T and Smoking

[Sly]

This morning I went to my doctor to get my T refill authorized, and she basically told me that if I don't quit smoking she won't give me any more refills after this one.  She explained it like because testosterone thickens the blood it can increase the chance of blood clots, so with habitual cigarette use on top of that it can be really dangerous.

I'm kind of just processing the fact that I need to make a significant change in my life in order to continue taking T.  In a way I'm glad, because I've been saying I want to quit for about two years but always put it off (I'll quit tomorrow, I'll quit after I finish this pack, I'll quit when I dang well feel like it.)  And I know that once I get through the initial withdrawal stage, it won't be that bad.  I've quit a lot of hard drugs, cigarettes are just one more thing that I don't need to be dependent on.  And think of all the money I'll save!

So I guess this is just a forewarning to anyone who smokes and isn't yet on T.  Obviously, cigarettes are bad for you, but on testosterone the risks are much higher.

[aleon515]

Well it's extreme, but you it's a big problem with T and also you need to stop for a couple weeks before top surgery.


--Jay

[Jill F]

Cigarettes are really bad even if you're not on T, and are probably the toughest thing I ever had to quit.  I've heard the same about blood clots and taking estrogen... 

I quit cold turkey 2 years ago, long before HRT.  I wanted to kill everything that moved for about 2 weeks, but at least it was over for good.

My wife is in the process of kicking by tapering off gradually and is down to smoking half a cigarette at a time, and can now go days without.

Best of luck!

[Tossu-sama]

Smoking also decreases the effects of T, or at least that's what my doctors have told me. Actually I back this claim up since I noticed a boost in the T effects after I quit smoking because of top surgery.

I didn't go completely cold turkey, I used e-cig at first but now I've been... what, two months without anything. Don't even feel the need or want anymore.
Can't say it was easy but top surgery was a good incentive and also everyone saying "oh you can't quit smoking just like that" because it made me go all "we'll see about that".

[Sly]

Smoking also decreases the effects of T, or at least that's what my doctors have told me. Actually I back this claim up since I noticed a boost in the T effects after I quit smoking because of top surgery.

Really!  I've never heard that.  Well, there's an incentive.

[Jack_M]

Well it's extreme, but you it's a big problem with T and also you need to stop for a couple weeks before top surgery.


--Jay

Not always true. I don't know why some surgeons make you stop T before surgery as there's no real medical reason to.  FTMs on T equate to CIS males with natural T so it's mind boggling why you would need to stop. Thankfully my surgeon said I was to keep on T. I'd personally hate to be on a T come down and be approaching surgery! :-/

[AdamMLP]

Cigarettes inhibit the body's ability to heal which is why its recommended that you stop before surgery.

I'm quitting at the moment partially because its money I need to be saving to be able to afford my own place whilst on apprentice wage, but also because the NHS is very funny about smokers getting T and I'm in the process of getting a referral to the GIC at the moment. Fortunately they don't count e-cigs as smoking, and I can count on one hand the number of "real" ->-bleeped-<-s I've had since last week when I got mine. Most of them were when I was out of e-liquid or when I was sick of being unable to sleep, one of my weird withdrawal symptoms is always insomnia and I needed the headrush, luckily that's sorted itself out now and been the only thing different from before.

Good luck with quitting however you try to do it. One thing that always helped me was no making a big deal out of it, if you slip up you slip up, its still a reduction to before. Just don't get like my mate at the beginning of stoptober and try punching holes in smoking shelters when no one would let him smoke!

[aleon515]

Not always true. I don't know why some surgeons make you stop T before surgery as there's no real medical reason to.  FTMs on T equate to CIS males with natural T so it's mind boggling why you would need to stop. Thankfully my surgeon said I was to keep on T. I'd personally hate to be on a T come down and be approaching surgery! :-/

No *smoking*-- you have to stop smoking before surgery, not T. I didn't have to stop T. Dr. G left it to my own doctor, who said there was no reason to stop. I'm on the cream and maybe missed 1-2 doses, that's it.

--Jay

[Jack_M]

Ah then yeah, should quit completely before surgery.as it makes for crappy healing if you don't. I know a few folk who were told to stop T before surgery and thought you meant that, cause that one is just silly. Lol