Anyone else trying patches?

[nsd_user663_42815]

Hi all!

I am quitting for the second time, with my first being cold turkey.

I am trying patches this time and was wondering if anyone else is trying the same.

[nsd_user663_41857]

Yeah that's what I'm using. I used the smoking support at my doctors, the nurse offered me patches and gum. Or champix. I didn't want the champix after hearing side effects of hallucination at night, suicidal thoughts etc, so I took the patches and gum. Havnt used the gum for ages now.

I only have the 16 hour patches. I never ever got up for a fix during the night so these suited me. No more weird dreams than I had before, so its all good only thing is that the patches have way more nicotine in them than I was smoking. But suppose once I drop down to 14mg then to the step 3 ones it'll be all good. can't wait for it to be over. I could stop going to the nurse I know, but she's keeping an eye on my blood pressure and weight which is helpful, and also going to take bloods for to check for cholesterol and blood sugar levels. So its making sure I stay healthy too. So that's why I havnt stopped going.

Are you seeing a nurse or going it alone?

[nsd_user663_5920]

I will be using patches. I have bought the 25mg ones but am a bit apprehensive as this will be 15mg more nicotine than I usually have. Obviously having more nicotine in my system will make the craves almost non existent but I'm worried about stepping down later on.

I am toying with just going straight in on the 10mg ones so I am on the same amount as if I was smoking.

I'm really confused as to what to do :confused:

Karri, only my opinion based on my experience .... start with the 10mg first. Step up in strength if really necessary.

I smoked rollies and didn't consider myself a heavy smoker. Following the advice of the pharmacist I too began with the full fat patches and soon felt unpleasant effects from them. After just a few days I dropped down to the 16 hr semi skinned.

[nsd_user663_41857]

If I was doing it on my own and not through the doctors, I would have deffo started on step two. Cos 25mg to me is way more than I had before. With the gum, the 4mg is for people who were on more than 20, 2mg for people on less than 20 so why can't patches be like that too? Why start every smoker off on the same level when some are heavier smokers than others?

[nsd_user663_13779]

Patches, did someone say patches? ooooooooo I love them so much I may start using 2 or 3 a day (just kidding)

All kidding aside I have tried many ways to quit over the years and the patches have worked the best. Everyone is different and so what works for one person may not work for another. After trying every other method available it seemed I would be a smoker for ever (or until I died anyway) and the patches were the only one left for me to try. I can say with all honesty it has been way easier this time - 10 days so far. My only regret is I wish I had tried them first.

At the end of the day it doesn’t matter what you use. Find whatever works best and stick with it.

[austinlegro 11 Years Smoke Free]

I will be using patches. I have bought the 25mg ones but am a bit apprehensive as this will be 15mg more nicotine than I usually have. Obviously having more nicotine in my system will make the craves almost non existent but I'm worried about stepping down later on.

I am toying with just going straight in on the 10mg ones so I am on the same amount as if I was smoking.

I'm really confused as to what to do :confused:

I think there's a lot of confusion as to how much nicotine was in the bloodstream of a smoker and how to replicate that using various methods. A patch will release its payload differently to gum or spray. Just take enough to stave off nicotine withdrawal if that's what you're trying to achieve.

There's a plateau of nicotine concentration irrespective of how much you smoked.

It doesn't matter how much is floating around in your veins though, additional nicotine won't make the craves any less. Too much might kill you but that is quite a drastic quitting method!

Why start every smoker off on the same level when some are heavier smokers than others?

Because heavier smokers don't necessarily need more nicotine. They just happen to smoke more and stopping smoking is the aim, not stopping nicotine!

[nsd_user663_40651]

I also started off using patches , having read all the different packets i opted to start with 14mg ones as I had tried the 25mg but the almost instant headache convinced me it was not right.

its trial and error really find something that suits you, i honestly believe getting past the actual lighting up habit was the most difficult and that is what i needd to do. so patches were ideal for me to do that . once that is sorted then the rest is just messing with yoiur head.

you can always cut your patches in half ,quarters etc and reduce the nicotine in that way. until you feel confident enough to face the nicotine withdrawell itself.

kmh

[nsd_user663_41857]

Because heavier smokers don't necessarily need more nicotine. They just happen to smoke more and stopping smoking is the aim, not stopping nicotine!

