Anyone know anythign about the patch for quitting smoking?

[crazygirl1]

wondering how it works exactly....

[Cuchculan]

In order to select the appropriate patch type, it is important to first consider the amount of cigarettes you smoke each day. One cigarette delivers about one milligram of nicotine, so someone who smokes 30 cigarettes a day will crave more nicotine than someone who only smokes five, for example. Once the appropriate strength is selected, you will wear the patch for about six weeks (Step 1) before moving to the lower strength patch, which is usually worn for about two weeks (Step 2). Depending upon your previous smoking history, a third and final step may also be required. For example, if Joe smokes 20 cigarettes per day, then he should begin with the 21 mg patch. After wearing this patch for six weeks, he can move down to the 14 mg patch. The 14 mg patch will be worn for about two weeks, at which time he can finally move to the 7 mg patch. And after another two weeks, he can remove it completely, as his body should no longer crave nicotine now and he should not want to smoke a cigarette.


•Of course, in order for the nicotine patch to work, you must truly want to quit smoking. Although patches can help you stop, they are not magic--you still need motivation and willpower. It is also important to carefully follow the directions that come with the patch. For example, you should not smoke while you're wearing the patch--this not only defeats the purpose of wearing it, but it also can lead to nicotine overdose. Additionally, you should apply a fresh patch each day--never reuse the same one. Because the nicotine is steadily delivered to your body throughout the day, you'll also want to keep the patch on for the entire day (16 to 24 hours). Although you can sleep with the patch on, one of the potential side effects of the nicotine patch is nightmares, so you may want to remove it before bed. Other side effects include headache, upset stomach, itching and burning at the patch site, vomiting and diarrhea. While these side effects may be uncomfortable, they should not be severe and should subside within a few days of wearing the patch.

( This was copied and pasted from that ' How To ' site. )  In Ireland we can get the patches through our doctors. On prescription. Which is handy if you have a medical card. Thus meaning we get them free.

[crazygirl1]

hmmm...thanks for that. I guess I have to figure out which one to start with. I smoke between 8-13 a day. Last week I was stressing really bad & smoked more each day. I've GOT to do this. I feel like with my colon cancer worries, having it in my family & now knowing that long term smoking contributes to it I dont htink I'll make good progress with my HA unless I try to quit. Then I'll be back to thinking what difference does it make now after smoking all these years? the damage has probably already begun like changes in the colon that coultn be seen with last years colonoscopy..I'm sick with HA, really, and I'm sick OF it.

[BusuB]

I was in the same range as you were.  I'm currently 5 1/2 weeks into my quit using the patch.  I started on step 2.  One clear warning:  The patch is not a panacea.  You will still crave, you will still hurt, you will still experience hell week.  However, not as badly as the cold turkey quitter.  The only thing the patch does is help w/ the physical craving.  You still need to battle the pyschological.

My first week, my anxiety did edge up a noticeable bit, but it was bearable, and as the weeks go by it gets easier.  I'm about 4 days away from my step down to 3.

I suggest you join a support group.  I don't usually plug other web-sites, but About.com has a great smoking cessation forum w/ an amazing group of folks who are dealing or have dealt with exactly what you will go through.  They even go as far as putting you into monthly cohort of fellow quitters who have quit around the same time as you.  Whether you go on line or go to nicotine anonymous, it is proven that support during your quit greatly increases your chances of quitting, either with NRT or cold turkey.

[crazygirl1]

thanks....little disappointed now. I was thinking it would made a big difference using the patch. At this point in your quit-are you still craving?

[BusuB]

thanks....little disappointed now. I was thinking it would made a big difference using the patch. At this point in your quit-are you still craving?

Believe me, it makes a world of a difference.  While I stil get some gnarly cravings, and my anxiety rose a little bit, I didn't deal w/ my usual depression... I posted this in another forum, this may be helpful to you:

I believe the patch helps w/ two things.  First, it helps to slowly wean down on the nicotine so the final w/d is much easier than CT.  Second, it helps you deal w/ the psychological aspect of the quit while you're not going into full blown withdrawals.  What that means for me, it allows me to fully focus on my triggers and craves without also dealing with everything else at once.  The thought is that I'll be in a much better place psychologically once I wean myself down to 0 nicotine.

