Has anyone successfully quit with the patch?

[txcarl1258]

With the recent birth of my son I have decided to quit smoking for the 100th time.

The last time I tried to quit "cold turkey" DW almost divorced me. So for the sake of my marriage and myself I am using the patch. So far it is working it takes the cravings away, but I still have the physical urge to smoke. Not so much for the nicotine, but for the actual act of smoking. Have any of you successfully quit with the patch and what did you do to help curb the cravings to smoke? Any help will me MUCH appreciated.

 

[sourland]

Stick with it you can do it. I quit chewing tobacco finally on about the 100th try. That was 3.5 years ago, and occassionally I still get the craving.

It's more of a psychological need than a physical need. I know what my triggers are and when quitting I limited those that I could. During other times of "need", I would substitute a wad of sugar free gum. I think there are some on line support groups that can help with smoking cessation. I know my son in law quit using dip through an on line group. Good Luck! It's going to be tough as you know, but it is the smart thing to do.

 

[Louise's Country Closet]

You can do it!!

My parents just recently quit smoking using the patch and I quit three years ago cold turkey. I remember when I quit it wasn't the craving for nicotine that was the worst it was always the ACT of smoking that I missed. You have to figure out your triggers and do something to keep your mind off smoking. Like when I was sitting at the computer I had to keep busy so I looked up a lot of quit smoking tips, it helped a lot or when I was in the car I needed to chew on gum. After supper was always the worst though.

Also, it helps to remember that you're going to have those cravings whether you actually smoke or not. So, having that cigarette isn't going to make the craving go away, it just keeps you occupied until the craving passes and the cycle starts all over again.

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

I quit after 10 years at a pack a day useing patches that I did not take off at night an about $100 in these.

An stay away from smokers.

 

[gritsar]

I read in a psychiatric magazine awhile back that they had done a study on quitting smoking with the patch.

Their study found that heavy smokers had a better chance of quitting and staying quit if they used the nicotene lozenges in addition to the patches. Use the patches every day, but have the lozenges on hand and pop one when the urge gets overwhelming.

Just for what its worth....

 

[txcarl1258]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I am doing ok. Been using the patch for a little over a week and I have only bought two packs. Used to be a pack a day so I am proud of myself. DW won't let me near the baby if I smoke unless I take a shower so it is good motivation for me. The only side effect so far of the patch is it gives me strange dreams sometimes. If I take it off at night I crave them so bad in the morning so I will leave it on at night unless the dreams get to vivid for me!

 

[True Grit]

I used Zyban(welbutrin) and that helped but I still needed the patch. When I added the patch, it became pretty easy to quit. On the Zyban I was fuzzy feeling for 10 days and on the 11th felt normal again. Somebody else had told me that would happen. Yes the patch gave me colorful dreams as well. It was worth it. It will be 10 years for me this May. I chewed Arctic Ice gum or something like that. I found strongly flavored teas and gum helped. To stay maintain my smokeless state I had to tell myself I could never have another cigarette. Otherwise I would be tempted to have just one drag and I'd resume the habit. You can do it!

 

[Sir Birdaholic]

Wait, you're useing the wrong kind of patch. Use a tire patch over the mouth!

Sure cure!

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

Quote:
I thought the dreams were the best part....


Week 3 was the hardest for me an other I talked to.

 

[TigerLilly]

I tried the patch one time, but found that I was still craving and, stupidly, still smoking while wearing them...
I finally quit cold turkey when a friend of mine quit cold turkey after smoking for 30 yrs--she's my hero!