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I’ve been on the 14mg patch for almost 5 weeks now. I can go longer than the 6 weeks before dropping to 7mg. I’d like to know if this starts another withdrawl experience. I have lozenges for back up, but they can make you nauseous if taken too close together. I’m also experiencing the stopping smoking and feel worse for it. I’m no newbie now so this baffles me. Any ideas who have done fgis step down?
Gwenivere , may I ask what you do to help with the urges?
My Experience: hence many times quittting/ Few with patch; It is still very hard to quit no matter. I push myself, one moment at a time.
I use crosswords, crocheting, oodles of house work If I want to clean, (not much desire or stamina for that) . Games on internet, being sick and a new quit starting @ the beginning of month. I dont keep track unless I'm on here, and check. Also breathing, and prayer, meditation, also have saved vids of Tai Chi and Kwon Chi; To kick some of the mood swings away. Right now sick again. But, hoping to start with beginner vids this week.
Journal-ing = Helps me to stay motivated....
Being sick and kinda hangin" with tv" and hot tea, and lemon, honey. Nurses my urges away too.
On 5 weeks Woohoo
Jen you got this!!
I ended up stopping the patches before the last step because I didn't like withdrawing again and again. Less nicotine = withdraw symptoms, it's just the nature of the beast. They won't be as intense but be prepared for it to occur. If you use the lozenges during the step down then it'll defeat the purpose of stepping down and you will just prolong the inevitable. You've been quit for 5 weeks!? You've got this, you're not going to want to loose your quit after all this time and those withdraw symptoms will have less power over you.
I’d like to know if this starts another withdrawal experience.
YES. Of course it does. Like desiree465 said, lower the nicotine and you get withdrawal. That's how addiction works. I was grossed out by lozenges and decided to just end the whole nicotine thing entirely.
I did not use NRT's but I have nothing against them, there are a LOT of people who have successfully quit using them. I hate to tell you that you have to rip the bandaid off at some point but, it seems that is the case. I have heard of people staying on NRT's for a very long time, I do not know how advisable that is but it is smoking that is the biggest danger to you...particularly since you have already had such issues with your lungs.
I CAN assure you that once you are nicotine free, it gets easier and easier.
Sending you big hugs,
Ellen
As I stated when I joined, my goal right now is not to be nicotine free. I am not smoking because of a severe lung disease. Found out this week that it is progressing anyway. Now they are talking infusions to curtail my immune system to ease inflammation. Problem is they involve steroids which I cannot tolerate and would make me more vulnerable to bugs. I feel caught in a trap.
In doing the math I am getting the same amount of nicotine I did when I smoked, if not a little more.
I haven’t figured out what to do with this latest news. It sounds to me that between the lung disease and extreme hypothyroidism, one will do me in. And I wonder why I’m depressed?
I am SO SORRY...I have been steroid dependent since 1992 and I have a nonexistent immune system and skin that is thinner than that on an onion. I get constant skin tears and have multiple purple spots all over my arms. I do not handle increased doses well but I cannot breathe without a maintenance dose.
I don't see why you need to change your dose of the patch if you are handling it...you definitely do not want to smoke and you do not want to go through another withdrawal. I do not know if you have COPD, that is what I have and I have lost both upper lobes of my lungs because of the damage. I have my next low dose CT Scan scheduled in February, I have a number of nodules but they have not, so far, grown.
If you are comfortable with the patch at the current dose...why change it? I understand that you have no interest in being nicotine free. I would love to hear what your actual diagnosis is and also if you have sought more than one opinion? MY COPD progressed after I quit smoking but I wasn't really doing much to slow it down. I wasn't exercising regularly and my diet was terrible. I have also learned to alternate periods of activity with periods of rest because I really have NO CHOICE.
Sending you the best,
Ellen
Talk about doing nothing for my COPD, I was smoking! My diagnosis is bronchiectasis. It widens the bronchial tubes so the cilia can’t effectively move any crud out. It’s permanent. What’s interesting is smoking does not cause it, doesn’t help, but it could be congenital, the fact I had severe pneumonia in my young 20's and repeated bronchitis because of it. I remember as a kid and teenager I couldn’t run as fast as other kids. I also have COPD from 40 years of smoking. So basically, I’m screwed. 2 weeks ago I changed the king bed. Today just trekking to the garage freezer wiped me out. I can’t imagine being on steroids and for so long. I’m so sorry you have to do that. It’s scary as your body becomes dependent on them instead of your adrenals. We do what we have to to survive. I wonder how it feels breathing with only half your lungs. I think I have a pretty good idea because I cannot get the feeling of full lungs anymore. My best back to you, Ellen.
Thank you for writing about your copd. I just had a breathing test yesterday and all is good except a little asthma. My quit date is April 1st. After 50 years of 1& 1/2 packs a day, I am so blessed that I don't have copd. COPD is real and I better start to believe that I'm knocking at its door.
McCarron Yes, COPD is very real and very hard to live with. I would really like to suggest that you consider moving your quit date up because April 1st is a long ways away and once damage starts...it keeps progressing. I had asthma too.
