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Nicotine patches-help?

Question asked by Samsgurl2018 on Nov 5, 2017
Latest reply on Nov 13, 2017 by elvan

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Hi all, I'm 8 days smoke free now! I even went to the 14mg patches. Today was hard with cravings but I got through those by taking everyone's advice. So, using NRT, I actually feel like I'm being dependant on these. I know it's better than smoking but what is the best way to start weaning myself off of the patches here in about a month or so. I just started the 14mg and I planned on using them for two weeks and go to 7mg for two weeks. These are 24 hour patches. Then my doctor gave me buspirone for the anxiety. I hate taking pills but I'm sticking with buproprion twice a day and nrt but if cravings are causing the shakes, should I take something to ease anxiety? FYI, I smoked for over 20 years and two quit attempts were very short lived. However, this time I'm smoke free for 8 days and still using patches because I'm worried about withdrawal and slipping. Anyone have advice regarding patches and how you weaned yourself off completely and did you go through withdrawals without them? You guys are amazing and support here has helped so much!!

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Mortalzeus Nov 5, 2017 2:40 AM
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I started with the 21mg patch and wore it 24/7. I went for about 45 days and never reduced the dosage. Then one day I forgot to put the patch on, but didn't realize this until after I got home. I never wore another patch or used other NRT again and experienced no withdrawals. This is what worked for me. The only side effects I experienced with the patch were some very lucid dreams.
Stay Strong
Darren
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- Samsgurl2018 @ Mortalzeus on Nov 5, 2017 10:49 AM
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  Good morning, I wear mine 24/7 also and I do have some vivid dreams but I guess I've gotten used to them. I wish I was ready to stop patches but I'm not pushing it. I want this quit to be successful forever. Lately, I've heard people say that they quit for some many weeks or months and they're a smoker again. I bet they didn't utilize these wonderful support groups and I also talk to my excoach every week which helps me. I'm starting to hate the smell of cigarettes on my clients and when I go outside at work and smell it. I keep thinking that was me at one point but never ever again!
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YoungAtHeart Nov 5, 2017 8:54 AM
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I wonder why you stepped down after only 8 days? Do you think it was too strong? Perhaps 21 mg was too strong and, if so, that would explain "the shakes." You should check with your doctor, but I don't think "the shakes" are being caused by craves. How much did you smoke when you did? If you smoked 20 or more a day, then the 21 mg patch was correct. You might experience some withdrawal symptoms when you step down, but your system should adjust fairly quickly to the lesser amount. The idea behind them is that you can concentrate on coping with the triggers and associations in your life in a new way, and then tackle the withdrawal from nicotine gradually. Your plan to reduce the dose in them is sound. You can even cut the 14 mg patch in half at the end if you don't feel ready to go solo. I have never heard of anyone becoming addicted to the patch - so have no worries there. By the time you finish your patch plan, the does of nicotine will be so low that you should hardly notice withdrawal.
Eight days is HUGE! Be very proud of you!
Nancy
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- Samsgurl2018 @ YoungAtHeart on Nov 5, 2017 10:44 AM
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  Good morning Nancy, before I quit I was smoking between a pack or less a day. Right before, I cut down to about 7-8 a day but if it was stressful that day I smoked more. My doctor said between the 300mg of buproprion a day and the patch that I should try 14mg and it didn't feel right to go back to 21. However, I'm already this far and I just want to stay on them for awhile. My friend gave me a whole box of 14mg and I got free patches also and my excoach sent the 14mg. I'm thinking I'll try to stay with a lower mg for a couple of weeks. My friend also gave me a bunch of 7mg patches when I'm ready. Yesterday, I coughed up so much crud it was disgusting. Kind of helped kick the cravings. Lol I haven't taken the anxiety medication because I don't want that crutch. I did also switch to spearmint gum because cinnamon was getting a little too much on my mouth. Lol but I'm still not smoking and taking it one day at a time. The best part is my 16year old daughter bragged to her friends on how proud she was that I quit smoking. Pretty good feeling! Thank you again for responding. Your posts are always so helpful and encouraging
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elvan Nov 5, 2017 12:00 PM
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Samsgurl2018 I never used patches but my daughter did. She only wore them during the day because she said they disrupted her sleep so much that she could not stand it. She used the 21 mg patch and followed the directions and then reduced to 14 mg and then to 7 mg. She has not smoked in more than two years. She didn't have a support site but she had me...we would talk at length about what she was feeling and on how long she could expect it to last. She has gone through some particularly difficult experiences and has remained smoke free. Her daughter is very proud of her as well. I would not be fearful of the buspirone, if it makes you feel less anxious and less shaky, I think it is a good choice. I have heard some people complain of shakiness as a side effect to the buproprion. I have been on that for years and never had any side effects. I started taking it because my docs wanted me on an antidepressant because of chronic pain...I think we tried everything and I had such severe side effects that I could not stay on anything...this has not bothered me. I had already been on it for years before I quit smoking so I am not sure if it played into that or not.

