UK Keratoconus Self-Help and Support Association

hi all (again)
ive posted more after my graft than ive ever done lol

just wondering if anybody knows about the effects on smoking after a graft ?
i stopped the week before my graft and now im feeling a bit better my cravings are kicking in. i know smoking is very bad but i want to know what effects it has on a graft and the healing of it. i am wearing a patch and have a pretend nicorette cigarette to puff on but i think i need a bit more incentive and i know that not getting cancer and various other health problems should be enough but the cravings are getting the better of me today .so was just wondering if any body could shed some light on smoking and graft healing etc.....
thanks all

nicola

Not sure about smoking on the healing process beyond what you probably know.

However my dad did smoke a pipe sometimes in the weeks after my first graft and it did irritate.

Even to this day it drys and irritates my eyes and that was before I was on the lenses again. This is despite having worked in some well grotty places!!!!

So from my personal experience I would say definitly not and for you my concern would be that the pain you are getting over so well will be undone.

I would say get down the doctor or chemist and get one of those proper quit smoking kts with the patches and gum to help reinforce the good work you have done and to help reduce the cravings to a more manageable level. A friend at work succesfully gave up with stuff and suplemented it with gum for when the cravings started to come.

He has quit for a couple of yeears now and keeps the gum on standby for when he gets stressed at work. His incentive for giving up gum is me shouting at him while at work for having gum in areas no food or drink is allowed.

nicola
i've never smoked myself but even a little smoke really irritates my grafted eye. hope you can use your KC as an incentive to kick the habit.

Nicola,

Hey there! I think that you know that smoking is a bad thing for your health in general and as a nurse i need to be saying this as well!

I am never smoked though notice how bad my eyes get in a smoky pub which is now worse since having a graft.

I would keep going with the patches as you are doing well to have started with them!!

Keep up the good work ... Sweet X x X

Interesting post....does it also matter what it is your smoking?....Hmmmm now theres a thought!!

Graft, Relaxant, etc etc.....Naaa! Im sure that wouldnt be good for you either!

Smoking is known to slow the healing process but you already know this. I think everyone (including smokers) would encourage you to stick with it if you can. That doesn't mean that we don't realise how hard that is but just that this is the obvious answer on paper and everyone wants the best for you.
The best of luck to you. If you can obtain better eye sight and quit into the bargain, it would be a double success! But I do wish you the very best of luck.

thanks all....
i have put a stronger patch on and this is a little more help , i dont want to ruin my graft or healing etc so will do my best
thanks for all advice and tips

nicola

My sister smokes and her grafts have been more hassle than mine. I gave up nearly 13 years ago. I was not smoking at the time of either graft. Coincidence possibly. I gave up my 70 a day habit cold turkey, just before Anzac day 1994. For me it was one cigarette I gave up, if I never have that next cigarette I will be fine. Now I just need to get back to my smoking weight. 3 kids had a bit of a say in that though.

Nicola

I stopped smoking in 1979. It was hard, but made easier for me by the fact that I had just finished University and had moved to a new towmn. When people asked if I smoked I always said "no", never "i'm trying to stop". If people know you are in the process of giving up they will usually push the point when you decline the offer of a cigarette ... "are you sure?" the truthful answer would have been "no," I'd have accepted the ciggy and then gone out and bought some of my own.

I was wondering, have you tried those patches that are supposed to reduce your craving?

Andrew