What have I gotten myself into?

Nebb · January 2010

I talked my husband into quitting smoking for his new years resolution - we had talked about it a lot in the past few months and I urged him to do it and he decided he would. He is using those little nicoteen inhaler things to help.

He started today, and what a mess. I had no idea what a moody biitch my husband could be, hes just been moping and sulking around the house all day.

Is there anything (tricks, food, etc) that I can use to help him get through this, other than a cigarette obviously? Anything youve experienced personally or seen other use that helps would be appreciated.

ootmother2 · January 2010

tons of water. Get those bottles with a spout that shoots into te mouth. Gum, chew cloves, cocktain straws, etc.

I know people that used the nicotine gum but I don't know what it tastes like

RachNRich · January 2010

I just quit smoking too. But I have no crutch to help (i've tried crutches in the past, and they've never helped).

The only thing that's helping me right now is the fact that I feel like crap--and have no desire to go outside to smoke. I had my last cigarette on NYE---and haven't had once since (okay, so I smoked a leftover one in my car today, but it tasted like crap).

Has he ever tried to quit before?

beatlesgirl25 · January 2010

First of all, good for you and your H for doing this for his health! Unfortunately, he's probably in for a fair share of agitated days in the beginning, but I think after the first week it gets easier. I quit when I was 25, and what helped me was that I had a new car and didn't want it to smell like cigarettes. Once I quit, I totally found a new appreciation for feeling and smelling fresh. For me and my girly self, it was a major reward.

Also, within 48 hours your tastebuds start to regenerate their properties, so some people enjoy food a lot better. I've heard PB&J's can be delicious if you just quit smoking (according to friends, not my experience).

There's always clinical hypnosis to help with the positive associations toward smoking as well as combatting cravings. Good luck!

Nebb · January 2010

Hes been fiddling with toothpicks so far today, chewing them and such. I think he would LOVE it if PB&J tastes better, because he loves that. Maybe I will make him a sandwich.

He has tried to quit before but not in the past 7-8 years. He says he been smoking for nearly 15 years now.

sarabellam · January 2010

My parents used hot cinnamon candies to deal with the oral stuff, and the patch to help with the nicotine cravings. What was the real motivator was my dad's doctor telling him that if he didn't stop, the emphysema that was just starting would get progressively worse, to the point that he would require the use of an oxygen canister. Both of my parents enjoy traveling too much to want to have to lug around an oxygen canister.

beatlesgirl25 · January 2010

Are there any friends/family who have quit who could help give moral support or ideas? Sometimes it helps just knowing how many others have done it... makes it seem less impossible when you're really craving it.

My parents just quit last year after 30 years of smoking. They bought their last pack of cartons, made them last for X amount of planned time, and then that was it. I don't think they have any maintenance techniques in place, just my mom yelling at my dad whenever he gets a craving. But they are hardcore like that... I couldn't do it that way.

Nebb, is your H into sports or working out? If he takes a nice run in a few days, he will feel so good doing it. Finding yourself breathing easier can be a nice reward to latch onto.

Nebb · January 2010

I know its roumered that you gain weight when you quit smoking, is that true? He could really do to gain 10-15lbs so that might be a definite upside. Does it make you hungry or somethig because you can actually taste food again?

RachNRich · January 2010

Wow--15 years? Good for him for quiting!!

Have you guys discussed the Chantix stuff? I think TJ used it--and had a good experience with it---it allows you to continue smoking, rather that stopping cold turkey.

Nebb · January 2010

He is not into fitness in any way - he is the laziest guy I know. He hates leaving the house or doing things other than watching his movies, working on his comics or reading comics. We have an agreement that for ever 2 weeks he stays off cigarettes he can buy a new bluray disc, or I have to watch a movie of his chosing.

Not sure what chantix is, but i have a feeling our doctor wouldnt perscribe it to him without him trying something else first.

Everyone we know that smokes, is still a smoker. They tried quitting and all picked it back up again. He has hardly any friends here except for work friends and they all smoke as well, so no where to really get support

julezlee · January 2010

I quit last February. I relapsed a couple weeks ago and then quit again. I had to quit just cold turkey because the patches and gum made me sick.

Help him avoid activities where he would normally smoke. Like I loooove smoking when I drink so I tried to avoid drinking too much the first couple weeks I was quitting smoking. Do any of his friends smoke? He may want to take a break from seeing them until he's not so cranky/the cravings subside a little.

