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Quitting on the patch
Hi everyone. I just recently started using the patch, 3 weeks ago to be exact. I am using Nicoderm CQ step 2. I cut down my smoking to 10 cigs per day prior to quitting (i smoked a pack a day before that) and then used step 2 instead of one (well because I was smoking 10 or less a day) anyways I need some support. The first week I cheated and would take 2-3 drags a day off a smoke while on the patch. I know your not suppose to do that (am I in danger now?) then the last 2 weeks have been the first 2 weeks EVER in my life I have not touched a cig. But I am irritabe and ancy even with the patch. I dont' feel any "withdrawl" I feel more like a craving or a missing of the habit. I know the doc says to exercise or do a hobbie or craft or something but all I wanna do is lay aroun and sometimes mope. I can't find the "MOTIVATION" to do things I used o do for some reason and I think its because I use to start every project with a cigarette. Even studying for school has become a challenge and I am afriad my grades are going to slip. I am 26 yrs old, smoked 1 pack per day for 10 years, cut down to 1/2 a pack a day the week before the patch and need help. Thanks!
after waking up in critical care ward in hospital,with a tempory trachea (thats not much fun) listening to other patients coughing and spluttering,
coughing up great big lumps of green or yellow phlem, at least one a night dying while i was in there, and i was in there a month,trying to sleep while these poor sods are really struggling to stay alive having to be washed and changed by the nurses
i was helpless for about 3.5 weeks, you lose all dignity but your that ill you don't care, when i saw the surgean i was told it was smoking related and i should stop, i promised her i would stop and did so,i have not had a ciggarett for 10 months,
but its not easy, i still get very strong urges, well it it easy i just close my eyes
and relive what i heard and saw,if you want to be one of those people in hospital then carry on smoking, watch the relatives sitting there numb crying for the person they just lost, another thing that i will never forget is the STINK WHEN PATIENTS HAVE POO'D THEMSELVES and the nurses are to busy to do anything straight away,and they have just served food , to the patients, do you want to be one of them.
if this has shocked then i make no appoligies, its the way it is 100% true
i was there.and i sure as hell don't want to go back there.
i went in with pneumonia,thats when i was diagnosed with copd.
coughing up great big lumps of green or yellow phlem, at least one a night dying while i was in there, and i was in there a month,trying to sleep while these poor sods are really struggling to stay alive having to be washed and changed by the nurses
i was helpless for about 3.5 weeks, you lose all dignity but your that ill you don't care, when i saw the surgean i was told it was smoking related and i should stop, i promised her i would stop and did so,i have not had a ciggarett for 10 months,
but its not easy, i still get very strong urges, well it it easy i just close my eyes
and relive what i heard and saw,if you want to be one of those people in hospital then carry on smoking, watch the relatives sitting there numb crying for the person they just lost, another thing that i will never forget is the STINK WHEN PATIENTS HAVE POO'D THEMSELVES and the nurses are to busy to do anything straight away,and they have just served food , to the patients, do you want to be one of them.
if this has shocked then i make no appoligies, its the way it is 100% true
i was there.and i sure as hell don't want to go back there.
i went in with pneumonia,thats when i was diagnosed with copd.
My god your story is terrible but I am glad you are a survivor. Tell me why it is that whenever I hear a story like this for some reason i still want to smoke? Its like a mental sickness. I feel disgusted with myself for even thinking of it. Today I cheated on the patch and took a few drags off a cig and this was after 2 weeks of NOT smoking at all. URGHHHH whats wrong with me???? HELP?
You can't allow yourself time to think about cigs and that is extremely hard but it doesn't last long, that's the good news! Hang in there and think only positive thoughts : )
If you need reinforcement, then go to why quit . com (no seperation) and read all of the amazing articles. There is a "Motivation" section that will make you glad that you have decided to quit.
After I quit I continued my workout schedule and that really helped me through some tough times.
I didn't use the patch so I wouldn't be able to help you, but it makes sense that smoking while using the patch is not a good idea.
I guarantee, in retrospect, you won't believe how uncomplicated the whole process was!
I don't want to use the word "easy" but, in retrospect, it's a fitting word.
After 38 years of smoking, I have been quit for 8 months and 4 days and I do not miss it one bit!
Remember, keep busy, think positive and treat yourself to a better you. You can do it!
Kathy Jo
If you need reinforcement, then go to why quit . com (no seperation) and read all of the amazing articles. There is a "Motivation" section that will make you glad that you have decided to quit.
