Help with Quitting Smoking

My mother and father were heavy smokers for over 25 years and have been smoke free for about 3 years now with no relaps! They paid around $300.00 and got some type of laser treatment. They went through about two weeks of meetings with the Dr. and two laser treatments. I never thought they would quit much less did they! I will be more than glad to find out for you the name of the place they went to for treatment.

A really good friend of my husband's got the laser treatment. He got it done 2 wks ago and hasn't had a cigarette. It was $250 (he had a 50% off coupon) but it's guarenteed for a year with unlimited treatments if you start having cravings. He smoked A Lot and hasn't smoked one yet.

Have his doctor presribe Chantix to him. My Mom smoked for 50 years and had tried everything, the patch, the gum, etc. She was cigarette free in 5 days and has not smoked in two years now!!!!

When I stopped, I was ready, and just went cold turkey. The first few weeks were hard.....but I made it....

But I know several ppl who have used Chantix and it worked

I'm a 37 yr old mom of two. I had smoked for 18yrs at 2 1/2 packs per day sometimes more. I wanted desperately to quit. I got myself down to 10cigs a day by myself with willpower. LOL. I ended up getting a really bad cold, had to go to Dr. and he confirmed that I had to be on antibiotics before it got worse. While I was there, he once again harped on my smoking issue. I was honest and told him I really, truly wanted to quit. He told me he would help me. My husband and I have great insurance and was lucky enough to have my Dr step in and give me Chantix. My insurance covered all but $30.00 per month. I was spending more than that on a carton a week. Anyway, he recommended that I take it for 12weeks, even when I quit. I did. After taking the Chantix for 8 days, and smoking while taking it, I got nauseated and then quit. That's what's supposed to happen. I am now very glad I took my Dr's advice because I thought I'd never be able to quit!! I'm now smoke free for 1yr and 8months. It's the best decision I've ever made. Good luck to you. By the way, there's a lot of controversy over Chantix, but that's with almost any medication. I'm glad I chose it for me.

I suggest to stay off antidepressants...those hurt even more than an occasional cigarette....please read the warnings about those drugs on the box and what those drugs do to the body and the mind. Those Drugs are multi-million dollar money buisness...and that's why they are allowed eventhough they do more damage then else.A 10 minutes walk would probably do him good when he feels the cravings or feels a bit frustrated. It just takes the attention off the cravings...A good diet with plenty of water and veggies also helps a lot!

Sara,

Have you looked into alternative treatment such as hypnosis or acupuncture? I would consider acupuncture. Not the cheapest way to go but probably the most effective.

Try Hypnotists! I know it sounds really goofy but I know of three people that did it and they ranged from a pack to 2 and 1/2 packs a day. They quit cold turkey without any side effects. And it has been long lasting. Google it.

I tried laser treatment (which is supposed to be similar to acupuncture without the needles) from Laser Innovations in Bradenton. The laser treatment focuses on the three common withdrawl symptoms (need for nicotene, help your mood (irritability), and appetite) to not only help you quit but also deal with the side effects. Here is the link if you are interested: http://www.stopsmokingexperts.com/about.html. Good luck!!

Oh Sarah, Please tell your husband to find a good acupuncturist!! Most have a protocal for smoking cessation~Acupuncture WORKS without the drugs.
Here's to HEALTH!!!

There's a shot out there that I took. Guaranteed to work. I took it three 1/2 years ago. 4 months later, I had a very stressful time with a car accident, my father dying, and my son's birthday all within a 7 day period. The day I was served papers from the accident...I picked up a cigarette. After two more months of smoking I went back to the clinic, got another shot & haven't smoked since. It's tough, I still have the 'want' to smoke...but not the need. I still think a lit cigarette smells awesome. The nice thing is I can be around people who smoke & I'm also able to have a couple of drinks & coffee without needing a cigarette. For more info go to
http://www.stopsmokingamerica.com/
It's well worth the money. The first two weeks after the shot: you kind of feel like you are on really strong cold medicine (kind of foggy/groggy, but you are still able to function) PS - I was up to 2 - 3 packs a day & smoked for 20+ years.
-D.-

My husband is trying Chantix. It's a drug that helps you stop. Maybe he could try that instead of the buproprion. He tried the Chantix before and almost quit. But then he lost his job and we couldn't afford the medication. You're supposed to take it for 12 weeks. So he started back up again. He just now refilled the prescription and is starting over, trying to quit. I don't know at this point if it works, but it may be worth a try for your husband. It is expensive if your insurance doens't cover it. Ours doesn't.

i'd suggest chantix. i quit smoking ten times and always started up again. chantix worked for me. after taking it for a week, i didn't even want to smoke. i took it for 3 months, then stopped. it has been a year and a half and i don't even have cravings. chantix kills the cravings. good luck.

My dad has tried everything and the only thing that worked was Chantix. My cousin is a nurse in the cardiac unit and she recommended it. She saw a lot of patients who were finally able to quit after taking Chantix. So my dad decided to try it.

With Chantix, the smoker doesn't quit smoking cold turkey. My dad's doctor told him to smoke as much as he wanted. So my dad did not think it would work. He was up to a pack a day. Within a few days he could only handle 3 cigarettes a day. A week later he couldn't smoke any. He did try when somebody gave him one and it made him feel sick.

It's recommended that you take the pills for 3 months. My dad didn't think he needed them after the first month. THe cravings came back so he went back on the pills. After 2 months he went off of them again but had the pills refilled just in case. He didn't even think about smoking.

I hope this helps.

The Moffitt Cancer Center's TRIP (Tobacco Research and Intervention Program) has a free or low-cost cessation program. Check out FreshBreak at: http://www.moffitt.org/Site.aspx?spid=5D9467CD6EF54E4FB9A...

