I Have Tried Everything and I Still Can't Quit

[Dr_Hurt]

Do you ever feel like nothing works?
You’ve tried the patch –
 and that didn’t work. 
You tried the gum -
 and that didn’t work.
You tried the lozenge -
 and that didn’t work.
You even tried Chantix –
 and that didn’t work.
It can be very discouraging when nothing seems to work for you.

Well, research is showing that a combination of medications - like the patch AND the lozenge work better than either medication alone.  Combinations are proving to be very successful with people who feel that they have tried everything.

Cigarettes are the best nicotine delivery device ever invented, faster than shooting it IV.  They deliver nicotine to the brain much more quickly and efficiently than any of the nicotine replacement medications.  One medication alone may not be enough to fully treat withdrawal and craving for a cigarette.  But, using medications such as the nicotine patch, bupropion (Zyban), or varenicline (Chantix) in combination with a ‘short acting’ nicotine replacement like the nicotine gum, nicotine lozenge, nicotine nasal spray, or nicotine inhaler –can provide the extra coverage you may need for those more difficult times – like when you first wake-up, talking on the phone, stressed, or bored.

Many people are pleasantly surprised that when they find the right medication combination – they can be reasonably comfortable when they stop smoking.  So, if you think you’ve tried everything – consider a combination of medications.  You might surprise yourself!

[leslie32]

Welbutrin is helping me.  Good point about smoking being faster than an IV.  I, who was horrified by junkies shooting up, had no problem with inhaling nicotine and other toxic chemicals straight into my brain!

[i_can_do_this]

Not to knock NRT, but what about cold turkey?  Instead of drawing out the addiction, why don't you suggest cutting it off clean? Just curious?

[JonesCarpeDiem]

I was pleasntly surprised when i used the patch for 10 of my first 14 days and just stepped away from it.

i am so pleased I wasn't mixing nicotine cocktails and expecting them to do the work of losing my nicotine addiction.

[bella65]

the lozgenes did work for me but i did get addicted to them.cold turkey wasnt the way for me.im still doing great now im loving it

[sandi8]

over one year cold turkey never tried anything else

[aztec]

I used patches and gum, I'd put the gum in my mouth while the patch was beginning to work, gradually got off the patch and kept the gum up untill it went down. started 4mg gum 10 times a day, bad habit cut down to 1/4mg a day quarted to 1 mg . I would put my 1 mg in a half piece of big red. when I got down to 1 mg of nicorette gum i quit it and I still chew the big red. it took a long while for me to ween slowly but I did and I have 1 year 2 months and 11 days without a cigarette.

that was my experience using two  forms together

[Live4thedash]

Whatever works works if that makes sense. Personally the NRT's didn't do anything for me and I'm glad I never tried mixing them. Not to mention spending hard earned dollars on them and supporting another business rather then a tobacco company...guess my point is what ever helps you great, but I'm all for going cold baby cold! Turkey that is! Other should try it...the right way,,educations, planning, acceptance and execution!

[brenda61]

WORKS FOR ME.

[kate8]

Cold Turkey!!! Its working for me!!! I tried everything else. I love knowing I dont have to turn around and come off something else. I'm finished. Nicotine free!!!

[JonesCarpeDiem]

I did a google and found out you are an ex-smoker.

Would you please tell us how you quit?

What NRT's you used and how long you were using them?

thank you

[Bonnie11.3.2009]

cold turkey for me, 8 months now. 

[JimTaddeo]

Dr Hurt et al,

I see in that idea the ROOT of the trouble. Nothing can do the work aside from the individual addict. But I know for a fact that there are people who will give the necessary mental "power" to the NRT and not smoke. If it works, and they go about permanently changing, then I don't care what it is. I do know for myself that nicotine IS the chemical and thus physical addiction. The chemical dependency, and that is the body aspect of this mess. It only takes a few days for those symptoms to go away. The cognitive and emotional aspects, which I feel are THE monster here, are a completely different ball game. That's where a place like this comes VERY handy and I for one thank you and whoever else is lurking in the background publishing their carreers off for the spot....LMAO

In any case GOBBLE GOBBLE....I'm a frozen Butterball too!

