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For those of us that are using medication replacement therapy to help us quit smoking, do you prefer the patch or nicotine gum? Or if you use another method, what is it? I am quitting myself, but am also putting together a project for graduate school and would appreciate input from whoever is willing. Thank you so much and good luck on your journey everyone!
By using the patch, the dosage is regulated. When using gum, you can pop in a piece every 15 minutes if you like and end up getting more nicotine than by smoking. The patch gets my vote.
SO many factors to weight!
I tried the patch years and years ago, and they made me nauseous.
I tried the lozenges but they were gross.
Only the gum seemed tolerable to me, and only if you're careful with how many (like Nancy and Jennifer said).
But this time I quit cold turkey.
Did I misunderstand your previous posts? I thought you vaped to quit.
Barb
No. I vaped instead of smoking cigarettes. Vaping isn't considered NRT, is it?
I quit vaping cold turkey.
Like a said. I must have misunderstood. I thought you used vaping to quit--not cold turkey. Wasn't referring to vaping being NRT.
I tried just about everything--patch, gum, inhalers, hypnotism, acupuncture, Welbutrin, and Chantix. What works for one may not work for another. But it isn't always which one it the "best". Some folks have side effects or can't tolerate one of the aids. For example, the gum and Chantix made me sick to my stomach (and chewing gum hurts my teeth!). The important thing is that they're all aids--you have to be ready to do the work. I used Welbutrin and nictrol inhalers for this quit--but I also educated myself about nicotine addiction, had a quit plan, attended a smoking cessation class and found the Ex a week prior to my quit.
Nicotine Replacement - Yes or No? See Myth #9 about addiction to NRT.
Good morning. I did not use any nicotine replacement but I have nothing against it, I do think, as others do, that it is best to use a patch, as directed and to remember that no replacement therapy takes the place of education, support, and commitment. No matter what you choose, understand that this is a journey and it is taken one day at a time. No ONE and no THING can quit for you but you do not have to take the journey alone. Learn everything you can about this addiction and accept that it IS an addiction, it is not a habit, that does not come anywhere near to describing its power but we are MORE powerful.
Best to you as you work on this project.
Ellen
The patch is a measured dose and allows a person to gradually reduce their nicotine consumption, making the eventual physical withdrawal much easier with which to deal.
The gum allows the addict to control the dose, so it is easier to become addicted to it if a person isn't careful.