What is the best smoking cessation aid? Any side-effects?

[eileenfitz]

Nicotine Logenges...used sparingly. Only when you are really craving. You need to wean yourself off them in 3-4 days. They are just Nicotine.But they do work. And they do have that nasty smoke taste.

[Diana50]

I think that is a very individual question. I started smoking 34 years ago and the only "quit" times I had (prior to 12 days ago) were when I was pregnant with my children. The pregnancy hormones didn't jive with the smell of smoke so it was easy to quit during my pregnancy. Puking every time you smell cigarette smoke is a pretty powerful motivator. But...I'd start right back after the hormones went away and nicotine is a powerful drug.

I've tried about everything on the market. Chantix make me a raving witch and within 24 hours I'm homicidal. Can't have that because I really love my family...Wellbutrin makes me depressed and I don't want to get out of bed which just makes me want to smoke more. Scratch that. Nicotine gum and losenges make my jaws hurt and my tongue numb. Not so good. I finally found a combination that worked. After a severe bout of pneumonia, I'd had enough. I couldn't get a breath (did I mention I also have asthma) and after a serious talk with my husband we both decided to quit together. I'd purchased an electronic cigarette about a month ago and combined with a nicotine patch (21 mg) to start, I took a full pack of cigs and put them on my counter in the kitchen. Every time I walked past them, I made a mental note that I CHOOSE not to smoke. I'm now on my 12th day of not smoking. I added a 2 mile fast walk to my evening routine to combat the "after work" "after dinner" smoking trigger and I'm not even breathing heavy at the end of the fast walk. The nicotine patch helps me take down my nicotine levels and still stay somewhat sane and the e-cig gets me through the real tough times when I want that oral fix. It works for me and I don't get the panics that always de-railed my efforts before. I guess what I'm trying to say in a rambling fashion is that each person's smoking habit and triggers are different. Don't be afraid to work out something that works for you. The main point is to quit...

Diana50

[SidneyTaylor]

Asthma is the common outcome of the smoking. Nearly all the smokers suffer with the asthma. This is caused due to the swelling that is the respiratory tracts that happens due to the smoke of the tobacco. Even the sexual stamina and loss of libido is noted to be common problem faced by the smokers. Even the problem of premature ejaculation is found to be prominent among the men who smoke habitually. Even the occurrence of the blindness is found to be very common among the smokers. Tobacco smoke affects the blood vessels in the eye. This result in the damage of these vessels and the blood supply to the eyes get disturbed, which ultimately leads to the blindness.

[Bobbie51]

Tomorrow is my cold turkey day! I've been on Chantix for the prerequisite week. Reading all these posts is helping my fears. When I first set the date, I cried every time I talked about the big quit. I think the Chantix is helping a little because I'm no longer panicking. My doc also gave me a prescription for wellbutrin which she said I could take with the Chantix. I'm having the usual side effects, (upset stomach and vivid dreams) My friend who is also quitting is going to try the laser therapy tomorrow. I'll let you know how she says it is working.

[18Elizabeth81]

I used Chantix and I think that stuff is a miracle pill! There were some side-effects for me but they were worth it in my case. The directions are to take the Chantix with food. I found the best way was to eat a meal, and then wait a good 15 - 20 mins before taking Chantix. It also says to drink a lot of water while on Chantix, which I highly recommend. So like 15-20 mins after eating, I would take the pills with a tall glass of water. Now, if you are anything like me, I started to hate drinking water...it made me feel like I wanted to gag. So, I would drink water with a splash of fruit-juice (such as cranberry) just to change it's flavor a little. (I"m sure you could drink juice straight, but I just tend to not drink too much juice as it has a lot of sugar!) I found sipping on decaf tea throughout the day also helped as #1. it gave me something to do besides smoke. #2. it kept me hydrated #3. it was not WATER!!!

The Chantix did make me feel a little nausea through out the day...but nothing all too bad. It definitely helped me to NOT even want a cigarette. To be honest, I quit the first time for a month, and then caved. After that, I took half the dose of Chantix I was supposed to (1 pills) and continued smoking about 2 cigarettes a day for about a month. (from being a pack-a-day smoker) Then, after a month of that, I attempted to fully quit again and on the date I set, I took the recommended dose of Chantix (2 pills) and I haven't smoked a cigarette since. I had a Dr. tell me that usually people stay on Chantix for up to six months...I stopped taking it after the first month of quitting and have been fine. I think that my second technique of taking half the dose for a month of cutting back extensively really helped me because by the time I actually quit, I was used to very rarely having a cigarette anyway, so my habits throughout the day were already almost non-existent.

I would highly recommend Chantix as I NEVER thought I would make it! It's definitely worth a shot. Just remember to eat beforehand and drink lots of fluids throughout the day...that is the toughest part, because I found myself forcing myself to drink water. And, follow the directions given to you by the Dr, but if you don't make it through perfectly the first, or second, or third time, DON'T GIVE UP!!! I haven't smoked now for 3 months and a week and I am feeling like a new person...and I used to think I would never quit! Just keep trying...take everything you hear from others and use what you can to make it work for you! Good luck!

