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I am using NRT and it's helpful. I am having trouble managing my triggers. I'd also like to her from people who have used the patch and I'd like to learn a little more about the proper way to use it. I am afraid to leave it on night as I already have problems with vivid nightmares and I have heard that wearing the patch at night can cause this.
#just quit nicotine patch
Hang on, cuz the "patch people" are on their way to help you out!!
I came from the "cold turkey" farm so with this topic I am useless....
You'll be alright...
lol GyorgyiM "the patch people are coming" I almost spite out my coffee reading that. Anyway we're here! I used the patch for the first 6 weeks I think, maybe a week or two longer. I wore it at night and yes I had some crazy dreams, but I liked that part of it actually. If that's not your cup of tea then I suggest taking it off. I stopped using the patch because I had been feeling really good with the first patch and then went down to the next dose and had withdraw symptoms again which I hated and didn't want to go through one more time when I stepped down again on my dose, so I said goodbye to the patches. With that said I'm still glad I used them because I know withdrawing without them is probably even more difficult (I can't know that for sure). So I think you have to decide do you want to: withdraw all at once, are you comfortable enough and/or ready for that, or do you think it would be better to go through less severe withdraw symptoms but over a longer period of time. Keep us posted!
I’m on Day 7, still a patch person I have a lot going on in my life right now and I’m afraid going off the patch could cause me to be nonfunctional. I feel kind of down and that shouldn’t be due to nicotine withdrawal. I’ve actually quit several time in the past few years for Orthopedic surgery. I have no idea why I started again! Anyone else feel flat and tired despite using the patch?
Desiree465 thank you! I was just wondering if I would have withdrawal symptoms again when I step down in a few weeks. I was debating going cold at that point or dropping down sooner. I definitely want the nicotine for now while I deal with the psychological/habitual challenges.
Welcome to EX. I did not use the patch but I know a lot of people who did, one is Jennifer-Quit-05-01-14 and another is jonescarp.aka.dale.Jan_2007, there are lots more. My daughter used it successfully, she did remove it at night because the dreams bothered her.
I think the biggest factors in a successful quit are education about nicotine addiction, support, and commitment. The first two you can get from here...the commitment has to come from you. I used the mantra NOPE, Not One Puff Ever when I quit and I said Nope so many times that it became a natural response to any and all craves at the beginning. I also sucked on Sour Patch kids, drank lots of cold water, exercised once I was able...I quit when I got really sick and even sitting upright was rough. I came here ever morning and every evening and I read blogs and comments and I blogged and commented and asked for advice and I listened when I was lucky enough to get it. Remember that we are here and we all had to start at the beginning. I would normally ask Nancy, Youngatheart.7.4.12 to write you a welcome message but she is out of town until the 20th and she gave me permission to use her post to welcome any newbies so I will do that. My name is Ellen and I quit over 4 1/2 years ago thanks to this site, I do not think I could have done it alone.
The following is from Nancy:
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. You can search for it or at your local library. Here's a link to a video here on the site which describes nicotine addiction:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpWMgPHn0Lo&feature=youtu.be.
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, quitsmoking.com and livewell.com for the good information contained there. @https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/groups/best-of-exhas lots of blogs written by members of this site with their experiences and guidance. You should also do the tracking and separation exercises recommended here on the 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. If used properly, gum, lozenges and inhalers are fine, but they need to be used only as a last resort. I have seen folks become addicted to them if they substitute them for every cigarette they used to smoke - just trading one addiction for another. I do not recommend the e-cigarette for three reasons: 1) the vapor has been compared to the polluted air in Bejing on a bad day, 2) they just provide another nicotine delivery system while continuing the hand to mouth smoking motion, and 3) the batteries can spontaneously catch on fire. . 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 in a place different from when you smoked. Maybe switch to tea for a bit. 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. Keep a cold bottle of water with you from which to sip. 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:
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
Welcome to the community Grngyrl please read the links suggested above me and keep reading everything you can about quitting smoking and remaining quit because there's a wealth of information right here on this site to strengthen your resolve to kick the nicotine poison to the curb permanently and we're all here to help you in any way we can....
