Introduction and requesting advice on successful NRT use

[FunkyMonkey]

Hello Everyone!

I have been reading here for about a week. I have been smoking for 36 years and I am planning my forever quit ( and yes my funky junkie brain is panicking) . I have NRT (gum) on the way, to arrive later this week. Like many here (and everywhere) I have attempted to quit in the past both cold turkey and using lozenges. It goes without saying that it didn't stick. This time I need it to stick - it will stick! I currently smoke between 12-15 cigarettes a day (any is too many!!!!) so I am hoping someone who has been successful using NRT (gum or lozenge) can share their strategy or answer the following questions:

1. Is is one piece per cigarette (ie if I smoked 12 cigarettes, plan on chewing 12 pieces of gum)?
2.  Did you start out with the 4mg or 2mg?
3. If you started with the 4mg - when did you step down to the 2mg?
4. At what point did you start to alternate/substitute regular gum or candy?

 

I want to be sure I have enough NRT on hand and if I don't need it all, I will donate it to the local foodbank or shelter. I completely understand that I am putting off/prolonging the nicotine withdrawal. One day at a time, one thing at a time, one NOPE at a time.

 

I am currently listening to this (everyday) and it is already helping with smoking less. 

 

 

I have also purchased my one week reward (new brushed cotton pants from LL Bean) that I will not wear until I have one week under my belt. I have my one month reward in my amazon cart as well . I have my snack list planned out - whatever it takes - I can lose weight another day. All Cigarettes and lighters are remaining outside (not allowed in my pocket or purse). No coffee or other beverages, reading, or relaxing allowed when smoking - smoking is smoking only. I even have a new watchband and fingernail polish for day one so when I see my hands - they will look different. Thank you to each & everyone of you for the advice, encouragement & honesty you show those that come here for help!!

 

[Boo]

Welcome aboard the Quit Train FunkyMonkey.

 

I was a cold turkey quitter so I can't help you with information about NRT.  We have many successful quitters here who used NRTs that will be able to provide more help in that area.

 

Good call on giving up the smokes and never be bashful about rewarding yourself for quitting.  This is one of the best things you will ever do for yourself.

[intoxicated yoda]

hello FunkyMonkey.  sounds like you have a good plan outlined.  I quit cold turkey but the most important thing is that you don't smoke.  you can do this.  it will test you and you will find out just how strong you are.  just stay calm and know that whatever you go through will pass and on the other side of it you will be much better off.  welcome aboard.

[jillar]

Welcome @FunkyMonkey and congratulations on deciding to take your life back I too quit quit cold turkey so am not the best to answer your questions but I'm sure our NRT users will be around soon to offer their tips.

Sounds like you've made great preparations for your quit date, I also quit smoking where I normally did (the garage) so that I wouldn't associate that area with smoking anymore. 

Looking forward to following your journey

[FunkyMonkey]

Not quitting is not an option for me. At my annual physical last week, the doctor detected PVC's (irregular heartbeat). He did an EKG and he said it appeared that at some point I had (in his words) a very small heart attack or something else that caused some minor damage to my heart. I am waiting to hear from the hospital for an echocardiogram appointment. And for the first time ever, my cholesterol is high and I'm now taking a statin. He said both were caused by smoking.  Want to know how I handled the news???? - When I left, I hid behind my car in the parking lot and smoked. That is the junky brain in a nut shell. It's crazy & I'm done. I'm choosing NRT because failure is not an option. Clean the lungs and all the other 1000's of toxins while coming to grip with the inner nicotine junky.

[Reciprocity]

Oh boy ..... it's going to sound like we're piling on here a bit because I too went cold turkey. (trust me, it's not a plot against your choice of NRT product).

 

A couple of things I would say though is: 1. Ask your Dr. or Pharmacist about the use of Nicotine gum, even if you're not buying it from them or - research recommended usage on the internet. The company who makes the gum you are buying may have it's own website. 

2. Don't focus too much on what you are using to help you with the physical aspects of nicotine withdrawal because if you do, it will give your junkie brain (yes, we all have one of those!) ammunition to shift blame should you fail in your initial quit attempt. Take OWNERSHIP of this quit because in the end it's YOU and only you that determines the outcome - commitment is the key to quitting! Not patches, gums, lozenges or nico-sprays. Those only help reduce the physical side effects of quitting a bit for a short period of time. The real heavy lifting is restructuring your daily life so that you become completely comfortable as a non-smoker! That's where it's at and that just takes time & patience.

