Coming off patches early

[nsd_user663_16474]

Not sure where to post this so I'll put it here.

Has anyone had any success with coming off of patches early?

The recommended regime (by the manufacturer of course!) is 6 weeks on 21mg, 2 weeks on 14mg, then 2 weeks on 7mg. I'm at the end of week 2 on the 21mg. I have another week's supply for next week. Will I encounter major problems if I step down to 14mg after 3 weeks instead of 6?

Thanks in advance.

Ed

[nsd_user663_9220]

Hi Ed,

I myself have not been successful with comming off them early. I was on patches earlier this and a few years ago too and both times got it into my head that i didnt need them and then before i knew it i was back on 20+ a day.

I know you asked about successful stories and i am sure there are some out there, but me myself will be following it properly this time.

I think someone on here once told me that after a few weeks on patches your mind tricks you into thinking that you dont need patches anymore when really you do and so unless you have very strong willpower to overcome this trick, you may find yourself back on the smoke.

My honest opinion would be stick to the regime, but everyone is different.

Sorry i couldnt say anything positive about it, but i wish you all the luck if you decide to stop them

Snowie xx

[nsd_user663_16474]

Hi Snowie,

Thanks for sharing your experience. I have to say that my gut feeling is to follow the regime as suggested. Wearing a patch is certainly more convenient and cheaper than the cigarettes so a few weeks longer won't hurt. OK, so I don't get the 'hit' but that's exactly what I'm trying to wean myself off of :). I just want to get to the other side of the tunnel as quickly as possible. I think a purposeful stroll instead of a sprint might be the way to go :D.

Ed xx

[nsd_user663_9220]

Hi Snowie,

I just want to get to the other side of the tunnel as quickly as possible. I think a purposeful stroll instead of a sprint might be the way to go :D.

Ed xx

After reading that, the saying "dont run before you can walk" springs to mind

As much as we want to it all over and done with, i think the strolling part is a better option. After all speeding it up wont add on the days we quit, it will still be one day at a time.

xx

[nsd_user663_3117]

Hi Captain,

Well my 2 pennies worth - I'm on a different brand to you, started on mini lozenges and 25mg patches (manufacturers say should do this strength for 8 weeks) I lasted 2 weeks on them as got really bad dizzy spells, they were fab in the really early days but then I think they were too strong for me really (I did smoke over 20 a day tho :confused:). Stepped down to 15mg which I am just just coming to the end of 6 weeks on and have my next 4 weeks worth on 10mg to start on Monday. I've never seen a full course of anything through before so I'm determined to try to go the distance this time. It's only natural that we all want to speed ahead and get nic out of our systems asap but using the patches we're doing it gradually, there's no prize out there singled out to CT quitters only, each to their own and we all get our own prize in the end!

Hope that helps!

Jane x

[nsd_user663_16723]

My experience was similar to snowies. I stopped a few years ago and didn't follow the patches through, believing I could do it by myself, and I ended up smoking again. This time I'm going to use them for at least 12 weeks, and longer if needed.

[nsd_user663_16474]

Hi Captain,

Well my 2 pennies worth - I'm on a different brand to you, started on mini lozenges and 25mg patches (manufacturers say should do this strength for 8 weeks) I lasted 2 weeks on them as got really bad dizzy spells, they were fab in the really early days but then I think they were too strong for me really (I did smoke over 20 a day tho :confused:). Stepped down to 15mg which I am just just coming to the end of 6 weeks on and have my next 4 weeks worth on 10mg to start on Monday. I've never seen a full course of anything through before so I'm determined to try to go the distance this time. It's only natural that we all want to speed ahead and get nic out of our systems asap but using the patches we're doing it gradually, there's no prize out there singled out to CT quitters only, each to their own and we all get our own prize in the end!

Hope that helps!

Jane x

My experience was similar to snowies. I stopped a few years ago and didn't follow the patches through, believing I could do it by myself, and I ended up smoking again. This time I'm going to use them for at least 12 weeks, and longer if needed.

Thanks Karen and Jane. Your comments have convinced me to see the recommended course of patches through to the end. I've highlighted sections of both posts that particularly struck a chord with me. Ultimately it doesn't matter how we get there or how long it takes. The important thing is to get there. With determination and the support from here I think we all will :).

Ed xx

[nsd_user663_5920]

Hi Ed

I came of patches early and yes I noticed but I managed fine. It did mean stepping up the anti but I just kept my focus on why I stopped them and the reasons that applied to me.

I began on the high strength but cut those short after a week (way to strong for me) and then the medium for just over two weeks and then just stopped dead. I had no problem with stepping down but did notice when I stopped.

I didn't like the way they made my skin smell, the mix of chemicals was just to much.

My quit nurse wanted me to stay with them but gave no solid reason or argument that made me feel I should. When I saw her a week after coming off, and doing fine, she wrote me out a prescription for lozenges! I'd been free of nicotine, managing okay and then .......................... she wants me to put it back in my system :rolleyes:

Read here, ask as you have done and digest the info. You'll most likely learn more here than from a quit nurse

The fact that your wondering about finishing or dropping early says something, just think it through and do what you feel your best suited to.

It's not a race, there's no prize for how you get there ..... just get there.

For me they had a welcome place to begin with but I'm glad I finished early.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

[nsd_user663_16474]

Thanks Pol. It's interesting how people's experiences differ. Even different quit attempts by the same person can differ.

That's quite bizarre that the nurse wanted you to take nicotine again after you'd cleansed yourself and were doing OK :confused:. I'm sure she had her reasons but I'm equally sure you politely told her where to get off :p.

As keen as I am to be free of nicotine, I've decided I'm going to see the course of patches through as recommended. The whole thing's only ten weeks and I'm two down already. Even if I need to wear patches after the ten weeks, that's infinitely preferable to smoking.

xx