Consumer Health Forums

Cold Turkey or NRT - share your thoughts and experiences here:

First time I quit was in 2004 using NRT inhalators and nic gum (patches didn't work for me) and that quit lasted 9 months.

Second time was in 2006 using the same NRT method and that one lasted 6 months.

Both times the start of the journey was relatively gentle but I never really got rid of the need for nicotine and both times I eventually succombed to smoking.

The last time I quit cold turkey last June and I have to say the experience has been completely different. Sure, the first coupld of weeks were uncomfortable, but not more than I could cope with, and before I knew it I was nicotine free (72 hours).

I felt better almost immediately, and the mental buzz of being free of nicotine as an incentive in itself.

Also when I quit the first 2 times I had no idea how much nicotine I was still using - I was simply employing a different delivery method. Having said that, I really do think those quits did break down the habit and certainly got me into quit smoking mode, so those attempts were not wasted.

So a big thmbs up for Cold Turkey - for me there is no other way.

What about other peoples' experiences?

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I've tried cold turkey and the patches. I couldn't get on with the gum as it tasted to awful but I haven't tried the gum recently.

Cold turkey is more difficult but yes it is more effective I used to think that as each day got easier if I had one cigarette I would be back to square one and feeling awful again. This kept me motivated to stay off the cigs as it would undo all the hard work I'd done. Having said that I was backon the cigs after 8 weeks smoke free

The patches don't take away the cravings completely but do bring them down to a more comfortable level. You do still need will power.

Ive tried the patches had no luck with them at all have just given up again cold turkey 3 days in and I actually feel fine, still would like a cig but keep telling myself Im doing for my own good and the feeling will go away working for me so far

Good going nblaen! Keep it up! Also once you go three days I find that if you tell yourself that one cigarette will put you right back where you started and trigger the cravings again you are more able to stop from having just that one

Well done to you!

Well done Nblaen! Cold turkey's not nice at all so good for you for sticking at it. At least things should start to get a little easier from now. Why don't you start a thread keep us all updated

thanks for the messages of support guys its now tues morning and I actually feel quite good craving for cig still there but is getting better I can actually breathe deeper than Ive done for years, my sense of smell is getting better am goin to smokin clinic at 9.30 see if I can get some more tips once again thanks

Good for you nblaen. Just the sort of encouragement I need. Let us know how you get on at the clinic

attended clinic took my CO reading it was 2 ppm the average there was about 25ppm so I was well pleased, I really dont know though why it is easier this time round, ive tried loads of times using patches, zyban, inhalors but always had the overwhelming urge to carry on smoking, this time cold turkey I feel fine in fact I feel good, had a decent nights sleep last night and didnt cough my lungs up this morning so things can only get better, good luck to everyone else trying to give up we all know it aint easy but its worth it

clinic asked me if I wanted to go on any nicotine replacements, but I honestly feel like Im doing better without them, basically just went so I could be around other people who are trying to give up, bit of support, and encouragement always works wonders

You make it sound so easy nblaen! Keep up the good work! Yes support and encouragement is very important.

I'm quitting on Saturday so at the moment just picking up some tips and psyching myself up. Seeing you do so well is giving so much more confidence already

Take care