 

Your anxiousness about your approaching quit date is completely normal! It will evaporate instantly once you actually quit 

Edited July 26, 2022 by reciprocity

[Reciprocity]

5 minutes ago, FunkyMonkey said:

Not quitting is not an option for me. At my annual physical last week, the doctor detected PVC's (irregular heartbeat). He did an EKG and he said it appeared that at some point I had (in his words) a very small heart attack or something else that caused some minor damage to my heart. I am waiting to hear from the hospital for an echocardiogram appointment. And for the first time ever, my cholesterol is high and I'm now taking a statin. He said both were caused by smoking.  Want to know how I handled the news???? - When I left, I hid behind my car in the parking lot and smoked. That is the junky brain in a nut shell. It's crazy & I'm done. I'm choosing NRT because failure is not an option. Clean the lungs and all the other 1000's of toxins while coming to grip with the inner nicotine junky.

Don't sweat it FM! You'll do fine as long as you're committed to quit no matter what the nicodemon throws at you and besides, you have a whole bunch of big-time quitters around this place who will be more than happy to give support, advice and anything other than a payday loan 

Check out the Games page .... you may find you need a little mindless entertainment if your sleep patterns get screwed up in the early days of your quit. 

[Nancy]

Welcome, Funky Monkey!!  I'm pretty sure the gum will come with detailed instructions, but I agree it might be helpful to check with your doctor or pharmacist.  The most important ingredient is determination.  You have to decide that there is absolutely no circumstance in which it is okay to stick something in your mouth and set it on fire. You can rant, rave, cry, scream, run until you can't run anymore, take 10 showers a day (you can't smoke in the shower) or whatever else it takes to not smoke.  You can do this!!

[Doreensfree]

Welcome aboard FM...

I'm sorry im too another CT....I've tried every quit known to man ,in the end it was fear and cold turkey that 

finally worked for me ..

We do have folks here who have been on the gum ect...hopefully they will come along ...

Please read all the posts on the Main Smoking Message Board which are pinned in green ...

They is tons of great info to get you going ..

We will support you along your journey ..

You can do it ..

Edited July 25, 2022 by Doreensfree

[overcome]

Sorry - cold turkey here as well, but I did have some NRT lozenges that made me feel better early on.

As it ended up, once I knew what to expect by reading/watching videos here on the train. The encouragement and support of all the other passengers, I never ended up using them at all ...... wifee took them back and got me cake! 

All the best in your quit, if I can do it anyone can do it. 

[Nancy]

4 hours ago, FunkyMonkey said:

Not quitting is not an option for me. At my annual physical last week, the doctor detected PVC's (irregular heartbeat). He did an EKG and he said it appeared that at some point I had (in his words) a very small heart attack or something else that caused some minor damage to my heart. I am waiting to hear from the hospital for an echocardiogram appointment. And for the first time ever, my cholesterol is high and I'm now taking a statin. He said both were caused by smoking.  Want to know how I handled the news???? - When I left, I hid behind my car in the parking lot and smoked. That is the junky brain in a nut shell. It's crazy & I'm done. I'm choosing NRT because failure is not an option. Clean the lungs and all the other 1000's of toxins while coming to grip with the inner nicotine junky.

Love the "Any is too Many!!"

Do not feel alone....when my brother was in the hospital dying from smoking...I had to feed my addiction and sneak out and smoke.  I was terrified that I could not quit.  I used  Chantix.  Use whatever path allows you to get started....

[intoxicated yoda]

here ya go @FunkyMonkeythis was the mantra that got me through my first months here on the train.  That and walking in the rain.  

 

[Gus]

I used NRT to quit. I was on the patch. I suffer from severe anxiety and knew that I would not survive a cold turkey quit. It was sheer torture though. Every time the the nicotine was reduced I suffered and then I had to suffer the worst when it finally came time to cut all of the nicotine. It. Was. Ugly. I’ll never smoke again though. I don’t have it in me to go through that again. I smoked 35+ years. 2 packs a day. I don’t advise NRT for anyone unless they suffer from some issue that calls for a weaning process. I hope that you find that you don’t need the NRT and just go ahead and kick Nicodemon and his many butts to the curb. Welcome aboard the train. I am so glad that you found us. I could not have quit without the support I received and still receive from everyone here. I’m looking forward to following your quit! See you around!