I have no experience with smoking or quitting smoking, but I work at Moffitt and have heard of several people that used their program or participated in their research studies to help them quit.

What works for one does not work for others. Be careful and talk to a Dr. regularly if he takes Chantix. My mother in law became very ill, as well as very depressed on Chantix. Using the patch he is still getting nicotine, so it is still as addiction, but he is working on changing the habit. Talk to a Dr. there are a lot of options available, and your Dr. will help you. There is a shot available. He won't be able to drive himself home from the shot, but it has worked for several of my family members. Good Luck abd try hard to be patient with him.

Hi Sarah,

Being a reformed smoker myself - tell your husband to try Chantix. It's a drug prescribed by a doctor and it worked for a good friend of mine. He was a heavy smoker and started taking Chantix and didn't even crave cigs. I myself used nicotine gum and still chew it. Hope that helps!! Good luck! Deb

I quit with that pill, Zyban, too. And thought it was relatively easy--I had tried the patch previously & failed. If I remember right (it was 6 years ago) it was suggested to choose a quit date 1-2 weeks from the start of the meds and gradually wean yourself off the cigarettes and all nicotine by that date. That way you get used to less nicotime and don't go cold turkey. It worked great for me but required a change of habit, in addition to the chemical addiction. Like substituting a walk or something with a time he is used to have a cigarette.

My father used Chantix and it worked for him too. If he doesn't want to try that, then cold turkey is best. There is no cutting down with smoking, if he's smoking one a day he's not going to want to quit, he's going to want two a day, then three a day, and so on. He'll be back to smoking regularly again before you know it. I agree with something else someone on here said, suggest to him that when he craves a cigarette he should go for a walk. Not only will it help take his mind off the craving, it will help him stay in shape. That worked for a friend of mine. Good luck, I hope he's able to quit.

My husband has the same problem although he secretly doesn't want to quit yet (could also me he is afraid of failing again). But when he is ready, I am looking into a place called Precise Laser Points, Inc. ###-###-#### on Seminole Blvd. in Largo. I called the man who owns it, and he can give you better insight than I can, but basically it is $300 and stimulates certain points in your ear, face and hands helping to promote the release of endorphins in the body, which is apparently when smokers can't quite because nicotine stimulate the endorphins and so quitting keeps them from working (or something like that). Anyway, as soon as my husband WANTS to quit, that is where I am sending him. After one treatment you aren't supposed to crave a cigarette at all!

Good Luck.

When I quit I quit cold turkey as they say. I had no problems at all. But I did keep lots of celery, carrots and suckers on hand for when I had the need to smoke I would eat one of these items. Now my Dad had a really hard time quitting, he used black licorice to kick the habbit. The little pieces. When he wanted a smoke he would chew one of them. Worked like a charm. He just needs to get his mind off of it. Find something he likes to chew on and use it. Now my Sister in Law and Brother never could quit for more than a month at a time. Tell your husband that my Sister in Law died at age 50 two years ago a week after her Birthday from lung desease. She suffered for quite a few years from it and was on oxygen for her last three years. Even though the doctors told her to give up smoking she couldn't quit. My brother just passed away in May at 55 years of age a week after his Birthday. Maybe if they had given up their smoking they would be here with us today. I really miss them. Tell him if he can't think of himself think of his family. They left behind Grandkids that will never know them because of their need to smoke. If he loves you at all he will find a way to quit. But also make sure he avoids other smokers. Throw out all the ash trays in the house. Wash curtains, bedding and everything that can hold the smoke smell. Shampoo carpets and hang a no smoking sign on your front and back doors. Clean the car out if it has been smoked in. That all should help him a lot. But if he hasn't got the will power to quit he never will. You can't make him quit. But don't nag him. That just makes quitting even harder. I wish my Brother and his wife had quit smoking when the doctor advised them to.

dear S.,
i STOPPED smoking 07/18/06. i go to a nicotine anonymous meeting once a week and it helps tremendously. i tried many different ways to quit, patches, lifesign, hypnosis, gum... this worked for me. if you or your husband is interested in getting more info. go on line and look up Nicotine Anonymous for local meetings . i believe they even have on line meetings... The most important tool you have is the DESIRE TO QUIT once you have that the rest is just excercise. desire is the only thing you need to be a ember of Nicotine anonymous.
i wish your husband and the rest of your family a healthy and long life free from the addiction of nicotine.
write back if you have any ?'s I'll help in anyway i can.
M.

I quit smoking around 17 years or so ago. I went to a psychologist who specialized in hypnosis. It worked for me, but I went about 5 times. They instill in you other directions that are more positive when wanting to smoke. I don't remember the name but I am sure that a dr. can probably recommend someone. I would make sure you go to someone who is licensed, though. The other thing, is, not everyone can be hypnotized. Men are pretty guarded against that thing. But, maybe your guy is willing to try so that is my suggestion! The wanting to quit is the key! Good luck.

I quit smoking 13 years ago & I will say it is the hardest thing I have ever had to do. Like your husband it started affecting my health & scared me. My mom died from emphysema & lung cancer when she was only 53 & I started doing some things she had done before the diagnosis & it scared me.I also used the patch. The best advice I can give him is he needs to change his routine. After 3 days the nicotine is out of is system his habits are what keeps him wanting a cigarette. Drinking lots of water & chewing gum really helps too. I still chew gum alot to this day. I rememeber when I first quit I ran out of gum was too funny to see me I was like a smoker looking for a cigarette I even left the house to go get a pack of gum. HAHAHAHA but I didnt get cigarettes which was the key. Good luck to him & on your part have patience with him, ALOT of patience, because he is going be a grouch to be around for awhile.