4 days in and changing my quit method

[nsd_user663_13779]

After spending 5 hours of my day surfing this forum, 3 hours reading misc. web sites with smoking information and 4 hours watching the allen carr webcast I have decided to switch my quit method. I took off the Nicoderm patch and changed my quitting outlook to be a positive experience rather than one of denial.

I don't know how many others here have made a switch so early in a quit but I really can't spend my days feeling deprived of smoking and feeling like I'm missing something. It is interfering with my entire day and I need to try something drastic. (oh boy)

I will let you all know how it goes – Thank you so much everyone for the continued support

[nsd_user663_40384]

Brilliant! sounds like a breakthrough to me. CT and alan carr have been the only ways i've ever managed this. CT does clarify and simplify things in a way, although i fully respect and believe everyone has to find the right way for them. It does feel like this is the right thing for you to do. Just trust it and go with it.

Not normally up so late, but been to sleep and woken up again! which is a bit of a pattern at the mo.

[nsd_user663_40384]

and...the key to this is exactly that. Changing your mindset so you don't feel deprived. When i did my big quit for many years with the alan carr method, my lightbulb moment was realising that: how ever many years i had stopped, if i still held any beliefs of enjoying a fag e.g. after a meal, first cup of tea when i quit...why would that be any different years down the line. I would still hold those beliefs, and still feel deprived.

So, if you can deal with your belief system (even though cravings will come and go the first few weeks), you ultimately will make this so much easier for yourself.

[nsd_user663_41857]

You are not deprived!! To be deprived is to smoke I think, then you are deprived of yor freedom.

I signed up to nicorette support website before I quit and I bloody wish I never. Email after email after email!! Wanting you to buy their stuff! Grrrr

[nsd_user663_13779]

I think I may have tried changing methods way to soon and went running back to the patch before I blow it completely. I guess its still better than smoking right?

[nsd_user663_40384]

yes, don't worry, doesn't matter if you are thrashing around. I have definitely been thrashing around today! As long as you are not smoking it doesn't matter if you do cold turkey one day, champix tomorrow, patch next day, pat a badgers bum as someone said day four....might sound flippant, but the ultimate thing is you aren't smoking so that-is- fantastic. Ultimately, its the end not the means, and doesn't matter if you swap about.

[nsd_user663_41893]

Hi Sparky, Hillary is right, doesn't matter what you method you use so long as you don't smoke I'm using a patch and on day 10, I read some of Allan Carr last week and really started to question my quit method, was it right that I am not yet free of nicotine? But then I thought about the fact that it's working, I'm not smoking and I'm not struggling too much either (although it's far from easy). Have thought about taking the patch off and not bothering but I think from next week I'll start reducing its strength. In my view there is nothing wrong with giving your willpower a helping hand

[nsd_user663_13779]

Your right - maybe I will start looking for a "no patch forum" to join so when the time comes I will know right where to go - lol

I was blindsided by a craving this morning that threw me for a loop. All better now though thankfully

[nsd_user663_41857]

I think I may have tried changing methods way to soon and went running back to the patch before I blow it completely. I guess its still better than smoking right?

I'm on patches, I quit the gum after about 5 or 6 days I don't need any more nicotine than is in the patch. I just have normal chewing gum if I want it.

I don't think it matters what you use, its all nicotine replacement isn't it? I cut my patch a 3rd down this morning, think 25mg is way too much its more than I was getting from the fags!! I've been fine too so will be cutting it tomorrow aswell. Gonna ask the nurse to drop me to step 2 on friday. I'm ready.

[nsd_user663_13779]

I cut my patch a 3rd down this morning

Rochelle - I didn't think you were allowed to cut the patches. When I read the directions for Nicoderm CQ it says not to. I wonder if it is different here (USA)than in the UK. I was thinking about cutting mine but at this point I have tried enough experiments for a while - lol

[nsd_user663_41857]

Rochelle - I didn't think you were allowed to cut the patches. When I read the directions for Nicoderm CQ it says not to. I wonder if it is different here (USA)than in the UK. I was thinking about cutting mine but at this point I have tried enough experiments for a while - lol

I don't know, but I understand that most of their rules are aload of crap its all in our mind what makes us stop I've cut it down by a third and I've been fine all day. I usually take mine off after a bath too as I fear the stimulant of it was keeping me awake at night. Soo if I have a bath 2 hours before bed that two hours is patch free. All the patches actually do is stop the withdrawals, and to be honest the step one is 25mg, there is 0.8mg in the cigs I was smoking and I was on about 15 a day. So I was getting a huge amount more from the full patch. I think the nurse would have been best off starting me on step two!! But the nurses don't think like that do they lol

I think whatever works for us individually, do it.

