BS: Tobacco smoking cessation aids.

Subject: BS: Tobacco smoking cessation aids.
From: gnu
Date: 20 Jul 09 - 05:23 PM

Filtered, but thought a new thread might be a good thing. I hope I didn't screw up.

So...

The gum. That gave me a polyp on a vocal cord which, when removed, messed up my singing voice. Things have become a bit more complicated since. Nevermind.

The patch. That gave me night sweats and the wildest nightmare dreams ever.

The pills. Can kill. Zyban has been trashed. The new one has been in the news as not much better.

The lozenges. Can kill if you swallow one with your popcorn.

Cold turkey. Well, if any of you think that cold turkey is easy... **** *** *** *** ***** ***** *** **** ** **, eh!

Sorry... but, I am considering saving the SPCA money by offering to strangle kittens.. but only the really cute ones... arrrrgggghhhhh!!

So... anyone know of a method to mitigate the problems with any of these? Or is it time to get a litter?

Subject: RE: BS: Tobacco smoking cessation aids.
From: Amos
Date: 20 Jul 09 - 05:26 PM

There is an electronic cigarette which is charged by a replaceable cartridge, and allows you to emulate the smoking behavior while producing only water vapor. I havcen't tried it but may be doing so soon.

The COMMIT tablets have worked for me in the past better than anything else, but you're s'posed to take it out if you're eating, you big lug!!

A

Subject: RE: BS: Tobacco smoking cessation aids.
From: Rapparee
Date: 20 Jul 09 - 05:56 PM

Do what I did:

Get pneumonia. When you're wife asks, "How are you feeling?" reply, "I can't wait to get well and have a smoke."

She will then tell you EXACTLY what is going to happen with your smoke when you get well. It sounds like it involves quite a bit of pain and several embarrassing trips to the Emergency Room.

This causes you to quit, especially if you're sick enough to start with.

Subject: RE: BS: Tobacco smoking cessation aids.
From: Royston
Date: 20 Jul 09 - 05:57 PM

I smoked with a zeal and passion that bordered on the religious. After twenty years puffing I ended up 40 a day average, 60 easily on a good day and night out.

I tried and failed on every method until I went on Chantix / Champix (the Pfizer miracle cure). Worded a treat for me, I'd recommend it to everyone.

The hearsay against this drug is bollocks. There is anecdotal complaining about suicide and heart palpitations and the like. I suggest that they are both more prevalent anyway in addicts withdrawing from their poison of choice and I don't accept that the drug is to blame. Giving up caused panic attacks and anxiety symptoms for me, I'm not alone in that. I'm over 18 months clean now and all's well.

Until there is some significant double-blind assessment of side effects that takes Champix/Chantix users against a control group of cold turkey quitters then I suggest going for the drug. Smoking is hardly a better option.

Subject: RE: BS: Tobacco smoking cessation aids.
From: artbrooks
Date: 20 Jul 09 - 09:45 PM

I smoked a pipe for years. Herself said, "take that smelly thing outside"...so I did. Then I got a job transfer to Cleveland, Ohio. It's amazing how motivating Cleveland's winter weather can be!

Subject: RE: BS: Tobacco smoking cessation aids.
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Jul 09 - 07:55 AM

You could try this.

http://allencarr.com/central/

It's kind of corny, but I stopped for five years after doing the seminar without any pain except for the first three days (stupidly have started again, but five years smoke-free is better than none). It involves mild hypnosis at one stage in the seminar, which might be what actually does the trick, and the rest just flimflam.

Subject: RE: BS: Tobacco smoking cessation aids.
From: Boho
Date: 21 Jul 09 - 07:58 AM

GUEST was me, frequent lurker, v rare poster

Subject: RE: BS: Tobacco smoking cessation aids.
From: Rapparee
Date: 21 Jul 09 - 08:45 AM

Chewing tobacco? Nah. Although one brother went from a pipe to cigars to chewing tobacco to quitting altogether due to the disgust factor.

Subject: RE: BS: Tobacco smoking cessation aids.
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 21 Jul 09 - 08:50 AM

Could try this gum....

Subject: RE: BS: Tobacco smoking cessation aids.
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 21 Jul 09 - 02:08 PM

The anti Zyban evidence is pretty thin too.

I was smoking 40 - 60 per day from 1955 to 2006.

I had my last smoke on November 6th 2006, one week into a seven week course of Zyban, with weekly breath tests. I had zero withdrawal, and I have never wanted a smoke since.

My doctor didn't want to prescribe Zyban, but I insisted, saying that I felt I was just smart enough to come in out of the rain and would come back to him if I had side effects. I had NONE.

It makes much more sense than nicotine, as anyone who has tried the "cutting down" option will confirm. You can get it down to two a day, but just try to get rid of the last two.

Zyban takes all that away. You have no urge to smoke, and by the end of seven weeks, you've lost the finger twitch after meals etc.

Worked like a charm for me. I think doctors avoid it because it costs more than nicotine

Don T.

Subject: RE: BS: Tobacco smoking cessation aids.
From: Amos
Date: 21 Jul 09 - 02:22 PM

I have known people who did well with Zyban and others who went loopy on it.

