My husband has given up smoking for nearly 3 months but is finding it very difficult, I really don't want him to back to cigarettes as he looks better and has got rid of the awful cough he had.
He is diabetic and since giving up the cigarettes he is eating more sweet stuff than he should do, really need some ideas what I can do to help him, what does everyone else do if they get cravings.
I am quite concerned for his health, he is on patches but it takes a while for all the toxins to clear the body and I just don't want to see him get ill through his Diabetes after quitting the cigarettes.
Thank you
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Jinglecat
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Your husband has done really well with his quit and I understand that you don't want him to go back to smoking. Sugar free mints to munch on might help. Sips of water can help with cravings too. I eat lots of fruit but that may not suit your hubby, sorry don't know much about diabetes. Can he go for a walk as excercise will definitely help or swimming perhaps. Have a read of the pinned posts coz there's lots of good advice there. He is a lucky man to have such a caring and supportive wife. I'm sure other members will be along with some good ideas soon. Take care😊
Just had a thought, there's a diabetes community on here as well. At the top under communities there's a drop down + browse communities and that will take you there
Your hubby has done really well with getting to 3 months quit>
It is common when quitting to eat, I think it to do the the hand mouth thing😭😭
Like briar said check the the diabetic site. Now that the spring is in the air, maybe you both can enjoy some walks together.
Sugar free sweets, and gum would be a better option than sweets. cravings can be similar to hunger pangs 😣😕 so maybe looking at diet could help. If he is type 2 it maybe worth looking at LCHF diet as this reduces hunger.
Being 3 months quit now, the worst is now behind him 😀😀👍👍
Well aren't you lovely giving support to hubby 😊 I gave up with patches and hubby is doing fantastically...... 3 months quit👍👍
I don't know about diabetes but what about veggie snacks (unless hubby doesn't like em.... Like me) or my mum has a real sweet tooth so she always makes sure she has sugar free jelly made up in the fridge!
It might also be worthwhile hubby seeking dietary health from his GP or if there's something your hubby likes doing or wants to do (bucket list) that could tempt him off the sweet treats whilst still off the smokes..... Let us know how he gets on or get him to join us 😊😊👍👍👍🚭🚭🚭🚭🚭🚭
Hello--I went thru hell with the food thing--and everyone told me--eat celery and stuff like that--but my body craved carbohydrates--I am doing much better with that part--but it is a gnawing that is just overwhelming-so try not to get to upset with him...-I find that if I eat at regular times now--I can control that off the wall eating--I believe part of that is craving a cigarette--and also--most addictive drugs from heroin to alcohol have this component--that is craving sweets--not unusual...If he is not supposed to eat sugar and is--that complicates the whole process because of diabetes--Im sure you know what sweet things he can have--Its very hard to get full when you are like that--so maybe a few bites of sum sugar free diabetic food and then fill up on something that will not jeopardize his health-Cook his favorite foods and havem in refrigerator...I feel for you--because I know you love him and want him to be healthy--This quitting business is a lot more complicated and involved than many of us thought--He is doing so good making it 3 mos--but that is really when my appetite went nutz--about month 2 -3 and a half--Im just getting it together now with that food thing--Keep him full and give him maybe some diabetic candy to suck on to satisfy sweet craving-Don't worry bout weight now--does no good--that void has to be filled--and whether he is starving or not--he feels like it and it isn't pleasant..-I validate him completely cuz I went thru it- He has to want it because it is tough.The good things are coming soon--if he will just hang on-and it will start becoming worth it-Feed him LOTS just the right things--and like I said something sweet in his mouth--cinnamon toothpicks are nice--and kinda serve a dual purpose--Good Luck to him and you are a good woman... MmeT Keep me posted This part of the journey is something I really relate to
Everyone risks damaging their health through smoking a cigarette, pipe or cigar, but for people with diabetes the risk may be even greater.
If you have diabetes, you already have an increased chance of developing cardiovascular disease, such as a heart attack, stroke or circulatory problems in the legs.
Combine this with smoking (which can also double your risk of complications) and you make the chances of developing these diseases even higher.
Giving up smoking
Giving up can be hard, but you don't have to carry the burden of quitting on your own. It has been shown that you are more likely to quit if you get the right support. Whichever method you choose, there are clear benefits from quitting and plenty of support to help you.
