You lot are going to be fed up of me! :) XX

[NoMoreCigsEver]

OK so my rationale says I done a 5 year quit with patches, so I am going to go back to NRT, whats the worst that can happen.....fail like i did with my two previous quits.....let see how I get on.

[jillygirl Administrator LONG TERM WINNER]

NMCE, dont ever think we are fed up of you. Your a challenge yes but we still luvs ya.

Seriously I think you are doing the right thing. Like I have said before nrt is not as dangerous as tobacco. You can do this. xx

[NoMoreCigsEver 6 MONTH WINNER in reply to jillygirl]

Yes I am hard work, my mam has told me many times x

[Arizona- 26 Months Winner in reply to NoMoreCigsEver]

Lol

[jillygirl Administrator LONG TERM WINNER in reply to NoMoreCigsEver]

Mums always right

[NoMoreCigsEver 6 MONTH WINNER in reply to jillygirl]

Its mam x

[Catmad10 LONG TERM WINNER in reply to NoMoreCigsEver]

My Mom wouldn’t have recognised Mam. 🤪 she would have recognised Mum though.

My mom was a tiny lady who gave me the Medusa look every time I lit up. Made me feel 2 inches tall.

[NoMoreCigsEver 6 MONTH WINNER in reply to Catmad10]

[Arizona- 26 Months Winner]

What ever works 👍xx

As long as you’re not smoking. A lot of people stay on NRT for a long time I hear.

[NoMoreCigsEver 6 MONTH WINNER in reply to Arizona-]

I'm doing the course as recommended, 21mg for 6 weeks, then 14 and 7mg for 2 weeks each x

[Arizona- 26 Months Winner in reply to NoMoreCigsEver]

I carry the NRT gum just in case.

[jillygirl Administrator LONG TERM WINNER in reply to Arizona-]

Very good idea AZ.

[maryton LONG TERM WINNER in reply to NoMoreCigsEver]

Hello NMCE

I stopped smoking using exactly this method, as advised by an nhs counsellor. I started wearing them for 16 hrs, but struggled in the mornings. So I then wore them for 24 hrs, changing them at about 6pm, and this helped. I was also given an inhalator, gum and spray to use as a booster method, but I didn't use them as I felt I would prolong the nicotine addiction by taking more in. Each time I dropped to a lower strength patch, I experienced mood withdrawal, which lasted a few days before levelling out again. When I stopped the patches completely, I had about 3 weeks of low mood.

You need to view the patches as a background aid, only dealing with the physical withdrawal while you cope with the psychological withdrawal. They are not a miracle cure, and you will need to keep using your willpower while they help you recover.

I have been completely nicotine free for 10 weeks, and cigarette free for 4 months. I am not yet a 'happy non-smoker', and have not yet found the smell disgusting or felt pity for smokers - quite the opposite. I have eventually accepted that I am going to take a lot longer to reach that scenario than some suggest. I take one day at a time, and gradually my craving moments and triggers are lessening. I have told myself that, because of me being me, it will take at least a year. I know I will not smoke again - there is no way I want to repeat this process ever again- but I have given myself permission to take as long as I need to recover from this addiction.

Many people will tell you it helps to keep reminding yourself of the reasons you wanted to quit. My big four were health, being a social outcast, expense and not wanting to cover my grandson with the smell of cigarettes. However, I found that all too much to think about when I needed a coping mechanism - so I chose just one of those. I put an image in my mind of my beautiful smiling grandson running towards me with his arms outstretched for a cuddle. I would never have lit up when that happened and neither would I have wanted to. When the cravings or triggers hit, I take a big deep breath and use just that one image to get myself through it.

Be patient, and don't expect too much of yourself.

Don't get angry with yourself - accept that it's hard for you and you're doing your best.

Be prepared for a slight 'setback' every time the patch reduces.

Don't expect a miracle.

Take one day at a time.

Create just one image of the quit reason which helps you most - and use it.

Believe you can do it eventually, however long it takes.

Hope this helps

[NoMoreCigsEver 6 MONTH WINNER in reply to maryton]

Wow amazing...very inspirational....thank you

[maryton LONG TERM WINNER in reply to NoMoreCigsEver]

You're very welcome - I know you can do this. I have done 5 months today (although I think I'm still in the 4 month club) I never thought I would get this far - having done 3 years twenty five years ago, and then swearing that I would never go through quitting again! One day at a time....

[Lornacs 6 Years smokefree]

YOU! We could never get fed up with you!

That's why we are all here! We've all had wobbles and needed support! You've been here for us! It's your turn!!

As I said before, whatever works is fine, it's about the end result! Give yourself a break!!! STOP being so tough on yourself!

Looking forward to hearing how you're feeling with the patches! 😘Xx

[NoMoreCigsEver 6 MONTH WINNER in reply to Lornacs]

You know me i sure will x

[Schmicter]

How you get there is all that matters, there is no special badge of honor for going cold turkey...some people just prefer it. I would suspect if there is an accurate way to measure it , there is a higher failure rate for cold turkey vs NRT. The mini lozenges helped me, but it did take awhile to get off of them.

[NoMoreCigsEver 6 MONTH WINNER in reply to Schmicter]

Thank you very much

[nomoresmoke 15 Month Winner]

NOMO Never fed up with you just going to pound into your head that you can do this, if I can do it you can do it....NRT will help you but my doc told me and I am going to tell you do not rush NRT....21mg 14 days, 14 mg 14 days and 7 mg 28 days that is what I did but you may be different you may need to do all 28 days everyone is different I just wanted to get the nic out of my system and be done with it.....2 more weeks and I will be at 5 months thank you jesus!