My name is Papa Jimmy, and I am a nicotine addict.
I have stopped nicotine for 2 years, 25 days, 12 hours, 42 minutes and 50 seconds (755 days).

I've not smoked 15111 death sticks, and saved $3,502.45.
I've saved 52 days, 11 hours and 12 minutes of my life.
 

And that is the REAL DEAL. Analyze it any way you like......I'm Never Taking Another Puff.......PERIOD!

[hwc]

Dr. Hurt is putting patients on massive nicotine doses at his Mayo Clinic inpatient smoking cessation program: up to four nicotine patches at a time. He is one of the world's foremost proponents of pharmaceutical nicotine. Good luck trying to get him to say anything about cold turkey except  "don't try it" and "it doesn't work".

[brenda61]

When I quit smoking I ordered some lozenges to help with my quit.  I always had trouble with the withdrawal stage.  I decided to quit before my lozenges arrived.   By the time they had arrived It was past 3 days quit and I could not see putting nicotine back in my body when I just went through getting it out.  That is why I like cold turkey.  The mind can be a very powerful tool if we just let it.

[hwc]

Jimmy:

I don't think you can separate the physical addiction from the psychological/behavorior trap, in this case. Dopamine releases are the brains stern teacher, instructing us to learn to "do that again" in response to things that cause dopamine releases. Because of the interactiion of  nicotine on the brain, every puff is reinforcing those psychological/behaviorial brainwashing cues, all day everday for our entire adult life.

IMO, trying to unlearn those behaviorial triggers while still taking nicotine is like telling a guy to "stop thinking about sex" while looking at pictures of naked women! I guess it can be done, but I feel like removing the phsyical brain chemistry response at least gave me a fighting chance to relearn the triggers. It at least let me blame the drug withdrawal.

[schwack]

I have a real hard time criticizing anyone who helps maintain or administer this website and its forums.

I'm convinced it saved my life.

EVERYONE's quit is different.  This one is mine.  To me it makes no difference if you use 4 patches, chantix, or go cold turkey.  I simply do not smoke any more.  And I have no problems with William M Morris or whatever other big pharma funding this site.  I found a family here, and I found my quit here. 

I'm good, and I am 87 days smoke free.

[Thomas3.20.2010]

I say 'Try it" "It definitely works for me!"  But Thank You for selling those very expensive pharmaceutical drugs in multiples and more importantly, Thank You for giving us this venue to share our experiences and help each other through this process called THE QUIT!  I really do appreciate it and if that means I have to sit through the sales pitch to get here, so be it! I'm not only stronger than a piece of paper wrapped around a dead leaf and dunked in poison,  I'm also smarter than a brainless NRT and know that there is no escaping owning your quit! Ask unique what happens when you overdose on NRTs!

[pir8fan]

What Sheri said! I am a cold turkey who got a ton of support from his friends at this site! That has worked for me 100% of the times I have tried it! I realize I only tried it once, but I know of no program with a higher percentage rate than mine!!!

The issue is poeple are blaming the meds for their own failures! "The gum did not work!" It's not going to! You have to do the work! The gum is just scapegoat for your failures! I think the NTR's are a ready made excuse for not taking responsibility for your own actions. The biggest help a smoker can get will come from their own pride and self esteem!

[pubauthor1]

I've tried those NRT too, ALL of them.  It just seems to me that by using them,  you are simply replacing one form of Nicotine for another, and if you do that, how does it ever leave your system?  I do feel that Cold Turkey is the only way to go, I am just having a hard time saying no to the voices in myhead.  They beg, they plead with me to give them what they need!  I once heard that it's harder to quit cigs than heroine, an though I have never done drugs, (other than nicotine), I believe it!

[durkinthequitter]

I've said that before. Nothing works. The difference this time is I REALLY WANT TO QUIT. It doesn't matter what road I take to get to Quitter's Village, as long as I get there Smoke Free. I won't be shamed because I use the patch or don't. I will use whatever I have to to STOP SMOKING. If someone told me to stick a hard boiled egg in my ear to quit smoking, that's exactly what I'd do.  At Day Three, I am finding that I am having physical withdrawal symptoms, but I know they will pass.  The tough part will be breaking over 30 years of habits and connections, and I will do that too. Because this time, I REALLY WANT TO QUIT.  I wake up and think, "cigarette". It is up to me to say, "NO". And this time, I say, "NO".