[espressogrin]

The old joke goes, "quitting isn't hard. I've done it hundreds of times". But, that's not joke. My sister smoked for 47 years and tried everything. Nothing worked. I've done some research and found that less than 25% of those that try are unable to quit permanently. Does anyone else have any statistics on that from a reliable source? So, the real question is, what really works and what do you do if nothing really works?

[April]

There isn't anything out there that is going to quit for you, You have to put in a little effort, sorry but it is true. these products are out there to "HELP" you quit not quit for you. Only thing that is going to help is that you have to want to quit more then you want to smoke. Stick around here and read up on your addiction and get educated and meet all the other quitters here.

[espressogrin]

For sure, nothing will quit for you. But, there are new tools out there to help. I would stay away from the pills (terrible side effects). The gum and patch and inhaiers are only temporary fixes, and none of these satisfy the "habit" portion of smoking....the holding of the cigarette...puffing on the warm vapor, and exhaling (calms the smoker). I told a few others already that my sister smoked for 47 years and just couldn't stop...period. I researched a couple new concepts, including the electronic cigarette. I found the best one on the market and got her one. She's off tobacco now for 8 months, completely satisfired, has her "habit", and isn't killing herself any more. And, she's slowly reducing her nicotine intake.

Just be careful. There are a number of them out on the market now. Some of them, however, are pretty scary. Choose the one that has their cartridges manufactured in an FDA registered lab using only pharmicutical grade ingredients. Also, be sure you get one with great customer support. The cartridges from one brand to the other don't interchange, and you can't buy the cartridges from the local store.

Just something you might want to think about.

[April]

[quote="espressogrin"]

Just something you might want to think about.[/quote]

Not!!!! I quit over two years ago, why would I want one????? People think these things are so safe that they are using them in place of smoking, and not just using them to quit their smoking and nicotine intake.....if they use it for too long they are still at risk for heart attack. no thanks

I never hear anyone say "I am going to quit smoking but am going to still use nicotine"
What do you think is going to happen when this e thing breaks (which most do a few days after purchase) and it takes so long go get another, or they can't afford to get another. they are going to run to the store and buy some smokes and they are back to where they started!!!

oh and anyone can quit, it is all in the mind and you have to use a little self discipline.

[Smoker1]

Bad breath or halitosis is one of the more anti-social of quit-smoking symptoms. People may recommend chewing gum as a remedy that may remove bad breath. Smoking itself has bad breath in it.

[davidgreem]

If you go for smoking cessation aid for a few days you will feel head ahe, not willing to concentrate on work etc side effects but instead of that you start chewing chewingum you will feel relaxed.

[Skitter]

This is my first post and probably my last I was just thinking I have not smoked for at least 10 years and the way I quit was with Zycam I at first did not want to quit I had failed to many times before but with defeatism I took it and was a no smoker in a week now I know that sounds crazy and wondered for a long time why it worked and so easy, I smoked, but less that a pack that whole week, when my daughter told me it was the same as welbutrin I really scratched my head because I had been on welbtrin for months and still smoked a pack and a half a day....and maybe the extra dose was all I needed I haven't been on any anti depression med since and still don't smoke and I have smokers around me all the time, I hope this helps in some way because I know the struggle and would like to ease others

[harrywatson66]

If you have been smoking for years, quitting smoking is one of the best and the hardest thing to achieve. This is because nicotine is one of the most addictive substances known to mankind. Overtime people are not just physically but also psychologically addicted to nicotine. Within hours of quitting, you may experience negative side effects of quit smoking. You may go through pangs of nicotine withdrawal that can make your life miserable. Some of the most commonly observed nicotine withdrawal symptoms include:
1) Mild depression or sadness.
2) Anxiety is often noticed in people; they feel jittery.
3) Boredom and loneliness?
4) You become angry or short-tempered as you constantly struggle to quit smoking.
5) Increase in appetite; there is no nicotine to keep your blood-sugar levels elevated; enhanced appetite is a side effect that can lead to weight gain.
6) Mood swings; you may experience irritability, depression, anxiety, trouble concentrating and anger while in the process of quitting.
7) Sleep problems such as insomnia, poor quality sleep accompanied by nightmares. Sleep problems, then, can lead to fatigue during waking hours.

[quittingcold]

I think when it comes to smoking aids the best way to use them is strictly to break habits associated with smoking e.g. hand-mouth.

I say the gum is the best way to go for this because unlike the patch (which constantly pumps nicotine into your system) you are allowed to be in a natural state of the body for extended periods learning how to cope, going longer and longer before reaching for a piece of gum. If you chew the gum as directed when you get a craving within 30minutes your craving will subside. With the patch there is no relief when you get a craving.

With the gum you are allowed to still smoke without any serious risks, with the patch you could stroke out.

If you are looking to use a product to discover and train yourself to cope living day-day life without cigarettes in them I say once a week swap a smoking day for a gum day and if it's too hard at the beginning have 1 smoke at the very end of your day (never at the start, this will really encourage you to just give up and smoke for the rest of the day).

Also look at your cravings as a 'high' a glorious blast of new energy, pumping you up for the race. Burn that energy off by singing a loud happy songs, or doing a burst of running/jogging/speed walking (even if its just for a couple of seconds, I guarantee it will eliminate that feeling).

Good luck!!