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November 22, 2009
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Patient Discussions: Smoking And How To Quit Smoking - Effective Treatments

Smoking And How To Quit Smoking - Effective Treatments

The MedicineNet physician editors ask:

What treatments have been effective to assist in quitting smoking.

Comment submissions for this question have ended. Patient Discussions FAQs


Related Article: Smoking (How to Quit Smoking)

The following Patient Discussions have not been medically reviewed. See additional information.



Comment from: terrie, 45-54 Female (Patient)

I was prescribed bupropion (Welbutrin) to quit smoking. I have not started the pills yet. I have been reading all that I can about this medicine because I have tried to quit many times and not succeeded. I have been prescribed varenicline (Chantix) in the past twice, and I got severely sick. In turn, I smoked even more cigarettes. I have tried the gum, patches, etc. I am not new to quitting smoking. I have quit successfully twice: The first time for four years and the second time for 10 years. Life changes bring me back to the nasty habit, such as a marriage to a smoker and a death of a beloved family member. Both of those times I quit cold turkey! I might have to do that this time. Published: August 07 ::

Comment from: Priscilla, 55-64 Female (Patient)

I am 63 and have been smoking since I was 17. I finally decided to stop because of the price of smokes in New Jersey and the fact it's such an anti-social habit. Oh, boy! It is not easy, and now that I have read about the side effects of nicotine gum (addiction to the gum, hair loss, etc.) that scares me even more. I found that EFT tapping really helps me over the desperation times. I thought it was such a stupid thing until I tried it one day when I was close to lighting up again after three smoke-free weeks. It really helped immensely, though for the life of me I can’t understand why and still feel faintly ridiculous whenever I do it. Published: August 07 ::

Comment from: becky, 35-44 Female

I was prescribed Wellbutrin in the mid 90s, and I quit smoking the first day I took the pill. It made cigarettes taste painfully awful and it worked immediately. I stopped smoking for five years. However, I am trying to quit again without Wellbutrin and nothing seems to work. My mother and grandmother quit smoking after 40 years by placing Copenhagen in between their toes and wearing a nylon stocking over their feet when they slept or during the day. I thought they were both crazy. Neither has smoked in 15 years. Published: May 20 ::

Comment from: Terri, 35-44 Female (Patient)

I have been smoking for 23 years and my husband even longer. We have both tried several times to quit and tried the patches, gum, and Wellbutrin. We are trying the patch again and are doing very well. We have quit now for 15 days. I find it easier with each day. I hope us all success. Published: May 20 ::

Comment from: papa budley, 65-74 Male (Patient)

I smoked for almost 50 years and quit last year. I did it the easy way: I just said no more. I do not think that nicotine is addictive. Is it a bad habit? Yes, but is it addictive? No. If I want a juicy steak, does that mean that I'm addicted to it? I wanted a cigarette for maybe a week, and then I just forgot about it. My wife smokes, and it doesn't bother me at all. Published: April 08 ::

Comment from: missy, 35-44 Female (Patient)

I have been a smoker for 24 years and have tried many things to help me quit over the years including patches gum home remedies and prescription medications with no success for any length of time, I was encouraged by the results of former smokers who used Chantix as an aid but then discouraged that many insurance companies do not cover this med and the out of pocket expense is quite large for someone with limited resources. Getting help shouldn’t be so hard. Published: December 17 ::

Comment from: anna, 65-74 Female (Patient)

I was very depressed, (loss of job, deaths of family members), so my therapist suggested I take Wellbutrin (Bupropion). I am now on it about 4 months and it has not helped with the urge to smoke. I have been using the patch for months. Then I buy a pack of cigarettes and smoke them and then put on a patch again. It is absolutely crazy. Now I am using the 'gum'. I had quit successfully for 10 years with the gum, but picked up again when my sister died and am now smoking for 5 years again. I am going to keep taking the Bupropin. Even though there are some side effects, my throat swells and my breathing seems suppressed and my chest feels tight. My GP said these side effects were slight and 'might' get better. I just don't want to be in a depression any more and smoking to make myself feel 'happier'. I hope the gum will help, and by reducing it over time I will be nicotine-free. Published: October 07 ::

Comment from: Shell, 35-44 Female (Patient)

I am a 40 year old medical student and yes I smoke but I have been trying to quit. I was put on Chanix and I did quit. A week later I lit one up. Now my doctor put me on Wellbutrin. I will have been on it a week in two days. I am hoping it works. Published: October 07 ::


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