I am so proud of you and so happy for you, you are DOING this...keep going, it will get easier and easier.
Ellen
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JonesCarpeDiem Nov 5, 2017 7:33 PM
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Suggestion.
It's an aid.
If you forget to use it see how you do.
If you forget two days in a row you should realize they aren't keeping you from smoking.
It's us who keep us from smoking.
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stAn3 Nov 8, 2017 8:25 PM
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I followed the instructions on the box. That was until I ran out of money to buy more patches. I didn’t really notice much of a withdrawal syndrome quitting the patches early. By the time I stopped using the patches, I had a lot of practice handling triggers and didn’t really have strong cravings.

I’m glad I had the patches. They helped. The patches alone didn’t do it though. Coming here and reading the literature and taking suggestions helped me the most.
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- Samsgurl2018 @ stAn3 on Nov 9, 2017 8:13 AM
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  I'm definitely getting practice handling triggers. Im a case manager for homeless veterans and a lot of them are smokers. My office is pretty small and I smell it so bad on people now. I know that's a good thing feeling like that but it is aggravating feeling sick when I get around smokers. Lol like I've replied before this morning, I'm 13 days smoke free and counting!!
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elvan Nov 8, 2017 10:35 PM
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How are you doing, I see this blog was four days ago, hope things are getting easier.
Ellen
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- Samsgurl2018 @ elvan on Nov 9, 2017 8:08 AM
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  Good morning Ellen, I'm still doing good. Day 13 today and I'm still using the 14mg patches. I had to take anti-anxiety medicine last night because it was like smokers were everywhere yesterday when we went to do outreach at one of the homeless shelters. It didn't set off a trigger but it bothered me to no end along with the extremely stressful day. I got through it without smoking and slept better last night. It's not easy but I'm getting through it. Thanks for being concerned
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  - elvan @ Samsgurl2018 on Nov 9, 2017 11:44 AM
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    Samsgurl2018 I am really proud of you, seriously. Being around smokers doesn't trigger me at all any more...BUT I don't like the smell and I don't want to inhale their waste products and that is basically what we are doing when we are around smokers. I like the fact that I am trying to clean my lungs as much as possible.
    
