Jumping on the no smoking wagon.

[Brattt8525]

Has anyone used a product to quit smoking and what worked for you?

The doctor gave me free samples of a pill called Wellbutrin to try. I finally decided that I needed to quit before I did anymore damage to my body,

[Skirmisher]

Welbutrin and the nicotine patch helped my mom quit finally after many decades of smoking.

Well, that and the two surgeries and the two rounds of chemo may have helped.

[Bobmuhthol]

Nicorette gum has kept a family member cigarette-free for months now.

Simply not smoking anymore has kept a family member cigarette-free for years now.

[Apotheosis]

The product that was most helpful in killing all the cravings/urges was the nicotine inhaler thingy. Basically it was a white tube that you inserted nicotine cartridges in and inhaled occasionally.

Well, I am still smoking.. I quit awhile back, but am back to the smoking. I will keep quitting though, goddamnit :rant:

It's about sticking to it, though. Substitutes will only be effective to curb the nicotine cravings.. the psychological cravings are the worst.

[Bobmuhthol]

<<Substitutes will only be effective to curb the nicotine cravings.. the psychological cravings are the worst.>>

I always hear, "When I was chewing the gum I didn't even think about cigarettes. Now that I'm using the lozenges I want a cigarette all the time." I think those cravings are from using a product that isn't really effective, no matter how much you want it to be. Nicotine lozenges and patches suck for treatment, IMHO.

[Apotheosis]

Gum was great until I wanted to go outside and smoke after dinner.

The nicotine is good a curbing the physical cravings..

The psychological cravings that come when you see other people smoking, or go outside, or after dinner... those are tough for me :shrug:

[Brattt8525]

I used the patch years ago to stop smoking, I didn't smoke for a year then got divorced and began smoking again.

[Skirmisher]

I'd try it again then.

Anything is better than chemo.

[Showal]

as a pack a day smoker for the past 2 years and 2 packs a day before that ... I decided to quit this past Aug 1st. The Nicotine patch does not suck for treatment, IMHO. The first 3 days blow. The 3rd day was the worst, by far. I used step 2 - 14 mg/24 hrs to get me through this, along with a lot of regular gum.

I'm over the physical withdrawal now but I just find I want a fucking cigarette. It's a behavior I learned and it's one I have to unlearn. I don't have a cigarette or the jitters, but I want a damn cigarette when I drive, when I finish a meal, when I get out of my car, when i'm playing cards, when I'm watching the baseball game ... I just want a fucking cigarette. These are all times I've learned to associate with cigarettes. The good part about the patch is if you smoke on it, you could have a heart attack. That thought helped when going to parties and drinking. Even if you take it off, you still run the risk for a few hours.

I've heard that it's best to view it as an attempt and not all or nothing. If you slip, you didn't fail. You have to learn why it happened. Just give it a try. I've quit before and I've come back, but taking those breaks are better than continuing smoking. I have to admit, before trying to quit this time, I was definitely the most nervous. I'll probably go back, who knows. I don't want to, but I've heard you will always want a cigarette.

[crazymage]

i sucked it up and quit.

[Showal]

I did that once, just up and quit. Quit for 4 months. My car got stuck in a river and, thinking I lost my car, I forced my girlfriend to give me a cigarette and started it all up again.

[Ravenstorm]

I tried cold turkey originally and went through every withdrawal symptom possible. It was awful. So I changed the game plan.

First I took a couple months to cut my cigarette intake in half. That's not too difficult since I was smoking more out of the habit of reaching for a cigarette than because I needed one.

Then I went on the patch and let myself have a cigarette if I really, really felt I needed one.

Then I stopped cigarettes completely.

I used each step of the patch 2-3x longer than the instructions. I didn't see a need to rush and torture myself. It worked. I haven't had a cigarette in almost four years.

Raven

[Wezas]

Welbutrin is what the doctor gave me when I told him about my memory issues (if you tell me 5 things, I'll maybe remember the last two you told me). Took it for two weeks and then said "screw it".

They gave a friend of mine Welbutrin for weight loss.

I've also heard about it for smokers. Is it some kind of miracle drug?

