Step Down

Today is the day that I step down to no patch at all. What should I expect and for how long?

[Briarwood Administrator Ducky]

Good morning simmodave, good luck with your step down to no patch. I'm sure someone will be on shortly to give you good advice that has experience of using patches. I wish you well

[jillygirl Administrator Queen Bee]

Hi Simmodave, I myself haven`t used patches so can`t really help. Having searched through I did find a post from Emjay our advisor which may help, plus it seems many members had gums or lozenges as a stand by when stopping their patches.

Emjay will probably be able to advise you soon.

Posted by Emjay. .

When most quitters drop down to the next nicotine product, for exampe the patch, they do build up a psychological attachment to what they see as the stronger one and so it's quite normal to feel a bit 'panicky' when moving onto the next stage.

All nicotine products (NRT) are there to take the edge off cravings and will never do for you what a cigarette will. This isn't bad news, as it means you will never suffer the lows that you do when waiting on your next smoke. NRT will keep you at a certain level. It will never send you as 'high' as smoking will but all the same, it will never let you sink to that 'low'.

I think I've said it before, just because it's all in your mind (psychological) it doesn't mean to say that it's all wishy washy namby pamby stuff that you can just get on with, your mind is so so powerful and what you tell it, it will believe. (think about licking a lemon, or sherbet - it's not really there but you can imagine it)

When are you next seeing your nurse at the surgery for your next stop smoking appointment? See what she advises you to do, and I'll always offer advice to compliment what you have been told. In the meantime, either leave your patch on for as long as you can maybe, but always have a fresh new one at the ready. Are you taking your patch off before you go to bed?

Something that I think everybody ought to realise when using any type of therapy is...

Although they do work, and work really, really well when used properly, it is YOU that works the therapy.

Remember to stay positive and the longer that you stay away from those piggies, the more likely you will stay off them for good

[monky Administrator Cake sniffer outer]

Aup Simmodave, its great to see you pal

I'm still on patch 2 at the moment, but like Jillygirl has said, I've also got an inhalator and some 2mg lozenges which am not using much now

Maybe keep a patch with you, just incase you need it eh, plus it will be a back up in your mind, if you see what I mean

Good luck pal, let us know how you get on, Pete

[yellowsnowdrop]

I quit using an Ecig and to be honest the jump from low nicotine to no nicotine was tough.I think that I battled for a week or so (I'd been cig free for 3 1/2 months before I went nicotine free) but after that first week you just kind of accept that you are now free of nicotine &(in my case anyway) I was determined never to go back.Won't say I wasn't tempted because I was but after that first week you just know you can't go back to how you were.Financially I was spending about £40/month on cartridges so the incentive NOT to go back was also financial.I've been nic free since 13th January and I just don't miss it now,I wonder what it would be like to try and smoke a cig but that's as far as it ever goes,just wondering.You can do this & any small amount of discomfort is worth it,technically the nicotine leaves your body in 48 hrs so anything after that is your mind playing tricks.GOOD LUCK.

[Teric 7 MONTH WINNER]

I stopped patches just over 3 weeks ago.

At first I was very jittery and on a short fuse. A bit like going cold turkey. I snapped quite a lot at my OH for a few days. Then it seemed to calm down.

But for the last week I've been really wanting to smoke. I wouldn't say it's craves just want one, but I'm not going there.

I may even go back to putting a patch on to see if that gets me back on track although it feels like I'm starting nicotine again.

I gave up over 3 months ago and I'd rather put a patch on than give into the dreaded weed. Never going through the last 3 months again.

Hope it goes well for you, just put a patch on if you have to.