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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Stopped Smoking - Support?

24 replies

Levanna · 29/05/2004 20:39

I know I 'should' have stopped ages ago, I didn't, I cut down, but now I have stopped completely . I'm still getting those nasty cravings and withdrawal symptoms though, so I'm here, feeling a bit sorry for myself (I know I've no right, and that I've brought it on myself, etc!) and looking for a few encouraging words? I went shopping today with my sister who spent the whole morning moaning that she needed a cig, and looking for a newsagents, then I txt a friend later on as she'd just txt asking how I was doing, I let her know I was fine, but hating withdrawal, so she said "stop being a fanny and get yourself some cigs"! Maybe it's a touch of sour grapes as neither of them managed to give up when pg, which is fine and entirely up to them, but I had hoped for a touch of support as I'm sure they both understand how difficult it can be!
I'm now completely aware that I'm coming across as a right moaning minnie! Please, if you can spare a minute remind me of all the many good reasons for stopping! I really don't want to fail for tiny DD2's sake!

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

charliecat · 29/05/2004 20:42

Your stopping because its not good for you or baby. You are doing really well and you DO NOT need someone telling you to go and buy a packet of fags. They are just jealous or brainless. WWWWWWWWEEEEEEEELLLLLL DDONNEEEEEEEEE Keep it up and post on mn instead of choking yourself to death with the evil addictive smelly weed.

hercules · 29/05/2004 20:43

You will feel very good about yourself if you dont. I am VERY PROUD of my dm who gave up after my ds was born as she didnt want to be a smoking granny. She'd been smoking for 30 years and went coldturkey. DS is also very proud of her even though he cant remember her smoking.
It does sound like sour grapes from your friends who are probably feeling guilty.
Keep it up and keep posting for support.

charliecat · 29/05/2004 20:44

P.S have been trying and failing for many jkonths myself. Know how you feel. Do NOT give in though.

cuppy · 29/05/2004 20:45

Levanna I know how hard it is. I managed to give up ( after about 6 attempts) 3 mths before I fell pregnant.

Im thankful for that as I could never harm her. Just think to yourself - when your baby is born and you tuck him/her up in bed, and he/she's looking all lovely and sweet and innocent - would you then pop a fag in its mouth? Of course not and in effect thats what you're doing now.

You're doing sooooooooooooo well - dont give up. Keep posting for support if it helps. xx

gothicmama · 29/05/2004 20:45

Weell done you are a great mum !!!

hercules · 29/05/2004 20:47

My mother still feels very guilty today about smoking when pregnant from having my sister who is now 38! My sister is infertile and her type has been linked to smoking in pregnancy

charliecat · 29/05/2004 20:49

www.whyquit.com/joel/Joel_Index_01.html this site here is good. Bit morbid but good reading. You get off the pc feeling glad to be alive!

Clayhead · 29/05/2004 20:55

Levanna, sounds like you have a friend who's jealous of you...

Good luck

Original poster

Levanna · 29/05/2004 21:02

Thank you, thank you . Does anyone know how long withdrawal lasts, realisticly? The physical rather than mental. I don't remember feeling quite as rough when I stopped with DD1!

OP posts:

maisystar · 29/05/2004 21:03

put all the money you would have spent on cigs in a pot for a few months then go shopping!!!

Nimme · 30/05/2004 09:14

Levanna - well done. It is so hard - initially. I smoked throughout first pregnancy. Very little but I just couldn't/wouldn't give up. Didn't help my mother smoked through both or hers and both sister and I were/are fine - so no incentive there. In hindsight am now sure that didn't help DD settle as I loaded myself with nicotine whilst bf.

Anyway - gave up last year after a mc. Knew in all reality it wasn't related but just didn't want to have anything more to feel guilty about. Am now pg with no 2 and feel quite saintly (which for me - the original bad girl - is saying something!). Seriously though - the cravings were not a problem for me as once I had made my mind up - that was it. Always thought it is 99% in the mind. I did of course use patches for a while which helped. Then decided that was too expensive and a rip off (fine talking for someone who was on 20 a day!) and just stopped the lot. I overcame the worst cravings by always having something handy to shove in my mouth - apples, grapes, bon bons, lolli pops, chewing gum. Then got fed off stuffing myself and that was it.

DH still smokes and I find the smell (on him) quite revolting now but am determined not to turn into one of those horrid ex-smokers. The thing I enjoy the most is the absence of the stale smell on my fingers, my hair and my clothes. Always felt a bit "dirty" when cuddling DD or cat with nicotine fingers. Also love to have my lungs back - I could smoke so much they felt a bit pinched.