After I quit I continued my workout schedule and that really helped me through some tough times.
I didn't use the patch so I wouldn't be able to help you, but it makes sense that smoking while using the patch is not a good idea.
I guarantee, in retrospect, you won't believe how uncomplicated the whole process was!
I don't want to use the word "easy" but, in retrospect, it's a fitting word.
After 38 years of smoking, I have been quit for 8 months and 4 days and I do not miss it one bit!
Remember, keep busy, think positive and treat yourself to a better you. You can do it!
Kathy Jo
Thanks:) I am proud of you too your my hero! 38 years and you quit, you've inspired me to take this a little more seriously. Thank you so much.
I hope you do take it more serious : )
The physical addiction is gone within 72 hours so you need to work on your emotional attachment to the cigarette. Whether you smoke to curb your appetite or because you are stressed, you really need to analyze your reasons for smoking.
In the end, smoking only increases your anxiety and is bad for your health. Do it now, before it's to late!
Good luck and keep us posted : )
Kathy Jo
The physical addiction is gone within 72 hours so you need to work on your emotional attachment to the cigarette. Whether you smoke to curb your appetite or because you are stressed, you really need to analyze your reasons for smoking.
In the end, smoking only increases your anxiety and is bad for your health. Do it now, before it's to late!
Good luck and keep us posted : )
Kathy Jo
The immediate and long term benefits of stopping smoking
Within 20 minutes:
Your blood pressure, pulse rate, and the temperature of your hands and feet will all return to normal.
Within 12 hours:
Your blood oxygen level will have increased to normal and carbon monoxide levels will have dropped to normal.
Within 48 hours:
Damaged nerve endings have started to regrow and your sense of smell and taste are beginning to return to normal.
Within 72 hours:
Your entire body will test 100% nicotine-free and over 90% of all nicotine metabolites will now have passed from your body via your urine. You can also expect the symptoms of chemical withdrawal to have peaked in intensity. Your bronchial tubes are beginning to relax thus making it easier to breathe. Your lung capacity has also started to increase.
10 days to 2 weeks:
Your body has physically adjusted to again functioning without nicotine and the more than 3,500 chemical particles and 500 gases present in each and every puff.
2 weeks to 3 months:
Your heart attack risk has started to drop. Your lung function is beginning to improve.
3 weeks to 3 months:
Your circulation has substantially improved. Walking has become easier. Your chronic cough, if any, has likely disappeared.
1 to 9 months:
Any smoking related sinus congestion, fatigue or shortness of breath have decreased. Cilia have regrown in your lungs thereby increasing their ability to handle mucus, keep your lungs clean, and reduce infections. Your body's overall energy has increased.
1 year:
Your excess risk of coronary heart disease has dropped to less than half that of a smoker.
5 to 15 years:
Your risk of stroke has declined to that of a non-smoker.
10 years:
Your risk of death from lung cancer has declined by almost half if you were an average smoker (one pack per day). Your risk of cancer of the mouth, throat and esophagus has now decreased.
15 years:
Your risk of coronary heart disease is now that of a person who has never smoked. Quitting helps stop the damaging effects of tobacco on your appearance including:
• Premature wrinkling of the skin
• Bad breath
• Stained teeth
• Gum disease
• Bad smelling clothes and hair
• Yellow fingernails
Kicking the tobacco habit offers benefits that you'll notice immediately and some that will develop gradually over time. These rewards can improve your day-to-day life immensely.
• Food tastes better.
• Your sense of smell returns to normal
• Ordinary activities no longer leave you out of breath (for example, climbing stairs or light housework)
The prospect of better health is a major reason for quitting, but there are others as well.
Cost
Smoking is expensive. It isn't hard to figure out how much you spend on smoking: multiply how much money you spend on tobacco every day by 365 (days per year). The amount may surprise you. Now multiply that by the number of years you have been using tobacco and that amount will probably astound you.
Multiply the cost per year by 10 (for the upcoming 10 years) and ask yourself what you would rather do with that much money.
And this doesn’t include other possible expenses, such as higher costs for health and life insurance, as well as the health care costs due to tobacco-related conditions.
Social Acceptance
Smoking is less socially acceptable now than it was in the past.
All workplaces now have smoking restrictions. Some employers even prefer to hire nonsmokers. Studies show smoking employees cost businesses more to employ because they are "off sick" more frequently. Employees who are ill more often than others can raise an employer’s need for expensive temporary replacement workers. They can increase insurance costs both for other employees and for the employer, who typically pays part of the workers’ insurance premiums.
