unsupportive dr.... sigh

[Rob Ril]

Your doctor's response sounds like a typical non-smoker's response. Most general practitioners are so against smoking, they think that people are just fools for it and that it is hard to quit, but not anything more than getting over a stubbed toe. On top of this incorrect analysis, not too many know anything about an electric cigarette. So they think you're just doing pretty much the same thing. Don't let your doctor hold you down. Switching to ecigs is a big step and for someone who smoked as long as you did, for anyone - especially a physician, to expect you to cold turkey quit seems ridiculous. Even if you had ZERO urge, crave, or any kind of dependency for the nicotine, your psychology would cause you to reach for something that you inhale and exhale, due to the time you've been a smoker. Ask your doctor to try picking up drinks without using his thumbs all day. Then ask him how many he's dropped the next time you see him so he can understand learned behavior.

 

[DuncanDisordely]

I'd say share the doctor's exact name and follow up with a direct complaint. See ama-assn.org for some details on this. It is the current medical opinion that ANYTHING beats smoking, which is how present day nicotine replacement products circumvent the need for long term testing. Anything beats smoking, not intended for long term use, so who cares.

It's one of those cases with any non oral NRP, it leaves one's hands free to continue to smoke. And while personal vaporizers are not presently and approved method to quit smoking, your doctor is under every moral and ethical obligation to collect ANY data you provide him. The big one is the simple fact that PVs represent a NRP that maintains the existing hand to mouth habit WITHOUT, and as such represents the easiest transition away from cigarettes.

It sounds like the bozo needs to be reminded that quiting smoking is a process, not an event, and if there is a process that works, it's his damned job to find out about it.

MattZuke you have concisely put down everything I wanted to say, in a manner I could only wish to achieve. mine turns into rants!

 

[OwnedByAGrey]

What I would ask is if he supports the use of the Nicotrol Inhaler, which has been in use for quite a long while, now. Same damn thing. They recommend its use for up to 24 weeks (6 months). Basically, to make it likely that your quit rate will be low so that, after a short "vacation time" (during which you'll probably resume smoking and support the industry in that way), you'll be buying their novel nicotine inhaler again. Controlled addiction under the auspices of "cessation" is the industry mainstay.

When looking through the "side-effects" of Nicotrol, one is listed as "pain or redness where the patch is applied", and its "brand names" include such venerated non-effective items as "Nicotrol patch, gum, nasal spray, and lozenges". Even these medical "professionals" don't have all of their ducks in a row; this is an inhaler, not an NRT, right? Right?

You do what you HAVE to do to make yourself healthier. Period. We're not talking an illegal drug, here. So, please tell him OBaG (that's me in internet shorthand) says he should take his attitude and his uninformed opinion and jam it.

Then, you can give him all of the printed info. LOL

 

[MoonRose]

Out of curiosity, where did you get this statistic from? I like having statistics like this on hand for when ignorant people are critical of something they don't understand. Though, 80% does seem a bit high...

The success rate for complete replacement of smoking ranges from 63% to 79% according to two published surveys.
You can find more information about e-cigs at CASAA.org

 

[markfm]

My Dr. was quite happy, also glad that I had copies of the CASAA medical infograph, trifold, and ECF business cards for her. After over 35 years of inhaling tar, switching to a PV is a huge step in the right direction. Zero pressure to stop vaping (I let her know I had been smoke-free 6 months).

 

[Jonnysocko]

Your Doc is most obviously "practicing" medicine. I've walked out on doctors more than once. There's good one and bad just like anything else. My biggest pet peave is condescending unsypathetic types.

 

[Brewlady]

Doctors are only as good as the current information they keep up with. Most depend on the FDA for the truth, which leaves their patients in peril.

I found this book in my local library:

Amazon.com: Over Dose (9781585423705): Jay S. Cohen: Books

This is a pretty quick read, and it should be required reading for every single practicing physician. More importantly, every person who is currently taking any prescription drug should read it. Since we, as consumers, all use the health care system at some point, understanding how drugs are tested and approved will give you a much better understanding of just how broken our system is.

 

[randle]

get a new dr.

 

[randle]

Your Doc is most obviously "practicing" medicine. I've walked out on doctors more than once. There's good one and bad just like anything else. My biggest pet peave is condescending unsypathetic types.

lol all doctors are only practicing medicine . no medical experts that i know of . some are just ignorant fools .

 

[Rosa]

Out of curiosity, where did you get this statistic from? I like having statistics like this on hand for when ignorant people are critical of something they don't understand. Though, 80% does seem a bit high...

