bit wobbly

[nsd_user663_7748]

Although I haven't smoked for 8 weeks I'm still a bit scared of stopping the patches. I am now on 3mg (I cut them smaller) I tried leaving them off, but became irritable and weepy, so put my little patch on again. I have been on this lower dose for nearly a week. Can anyone give me any advice as I still feel nicotine dependent. marie x

[nsd_user663_4121]

8 weeks is great, Marie... have you heard of the terrible three's? You're about to enter month 3 and many people find that month challenging.... don't worry about the patches at this point, stick with them, cut them smaller (whatever works for you) but focus on breaking the association you have with smoking.... getting off the nicotine will be a matter of days.... breaking the daily habits takes a while and that's what you're doing right now. Each week will get easier and when you feel strong in your quit you can dump the patches. Stay strong, read, post, and don't smoke. Here are a couple of links for you to check out...

terrible threes

more on the terrible 3's

[nsd_user663_4625]

Hi Marie,

Well done on your 8 weeks, thats brilliant.

If you don't feel ready to come all the way off the patches yet I would say don't. Wait untill you feel stronger, no point rushing it.

If you decide you want to perhaps continue cutting them down? I found that when I stoped my patches I was a bit iffy for a couple of days but after that I was fine.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do. Just keep strong & keep smoke free.

Gaynor xx

[nsd_user663_3728]

Hi Marie

8 weeks is great well done you Big Hug on it's way to you

Listen to what Bella is saying here work on the habit breaking that's the main and hardest thing to do right now

Getting off the Nicotine can come later and is why most no smoking aids are set at 12 weeks it gives you the time needed for those habit triggers to be broken

Love

Marg xx

[nsd_user663_4026]

Hi, dont feel you have to come off them. Do it when you're ready. I cut them down bit by bit when I felt they were interfering with the mental side of my quit. Bella is right to say get the mental bit right and the nicotine is the easy bit! Just take your time xxxx

[nsd_user663_4990]

I came off the patches at 10 weeks i think (6 weeks on 21mg, 2 weeks on 14mg and 2 weeks on 7mg)

for the first few days after i came off the patches i was 'ok'ish', but day 3 i was feeling it quite a bit and same with day 4 .. in fact, it was almost exactly how i remember the first 3-4 days of quitting using patches? remember the real day 1, 2, 3 and 4? Well you've already done that once before and i promise you .. however bad you think you feel with no patch on, its probably very normal as you adjust from 'a little bit of nicotine' supply to going it alone. Just gather up this last bit of strength and determination you need and pamper yourself a bit just to lessen the sad feeling a bit. You can and will adjust, just feel comfortable about doing it. yes its a big step, but its the right one all the same.

For me it was a necessary step, and i took my last patch off on the 18/09/2009, and here i am today,.. 7 months quit.. and i used patches to do it.

Good luck, but do as i did, carry a patch in your pocket or bag just in case and do your utmost not to use it unless in the most dire emergency. You may well find its still there in 4 days time.

Jase

[nsd_user663_7748]

feeling braver

thanks everyone,I feel a lot better having read all your messages of support and I will use all of your tips and advice. This forum helps so much.

marie xxxx