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Normal to have cravings while on the Patch?


Melanie, Director of Community
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Melanie, Director of Community
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19 years ago 0 1521 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Sadie, You can expect to feel nicotine withdrawal symptoms after you quit smoking. However, they usually improve after the first three or four days, depending on your level of nicotine addiction. Each smoker has different withdrawal symptoms (even on the patch) - yours will be unique. Although they may be unpleasant, they do pass. When you experience withdrawal symptoms, remind yourself that each symptom is a sign of recovery - your body is in the process of healing itself. Think of withdrawal symptoms as growing pains. If you have a symptom that persists or seems worse than you expected, you should immediately consult a doctor. It�s possible that your smoking has been masking symptoms of some illness, and when you stop smoking the symptoms abruptly become noticeable. Take Care, Melanie ____________________ The SSC Support Team
Sadie
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Sadie
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19 years ago 0 13 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Lolly, thank you so much for your reply. I was happy to read that you did rid yourself of this devastating disease with the help of the patch. I have smoked for 40 years - want very much to play in the park with my Grandchildren ages 2 and 2 weeks! I will continue to use the patch, and am definitely working on the mind games. Doing my utmost to stay positive. It is so wonderful to read about all of the brave and very strong people in this Support Group - it really helps. I'm sure you will all hear from me again! Thank you so much!
Sadie
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Sadie
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19 years ago 0 13 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Thank-you for your post Morninglory - it just really helps to know that even though I am on the patch, the cravings are normal - and not just a highly addicted almost hopeless case. I guess I am the same as everyone and I will continue to fight this. Reading all of the posts really does help, and when you receive a personal post back in answer to questions, it is very supportive! Thanks to all.
Sadie
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Sadie
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19 years ago 0 13 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
I just can't tell you all how much I appreciate the fact that you are taking the time to message and support me - I know that this is a Support Group, but it is just super to be able to communicate with people who are/were in the same sinking boat! My husband just sort of stays out of my way =- he has never smoked. I know he will be pleased when I feel free! I'm actually at work - not too busy = have successfully passed first "smoke-break" of the night - chewing gum and eating grapes. Will continue to read the posts and receive inspiration!! Thanks again everyone.
Sadie
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Sadie
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19 years ago 0 13 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
For those of you that have or are in the process of using the Patch, I'm brand new - 5 days - is it normal to get cravings while on the Patch? I sure do! And all of those other negative feelings associated with the quit. Just wanted to know if this is normal. Thanks.
morningglory
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morningglory
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19 years ago 0 60 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hi, I am on the patch. I am now on patch 2 and I have to tell you the patch is not a cure from the cravings. I think it just helps take the edge off but you will still get cravings and desires and you will have to learn how to fight them off. This site is a great way to help you. It has helped me tremdously. I think if you keep reading and posting your feelings you will find this helps and also you will see you are not going through this alone. I still have hard days and I am on day 46 and some days its easier. This is along time addiction that will take time to get rid of. Good luck to you and remember not one puff ever. Good luck! [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 3/1/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 46 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,404 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $230 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 4 [B]Hrs:[/B] 13 [B]Mins:[/B] 17 [B]Seconds:[/B] 11
Sunshine
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Sunshine
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19 years ago 0 1687 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hi Sadie, Sorry that you are having all those cravings with the patch. I used the patch for 10 weeks and had little or no cravings. The only time I did was when I was in a situation where there were people smoking. I wore the patch for 70 days, now when I took it off I guess it was the second day I began to get some cravings for about 7 days. I know that it was nothing like HELL WEEK but the cravings were there. I had to work really hard and stay busy. I knew that I could not go cold turkey. I tried that once..... Today I had a lot of people at my home for lunch, and of course there were people smoking but they were outside. But I could smell the smoke. I had to go and lock myself in the bathroom and lay down in the floor, I started breathing really deep for about 5 min's. Then I started to meditate and it just went away. I still at this time have family with me until tomorrow and they smoke. They know that I have quit and are very happy for me and respect my home not to smoke in it. I can't wait until they leave in the morning. I know that sounds awful but I have had all I can take. I will be okay, and I know it's because I live alone and this house has been wild for almost 3 days. You keep that patch on and don't let the nico-demon get to you. Just remember YOU CAN DO THIS!!!! Blessings sent your way, SUNSHINE [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 1/7/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 99 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,699 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $346.5 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 14 [B]Hrs:[/B] 8 [B]Mins:[/B] 55 [B]Seconds:[/B] 27