I took it off at night
Move it around.
Put it in places where clothes rub like the shoulder blade or outer thigh.
TRUST IT
BELIEVE IT'S DOING WHAT IT'S SUPPOSED TO.
I forgot to wear one two days in a row my second week and put one in my wallet with a promise I would put it on and wait 45 minutes rather than smoke. It stayed there my whole 1st year.
I mentioned above that I’m using the patch because I don’t think I have the 3-4 days devoted to feeling crummy & irritatable. I’m not craving cigarettes except in the morning. I am feeling flat and kind of dispirited. If I’m still getting nicotine I guess there’s another factor. I just started smoking 10-12 a day for about a year. Casual smoker before that. It’s Day 7 but I feel worse!
Hang in there. The first 2-3 weeks are the hardest. How many were you smoking a day before you quit?
10-12
which strength patch are you using?
Well this is lame but I bought Stage I (21 mg) and it was making me queasy. Despite what it said on the box, I cut it in half. A friend told me he used 1 1/2 when he first quit.
I’m not really craving nicotine (I don’t think) but I feel kind of sad and listless. I’m taking a big exam in December and I’m really dreading it—I’ve failed twice. Lots of other stuff going on and I don’t have control over much.
Thank you for taking the time to respond. I’ve been torn in many directions lately and I haven’t been following the forum as I should be.
Lynn B Overman
Hey, I did the same thing.
I didn't know any better and I was down to 5 a day but I got down to 5 a day with zero stress.
I could've used the 7mg patch but like I said, I didn't know any better.
They used to suggest not cutting the patch but people do it all the time.
I think half is good.
You could then cut them into thirds and go to 7.
my first week, I forgot to put one on but they were 10 minutes away so I just went without.
The second week, I forgot to put it on two days in a row so I just stopped using them.
I put one in my wallet as a security blanket and there it sat my first year.
Listen to your body. Make it a game. If you forget, don't panic. It's okay to test yourself a little bit. You can always put one on.
How else are you going to know where you are with the nicotine? 12 weeks guarantees nothing Memories of the ritual locked into their old routine and emotions are what drive people back to smoking
People who use the patch as directed for the suggested course of time go back to smoking at the same rate as other smokers after 6 months.
Yes, I agree with you on the duration of treatment—it seems a bit prolonged & costly. I have seen research citing a better success rate for people who use the patch (40-60%). I did not read the Methods section to determine the duration of patch use.
So let me understand; you smoked 10/day, started using patch. Decreased to 5/day using patch, then quit? What strength patch were you using? BTW, I just resumed smoking after quitting due to orthopedic surgery. Not much of a smoker prior to this 10/day stuff that’s been going on since last winter (my right hand was in a serious cast and pretty useless). Most people don’t know I smoke. It’s morning & about 5 PM then bedtime. Soon it will get too cold to sit on the porch to smoke. It didn’t stop me last year though!
Lynn B Overman
I was smoking a pack a day the month before I quit. Over that month I just said
"I'm going to wait a little longer" whenever I thought of smoking. I never counted how many I was smoking a day, never denied myself a cigarette even once. I knew they were there if I wanted to smoke.
By the time a month was done I was down to 5 a day. The day I quit was when I got the 21mg patch
Did you use the 21 mg patch? It made me feel kind of queasy and so I cut it in half. Only time I crave a cigarette is with my coffee in the morning. I saw a suggestion to substitute tea—they’re not a good combo for me. Did you feel any change in mood with the patch? I feel kind of blue and unmotivated but I can’t necessarily attribute that to not smoking cigarettes. I dunno?
Lynn B Overman
Whoops—you were answering my question. Sorry I repeated myself!