[nsd_user663_42145]

Hey Sparky,

I started my quit on the patches and went ct after a week. I was on step 2 and I still was craving, step one was too much nicotine. I jumped the gun and went ct because I was wanting to get over my three day hurtle, did ok until like day 12 and put a step 3 patch on. LOL you do whatever you have to to not smoke, as crazy as it seems. And I know what u mean about not cutting the patches, I read that too and the only reason I didn't is because it was already not sticking as I wanted it to. Maybe your like me and very creative and want to try somethng new everyday .lol

[nsd_user663_41857]

The patches don't stop the cravings though, only the withdrawals, the cravings are just in your mind. Mine stopped once I realised this

[nsd_user663_41857]

Do cravings and withdrawal not go hand in hand :confused:

No, the withdrawal is physical. Your body is craving it hence the withdrawal but the cravings I assume everyone is talking about is the craving for the cigarette to be in your mouth, which to me are all in the mind. I didn't have a craving since day 6 I'm on 13 now?

I dunno, we are all different I suppose. I don't know if it effects the patch by cutting it but ive been fine, maybe it just effects the stage at which it withdraws you?

[nsd_user663_41893]

Our instructions say don't either. Although people on the forum do it a nurse here said not to. If it works then great but personally I would stick with the manufacturer and nurses view on it.

You are doing great and still smoke free and that's the most important bit.

I've been cutting my patches for a week now, not noticed any difference. Ive been cutting them as I decided I was getting far too much nicotine and had brought 2 weeks worth. Starting cutting them down by a third, then into half. They still stick on and they still make me itch! :mad:

[nsd_user663_13779]

The patches don't stop the cravings though, only the withdrawals, the cravings are just in your mind. Mine stopped once I realised this

I'm ok with being a "patch addict" for a while. I have tried many different methods over the years and so far this is the one that has been the easiest for me. Truthfully after smoking for 26 years I'm getting a little tired of it. It’s hard to be the smoker in the bunch here as not to many people still smoke. Out of all my friends I'm the last one for some reason (stubborn I guess)

I tried doing some research to see if just nicotine is bad for a person but can't seem to find much info on it. Everything I find is smoking related not long term affects of staying on a patch.

[nsd_user663_13779]

my 485th quit attempt

I bet we have close to the same number of attempts Karri

[nsd_user663_41857]

That makes sense Rochelle about craving/withdrawal. I am trying really bard to understand everything at the moment in readiness for my 485th quit attempt

I've not educated myself enough in the past so trying to now

485th wow lol howd you keep count?! Well education has been key for me. I havnt struggled and it hasn't been hard. But I'm the type of person who researches and finds out every method before doing something so maybe that's why I havnt struggled.

Oh and those are just my beliefs, we can only do things by our own beliefs right? You will do it in the end. If you don't do it, think of all the health you're risking! Its pretty scary x

I've been cutting my patches for a week now, not noticed any difference. Ive been cutting them as I decided I was getting far too much nicotine and had brought 2 weeks worth. Starting cutting them down by a third, then into half. They still stick on and they still make me itch! :mad:

Me neither, no difference today. Still itchy and I looked at it in the mirror and it still looks bright red underneath.

I'm ok with being a "patch addict" for a while. I have tried many different methods over the years and so far this is the one that has been the easiest for me. Truthfully after smoking for 26 years I'm getting a little tired of it. It’s hard to be the smoker in the bunch here as not to many people still smoke. Out of all my friends I'm the last one for some reason (stubborn I guess)

I tried doing some research to see if just nicotine is bad for a person but can't seem to find much info on it. Everything I find is smoking related not long term affects of staying on a patch.

Well in one of my magazines last week, there's a ask the doctor page. There was a question about this. He said its the chemicals and toxins in the tobacco that gives us diseases and cancers. So I wouldn't worry about NRT. Its gonna be over in 8 weeks anyway well 6 for me now

[nsd_user663_13779]

Well in one of my magazines last week, there's a ask the doctor page. There was a question about this. He said its the chemicals and toxins in the tobacco that gives us diseases and cancers. So I wouldn't worry about NRT. Its gonna be over in 8 weeks anyway well 6 for me now

Rochelle I was thinking of keeping it for years, not weeks - like a new girlfriend or lost kitten - lol

[nsd_user663_41857]

Rochelle I was thinking of keeping it for years, not weeks - like a new girlfriend or lost kitten - lol

Lol!! Well mine is gonna be a short relationship then!! 8 weeks and I'm gone from that doctors room lol

LOL - Rochelle it hasn't really been that many, but it foes feel like it

Please keep sharing those beliefs - I've got a lot from your beliefs the last few days

Awww thanks, I didn't realise anyone was bothered too much, I got the impression that everyone has their own way of doing it and that is that. Pleased you've been taking something from my posts hun and hopefully u decide to stop soon and can get the support you need x