[schwack]

Its all about the power of decision.

Its all about walking THROUGH the fear.

Only then, truly only then, do I have a shot at being quit for good.

The power of choice.  Its amazing how nicotine can take that away from you, IF you let it.

[kim_previously_nic-fit]

My insurance wouldn't pay for the inhaler, but will pay for the nasal spray.... I'm not sure I want it, I don't smoke up my NOSE, or put anything else up there. I'm afraid the head-rush would be too great for me But the pills, Chantix and Wellbutrin are not going to be prescribed for me because of other meds, and seizure disorder. I'm discouraged now. Learning that a med can increase my chances by 50 %, I was SURE that inhaler would work, it gives me both the nicotene, plus the hand to mouth habit replacement till I can ween myself. I'm just not sure I can even do this.... but my health is suffering GREATLY, and sadly it'll only get worse if I continue to smoke.

[hwc]

"I'm discouraged now. Learning that a med can increase my chances by 50 %, "

---------------------

50% compared to taking a sugar pill and expecting it to stop your nicotine cravings. Oh, and "success" is measured as not smoking while still taking the NRT, not stop smoking after you've quit the NRT.

Nobody in the world should think that they can't stop smoking and stop living the life of a nicotine junkie all day, every day, for their entire lives unless they buy a pharma product. That is pure nonsense. 90% of the ex-smokers in the country quit without using a single product. Anyone can do it if they change the way they look at smoking, the misery of being a nicotine drug addict, and the steps required to gain their freedom. Anyone.

Here's a method that not only increases your chances, but guarantees 100% success: Never Take Another Puff.

[barbara16]

 Whatever works.  If you need aid with your quit then do it.  No one walks in your shoes and use whatever method to quit that will work for you.  If people need a NRT, pills, or whatever to help with the aid of there quit--it's there quit.  If you can quit cold turkey then that's your decision.  Whatever works.  It's upsetting when I read people's post putting down people who use a NRT to quit.  Bottom line is that they are attempting to quit and not putting all those chemicals in there lungs anymore..

So, here I go again putting my NRT on.

[hwc]

It's upsetting to me when someone who will die if they don't quit believes that they can't quit because they can't afford to to buy Nicoderm CQ patches from SmithGlaxoKline because they have been bombarded with lies about how impossible it is to quit, when 90% of the ex-smokers have  just quit. It's hardly "impossible" when 40 million people in the United States have done it.

Who benefits from perpetuating the myth that it is "impossible" to stop using nicotine?

[jwtrocks]

Been two years and 6 months for me since my last cigarette,  I actually spent 8 days in the middle of January 2008 at the Mayo, with Dr Hurt and my group trying to quit. It's funny though, even after I checked in I didn't really want to quit. I smoked from the moment I got up till I went to bed, and even usually got up during the night for a cigarette.

        Even after leaving the Mayo, With me I ended up with Chantix. patches and an inhaler. Inhaler went away after about 3 weeks, chantix and patches stayed with me for ~4 months. I think I was more afraid of letting them go more than actually needing them. One of the things Dr Hurt told me, really helped. He said if it takes you 6 months to quit, who cares. It took you 30 year to get addicted, so whats 6 months to come off it.

    No right or wrong with this, you just find what works for you. A friend of mine quit after 3 days onf Chantix, another quit cold turkey. I know with me, I had some wackey dreams with the Chantix, but weighed the options and decided bad dreams in the short term were better than emphysema, and the dreams only lasted 2 -3 weeks for me.

Its funny when I got home after my stay at the Mayo, and talked to my physician at home about the Mayos approach, he was surprised. "They gave you Chantix, patches and an inhaler, I never would of thought of that ,but it's a smart approach, a one-two punch at the addiction".

Bottom line is dopn't give up, one thing doesn't work, keep going until you find one that does. 6 months after I quit, I had my first normal physical in 12 years, if thats not progress, I don't know what is.