Ask the doctor: What can I do to stop smoking if the "standard" treatments don't work for me?
Q. I am an 84-year-old woman who recently had stents placed in two coronary arteries. The doctors, of course, told me to quit smoking. I told them, as I have told all of my other doctors, that I have tried to quit but just can't. I have tried the patch and Chantix, but neither worked. Support groups aren't for me. I have cut back, but that's as far as so-called willpower goes. Hearing over and over again that I need to quit leaves me feeling depressed and weak. Is there some news about current or future approaches that might give me and others like me some hope?
A. Before I answer your question, let me congratulate you for having tried to quit smoking and urge you to try again. It often takes smokers several "tries" before one takes hold.
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