Quitting with the patch

[Aveeno]

Hi I'm 26 been smoking for about 12 years I set a quit date for August 5 long weekend going to be using the patch I've heard that working out while using the patch can make you absorb more nicotine then intended and I work in a warehouse where I am very active and sweating almost all day. Was wondering if anyone has had an experience like that with the patch and if there are any tips . I am about 5foot2 and weigh 105 pounds don't know if that would matter with using the patch  and also smoke about half a pack a day  maybe more on the weekends   any feedback would be greatly appreciated .Very committed to quitting smoking having health issues.....my doctor says it's very important I quit  

[Chuck-2-20-2011]

I do a physical job as well, and used the patch when I quit. To be honest, I don't know if it absorbs more quickly or not. Perhaps someone else knows. I do know that the goal is to have a steady delivery of nicotine, rather than the peaks and valleys of smoking, so even delivery could be important for some.

 The other thing I might mention so that you're prepared is that the patches don't completely take away the craves. But it does take the edge off of those craves so that you can gradually learn how to deal with them. I call it "quitting on training wheels". Good for you for asking a lot of questions! Please ask all you want. 

ONWARD TO FREEDOM!!!

Chuck

[Aveeno]

Thank you for the feedback and yes I think it will help  just have to keep my mind off of smoking have a few games on my phone and a meditation  app don't know if that will help  but will try anything 

[JonesCarpeDiem]

The patch is timed release

[JonesCarpeDiem]

It's peach season. I say quit with the peach!   🙂

[Barbara145]

I used the patch and I am a small woman.  Working hard will not hurt a thing.  Continuing to smoke will.

[YoungAtHeart]

Welcome to our community!

I HAVE heard that some folks have difficulty keeping the patch on where sweat is an issue - so do think about that when you are applying them. You might check questions on the manufacturers site to see an answer to the one about its absorption rates.  Be sure to check the instructions on the box and use the strength for the number of cigarettes you normally smoke.

The most important thing you can do right now is to educate yourself on what nicotine does to your body and mind. To that end, I highly recommend Allen Carr's “The Easy Way to Stop Smoking.” This is an easy and entertaining read. Here is a link to a free PDF version of it:

http://media.wix.com/ugd/74fa87_2010cc5496521431188f905b7234a829.pdf

 You should also read the posts here and perhaps go to the pages of folks who you think might be helpful. You might visit whyquit.com, quitsmokingonline.com and livewell.com for the good information contained there. @https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/groups/best-of-ex has lots of blogs written by members of this site with their experiences and guidance. You should also do the tracking and separation exercises suggested in My Quit Plan http://www.becomeanex.org/my-quit-plan.php

The idea is to change up your routines so the smoking associations are reduced.  Drink your coffee with your OTHER hand. If you always had that first smoke with your coffee, try putting your tennies on right out of bed, going for a quick walk, then taking your shower and THEN your coffee! Rearrange the furniture in the areas you used to smoke so the view is different. Buy your gas at a different station. Take a different route to work. Take a quick walk at break time where the smokers AREN'T.

You need to distract yourself through any craves.  You can take a bite out of a lemon (yup - rind and all), put your head in the freezer and take a deep breath of cold air, do a few jumping jacks, go for a brisk walk or march in place, play a computer game.  Don't let that smoking thought rattle around in your brain unchallenged. Sometimes you need to quit a minute or an hour at a time.  You will need to be disciplined in the early days to distract yourself when a crave hits.    Get busy!  Here is a link to a list of things to do instead of smoke if you need some fresh ideas:

https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/blogs/Youngatheart.7.4.12-blog/2013/02/25/100-things-to-do-instea...

The conversation in your head in response to the "I want a cigarette" thought needs to be, "Well, since I have decided not to do that anymore, what shall I do instead for the three minutes this crave will last?"  Then DO it.  You will need to put some effort into this in the early days, but it gets easier and easier to do.

Stay close to us here and ask questions when you have them and for support when you need it. We will be with you every step of the way!

Nancy

[maryfreecig]

Welcome. That you are very committed to quitting is fantastic. Hold onto that. 

