Hello, I'm new here.

[nsd_user663_56055]

I am trying to quit smoking after 60 years because of COPD (Pulmonary disease). This is only my 5th day without a cigarette and struggling with cravings. I have been wearing nrt patches but they itch like mad. I have tried all the other nrt aids but they don't work for me, including th ecig which just makes me cough. I have bought Allen Carrs book on my Kindle so will try that next. Has anyone else had problems with the patches causing skin irritation. Any advice will be welcome. Thanks.

[nonico 7 Years Smoke Free]

All the best

Congratulations on making 5 days - well done. Your health can only improve.

I haven't tried any NRT, but I remember in the first few days of my quit I found that taking deep breaths and eating lots of fruit helped.

All the best with your quit.

[nsd_user663_54332]

Hi teabag and well done for going 5 days

I used patches, and they were itchy - just irritating though not too bad, and they left lovely red marks on my skin for a few days!!

[nsd_user663_56237]

Patches

Hi Teabag and welcome to the forum!

I used patches for the first 7 days of my quit and they drove me insane at times. They definately helped with cravings, but I found them extremely itchy for around 15 minutes after applying one. The area always went very warm and I felt like I wanted to scratch my arm off! The other thing was headaches, though I think this might be because my patches were too strong. Once those side effects passed, I wouldn't notice it all day.

I have also just ordered Allen Carr's book, as it has been recommended by so many people. I'm hoping that it'll help me to change my perspective towards smoking.

Good luck and please post on here whenever you feel the need. It really helps!

[nsd_user663_54332]

I used patches for the first 7 days of my quit and they drove me insane at times. They definately helped with cravings, but I found them extremely itchy for around 15 minutes after applying one. The area always went very warm and I felt like I wanted to scratch my arm off! The other thing was headaches, though I think this might be because my patches were too strong. Once those side effects passed, I wouldn't notice it all day.

Bit of an odd one, but when I put them on my arm, it felt like my arm had gone dead - did either of you get that?

I swapped to putting them on my ribs instead and that went, although it was warm and itchy :eek:

[nsd_user663_56237]

Bit of an odd one, but when I put them on my arm, it felt like my arm had gone dead - did either of you get that?

I swapped to putting them on my ribs instead and that went, although it was warm and itchy :eek:

Actually, yes!

I noticed it when the itching had worn off. My arm felt a bit numb and "not there" at times. Then other times it would feel a little like I'd had a jab or something, like when you go for holiday injections. It's an odd sensation, but I believe it's quite normal!

I forgot about the "not applying in the same place for 7 days" rule and it wasn't very nice. Glad I'm not having to wear one at the moment, but they certainly work a treat!

[nsd_user663_54332]

Actually, yes!

I noticed it when the itching had worn off. My arm felt a bit numb and "not there" at times. Then other times it would feel a little like I'd had a jab or something, like when you go for holiday injections. It's an odd sensation, but I believe it's quite normal!

I forgot about the "not applying in the same place for 7 days" rule and it wasn't very nice. Glad I'm not having to wear one at the moment, but they certainly work a treat!

That was it!! Was a really strange feeling, but like you say they did the trick

Was terrified of messing up the 7 day rule, what happened when you did?

Remember trying to remember where I'd been with them :eek:

[nsd_user663_56055]

Thank you all very much for your help and encouragement. I have tried them on different parts of my body. I found the upper arms itched more than any other. At the moment, I am trying them on my buttocks and that isn't too bad. Maybe the skin is tougher there. lol.

I will persevere as long as I can as I really want to beat it this time.

Thank you all again.

marina

[nsd_user663_56055]

PS, Tried clicking on the smilie below but it doesn't show on my post.

[nsd_user663_56237]

That was it!! Was a really strange feeling, but like you say they did the trick

Was terrified of messing up the 7 day rule, what happened when you did?

Remember trying to remember where I'd been with them :eek:

It was very much the same side effects, only worse.

Almost as though you could feel that the skin was raw from the last one?

I think, if I remember rightly, I realised my mistake after applying one in the same place as a couple of days before and decided to remove it when my arm turned lobster coloured.

I'm guessing that, because they have a reaction with your skin, your body needs time to heal the area that's been messed about with. I suppose that 16 hours is a lot of time to have concentrated nictone being sucked through your skin! :rolleyes:

[nsd_user663_56055]

Hi teabag and welcome to the forum.

5 days is nearly a week so don't give in now 60 years smoking and COPD, you know you have to quit (like me), we don't really have an option. Post on here whenever you are struggling.

I am using Champix and not the patches, but I remember someone on here saying if you wave them around first it helps. Apparently gets rid of some of the alcohol which stops the itching. Does that make sense Worth a try anyway.

I'm sure others will be on here later to give you advice.

lostie

Thanks for the advice lostie. I will try waving the next patch about in the air. Wasn't sure if it was the nicotine or the adhesive causing the itching.

[nsd_user663_54332]

It was very much the same side effects, only worse.

Almost as though you could feel that the skin was raw from the last one?

I think, if I remember rightly, I realised my mistake after applying one in the same place as a couple of days before and decided to remove it when my arm turned lobster coloured.

I'm guessing that, because they have a reaction with your skin, your body needs time to heal the area that's been messed about with. I suppose that 16 hours is a lot of time to have concentrated nictone being sucked through your skin! :rolleyes:

Oh that sounds nasty!!

