Advice on patches please

[hellerscatch]

Am due back to the doctors on Monday, will be into my 6th week of using patches at the strongest strength, am afraid to reduce them to the next step down, as in previous quits it is the fence I have fallen at, the craving was just too much for me (we were moving house at the time too!)

I really don't intend to fail this time, so I know a lot of willpower is also needed, but do you think I should ask to stay on the higher strength for longer, are they even allowed to let me?

Thanks in advance

Angela :confused:

[nsd_user663_42390]

Am due back to the doctors on Monday, will be into my 6th week of using patches at the strongest strength, am afraid to reduce them to the next step down, as in previous quits it is the fence I have fallen at, the craving was just too much for me (we were moving house at the time too!)

I really don't intend to fail this time, so I know a lot of willpower is also needed, but do you think I should ask to stay on the higher strength for longer, are they even allowed to let me?

Thanks in advance

Angela :confused:

Sorry Angela, I am not sure about patches, I am sure someone on here will though. However In would be guided by the smoking cessation nurse and they should be able to advise you but go with what YOU want to do and YOU feel comfortable doing. I would say there is no rush the patches seem to be doing a good job for you!

[nsd_user663_54332]

Hi Angela

I was on step 1 for 8 weeks, was afraid to go down to step 2 and so I've stopped using them and gone over to gum instead.

Have to be honest and say I feel tons better for doing it and have had even fewer craves than on the patches, so wouldn't think you had anything to worry about when you're ready to step down!! Maybe keep some gum or spray handy in case it makes you crave?

Good luck

Gemma

[hellerscatch]

Thanks, I have Crohns disease and the gum makes me ill within an hour, the spray made me ill immediately, so the only option i have is CT or patches, am great with the patch, so think I will just explain that i don't think I am ready to step down and see what she say's ...

Thanks to you both

Angela :)

[nsd_user663_54332]

Oh I am sorry Angela

Take your time with it then, so long as you're not smoking it's fine!!

[Unah]

I found it hard to step down to step two patches. I didn't have any trouble after that. I would take my time and continue with step one until you are ready. You could also cut the patches up and go down gradually. That's what I did from step two to step three and didn't notice any effects.

[nsd_user663_54938]

patches

hi angela, nearly 6 weeks, ive been cutting patches in half for last to weeks, talked with my G.P and he said if that works for me thats fine.i don't sleep with it on,have gum only when i have a beer, i do no someone that stayed on step 1 patches for a year,and they are still not smoking 4 years on, hope that helps,am staying on step 1 until i feel i can go without,well the way i look at it was smoking for 30/35 years more then 25 a day , so i may want to be a non smoking over night, but i have to get over the feeling of wanting a cig, i have win the war with needing a cig

good luck,X

[hellerscatch]

Thanks everyone, perhaps they will let me stay on the higher dose a while longer, if they don't i can always try the lower strength and if its not good, i can always just get them from the chemist myself

[hellerscatch]

Spoke to the health care assistant today and she agreed I need to stay on the stronger strength patch for another 4 weeks. Am relieved as really don't feel ready to move to the next ones just yet.

[nsd_user663_54332]

Spoke to the health care assistant today and she agreed I need to stay on the stronger strength patch for another 4 weeks. Am relieved as really don't feel ready to move to the next ones just yet.

I'm glad they're not forcing you to mov on before you're ready, it does seem a pretty short course!!

[nsd_user663_44157]

Angela

Just listen to your head and do what you think is right for you. Only you know how you feel. You will know when the time is right to reduce or even stop using the patches. The main this is you do not smoke and as long as you are achieving that then all is good

Well done so far

H