[Aveeno]

Thanks you for the ideas I do have allen carrs  easy way to stop smoking book  bought it about 2 years ago read it twice  still smoked tho  I tried to rush quiting tho and got stressed out and panicked....in the 12 years I have been smoking this is the first time I've really wanted to quit I'm not rushing this time...i set a quit date 3 weeks in advance I have been on why quit  which had been a good motivation and also got some scary health results from my doctor which is the main reason I am quitting  found out I have endometriosis 3 years ago and now having problem with my ovary which I need an MRI for and other issue  which involves the cervix....my mom died from cervical when she was 29 and also smoked which terrifies me 

[elvan]

Aveeno‌ Welcome to EX and congratulations on your decision to quit.  Quitting while you are so young is wonderful...you will prevent the worst damage from happening.  You are very smart.  We are all here to help in any way that we can, please stay close to the site, ask for help when you need it, understand that we want you to be successful.  If there is any way to prevent you from getting cervical cancer, this is certainly a HUGE step in the right direction.  I do not blame you in the least for being terrified.  I am so sorry I smoked for so long and did so much damage to my body.  You are in the right place to quit.  

Again, welcome.

Ellen

[Aveeno]

Thank you and yes I can see now that cigarettes can definitely damage your body  was always the type of person to say I'll be fine look at those ppl that are 70 and still smoke  but that is certainly not true can already see it. I will definitely stay close to this sight can see that there is lots of support....excited to stop smoking but also kind of nervous  just have to get some different hobbies lol   thanks again your words mean alot Ellen 

[freeneasy]

Congrats on your decision to quit. I used the patch and think it was a help.  I don't have an answer to your question. I'm guessing that won't be an issue. I don't think you can OD on nicotine using the patch unless you smoke too. I used nicotine gum at times while using the patch if I got a really intense craving. Good question but my advice is to learn as much as you can about quitting and do it. 

Learn How to Quit Smoking (and Make it Stick) 

[crazymama_Lori]

I used the Walmart brand, cheaper, stuck better.  Please know that they do not take cravings away completely.  If I were you, I'd start with step 2.  They are time released (24 hours) and slowly release the nicotine into your system all day long.  Some experience nightmares if wearing it at night.  All you have to do is take it off at bedtime.  I never did and slept soundly.  You went through the section of identifying your triggers.  Be sure to develop a game plan now of what I will do instead of smoking when my triggers are flipped.  I smoked after eating; now I pop a piece of chewing gum in my mouth.  Youngatheart has a list of 100 things to do instead of smoking.  pick one for each of your triggers and do that when it is flipped.  I smoked the most when I was frustrated with something; now I plan with a pen or click it.  I think you get where I'm coming from.  There is also a group on here called https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/groups/nicotine-patch-users?sr=search&searchId=885bdd4a-f23b-4bb7...‌

[Aveeno]

I do plan on taking the patch off before bed I do get weird dreams sometimes so might be worse if I leave the patch on  as for starting with step 2 I was also thinking that for the sweating and absorption rate regarding being at work   but at the same time was thinking about starting with step 3( the 21 mg)  I would be starting it on a Saturday which I have off from work also Sunday and Monday back on Tuesday  and then Tuesday after work going to see my doctor to talk to her about using the patch  which she recommended to me about a month ago but wasn't serious about quitting at that time until I got my results  then also I booked off the Thursday and Friday so have a 4 day weekend    thot that would help to kind of transition to get used to not smoking at work and be relaxed the first week  hope it helps also gonna get some colouring books and things like that try to get into some hobbies to take my mind off of cigarettes 

[elvan]

It's perfectly normal to be nervous, quitting smoking is HUGE, it is one day at a time and there is always someone here, every one of us has been through it because there are no short cuts..."The only way out is through."  Do pay attention to the advice you are getting, there are some really amazing people on this site and they give freely and generously based upon their experience.  I am excited FOR you!

[Aveeno]

Thank you and I'm excited to  i most likely will be posting on this site everyday  especially when I quit....i know it will help   I go on the site at least a few times a day 

[elvan]

GOOD FOR YOU!

[crazymama_Lori]

the step 1 (21 mg) is an equivalent to a pack of cigarettes.  that just might be too much for you.  I would start with the 14 mg (step 2) which is about a half a pack of cigarettes per day.  Now, again, I have to stress these will not take the cravings away completely.  You'll still have them.  they're just not as intense.  rule of thumb is if you forget and go a day without a patch on, you no longer need them.  Patches are only a tool, not an answer.  I only say that because I've seen time and time again on here that people are under the assumption that if you go on Chantix or use the patch, that they fear if they stop using it, they will go back to smoking.  They are only to be used to be a helping hand with the physical part of quitting while you are working on the mental part of quitting.  We all at times have different theories on quitting.  I know in my case, I'm glad that I took the time to figure out or identify my triggers and my situational stressors that take me back to smoking.  Even after a year and a half, which I'm a baby still, at times things will pop up that I previously went through as a smoker that now I have to go through without smoking.  Knowledge is the key to this whole thing.  That is one thing we all unanimously agree on.......... 

