Are Doctors Taught About Nicotine Recovery?

[MarylandQuitter]

Are Doctors Taught About Nicotine Recovery?

Sometimes the response people get from their doctors upon finding out that they had quit smoking is less than enthusiastic, often expressing great skepticism that the people will be able to sustain their quits over the long-term. The former smokers are often left discouraged and at times begin to question their own ability to stay off. Video explains why physicians are often pessimistic of people's ability to quit smoking and stay smoke free over the long term.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u__qleLP1bw

[Devil Doll]

Are Doctors Taught About Nicotine Recovery?

Sometimes the response people get from their doctors upon finding out that they had quit smoking is less than enthusiastic, often expressing great skepticism that the people will be able to sustain their quits over the long-term. The former smokers are often left discouraged and at times begin to question their own ability to stay off. Video explains why physicians are often pessimistic of people's ability to quit smoking and stay smoke free over the long term.

 

*snipped media for space*

I have had this experience recently with one of my doctors, actually a surgeon. It left me more angry than discouraged though. I understood his point of view but he didn't seem to be listening to mine. 

My primary doctor basically did cartwheels out of the examining room though.  

[JackiMac]

I must admit my GP's have been fantastic, they understand how difficult the addiction is and encourage, support and listen all the time and never once put you down, I have heard of some people who have had bad experiences with their GP;s and go  back to smoking immediately, its a shame because the better the support network the better you feel, knowing that someone understands goes a long way.

[Nicole Diver]

My doc said "are you sure? It's really hard."

I truly believe she was saying that from believing the con that is so prevalent out there, that it's nearly impossible to quit. I know she meant no harm.

[babs609]

 my doctor was more interested in pushing me to lose weight at the time.  I found that really odd...especially because at the time, I wasn't nearly as overweight as I was after I first quit.  But I am glad I quit first...then concentrated on the weight. 

[comrade simba]

Most of the time I think they think we're lying. Hey - they're justified in that, too. Addicts lie - it's a job requirement. I went througha bunch of this during the heart attack thing. Had a Nurse say "no smoking" when I walked by the desk letting her know I was shuffling off to the cafeteria out of boredom. I asked if she had ever quit smoking and when she said no I said then you have no idea how much work I put into the last 7 months.

 

Once they put a stethoscope to your chest you get a little credibility though. And, I don't particularly give a rat's ass if they believe me or not. It's my 7 months, piss off, God.

[Still winning]

Wow, mine really were dreadful at the support thing.  There is a stop smoking clinic at the docs, they do appts I can't make one morning a week as they all co-incided with school runs and my Mums appts on thursday.

 

So i went to the actual docs, whose policy is not to support you unless you join a clinic.

So I went to the chemist, signed up, asked for champix and they can only prescribe NRT without a doc.

So I made a docs appt (again) and said I'd now joined the chemist non smoking clinic, but am alergics to plasters, inclusive of patches which is all they prescribe for those who smoked more then 30 a day and could I have a prescription now.

I got sent back to the chemist who had to write a letter,

that I had to take back to the docs to get a prescription

to take back to the chemist to fill it.  

 

Unreal it was. I had to use the patch and photgraph the reaction as the chemist didn't believe me!!  That was before I even attempted an actual quit!!  EDIT to say all of the above process took 10 days as I was constantly waiting for the appts and letters and prescriptions. After I just think they were uninterested, just how long quit and fill in a screen.

 

It was really stressful and I realize I am unusual in my situation of single mum and a registered carer for a disabled Mum but they all have to come before me and my health quite often takes a back seat but I was led to believe the NHS were keen to get you not smoking...not my experience at all!!  Same docs are fabulous with my Mum and her conditions, just seemed like they weren't at all interested in whether I smoked or not?

 

Mixed messages from the medical profession! 

[SanDar]

Wow, mine really were dreadful at the support thing.  There is a stop smoking clinic at the docs, they do appts I can't make one morning a week as they all co-incided with school runs and my Mums appts on thursday.

