Day 3 - Stopping Smoking

[Sarah4416]

Hi Guys,

I am on day 3 of the stage 1 patches. Has anyone else experienced the sicky feeling coming in waves, dizziness coming and going, cloudy head and passing sweats? Please tell me this isn't going to last long? don't think I can cope with it much longer! lol

[RoisinO1 Administrator 3 Years Smoke Free]

Welcome Sarah4416 - what you are experiencing is the patches side effects not nicotine withdrawal as you are still getting your nicotine fix....

Below is the most common side effects from the patches which will likely last as long as you are using them

Nicotine patches can cause the following side effects:

skin irritation,

itching,

dizziness,

headache,

rapid heartbeat, and

nausea.

Perhaps speak to your doctor or pharmacist about how to help with these side effects and also make sure you not overdosing on the patches and amount of cigarettes you are smoking.

Keep us posted on how you are getting on

[RoisinO1 Administrator 3 Years Smoke Free in reply to RoisinO1]

How is things now Sarah4416 ?

[Jwk1962 1 Year Smoke Free]

Cloudy head , meaning going in circles and hard time concentrating ?????

🚭🔡 Jeff

[Hidden]

Hi Sarah4416 i too tried patches and had horrible side effects, so my dr told me to stop using them and i tried gum &plastic cig. They did nothing for me. So now on last resort champix before cold turkey. I hope this helps a little. Good luck x

[KatNL 6 Months Smoke Free]

Hi I could not use either the first or second stage patches - same thing, dizzy, sick feeling etc... I started this time using the third or final patch — in the day only (I take it off at night). This is much better. I have been quit for a month. Now starting to work on weaning myself off this patch. I don't know if the patch is a good idea. But I like that when you get an urge to smoke and a craving you have to put up with it and get used to it. You can't start chewing nicotine gum or anyting to get through the craving. So it helps you power through. The thing I don't like is that after a month of not smoking I am still taking in nicotine. sigh.....even if it's just a little bit.

My plan is to do the whole eight week program on the lowest patch. But use the second month to wear it for shorter and shorter times each day

[RoisinO1 Administrator 3 Years Smoke Free in reply to KatNL]

Great plan KatNL - you are working so hard and doing well 👏💪

[Quitforever 1 Month Smoke Free in reply to KatNL]

Hi KatNL what patch brand are you using? How many mg nicotine is the lowest patch?

Thanks

[KatNL 6 Months Smoke Free in reply to Quitforever]

Nicoderm 7mg - that's the lowest. Geesh it's not very much- I think its 7 smokes a day worth if you wear it for the full 24 hours, so Im thinking the later I start the less nicotine im taking in. I also dont wear it at night. The highest in this brand is 21 and the second one is 14 mg. Hope this helps

Also reading this line of posts- my friend is on the gum and has a cloudy head, I think a cloudy head is part of quitting smoking!

[RoisinO1 Administrator 3 Years Smoke Free in reply to KatNL]

Yeah, the cloudy head is a common withdrawal as your brain begins to rewire, repair and recover from the poisonous chemicals from the cigarettes but only short term