Yes I know that but wouldn't a smoker like I was between 10 and 15 a day need a less dosage of patch? Or is it neccessary for everyone to start on the higher mg step one? Medical things don't half confuse. It just feels like I was on about 14mg a day on a high day and then now I'm banged straight up to 25mg, it doesn't make sense to me. I asked the smoking nurse and to be honest I don't think she really knows. Which is a shame we should have smoking nurses who are completely educated in every aspect of it

Had trouble finding the 10mg patches but eventually got them at morrisons. The man behind the pharmacy counter told me they are hard to get hold of as Nicorette are changing all their strengths. The lower strength will now be 5mg. Not read anything about that anywhere

I didn't know about this either, the ones I get are nicorette. The niquitin ones in asda I was looking at, out of curiosity, were lower strengths than the nicorette ones, step one being 21mg.

[nsd_user663_41857]

Yeah. I think even these nicorette ones are a bit dodgy at sticking I put it on earlier and its started peeling at the bottom already

[nsd_user663_24115]

:cool:I swear by patches. loved them i'd put one on and give it a pat. whenever i got a crave i would rub it and imagine the nicotine going into my bloodstream telling myself i dont need to smoke im getting my nicotine. i still had to use willpower , a lot of it actually.

stepping down i did feel a lot less nicotine going in but soon got used to it. i stayed with the whole 12 weeks and now im cold turkey. glad i used them. loved the smell of them and the ritual. i dont think i could have done it without them to be honest.

i also used an inhalator and still use it without the nicotine its become a habit and a comfort blanket but i dont mind using crutches for a while. iv now got my sea legs and loving the voyage, will be hopping skipping and jumping soon i can feel it in my bones so glad i didnt give up giving up. onwards and upwards..

Mash x

[nsd_user663_41857]

:cool:I swear by patches. loved them i'd put one on and give it a pat. whenever i got a crave i would rub it and imagine the nicotine going into my bloodstream telling myself i dont need to smoke im getting my nicotine. i still had to use willpower , a lot of it actually.

stepping down i did feel a lot less nicotine going in but soon got used to it. i stayed with the whole 12 weeks and now im cold turkey. glad i used them. loved the smell of them and the ritual. i dont think i could have done it without them to be honest.

i also used an inhalator and still use it without the nicotine its become a habit and a comfort blanket but i dont mind using crutches for a while. iv now got my sea legs and loving the voyage, will be hopping skipping and jumping soon i can feel it in my bones so glad i didnt give up giving up. onwards and upwards..

Mash x

But they smell awful, kind of a slight fishy smell lol I never smell them before I put them on now as they stink. A square of my arm is always red raw after I take it off too, which I do about an hour before bed so I can sleep properly. And the itch the first hour you've had it on, oh my god!! But I'm like you, I do like them and I do think they've helped as I don't know if I would have enjoyed complete withdrawal. Whatever makes us not smoke, eh?

[nsd_user663_4859]

Patches

I'm doing the patches and I am on day 4, which I cut mine in half the 21mg so I have more cause they are so expensive. I couldn't quit without them. That and 1/2 anti-anxeity tablet and that sure does help!

Mic.

[nsd_user663_24115]

Oh i thought they smelled of nicotine a bit like awiff of something tats in tobacco. maybe nicotine is just a bit fishy, hee hee. anyway glad i used em.

m x

[nsd_user663_41857]

Oh i thought they smelled of nicotine a bit like awiff of something tats in tobacco. maybe nicotine is just a bit fishy, hee hee. anyway glad i used em.

m x

Lol, maybe!! I am on my 4th week of them as of today and they have helped. I know its all in the mind to see your quit through, but as you said, I like the ritual of them. So ill stick with them. And I think it'll be quite exciting to get to step 2, then step 3, then nothing

X

[nsd_user663_41652]

I am using patches, have been on 21mg for 6 weeks and just dropped down to 14mg. The reason I use the patches is not to control my cravings for fags but to stop me feeling like I could eat my bodyweight in food everyday!

Patches certainly help with appetite control!!

[nsd_user663_40681]

Hi, patches really were a godsend for me this time, I was a 10-12 a day smoker, and previously tried the lower strength patches which didn't work... Pharmacist recommended 16hr 25mg this time, and they worked a treat... stayed on them for first 2 weeks then started cutting them in half so it was only 12.5mg, and think I stopped using them altogether after 3 1/2 to 4 weeks.. I really would recommend them, especially if you've tried CT previously and failed. You might also want to consider one of those plastic inhalators alongside it for the first week or two. I've weaned myself off both within 6 weeks (still use inhalator when drinking though!!) All the very best of luck to you and your quit...