Landlords may choose not to rent to smokers since maintenance costs and insurance rates may rise when smokers occupy buildings.
Friends may ask you not to smoke in their houses or cars. Public buildings, concerts, and even sporting events are largely smoke-free. Like it or not, finding a place to smoke can be a hassle.
Smokers may find their opportunities for dating or romantic involvement, including marriage, are largely limited to other smokers, who make up only about 1/4 of the population.
Setting an Example
If you have children, you probably want to set a good example for them. When asked, nearly all smokers say they don't want their children to smoke, but children whose parents smoke are more likely to start smoking themselves. You can become a good role model for them by quitting now.
one thing to remember is when trying to stop smoking most people just use any excuse
to justify the need for a cigarette, suck an ice cube when the urge grabs you, it works
Within 20 minutes:
Your blood pressure, pulse rate, and the temperature of your hands and feet will all return to normal.
Within 12 hours:
Your blood oxygen level will have increased to normal and carbon monoxide levels will have dropped to normal.
Within 48 hours:
Damaged nerve endings have started to regrow and your sense of smell and taste are beginning to return to normal.
Within 72 hours:
Your entire body will test 100% nicotine-free and over 90% of all nicotine metabolites will now have passed from your body via your urine. You can also expect the symptoms of chemical withdrawal to have peaked in intensity. Your bronchial tubes are beginning to relax thus making it easier to breathe. Your lung capacity has also started to increase.
10 days to 2 weeks:
Your body has physically adjusted to again functioning without nicotine and the more than 3,500 chemical particles and 500 gases present in each and every puff.
2 weeks to 3 months:
Your heart attack risk has started to drop. Your lung function is beginning to improve.
3 weeks to 3 months:
Your circulation has substantially improved. Walking has become easier. Your chronic cough, if any, has likely disappeared.
1 to 9 months:
Any smoking related sinus congestion, fatigue or shortness of breath have decreased. Cilia have regrown in your lungs thereby increasing their ability to handle mucus, keep your lungs clean, and reduce infections. Your body's overall energy has increased.
1 year:
Your excess risk of coronary heart disease has dropped to less than half that of a smoker.
5 to 15 years:
Your risk of stroke has declined to that of a non-smoker.
10 years:
Your risk of death from lung cancer has declined by almost half if you were an average smoker (one pack per day). Your risk of cancer of the mouth, throat and esophagus has now decreased.
15 years:
Your risk of coronary heart disease is now that of a person who has never smoked. Quitting helps stop the damaging effects of tobacco on your appearance including:
• Premature wrinkling of the skin
• Bad breath
• Stained teeth
• Gum disease
• Bad smelling clothes and hair
• Yellow fingernails
Kicking the tobacco habit offers benefits that you'll notice immediately and some that will develop gradually over time. These rewards can improve your day-to-day life immensely.
• Food tastes better.
• Your sense of smell returns to normal
• Ordinary activities no longer leave you out of breath (for example, climbing stairs or light housework)
The prospect of better health is a major reason for quitting, but there are others as well.
Cost
Smoking is expensive. It isn't hard to figure out how much you spend on smoking: multiply how much money you spend on tobacco every day by 365 (days per year). The amount may surprise you. Now multiply that by the number of years you have been using tobacco and that amount will probably astound you.
Multiply the cost per year by 10 (for the upcoming 10 years) and ask yourself what you would rather do with that much money.
And this doesn’t include other possible expenses, such as higher costs for health and life insurance, as well as the health care costs due to tobacco-related conditions.
Social Acceptance
Smoking is less socially acceptable now than it was in the past.
All workplaces now have smoking restrictions. Some employers even prefer to hire nonsmokers. Studies show smoking employees cost businesses more to employ because they are "off sick" more frequently. Employees who are ill more often than others can raise an employer’s need for expensive temporary replacement workers. They can increase insurance costs both for other employees and for the employer, who typically pays part of the workers’ insurance premiums.
Landlords may choose not to rent to smokers since maintenance costs and insurance rates may rise when smokers occupy buildings.
Friends may ask you not to smoke in their houses or cars. Public buildings, concerts, and even sporting events are largely smoke-free. Like it or not, finding a place to smoke can be a hassle.
Smokers may find their opportunities for dating or romantic involvement, including marriage, are largely limited to other smokers, who make up only about 1/4 of the population.
