Any good ideas to quit smoking?

[angelwing]

Ok, what I'm looking for are good tips to quit smoking without the side effects (weight gain) Yes, I know about the patch, gum, etc, but if you're funds are limited I would rather find an easier way. My hubby has been smoke free since 7/23/05 and I have already de-nicotined the entire apartment and I haven't smoked in the apt since then and just this week I've stopped smoking around the apt complex, but I still smoke on the way to work and on the way home. I only smoke a pack a day but still that's a little over a gallon of gas (money wise)

Anyone got some good ideas?

Mary

[Janice]

My husband and I used Zyban. It is great... John has not smoked since August. I will go back on it again when I stop again.

[angelwing]

Zyban isn't covered by my rx plan, sign

[Janice]

It wasn't under ours either. Yes, it is expensive. It cost us each around $190 a month each and we took it for two months, so that was about $800. But, that is cheap to stop this addiction and remember, you are saving each month by not buying cigarettes. I know some people are treated for depression with Zyban, but I would never ask my doctor to state that in a prescription for us. I am sure the insurance companies catch on and the doctor could get in trouble.

[angelwing]

Well, Wellbutrin is covered and that is also used and since the xanax and antivan that I am on just put me to sleep, I might just talk to the dr about that, since I already have a legit dx the wellbutrin would be covered (not going into my medical probs)

[Janice]

I would give it a try..... Good Luck

It would have been just too obvious with both of us wanting a prescription.

[angelwing]

TY

[artist]

Wellbutrin and Zyban are the same thing - Zyban is marketed for stopping smoking, while under the name wellbutrin - it is marketed for depression. Most ins. will cover Wellbutrin if they prescribe it.
(have a Dr. in the family)

[angelwing]

Checked my plan, same generic name for both but they'll only cover the Wellbutrin(been in the medical field 25 years myself)just goes to show you how rx plans can be, it's all in the wording

[Janice]

Remember, these drugs will not work unless you are 100% ready to quit.

The reason we did not go to Wellbrutin is because at that time, last August, I have never been treated for depression. I knew that with John and I quitting on the same day, the insurance company might catch on. I would not ask my doctor to do that anyway and I am sure he would have said no.

Go for it.....

[southerngale]

I know you already mentioned gum, but I don't know if you meant that Nicorette stuff or regular gum. If you don't want to eat a lot more when you quit, I would just suggest chewing regular gum all the time and lots of water. Always have something to drink handy.
I never tried any drugs or nicotine gum...I just quit cold turkey and that worked for me. It also worked for my dad who smoked for about 30 years. He was irritable for a while, but he's fine now and has never caved. He's older now and in much better shape physically than he was back when he smoked.

When you quit, take the money you would normally spend on cigarettes and put it in a jar or somewhere separate. After a month or several months, count it and see how much money you're saving. Do something special with that money, getting something for your family that y'all have wanted for a while or something.

When you do quit, you will be sooooo glad you did. You'll feel so much better and your body will thank you. I know many do it and I did it, but smoking is so unhealthy. No good comes from it.

GOOD LUCK!!

[Vandora]

Yep, Welbutrin is the same thing. I had the same exact issue, and Welbutrin was covered fine.

I did Welbutrin the "first" quit, and cold turkey the "second" (and last, so far). I am the type that cold turkey worked best... 2 1/2 years so far... But some people do great on Welbutrin. There's also the inhalers/gum/patches, but I've heard that some people actually become addicted to THOSE things instead (!!!).

Whatever you choose, stock up on straws and hard candies to chew/suck on. The straws are also great if your hands are "craving" a cig to hold.

Stock up on things like celery and carrot sticks. Keeping healthy snacks might help in the weight department.

I agree on putting the money you save aside. I gave myself "treats" (whatever you want, one of mine was a hamster, which i'd wanted another one for a long time before) at pre-determined milestones.

Remember, though, that some extra weight is better then smoking. Once you're smoke-free and feeling able to stay that way, you can get the weight off.

One site that was a HUGE help to me is QuitNet, which you'll find support at, and also, a gadget that will keep track of your progress, and email you when you've reached milestones (I still love when it reminds me!).

[alicia-w]

when we lived in the philippines, my then husband quit smoking this way: he took a small baby food jar and put his half smoked cigarettes in there, added a little water and put the lid on. every time he went to light up again, he had to open that jar and take a whiff. it didnt take him long at all to quit.

[badashley]

Be very careful if you go the Wellbutrin route, it put me in the emergency room twice in 48 hours with a really bad allergic reaction (and I've never been allergic to anything in my life).

Anway, I knew someone who quit by 'tapering off.' Essentially they just delayed the first cigarette of the day by one hour each week. Meaning, if their first cigarette was at 8:00 a.m., the started week one waiting until 9:00 a.m., then the next week 10:00 a.m., and on...

Good luck to you! I'd like to quit too!

[conestogo_flood]

How about switching to ultra lites, and slowly cutting back, then going on the patch.

I've already started the quitting process. I used to smoke a pack a day of regulars, then I switched to lights. I'm on Peter Jackson King Size Lights right now, soon to go to Petey Jackson King Size Ultra Lites.

Just the current plan for now, for me. I got the advice from my mother.