Sorry though a bit long - I hope of some of support to you. Having taken the decision is half the battle. Count the days and treat yourself weekly to some clothes, restaurant nosh or whatever turns you on

Original poster

Levanna · 30/05/2004 21:34

Thanks . I stopped on Wednesday, so the worst symptoms are wearing off already. Yesterday evening I was at my lowest ebb, I think (so far, anyway!) I felt incredibly nauseus - though I'm sure in hindsight it was my brain trying to coerce me into giving in! The site addy charliecat posted was really helpful, shock tactics, but they seem to have worked! I do smell nicer , I am saving money . I hadn't realised how absorbed I had become in 'when I could have my next cig'! Sounds ridiculous, but I really hadn't realised how reliant I was on them . Thank you so much for you support, it really is helping .

OP posts:

beansprout · 30/05/2004 22:27

Keep going!! I have given up too, and know how hard it is. Once the initial withdrawals are done (and don't underestimate them, you have been addicted to a drug after all) you will start to feel better. I found the Allen Carr stuff really helped as it helped me view it as doing something positive instead of the sense that I was denying myself something.

In the meantime - spoil yourself!! Spend every last bit of fag money on you and nice stuff for yourself, whatever it is.

It will feel better soon and it's a fab thing that you are doing - financially, health wise, and best of all, for you and DD to be in a lovely (non smelly) environment. Good luck and please keep posting if it helps.

charliecat · 31/05/2004 10:16

Hope you are feeling proud of yourself, have you had any more run ins with your sister/friend? Keep up the good work!

Aero · 31/05/2004 11:15

Have never smoked so can't sympathise, but can offer lots of support and 'well done's' etc, etc. Both my bro and sis smoke and are forever trying to give up without much success. Sis is asthmatic and would like her lungs back but finds it sooooooo hard. Working in a pub doesn't help I'm sure. Bro has two kids and would like to stop too. My Dad did stop though - just went cold turkey, thought about the money he could be using for other things etc and has never touched the dreaded weed since (1981). So it can be done and you'll feel soooo much better for it if you can. Lots and lots of luck to you.

Toothache · 31/05/2004 11:56

YEAH LEVANNA!!! WELL DONE!!

I started smoking at 11 yrs old and never cared much about giving up until I was pg with my ds. I didn't give up completely, but managed to whittle it down to only 1 per day. But after ds was born it crept back to 5 a day..... then 20 at night if I was having a drink!!

However, 7 or 8 wks into this pregnancy I stopped..... and thankfully have never started again and don't intend to! My DH is very jealous of the fact that I have managed it (not out of the woods yet though.... still got my 1st night out drinking to get through!).

You're sister and friend are jealous.... and that's nasty of them to try to sway you! Don't mention to them how hard it is for you.... just tell them you can't BELIEEEEEEVE how easy it's been and how you just can't understand why they didn't manage to quit. That should shut them up.

Keep going.... you're doing fab and although I still get the odd craving it does become much easier. Thats me been puff-free for 6mths now.

beansprout · 31/05/2004 17:26

Hope you are ok today Levanna

vivie · 31/05/2004 22:11

Hi Levanna - well done! The first few days are hardest, then it gets so much easier. I quit days before I got pg with ds using Alan Carr's Easyway. I now haven't smoked for over 2 years and don't miss it - and I was a BAD smoker, and I mean BAD. I think he has a website... I'll try to find it.

Original poster

Levanna · 31/05/2004 23:45

Thanks .
Still doing ok! TBH I've avoided sis and friend until I feel a bit more stable about having given up. It'd be daft to put myself in a precarious position 'till then.
More good news - my DH is doing it too! He wasn't a big smoker, but his support means a lot ! Really proud of him.

OP posts:

beansprout · 01/06/2004 11:19

Go Levanna (and Levanna's DH)!!!
That's brilliant (and think just how much money you'll save). Does your food taste different yet?

hercules · 01/06/2004 11:21

Well done to both of you

Lots of treats must be bought!

tomkitty · 02/06/2004 09:38

Hi Levanna - how are you doing? For me, the physical cravings stopped within the first couple of weeks but the psych cravings last forever. My most difficult moments are completely social - cigs during coffee and gossip with other women, cig breaks at work, cigs at the pub and when drinking. I stopped on Xmas 2000 after smoking 20/day for nearly 20 years. Don't expect too much support from smoker mates, after all you are doing something that (1) they haven't been able to do and (2) will distance you from them. I was always very tolerant of smokers, determined not to be an obnox ex-smoker but no matter what you do they still might see you as a bit of a traitor.

Good luck. You can do it.

tomkitty · 02/06/2004 09:40

I forgot to mention that I quit on the 3rd or 4th try. So, don't give up!

Nimme · 02/06/2004 10:06

Levanna - hope you're still doing well. Keep it up.

I found breaking the habits the hardest. I always had a cig after a meal, when leaving the house, waiting for bus, with alcohol etc. The alcohol was the hardest but I stayed away from that scene for a while. After dinner DH would pop outside for cig - I started to do the dishes instead (a bit sad but kept me occupied). And have lots of easy healthy'ish snacks to hand (when I gave up 3 years ago I put on best part of a stone which gutted me. This time nothing).

Keep going

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