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so this is my 4th time quitting...

Question asked by KAM_RGM on Sep 10, 2020
Latest reply on Sep 12, 2020 by elvan

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This time I want it to stick. I am using the patch 7 mg, because I was getting such bad headaches with the 14mg. Anyway, I have been having such bad indigestion, constipation, tight uncomfortable chest since quitting 3 days ago. I've seen the uncomfortable chest feeling, but is the indigestion and constipation a typical side effect? Oh , and the patches give me such a welt where I put them which last for 2-3 days. I thought before when I used the patches it was due to Rite-aid giving me generic brands, but the ones I have now are Nicodem brand? ?

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sweetplt Sep 11, 2020 8:05 AM
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HI and Welcome to Ex’s KAM_RGM
Sounds like you may have an allergy to the patches. Perhaps you can call your Doctor and see what he / she suggests...I know some years ago I did the Nicorette and I got so sick from it, my Doctor told me I was having an allergy reaction...anyways, this is my third and last quit and this time I planned for my quit date like no other through My EX Plan | BecomeAnEX and the night before I quit I rid all smoking paraphernalia, also, decided this was going to be my number one priority. Then I read everything I could about quitting and addiction. Lastly, I came here everyday for support and to encourage others on this journey. You can do this and we are here to help...
I hope you can figure out what is going on with the Nicorette...quit aids have helped many here to quit smoking.
Happy Friday...Colleen 648 DOF
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Youngatheart.7.4.12 Sep 11, 2020 9:00 AM
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Welcome to the community!

Congratulations on your decision to quit and your first successful three days! All of the symptoms you mention can be from withdrawal. Nicotine does affect your digestive system, and since the patch is providing it in a different, more time release way, it doesn't work the same.. Be sure you aren't eating anything within several hours of bed, and shy away from spicy foods and any that are causing you problems. This should fade as your body adjusts to life without the drug. An OTC for that might help. Increase your fiber intake, be sure to drink lots and lots of water and exercise to help with the constipation. You might add Benefiber to your food or hot drinks. Some folks have mentioned chest tightness, but that could be anxiety caused by quitting - so do be sure to EXERCISE to deal with life's stressors. It does sound to me like you are allergic to nicotine patches if two different kinds gave you reactions. I will talk about other aids in a little bit. You can quit Cold Turkey (we call it Smart Turkey). The nicotine is out of your body in three days, then its a period of time while your body adjusts to life without it. Then you deal with the psychological associations and triggers created over the years you smoked. The patch doesn't do a thing to help with these!

The 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 easy and entertaining read provided a world of good information about nicotine addiction, most of which I was not aware. I credit it in large part with my success at quitting. You can search for it online or at your local library.

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-ex has lots of blogs written by members of this site with their experiences and guidance. Here is a video to inform you further about nicotine addiction: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpWMgPHn0Lo&feature=youtu.be.

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 after you have tried to delay and distract. 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. You need to start out with a plan to reduce use of them over time - which the patch does by decreasing the dose contained in them.. For the gum, you can start by cutting each piece in half, then in quarters, then sub regular gum of the same flavor in between, adding more and more regular gum. For the lozenge, you need to start subbing a mint in between to begin, increasing the number of them over time. I do not recommend the e-cigarette for obvious reasons.

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:
https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/blogs/Youngatheart.7.4.12-blog/2013/02/25/100-things-to-do-instead-of-smoke

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
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Barbscloud Sep 11, 2020 9:01 AM
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Welcome and congrats on day 4. If you read the directions for the patch, you're supposed to apply them in different locations each day. That might help. All the symptoms your describe are very common withdrawal symptoms. Read posts on this site or search on the hour glass for these various topics. Educating yourself about nicotine addiction and what to expect on your journey can help with your quit.
Continue to reach out.
Barb
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smiling_accountant Sep 11, 2020 4:32 PM
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Welcome, glad you are here! I think digestive issues are quite common. Here's an article I found that might help.
https://www.verywellmind.com/does-quitting-smoking-cause-constipation-2824758
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indingrl.01.06.2011 Sep 11, 2020 8:13 PM
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Welcome and CONGRATS on non smoker lifestyle
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tyndallgw Sep 11, 2020 9:31 PM
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Congratulations on three days quit. Have you tried the nicorette gum? It definitely helped me.
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elvan Sep 12, 2020 12:18 AM
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I never used the patch but I have heard some people complain about the irritation to the skin. You might try putting it someplace else to see if it has to do with skin sensitivity in certain areas. The indigestion and constipation are unfortunate side effects off quitting. Be sure to drink lots of water, be as active as you can be, and, if necessary, there is always Benefiber or Senokot. It will pass, your body has to get used to the nicotine not being delivered in the usual way. Congratulations on your quit. Stay close.
Ellen
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so this is my 4th time quitting...

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