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NRT or NOT

Question asked by ElizabethRachel on Aug 20, 2017
Latest reply on Dec 22, 2017 by susan.m

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I did a little reading about the danger of using nrt to replace cigarettes. It made good sense but can I assume many people here have been successful with limited nrt use? I found the reading that I did this afternoon very supportive and motivating. I actually felt like quitting immediately. Then I thought it best to get more education and stronger foundation for a better chance. Tell me if that's just an excuse. At any rate, I'm in and ready to take direction and read, read, read. Thanks

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crazymama_Lori Aug 20, 2017 7:02 PM
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check out Nicotine Patch Users . Also To NRT or Not to NRT – That is the Question
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- ElizabethRachel @ crazymama_Lori on Aug 20, 2017 8:35 PM
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  great thank you crazymama
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Jennifer-Quit-05-01-14 Aug 20, 2017 6:44 PM
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First of all - nothing will quit for you. It really is about making up your mind and being willing to go thru the withdrawals. And deciding that you will not smoke - no matter what! It takes time.

I used nicotine patches. They took the edge off and helped me focus during the withdrawal period. I used 21 mg for 3 weeks, 14 mg for 2 weeks, and 7 mg for 1 week. I read your first blog- and this is my advise only - I would not get into the habit of using a lozenge every 2 hours. You could actually end up getting more nicotine than when you were smoking. How much do you smoke? One cigarette is equal to 1 mg of nicotine - keep that in mind when choosing your nicotine replacement - and be sure to not ingest more from your NRT than from smoking. Also have a plan to get off the NRT. To me it was easier with the patch - just put one on each morning and step down as directed.

Best wishes to you in your journey. It is the best thing that I ever did for myself and I wish you success!
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crazymama_Lori Aug 20, 2017 6:47 PM
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I used the patch as well. I don't care for the idea of lozenge or gum. You're still reinforcing the hand to mouth motion, plus you have no clue sometimes how much nicotine you're ingesting if you're not keeping track. With the patch (I used the Walmart brand), you slap in on in the morning and that's it. replace it the next morning around the same time. They are only an aid to help you, to take the edge off. They don't take away cravings or urges to smoke. Only you can control that. they just make the intensity less
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Thomas3.20.2010 Aug 20, 2017 7:21 PM
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Great Question, Elizabeth!
I look at it this way -
Do you want to slowly pull the bandage off or do you want to get it over with and rip the bandage off? Same amount of discomfort!
Folks who successfully use NRTs do their homework, make the changes suggested, read and comment every day and
physically withdraw from Nicotine little by little. Smoking Cessation is 90% mental and 10% physical. NRT only helps with the physical. If you think/feel that you want to use NRTs, just be aware we're talking about the 10%. The 90% is up to you! But you are not alone with that either!
No wonder Folks who expect NRTs to Quit for them don't succeed!
I'm a rip the bandage off kind of guy! In 3 short days the vast majority of the physical withdrawal was behind me! Then I had 100% for the mental part.
Plus and this is just me - I was done giving Corporations money to get my Nicotine!
Nicotine - The Nerve Poison
To each his/her own! Just know what you're doing!
I will be 100% here to support you in your decision! I do quote whyquit.com a lot but there is Great Advice whether you use NRTs, pharmaceuticals, hypnosis or any other tools - along with your BEST Tool - your Brain!
Just one more thing I like to repeat often - ALL Quitters need to consult their Physician when they launch their Quit Journey!
You CAN do this!
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elvan Aug 20, 2017 8:10 PM
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ElizabethRachel I don't think you can read too much or get too educated on nicotine addiction. I don't think you are making an excuse to delay your quit. Get as much information as you can, prepare yourself as much as you can, and THEN quit. Nothing is going to make it "easy", at least not in my opinion...it wasn't easy for me but it wasn't as hard as it could have been without the support from the people on this site. I did not use NRT's, I know a lot of people who did and were successful, I got sick and couldn't smoke and it was bad enough to wake me up and I never smoked again...FINALLY. I did a whole lot of damage, I can't UNDO but I can hopefully slow down.

