Oops....I guess I'll never do that again (cut a patch in half). :gasp: Thanks for the heads up! Linda [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 11/13/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 2 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 30 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $9.6 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 4 [B]Mins:[/B] 41 [B]Seconds:[/B] 11

dunedad, I have tried everything and what works for me is the patch. I am currently on the 14 mg patch. I also pay attention to my body and when I feel like I'm on nicotine overload I have been known to cut a 21 mg patch in half. I think you have to do what works for you. Today is day two for me and last night I forgot to take my patch off. I never remember my dreams except when I'm on the patch. Had some VERY INTERESTING dreams last night. Woke up in the middle of the night and realized I still had my patch on so I ripped it off and went back to bed. Keep going..... Linda [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 11/13/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 1 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 23 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $4.8 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 3 [B]Mins:[/B] 32 [B]Seconds:[/B] 14

I haven't looked at the new reponses to "Uh Oh" yet -- been a heck of a day, working 2 jobs from 2 different locations -- but I saw my old buddy Dunedad and thought I'd throw in my two cents worth. First and most important, I thank the drugs for getting me to today. I also thank God, this group, and some other things, but definitely want to give the drugs their due. But for me, and only for me, not being able to find the 14 mg patch was like a "sign." I was tired of the patch and wanted to be done with it. Tired of nicotine and wanted to be done with it. Spouse is wonderful, a little nervous about my going patchless after such a short time, but very supportive; made a to-die-for fillet mignon dinner tonight to celebrate 2 weeks. I'm all about running out to the store in the middle of the night for patches if I need to (God knows I did for cigarettes long enough, so it's not a question of pride!!) -- but I feel like I know my body, and my body has gotten up the nerve to ask for mercy after all these years of drugs. It's asking me to stop pumping more nicotine into it, and I'm listening. (Once I get on my body's good side, I'm going to ask it to help me find my abs again.) I think once we get into the whole quit mystique, we enter a whole new dialogue with our bodies. (I know, do I sound like Shirley MacLaine or what?? How embarrassing!!) The thing is, I'm all about expert advice -- I'd be dead in the water without it -- but I didn't want 6 weeks on a 21mg patch, followed by x-number of weeks on 14, and so on. I knew it was time to be done, but just for me. Your body knows exactly what it needs to quit (once you start listening to the body and not the addiction), and I think your body will tell you how much time it wants on how much medication. There is no right or wrong in any of it (well.. except for listening to the addiction and lying to ourselves by saying we're listening to the body!); patches, pills, inhalers, teddy bears, whatever --- it's all good. One of the byproducts of mastering the addiction is a new-found confidence in our own judgement and healing power. All I'm saying is trust your own judgement. (HA! Or put another way -- Do what the voices inside your head tell you to!!) Don't know if this ramble is helpful o

Peteg's "delema" got me thinking about this whole patch thing I am on. Nicoderm suggests that if you smoke under 10 cigs you should start with 14mg. So if you smoke 1/2 pack or 3 packs a day, the 21 mg is your patch. I smoked between 17-20 cigs a day, I am kinda of wondering now if I am getting more nicotine than I used to. I do have a nervous kinda feeling, and I havn't had a good nights sleep since quitting. I know these are byproducts of quitting, also. btw, I dont wear the patch at night. Anyway the reason for this post is to find out what it is/was like to get off the patch, from those of you who used the patch. And did you step down, or just go patchless. Thanks, AAAAARRRRRR..MATEY! [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 11/7/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 6 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 134 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $27.6 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 22 [B]Mins:[/B] 56 [B]Seconds:[/B] 17

Thanks Josie: I think I will try and create some down time previous to night, night time. Or maybe just read what PeteG just wrote again...jeez!...lol just kidding Pete, you have some very sound and profound words there my friend. I mean if we all would have listened to our bodies the 1st time we took a puff...Remember that? Dam it was nasty!! But we all trained our bodies to "enjoy" it. What we are all doing now retraining our bodies. Pete: I am ever so inspired by your strength today!! Congrats on your 1st truly nic free day!!mmm filet mignon nice reward, my friend, nice! I know I am not nearly ready for that plunge yet...but I am getting there.. one day at a time. :) [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 11/7/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 6 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 138 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $27.6 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 23 [B]Mins:[/B] 30 [B]Seconds:[/B] 53

Hi Dune, When I have "tried" to quit before, I played games with the patch. It always led to disaster. I now am using the patch the way they designed it to work and will do the entire program the way they tell me to, and for me, this seems to be working pretty well. Peteg - If you are hearing voices in your head, there are medications for that, too....and you may not know I am a psych nurse and have certification "privledges"! LOL [IMG]http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p300/DeeKaySss/Nurse_2.gif[/IMG] Denise [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 10/16/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 29 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 875 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $217.5 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 3 [B]Hrs:[/B] 9 [B]Mins:[/B] 45 [B]Seconds:[/B] 50

Hi Dune I would have to agree...I smoked about 20 cigarettes a day...but I definately found the first step on the patch (21 mg)to be the hardest. I think what you are experiencing is common for all smokers when they are going through withdrawal (emotional and physical) I don't think that you are getting too much nicotine in your system. You could talk to your Pharmacist about it. My Pharmacist said that it was okay to go back up if I was having difficulty dropping. I dropped down to the 14 mg one week early realizing that I could go back if needed. Soooooooooo....I suppose if you want to try the 14 mg patch you could. (If you need to return to 21 mgs you can keep the 14 mgs around for a later time) I don't think I started to feel anywhere close to normal until after my 3rd week. Windy [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 9/11/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 63 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,276 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $315 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 6 [B]Hrs:[/B] 1 [B]Mins:[/B] 18 [B]Seconds:[/B] 31

I have had an extremely difficult time with my quit, and therefore consider my patch to be a lifeline at present. I intend 6wks -21mg, 3 wks 14mg, and 7wks 7mg. I also find that the cheaper house brands work just as well as the name brands. Decide what's best for you but make your decision carefully. All the best, Jan [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 11/14/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 0 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 0 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $0 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 0 [B]Mins:[/B] 0 [B]Seconds:[/B] 0

Dune Go careful trying to get off to soon is a problem you will bounce backwards and forwards and get horrid cravings .My advice based on experience is to complete the program cutting down on patch size gradually Dont be impatient.I have finished with the patches about a week ago(finishing on 5 mg) and have invested in 2mg gum for the odd craving.Have only had 4 pieces in a week but it has been worth having them as a standby I feel. Best I can do mate good luck! Phil [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 8/8/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 98 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,963 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] �514.5 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 20 [B]Hrs:[/B] 6 [B]Mins:[/B] 3 [B]Seconds:[/B] 6

OUCH! I am scared of needles........ And homicidal women who bite steering wheels! Phil [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 8/8/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 98 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,968 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] �514.5 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 20 [B]Hrs:[/B] 7 [B]Mins:[/B] 20 [B]Seconds:[/B] 11