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!

[frewsh]

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

[jennyfer976]

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!!!

[kathyjo]

good going Jen, keep it up!
It really is do-able, hang in there. We're all proud of you!

[jennyfer976]

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.

[kathyjo]

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

[jennyfer976]

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.