patch questions - Smoking Cessation Message Board

sickiemcgee · 11-24-2004, 08:58 AM

Hey all,
I am 2 days smoke free (and dying for one) but I am on the patch, I have a few questions for anyone who has used the patch. I am on 14 mg/day and I am having some side effects and I was wondering if they were common. My arms are so sore it's like a mixture of muscle pain and an achey feeling. I have a rash and I feel a bit naseous. Should I continue to use a patch? or will these side effects be harmful to my health? I really have to quit smoking. I have been smoking for 8 years (since I was 16) and 2 weeks ago my mom had a heart attack. She will be getting out of the hospital in a few days and she is trying to quit smoking so I am quitting with her for support, but is there any other way other then cold turkey to quit smoking that might work for me? Thanks for your help.

Cin4676 · 11-24-2004, 09:24 AM

Yes, there are other options. Maybe you are having an allergic reaction to the adhesive from the patch. You might want to try the lozenge or gum. I think they are just as successful but you have to work yourself off of them later. One baby step at a time. Cold turkey is the quickest but it is more difficult. The secret is you have to want to quit bad enough. I think it's great that you're quitting with and for your Mom! That is probably the best reason you could have! Good luck and I wish you both much success!
Cindy

Deda · 11-24-2004, 01:24 PM

Hi Sickiemagee- -

Yes, Cindy is right, there are other options. I quit with the gum first, and then later switched to the patch.
I'm just wondering tho..I know you visit the thyroid boards, as I do too. (are you hypo?) I'm just wondering, because I've never heard of the patch causing sore muscles and aching like that. A rash, yes, but it would most likely be around and underneath where the patch was applied. The muscles aching sound more like it would be your hypothyroid. (muscle pain also comes with hyper)
Anyway, congratulations on quitting smoking. It's so important to do that if you have an autoimmune disease. I quit soon after I was diagnosed with hashi's-hypo, as I heard it would aggravate AI diseases, (what doesn't it aggravate?), and heard it could even raise your antibodies! (mine are very high as it is). So, good job deciding to quit, and saving yourself many more problems down the road.
I'm sorry to hear about your mother's heart attack, and what a lovely thing to do to support your mom!
Let us know how it goes with you, and good luck!

Deda
13 months smoke free today

Susan L · 12-01-2004, 06:13 AM

I have tried the patch several times and also had some of the reactions you had. I changed patch brands and did not have any more problems. I think the reaction is from the adhesive. The only thing I feel sometimes is burning when I first put the patch on and occassional muscle pain (that doesn't last too long). Good luck in quitting smoking.