Tryng to Quit Smoking

Hi, Beth,

Can't help it - here's a link to a great guide to tell you all you need to know about how to quit successfully. It has lots of info about the lozenges, too, which I pasted below.

Best results will happen if you create some good distraction strategies, too, for the times you usually smoke.

The guide has some suggestions if you want them.

Nicotine lozenges: Nicotine-containing lozenges as an over-the-counter aid in smoking cessation are the newest form of NRT on the market. As with nicotine gum, the Commit® lozenge is available in 2 strengths: 2 mg and 4 mg. Smokers choose their dose based on how long after waking up they normally have their first cigarette.

The lozenge manufacturer recommends using it as part of a 12-week program. The recommended dose is one lozenge every 1 to 2 hours for 6 weeks, then one lozenge every 2 to 4 hours for weeks 7 to 9, and finally, one lozenge every 4 to 8 hours for weeks 10 to 12. The manufacturer also recommends the following:

Stop all smoking when you begin to use the lozenge.

Do not eat or drink for 15 minutes before using the lozenge. (Some drinks can reduce how well the lozenge works.)

Suck on the lozenge until it is fully dissolved, about 20 to 30 minutes. Do not bite or chew it like a hard candy, and do not swallow it. The medicine is taken in through the tissues of the mouth.

Do not use more than 5 lozenges in 6 hours, or more than 20 lozenges total per day.

Stop using the lozenge after 12 weeks. If you still feel you need to use the lozenge, talk to your doctor.

Do not use the lozenge if you continue to smoke, chew tobacco, use snuff or any other product containing nicotine (e.g., nicotine patch or gum).

Possible side effects of the nicotine lozenge include:

trouble sleeping

nausea

hiccups

coughing

heartburn

headache

flatulence (gas)

http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/PED_10_13X_Guide_for_Quitting_Smoking.asp?from=fast

Good for you trying to quit! After smoking for 30+ yrs I finally quit. It may have had something to do with my exhusband having died from lung cancer. I don't know. This is what I did that worked for me. I have been smoke-free for FOUR years.....and have had NO desire for a cigarette at all. I used Rite Aid patches, second phase. Used them for 2 weeks and then I was done with them. I used them on my belly and back......no arms...no other place than those two. Prior to quitting I made up my mind that I had to replace it with a new addiction. You can't NOT have something to replace the cigs. I decided that everytime I wanted a cig I would drink water. That's right....water. It worked, it flushed the crap out of my body and it made me pee all the time.....but I wasn't smoking at all. I did not experience bad dreams nor any tummy discomfort from the patch. You also could do the other thing I did and was use one of the 12-step approaches...One SECOND at a time...and lots and lots of daily reading of posiive affirmations. Today....if someone would put a pack in front of me and a chocolate candy bar...my struggle would be in not touching the candy bar *LOL* Good luck! And please do it! I am a very healthy person.....or so I thought I was. I have to have an angiogram Wed. Between genetics and smoking......something is damaged......and I am not happy about it. And no..I will not feel sorry for myself and smoke.........

My fear was getting fat if I quit. I gained all of 8 pounds which quickly came off. I told myself to keep active and do not eat more than I normally do :-)

I use the gum sometimes, but I haven't quit yet. It helps reduce the cravings. I wish you all the luck and success, and I am right on your heels in getting ready to quit. I really appreciated GreatLady's story and Otter's info--thanks y'all (I'm Texan).

--Mary

Thank you for the info, very helpful.

I quit a couple times before. I didn't use anything. I did have terrible nitghmares about monsters.

The drinking water is a good idea. Water is good to drink.

Thank you for the advice.

When you feel like smoking, brush your teeth instead. There's something about it that makes the desire to smoke disappear.

TheInquiringEye

Yes, do all or any of the above comments,and brush your teeth.

I quit years ago, but I smoked more than 6 cigarettes a day! You will quit. You'll see. I used some prescription that was popular years ago, but I don't remember the name of it. It was actually an anti-depressant. It worked- whatever it was. Took about two weeks to a month to really nail it shut -- no more smoke and stench of smoke! You will do it! It's a process. You will look back and think "Wow! I did it!" It's the greatest thing not to have to worry about having your little pack of "friends" in your purse and a lighter. They are not your friends. They are a stinky expensive ugly nuisance. If the cigarettes could speak, they would say that!