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    $232,277.63

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    Days: 6797 Hours: 9

    Minutes: 48 Seconds: 14

    Life Gained

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    45882

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    688,230

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Iwin
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Iwin
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19 years ago 0 214 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Sadie, Yes it is normal to have cravings while on the patch. The patch is just an aid. It does take the edge off though. I used the patch because I felt like I would do better weaning myself off the nicotine and it has worked for me. I know people who have gone cold turkey that are still craving 60 days later. Being on the patch lets you get over the habit part of smoking so you can deal the withdrawl from the nicotine a little at a time. Just remember that your mind is the most important thing to get you through this. If you really want to quit, you will get through each crave. They will become less and less as time goes on. Some days are better then others but as long as you know that you will be okay. This is a long process, as we have smoked to years. It will take a few months to undo the habits. But there are tons of people who have done it. We can too. Iwin [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 1/11/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 95 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,919 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $380 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 10 [B]Hrs:[/B] 19 [B]Mins:[/B] 6 [B]Seconds:[/B] 10
golferman
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golferman
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19 years ago 0 563 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Sadie, Congratulations on your decision to quit and welcome to the SSC. I used the patch to quit, much like Lolly. While on the patch I didn't really crave and the withdrawal symptoms were quite mild. With each stepdown I had a couple of days of some mild anxiety, but overall, it was not that bad. When I got completely off the patch I had a few days sort of like a mini hell week. It wasn't a lot of fun, but I made it past it. Quitting takes Strength, Determination, Commitment and A Positive Attitude. The patch is just something to help you along the way. Those other four things are what are going to make your quit a success. The patch is not a "magic pill". Use it for what it is.. a temporary nicotine substitute that will ease your cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Best wishes. [b][color=Purple]Be Strong. Be Smart. Be Quit[/color] [color=black]Joe[/color] [size=3][color=Blue]Knowledge Replaces Fear[/color][/size] [size=2][color=purple]Hoping for success without hard work is like trying to harvest without planting.[/color][/size] [size=2][color=black]Illegitimus non carborundum est[/color][/size][/b] [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/15/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 336 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 8,422 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $823.2 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 58 [B]Hrs:[/B] 23 [B]Mins:[/B] 3 [B]Seconds:[/B] 0

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    $36,705.60

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    Days: 9433 Hours: 18

    Minutes: 52 Seconds: 38

    Life Gained

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    45882

    Smoke Free Days

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    367,056

    Cigarettes Not Smoked

Lolly
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Lolly
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19 years ago 0 382 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hi Sadie, Well done for those 5 days......Stay Strong! Yes it is quite normal to get cravings when on the patch. There are so many types of cravings and causes. There are the pure physical withdrawal one, the pure habit ones, the psychological ones, and many mixtures of them all. The patch only HELPS you to overcome the terrible addiction of smoking, YOU do the rest. I used the patch right from the start to the end of the course and it was great. I hate to imagine how I'd have been without it! As for the negative feelings assiciated with the quit...those are for YOU to overpower with really positive thoughts and attitude....hard to do, but possible. Keep those coping skills to hand and remain focused and strong! WHATEVER IT TAKES, JUST DON'T SMOKE!!! Lolly. :) [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 11/25/2004 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 507 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 17,767 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] �2535 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 70 [B]Hrs:[/B] 15 [B]Mins:[/B] 4 [B]Seconds:[/B] 33

  • Quit Meter

    $12,020.00

    Amount Saved

  • Quit Meter

    Days: 832 Hours: 2

    Minutes: 47 Seconds: 27

    Life Gained

  • Quit Meter

    6010

    Smoke Free Days

  • Quit Meter

    120,200

    Cigarettes Not Smoked


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