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Give and get support around quitting

Gwenivere
Member

Experiences from patch users?

I’ve been on the 14mg patch for almost 5 weeks now.  I can go longer than the 6 weeks before dropping to 7mg.  I’d like to know if this starts another withdrawl experience.  I have lozenges for back up, but they can make you nauseous if taken too close together.  I’m also experiencing the stopping smoking and feel worse for it.  I’m no newbie now so this baffles me.  Any ideas who have done fgis step down?

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32 Replies
YoungAtHeart
Member

Be careful when using the patches AND lozenges so you don't get more nicotine that you were when you were smoking.  A cigarette contains about 1 mg of nicotine, then add the strength of the lozenge you are using..  I hope you aren't using one every time you get a craving?  What you are missing when you use the patches is that "hit" you used to get from a cigarette.  It isn't a good idea to get that from a lozenge for every one you used to smoke....for you can become addicted to them.  Be sure to only use one as a very last resort after you have tried delaying, distracting.....

I didn't use the patch - but everyone is different, anyway.  From what I have learned here, you do get a bit of withdrawal when you step down - but it's more of your body adjusting to less drugs than actual bad cravings, I believe.  I would suggest you step down - but keep a stronger one on hand.  You can always put the higher strength back on if it is too difficult for you.

Can you BELIEVE you have been quit for five weeks?  How cool is THAT?111

anaussiemom
Member

 Gwenivere , may I ask what you do to help with the urges? 


My Experience: hence many times quittting/ Few with patch; It is still very hard to quit no matter.  I push myself,  one moment at a time. 

I use crosswords, crocheting, oodles of house work If I want to clean,  (not much desire or stamina for that) .  Games on internet, being sick and a new quit starting @ the beginning of month.   I dont keep track unless I'm on here, and check.  Also breathing, and prayer, meditation, also have saved vids of Tai Chi and Kwon Chi; To kick some of the mood swings away.  Right now sick again.  But, hoping to start with beginner vids this week.



Journal-ing = Helps me to stay motivated....

Being sick and kinda hangin" with tv"   and hot tea, and lemon, honey. Nurses my urges away too.


congratulations-2201.gifOn 5 weeks Woohoo

Jen you got this!! 

desiree465
Member

I ended up stopping the patches before the last step because I didn't like withdrawing again and again. Less nicotine = withdraw symptoms, it's just the nature of the beast. They won't be as intense but be prepared for it to occur. If you use the lozenges during the step down then it'll defeat the purpose of stepping down and you will just prolong the inevitable. You've been quit for 5 weeks!? You've got this, you're not going to want to loose your quit after all this time and those withdraw symptoms will have less power over you. 

AnnetteMM
Member

I’d like to know if this starts another withdrawal experience.

YES. Of course it does. Like desiree465 said, lower the nicotine and you get withdrawal. That's how addiction works. I was grossed out by lozenges and decided to just end the whole nicotine thing entirely.

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elvan
Member

I did not use NRT's but I have nothing against them, there are a LOT of people who have successfully quit using them.  I hate to tell you that you have to rip the bandaid off at some point but, it seems that is the case.  I have heard of people staying on NRT's for a very long time, I do not know how advisable that is but it is smoking that is the biggest danger to you...particularly since you have already had such issues with your lungs.  

I CAN assure you that once you are nicotine free, it gets easier and easier.  

Sending you big hugs,

Ellen

Gwenivere
Member

As I stated when I joined, my goal right now is not to be nicotine free.  I am not smoking because of a severe lung disease.  Found out this week that it is progressing anyway.  Now they are talking infusions to curtail my immune system to ease inflammation.  Problem is they involve steroids which I cannot tolerate and would make me more vulnerable to bugs.  I feel caught in a trap.  

In doing the math I am getting the same amount of nicotine I did when I smoked, if not a little more.  

I haven’t figured out what to do with this latest news.  It sounds to me that between the lung disease and extreme hypothyroidism, one will do me in.  And I wonder why I’m depressed?  

elvan
Member

I am SO SORRY...I have been steroid dependent since 1992 and I have a nonexistent immune system and skin that is thinner than that on an onion.  I get constant skin tears and have multiple purple spots all over my arms.  I do not handle increased doses well but I cannot breathe without a maintenance dose.  

I don't see why you need to change your dose of the patch if you are handling it...you definitely do not want to smoke and you do not want to go through another withdrawal.  I do not know if you have COPD, that is what I have and I have lost both upper lobes of my lungs because of the damage.  I have my next low dose CT Scan scheduled in February, I have a number of nodules but they have not, so far, grown.  

If you are comfortable with the patch at the current dose...why change it?  I understand that you have no interest in being nicotine free. I would love to hear what your actual diagnosis is and also if you have sought more than one opinion?  MY COPD progressed after I quit smoking but I wasn't really doing much to slow it down.  I wasn't exercising regularly and my diet was terrible.  I have also learned to alternate periods of activity with periods of rest because I really have NO CHOICE.

Sending you the best,

Ellen

Gwenivere
Member

Talk about doing nothing for my COPD, I was smoking!  My diagnosis is bronchiectasis.  It widens the bronchial tubes so the cilia can’t effectively move any crud out.  It’s permanent.  What’s interesting is smoking does not cause it, doesn’t help, but it could be congenital, the fact I had severe pneumonia in my young 20's and repeated bronchitis because of it.  I remember as a kid and teenager I couldn’t run as fast as other kids.  I also have COPD from 40 years of smoking.  So basically, I’m screwed.  2 weeks ago I changed the king bed.  Today just trekking to the garage freezer wiped me out.  I can’t imagine being on steroids and for so long.  I’m so sorry you have to do that.  It’s scary as your body becomes dependent on them instead of your adrenals. We do what we have to to survive.  I wonder how it feels breathing with only half your lungs.  I think I have a pretty good idea because I cannot get the feeling of full lungs anymore.  My best back to you, Ellen.

McCarron
Member

Thank you for writing about your copd. I just had a breathing test yesterday and all is good except a little asthma. My quit date is April 1st. After 50 years of 1& 1/2 packs a day, I am so blessed that I don't have copd. COPD is real and I better start to believe that I'm knocking at its door.