's unfortunately one of those things that really sucks and is uncomfortable no matter which way you do it....the good news is that it is doable. @CLECyclist‌ I have heard really good things about that book too

penelopec518 · July 2014

Quick question on this topic. If a doctor tells a pregnant woman not to quit smoking while pregnant because the withdrawal would be worse for the baby, is that doc full of shit?

My brothers girlfriend is knocked up, and smokes 2-3 cigs a day (which grosses me out), and said her doctor told her not to quit.

kelley72 · July 2014

penelopec518I think your brother's girlfriend is full of shit, no practicing dr in this time would tell someone that bullshit...

Now, sometimes I think people freak the fuck out unnecessarily but if any health care provider said anything remotely close to what you have stated I would run the hell away

kelley72 · July 2014

Well I still call it bullshit, first of all 2 to 3 cig a day is a tiny amount of nicotine but the harmful effects are actually from the lack of oxygen. Each cig dimenishes the amount of oxygen delivered for an extended time (I think something like an hour) so the issue wouldn't be nicotine withdrawal but Diminished Oxygen delivery to the fetus... anyway

starree444 · July 2014

I've heard the same thing about getting pregnant while smoking and not quitting cold turkey, but who knows if it was true.

Thank you all you wonderful ladies for the support. DH quit over 2 yeas ago and hasn't looked back. He has a very strong will. I've tried quitting 3 times in the last 2 years. I can't use champix because of my other medication, ttc or not.

loisloan1118 · July 2014

It's not easy, but so worth it! I used gum and had some motivation from my work - they were raising health insurance premiums on smokers. I knew I needed to quit for many reasons, but I wanted to be healthy before TTGP.

I still had the occasional ciggy, but that stopped once I got PG in 2010.

Edit to add: good luck!

PS - @starree444 I love your gif! That Snake Juice is no joke!

starree444 · July 2014

Ali_P7 said:
It's not easy, but so worth it! I used gum and had some motivation from my work - they were raising health insurance premiums on smokers. I knew I needed to quit for many reasons, but I wanted to be healthy before TTGP.
I still had the occasional ciggy, but that stopped once I got PG in 2010.
Edit to add: good luck!
PS - @starree444 I love your gif! That Snake Juice is no joke!

Snake Juice

penelopec518 · July 2014

@kelley72 That is what I have always thought. Right as she said it the bull shit meter in my head was going crazy, but that is just because she is a big 'ol liar in general.

Erinm278 · July 2014

Yes, quitting was very hard for me. I quit a couple months before I got pregnant with my daughter. I think the only reason I was able to quit before seeing the line on the pregnancy test was that my husband quit with me and we held each other accountable.
Not going to lie, I still crave them but it's been so long since I've had one that I remind myself I don't need one.

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sarah2jane · July 2014

I used the Easy Way to Quit Smoking by Allen Carr, I quit with my DH for 9 months and then after a week of vacation and to much booze we picked up our awful habit again. I stopped again 3 months ago with help from my doctor. I took a medication that helped with the cravings so it was only a mental battle, it worked well. Now my DH has to stop, he said if I get pregnant he will quit cold turkey. I'm personally trying to get him to stop now. Good luck, I know the road is hard but it's so worth it.

sarah2jane · July 2014

Forgot to name the medication I took, Buproban. I went in asking for Chantix but my doctor suggested this instead because the side effects aren't nearly as bad.

MamaBina · July 2014

I've been having the same issues @starree444‌

I haven't been able to totally kick it yet but maybe we could help each other?

starree444 · July 2014

WombThereItIs said:

I've been having the same issues @starree444‌ I haven't been able to totally kick it yet but maybe we could help each other?

Yah maybe! That would be good.

starree444 · July 2014

WhoCanItBeNow said:

kelley72 said:

penelopec518I think your brother's girlfriend is full of shit, no practicing dr in this time would tell someone that bullshit...
Now, sometimes I think people freak the fuck out unnecessarily but if any health care provider said anything remotely close to what you have stated I would run the hell away

Yes, they routinely do. Many times for women who smoke multiple packs a day. In part because of the withdrawl, and in part because it is easier to suggest stepping down, then quitting later on.

I would rather hit myself in the head with a hammer with each craving than take Chantix.

Totally not related, but every time I see your name I hear the song "Who Can It Be Now" by Men At Work.

MamaBina · July 2014

Let me know if you want to form a little support group! I'd love to try with another person in a similar situation.

blush64 · July 2014

I don't smoke but I wanted to wish you luck with quitting.

littlewest1 · July 2014

I quit cold turkey the day we decided to start TTC. For me, it was all in my head and knowing quitting was for a purpose made it easier (and by easier I mean not easy at all but manageable). I don't really have any advice but want to wish you good luck. You can do anything you put your mind to!

JellicalParker · July 2014

Well, if the possibility of getting pregnant faster isn't a good enough reason, then you need to find the perfect reason. I quit in January as a wedding gift to my husband, it sucked but the withdrawal wasn't nesrly as bad as I told myself it would be. For me the physical habit of having it in my fingers was the hardest habit to break. I smoked all the time in the car, so I started holding an empty e-cig all the time. It honestly just helped having it in my hand. Otherwise, I quit: cold turkey, and I would recommend it. I also pretty much gave up drinking, since everytime I drank, I smoked. Good luck

Samby86 · July 2014

I don't know if the STOP program is available where you live, but it is a free program offered by cities. Basically you get connected with a counsellor, you are provided with free patches, inhalers, gum...etc. If needed. You and the counsellor work out a plan, pick a quit date and then you continue to see the counsellor for as long as you need. They provide great support and advise. I'm not sure if it is only an Ontario, Canada thing though.

Iook into it...

starree444 · July 2014

@Samby86 and @mlal78
I'm not sure if QC has a program like that. I know i can get patches covered by my provincial insurance. I'll have to see if there is anything else.

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