    Congratulations on being one day away from your two week anniversary...you have completed Hell week and now you are almost finished with Heck week. You are in a really challenging job...thank you for being there for our veterans, seriously, I am sure that there are times when it is very frustrating to attempt to help and to run into walls. You are a very special person, do NOT forget that for one minute and remember that you are on a journey.
    Best,
    Ellen
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    - Samsgurl2018 @ elvan on Nov 12, 2017 9:40 PM
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      Hi Ellen, I'm now day 16 no cigarettes! It's not been easy this weekend because I had to be around a lot of people that smoke at a veterans day event I worked. The smell still gets me but I stayed strong and beat the cravings. I blogged about this but I have been wearing a thicker rubber band on my wrist and when I get a craving, I take it off and just fiddle with it plus cinnamon gum helps. I wonder how I'll handle this without wearing a patch. I'm on the 14mg and I have about 5 left and don't know if I'm comfortable going to a 7mg patch yet. I want to let go of the patches soon but just not ready to yet. I thought about practicing not wearing one at night and see how long I can go during the day without wearing one. So, do you still have to do the three day detox when you quit the patches because you're giving up the nicotine? I hope all is well with you. I'm going to try to be on here more. It's been crazy busy lately but I will stay close.
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      - JonesCarpeDiem @ Samsgurl2018 on Nov 12, 2017 9:49 PM
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        it sounds like you are questioning about the patch use. Why don't you just keep using them until you forget one day and see how you do? You can always put one on. no risk.
        I forgot my 4th day. I got through.
        Used them until I forgot two days in a row the following week..
        Then , I put one in my wallet with a promise to myself to use it rather than smoke.
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        Samsgurl2018 @ JonesCarpeDiem on Nov 12, 2017 9:55 PM
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        Thank you, I will try that. I do question it because I know I'll probably experience withdrawal from using the patches but hopefully not as intense. I'm really staying positive and thinking I will finish these 14mg and step down to 7after this week. I'm guessing it gets easier going lower and maybe I will forget. I never do though because it's been my routine before I go to work to put on a patch. But listening to all of you really gives me hope I can do this forever and not just for a little while.
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        JonesCarpeDiem @ Samsgurl2018 on Nov 12, 2017 10:02 PM
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        I was smoking 5 a day when I quit. I got the strongest patches and I could have started with the 7's. But the epiphany when I forgot two days in a row was in the second week. Never needed them again. The way I explained it above is what I feel the most natural way to get off the patches because you aren't denying yourself, you can always slap on a patch which becomes a comfort in knowing you have that option.
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crazymama_Lori Nov 9, 2017 7:53 AM
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also read some articles in Nicotine Patch Users, loads of information on there. check with your doctor about the shakes. It's probably from too much nicotine or caffeine. the first 30 days are the worst, I think. You have to dig your heels in and BELIEVE it is going to get better, because it will. Hang in there and let us know how you are doing
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- Samsgurl2018 @ crazymama_Lori on Nov 9, 2017 8:10 AM
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  Good morning, yes it is but I've been staying strong. I've already come this far and I don't want to slip. Smelling smoke or being beside a smoker actually makes me sick. But day 13 and still going!!
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bonniebee Nov 13, 2017 8:00 AM
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I used the patch for the full amount of time or even a few weeks longer and it worked for me very well i had smoked for 52 years of my life. I also used the nic. lozenges for the hardest craves . When down to the 7 mg patch i weaned off the lozenges and by the last day of 7mg i was nicotine free and i had no withdrawal from the patches . The 7mg is so mild that one has already withdrawn from most of the nicotine by then anyway .
My advice don't give up on the patch to soon it is helping the craves more than you realize I have seen to many good quits lost that way.at
I would be very leary of any pills from big pharma most cause more side affects and are not good for you . At least nicotine is something your body has been used to why introduce a new drug ? get some nic lozenges to help with nicotine withdrawal side affects .
You are doing a fantastic job keep it going !!!
Bonnie 1,009 days of freedom thanks to Jesus , this awesome "family ", and the patches !
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elvan Nov 13, 2017 12:13 PM
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Samsgurl2018 I think you need to not be so anxious to get off the patch and anti-anxiety medication if you need it. This is a journey, don't try to rush yourself. You are doing a GREAT job, keep taking it one day at a time. JonesCarpeDiem carried a patch with him in his wallet after he stopped using them...it was there just in case he needed to slap it on, I always thought that was the funniest thing I ever heard and it makes me laugh whenever I think about it. Take it easy on yourself....this is a JOURNEY and it is one day at a time, please be proud of yourself for the days you have already come through smoke free. You are a STAR, keep going.
Ellen
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