I'm trying this way as my last CT attempt lead me to panic attacks and severe anxiety.  Due to this predisposition my doc felt that zyban and chantix may not be the best fit for me.

Another thing to note is, my pdoc told me to take my time.  To not follow the recommended step changes if it becomes unbearable.  We need to remember that we're a lot more sensitive to environmental changes.

Don't be too disappointed.  You do go through hell week, but it's not that bad.  I just had a bunch of sunflower seeds and sugarless peppermint candies to suck on and I made it through okay.  Week 2 is easier, and week 3, easier still.  This is a long process.  Recovering from addiction is similar to recovering from anxiety.  It took you years to build it up, it will take some time to get off and experience true freedom from addiction.  Some experience it at 3 months, most 6, others at a year.  It just depends on the individual.  Remember, cravings are just that.  It's a want, not a need, and really, it's not all that physically uncomfortable.  Look at it like how you'd view a panic attack during CBT.  Analyze it as a scientist would, note it, feel it, don't dwell on it.

BTW, have you taken any CBT?  I found it extremely helpful during both my recovery from panic and my quit.

[crazygirl1]

CBT-therapy you mean? I've gone in years past for other issues. I cant go now because I cant afford it even with my insurance
ok I'm gonna keep this in the plan then...

[crazygirl1]

can someone stell me how you choose which patch to start on? I'm not quite a pack a dayer anymore...also-what does it feel like? Is it time released nicotine? WIll I feel the nicotine buzz like when you light up?

[BusuB]

can someone stell me how you choose which patch to start on? I'm not quite a pack a dayer anymore...also-what does it feel like? Is it time released nicotine? WIll I feel the nicotine buzz like when you light up?

I'd start at step 2.  I was in your cigarette range when I quit, and 2 is where I started.  You can try one, but I think the point is to be under the amount of nicotine you're accustomed to.  Not knowing your brand and length, I'll assume a standard average of 1 mg nico/cigarette.  Having 14 mg on step 2 would likely be less than what you're used to, especially if you take it off at night.  It is time released to evenly release 14 mg of nicotine every 24 hours.  The actual amount of nicotine in the patch is actually in the 100's, but you only absorb about 14.

Unless you start on too high a dose you don't get a buzz (at too high, you get a buzz followed by nausea and a headache).  The point is to not get the buzz.  Remember, your craves are not nicotine related.  You're getting all you need from the patch.  It's your brain telling you that this is a time where you'd usually smoke.

[jtoyota]

I would listen to Busub there.
 
I tried giving up the beginning of this year and I used the patches to try and do it
I'll admit that they worked a treat at first as the physical craving went completely ( only the habits remain )
My issue was however that even though I smoke and average of 15 to 20 a day, I started on the stage 1 patches and they must have been too high a dosage for me. The first few days were fine - but then I started to feel sick and had a burning in the pit of my stomach.
 
After a week I couldn't bear it any more and decided to go cold turkey. Needless to say that did not work and within 2 days I was reaching for the ciggies again.
 
Best of luck to you. The patches are great, and at least if you start low, you have the option to ramp it up a little to rid yourself of the cravings!!
 
 

[crazygirl1]

Oh I completely forgot about aht..I started at step 1. I'm on the 3rd week of it.

[BusuB]

Don't change it up now.  Give it the full 6 weeks.  Break the habit before lowering the dose.  I'm 3 weeks patch free now

Totally worth it.  After a brief ramp up in anxiety, it's gone back down considerably and according to many of my quit mates at my support forum, it will likely improve more up to a year from now..  Stick it out.  You'll love the results.

[crazygirl1]

 :fragend005:hooooold everything (lol) i did step 1 for 4 weeks...i could swear. I started on Nov 13. On Dec 11 I started step 2. so i was supposed to do step 1 for 6 weeks????? holy smokes day 2 & 3 of step 2 were kinda hard for me but Im not sure it was from hormones (pms type) or going down to step 2

[BusuB]

That's alright.  If you're already at step 2 and holding strong, by all means stay at step 2.  Like I said, the step down wasn't too bad, eh?    Congrats again.

[crazygirl1]

no not too bad stepping down, little harder thanI expected but likke I said, not sure if ti was ffrom the stepping down or hormones.
Congrats on being patch free! How were the 1st few days without it?