help with patch

[blessings]

Hi everyone, I'm just learning this site. Been trying to quit smoking for 3 months after health issues, cardiac arrhythmia and two cardiac stints, 30 year heavy smoker. The patch was working but I developed generalized joint and muscle pain. My doc said he did not know if I should continue the patch and had not heard of that. Now I'm back to smoking 10 to 15 a day. My question is can I still use the patch and take Tylenol for the pain or who do I ask if my doc don't know?

[CatsRsmart]

My personal experience with patches, it kept nicotine in my system and it was super easy to pick up smoking again. 3 days nicotine is out of the body. Read, Read, Read....... ask Dr Hays and the elders.....my 2cents.....drop the patch & the cigts...you can do it...

[Sootie]

Hmmmmmmmm! I don't mean to be flippant BUT-----I'd seriously consider getting a new doctor! A doctor may not know everything but he should be able to research it and give you some direction. Not just leave you hanging!

I never used the patch so maybe another member can comment on the side effects you experienced. But, truthfully, a medical person needs to decide on whether the patch is for you (or any NRT). See if your State has a quit line (most do) or your health insurance if your doctor will not/cannot help. They may be able to point you in the right direction on that.  

In addition, don't pin all your thoughts of quitting on a patch, gum, lozenge, medication, e-cig or whatever. 99% of the quit effort is going to have to be you. Stay here on this site and you will get all of the support anyone could need.

Welcome to EX----we are all here for each other.

Stay strong

[JonesCarpeDiem]

I don't think the patch causes the symptoms you describe but quitting can cause all kinds of temporary maladies.

I doubt if the patch would conflict with the Tylenol.

If you are smoking 10-15 a day, the 14mg patch is fairly equal in dosage.

[YoungAtHeart]

Welcome to our community!

I am not going to second guess a doctor about the side effects of the patch - but I'm not thinking your symptoms came from that.  I think you should do a bit of reading, preparation and planning before deciding on what quit aid (if any) to use.

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

As well, read the sections on this site, and read the blogs, responses and pages of folks you think might be helpful. You might visit whyquit.com and quitsmokingonline.com for the good information contained there. You should also do the tracking and separation exercises suggested on this site

After you have completed the recommended reading, it will be time to make an informed choice of the quit aid, if any, you will use. If you go that route, I personally recommend the aids that don't let the addict control the dose such as the available prescription drugs or the patch. But – any method that you think will work well for you will be best for you.

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.

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.  Don't let that smoking thought rattle around your head alone.  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

[Kay64]

I agree with the above Quitters.  I would not use the patch.  You can do this and need to distract yourself when you feel you want one.  Walk, take a drive, sing, draw, dance, listen to music, do a puzzle, rock in a chair, pace inside, talk to a friend, take up a hobby.  I do not think you have the right dr.  Sorry!  Blog as much as you want with your challenges, successes, thoughts and more.  We are here for you.  YOU CAN QUIT!  No excuses.  You can do this!

[JACKIE1-25-15]

You have come to the right place.  Knowledge is Power

[TerrieQuit]

Many of us have quit and so can you! I surely would consider a new Dr. Educate your self about this nasty addiction and make a promise (commitment0 to yourself that you will never take another puff! You can do this!  NOPE (not one puff ever)

Terrie  181  DOF

[blessings]

Thank you everyone! I'm gonna read the book. The patch was really helping me though and my doc just never saw those side effects, so went off. I tried cold turkey n failed. I've read tons but will read Allan Carr's book and keep doing the cigarette trackers. I have to quit!!!

[bonniebee]

The patch really helped me ! I did the whole thing down to the 7 Mg . I also occassionally had a lozenge or nic gum and I got off all by the day I used my last patch I am now almost 11 months quit I give credit to my Lord , the Patch, and  this wonderful group and finally my own commitment to quitting !

I have many aches and pains and took plenty of ibuprofin and or Tylenol while on the patch .Withdrawal can cause many symptoms I do not think the aches and pains were from the nicotine patch . The only problem I had related to the patch was it interferred with sleep and I had very odd and colorful dreams so i took it off about an hour before bedtime By then there is enough in your system to go the hour before sleep easily . I cleaned the area with alcohol wipes to get the glue residue off . Be sure to put the patch in different places each day . My skin itched for abour 30 minutes ( caused from the glue ) then it was fine the remainder of the day .

I hope , from an ex- patch user and ex smoker  , this info is useful to you Blessings !

Happy New Year !!!

[enigmatik2]

I used the patch for the first seven days to get through the worst of the withdrawal then stopped all NRT after 7 days.  I used tylenol while taking the patch.  It's fine.

[Junior7]

I don't know anything about the patch, but 150+ days into my quit, I am still addicted to the nicotine gum.  I say, if you can do it without the NRT that would be awesome!