Laaroussi
09-18-2002, 05:57 PM
Just wanted to let you know that I have just started using these patches and I think they are absolutely brilliant.
3 days into the course and so far, the thought of a cigarette turns my stomach. When I first put it on I immediately felt like I'd smoked 50 fags one after the other. I was aware that my breath stank, as well as my clothes and hair, and it wasn't pleasant. After being a 20-a-day smoker for 10 years it was like I'd always been a non-smoker.
Anyway, I suppose it's early days yet, but so far I'm impressed and I just hoped I've kicked the habit for good.
Good luck to everyone out there - try the patches, they really work (and no I'm not on commission!!!)
3 days into the course and so far, the thought of a cigarette turns my stomach. When I first put it on I immediately felt like I'd smoked 50 fags one after the other. I was aware that my breath stank, as well as my clothes and hair, and it wasn't pleasant. After being a 20-a-day smoker for 10 years it was like I'd always been a non-smoker.
Anyway, I suppose it's early days yet, but so far I'm impressed and I just hoped I've kicked the habit for good.
Good luck to everyone out there - try the patches, they really work (and no I'm not on commission!!!)
Sponsor
nicomurk
09-23-2002, 12:10 PM
I have just started using the patch today, and this morning I find that I am feeling a little jittery, having some trouble concentrating, and am a little dizzy. Does this go away, or should I switch to a lower-dosage patch? I have been smoking almost a pack a day for about a year now, but do most of my smoking in the evenings and on the weekend. Maybe I should put the patch on later in the day? I feel like I have a cigarette buzz going on all the time, and it's pretty unpleasant.
Laaroussi
09-26-2002, 07:06 AM
Well, I have to say my enthusiasm has waned slightly, and although I still think the patches are an excellent way to start stopping, I now find that I'm having cravings again. I lit up a cigarette this morning (my husband smokes and I found a pack lying around - it was just too much temptation!) but the taste was really disgusting so after 2 puffs I put it out. But I still seemed to have the urge to light one even though I knew I didn't really want it.
As far as using a lower dosage - I'm not sure, I'm on 21mg and have been for almost 2 weeks. I think you're supposed to lower the dose to about 14mg after about 4 weeks, then to 7mg for another 4 weeks. My course of patches are from Boots the Chemist in the UK and they seem to be different from the Nicorette ones.
I have a friend who experienced the same thing as you, said she felt dizzy almost like she was stoned and couldn't concentrate on anything. I suppose it really depends on how many, how often and what strength cigarettes you are used to smoking. For me, I smoked Stuyvesant extra lights (25 per pack / 0.4mg nicotine) one pack a day, sometimes 2 if I was going out in the evening, for almost 10 years.
Don't know if this has helped in any way, but I'm really trying to stick it out. Only problem is I've stocked my fridge with mini Mars bars and Snickers for when I fancy a *** . Before long I'll be posting messages on the Overweight site!!!!
Good luck
As far as using a lower dosage - I'm not sure, I'm on 21mg and have been for almost 2 weeks. I think you're supposed to lower the dose to about 14mg after about 4 weeks, then to 7mg for another 4 weeks. My course of patches are from Boots the Chemist in the UK and they seem to be different from the Nicorette ones.
I have a friend who experienced the same thing as you, said she felt dizzy almost like she was stoned and couldn't concentrate on anything. I suppose it really depends on how many, how often and what strength cigarettes you are used to smoking. For me, I smoked Stuyvesant extra lights (25 per pack / 0.4mg nicotine) one pack a day, sometimes 2 if I was going out in the evening, for almost 10 years.
Don't know if this has helped in any way, but I'm really trying to stick it out. Only problem is I've stocked my fridge with mini Mars bars and Snickers for when I fancy a *** . Before long I'll be posting messages on the Overweight site!!!!
Good luck
nicomurk
09-26-2002, 11:16 AM
Thanks, I have found that I seem to have gotten used to the patch now and it's working well...my boyfriend, who was using the gum, went and bought a pack last night and I was not even tempted to smoke one although he smoked about 4 right in front of me. I have never been a long-term heavy smoker, but it seems to always be on and off with me and I would like to just get rid of the habit for good, it's affecting me when I exercise now and I am shocked at how much better I feel (and smell!) after a few days of not smoking at all, as opposed to just one or two cigarettes here and there. I think one of the things that has helped is knowing that I CAN'T smoke with the patch on...so I am not even tempted. This weekend we are going away and I know I will probably be drinking, so I have to be very vigilant about wearing the patch and not giving in if I have a temptation. I am very disappointed that my BF has gone back to smoking after only a few days, but I am feeling very good that I did not cave in along with him.
Thanks again for your response, I read this board every day to give myself a little boost in my resolve to stay quit!
Thanks again for your response, I read this board every day to give myself a little boost in my resolve to stay quit!
Laaroussi
09-29-2002, 12:50 PM
I know what you mean about temptation!
I realise now that the main reason I've been doing so well is that I haven't been out much recently and not really been in contact with other smokers. Last Friday I went to a friends party....
I was doing very well and even had to walk out of the room at one point because the smoke was bothering me! Until of course, after several more glasses of wine, I ripped the patch off and smoked two cigarettes. I felt dreadful the next day and even today I still have a bad taste in my mouth. This has certainly been a lesson for me, no matter how strong the temptation is, think about how you feel the day after. My hubby has now also admitted that he should give them a go too - yippee!!! Now we'll both be grouchy together!