You are doing a great job blogging and asking for advice...keep it up and your quit will be GOLDEN!
Ellen
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Youngatheart.7.4.12 Aug 20, 2017 9:06 PM
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NRT or no is totally up to you. You. might finish the reading and THEN decide what is best for you. If you choose to use one, I recommend one where the addict doesn't control the dose such as the patch or Rx drugs. The others are OK, too, if you use them correctly and not use one to sub for every cigarette you used to smoke. If you use decide to use the patch, be sure you understand that the length of time suggested on the box is determined by the folks SELLING you the product, so take it with a grain of salt!
Keep reading and learning. It will pay off in your eventual success at this!
Nancy
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jonescarp.aka.dale.Jan_2007 Aug 20, 2017 10:14 PM
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There is less chance of you becoming psychologically dependent using the patch.
You aren't thinking of smoking and then popping something for relief and becoming dependent on it physically and psychologically.
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- jonescarp.aka.dale.Jan_2007 @ jonescarp.aka.dale.Jan_2007 on Dec 19, 2017 11:49 AM
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  I bought a box of 16 patches (2 bonus patches :-) )
  I didn't read about the dosage, just bought the strongest ones. (I was down to 5 a day so I probably could have used the weakest ones but I didn't know any better at the time.
  I quit on a Tuesday. I forgot to wear it on Friday and just tried to see how I did without it. I was okay.
  The next morning I felt I needed it so I put one on.
  When I forgot two days in a row the following week, I put one in my wallet and kept it there for a year with the promise I would use it rather than smoke.
  Never needed it.
  Listen to your body not your addict mind or rumors you've heard
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  - jonescarp.aka.dale.Jan_2007 @ jonescarp.aka.dale.Jan_2007 on Aug 20, 2017 10:21 PM
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    Where Does It Come From?
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Giulia Aug 20, 2017 11:55 PM
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You've gotten so many good points of view here. "Then I thought it best to get more education and stronger foundation for a better chance." And that's all part of the your education. I say - just trust your instincts. Impulse can be a splash into the pool of success, or an excuse for failure. If you allow no failures for yourself in this journey, by adhering to your commitment, then it will be a success. When we understand that smoking is a choice and not a mindless obligation, we begin to break the bonds of this addiction. You know yourself better than any of us can. Follow that best part of you and you cannot go wrong.
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NewMe Aug 21, 2017 8:50 AM
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You got some EXcellent advice here. I also attempted cold turkey and felt like I just couldn't do it without a little boost. So I used the patch. It is true that you will still get plenty of craves even using an aid like the patch. Education was the key to my success. Reading and understanding the nature of the addiction, and following the advice of everyone here who had gone before me. If you do choose to use an aid, do take care to wean yourself off of the aid as directed-if not sooner.
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Marilyn.H.July.14.14. Aug 21, 2017 9:26 AM
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I can only say for me cold turkey worked or as many say here smart turkey because I read everything I could about quitting smoking and Remaining Quit right here on this site which strengthened my resolve to kick the nicotine poison to the curb and that was 3 yrs ago the middle of July, I drank a lot of water chomped on a lot of carrots and celery sticks and kept a bag of sugar free mints around but please do what's right for you as long as you quit smoking and Remain quit quit that's what counts.
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Diannnnn Aug 21, 2017 9:57 AM
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I am using the patch and just stepped down to the 7mg yesterday. I chose to use an NRT for a few reasons and it has worked fine fine for me. I agree with all these folks, listen to what your body needs, not the addicted mind.

FYI, I think the gum and lozenges taste horrible! I don't like peppery tastes, but they are like having pepper placed right in your mouth!
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maryfreecig Aug 21, 2017 4:45 PM
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Wow! Sounds like you are thinking and planning and being careful! That is a good thing. If you say you are in, then you are in and now the journey begins as you see fit.
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freeneasy Aug 22, 2017 12:13 AM
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You have the right idea education is key. The best quitting tool you have (as Thomas put it) is the one between your ears I used the patch and think it helped me.Although, I didn't prepare much- about 3 days and I didn't find this site until I had quit and used the patch for a week. Learn How to Quit Smoking (and Make it Stick)
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ampan75 Dec 19, 2017 11:45 AM
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yes do it smartly. I used patch and Bupropian. patch for 7 days and I felt I can go without it. but till that 14 days of bupron.
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Marilyn.H.July.14.14. Dec 19, 2017 11:53 AM
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I'm wondering how you are doing ElizabethRachel , I just saw your blog and thought I'd check in with you.
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- ElizabethRachel @ Marilyn.H.July.14.14. on Dec 19, 2017 9:00 PM
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  Hi Marilyn, Smoke free for over 3 months now. I guess I'm in No Mans Land. Thanks for checking in. Hope all is well with you.
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  - elvan @ ElizabethRachel on Dec 20, 2017 10:58 AM
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    ElizabethRachel How wonderful to hear from you and CONGRATULATIONS on three months, that is wonderful. Please check out the weekly blog that rollercoaster831 writes for those in NML and look at OldBones-Larry older blogs. He led me and many others through NML and Roller is doing the same thing even though she has already passed through. Do check it out, the support helps.
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Marilyn.H.July.14.14. Dec 19, 2017 9:20 PM
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Thanks for getting back to me and congratulations on three months of Smokefree living and counting WTG, yes you're in what we call NML you are doing great, just be aware that craves may come at you from out of the blue but as long as you're aware of it you'll get through it and keep stacking your precious DOF, congrats again on your splendiferous quit.
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susan.m Dec 22, 2017 5:00 AM
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I just read this and thought you'd received some of the best advice I've ever seen on this site, and I'm thrilled to see that you quit three months ago! Congratulations!!

Did you use NRT? After all this advice, I'm dying to know what methods (if any) you used.
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Sandy-9-17-17 Dec 22, 2017 8:19 AM
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So many good suggestive offerings right here for you to keep in mind! Just know that quitting is the best thing you will ever do for yourself. You are 7 days ahead of me and my quit! Congrats! Keep building that number!

Personally I will always go with the quit cold turkey suggestion, as smoking not only puts a ton of toxins in your body, but puts the nicotine in your brain! And thinking about that, why would you want to keep putting the nicotine in your brain which is what you are truly addicted to.

I will not condemn anyone for the way they choose to quit, I know smoking affects everyone differently.
But in all actuality, the minute you quit smoking without using any aids, (I did use Wellbutrin - It's not a NRT, and only for 40 days), it will only take 72 hours, that's 3 days, to rid your body and brain of all the toxins and the nicotine. Why would anyone want to keep using the one thing that you're so addicted to, especially when it would continue to keep you hooked, which would put you in risk of starting back up.

I have read that the failure to quit rate is higher among those who use NRT's VS. Cold Turkey. I am a cold turkey quitter. The ground glass nodules that were found on one of my lungs may not be anything, but there was really no point in continuing to smoke when there is now that fear! Reality set in, I will not do anymore harm than I have already done!
Keep stacking that number!

Sandy 96 DOF
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- susan.m @ Sandy-9-17-17 on Dec 22, 2017 1:14 PM
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  Sandy, I just love how you approach your quit. As a fellow cold-turkey quitter, I understand everything you noted. I can't imagine quitting any other way. Having said that, in my short time on this site, I've noted that patch users are pretty successful. If I'd failed at cold-turkey, that would have been my choice.
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