 

So i went to the actual docs, whose policy is not to support you unless you join a clinic.

So I went to the chemist, signed up, asked for champix and they can only prescribe NRT without a doc.

So I made a docs appt (again) and said I'd now joined the chemist non smoking clinic, but am alergics to plasters, inclusive of patches which is all they prescribe for those who smoked more then 30 a day and could I have a prescription now.

I got sent back to the chemist who had to write a letter,

that I had to take back to the docs to get a prescription

to take back to the chemist to fill it.  

 

Unreal it was. I had to use the patch and photgraph the reaction as the chemist didn't believe me!!  That was before I even attempted an actual quit!!  EDIT to say all of the above process took 10 days as I was constantly waiting for the appts and letters and prescriptions. After I just think they were uninterested, just how long quit and fill in a screen.

 

It was really stressful and I realize I am unusual in my situation of single mum and a registered carer for a disabled Mum but they all have to come before me and my health quite often takes a back seat but I was led to believe the NHS were keen to get you not smoking...not my experience at all!!  Same docs are fabulous with my Mum and her conditions, just seemed like they weren't at all interested in whether I smoked or not?

 

Mixed messages from the medical profession! 

Wow Marti! What an f*ing ordeal you had to go through. All I can say is you are one determined lady and look at you now, close to 6 months free. 

Way to go :)

[Still winning]

Sooo bad, imagine if I hadn't been as determined. I do wonder how many people have slipped through the system thinking it was too much stress :(

[Doreensfree]

Geez marti that's shocking....

I am Tony's carer,and do have to see our doctor on a regular basis.....

He is the wonderful helpful person....

When I needed to quit.....he sat me down with nicky,and had a real heart to heart.....he is always supportive....

Where tony is concerned....he goes one step beyond....

[Still winning]

I'm so happy you had that Doreen. It's so important and sometimes it makes me a little despondant that I am expected to just keep going no matter what. With the quit I chose not to fulfil the champix as I came off it after 5 days and no one at the Doctor or clinic at the chemist phoned to check on me. That surprised me too.

 

The odd thing is they think a clinic with somebody fairly useless is support. For instance, the guy at the docs does one morning a week, each appt is 45 minutes long so he can waffle inanely according to my Mum. All they do is suggest it's too hard without NRT and serve you that with a prescription - the chemist lady had never even smoked lol. Same line tho, patch and gum...or hey there's this new nicotine spray that costs £18! 

 

Not once did any professional suggest joining an on line group, or offer me one they knew of and yet here was my biggest save, especially when I SOS'd at 3am! 

 

Although I was showed a jar of tar (lovely!) nobody gave me any timelines for recovery, one of the things I held early quit was 3 days and all nicotine was gone - but I knew that through here and not the cruddy support of the medical profession.  I was really shocked when I had a docs appt and said I quit for a doc to say oh what date, filled in the screen and moved on.

 

Such a shame! But really why paying it forward is so crucial! 

[Frezflops]

speaking as an RN it is true that sometimes it is hard to believe what some patients say. Like when they say they dont drink much and they come in with a high BAC or they only smoke a half pack when in reality they probably smoke a pack and a half if they knew that it doesnt matter how much you smoke but just the fact that you smoke that puts your airway and healing at risk with surgery. I know I used to state I smoked a half pack (smoked 1 pack a day) mostly because of embarrassment about the fact that I smoked at all. I work in a non smoking facility so we give the patients nicotine patches who are smokers. Being a non smoking facility does not stop family members from smoking either. We have been told some doosies so that is probably why we have become so cynical.

 

As far as my GP he is happy that I quit smoking and that I lost wieght and lowered my cholesterol on my own without meds.....they are not used to that most people just want to do what they to do and eat whatever they want and just will take meds to "fix" the problem instead of making changes in their lifestyle to help themselves. It is a case of treating the symptoms rather than treating the problem itself.