Setting an Example
If you have children, you probably want to set a good example for them. When asked, nearly all smokers say they don't want their children to smoke, but children whose parents smoke are more likely to start smoking themselves. You can become a good role model for them by quitting now.
one thing to remember is when trying to stop smoking most people just use any excuse
to justify the need for a cigarette, suck an ice cube when the urge grabs you, it works
hi
you do realise that you should not smoke when using the patch or other nicotine replacement, aids, every time you light a ciggy when on these aids you get an overdose of nicotine, you get the nicotine from the ciggy and the nicotine from the replacement,?
frewsh
you do realise that you should not smoke when using the patch or other nicotine replacement, aids, every time you light a ciggy when on these aids you get an overdose of nicotine, you get the nicotine from the ciggy and the nicotine from the replacement,?
frewsh
Oh dear I know. I don't sleep with the patch on though and the few times i've slipped up and taken a few drags it was in the morning after not wearing a patch for over 9 hours. I am too scared to smoke on the patch so i won't and actually i have had an awesome few days not smoking. i hope this works!!!
good going Jen, keep it up!
It really is do-able, hang in there. We're all proud of you!
It really is do-able, hang in there. We're all proud of you!
Thanks so much. Today is a good day as well. I don't feel anything really just calm. This hopefully isn't going to be so bad after all. I guess we all have good days and bad days right? I am just so proud to tell people I haven't seen in a while that I quit smoking, sometimes that makes it all worth it. Like today I saw a relative I had not seen in a very long time and I told her and she praised me so much for it, felt really good. I never got any praise for smoking. Awhh nice day. Thanks for your praise too.
Jen when I first quit I did a few things to enforce it. The first thing I did was to download a "quit meter" at whyquit.com. This keeps track of your quit time, how many smokes not smoked and how much $ you have saved.
The second thing I did was to put my meter at the bottom of every e-mail and IM that wrote. I even IM'ed family & friends just for their support : ) That is so very important to a quit....constant reinforcement and positive comments : )
In any case Jen, you will have both good and bad days, we all do, but just make sure that when you are having a bad one, go to the person(s) that supports you and your quit the best and ask for their help. Don't give in because you will kick yourself if you do.
Should you happen to slip, pick yourself up, dust yourself off and pick up where you left off. Just remind yourself why you want to quit and what are the positives (there are no negatives......after 38 years I finally figured that out : )
Keep talking Jen, we are listening : )
Kathy Jo
The second thing I did was to put my meter at the bottom of every e-mail and IM that wrote. I even IM'ed family & friends just for their support : ) That is so very important to a quit....constant reinforcement and positive comments : )
In any case Jen, you will have both good and bad days, we all do, but just make sure that when you are having a bad one, go to the person(s) that supports you and your quit the best and ask for their help. Don't give in because you will kick yourself if you do.
Should you happen to slip, pick yourself up, dust yourself off and pick up where you left off. Just remind yourself why you want to quit and what are the positives (there are no negatives......after 38 years I finally figured that out : )
Keep talking Jen, we are listening : )
Kathy Jo
thats some good advice you gave there. Today I have decided to step down to the next patch the lower and last one. I've only been on the middle one (step 2) for 4 weeks but I think i am ready to move on. If it doesn't work out I will go back to the step I am on now. I thought I would be brave and give it a shot. I am not too worried, but will need support. I will be reaching out to family, friends and this site for assurance. Thanks so much for listening. This has been quite a journey and I know its only the beginning. Will I ever NOT think about cigaretts? Or will they always pop into my mind at some point during the day. This I wonder.
Jen, in addition to the physical addiction, smoking is learned behavior. In my case, 38 years of repeating the same behavior, always smoking after meals, with coffee, talking on the phone, socially, whatever our reason, over the years we have trained ourselves to respond to certain situations with a smoke. After the physical withdrawals we have to learn how to undo the behaviors and that my friend, is the hard part.
Exercise has been my best friend. I joined a gym so that I could see my progress on a daily basis. I can now jog for 15 minutes straight! The last time I was able to do that was in my 20's! I feel so free and I swear that I don't think about smoking much at all. My mental state has been so much better also!
Make sure you talk Jen, we want you to succeed as much as you do.....write often, especially when fighting an urge......guess what.....urges only last 30 seconds!! Count the next one and tell me if I'm right : )
You can do it Jen : )
Kathy Jo
---
8m 1w 4d 0:15 smoke-free, 5,610 cigs not smoked, $1,346.40 saved, 2w 5d 11:30 life saved
Exercise has been my best friend. I joined a gym so that I could see my progress on a daily basis. I can now jog for 15 minutes straight! The last time I was able to do that was in my 20's! I feel so free and I swear that I don't think about smoking much at all. My mental state has been so much better also!
