Well... I lost the 'battle' a while back when something that's incredibly stressful to me turned up. First thing I did was light a cig. I was shocked to find myself do that.
I managed to go back to not smoking but at some point I lost it.
So now I'm back to smoking as much as I did before, short of breath, coughing, my house and me smelling again etc etc.
It took a while but I'm done with it.
I just phoned the GP for the 2nd batch (3 months) of nicotine patches. You're allowed 2x that get covered by insurance. I do want that support.
I'd decided weeks ago that I was going to quit again, but yeah... In a way I didn't want to phone for patches as it felt like failure. Admitting I'd failed.
But even the health insurance site says that it's quite the addiction hence you're being allowed to get the patches twice if need be. That made me realise, I have not failed, it's just one helluva addiction!
Yet, it was quite the step to really make this decision, to pick up the phone and get it sorted.
That addiction voice yapping, "Wait a few days! You can do it next week!"
She practice assistant will likely phone me and I will likely get her guiding/coaching calls again each or every other week. This is part of the program. If I refuse I have to pay the patches myself, and it is actually quite nice to have her support.
In any case... I'm going for it again!
I feel ya, 52 years for me now!
Not sure about your meds insurance but yu might try asking about Chatix.
Some people (like me) don't respond with duration from the patches or the lozenges or gum.
http://www.chantix.com/
Take one 0.5-milligram tablet once a day for 3 days, then increase to one 0.5-milligram tablet twice a day for 4 days. The dose is slowly increased to lessen the chance of side effects (such as nausea, unusual dreams). It is okay to smoke during this time. Stop smoking on the quit date.
The most common side effects of CHANTIX include nausea, sleep problems (trouble sleeping or vivid, unusual, or strange dreams), constipation, gas, and/or vomiting. If you have side effects that bother you or don't go away, tell your healthcare provider.
Uninsured, low income patients may be able to get Chantix for free with the Pfizer RxPathways program.
Bupropion
Brand name: Wellbutrin
Antidepressant and Smoking cessation aid
It can treat depression and help people quit smoking. It can also prevent depression caused by seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
Brands: Wellbutrin XL, Wellbutrin SR, Aplenzin, Forfivo XL, and Zyban
Availability: Prescription needed
Brand name: Wellbutrin
Antidepressant and Smoking cessation aid
It can treat depression and help people quit smoking. It can also prevent depression caused by seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
Brands: Wellbutrin XL, Wellbutrin SR, Aplenzin, Forfivo XL, and Zyban
Availability: Prescription needed
It takes eight days for the body to have enough bupropion to start easing the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal and reduce tobacco cravings.
Bupropion has proven efficacy for smoking cessation in a number of clinical trials, helping approximately one in five smokers to stop smoking. Up to a half of patients taking bupropion experience side effects, mainly insomnia and a dry mouth, which are closely linked to the nicotine withdrawal syndrome.
The herb lobelia (Lobelia inflata) has been promoted to help people fight the effects of nicotine withdrawal and it is found in many anti-smoking products. The active ingredient in lobelia is lobeline and it is thought to have similar actions on the body as nicotine.