Lol, I had red patches down my ribs and across my chest when i used them :eek:

Oh, and I knew my sense of smell was coming back 'cos after a few days I noticed the patches really smelled of fish *ugh*

Then on the gum I kept biting my tongue and cheek - owwwwww

On my e-cig there's far more health warnings than there ever were on my fags - it's pretty nasty stuff!!

[nsd_user663_56237]

Oh that sounds nasty!!

Lol, I had red patches down my ribs and across my chest when i used them :eek:

Oh, and I knew my sense of smell was coming back 'cos after a few days I noticed the patches really smelled of fish *ugh*

Then on the gum I kept biting my tongue and cheek - owwwwww

On my e-cig there's far more health warnings than there ever were on my fags - it's pretty nasty stuff!!

Jeeeez, cold turkey really is the best solution then!

I tried the gum but spat it out, as I really didn't like the taste it left at the back of my throat!

[nsd_user663_54332]

Jeeeez, cold turkey really is the best solution then!

I tried the gum but spat it out, as I really didn't like the taste it left at the back of my throat!

It would be if I had the willpower - my last quit was cold turkey 'cos I had a bad throat infection which meant I couldn't smoke, but couldn't manage that healthy. Plus I smoked less back then :eek:

Which flavour gum did you have? I've found some are really horrible but others are nice - a bit too nice really!!

[nsd_user663_56237]

It would be if I had the willpower - my last quit was cold turkey 'cos I had a bad throat infection which meant I couldn't smoke, but couldn't manage that healthy. Plus I smoked less back then :eek:

Which flavour gum did you have? I've found some are really horrible but others are nice - a bit too nice really!!

It was called "fresh mint".

I didn't mind the flavour of the gum itself, but I felt as though I could taste the nicotine! Is that wierd?

My throat felt like I'd smoked and I just had this odd aftertaste.

I guess we all have our own aids I don't even know if I'm going to like the e-cig yet!

[nsd_user663_54332]

It was called "fresh mint".

I didn't mind the flavour of the gum itself, but I felt as though I could taste the nicotine! Is that wierd?

My throat felt like I'd smoked and I just had this odd aftertaste.

I guess we all have our own aids I don't even know if I'm going to like the e-cig yet!

I know the one, have got a slide of it in my bag - but the Icy White is a bit milder It does all taste strong though, and it can give you evil heartburn if you chew it too fast :eek:

The plain mint or "original" ones are just flipping rancid though!! Tried those way back and went back to smoking.

Has your e-cig turned up yet?

[nsd_user663_56237]

I know the one, have got a slide of it in my bag - but the Icy White is a bit milder It does all taste strong though, and it can give you evil heartburn if you chew it too fast :eek:

The plain mint or "original" ones are just flipping rancid though!! Tried those way back and went back to smoking.

Has your e-cig turned up yet?

No, not yet. I have a tracking number so I can check the progress, but Royal Mail aren't what you'd call reliable are they? Lol.

[nsd_user663_54332]

No, not yet. I have a tracking number so I can check the progress, but Royal Mail aren't what you'd call reliable are they? Lol.

That's putting it mildly!!

The people I use do next-day delivery, but then if it's RM that's holding it up... :rolleyes:

[nsd_user663_56055]

hi,teabag and welcome.

Lostie is right about waving them about before applying them, i did this and it did help, i too read this advice on this forum somewhere.

Hope it works for you and good luck with your quit

Thank you netti. Good to know someone else has tried with success. I'll give it a go.

[nsd_user663_54938]

good luck

hi teabag, good luck on your quit ,i was on patches and cut them in half and my itch want a way. clear patches are better than the skin coloured ones i find.x

[nsd_user663_56055]

I got dried skin and people say to me about where I live say it will make your skin ictch so if you got dried skin

hello Hpool. They do itch even after taking them off but it is better than smoking so will carry on.

[nsd_user663_56055]

Hello Teabag

Welcome here and let's hope you get what you need from the great people who post here

HelloMax. Thank you. I'm getting lots of positive feedback.

[nsd_user663_56055]

Just popping by to say hi. This forum is a great support hope you find it helpful.

Hi and thank you Doodlebugroach.

[nsd_user663_56055]

hi teabag, good luck on your quit ,i was on patches and cut them in half and my itch want a way. clear patches are better than the skin coloured ones i find.x

Thank you Poppy. That's another day today to cross off my calendar.

[nsd_user663_54938]

you can do it

teabag your doing good keep reading and believe you can do it , YOU CAN, I've got 8 people following in my feet steps lol if you can do it poppy so can i , am doing it for me , but its nice to know that people believe in me , one day at a time my friend , X

[nsd_user663_56287]

I find that the patches itch for about half hour like mad and then its ok for the rest of the day. I also find they leave a pretty pink mark for 3/4 hours

Patches are working for me, Im just putting up and gritting my teeth for the initial half hour

Good Luck and well done on coming so far

[nsd_user663_56055]

I find that the patches itch for about half hour like mad and then its ok for the rest of the day. I also find they leave a pretty pink mark for 3/4 hours

Patches are working for me, Im just putting up and gritting my teeth for the initial half hour

Good Luck and well done on coming so far

Thanks Magicbunny. Sometimes my skin still itches 3days after but like you I am gritting my teeth

[nsd_user663_56055]

teabag your doing good keep reading and believe you can do it , YOU CAN, I've got 8 people following in my feet steps lol if you can do it poppy so can i , am doing it for me , but its nice to know that people believe in me , one day at a time my friend , X

Thanks again poppy