I'm sorry your having such a horrible time. You stopped before and can again, just try and focus on what the end goal is. At my clinic they did a carbon monoxide test that you blew into. They are very strict that you stop smoking for 3.months before treatment, and husbands and partners are tested too. I'm not sure how long the carbon monoxide stays in your system though. I hope things get better for you and you can get back on the wagon again.  xx

 

Hi, firstly don't worry and try not to beat yourself up. Old habits die hard, and at a time of particular stress it's understandable. The important thing is that you stop asap. I wanted to reassure you about the carbon monoxide breathaliser. I'm an ex-smoker, but both times I've been breathalised was within a fairly recent (and very brief) relapse. Both times, I had been cigarette-free for a week, and both times I got a perfect score of 0. So it doesn't take long for it to leave your system. Obviously don't mention you've been smoking. It's clearly not something you're going to be doing during treatment. Try to just let it go now, and focus on being healthy from now on.

Edited to add: Sorry, I should have explained there that the smoking test is done by breathaliser, as I said. Clinics probably vary as to when they do it, but I had mine on our official referral for IVF (about two weeks after my laparoscopy), and again once we'd cleared the waiting list and were ready to go (about five months after that). Acceptable scores on the breathaliser have to be 2 or less I think. My DH scored 1 on his, and he has never smoked. I consider myself an ex-smoker, but I have lapsed occasionally. Make sure there is at least a week between you and your last cigarette when you attend an appointment, and you should be fine.

 

Pink chick thank you so much for your response and encouragement. My hubby doesn't smoke, so he should be fine. You're right, I need to get back on that wagon asap x

Goldcrest- thank you for your advice, that is really reassuring! I'm in Dorset, so fingers crossed they will breath test me after my laparoscopy too, because that will give me a bit more time to get my head in a bit of a better place.

I really appreciate your responses. Thank you xx

 

Im sure you will be fine honey, don't worry. The breathalyser test is often only used at the IVF clinic when you have your first appointment, and it has never been done anywhere else (e.g. When I have had ops/laps etc), or repeated, and they take your word for it.

Good luck xxx

 

Oh thank you so much cloudy! I've had a stern talking to myself and am determined to get back on that wagon!

I really appreciate your advice xx

 

Oh god I'm really worried now. Is this test just done on nhs patients ? I'm about to start next week and have smoked a bit due to stress. I'm private though. They won't text me and stop me doing it will they ??

 

Hi Miss sd

We have done 3 cycles with only the first being NHS funded.  Prior to starting that first cycle we were both checked with the breathalyser thing but on the subsequent cycles which we funded we weren't - not sure if this is just that we were now self funded or if it was because we remained with the same clinic.

Dory
xxx

 

I've never heard of a private clinic checking your CO levels for proof that you're not smoking. Your NHS trust has an obligation to make the most of its funding for IVF by ensuring that candidates have a good shot at success, hence they need to rule out smoking because it does put a big dent in your chances. But when you're self-funded, if the cycle doesn't go as well as hoped and lifestyle factors are a possible issue, you're the party that's out the money, not the tax payers. The clinic will definitely urge you to be smoke-free as it's in your own best interest, but as a private patient I can't imagine they'll test you.  Certainly my UK clinic was happy to take my word for being a non-smoker (all my cycles were self-funded). If you've been smoking heavily though, miss sd, you might consider postponing? Not to punish yourself, just to ensure you're as healthy and prepared for success as you can be.    It sounds more like you've just slipped and had a few though, rather than firing up a pack a day, right?

 

Yes I thought it would be NHS funded only where they check.

Well I haven't been smoking 20 a day or anything close to that but I have been having a few too many. I've had a very stressful year dealing with lots of other issues eg anxiety and OCD along with all of this. I know it's bad and will affect my chances but I can't change it now ni have a week until I startvthe drugs do I won't be buying anymore from now onwards and I'll just have to hope it hasn't affected my chances too much. I'll only have myself to blame n