What helped you quit tobacco?

[gb84]

As the topic says, what helped or is helping you quit tobacco? 

I just bought a nicotine patch kit that has all three steps.  If that doesn't work, I'll probably ask to try Chantix. 

 

 

[notloki]

Chantix worked well for me. 

[CeremonyNewOrder]

The patch and gum did nothing for me. Chantix was a miracle for me BUT beware it can do some crazy things to your psyche and my primary care doctor almost didn't give it to me because of my MI. Some people say Wellbutrin helps too. For me, it took many times of "quitting" before hopefully this is the last time. Being around other smokers esp. when drinking is the hardest to deal with. Good luck.

[notloki]

Don't take Chantix on an empty stomach or within an hour or so of sleep to avoid nasty effects.

 

[BrianOCD]

Took me three times, and I think the third time I got the flu, being sick helps for kicking the habit.

[CrazyRedhead]

I gradually tapered down the amount of cigs I smoked, until I was down to nothing.....I don't really see the tapering method being recommended a lot for quitting cigs, but to me it made sense (taper down the nicotine just like you would when discontinuing any other med).

I only smoked a pack a day at the most, and it did take several months for me to get to zero with this method:

https://www.helptoquit.com.au/how-to-quit-smoking/how-to-quit-smoking-cutting-down-to-quit

Edited December 1, 2018 by CrazyRedhead

[gb84]

I use smokeless pouches, like snus.  I probably only go through a can a week now.  I used to do one a day a few years ago.

I figured the patches would at least get me down to a regulated level, before going cold turkey.  Of course I have failed cold turkey many times before.  But I haven't used a cessation method before since they're all marketed to smokers. 

I just want to quit dipping, tired of all the money wasted and being addicted. 

[CrazyRedhead]

19 minutes ago, gb84 said:

I just want to quit dipping, tired of all the money wasted and being addicted. 

Didn't realize you were using the smokeless tobacco.......Here's a pretty good article that gives some quitting tips, specifically for smokeless tobacco users:

https://www.rogelcancercenter.org/breaking-habits-beating-us/smokeless-tobacco

Edited December 1, 2018 by CrazyRedhead

[gb84]

47 minutes ago, CrazyRedhead said:

Didn't realize you were using the smokeless tobacco.......Here's a pretty good article that gives some quitting tips, specifically for smokeless tobacco users:

https://www.rogelcancercenter.org/breaking-habits-beating-us/smokeless-tobacco

Thanks for that. 

19 minutes ago, sbdivemaster said:

If you're talking dipping, I rescind my vaping advice.  Totally different habits.

However, if you do take up smoking, I recommend vaping to help you quit.  

Lol

[gb84]

5 hours ago, sbdivemaster said:

Hit me up anytime for support!

Thanks bud! 

Ordered some mint snuff off Amazon.  Supposed to get the patches tomorrow.  Here's to getting tobacco free. ?

[Teh Gaben]

How are you getting on gb84?

I managed to quit by just going cold turkey. However, it took me a lot of attempts to do it. I'm finally there though and had my last smoke around 14 months ago.

Hope things are going well and the patches/mint stuff are working!

[looking for answers]

i used to chew tobacco. Not smoke. I tried so many things to quit. I tried patches, gums, was on welbutrin already.......they took the edge off but didnt work for me. I tried vaping..

i tried vaping, and the gum, and sunflower seeds. 

But what finally made me quit.

I got ulcers in my mouth, i was bleeding like crazy, dentist didnt know what it was, oral surgeon didnt know what it was, neither though cancer, but werent sure. Sent to a peridontist. He said my gums were ok and it wasnt cancer. But didnt know what was causing it. Turned out to be something i was eating actually, and people can have bad oral reactions to it. It was somethign i had just starting eating when it started to happen. DUring that time it took about 3 weeks to from dentist, to oral surgeon, to peridontist. THinking i had cancer...........i was not putting that stuff in my mouth. I used gum , seeds, vaping. Then after 3 weeks of not doing it, and being told i was ok. I was not going back.

The craving were intense for about 5-6 weeks. the first 3 weeks i had a"fog".  then teh cravings slowly subsided over the year. Intermittent cravings lasted about 3 years . WOuld come on out of no where. Im totally free now. but literally about 3.5 years till i didnt need to have gum, or something in my mouth. Nuts. 

I know this is of zero help to you, Because i went cold turkey, and it sucked, but i did it.  Anyways Good luck to all trying to kick the habit. You can do it, and its great when you do!

[gb84]

On 12/9/2018 at 1:08 PM, The Hitcher said:

How are you getting on gb84?

I managed to quit by just going cold turkey. However, it took me a lot of attempts to do it. I'm finally there though and had my last smoke around 14 months ago.

Hope things are going well and the patches/mint stuff are working!

I'm not doing good.  I made it a week on the patch and gave in.  Bought a tin, been dipping ever since.  As I see it, my teeth are already destroyed.  I haven't smiled in 6 years.  I look like a meth addict.  Dentist wants 7 grand for dentures, can barely afford to have a tooth pulled when it finally fails.  Fuck dentures, I'm 34 going on 35.  I already look like a monster, imagine my teeth falling out while eating or talking in public.  Hey, it might be good for a laugh.  Maybe I'll win the lotto and get implants.  I now know why my cousin went into dental surgery instead of becoming a primary physician.  Even he won't help me out.  

