Planning to quit using a patch on 01/02/18 Many failed cold turkey quits haven't worked for Any positive feedback would be very helpful Thanks
Planning to quit using a patch on 01/02/18 Many failed cold turkey quits haven't worked for Any positive feedback would be very helpful Thanks
Welcome to a great support site! You will find lots of good people here, and a lot of informational reading for you to get started!
We are glad you are here, and hope that you are 100% committed to starting your quit, no matter what way you choose to do it, it is the best decision you could ever make for yourself!
One step at a time, one day at a time! Start working through all your triggers and make a plan to change your routine!
It is do-able!
Be sure to post your successes or struggles, and be ready for some rock solid answers! We're glad you are here and pretty sure you will be too!
Best wishes for a healthy new you!
I used a patch for two weeks. Stopped when I forgot two days in a row. Put one in my wallet with a promise. It stayed there my first year. Never needed it.
Welcome to Ex. From what I've heard, follow instructions on the patch--duration, step down and amount of nicotine dose as applies to your case. Some remove the patch at night for a better sleep. Support is a powerful approach for quitting, so please stick around Ex to read, share and get info.
Welcome! Nancy's link to the For Our New Years' Quitters (and community members, too) has a wealth of knowledge! I did not use the patch to quit, but there are many on this site who did and can offer personal experience. I will share that the single most important thing I did in those first days of my quit was to keep this site close. I used it to keep my mind off of smoking 101 Things to Do Instead of Smoke ,for advice when I was struggling, to celebrate that first day one which turned into my first day WON, and for any support I needed.
If you find yourself in trouble, come here BEFORE smoking and post a discussion with the subject of HELP! and someone will surely help.
Hello OtownBob137 Welcome to the EX Community and congratulations on taking the 1st step!!
After 35 years of smoking a pack of cigarettes a day.. 47 days ago I Quit using the 21mg Nicoderm Patch. Honestly, I never believed the patch would work for me, but I have nothing but positive things to say about it..
The patch definitely works, but in all fairness - it only takes the edge off - you still have to put in the work to not light up again. I like the fact that I can work on the mental/emotional part of the addiction FIRST which for me is more of WHY I was still smoking than anything - it's was my source of EVERYTHING! I will focus on the physical part later down the road when I have established a new cigarette free lifestyle. So far it's been a very positive experience.
I've read a lot of people had issues with sleeping with the patch. During the first week of my quit I did have the very vivid dreams, but they didn't bother me at all and they went away. You might have to experiment with that. Since I don't know how much you smoke ect, I am just giving you advice based on my experience.
On 1/2/18 I am stepping down to the 14mg patch and I feel more than prepared for this second step. While the craves are still there, some days stronger than others.. I've really learned how to control them and them not control me.
This EX Community has been a God send to me.. Everyone here, is here to help you if you want it... STAY CLOSE!!!
I wish you the BEST of luck and look forward to reading your updates!!
Debbie
47 Days Smoke Free
you are doing wonderfully....... WTG !!!!
Thank YOU Lori... I'm thrilled to be where I'm at and look forward to hitting the 60 Day mark!!
OtownBob137 Welcome to EX, I did not use the patch or any other nicotine replacement...I got so sick that my quit was really taken out of my hands. I, too, had many failed quits...always cold turkey. Once I found this site and did the recommended reading and I became a part of this community, it was an entirely different story from any of my other quits. I blogged, I commented, I sought advice and I took it. I came here twice a day, every day, first thing in the morning and last thing at the end of the day. I came in between times when I could and certainly when I needed it. I read all of the blogs by people talking about their "forever" quit and I so longed to be able to say that, to be able to BELIEVE that. I will not tell you that it was easy because it wasn't, it was work. I quit one day at a time, sometimes one hour at a time or one minute at a time...I just kept going forward and I used the mantra I got from here...NOPE over and over and over again. Not One Puff Ever. I accepted that quitting is a journey and not an event and I still stay close to the site. I will celebrate 4 years of freedom in January after smoking for 47 years. That's a very long time and I did a LOT of damage but I am working to be as healthy as possible, one day at a time.
Again, welcome to EX, stay close to the site and know that everyone here has been where you are right now.
Ellen
I can only Echo the words already said. I hope you take the time to read and research. For me anyhow it was the knowledge that saved my life from nicotine...you do what ever means works for you..patch or no patch...you still have to make the choice eventually. The more you understand the addiction, I feel....the better choices you will make.
Good to see you here and hope you stick around.
Missy
If it irritates your skin, move the patch around. I put it on my shoulder. Keep it on the outside skin as opposed to the more sensitive skin on the inside of your arm.
I used patch for one week, 14 mg one. not needed after that. I also took bupropian. I think bupropian helped me with getting patch off early. I won't advice cold turkey. it won't be smart way.
there is no painless way to quit smoking, but the patch takes the edge off. You have to find what works for you. Some find cold turkey works, the patch, the gum, the lozenge, wellbutrin, chantix. You just have to keep trying until you find one. important thing is not to give up. Stand firm. My story, I used the patch, been quit close to 2 years. I used it for 2 months. If you're going that route, follow the directions on the package. I used Walmart's generic kind. Moved it to a different place each day. Check out Newbie Quitters
I used the patch to quit and I also kept nicotine lozenges as a back up .....that is how addicted I was to smoking ! I only used the lozenges for the hardest times like first thing in the morning before the patch started working and after a meal or when beginning to drive somewhere .
Please stick to the patch program to assure your success ! You can do it !
I would suggest that you follow the directions on the package! But remember the patches will not Quit for you! You can rip them off and uses them as a scapegoat for failure! You are the one who must do this!
The good news is that you CAN do this! We will help!
I am using the patch to quit. I think it is helpful as it was helpful when I attempted my quit last year. I was the one who wasn't helpful. I use a lot of different aides such as the patch, drinking a lot of water, coming to this site multiple times a day, talking to myself, counting the money I am saving, and breathing in deep breaths. Best of luck. I know everyone is supportive here, so keep coming back.
Everyone is different. I had 6 failed quits using the patch and/or lozenges or gum. I quit cold turkey over 7 months ago, and that was the ticket for me.
Many years ago, I was taking some seminary classes. One of my fellow students asked our professor which version of the Bible he should buy? The prof said, "They one you'll read". As others have said, pick a plan and stick with it.
Congrats on starting your quit! Keep us informed on how you are doing and ask for help as often as you need.
I am also going with the patch, and yes the same with me tried to quit, but i have to say being involved with this site, doing the reading helps a lot. Keep that positive thought. just keep educating yourself. I absolutely love reading everyone stories, advise, this is definitely the place to be.
Welcome to our community!
When you are ready, please write a blog and introduce yourself to our group!
I wrote a blog for newcomers and invited the best advice from our members that I think you might find useful: For Our New Years' Quitters (and community members, too). I especially want to draw your attention to the Allen Carr Book mentioned. It helped me (and a lot of others here) see this addiction for what it really is.
I'm glad you are here!
Nancy
also check out Nicotine Patch Users, Nicotine Gum Users and Nicotine Lozenge Users. All of these are listed under the tab Groups at the top of the page
Welcome to our community!
I am glad you are here. I wrote a blog for our newly arrived members and solicited advice from the community that I think you will find helpful: For Our New Years' Quitters (and community members, too)
Congratulations on your decision to quit smoking. Get to work now to get ready!
Nancy