TheresaMary Posted October 30, 2012 Share Posted October 30, 2012 I want to do the whole30 and kick the cigarettes at the same time. However, I have a history of depression and I find I crash about 3 weeks into going cold turkey from nicotine. Can I use NRT on the whole30? I have a lot of other life stuff happening right now and I can't risk sliding into another depressive episode. Thanks love Theresa x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Tom Denham Posted October 30, 2012 Moderators Share Posted October 30, 2012 First thought: You may find that your cravings for cigarettes are milder when you are following the Whole30 eating plan. By eliminating many food triggers, your feelings about smoking may be different than you have experienced before. So, you might succeed with not smoking by combining the effort with a Whole30. Second thought: Changing the nicotine delivery system from a cigarette to a patch still leaves you living with nicotine. You have to get away from nicotine completely. Now the question is whether you do that all at once or gradually. Apparently, the patch does help many people succeed in stopping smoking, so, I would say grudgingly, that you can use the patch while doing a Whole30. You cannot use nicotine gum because you can't chew gum during a Whole30. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jennrider Posted October 30, 2012 Share Posted October 30, 2012 There are 'natural' ways to quit smoking. I'm not sure how/if they work. My husband quit after 30 years using the gum. He tried the patch, but found it burned his skin and he had bizarre dreams. I have read that it takes only a few days for your body to lose the craving for nicotine. The rest is breaking the emotional triggers. I have known people who have had success with acupuncture and hypnosis. There is also a drink called Quit Tea. I'm not sure the ingrediants, but I think it's essential oils and spices. I would research some of the ingrediants as most contain something that works as an appetite suppressant and you don't want that. There are also tea tree chew sticks. I think they are like a toothpick that you chew on when a craving hits. The first week of W30 was tough for me and I imagine that's what the first week of quiting smoking would be like. Good luck and use the patch if that's what you need. Just make sure you follow the step downs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheresaMary Posted October 30, 2012 Author Share Posted October 30, 2012 Thank you for the replies. I haven't decided what I will do yet. I would like to go cold turkey but I am nervous about my mood dipping. I would imagine that it may be easier though I am currently on a (mostly) grain free diet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura B Posted October 30, 2012 Share Posted October 30, 2012 Hi Theresa, I just want to encourage you to quit any way you can. I smoked for 10 years and have been a non smoker for almost 2 years. I quit for New Year's on January 1, 2011. I went cold turkey, and while I did have moments where I needed a smoke or had cravings, I just reminded myself how important it was to not smoke. I also had supportive friends who would not let me smoke even if I asked. I also took up a new hobby of spin class. Being able to breathe better and go harder made it much more rewarding. I think it could be a lot to take on at once, but you are headed in the right direction. Just remember that any rest your lungs get from the smoke is helpful, and the more the better. I hope you can find a way to quit as that will definitely make you much healthier right away! Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emily Posted October 30, 2012 Share Posted October 30, 2012 Hi Theresa, My bf used nicotine lozenges while quitting. It took awhile (like 6 months) for him to slowly decrease and during that time we did two Whole30s. The Whole30s seemed to really help him psychologically feel he *could* quit... they helped him have a sense of control. He has now been nicotine free for about 8 months! (YAY!). I also suggest you quit in whatever way works for you. He's thoroughly enjoying healing faster, a healthier mouth (he chewed), better blood pressure, and just not having a yucky habit! Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Strathdee Posted October 31, 2012 Share Posted October 31, 2012 I want to jump in here and say that we're proud of you for wanting to change your health so drastically! While Tom is correct, NRT still leaves you living with Nicotine, it is also a step in the right direction. I don't see a problem with you completing the programs together at all. However, both a Whole30 and quitting smoking can be very stressful on the body, so I might encourage you to think carefully about taking them on together. I'm not discouraging, by any means, but cautioning. There's a lovely lady at our gym who quit smoking with her W30 and she did a fantastic job! However, I would say that you need a game plan for dealing with the double stress and cravings. A serious, written out, set in stone plan. You have to know which one takes priority in your life right now and take every step you can to minimize stress and conflict. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phanniemae Posted October 31, 2012 Share Posted October 31, 2012 I quit smoking while doing a w30. I think that straightening out your diet also helps adjust your emotions which can be helpful in minimizing cravings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheresaMary Posted November 1, 2012 Author Share Posted November 1, 2012 Thanks everyone. I have patches and the support of the lovely stop smoking lady. I also did some research and found out that both chewing cinnamon sticks and taking big doses of niacin reduce cravings so I have stocked up on these. All the other NRTs have sucralose in so I took them back but if I need it I may consider these. I am determined not to waste the opportunity I feel I have been given by stumbling upon this site. Thank you for all the kind comments. Day 1 starts tomorrow!! Wish me luck!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derval Posted November 1, 2012 Share Posted November 1, 2012 Good luck, giving up smoking will be the best thing ever! I haven't had one since march 12th 2001 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheresaMary Posted November 3, 2012 Author Share Posted November 3, 2012 Good for you Derval!! Just completed 48 hours and feeling pretty good though I have a headache still!! I know - its normal! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derval Posted November 3, 2012 Share Posted November 3, 2012 Well done! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kb0426 Posted November 4, 2012 Share Posted November 4, 2012 Please take the niacin cautiously. The fact that you said "big doses" scared me a bit. I would not do that without consulting your doctor first. Big doses, even small dose actually, can cause flushing of the skin and severe itching in 78% of the people who take it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheresaMary Posted November 4, 2012 Author Share Posted November 4, 2012 Thanks for the advice. I did a lot of research and I have a no flush formula. And I AM a doctor!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.