One of my good friends quit using the inhaler and it worked well for her.

beatlesgirl25 · January 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_gotten-myself?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:136075bf-dc19-44d2-b36e-d1c007d7ddd4Post:dd77886d-e89d-4b3b-acd7-e4562e1089c5">Re: What have I gotten myself into?</a>:
[QUOTE]I know its roumered that you gain weight when you quit smoking, is that true? He could really do to gain 10-15lbs so that might be a definite upside. Does it make you hungry or somethig because you can actually taste food again?
Posted by Nebb[/QUOTE]

That might be part of it. I think it's also a substituted compulsive behavior for smoking, plus keeps your mouth busy and can give you that instant satisfaction.

JMHO, but please don't introduce him to Chantix. That stuff is evil and dangerous.

Two more options:
1) Sexual favors to de-grumpify him/keep him busy/reward him

2) Fly me up to Canada to do some smoking cessation hypnosis with him. :) No clucking like a chicken at bells, I promise.

WildRumpus · January 2010

I remember my Uncle using suckers, like Dum Dums or Blow Pops everytime he had a craving.

RachNRich · January 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_gotten-myself?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:136075bf-dc19-44d2-b36e-d1c007d7ddd4Post:13dbd7f8-dd91-46dd-9ea4-9ba5315d3d8e">Re: What have I gotten myself into?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: What have I gotten myself into? : JMHO, but please don't introduce him to Chantix. That stuff is evil and dangerous.
Posted by beatlesgirl25[/QUOTE]

oooohhh, oops! I've only ever heard of it---I have no first hand experience with it. But, I'll take your word for it if you say it's evil.

Nebb · January 2010

He normally just smokes constantly and I dont think he notices how much - in an hour long episode of CSI he will continuously have a cigarette in his hand, smoking one after the other. He also smokes while he draws, smokes when he takes the dog out, smokes while he drives. He pretty much always smokes. I think its gonna be hard for him getting over the habit of doing that whenever he is doing all of those things.

I dont thnk you have to worry about him taking chantix, he hates going to the doctor so I think it would turn into a battle trying to get him there.

beatlesgirl25 · January 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_gotten-myself?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:136075bf-dc19-44d2-b36e-d1c007d7ddd4Post:750e7174-258f-4258-8361-8cc13c2d6f6d">Re: What have I gotten myself into?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: What have I gotten myself into? : oooohhh, oops! I've only ever heard of it---I have no first hand experience with it. But, I'll take your word for it if you say it's evil.
Posted by RachNRich[/QUOTE]

No worries rach, I thought of it too actually, I just don't recommend it. It's already getting some bad reports, and the way it functions chemically in the brain is so new that I predict it will be one of those recalled popular drugs in a year or two.

Nebb · January 2010

Perscription drugs like that kind of freak me out, i dont see how theyre able to know long term side effects seeing as how new they are. I was put on some pills for my knees recently and since going off of them, whenever it rains/snows, my joints ache. That didnt used to happen before the pills, it might not be connected but it feels like it.

playtntsbpg30 · January 2010

Nebb, have faith. The mood swing is normal but it's for the best until he gets use to it. My dad slacked down recently after a visit to the hospital and he's been smoking for 48 yrs more then a few packs a day. He now smokes a pack in about 2-3days.
FH smokes a pack a day. Recently he gotten this e-cig from litecigusa.net and it helps so much. It gives the same feeling of smoking a cig. The smoke is water vapors. Maybe you can get one of them. I recommend them. You spend a few bucks once instead of $5 or more on a pack a day or so.. Then the refills are only $3-5 so it's well worth it if you think this will help him.
FH now smokes a pack a week. We're trying to get him off all together but it surely is saving in money.
Good Luck, and hang in there.

beatlesgirl25 · January 2010

That's weird nebb, and it sucks that you can't predict how meds will alter your body even after you're finished taking them. I think it's tough with smoking meds too because smoking is such a behaviorally-based addiction. Your H chain-smoking through CSI is probably not because his body is screaming for nicotine. There's something else happening.

I know I sound all hippie-trippy in this thread with alternative stuff, but has he done any mindfulness exercises? It can be really helpful to pay attention to when you smoke (or do any compulsive behavior), and what else is happening around you when you go to pick up a cigarette. The key is to not judge yourself for picking up the cig, just recognize that you're doing it. Okay, I'll stop with the behavioral interventions now.

