Stop Smoking Success Step 2

Above all else, talk to your doctor.  Much like embarking on a new diet or a fitness regime, quitting smoking is not only a life altering decision; it can have an impact on such things as blood pressure and any medications you are taking.

There is another reason for talking to your doctor, other than support and advice, they can help you by suggesting medications that can help with your withdrawal symptoms.  Some of these medications are OTD (over-the-counter) but others require a doctor’s script (prescription).

Your doctor and dentist can also steer you toward other support methods and support call-in lines such as the National Cancer Institute’s Smoking Quitline) or even area support groups.

There are many types of smoking cessation methods available.  Some of these can be found at your local pharmacy or grocery store including nicotine patches, nicotine gum, or even nicotine lozenges.

The following prescription based cessation methods can help to reduce the feelings of withdrawal:

         Bupropion SR pills

·         Nicotine Gum

·         Nicotine Inhaler

·         Nicotine Lozenges

·         Nicotine Nasal Spray

·         Nicotine Patch

If you feel the need to start again, which normally occurs during the first week of quitting smoking, talk to your doctor about the above medicines as the first week is the hardest for some as they just don’t like the way they feel during withdrawal.

If you are think about getting pregnant there is absolutely no better time than now as women who smoke have a harder time getting pregnant in the first place.  There are other dangers relative to smoking when you are pregnant as well.  These include such horrific problems as:

·         You may lose the baby altogether or, worse, have a stillborn baby

·         If you make it to term and deliver your baby, it may be born small

·         Your baby is more susceptible to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

·         Your baby could be more sick, cranky or restless

·         There is also the danger of your baby having learning difficulties

The above dangers make it all the more important to quit before you get pregnant; but, if you are pregnant now, you still have time to quit before the baby is born.