[Czeska]

Wellbutrin is an antidepressant. They also gave it to my dad when he tried to quit smoking, and he puked his guts out for 3 days. He said screw it, and put the pills away. Then he figured well, it's been 3 days without a smoke, let's see how I do..

It's been 5 years and 4 months for him.

Me? I was never a heavy smoker, but I quit when I got pregnant. Won't work for everyone, obviously.

[xtc]

I quit 7 years ago. I patched it for the first few days and then went cold turkey. It was shake, rattle and roll at first. I sweat and shook for the first two days. I did anything and everything to take my mind off smoking. The nervous energy was incredible. After the first week the physical effects subsided however I still had the psychological addiction to deal with.

I think it is important to recognise that the patch or wellubutrin only go so far and that will power and dedication are needed for the rest. Also you have to change your behaviour. Sit with non-smokers in restaurants; avoid your smoking friends for the first few months. Be aware of craving periods, after dinner while drinking coffee (which I reduced while quitting smoking). There is the oral fixation to deal with. I always seemed to be chewing gum or eating after quitting and I wasn't sure what to do with my hands since I was so use to holding a cigarette.

I started exercising to combat the increased eating which eventually subsides. The exercise also helps burn the excess nervous energy.

I quit because I watched my boss slowly die at 43 from years of smoking.

[Edited on 8-11-2005 by xtc]

[Tromp]

exercising (especially cardio) after quiting definately helps the body stay off the need to jump off the wagon. if the mind is in a good place the body will follow.

[Showal]

Wellbutrin is also known as Zyban, the prescription stop smoking aid. The chemical is bupropion. I can't think of how it works to combat nicotine smoking but I've heard it makes cigarette smoke taste like shit.

I'm not too surprised your dad puked. Antidepressants cause upset stomach for about the first 2 weeks, combined with the upset stomach due to withdrawal ... that musta been nice. I've heard that wellbutrin makes cigarette smoke taste literally like shit.

I've heard if you're pregnant and you find it really really stressful to quit smoking, the doctor will actually tell you to continue smoking. I've heard there's a greater risk of side effects from the stress caused by a bad quit as opposed to smoking while pregnant. Anyone know if this is true? I'm not advocating it, I'm just curious.

[AnticorRifling]

If you have an oral fixation get something to chew on because otherwise you're going to eat. Straws are good, buy a box and chew on one for a little while then pitch it. If you don't have the oral fixation nevermind. The nic gum worked for my step dad other products I can't say as no one I know really smokes that much.

[Sylph]

Smoking is the DEVIL.

[Letum]

Yes, but a very tasty devil that comes in a pack of 20 for only three dollars.

[Sylph]

They are 10 bucks a pack + tax in Canada ;)

BC already has no smoking in bars and is looking to outlaw no smoking at any public place. It'd be impossible to enforce so they'll fine the business owners to enforce it at their entry-ways and restaurant patios...


Which is great.

[TheRoseLady]

I used the method that Skirm mentioned. Patch and Wellbutrin. I also chewed the gum but only enough to get over the intense cravings the first week.

http://www.quitnet.com/

Launched in 1995, QuitNet is the Web's original quit smoking site. QuitNet operates in association with Boston University School of Public Health.

This is a good site. You can register for free and get various insight, tips, allows you to calculate your savings and how long you have extended your life etc. They also periodically send you anniversary email.

My Stats:
Your Quit Date is: 3/19/2002
Time Smoke-Free: 1241 days, 19 hours, 12 minutes and 13 seconds
Cigarettes NOT smoked: 49672
Lifetime Saved: 12 months, 19 days, 10 hours
Money Saved: $11,169.00

My biggest tip, when you are having intense cravings inhale deeply a few times to simulate what it was like when you were inhaling a cigarette. It really helped me.

[Edited on 8-11-2005 by TheRoseLady]

[Asha]

Raw will power.
Becouse nothing else will get you through it.
They don't make @ Nicotinel oh I'm drunk @
Seriously I've tried it all. Only never never smoking made me quit.
I mean Actually nothing but not smoking.

(Didn't read any of the thread incase it's already been said.)

[ElanthianSiren]

My dad quit smoking and drinking cold turkey, mostly because he had athsma that his doc said would kill him if he didn't lay off the smokes.