I realise now that the main reason I've been doing so well is that I haven't been out much recently and not really been in contact with other smokers. Last Friday I went to a friends party....
I was doing very well and even had to walk out of the room at one point because the smoke was bothering me! Until of course, after several more glasses of wine, I ripped the patch off and smoked two cigarettes. I felt dreadful the next day and even today I still have a bad taste in my mouth. This has certainly been a lesson for me, no matter how strong the temptation is, think about how you feel the day after. My hubby has now also admitted that he should give them a go too - yippee!!! Now we'll both be grouchy together!
nicomurk
09-30-2002, 04:40 PM
Well I certainly did not do well under the weight of temptation this weekend...smoked and drank my way through Saturday night! Something about alcohol and cigarettes that seem to go together. I have not put the patch back on yet, am so disgusted with myself that I have no desire to smoke right now. Am hoping that felling will last! At least I know now that when I go out I can't drink, or I will smoke...but it's not too bad to give up two vices at the same time!
That's great about your husband wanting to use the patch to quit...I wish you both luck!
That's great about your husband wanting to use the patch to quit...I wish you both luck!
Laaroussi
10-01-2002, 02:55 PM
Oh my god - what are we like?!!!!
We drink, therefore we must smoke. Why is this so difficult? I simply cannot give up the two together, but then why should I? It's not like I'm a heavy drinker or anything, but the odd glass of wine with friends just NEEDS a cigarette to go with it.
I know how you're feeling and I sympathise. I've just gone down to a lower dose patch but I think it's too early, I've been craving a cigarette all day. My husband came home tonight with cigars (of all things!) given to him by a friend - one puff of that and I thought I was going to throw up. Think he's now gone off the idea of using patches but will smoke the 'odd' cigar instead. Aaaaaarrgghh!!!!
We drink, therefore we must smoke. Why is this so difficult? I simply cannot give up the two together, but then why should I? It's not like I'm a heavy drinker or anything, but the odd glass of wine with friends just NEEDS a cigarette to go with it.
I know how you're feeling and I sympathise. I've just gone down to a lower dose patch but I think it's too early, I've been craving a cigarette all day. My husband came home tonight with cigars (of all things!) given to him by a friend - one puff of that and I thought I was going to throw up. Think he's now gone off the idea of using patches but will smoke the 'odd' cigar instead. Aaaaaarrgghh!!!!
nicomurk
10-03-2002, 12:25 PM
I am back to smoking a few cigarettes at night now, I don't have to smoke during the day, and if I go to my kickboxing class I don't smoke until after class...so I really only have 3-5 cigarettes a day. But still, really want to just stop for good! My BF is back to his regular habit...I am worried about him, he's been smoking for half his life. PLus, I think it would be SO much easier for me to quit if we both quit! I can't believe I am in this place, I was a rabid anti-smoker for YEARS, then gradually fell from social smoker to habitual smoker. Ugh, they really should outlaw cigarettes completely!
Laaroussi
10-07-2002, 06:28 AM
Hi nicomurk, it's me again!
I feel absolutely dreadful - had a pretty wild weekend, party on Friday night and a BBQ at my house on Sunday. Consequently with all that boozing I got through 3 WHOLE PACKETS of cigarettes!
There is just no way I can watch other peole smoke and drink and not want one myself. I still have some cigarettes in the house and I've smoked 2 already this morning (it's only 10am!).
When I finish typing this I'm going to put the patch back on again, and this time for GOOD!
How was your weekend? Hope you fared better than I did!
I feel absolutely dreadful - had a pretty wild weekend, party on Friday night and a BBQ at my house on Sunday. Consequently with all that boozing I got through 3 WHOLE PACKETS of cigarettes!
There is just no way I can watch other peole smoke and drink and not want one myself. I still have some cigarettes in the house and I've smoked 2 already this morning (it's only 10am!).
When I finish typing this I'm going to put the patch back on again, and this time for GOOD!
How was your weekend? Hope you fared better than I did!
nicomurk
10-07-2002, 02:05 PM
I did not fare any better….smoked my way through the weekend again. It’s just so hard being around other people who are smoking and not joining in! The stupid thing is that I went for 5 years without smoking before I started up again, and now it’s been terribly hard to quit again. I am thinking about asking my doctor to prescribe Zyban. I think the ideal thing would be a month-long vacation on a tropical island somewhere with no cigarettes anywhere to be found! Good luck with the patch….I am trying the gum this week.
Shmolissa
11-19-2002, 12:45 AM
I wanted to mention in case anyone was not aware that people suffering with asthma, a heart condition or various other problems (you'd have to look into which ones because I only know the above mentioned ones for sure) should not use the patch because they can cause serious complications.
Kemi
11-20-2002, 04:59 PM
I quit via the patch and that it most amazing!! Nobody, including myself, would of ever thought I would quit!
And don't mind the warning labels so much. They are not as bad as they may appear, and definatly not any worse than smoking. Just make sure you get the correct step, compared to what you smoke per day.
Good luck!!
And don't mind the warning labels so much. They are not as bad as they may appear, and definatly not any worse than smoking. Just make sure you get the correct step, compared to what you smoke per day.
Good luck!!
Kemi
11-20-2002, 05:10 PM
Also, i had to quit driking too. Have not been even the slighted buzzed in 8 months. But I can have a few drinks here and there, just not right when I quit!