Quitting on the patch

[jennyfer976]

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!

[jennyfer976]

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.

[kathyjo]

Congrats lucky! It does get easier, doesn't it : )

[kathyjo]

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 : )

[jennyfer976]

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.

[mr.lucky66]

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.

[kathyjo]

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

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8m 1w 4d 0:15 smoke-free, 5,610 cigs not smoked, $1,346.40 saved, 2w 5d 11:30 life saved