smoking

[beckers]

Hi, Ive just started my ivf/icsi cycle as AF arrived yesterday. I smoke and I am only giving it up today. I know it is going to be really hard but I know I will be able to do it for this cause. I am now worrying though about any harm I might have done already by leaving it this late to stop. Anyone else been in this situation?

Beckers

[carbev]

Hi Bec -

Just wanted to send my support, I think it's a great thing that you are doing and you'll never regret it. Hope it goes well and that you don't get too many cravings!

All the best, for giving up smoking AND for your treatment.

Caroline xx

[PebblesUK]

Hi Beckers

Congratulations, it's never to late to give up, even after the first hour your lungs are doing stuff it couldn't before! You have made the first step by deciding to stop.

I'm sending you lots of luck. IVF isn't easy on it's own! I really hope you manage to do it - one of the hardest things ever. If you crave one, ask yourself what you want more.

Best of luck with the giving up and your treatment. You will get loads of support from here wherever you are in your treament.

All the best

Jo
xxx

[Cla]

Beckers,

I second all that's been said. Giving up is a fantastic thing at any time- don't ever think it's too late. I went to a hynpotherapist to assist me, and she gave me some amazing facts and figures. I can't remember them all but I do rememeber that after just 30 minutes your blood pressure returns to normal and that after 48 hours all the nicotine has gone from your body. That got me through the early days!!!!

Best of luck with everything.

Cla
xx

[beckers]

Thank You everyone for your support and encouragement.

Beckers

[Macca8]

Becks,

Good on you. I'm 2 years off them this month and I gave them up for the exact same reason, IVF. I feel great now and you will always feel better knowing you did the right thing for you and your baby.

Remember it's never to late to stop.

Lisa XX

[AuntyPebbles]

Beckers first off well done giving up is the best thing you can do,its never too late to give up i did too for my IVF i just kept thinking that once theres a baby in there every time i take a drag the baby gets it too and i couldnt do it.... dont worry about smoking up till now either i have a massive family tons of helthy kids in it and all my sisters and auntys smoke im not saying they should or its ok but that they do and there kids are fine... so by giving up now youve done a great thing for your little one/s

keep at it after a week you will feel great i promise (i smoked for 25 years and am so pleased i stoped)

best of luck...hugs Debz

[JenBowes]

WOOHOO!!! I love gaining new members to the smober world! I quit 2 years ago next month and couldnt be happier with that choice. I also quit in preperation of being pregnant (as well as for myself of course). I hope its ok to do this, but I personally would also suggest checking out the site www.quitnet.com for tons of helpful information and others going thru it too that can help you out. I do believe its integral to have a support system while quitting and this site gives it to you 100 fold! I also have tons of information so feel free to message me anytime you need a pick me up or some info.

congrats!!!!!
Jen

[JenBowes]

thought you may enjoy this too. its a great moral booster....


Here's a general timetable of physical recovery:

At 20 minutes after quitting:
*blood pressure decreases (though it can fluctuate weeks after quitting)
*pulse rate drops (though it can fluctuate weeks after quitting)
*the body manufactures more mucus to begin ‘flushing’ the system
*body temperature of hands and feet increases

At 8 hours:
*carbon monoxide level in blood drops to normal
*oxygen level in blood increases to normal
*the nervous system begins to awaken

At 24 hours:
*chance of a sudden heart attack decreases substantially
*blood vessels are expanding back to normal
*most of the nicotine has left your body
*hormone and other body chemical levels begin a process of readjustment
[If not using NRT, you may be experiencing tingling in the limbs and face; dizziness- due to increased blood/oxygen flow; blurred vision; concentration or memory difficulties- same reason]

At 48 hours:
*nerve endings start regrowing
*the cilia in the lungs, becoming unparalyzed, begin cleaning the lungs- IF YOU HAVEN’T GOTTEN LUNG DISEASE BY NOW, YOU MOST LIKELY WONT.
*the body’s cells demand nicotine
*ability to smell and taste may be enhanced
[If not using NRT, you may be: jittery; exhausted; having difficulty sleeping; restless/irritable; angry and/or emotional; difficulty talking; increased clumsiness]

At 72 hours:
*eyesight may sharpen; colors become more vivid
*bacteria in the gastro-intestinal tract are shifting back to normal
*all nicotine has left the body, though nic metabolites will be detectable in the hair follicles and fingernails for up to a year
[If not using NRT, you may be (still all of the above and): gassy; bloated; cramping; hungry or not hungry at all]
*heart may be fluctuating in rate and frequency

After the 2nd week:
*hormone levels begin stabilizing (though menstrual cycles may alter in the next months)
*most withdrawal symptoms have peaked in severity
*chemical (physiological) withdrawal comes to an end.
*bronchial tubes relaxing, making breathing easier (though you may feel tightness in ribs, chest, back)
[If not using NRT, you may be continue to experience detox symptoms for a week or two more, although they’ll generally be slowly diminishing over this time]

At 3 weeks to 3 months:
*circulation improves
*walking becomes easier
*lung function increases

At 90 days:
*Most quitters report feeling more-or-less back to normal by this time

At 6 months:
*Underlying depression issues may need to be addressed

By 9 months:
*coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue, shortness of breath decreases for good

At 1 year:
*excess risk of coronary heart disease is decreased to half that of a smoker
*nicotine metabolites no longer detectable in the hair follicles or fingernails

At 5 years
*risk of death from lung cancer to have decreased by almost half
*risk of stroke is reduced to that of a nonsmoker
*risk of cancer of the mouth, throat and esophagus is now half that of a smoker's

At 10 years
*all precancerous cells have been replaced
*risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney and pancreas is now that of a non-smoker's

At 15 years +
*risk of coronary heart disease that of a person who has never smoked
*risk of death from lung cancer similar to that of non-smokers’
*overall risk of death has returned to nearly that of a person who has never smoked

[Susie]

Well done for quitting smoking. I found IVF too stressful and smoked all thru my treatment but didnt touch one as soon as I'd had the embryos replaced. I did this on both treatments and got a BFP both times. I think its better to stop earlier but what I'm trying to say is that in my case smoking didnt affect my treatment one bit. Good luck
Susie