I agree that the addiction to cigarettes is very psychological. If I'm going to smoke, it's generally while I'm writing. I like to take a break, have a smoke, and read back what I wrote, much like Showal with his cards, games etc.

My mom has tried the patch, the inhaler, cold turkey, and pills. Nothing works for her. The sick part is, her blood pressure is incredibly low, she weighs 130 lbs, and her cholesterol is perfect. I don't think she will quit until something terrible happens to her health (like Skirm's mom with the cancer).

-M

[Back]

Originally posted by ElanthianSiren
The sick part is, her blood pressure is incredibly low, she weighs 130 lbs, and her cholesterol is perfect. I don't think she will quit until something terrible happens to her health (like Skirm's mom with the cancer).

-M

Well, I don’t exactly weigh 130 pds... but my blood pressure IS and has always been very low plus I have, and I am not making this up, 110% lung capacity at my last physical.

Dunno, I’m a single guy living the bachelor life. I may quit on my own but I’d definitely quit to raise a family.

As for tactics... my mom quit. She had a hard time, but she has stopped after being a life long smoker. She said keep things to munch on handy and don’t beat yourself up if you sneak one here and there. Its gradual.

I quit once. I took a cigarette pack with one left in it, taped it shut, wrote black skulls all over it and carried it around with me. I just resisted the urge. Eventually I threw the little voodoo pack away and went a good while but then decided I was young and I liked smoking.

[Apotheosis]

Wellbutrin is a common treatment for depression and some forms of bipolar disorder (manic depression).

[Showal]

DUH YSWITHE. I THINK BEN BOLGER WANTS A PICTURE WITH CAPTAIN OBVIOUS.

Wellbutrin is bupropion. Bupropion is also Zyban, the prescription stop smoking aid. The reason most people get "wellbutrin" instead of "Zyban" for their smoking is because most insurances won't pay to help you quit smoking, so doctor's claim something else and prescribe wellbutrin, essentially off label. I used to be on wellbutrin for anxiety attacks and one day I was bored and I peeled off the label. Underneath was a label for Zyban. Apparently the pharmacy uses the same stock for both zyban and wellbutrin.

[Syberus]

We get paid like 500 bucks or some shit at work if you quit smoking and don't smoke for 6 months.

[Showal]

i wish.

[Snapp]

Originally posted by Syberus
We get paid like 500 bucks or some shit at work if you quit smoking and don't smoke for 6 months.

How do they know if you're lying or not?

[Showal]

i'd quit for 6 months, smoke for 1, quit for 6, smoke for 1, etc... It'd be a good 1000 dollar bonus every year.

[Terminator X]

I think I had like 125% lung-capacity when I smoked, but it essentially didn't mean shit because I couldn't walk up like a quarter of a flight of steps. Life has been better after quitting cold turkey.

[Syberus]

You can only do it once.. but the good news is it's on the "honor system" hahaha fucking A I might start just so I can quit and get some money.

[Back]

Originally posted by Terminator X
I think I had like 125% lung-capacity when I smoked, but it essentially didn't mean shit because I couldn't walk up like a quarter of a flight of steps. Life has been better after quitting cold turkey.

125% and you couldn’t do stairs? Pussy.

[Terminator X]

lol, that was a dramatization.

I could walk up ten flights of stairs back then as I can now, but now my penis is much larger.

Seriously though, I just kept on feeling pissed off at myself as I watched 94-pound paraplegic senior citizens pushing their huge cart thingies up the same flight of stairs that I was going up, and then having me being more winded than their shriveled husks were after the endevour.

[cajunlady]

I started smoking around 14 years of age, got out of college and quit for 3 years, then picked it back up full force *for me about a pack to a pack and a half a day* when finacee's mother and sister who both smoked moved in with us, about 12 or 13 years ago? Just recently quit again because I can't afford them. I know there are better reasons to quit, but it's just that simple for me. If I won the lottery tomorrow, I'd probably buy a pack to smoke while in the limo on my way to Tallahassee.

How I am quitting.... Cold turkey. I've always heard that if you can stop for 21 days, you have an excellent chance of success. Worked for me before.

Good luck!