quitting smoking- what about the patch?

[SeeingWhatIs]

Hello all- new here. I've been looking for a place like this for years!
I've set a quit smoking date and I'm worried about panic attacks. I live in Japan and lozenges are unavailable here (gum can be bought over the counter though). My parents are sending me the patch instead. Any concerns/comments about the patch? It seems clear from many people that quitting smoking has made them calmer. But some people it seems go into full blown attacks when they first quit. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks and nice to meet you.
Philip

[Meg]

Can't comment personally Philip apart from to wish you very well in the stoping smoking quest and send good vibes.

Here are what others have said about their experiences

HELP TO STOP SMOKING (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=599)
Teaching (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=4576)
Giving up smoking! (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=531)
Smoking increasing my Anxiety (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5443)
smoking (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5703)
smoking, anxiety and panic (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5772)


Meg
www.anxietymanagementltd.com

Your anxiety is the human representation of the pictures that you paint using your many vivid colours of revolving and reoccurring thoughts.
How big is your gallery ?

[Quirky]

Hi Philip,
Welcome to the site.
I can't comment personally as I have never smoked but my husband gave up using patches this year. He was on the patches for 3 months and has been off the patches for 2 months. He did fine with them, he was a bit dizzy the first few days on them (due to nicotine withdrawal) but otherwise he was fine. He was also a bit irritable but that's to be expected too. He doesn't suffer from panic attacks though so I can't help on that front.
Good luck.
LJ

[chucklehound]

One of the times I tried to give up smoking I tried the patch and I got palpitations which caused me lots of anxiety. I took the patch off and after a while I started to feel better again.

I hope the patch works for you.

Good Luck!!:D

Take Care

Chucklehound

xxxx

[alexis]

I gave up smoking 3 years ago with the patch, I had it prescribed from my gp, I was on them for a while gradually decreasing the dose, I cannot remember any serious side effects, and I never started again, good luck,

love from Alexisxx

If I help one person today it was worth getting up.

[SeeingWhatIs]

Thanks all. The patch seems pretty safe then, and not much about big attacks on quitting.
Why are cigs so hard to quit? I don't think they have to be. And why do people start up again after months or even 6 years?! I myself quit for a two year period and started again.
Well, live in the Now!
Philip

[florence]

Hi there

I stopped in July 1999 , I used the patch and I believe it helped , you still require will power tho.
All addictions are difficult to cease.
All the best.

Florence.

*He who loses money, loses much; He who loses a friend, loses much more, He who loses faith, loses all.*

[SeeingWhatIs]

Thanks all. I quit! Cold turkey on Dec. 5, 2005- almost 3 months now. It's been a wonderful experience, although as you say Florence addictions are tough. And can be very tricky too. But how liberating to become free of them!
Philip