Do start preparing for your quit as soon as you can.
Ellen
Gwenivere
My understanding is Tobacco", is the main culprit, for the destruction of our bodies. Not including E cigs.
All the Manufacturers " doctor up the Tobacco which does contain Nicotine naturally , with ammonia and paint thinner...etc. They figure out ways to manipulate how, and how much, of the chemicals our brains get, for the addiction process to happen!
Also Making It So Damn Hard To Quit.
All that I have read, and learned; Staying on the patch, with nicotine, probably wont kill us recovering addicts.
My personal, opine on how you buy them; Would NOT BE from purchasing on websites. MHO. That is just how I feel"
Thank you for all the responses. All my doctors don’t mind if I use nicotine the rest of my life if I so choose. What amazes me is with using them I have been experiencing withdrawl, but I chalk that up to delivery. Anyone who’s an addict wants the instant gratification. I don’t buy these online. Too much risk. OTC at my local drug store and have found name brand is best in this case. I bought some from Amazon and they have adheasive issues. I guess our bodies get used to the additives to make the tobacco more addictive. Only thing I can figure out as to why I feel what the cold quitters do.
I think you are right and our bodies crave whatever additives they put in cigarettes. Apparently, they haven't figured out how to deliver those in a patch.
And hopefully won't!
You know, I really was only using half of each lung even before the surgery, my upper lobes were not functioning anyways...initially, I felt better after the surgery and my oxygen saturations went up. I have to work at keeping them that way. I went on steroids for my arthritis and then I developed COPD, I already had asthma. Would you, by any chance, be a candidate for a lung transplant down the road? That is what they told me would be my next step should I get much, much worse. I am still able to function. Yes, I tire easily and I also get very short of breath with limited exertion...like walking up a slight incline from my house to my car. Sometimes, it is at panic level but fortunately not all of the time.
I really hope that they can help you...
Ellen
Have no idea about transplants. Pretty extreme. Think it would be better off for someone with a motivation for life. I’m still tying to figure out why I have gotten so much worse for quitting. Are you on oxygen?
I say do not step down to the 7mg patch. It is too soon for what I observe in you. I have hypothyroidism and severe emphysema and I am doing well. I am 71. I walk everyday, I eat well and take a truckload of vitamins and herbs. I live alone ( I was divorced twice.) and I have a sweet little house-mate a little miniature schnauzer. Life is what you make it. Praying you feel better emotionally and physically.
I just re-read the blogs. I don't understand why you didn't start with the 21mg patch. I would talk to your doctor's. I bet it would make you feel better.
If I had started with the 21's, that would have been more than I smoked, I was at about 15/16 cigarettes a day max. Had I done the high patch and lozenges for cravings I would be getting much more nicotine. The program says start at 14 if you smoke less than 10 a day, but my quit coach and I agreed this would be a better starting point. I just get frustrated that I have intense withdrawals at times and am already getting more. I figure I get about 21mg now between the patch and lozenges. By far the worst is the brain fog. I so hate feeling I am living in slow motion.
I did not notice much difference between the 14 and 7 mg patch. Maybe one day of edginess. I only used the 7 mg for 1 week - I just felt ready to let it go. I did not use the lozenge at all but your risk of becoming dependent on them is greater in my opinion because you control the dosage. So be careful and mindful of how much nicotine you are getting via the lozenge.
My gawd! A message with some hope for this step down. Thanks! I’m not concerned with becoming nicotine free right now, if ever. Just have to avoid the smoke because of lung disease.
Gwen, do what you need to do to stay smoke free. On one of my quits I used the patch and did go down to the 7 mg and it did help. Yes, you will feel some withdrawal as you are decreasing the nicotine. This process of quitting smoking is not pain free. We are all here to support each other. Hang in there!!
Gwen, I missed all these posts with your medical conditions. Sorry, you're going through so much. I know I posted this before, but my pulmonary doctor did not object if someone needed to continue using the nicotrol inhalers. To him, it's better than smoking. He has a patient that's been using them for years. Certainly not a proponent of this for everyone. Just stating a fact. I'll keep you in my thoughts.
Barb
My pulmonologist feels the same. Is not concerned about the nicotine. It’s driving me crazy tho. I can’t seem to find that 'sweet spot' my body will accept with the patches and lozenges. It’s getting very frustrating. I either feel the desire for nicotine or get too much, neither pleasent experiences and distracting from just about everything I do. I’m starting m the 6th week and the first 3 were so much better. In the time since, tho, many physical and emotional stressers to juggle. I hate the cold sweats that make me feel unclean and how every thing seems so big to tackle like changing a light bulb. By far the worst is brain fog. Hard to stay focused on anything including conversations and not being able to find simple words. Seems if I have to go thru this I should have just gone cold turkey. It’s still an option but I’m so worn out I don’t know if I could take it. I know people will say I can, but trust me, I’ve never been so close to the edge mentally I feel I could crack. It would just take a slight nudge. I have to function for the dogs. I have to buy food. All things my husband could have done if he was here. This is just a vent. I’ve heard all the suggestions already. Not looking for those.
