Smoking

I really want to quit smoking. Im finding it really hard. My partner is having more success than i am and he is using patches. He has been smoke free for about 4 days now.

Im still having a couple here and there. Some days maybe 1 somedays more. I just cant seem to kick it.

Im pregnant and I know how horrible it is and how wrong it is. Its just the addiction and habit i cant seem to get past. i have gone from a pack a day to 1 here or there.

After i have a smoke i feel so guilty and horrible and cant believe myself.

I cant take patches and have just been to the doctor who has put a referral in for me and should be contacted in the next day or so. But im not sure what it will be about or involve.

Is there anyone out there that can share their experience on how they managed to quit that might help me. Or if they have any pointers for me.

Edited by sportygirl

Are you pregnant?
I smoked for 7 years before I stopped. I had great success with the nicorette gum. I went cold turkey apart from the gum which I used for the first month. It is so hard to stop and even now 4 years later I still crave a smoke when I have a drink but I don't give in. The two times I have I have regretted it.
You will love yourself after a few months of being smoke free though. You do feel physically healthier. I found I had more energy and now when I walk past people smoking the smell actually makes me feel sick
It's amazing how when you smoke you never realise how much it actually smells. When I went to town for drinks last my clothes stank of smoke even though I didn't smoke at all it was just from standing outside with my smoking friend for 5 mins lol.
Seriously it really isn't easy but it is so worth it. My suggestion would be to stay as far away from other smokers as possible for those first few weeks or even months. And if you can't avoid them make sure to tell them how important it is for you to stop and that you need their support which for them means not smoking in front of you. Also try to take up a hobby. I found being idle got me thinking about smokes. It sounds really sad but I took up knitting for the first few months just to keep my hands and mind constantly busy.

How far along are you? I found with my DD1 I totally went off the smell of smoke when I was about 6 weeks which made giving up very easy!! although I did start again after her and tried many times to give up... Eventually I managed to give up and stay given up and it actually wasn't as hard as I thought it was... I truely think I had it in my mind that is was just the hardest thing in the world to give up... so it was, when I changed how I thought about it it was quite easy... I do still have cravings, only really when I'm having a wine or two though... and every now and then I have had a couple when with friends who smoke and having a few drinks... but I have not felt the need to smoke again during my normal day to day life at all....
Don't beat yourself up for it though, it's great that you've cut down so much... just keep trying you'll get there!!!!

What about normal gum, just something to distract you

Hmm, who told you you can't use the patches? From memory if properly prescribed the gum and/or patches should only give you the same amount of nicotine you'd get if you were smoking. Whether you're pregnant or not they're better than smoking because it's only the nicotine you're getting rather than all the other crappy stuff so if it's the difference between smoking and not then you should definitely go with them. These products are only a problem if you use them PLUS smoke because then there's more nicotine than just smoking. I'd definitely ring the Quitline to check with them.

Keep trying. You're doing yourself and your baby a favour. Plus saving all that money! Nicotine is INCREADABLY addictive so it's bloody hard work. Don't be too hard on yourself but do keep trying.

I totally recommend hypnosis!! I was a smoker for 14 years and we did hypnosis just before we started TTC and it worked a treat. We have been totally smoke free for almost 2.5 years

Just make sure they are qualified and specialise in quitting smoking or other habbits. The hypnotherapist we saw was also a GP so he was highly experienced and qualified Good luck.

ETA we went cold turkey as soon as the hypnosis was done. Havent touched a ciggy since 10 minutes before we saw him 2.5 years ago.

Edited by WestiesGirl

I've heard quitting cold turkey during first or last trimester is not recommened. I would contact quitline see what they have to say. I was also going to suggest hypnosis, it can't hurt to try it.

Also as MrsMojo said it is harder to kick than heroine so please don't feel bad, you are trying your hardest and that is all you can do and the amount you have cut down is amazing in itself.

For cravings I use to use boiled/chewy sweets, would keep them in the car, in my overalls etc so they were always on hand, especially in the car cos I lived in the UK and would get caught in traffic alot and always feel the need to light up and having something else in the car helped.

You have done great by cutting down from a pack a day!

I'm fairly sure pregnancy is not a contraindication for NRT. After all "clean" nicotine (in the form of patches) has got to be better for baby than all the other additional chemicals you inhale with a cigarette.

I suggest you ring Quitline 0800 778 778 or check out the website
The Quit Group

Good luck. You can do it!

Congratulations.. You have made the first step. Actually confessing to something negative such a smoking while pregnant will give you the will power to give up.

You will find care and understanding on this website from others going through exactly what you are. I smoke and drank very heavily up to DS 6 week mark (but only because I didn't know I was pregnant - 4 neg preg tests)..

You can do it, I have faith in you to stop all together and help your baby develop into a strong healthy wee human.

Good luck and chin up. If you slip up, it's not a failure, it's a slip up..   

So hard! Good on you to have done so well so far, you're making such a good choice just gotta kick the last few!

i smoked for 16 years and dh said he wouldn't have kids with me till i gave up. I read the Alan Carr book and gave up straight away - easy peasy. And i was hard core, seriously addicted!   Dunno why but the book works. Lots of friends have given up with it too. Been clean for 3 years now, still get cravings and occasionally have one (maybe 2 a year, when drinking). But definitely don't want to be a smoker and my kids see me doing it yuck! Kids of smokers are 3 times more likely to smoke!

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