jc001
02-24-2004, 12:49 PM
Hi!
I've smoked for about 8 or 9 years a pack a day. I've read the complete patch therapy takes 10 weeks where 6 weeks require "Stage #1 - 21mg" patches. Did all the ones who managed to quit by using the patch go through the full 6 weeks Stage1 patches or did you use them less time ?
I was thinking of using 21mg patches for 2 weeks and then drop down to 14mg ... is this advisable ?
I've smoked for about 8 or 9 years a pack a day. I've read the complete patch therapy takes 10 weeks where 6 weeks require "Stage #1 - 21mg" patches. Did all the ones who managed to quit by using the patch go through the full 6 weeks Stage1 patches or did you use them less time ?
I was thinking of using 21mg patches for 2 weeks and then drop down to 14mg ... is this advisable ?
Sponsor
badbackdavid
02-24-2004, 03:39 PM
Hi!
I've smoked for about 8 or 9 years a pack a day. I've read the complete patch therapy takes 10 weeks where 6 weeks require "Stage #1 - 21mg" patches. Did all the ones who managed to quit by using the patch go through the full 6 weeks Stage1 patches or did you use them less time ?
I was thinking of using 21mg patches for 2 weeks and then drop down to 14mg ... is this advisable ?
I would not do it. Beware of short-cutting these patches. I did and I paid the price. I would advise you to go the full 6 weeks. In the case where the person is a severe user and/or has been doing it for a long time, they recommend 8 weeks at the 21 mg. level. But the fact that you've done a pack a day for 8-9 years is enough to warrant going the recommended distance.
Best of luck to you,
Dave
I've smoked for about 8 or 9 years a pack a day. I've read the complete patch therapy takes 10 weeks where 6 weeks require "Stage #1 - 21mg" patches. Did all the ones who managed to quit by using the patch go through the full 6 weeks Stage1 patches or did you use them less time ?
I was thinking of using 21mg patches for 2 weeks and then drop down to 14mg ... is this advisable ?
I would not do it. Beware of short-cutting these patches. I did and I paid the price. I would advise you to go the full 6 weeks. In the case where the person is a severe user and/or has been doing it for a long time, they recommend 8 weeks at the 21 mg. level. But the fact that you've done a pack a day for 8-9 years is enough to warrant going the recommended distance.
Best of luck to you,
Dave
jc001
02-24-2004, 04:31 PM
Hi Dave,
IBeware of short-cutting these patches. I did and I paid the price.
I assume you mean getting a 21mg patch and cutting it in half so that in theory you get 10.5mg / day correct ?
If so, can you please explain in more detail what you mean when you say you paid the price ?
IBeware of short-cutting these patches. I did and I paid the price.
I assume you mean getting a 21mg patch and cutting it in half so that in theory you get 10.5mg / day correct ?
If so, can you please explain in more detail what you mean when you say you paid the price ?
Deda
02-25-2004, 02:51 AM
jc001--I think what David means is that if you smoked for a long time, that you should go through the full course with the patches, such as the full 8 weeks on the 21 MG patch, then the full run on the 14 MG, then 7 mg at the the suggested length of time.
Good luck,
DEDA
Good luck,
DEDA
badbackdavid
02-25-2004, 11:11 AM
Hi Dave,
I assume you mean getting a 21mg patch and cutting it in half so that in theory you get 10.5mg / day correct ?
If so, can you please explain in more detail what you mean when you say you paid the price ?
Good morning jc,
Deda is right - no cutting of any patches was involved. Just be sure to go the full prescribed length of time. When I said paying the price - boy did I! (See my post titled "Severe Withdrawals" a few pages back.) In a nutshell, I went 5 full days last month wearing the 21 mg. patch. That Saturday I woke up and felt pretty good and confident. As a matter of fact I got cocky and told myself that I don't need these silly patches anymore and can lick this habit myself from here on out. I ripped off the patch, threw it in the trash and went on with my day. Bad idea! Shortly afterward, I started having horrible withdrawals and paid a awefully high price for getting cocky and under estimating these patches. I was just telling you this so that you don't do the same.
Take care and let me know if I can help in anyway,
Dave
I assume you mean getting a 21mg patch and cutting it in half so that in theory you get 10.5mg / day correct ?
If so, can you please explain in more detail what you mean when you say you paid the price ?
Good morning jc,
Deda is right - no cutting of any patches was involved. Just be sure to go the full prescribed length of time. When I said paying the price - boy did I! (See my post titled "Severe Withdrawals" a few pages back.) In a nutshell, I went 5 full days last month wearing the 21 mg. patch. That Saturday I woke up and felt pretty good and confident. As a matter of fact I got cocky and told myself that I don't need these silly patches anymore and can lick this habit myself from here on out. I ripped off the patch, threw it in the trash and went on with my day. Bad idea! Shortly afterward, I started having horrible withdrawals and paid a awefully high price for getting cocky and under estimating these patches. I was just telling you this so that you don't do the same.
Take care and let me know if I can help in anyway,
Dave
smartgal
02-25-2004, 02:23 PM
Cutting the patches can result in uneven release of the nicotine and make you very ill. I only stayed at the 21 mg for two weeks, then went to the 14 and have stayed here for four weeks. I just go on how I feel. I'm not ready to drop to 7 mg yet. But I've quit before and have some experience. Probably best to stick to schedule, but listen to your body. Don't worry if it takes you longer than scheduled, as long as you quit.
LL29
02-25-2004, 09:39 PM
Amen - listen to them all - they know what they're talkin about :)