Smoking is associated with multiple complications of diabetes; the risk of complications
associated with tobacco use and diabetes in combination has been stated to be approximately
14 times higher than the risk of either smoking or diabetes alone.35
Increased risks of kidney disease (nephropathy) have been shown in Type 1 diabetes patients
who smoke.36 There is also evidence that both active and passive smoking increases the risks
of chronic kidney disease in Type 2 diabetes patients.37
Smoking has been found to increase the risk of albuminuria (the presence of protein in the
urine, which indicate signs of kidney disease) in both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.38,39 A small
study of 33 people with Type 2 diabetes with kidney disease found that smokers’ kidney function
declined more rapidly than that of non-smokers, despite drug treatment, suggesting that
smoking cessation could slow the progression of kidney disease in people with diabetes who
use ACE inhibitors.40
The relationship between cigarette smoking and retinopathy (disorders of the retina) is less well
defined than that of other microvascular complications of diabetes.41 However, some studies
have found an association between smoking and diabetic retinopathy.36,42
Smoking is also a documented risk factor for both the development and progression of various
types of neuropathy (damage to the peripheral nervous system). A retrospective case control
study of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetic patients found that current or ex-smokers were significantly
more likely to have neuropathy than individuals who never smoked (64.8% vs. 42.8%).43 A
prospective study found that cigarette smoking was associated with a 2-fold increase in risk.44
More recently, a systematic review and meta-analysis found that smoking increased the risk of
diabetic peripheral neuropathy by 42%.45
Benefits of stopping smoking
Stopping smoking reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, lung disease, cancer and stroke.46
(See also ASH fact sheet: Stopping smoking - the benefits and aids to quitting.) As diabetes
also increases the risk for heart disease and stroke, smokers with diabetes are strongly advised
to quit.47 However it appears that many smokers with diabetes are not receiving this advice.
Fortunately, physical nicotine withdrawal symptoms generally subside in 72-hours and one can typically overcome the psychological cravings in about six months. Plus, there are plenty of products on the market that can support your quest to quit smoking by reducing the withdrawal symptoms, as well as improve the likelihood that you will remain smoke-free.
Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT): Nicotine replacement therapy is one of the most popular smoking cessation methods. There are a variety of gum, patches, lozenges and nasal sprays on the market. According to the American Heart Association, using a NTR product consistently more than doubles the chances of successfully quitting.
Medication: There are a variety of medications, such as Zyban (Wellbutrin) and Chantix that reduce the urge to smoke. Zyban (Wellbutrin) is a mild anti-depressant whose side effects have been found to help people quit smoking. Chantix, on the other hand, is a new drug specifically designed to help people quit smoking by blocking nicotine from reaching the receptors in your brain. Forty-four percent of smokers that completed a 12-week course of Chantix quit, as opposed to only 18% of those given a placebo.
Other popular smoking cessation methods include acupuncture, hypnosis, behavioral therapy, motivational therapy and quitting “cold turkey.”
Before you begin a smoking stopping program, find out what the success rate is and then determine which one best suits you and your lifestyle. Keep in mind that approximately 25% to 33% of smokers using medications remain smoke-free for over six months.
Reduce the Health Risks of Smoking by Quitting
When you quit smoking, you will reduce your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. If you already have the disease and quit smoking, you will make it easier to control your blood sugar level. In addition, you will reduce your risk of cardiovascular and other related complications, while also eliminating other detrimental health effects of smoking. Here are just some of the benefits you will begin to notice:
After 20 minutes, your heart rate and blood pressure drops.
After 12 hours, the carbon monoxide level in your blood returns to normal.
From two weeks to nine months, your circulation improves, your lung functionality increases while coughing and shortness of breath both decrease.
After one year, the excess risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker's.
After five years, your risk of stroke is reduced to that of a nonsmoker.
After 10 years, the lung cancer death rate is about half that of a continuing smoker's. The risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, cervix, and pancreas decrease.
After 15 years, the risk of coronary heart disease is that of a non-smoker's.
Thank you to all with all the information its a great help, onward with the journey :>)
Hello Jinglecat,
Will your husband snack on veggies or sunflower seeds .. Sunflower seeds keep the hand to mouth habit busy.. Buy the unsalted ones.... Plus if he can drink more water, that would really help with energy and appetite.
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hiya im Kelly looking on stopping smoking for new year ive got to this time I lost my father to heart failure after suffering his first 
I am blessed to have you all....
My experience so far as someone who has managed to stop smoking.
Thank god I've quit smoking 😊
It’s time to quit for good...