[Aveeno]

Thanks with that info  I will definitely start the step 2  and yes it is definitely the mental part that I will have to work on   planning on trying to skip 2 cigarettes today instead of just the one that I've been doing for the last week    need to get isedvto not smoking on breaks at work   

[crazymama_Lori]

go for a walk instead for your breaks.  Now at least they have smoking sections or at one that resembles one at the work place.  I never did understand the whole concept of people hovering outside a door where anybody can walk through

[JonesCarpeDiem]

Perhaps they hugged the door in case someone came out and said "put out those **** cigarettes out and get back to work."

Weren't some smokers arrogant and privileged to expect they could go out and smoke while their were non smokers not taking smoking breaks and still working?  🙂

[Aveeno]

I speed walk all day at work lol picking orders in a warehouse I need to sit down on break   plan to have a snack and play games on my phone by my locker   that should help take my mind off it and always hungry to when I'm working  

[crazymama_Lori]

I used to think, god I love that smell.... now it just simply takes my breath away

[freeneasy]

I used the Walmart brand too. They were quite a bit cheaper and I don't remember ever having one come off (:

[elvan]

I have heard many people say that the generic from Walmart is better in terms of sticking.  I did not use patches, I didn't use anything, I was sick when I quit so that was enough for me.

[Aveeno]

I'm gonna try the nicoderm if I'm having issues with sticking  I'll definitely try the generic also try medical tape or something also  I'll talk to the pharmacist about that 

[Aveeno]

So I just bought my last pack of smokes  before I quit on Saturday  bought a smaller pack so I can try to run out before Saturday morning.....feeling very overwhelmed  was walking from the store after I bought my pack and actually teared up a bit    feeling like an emotional roller coaster   I'm excited, scared, anxious, and kind of feeling like I'm grieving    got a prescription of patches and lozenges yesterday at a walk in clinic almost cried while talking to the doctor to lol   going to pick up the patches and lozenges which he prescribed to me for very hard times like I'm about to walk to the store and buy a pack  as he put it   so I'll be ready for Saturday morning .  have an idea of when I'm at those very hard times to Google  horrible effects of smoking  try to disgust myself  when I feel like having one . The doctor gave me the prescription for 6 weeks of the 14 mg and 2 or 4 weeks of the 7 mg and 2 mg lozenges 

[elvan]

What you are feeling is normal...we all felt it.  Somehow, we saw this horrible addiction as a friend.  You might write a good bye letter and list your reasons for breaking up.  We will be here for you, stay close to the site and see how others are managing, it really does help.

I am happy for you, this is a really great decision!

Ellen

[Aveeno]

Well this is my 3rd day on the patch no smoking and turned out alot better then i thot it would be   havnt really felt like having a smoke at all    feeling great so far   

[freeneasy]

Good job! Keep your guard up though and remember N.O.P.E. The patch is a help but your learning about nicotine addiction and thinking is how you keep your quit. 

[elvan]

CONGRATULATIONS!  I am so happy to hear that, you are doing GREAT!

[Aveeno]

Yes freeneasy  definitely keeping that in mind and thank you  today was a little different first day being at work not smoking but I got through it alot easier then I expected . Ppl were pretty surprised that I wasn't going outside to smoke and I think a little jealous  cuz I seem completely fine not smoking . Felt like having one at the end of the day  but wasnt a big deal  so over all was a great day 

[elvan]

EXcellent...I remember feeling like I wanted to light up when I left work, that one took a while to get over.  My husband says that when we go grocery shopping, he still cannot believe that I don't light up as we are unloading the cart and putting stuff into the car.  Funny, that's really not one that I miss.  

[Aveeno]

That's funny  exactly what I used to do with the groceries    but yes  for some reason   it's after work that gets to me     I know it will get better tho  

[crazymama_Lori]

They've got one heck of an adhesive on it, that's for sure

[elvan]

It will get easier and easier and you won't even have to stop and think about it.  I am really happy for you!