[DenaliBlues]

Hi, @FunkyMonkey. Welcome to the train! You have found the right crowd of folks to support you in your forever quit. I, too, once lit up a cigarette on the way out of a cardiologist's office... and smoked the whole time I was on a holter heart recorder... and through dozens of sinus infections and bouts of bronchitis.... It's a miracle my junkie brain didn't explode from all the cognitive dissonance.

 

I am 51/2 months into my quit and I used NRT to get here. The patch, supplemented by occasional lozenges or gum. I chose the patch because I had to quit in a hurry without time to gear up, because I was a very heavy smoker and needed to uncouple the physical/psychological dependencies, and because my stomach cannot handle a ton of oral nicotine. As others have said, NRT does indeed prolong the pain of withdrawal. I ultimately accelerated my step-down to be rid of the misery sooner. But in the beginning, the NRT got me over a hump that I hadn't been able to get over before, so I'm grateful. There are a lot of ways to quit, pick whatever method works for you.

 

The general guidance is to start with the higher doses of NRT if you smoke your first cigarette right away when you wake up in the morning. For the first few days I used a 4 mg mini-lozenge or gum early in the day but then used a lower dosage in the afternoon or evening if I needed support again. If you are having cardiac stuff it is a good idea to check in with a doctor about your NRT plan. But still be prepared to listen to your own body and adjust - use less if you feel funky, either by shortening the duration or the dosage.

 

Also, definitely have a plan for other things to do besides NRT to get you through the cravings. The urges will be intense, and NRT alone is not enough ammunition. I needed many different tasks, physical exercises, things to do with my hands, new rituals, etc. I love your new watchband and nail polish approach - get creative! I needed a list of at least 50 things I could do instead of sticking something in my mouth and setting it on fire.... because when the cravings hit I lost my ability to think for a while. But the misery passed. It got easier. You can do this, and there are lots of people here who are ready to help!     

[Doreensfree]

FM....

Many roads lead to Rome ....Just get your your arse there any way you can ...

Fill your tool box with all the tools you can find ...

Chew regular gum too....it keeps your mouth busy ....

Buckle up ...there will be some bends ahead ..but if you hold on tight ...you will Reach your destination.

FREEDOM !!!!!!

[johnny5]

Welcome @FunkyMonkey

 

You have gotten a lot of good advice already.  I can't give you any advice on NRT's as I was also a cold turkey quitter but I do know that a lot of people successfully quit with NRT's.  The main goal, in the end, is that you put smoking and nicotine out of your life forever.  It may sound daunting but it is worth it and the journey to a smoke free life can be a rewarding one.  A smoke free life is definitely better than having your life revolve around cigarettes

 

You are doing a great thing in quitting smoking.   It is great to have you here.

Edited July 26, 2022 by johnny5

[FunkyMonkey]

19 hours ago, Gus said:

I used NRT to quit. I was on the patch. I suffer from severe anxiety and knew that I would not survive a cold turkey quit. It was sheer torture though. Every time the the nicotine was reduced I suffered and then I had to suffer the worst when it finally came time to cut all of the nicotine. It. Was. Ugly. I’ll never smoke again though. I don’t have it in me to go through that again. I smoked 35+ years. 2 packs a day. I don’t advise NRT for anyone unless they suffer from some issue that calls for a weaning process. I hope that you find that you don’t need the NRT and just go ahead and kick Nicodemon and his many butts to the curb. Welcome aboard the train. I am so glad that you found us. I could not have quit without the support I received and still receive from everyone here. I’m looking forward to following your quit! See you around!

Gus - like you, I can be plagued by anxiety and a big part of my past fails were anxiety/panic attacks. I cannot use the patch because of the irregular heart beats. I am a "hope for the best plan for the worst" girl so the gum is mental safety net for me to work through the habit/lifestyle part of the quit. I don't plan on using it for the full 12 weeks. I have no doubts it will prolong the withdrawal. Thank you for being so honest here and throughout the site with your quit.

[jillar]

@FunkyMonkey, how are you doing? 

[Doreensfree]

Hey !!!!......

Funky monkey.....where you at ?.....we carn,t see you !!!!

Come and talk to us

[FunkyMonkey]

Sorry - I went away for a long weekend and then came home and was sick in bed all day yesterday. I am still on the train.- - 2 weeks tomorrow 

[Doreensfree]

Yaaa....Good to see you ,still in your seat ....

Two weeks is a quit to be proud of ...half way to that important first month

[jillar]

Awesome @FunkyMonkey, thanks for checking in