Lynn B Overman
Congratulations on the Big Decision! This is day 17 for me. I am using the patch, gum and inhaler. I had the same question about leaving the patch on at night because I wasn't one to get up in the night and smoke. I have left it on through the night for the first 2 weeks. This last Saturday night I took it off to "try it out". Figured since I would be home Sunday - I would have an easier time coping with the cravings and triggers. Low and behold it didn't seem to bother me at all, so I have been taking it off when I go to bed. I do put on a new one first thing when I get up - 6:15 am or so. I have found doing deep breathing with my eyes closed has helped me get through the cravings. I also drink ice water through a straw. The gum has changed since the last time I tried it a few years ago. Chew,chew,chew and park. Good technique to learn. I have found that one piece can last me several hours. The inhaler works for me as well -- does make my throat dry and scratchy. So I try not to use unless its a huge have to. Hang in there - you can do this!! I have tried before and failed but this time I am kicking this habit to the curb for good! I am new to the site as well. Just started today, and it seems we have a lot of cheerleaders in our corner!
Community Help will help you navigate through the site. Welcome to EXCommunity Help
Welcome to Ex. If you blog about what triggers you are having trouble with, folks will respond. But being part of a quit support site is a great step forward in dealing with your triggers.
I did use the patch. My original plan was 21 mg - 4 weeks, 14 mg - 2 weeks, 7 mg - 2 weeks. I shortened it a bit by using the 21 mg for 3 weeks and the 7 mg for 1 week. I just felt "ready" to either step down or off for good. The patch is not a "cure-all" but for me it helped to take the edge off. I still had to work my quit and work on keeping my mind in the right place. Most people do not keep the patch on when sleeping; however, I did. Mainly because I had developed the pattern of waking up during the night and smoking. Just do what you feel you need to do.
The support that I received here along with the education about this addiction that I received here and on the internet was my most valuable resource. Use it - it will make all the difference in the world. Best wishes to you! This will be the best thing that you will ever do for yourself!
Hi,
I'm using the patch and wellbutrin. I'm also leaving the patch on overnight. No vivid dreams... Mornings were a time that I smoked alot, so I wanted to make sure the patch was doing it's job before I woke up. I'm on day 9 (WOO-HOO!!) So far so good. It was VERY helpful to read Allen Carr's book "The easy way to stop smoking" I found a link here to download it free. ( I'm sure someone can tell you where to find it.) It is a great way to get your mindset in a very positive place. Instead of feeling like you are being deprived, you begin to see what a blessing your quit is.
Wishing you all the luck in the world!
Ann
I was a patch person. It was one of many tools. The BOOK. Wellbutrin. Most important? My friends here.
I am Day 5. If I wear the patch too long I will have a rash. Not hard to deal with I just wash the spot when I remove the patch now and put a little bit of hydrocortisone cream on it. The rash is usually gone by morning. I cannot wear a patch at night. The dreams are too much for me. I'll wake up multiple times and flip around. Mornings are rough because I push through a workout, shower and then put the patch on. If I did not workout in the morning I think I would shower at night and then I could put it on as soon as I woke. How is the patch working for you? How are you doing?
Welcome to EX! i used the patch at night previously when I attempted to quit. I can definitely relate to the vivid dreams which caused me to give up the patches and continue smoking. That was four tries ago but now I use them with no vivid dreams. The only problem I have is the itching in the spot where the patch is located. I bought some Cortisone Cream to put on the area after i rremove it. Congrats on quitting!
Hello!! Welcome!! 
welcome and please keep blogging - i think your doing good and doing what works for you to quit using nicotine-one day at a time-TOGETHER-thank you so much for your self honesty and courage in helping ME to stay quit with you just for today.
Would LOVE to hear from you and get a progress report. You are not alone.
Ellen
Hello and welcome to our community. I am not a patch person and looks like you got lots of advice. I stopped by to greet you and make sure you holler for help when you need to. We are here for help. Congratulations on your 2 days, well 5 days now. How are you doing?
Welcome to Ex.~ Nice to have you
There are several who have had wonderful results using the patch and they will be along to help you. I quit cold turkey. I did try the patch but I had reaction to them ( rash ). Anyway. I wish you well on your journey and will be watching your beautiful quit grow on you. Congrats on 2 DOF ( Days of Freedom ).