Anyone have success using the nicotine patch?

[N8Magic]

I've come to the conclusion that it's time for me to quit smoking. I've tried Zyban in the past, but the drug itself didn't agree with me so that avenue is out of the question.

As the title says, has anyone had success using any of the various nicotine patches that are currently available? If so, do you have any tips for me?

Thanks.

 

[amcdonald]

I used good old fashioned willpower. used to smoke a pack a day.

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

I've had great success with the patch!

Combined with chewing the gum and smoking a cigarette, I start to calm down.

 

[N8Magic]

Originally posted by: FFMCobalt
I've had great success with the patch!

Combined with chewing the gum and smoking a cigarette, I start to calm down.

 

[N8Magic]

Originally posted by: amcdonald
I used good old fashioned willpower. used to smoke a pack a day.

I am weak when it comes to willpower. (in this regard anyway)

 

[Feldenak]

Originally posted by: amcdonald
I used good old fashioned willpower.

Same here. My opinion was, I didn't need assistance getting hooked, I don't need any assistance getting unhooked.

Edit: G'luck man. Addiction is hard to beat but it can be done.

 

[Encryptic]

Didn't use the patch. Just quit cold turkey. It was a bitch, but it worked and I'm still smoke-free almost 2 years later.

Good luck with whatever you do!

 

[pyonir]

My dad chews the gum. You're supposed to slowly lose the cravings with it, but he just keeps buying the gum. He hasn't had a cig for a few years now though.

 

[amnesiac]

My g/f stopped smoking by using the patch.
It only curbs your nicotine addiction though, you'll still need to keep your mouth busy with something so be careful you don't start eating too much to compensate.

You might want to see if you can get your doctor to give you a prescription to Wellbutrin. For many, it works even better than the patch, but at the cost of varying side effects.

 

[N8Magic]

Originally posted by: amnesiac
My g/f stopped smoking by using the patch.
It only curbs your nicotine addiction though, you'll still need to keep your mouth busy with something so be careful you don't start eating too much to compensate.

You might want to see if you can get your doctor to give you a prescription to Wellbutrin. For many, it works even better than the patch, but at the cost of varying side effects.

Yeah, I figure i'll chew sugar-free gum instead to keep myself busy. This is something I do anyways, so i'll just chew more.

As for the Wellbutrin, I believe that has the same active ingredient as Zyban.

 

[WhiteKnight77]

I used Nicoderm QC and haven't touched a cigarette in just over a year. Worked good for me.

 

[Stratum9]

When I tried using the patch according to their 3 step program which starts the dosage at like 20mg for the first six weeks then reduces it gradually I had problems.

At first everything seemed great. I had absolutely no cravings and thought this was going to be really easy! But as the week wore on I noticed that I was very weak and tired all the time. All I wanted to do was sleep.

I also started having problems with my vision. I kept moving closer to the computer screen then backing away, taking my glasses off and putting them back on. And I was starting to get headaches.

All these were symptoms of nicotine poisoning.

So I cut the 20mg patch in half which reduced the negative symptoms but wasn't enough to curb the nicotine cravings anymore.

So I gave up and decided that if I'm going to quit I'll need a doctor's assistance.

 

[tcsenter]

I've come to the conclusion that it's time for me to quit smoking. I've tried Zyban in the past, but the drug itself didn't agree with me so that avenue is out of the question.

My father says the patch was instrumental to his success. He tried to quit a few times but his withdrawals were pretty unbearable. It didn't make it 'easy', but it did take that intolerable 'edge' off the withdrawals.

I think its actually good to make a 'test run' of sorts, try to go as long as you can without a cigarette so you can familiarize yourself with how it affect you. The idea is to be better prepared mentally for what to expect, and hopefully, develop a better plan to deal with it.

Don't get frustrated if you 'fall off the wagon'. Very few people are successful in their first attempt. Regroup and go at it again.

Edit: You may have to temporarily modify your whole lifestyle for a few weeks. Don't sit around watching TV or playing on the computer waiting for the cravings to pass. Get your butt up and do something physical; clean the house, vaccum, wash the car, cut the grass, whatever. You'll find it helps make the cravings pass much faster and helps keep your mind off the cigarettes.

 

[Brigandier]

Stick it directly to your coin purse.

 

[IGBT]

if you continue to smoke with the patch it may be a fast track to stroke or heart attack.

 

[TwiceOver]

After 17 years I read Allen Carr's book "The Easy Way To Quit Smoking" and haven't had a cigarette since. That was 450 days ago today.

 

[sandorski]

Twice I have quit for a week on the Patch. After six(ish) days I just seem to get bad cravings despite the Patch.