Nebb · January 2010

I think he looked into the e-cig thing, but for some reason changed his mind. I think he smokes out of boredom really, he gets bored easily and has few hobbies other than what ivementioned. He is quite introverted and doesnt discuss his feelings openly so I dont know if he would go for that - I also cant see him taking the initiative to do that.

It sounds like its just one of those things you have to stick out. Were figuring it will probably take a few months at minimum for him to really conquer this, but hopefully it sticks. Right now he spends around 90-100$ on cigarettes a month, so it will really help our budget if he can quit!

beatlesgirl25 · January 2010

Good luck to both of you! He's quit before, and he can do it again. The best thing about a smoking relapse is that you'll always have another opportunity to quit.

crfische · January 2010

Chantix makes people fucking crazy.

My SIL just quit before she got pregnant and she ate a lot of tootsie rolls and twizzlers, but she was a raging bitch for about a week.

Nebb · January 2010

He likes twizzlers, maybe ill buy him a pack of those. Im "letting" him get pizza for dinner tonight (for himself, not for me), because pizza always makes him feel better. I hope it works.

kimbrout · January 2010

Late on this, but my DH has been off of cigarettes for a year now and this is what worked for him:

He used the patches. They give you a basal level of nicotine all of the time so they really helped cut down on cravings.

Most cravings only last for five minutes tops. What he can do for these is to write down on cards the reasons why he wants to quit smoking. When a craving pops up, you take out the cards, read through them, and by the time the you're through the craving should be over.

If he smokes out of boredom, what others have said in terms of finding something else to do with his time will be key for him. Like sucking on candies/lollipops.

What worked the best for DH was me calculating how much he'd save us by not smoking for six months, dividing that in half, and letting him splurge on whatever he wanted (with no input from me). It gave him something long term to focus on and he really looked forward to his little shopping spree. Whatever short term rewards you can think of are great, too. Like if you don't smoke for a week, we'll go to the movies, a month we'll go out to a fancy dinner, etc.

Sorry for the novel!

Mrs.B6302007 · January 2010

Gaining weight is common because the ex-smoker needs something in his/her mouth. Everytime my friend quits, she puts on 20 pounds within the first month.

Sunflower seeds. In the shells. Another friend who tried to quit started popping those left and right. Gave him something to chew without the extra calories.

TeresaLovesDave · January 2010

My FI stopped smoking cigarettes 1.5ish years ago. He used to tell me that he smoked because he "didn't know what to do with his hands" (to which I would add "also because you're addicted" -- he didn't appreciate how blunt I was). He was incredibly moody at the beginning, but that faded a few weeks in. While quitting, he used the patch and chewed on toothpicks 24/7, but we found that if he had something to keep his hands busy (a stress ball, rubber bands, really anything to play with), he'd be much calmer. Maybe that would help your husband?

p.s. Excellent resolution, Mr. Nebb.

kimbrout · January 2010

JMHO, but please don't introduce him to Chantix. That stuff is evil and dangerous.

I know that some people have bad reactions to it, but I've seen many patients who really love Chantix and swear by it. I don't know, my opinion is a little biased as a medical student but I think that whatever helps people to quit is worth the small risk of side effects. Admittedly, though, I haven't taken it myself.

Nebb · January 2010

My husband could do to gain the weight in all honesty - he generally is too lazy to eat and has lost a lot of weight because of it. He would rather smoke at work than take time for lunch so he rarely brings one unless I pack it for him. I just found out he had to punch a new hole onto his belt because it was getting too big, so he really needs to work on that too.

kimbrout · January 2010

According to the studies on smoking, about 1/3 of people who quit will gain 5-10 pounds, 1/3 will have no change in weight, and 1/3 will actually lose a little bit of weight (due to the increase in fitness abilities). DH gained 10 pounds but I think it's as pp mentioned, he replaced the oral action of smoking with eating, lol.

crfische · January 2010

Kim, I really hope you aren't one of those who is going to drop "I'm a medical student" on a regular basis because it gets annoying really quickly.

kimbrout · January 2010

Hi, my name is Tiffany (sn is misleading). I just added that I'm a medical student because I think that alters how I view medication. I've posted a few times since I'm on break and bored, and I don't think that I've mentioned it before.

What have I gotten myself into?

Re: What have I gotten myself into?

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