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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be a bit annoyed with my generally great doctor?

27 replies

CRS · 03/08/2011 20:13

I went to the doctor to see about giving up smoking, becaue I want to and also because I want to get pregnant. So I go and discuss this, I am a heavy smoker and have tried and failed with patches &c before but to no avail - in fact the only time I HAVE given up is when I was pregnant with my son. My doctor prescribes Champix - apparently very effective for the hard core addict. So I buy this, £7 or whatever the prescription is, and read leaflet at home. DO NOT TAKE Champix if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Great.

OP posts:
Lady1nTheRadiator · 03/08/2011 20:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Northernlurker · 03/08/2011 20:18

I think it says that because it would be unwise to take it if you are pg so they don't want you to take it if you are having unprotected sex iyswim.

Tbh I don't see a problem. You've said other things haven't worked so the GP has given you something that may work. You wnet to see him because you want to stop smoking before ttc - so why is this an inappropriate prescription for you?

Don't take it if you are anxious but you'll need to grit your teeth and stop smoking for good before ttc or you'll still end up with a potential risk to your baby as well as your own health.

Original poster
CRS · 03/08/2011 20:19

Well ideally. But I am 34 now and worried time is running out a bit - my SIL has just become pregnant after YEARS of trying and then eventually IVF as she had as it turns out, left it too late (she is now 39).

OP posts:
chugsy · 03/08/2011 20:19

Surely you knock the fags on the head first, and THEN get pregnant.

Taking prescription drugs whilst TTC isn't ideal anyway if it's avoidable - have you tried the Alan Carr book? It worked for me.

Northernlurker · 03/08/2011 20:19

Did you think you could just start taking this and start ttc straight away?

Ineedalife · 03/08/2011 20:20

I would recommend the book "Easy way to stop smoking" Its written by lan somebdy. I thought I was an incurable smoker but stopped relativly easily with the help of this book.

Good luckSmile.

LineRunner · 03/08/2011 20:20

I see your point, CRS.

Obviously it ain't agent orange, but you wouldn't want that rattling around in your system while you were baby dancing, just in case.

But I guess the same applies to the nicotene etc.

I applaud you for wanting to give up, though. Bloody go for it.

Northernlurker · 03/08/2011 20:21

34 is YEARS away from 39. Literally Grin

You know your can get pg because you have your son.

Just grit your teeth and knock the smoking on the head - for the sake of your future baby but also for your son.

Ineedalife · 03/08/2011 20:21

I meant to say Alan somebody not Ian and Chugsy mention the bookGrin.

Original poster
CRS · 03/08/2011 20:21

Sorry Northernlurker - we ARE ttc - I KNOW I should give up smoking first, but I am finding it very hard.

I gave up as soon as I knew I was pregnant with my son (unplanned when I was 22) and that was enough to make me do it, but I am finding hard as am not currently actually pregnant. I do know this is not ideal, honestly.

OP posts:
Original poster
CRS · 03/08/2011 20:29

The doctor knows we are ttc. I have been to see her previously as was worried as no contraception for 13 months now and no baby either. Wondering if this is smoking related, hence (partly) the giving up strategy.

OP posts:
Northernlurker · 03/08/2011 20:32

Oh I see! Right well I guess they didn't check the contraindications then.

What about stopping ttc for a month or two and then sorting out the smoking this? If nothing else when you then ttc again you will be able to rule out smoking as a problem in ttc?

Lady1nTheRadiator · 03/08/2011 20:34

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
CRS · 03/08/2011 20:35

Yeah I guess. Just that Summer holidays are a good time in this house to try and get pregnant as work is not happening, or a lot less anyway and in term time, we don't get to try that hard. Blush in English way about mentioning sex life.

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Original poster
CRS · 03/08/2011 20:36

Will have a go with the Alan Carr thing. Thanks. I am a very stupidly committed smoker. Sad

OP posts:
izzywhizzyletsgetbusy · 03/08/2011 20:36

YABU to be annoyed with your doctor as he no doubt assumed, as others have done from your post, the you want to give up smoking and become pg - in that order.

As continued abstinence from cigarettes is higher (70% compared with 50%) when patients take Champix for 24 weeks as opposed to 12, you're best advised to either go cold turkey on the nicotine now or delay ttc until next spring.

BTW your sil's problems ttc are unlikely to affect your reproductive system especially as you have had a dc.

bubblesincoffee · 03/08/2011 20:39

I would go back to the chemist and ask the pharmacist. It can't hurt to see what they say.

It may be that your doctor knows something we don't, and they often put things like that on prescription drugs to err on the side of caution.

But it really wouldn't do any harm to give up smoking whicst waiting a couple of months before actively ttc. What were you expecting - some amazing miracle drug that would cure you of this addiction and be safe during pregnancy? You may be asking a little too much of modern science.

Original poster
CRS · 03/08/2011 20:42

Maybe I am. But after discussing the whole thing at length, and GP understanding the situation, I was a bit disappointed that she still prescribed it. Same doctor also told me a while ago that giving up smoking "wasn't the be all and end all".

OP posts:
Northernlurker · 03/08/2011 20:47

Well it is and you obviously want to deal with it. Giving up smoking may not get you pg but it certainly won't hurt and it will improve your whole family's health.

I wish you lots of luck with that and then lots of luck ttc Smile

Original poster
CRS · 03/08/2011 21:22

Thanks Northern Lurker. I don't ONLY want to give up because of ttc. I will have a look at the Alan Carr book, and also go back to surgery again to see, because as someone said - maybe the doctor knows something I don't re: contraindications.

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Original poster
CRS · 03/08/2011 21:25

Oh - and I know my SIL's fertilty or otherwise is in no way related to mine, BUT she started trying at 32 and it was already too late for her,(easily, anyway), and as to having already had one child - yes - I was pregnant at 22. 12 years on, and things could be totally different now - secondary infertility is not that uncommon.

OP posts:
snippywoo2 · 03/08/2011 21:29

I think you have to decide which is more important a fag or a baby and if you do end up going the IVF way I'm sure they wont give it you if you smoke anyway.

Original poster
CRS · 03/08/2011 21:35

They DEFINITELY won't give us IVF as we alredy have a child! I either get pregnant or I don't, but I WOULD like to and thought this time I would try to give up FIRST. I didn't realise after discussion with GP that Champix was unsuitable. (And I know I'm lucky to have one child, I would really like another though).

OP posts:
Original poster
CRS · 03/08/2011 21:37

When I say "first" I mean not after discovering was pregnant, like first time round.

OP posts:
A1980 · 03/08/2011 22:59

Whya re you annoyed at your GP?

What exactly do you want your GP to do? He she can't phyiscally stop you and you can't stop yourself.

In anyone you should be annoyed at yoursefl.