To patch or repair...that is the question

[joylynn]

Whew!  I am SO happy.  I just took my last final last night and now I have TWO WEEKS of freedom!  Not only that, I am a non-smoker!  Life doesn't get any better than this.  I must admit though I am still wrestling with the dilemma of the patch.  I have read a lot on the WhyQuit site, and it makes a lot of sense.  I really want to be over the nicotine once and for all.  But I keep envisioning a vampire exposed to the sun, or Dorthy throwing water on the wicked witch, and I know that is how it will feel to me if I just rip off the bandaid all at once instead of easing it off a little bit at a time.  I go back and forth...I have two weeks off with no obligations why not just do it?  On the other hand do I really want to spend my hard earned break withdrawing?  In two weeks I will be taking a seriously long drive all alone in a car with my mom God love her...will I be ready to face it by then if I go for it now?  These are hypothetical questions by the way, just a representation of the mush going on in my brain.

So how is everyone else doing?  I missed you all yesterday!  I was off studying and taking my final, but after only one week of being here, I noticed it big time when I missed a day.  Thanks for all the nice comments BTW...you guys really make me smile 🙂

[aztec]

Hi

Glad you are here.

I quit a couple times cold turkey and went back after ayear. This year I used nrts patches and gum. I had a year may 5ht. Nrts worked for me, But you still have to go through the withdrawl from the nrts.

I chew alot of sunflower seeds and big red gum. I did learn how to live without a cigarette in my mouth and I don't want smoke in my lungs anymore. The nrts gave me the time I needed to break the smoking habit. I worked a program with the partnership in my county.

Educate yourslef all you can, Be sure you are 100%. Have agreat trip with your mom.

Regards Aztec

[JonesCarpeDiem]

the patch is an aid.

the patch does not deliver anywhere near the nicotine a pack of cigarettes.

the patch gives you time to get a handle on breaking the repetitive cycle of lighting up.

use it till you know your daily anfd memory driven triggers.

I used 10 the first 2 weeks.

that was over 3 years ago

[kathys]

I dont have experience with the patch, but Im glad that you are smoke free. Congratulations on that and taking your last final. I bet that is a relief. Take care.

[esrun06]

I used the patch for about 5-6 weeks. Would only wear them about 6-7hrs day, would put them on at noon and off around 6-7 pm. they do help with the cravings but not completely. So you do have to learn to say no. And you must use them as intended, I no people who are addicted to the gum now, after years of not smoking, they are chewing the gum. I made sure I stepped down to the lower patches, after a week on 14mg I realized I didn't need them and that was that. I would not do it without the patches. That was 176 days ago, still taking one moment at a time, but it does get easier, just have to stay vigilent.