The success rate for complete replacement of smoking ranges from 63% to 79% according to two published surveys.
You can find more information about e-cigs at CASAA.org

In addition to the published studies, there's the ECF Poll: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/polls/6470-e-cig-success-rate.html


ECF poll:
of 1565 people polled 83.38% success

Published studies:
of 303 people polled 79% success
of 81 people polled 63%
of 2217 people polled 80% success

VS "the patch" which has about a 10% success rate when purchased OTC and a 3% success rate when prescribed by your Doctor: Real-world efficacy of prescription and over-the-c... [Addiction. 2002] - PubMed result

 

[MoonRose]

In addition to the published studies, there's the ECF Poll: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/polls/6470-e-cig-success-rate.html


ECF poll:
of 1565 people polled 83.38% success

Published studies:
of 303 people polled 79% success
of 81 people polled 63%
of 2217 people polled 80% success

VS "the patch" which has about a 10% success rate when purchased OTC and a 3% success rate when prescribed by your Doctor: Real-world efficacy of prescription and over-the-c... [Addiction. 2002] - PubMed result

A good portion of the failure of NRT (Nicotine Replacement Therapy) for many could be because of the adverse side-effects that many suffer when using them for smoking cessation. You can see the results to that review here ... Adverse events associated with nicotine replacemen... [Tob Induc Dis. 2010] - PubMed result

 

[Darkwitless]

My only problem from a completely analytical point with these polls are that some vapers who return to smoking also stop visiting the vaping boards where these polls are found. Likewise, some who stop smoking also stop vaping - and stop visiting the boards.

A wise person once said: be leery of statistics and polls - and good statistician can make the numbers twist anyway they want to them to.

What's really important is what is working for you!

 

[Rosa]

A good portion of the failure of NRT (Nicotine Replacement Therapy) for many could be because of the adverse side-effects that many suffer when using them for smoking cessation. You can see the results to that review here ... Adverse events associated with nicotine replacemen... [Tob Induc Dis. 2010] - PubMed result

For me the failure was due to the fact that they are totally worthless and cause me to sit, clutching the couch for dear life, as I stare blindly into the face of infinite desolation.

 

[Adrena]

The patch made me sick on PPL's shoes, even in the lowest dose. My doc know this yet I had plains on telling her I'm tobacco free but still on nicotine not offering what device I use. (She may need to know as my doc I have nicotine in me.)
However with all these PDF's I feel like I have ammo just encase she asks... TY

 

[mlinky]

My doc had heard of e-cigs but had never seen one. He practically danced a jig when I pulled out my pv and told him I had quit smoking. He then had to look at it, explained e-cigs to a NP intern that was following him around, and called in some other members of his practice to see it. I emailed all sorts of info to him.

So, if your doctor doesn't react in an open-minded, responsible manner to the info you bring him, get another doc. Chances are he is missing other new/important things because of his attitude.

 

[DuncanDisordely]

I've just learnt of an appointment I apparently have to attend at the doctors - stop smoking service appt.

If anyone here remembers my story you'll realise why I have this appt, I called them and explained I never took the prescribed champix and i am a non-smoker thanks to e-cigs. They said to come in anyway.

SO... I'm going in, armed to the teeth with flyers and printed info, plus of course my lovely riva!

I just know this ....h is going to be ready for me, I'd already mentioned the e-cig to her before to get her stance on it and she is a big pharm gal through and through, waffled nonsense at me and didnt even know efficacy stats for anything so I left with a secret smile.

Looking forward to this appt! I think we are all going to sit in a circle or something? They better be ready to get converted!

Love to all you happy vapers!

Dunx

 

[Levitas]

This has probably been said somewhere in this topic. But, I've tried the patch once. About 8 years ago. It's terrible, it made me sick and still wanting a cigarette. So I smoked right after taking the patch off and I threw up. I never understood how someone could quit smoking because of a patch of nicotine. I understand its point but overall that point seems pointless to a smoker.

 

[OwnedByAGrey]

For me the failure was due to the fact that they are totally worthless and cause me to sit, clutching the couch for dear life, as I stare blindly into the face of infinite desolation.

+1

I even used the patch AND the lozenge at the same time. No go.

 

[Astronomer]

I have having a really hard time not telling a rather off color and self depreciating joke that relates to this topic.

Don’t want to get a warning ( chuckle )

 

[Rosa]

I have having a really hard time not telling a rather off color and self depreciating joke that relates to this topic.

Don’t want to get a warning ( chuckle )

It's the thought that counts