Smoking

[Asdfg]

Hey, what's your view on going cold turkey with quitting smoking vs medication to help?

[H20shed65]

I use an e-cig. Used to smoke about a pack a day, but since I got the electronic cig, about a month ago, I've smoked less than 1 pack of cigs, total, since then. For me, it's worked well. Years ago , I used Wellbutrin to quit and it worked for a while, but eventually I started again. This way I don't feel like I'm giving anything up. I can buy all different levels of nicotine , including no nicotine and it's way cheaper , cleaner and healthier.
Takes a week or so to get used to it, but so far it's worked well for me.

[TenaciousE]

I also use an e-cig. I love them. l quit real cigarettes cold turkey years ago and was an on and off smoker all my life, but of course the craving can come out of nowhere at anytime. The best book on quitting smoking is "the Easy Way to Stop Smoking" by Allen Carr he really understands the smoker's mind.

It might seem contradictory that I stated that I am a former pro-dancer and smoked, but a lot of dancer's back in the day smoked because it kept the weight off.

I actually prefer e-cigs to the real thing. As @H20shed65 stated they are cheaper, healthier and cleaner. In fact my husband who was never a smoker, and detests the things actually likes e-cigs and smokes mine.

[fab]

I would follow @ H20shed65 method and avoid going cold turkey. Reduce your daily ciggy smoking by substituting with e-cig, good luck!

[edyth]

I went cold turkey once. No cravings, but all sorts of GI upset and sweats. I thought I'd come down w/ a virus until it dawned on me that it was withdrawal. If I ever have the desire to quit again (and, truth be told, I enjoy it), I'd give those e-cigs a go.

[the chodesman]

I watched this and haven't had a cigarette since.

What's Inside A Factory-Made Cigarette - YouTube

[CXR]

Like many, I quit unsuccessfully several times. However, the last time I quit has been successful. It's been almost 8 years now. Each time, I never used medication. Honestly, I read about the side-effects of some of the drugs, and I got nervous. Yes, I know it's the rare few cases, it's often embellished, etc., and I tend to be nervous when it comes to things like that, but I decided not to try any medication.

I don't know if there are statistics, and if there are, whether or not they are accurate.

Statistics don't lie . . . statisticians do . . .

Good luck.

[brienzi]

What does the E-cig taste like?? I'm seriously considering trying it, but would appreciate some feedback from the forum about it's effects and how it works..thanks in advance for any replies..

[H20shed65]

@brienzi

I just started so I'm no expert, trust me! But there are online forums like this one you can join to learn, post about and exchange vendor reviews , etc. I'm considering joining one. I have a Joye Tech E-Go T which looks sort of like a large black pen. It has a lithium ion battery with a car, USB and a/c wall chargers like a cell phone. You buy this liquid , commonly called juice. It comes in a million flavors and nicotine strengths. Mine has 3 parts. The battery, the Atomizer and the Tank. You fill the tank with the juice, ( I use a syringe) attach the tank to the atomizer and push a button when you inhale. There are two different types of juice and blends. There is Propylene Glycol and Vegetable Glycerin. These are the bases to which the flavoring and nicotine are added. The PG provides the throat hit, so to speak and the VG provides the "smoke" which is actually just water vapor.
I like to blend 80% PG with 20% VG.

It does take a little getting used to at first. But after about week you get used to it. Not the same as smoking but very, very close. Downsides are kind of messy, lots to learn and experiment with, I've made several not costly mistakes while learning and trying it out. Upside, you can smoke it anywhere cause there's no smoke. Way cheaper than cigarettes and healthier.
Feel free to PM me if you want specifics or have any questions.

H20

[IGoeOn]

I smoked PFUNKS (parliament lights) for years. I started smoking at age 23 - which just makes me stupid. I did not smoke during the years that I danced but almost every dancer I knew did. I stopped smoking during my first pregnancy and didn't' touch another smoke until one year ago. Something absolutely stupid happened that I will not publicly admit to and I went out for a drink with some friends. I had a cig. And I've been smoking one the side every once in a while since - never at home or in front of the kids, my dh does not know. I actually feel shame about this - I wish I had never started again. So damn stupid.

[Kat0711]

Hey, what's your view on going cold turkey with quitting smoking vs medication to help?