My own opinion is that pushing through on those last two is the real test, and that if you succeed at it you are all the better for having made the hurdle unaided.


A

Subject: RE: BS: Tobacco smoking cessation aids.
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 21 Jul 09 - 03:41 PM

Sex - The only way. And one hell of a chat-up line.

"Do you want to help save my life..?"

:D (eG)

Subject: RE: BS: Tobacco smoking cessation aids.
From: catspaw49
Date: 21 Jul 09 - 04:49 PM

LOL....Pity Fuck huh?

gnu......almost 40 years at 2-3 packs per day. Went through all types of methods and nothing worked. Had a blue zillion heart and lung problems and after every stay in the hospital, I went right back, generally finding a way to smoke in the hospital and after that was completely curtailed by the hospitals, I'd buy a pack on the way home.

Close friends all said I'd never quit. I agreed with them. I could barely stand, I was oxygen deprived and had developed serious ulcers (4 of them). I fought going to the hospital because I knew I would have to quit......and I loved to smoke. There wasn't a single thing I could imagine doing that didn't involve a cigarette at some point. I smoked all the time from the first thing in the morning to the last thing at night. I went to the hospital and after I awoke from the coma my wife and doctor said , "NO MORE!!!"

But I told them they had no influence as I had already made that decision. So as I lay there wanting a butt, I read all that same old crap over again. Maybe I'd missed something.

Sure enough.....Now here was something that if I had read before I sure as hell thought it was stupid but for some reason it now made sense...................

Urges Pass

That's it........Urges pass. They do you know? I bet really you don't------but they do-----NO SHIT............Urges pass. You see, always before I kept that in mind but figured, what the hell, I'll let the one tomorrow pass.....Today I'm buying a pack. When its gone I'll wait for the next urge to pass..............yeah......You really feel the urge and the simple knowledge you can put it off by buying or bumming a butt means you don't really believe the urge will pass.

Urges pass. Really.   Just continue doing whatever it is you're doing and the urge will pass. At first it may not pass for long but it will pass for awhile, When it comes back, remember it DID pass. Continue on and repeat.

I still want a butt now and then but hard as it is for me to believe, the smell started making me sick a couple of years ago. THe other key for me is to remember just how hard it was and how long its been and that I HAVE NEVER CHEATED ONCE!!!! Not one drag, never.......and if I took one I'd have to start over. So when I think about that I am prouder over the fact I've never cheated then over the fact I quit. For me, quitting comes under the heading of probably too little, too late.   But I take great satisfaction in knowing I have never cheated.

Yeah, I know......It ain't much but it beats smoking!

Urges pass Man........No shit!

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Tobacco smoking cessation aids.
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Jul 09 - 04:59 PM

My Rog started as a kid in 1966 up to several packs per day. A year ago last December, he started on Chantix and has never had one since and he had no problems with the medicine. I am so proud of him. It's the not cheating here, too, Spaw, as well as the fact that he DID it!

Subject: RE: BS: Tobacco smoking cessation aids.
From: Morticia
Date: 22 Jul 09 - 04:24 AM

The one thing you don't mention is the little inhalor jobbie which worked for me until I was strong enough to do the rest, and that took a while but 6 years on, it was probably one of the most worthwhile things I've ever done.

Subject: RE: BS: Tobacco smoking cessation aids.
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 22 Jul 09 - 10:36 AM

Some 4-5 years ago, being a 60-a-day smoker, I went onto Zyban. It worked a treat, just as it says on the tin: on the 11th day suddenly I found the taste of cigarette smoke bland and not enjoyable. I tried different smokes, all with the same result. In fact, the only thing I could taste was some of the better quality cigars (Villiger).

I now smoke 8 Villigers a day.

Subject: RE: BS: Tobacco smoking cessation aids.
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 22 Jul 09 - 06:51 PM

That's a bummer George. Still, as long as you don't inhale........

Don T

Subject: RE: BS: Tobacco smoking cessation aids.
From: Amos
Date: 22 Jul 09 - 07:12 PM

Anyone who puts eight villagers a day in his mouth deserves whatever he gets, George!!

A

Subject: RE: BS: Tobacco smoking cessation aids.
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 22 Jul 09 - 09:39 PM

It's costing me a fortune in wicker men.

Subject: RE: BS: Tobacco smoking cessation aids.
From: katlaughing
Date: 23 Jul 09 - 11:11 AM

Be careful of the alternatives?:

Nation Digest
FDA

Federal Caution on Electronic Cigarettes

The Food and Drug Administration said Wednesday that an analysis of leading brands of electronic cigarettes, which deliver nicotine without smoke, detected carcinogens and a chemical used in antifreeze that is toxic to humans.

Officials at the FDA and other public health experts cautioned consumers against using the products, saying their health effects are unknown.

Subject: RE: BS: Tobacco smoking cessation aids.
From: maple_leaf_boy
Date: 23 Jul 09 - 08:17 PM

That electronic cigarette Amos mentioned sounds like a good idea.
I wonder how well that works.