Sending you a gentle hug...that's the best I can do at this point. I don't really know what to advise you. I wish you could find that sweet spot too...
Ellen
Thanks Ellen. A hug, even virtual, is sometimes just what is needed.
I’m not opposed to suggestions if I ask for them. Trust me, I’ve gone over all my options a million times. Now that I have identified the culprits of the discomfort, it’s now time to work with them and try different patterns. Like the changes suggested for trigger times like coffee and driving for craves. The amount of knowledge here is amazing as is the sharing.
Hi.
I started 2 weeks prior to my quit date with Wellbutrin. Then the night before i quit I put on a 21mg patch. I followed the step down plan as recommended. I experienced next to no withdrawal when stepping down. And honestly even when I was done with the patches, I didn't notice that anything was worse as far as cravings or withdrawals. I am assuming that the Wellbutrin is helping with all of that. Would that be a possibility for you? As it is an anti-depressant, it may help with some of the feelings of hopelessness..... I am so sorry to hear about all the medical challenges you are facing.
Wishing you good luck and better days.
Ann
Hey A.N.A.. I’m already on Celexa so I can’t take another one. Youngave me some hope on the patches. I’d love to drop that part of my daily routine and just use the lozenges. May be forever, may be able to cut those down. I’m getting so tired of these waves of severe depression. Unfortunately the quitting smoking is feeding off other downers I just got hit with in the last 2 weeks. A tight knot to unravel. Congrats on getting thru the program!
People who used the patch AS DIRECTED went back to smoking after 6 months at the same rate as people who used nothing.
Anyone believe 2 extra weeks using the patch is going to make you think differently?
The longer you're on an NRT the more you think you can't stay quit without it
First off, relapse rates may be equal. But that does not mean It’s because of the NRT route. Everyone is different. I’ve read many posts by people here that said they didn’t feel they could have done it without them. Some of us have other conditions that would be difficult or impossible to manage on top of a cold quit. I deal with non stop pain every waking hour of the day and a reduction in nicotine withdrawal makes it possible to keep functioning. Do I think the patch is a magical tool? No, but it’s the help some people need. As has been posted many times, it is not the nicotine that hurts us, it is the delivery. For me, cigs go first and then, hopefully, nicotine tho even my docs say I could use the lozenges or gum forever if I wanted.....just don’t smoke!
Nicotine ne is not a normal thing to have in our system, but it doesn’t create heart,, vascular, stroke or drug seeking behavior like street drugs. I’m glad you found your freedom that is a huge achievement. I applaud you for it.
Your post sounded judgemental to me even with a smiley face. No one comes here to be judged for thier decisions. We come for support in them.
no one knows what other battles someone maybe having. I always try to keep that in mind and remember to say....in my opinion if I differ with them.
First, I used the patch so I'm not against them.
If nicotine doesn't do damage (vaso constrictor, plaque build up and hardening of the arteries from same) why are hospitals not letting people have surgeries if they are using nicotine. Of course smoking does more damage than NRT's. Of course you can use NRT's the rest of your life. It's a personal choice just like smoking is a choice.
Do we get the same instantaneous rush from the patch that you get from smoking? From the lozenge? From the gum?
My point was for people considering the direction of their quit so they don't think NRT's are a magic pill. I think the relapse rate at 6 months is something to consider before you've quit not after you're hooked on "the cure." Once you believe nicotine is the only thing keeping you from smoking, you have become psychologically addicted/dependent upon it and combined the physical and psychological addictions into one big one that's much harder to break up.
Everyone can do whatever they want.
I also apologize for the misunderstanding. I don’t know peoples histories, but I’m learning.
I’m facing possible surgery and was told no smoking for 6 weeks. I asked about NRT's and they said that was fine. They would do a blood test for something cigarettes leave in your bloodstream. That was last year so things may have changed with my insurance and doctor.
I’m so brain addled now between the drop on patches and my Panic Disorder in overdrive I can’t really address your point on the psychological dependence. But, yes, at this point it is the NRT's keeping me from smoking. It’s the best I can do at this time.
Be careful when using the patches AND lozenges so you don't get more nicotine that you were when you were smoking. A cigarette contains about 1 mg of nicotine, then add the strength of the lozenge you are using.. I hope you aren't using one every time you get a craving? What you are missing when you use the patches is that "hit" you used to get from a cigarette. It isn't a good idea to get that from a lozenge for every one you used to smoke....for you can become addicted to them. Be sure to only use one as a very last resort after you have tried delaying, distracting.....
I didn't use the patch - but everyone is different, anyway. From what I have learned here, you do get a bit of withdrawal when you step down - but it's more of your body adjusting to less drugs than actual bad cravings, I believe. I would suggest you step down - but keep a stronger one on hand. You can always put the higher strength back on if it is too difficult for you.
Can you BELIEVE you have been quit for five weeks? How cool is THAT?111