Make sure you talk Jen, we want you to succeed as much as you do.....write often, especially when fighting an urge......guess what.....urges only last 30 seconds!! Count the next one and tell me if I'm right : )
You can do it Jen : )
Kathy Jo
---
8m 1w 4d 0:15 smoke-free, 5,610 cigs not smoked, $1,346.40 saved, 2w 5d 11:30 life saved
Jem you have made good progress and I hope you don't have any more drags. I have about3 weeks and the more things I do without smoking, the easier it gets.
thanks so much for your feedback. today i cut down to the smaller dose patch. I have now gone from 14mg to 7mg. I am gonna see how I feel today. Hopefully it wont be bad at all and then I can use this patch and not have to go back up to 14. No cheating since June 13th and hopefully no more drags or cheats. I know "i'm only cheating myself" urghh. *****. Anyways congrats on the jogging kathy jo. I am in my 20's and I don't even think I could jog for 15 minutes strait and thats pretty sad considering I am not overweight, just REALLY out of shape.
With the warm weather here, you can use that to your advantage. Take a walk, every day, multiple times a day, whatever works for you. In no time you will be back in shape, but even better, you will have trained yourself to react to an urge with a stroll : )
Well its 3:00 p.m. I put this patch on in the morning around 9am and I am feeling good. No withdrawl and no difference yet. I think this might work out ok...guess only time will tell.
Yes kathy and I'm getting extra help. I was on Chantix for the first 2 weeks and now on Welbutrin and may stay on it for a while , it has less or no side effects for me. Also, I have a desire not to smoke or cheat. When I cheated, I don't take a drag, I buy a pack or 2. Keep on Jen, no drags.
Well I am still on the lower patch and doing good. feeling ok today and only one cheat since my last one. Seems like its getting better. the cheat was a very small drage off a friends smoke which instantly made me feel ill since I had not had one in a while and after a short coughing spell and the feeling of vomit rising in my throat I have decided its not even worth it to try to cheat. So for anyone tracking this who thinks its ok to take a drag after not having one for a longggg time and being on a very low dose of the patch...just don't even bother, its only going to make you feel sick. It does nothing beneficial. I feel stronger today and hope it all continues. Thanks everyone for your help...much appreciated. I can also say i've finally started to notice a few things worth not smoking for. My sex life believe it or not has improved, I feel like I've got more energy during the day and more time to get done what needs to get done....I smell sooooo much better and actually feel more relaxed than usual, since I am not leaving every activity or rushing out of restaurants for a smoke. Good luck to all...keep me posted;)
Way to go Jen! You should be so very proud of yourself and I know I speak for all when I say how very proud we are of you! You sound so very positive and that my friend is incredible. Just keep talking up the good things about your quit and know that you are doing the best possible thing for yourself and everyone that cares about you.
WTG!!
WTG!!
Well today is another good day, so far I seem to be having more good days than bad days. Awesome right? I do have one small fear. I only have 4 days left on the patch. Yep its been almost 2 weeks which means no more after this. I am on the lowest dose now, but am already feeling nervous about the day i don't wear the patch anymore. Has anyone ever successfully made it this far on the patch and quit using it? Can someone who has help me thru these last four days and let me know what happens when I am done with the patch....will I have withdrawl? I am hopeful of NO withdrawl. Ok well other than that still smelling good, feeling more awake and less ashamed these days. All good stuff. Hope the good feelings continue to overpower the anxieties!!
Hi Jen,
Congrats, WTG!
I know of 2 ladies from the gym who have both successfully quit using the patch and this was within the last two months. Both of them smoked for a very long time and both had no problem when the stopped wearing the patch. Try not to anticipate any problems and just keep up with all of the positives and you shouldn't have any problems.
You can do it, have some faith in yourself : )
Congrats, WTG!
I know of 2 ladies from the gym who have both successfully quit using the patch and this was within the last two months. Both of them smoked for a very long time and both had no problem when the stopped wearing the patch. Try not to anticipate any problems and just keep up with all of the positives and you shouldn't have any problems.
You can do it, have some faith in yourself : )
Thanks, hopefully all goes good. Of course i will keep all posted on the progress. 3 more patch days to go. (including today) "i think i can, i think i can, i think i can"
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