[Teh Gaben]

5 hours ago, gb84 said:

I'm not doing good.  I made it a week on the patch and gave in.  Bought a tin, been dipping ever since.  As I see it, my teeth are already destroyed.  I haven't smiled in 6 years.  I look like a meth addict.  Dentist wants 7 grand for dentures, can barely afford to have a tooth pulled when it finally fails.  Fuck dentures, I'm 34 going on 35.  I already look like a monster, imagine my teeth falling out while eating or talking in public.  Hey, it might be good for a laugh.  Maybe I'll win the lotto and get implants.  I now know why my cousin went into dental surgery instead of becoming a primary physician.  Even he won't help me out.  

Shit man, that really sucks! Sorry the patches didn't help you. Have you thought about another way of getting your nicotine, like gum? Might help with the oral fixation as well. Shame your teeth are so bad and your cousin won't help, hopefully something comes along soon and you can get them done, a nice bonus or something like that.

[climber47]

I thought I’d share my story, just in case it might help... I smoked cigarettes for years and tried like hell to quit countless times... I tried cold turkey, patches, gum, lozenges, Wellbutrin, Chantix... nothing worked long term.

The NRT therapies took the edge off but they weren’t enough. Chantix worked the first time, until I stupidly tried to have “just one” at some point, then got hooked again. The second time I took Chantix (after having a baby, which messed with my biochemistry in more ways than one), I got horrible bear suicidal depression, so I’d say use that with caution.

then I tried Nicotrol nasal spray, a prescription nicotine spray. The first time I used it felt like snorting pepper spray... eyes watered up and I couldn’t stop sneezing. But I never picked up another cigarette. The harshness goes away quickly, and I think it worked for me because the usage was so much like cigarettes, and maybe smokeless tobacco to some extent... you simply use it when you feel a craving, rather than a patch that slowly delivers nicotine; you could get a “hit” right when you needed it.

one caveat... I got addicted to the spray for 3 years. My doctor said that was fine! He urged me to use it for as long as I wanted to. However my insurance stopped covering beyond an initial 6 month supply, so I was forced to quit. That might have been almost as hard as smoking! Somehow, a combo of willpower and Wellbutrin (and the avoidance of $600/month in meds) deterred me from the spray. Honestly if my insurance still covered it (used to be $12/month, far cheaper than most OTC nicotine replacements), is probably still use it.

The nasal spray isn’t well known, and it was so helpful to me that I can’t help but spread the word. It was a godsend when nothing else worked and I simply HAD to quit smoking. 

[gb84]

I've just given up for the time being.  I'm so depressed, and at least I get a little pleasure from nicotine.  

[CrazyRedhead]

On 12/13/2018 at 11:35 PM, gb84 said:

  Dentist wants 7 grand for dentures, can barely afford to have a tooth pulled when it finally fails.  Fuck dentures, I'm 34 going on 35.  I already look like a monster, imagine my teeth falling out while eating or talking in public.  Hey, it might be good for a laugh.  Maybe I'll win the lotto and get implants.  I now know why my cousin went into dental surgery instead of becoming a primary physician.  Even he won't help me out.  

Is there a dental school anywhere in your area?.....Many times a teaching dental school will do extractions on a sliding scale, based on your income..................Also,  7K sounds way overpriced for a basic pair of dentures.......I know you said you don't want dentures, but a friend of mine got his dentures here for around $500 or so:

https://www.affordabledentures.com/locations.html      They have locations all over the U.S., you can search by your state or zip code....They do extractions and implants, too.

Just some info that might be helpful.......I'm sorry you're having such a difficult time with your teeth....

Edited December 18, 2018 by CrazyRedhead

[gb84]

11 minutes ago, CrazyRedhead said:

Is there a dental school anywhere in your area?.....Many times a teaching dental school will do extractions on a sliding scale, based on your income......

Also,  7K sounds way overpriced for a basic pair of dentures.......I know you said your don't want dentures, but a friend of mine got his dentures here:

https://www.affordabledentures.com/locations.html      They have locations all over the U.S., you can search by your state.

Thank you, 

I think the price included surgery to extract all my teeth as well.  But as it is I don't have a job, so I can't afford it anyway.  I live semi close to a big university, but they don't offer any discounts.  My only option is medicaid and right now I don't qualify. 

Edited December 18, 2018 by gb84

[l'appel du vide]

I went tobacco free by Vaping and using nicotine gum. I have never been able to quit nicotine, and I've quit a lot of substances. Vaping is one of the best things I've ever picked up, absolutely no desire to smoke anymore. Not sure how well it'd work if you you're snus.

[patents]

I'll add that vaping helped me.  I didn't really want to quit but my best friend wanted to and he kinda pushed me to quit with him.  He got me started on vaping and it's worked.  We might cheat from time to time but I really don't have a craving for actual tobacco anymore.