need help with my husbands smoking

**mh3rdwheel** · 11-19-2011, 06:23 PM

Dh smokes 1/2 pack to one pack a day, he needs to quit because of his heart, he spent yesterday at the er and overnight stay with super high blood pressure, increased enzymes, nausea, chest pains, etc.

I try to fix when I am home meals that are low sodium, low cholesterol, etc. DH is only 38. I do not smoke. Please if anyone has any suggestions, really appreciated. He has tried Chantix ( made him smoke more) and the patches, not help.

Thanks.

**FrabjousDay** · 11-19-2011, 06:38 PM

Only he can fix this.

**lisaflex** · 11-19-2011, 07:05 PM

i am a smoker and know and have known that i need to quit...it is an awful habit and even worse to stop....not easy.

sending prayers that your dh gets better and does find a way to quit.

no answers from me, just good thoughts comin your way

**Ramona** · 11-19-2011, 08:04 PM

Has he tried nicotine gum? It comes in 2 mg and 4 mg. I know CVS has a generic for both.

**OOwl** · 11-19-2011, 10:33 PM

My godfather has lost two legs because of the effects of long-term smoking, which ruined his vascular system and caused him to get huge ulcers on his legs that became infected down to the bone and had to be removed to spare his life. Right now he's recovering from amputation number 2. Sometimes you have to "tough love" smokers into what can really happen to them if they fail to stop smoking in time to prevent/reverse such bad consequences. In the hospital, I've seen nurses (often smokers themselves) get HUGE eyes when he tells them that smoking caused the loss of his legs. Maybe you should introduce your husband to someone who has lost his or her legs due to years of smoking, or find some pictures online of what those leg ulcers look like. Sorry you're going through this with your husband. I well know the fear and sadness you're enduring right now. I am my godfather's full-time caregiver. You have my prayers and compassion.

**Palooka** · 11-19-2011, 11:05 PM

He has gotta want to quit. Cold turkey, baby. It works.

**frugalfranny** · 11-20-2011, 12:06 AM

Originally Posted by mh3rdwheel

He has tried Chantix ( made him smoke more) and the patches, not help.

Thanks.

I would stay far away from Chantix..........they have had some
serious side effects with it.

He has to WANT to quit.........a friend was successful with
hypnosis but if the DESIRE TO QUIT isn't there..........it won't happen.
Would he talk to his Dr. about it? They will usually help.

Good luck...........I hope he finds a REASON and a WAY to quit...........if you can't make him see that the family is enough to do so.

**brennasmom** · 11-20-2011, 12:57 AM

That is a tough one. My DH smoked for about 10 years and quit cold turkey in 1998. He was very determined and has been smoke free since.

It is a tough addiction to break. My Dad smoke right up until his death in 2008... and it was definantly a contributing factor

Does your DH want to quit?

**ladykemma2** · 11-20-2011, 05:34 AM

Originally Posted by Palooka

He has gotta want to quit. Cold turkey, baby. It works.

yes this. i quit cold turkey. no crutches. it would be a good idea if he took three days off from work, because i was a monster for three days.

nicotine products do not adddress the problem.

20 years without a marlboro red. i was a three pack a day smoker

**savvy_sniper** · 11-20-2011, 08:24 AM

As others have stated, he has got to want to quit. He also has to want to eat healthier, exercise, etc. You can help once he makes that decision.

FYI - Statistics show that most smokers are NOT successful at quitting the first time. I quit several times. I THINK I have finally quit successfully. It has been over 4 years.

**Lora88** · 11-20-2011, 08:27 AM

I am so with you on this I have nagged begged bribed pleeded used guilt and any other method I can think of including being nice reason and scare tactics to get my hubby to quit Nothing i say or do will get to stop smoking and this is a man who would literally give me anything . He just doesnt want too I quit over 2 years ago cold turkey and I will never go back but he continues to ignore the dangers Until the time comes when your hubby and mine have to quit they wont sad but true

**Debbie-cat** · 11-20-2011, 08:31 AM

I agree. He has to make the decision to quit and do it cold turkey. Good luck to him!

**Darlene** · 11-20-2011, 09:09 AM

He has no idea how the quality of his life and yours will be enhanced bunches with him just going cold turkey. It's all up to him and I don't know how he can continue to do this to both of you when he sees how this hurts you. Not to be a weirdo/jerk but maybe getting or seeing that his life insurance policy is up to date will help him see the gravity of the situation. I so hope he stops, for both your sakes.

**Contrary Housewife** · 11-20-2011, 09:48 AM

My husband doesn't smoke, but for a long time he wasn't watching his health either. I just kept saying, "honey I love you and I want you to be healthy so we can grow old together." He finally went to a doctor.

But if repeated heart attacks and trips to the hospital haven't scared yours I don't know what will. My father smoked his way into the grave, despite heart attacks, surgery, and years of warnings. He "quit" about a week before his death only because he was no longer able to breathe enough to get out of bed and get a light.