Ive had the E-cigs and mine kept tearing up something about the little thingey that makes vapor in the but of it kept going out and it was over 5$ for the replacement and I was going through 4-6 of those per week, so I gave up. I went with Chantix next, that crap made me psychotic and I wound up in a very bad place because of it, so I dont know what to tell you. The cold turkey method is the only one I havent tried. I have smoked for close to 30 years and at my recent physical, my doc said my lungs are just now starting to sound like I have some constriction so I need to try again I guess. Good Luck with quitting!!

Have a good night!!

Kat

[tirednurse]

I quit over eight years ago using the Wellbutrin. I thought it was very effective after being on it for a few days because the cigarettes started to taste bad and the reward was much less. The medication does something to reduce the good feeling and relaxation associated with having a cigarette. Before using the Wellbutrin I tried cold turkey and lasted 4 hours and I tried tapering a couple of times and that failed miserably. I now cannot stand the smell of smoke and I have absolutely no desire to pick one up ever. The ecig thing is better for you than actual smoking but it does not get rid of the nicotine addiction. Unfortunately nicotine is a neurotoxin.

[barkingmad]

I quit many years ago by tapering dwn and the help of zyban. Havent smoked in over 10 years. hardest bitch to quit too. I believe whole-heartedly tht you can only truly quit for good when you decide to quit. Ive never met anyone who quit for someone else and didnt start up again. just my opinion of course.

[IGoeOn]

@barkingmad - I completely agree. I certainly quit for my unborn children. Now I need to quit QUIT for me. I have trouble committing to things that are good for my health. Which makes everything so much easier, haha. NO.

[cat2]

Well, addictive personality that I am

I quit smoking for good 10 years ago. I quit using commit lozenges...but guess what, I still use them. Have been off and on for these last 10 years....not recommended. Both my MD and my dentist say there is no harm in continuing to use the lozenges, but I hear now that many companies do nicotine screenings as part of pre-employment physicals. I'm sure I carry around as much nicotine in my system as an pack a day smoker...good news is my lungs and throat are clear, I can work out daily, haven't had any weight gain, and no longer get bronchitis....however, I'm still addicted to something. I even noticed on a life insurance application it asked "do you use nicotine in any form?" Well, couldn't answer no to that question....so, I guess the lozenges are one more habit I'm going to have to eventually break.

Cat2

[estodol1]

I've had pretty good luck with nicotine lozenges. I bought a 3 pack of the name brand stuff (81 lozenges total I think). And tapered down with those. 1 every hour with the first pack, 1 every 3 hours with the second pack and then 1 every 6 hours with the third pack. And quite using all together after that. I've been smoke free for 3 months now. Every day is still a fight though.

[TenaciousE]

What does the E-cig taste like?? I'm seriously considering trying it, but would appreciate some feedback from the forum about it's effects and how it works..thanks in advance for any replies..

It is like smoking a regular cigarette without the tar taste and smell. I had no problem getting used to them. But, they don't seem to go as deeply into your lungs. I was totally surprised by how close to a real cigarette they are. The pain though is that you have to charge the battery (via UBS port attached to a computer or an electric adapter with a USB notch) and finding a stable, inexpensive place to buy the cartridges.

[H20shed65]

@Aven @brienzi

I too have had battery issues but I sort of solved them by buying a bigger battery for my e-cig which lasts me about 12 hours or so and by buying another battery which I paid $12.99 for that way I always have one in use and one charging.
@Aven is correct in that it is a lot like smoking except it doesn't have that nasty aftertaste that cigarettes always leave in my mouth. I notice now, that when I ocassionally smoke a real cig , it tastes nasty compared to my ecig. Also, the menthol/ cinnamon flavored juice I use tastes soooo much better than any real cigarette. I even got a sample vial of Tangerine flavored juice, and it was really good. Just like the variety.

[cat2]

I agree,

If you use the nicotine lozenges as recommended with appropriate taper, they work wonderfully. If fact they worked for me when I used them that way. I quit smoking, used the lozenges as recommended and stopped them. Was good with no nicotine for 6 months to a year....but I picked them back up again thinking they were the lesser of too evils, and this time, I'm hooked...BAD CAT!! Yup, I'm going to have to get off them for sure. What if I use the nicotine patch to get off the lozenges, and perhaps put sugar free mints or tic tacs in my mouth to replace the hand/oral reflex of the lozenges? Maybe that would work...or,,,,those e-cigarettes sound like a cool idea. In the airport last week I noticed a guy "smoking" them.

Cat2

[dingleberry]

This took over my smoking thread, damn you! Allah Ahkbar!



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. jk of course hehe he he..... >