1) Do not even bother unless you really want to quit--you must have a purpose.
2) The night before you want to start, make sure that you smoke ALL of your cigarettes, every last one (or flush them down the toilet to get them out of sight and mind). When you are ready to go to sleep, put on the patch.
3) When you wake up, the patch is working, its up to you at that point.

Good luck! Anyone can get rid of their addiction if they really want to with the patch.

PS: I also had really wonderful and vivid dreams.

14 of 14 found the following review helpful:

6 Months - Smoke Free!...Woo-Hoo!  Jan 27, 2006
By L. Shirley "Laurie's Boomer Views"
If you are here and thinking about Step 3 of the "NicoDerm CQ Stop Smoking Aid, 7 mg, Clear Patch, 2 Week Kit 14 patches", it probably means you have successfully completed Step 2, and maybe even both Step 1 and 2. If you are just thinking about quitting and haven't started yet, please see my review of Step 1(those smoking closer to pack a day or more) or Step 2 (1/2 a pack a day or less). Step 3 is not a starting place, but more of a weaning off the patch place.

Okay so here I am and I just past the 6 month mark of no cigarettes after 40 years of being addicted. I don't have to tell you how the patch works, as you have already been on at least step 2. I finished up this patch program in October, so I've been 4 month without the patch, and I'm doing fine. I will not tell you that you will not get cravings, or just feel like it is time for a smoke, but they are no where as bad, and much easier to get through then before.

What I want to say about this step 3 patch, is that it was hard to go from step 2 to step 3 and it was even harder to wake up one day, knowing that would be the day, I'd have no patch at all. But if you got this far, go for it.And of course, you already know that the patch will give you the physical needs, but you have to keep denying those mental cravings. Imagine, going to the movies, without worrying about how long it is and will you make it through, or not having to go out into
the cold or rain for a smoke, etc. etc....

Anyway, I never thought I would quit. I never even really had intentions of quitting(even knowing what the consequences might be). Guess it just dawned on me one day, that the cigarettes had more control over my life, then my own mind did.

So why I am going 4 stars, if it worked so good? A couple of reasons. If you have read my reviews on the first two steps, you may remember that I said that no matter which brand I used I had to secure the patch with medical tape. They just don't stick the full 24 hours like they should(the package said they would even stay on in the shower). And these are just too expensive to lose. I also mentioned, the tendency is to gain some weight. You have to really be careful about that. One nice thing is though, that you will have more lung capacity to work out longer and burn those calories!

So Don't Stop Now! You CAN do it. Go For Step 3
Oh and by the way, the Rite Aid(look for it near the pharmacy dept at your local store) brand costs less and works the same. I also seem to recall that they came in packs of 7 patches, as well as the 14 so you could just buy enough for one more week if necessary.

Laurie...a little heavier(I'm working on that part)...but..alot healthier!




12 of 12 found the following review helpful:

Step 2...Your Doing Great!  Nov 01, 2005
By L. Shirley "Laurie's Boomer Views"
If you are ready for Step 2 of the Patch Program you are doing great. It means you have made it through Step 1 or it means that you smoke less then 10 cigarettes a day to start with, and you can start with this step 2 patch!

Having recently gone through the entire patch program, I can tell you it worked for me. I smoked for 40 years, and didn't think I would ever be motivated to quit. If anyone mentioned it to me, I said, "yeah, yeah, tommorrow" . All of a sudden I decided it was time, I was tired of being out in the cold, or rain whenever I wanted a smoke, or checking to see how long a film was before I would go to a movie. Here's the thing though, these patches will give you what you need physically, it's the mental part that's really tough. You really have to choose NOT to smoke, every time that craving hits.

I am reviewing the patch program in general, as I purchased which ever brand was on sale, and found they all worked the same. The best price wise I found was the Rite-Aid brand(called Nicotine Transdermal System). It followed the same program as this one. If you have gone the route of saying, "we don't need no stinkin patches", and tried to do it on your own, cutting down day by day unsuccessfully, then give this program a try.

I smoked about a pack a day. I started with Step 1 which constantly deilvered 21 mg of nicotine to me. Even for me that seemed like more nicotine then I was used to, so if you are closer to a half a pack a day smoker, I would suggest starting with step 2. The instructions tell you to first set a date. You can't just buy them and stick a patch on. You have to have it in your mind, that the date you pick will be the date you will quit. Don't schedule your first quit day at the time of some big or stressful upcoming event. I gave myself a week of having the patches in the house, before I used them. It was not easy(I still have times when I want to smoke, but it gets easier to get through those times every day!). After 3 weeks(less then the recommended time of 4-6 weeks), I stepped down to a 14 mg patch(step 2) and 3 weeks after that to step one(7 mg). That was the hardest to give up and took me a few extra days to get it in my mind that I didnt need it.

Making a list of the reasons you want to quit is helpful, giving yourself little rewards every so often(no, not a cigarette), helps, but mostly, finding something to do when the cravings hit. Yes they do still hit on the patch. With me, it was after a meal, or driving, even after writing a review, I really wanted one. Keep in mind, the cravings WILL pass. Try to follow the instructions. They may seem corny, but they will help. The only instruction I didnt follow, was to throw out all cigarettes, so you wont have them. This part did not work for me, I needed them there, to feel in control of my actions. They are still unopened.

Get some support from friends. Tell people what you are doing. Then you may feel like you HAVE to live up to it, and also, they will understand when you want to punch them out(try not to do this!)

You should also invest in a roll of some medical tape. These patches(all the brands) did not stick for 24 hours like they said they would. I would often wake in the middle of the night and find the patch had fallen off and then I panicked. Stick a little tape on them, they are too expensive to lose.

Yes, what is in these patches in not healthy(but neither is cigarettes, right?). You need to wash your hands, whenever you touch them and make sure, kids or pets dont touch or ingest them either. But, you will no longer be inhaling all these chemicals, and when you are through, you are through!

Each time I started the next step, it seemed like it was starting over. The first few days of each were VERY hard. But I got through it. I don't know if I will ever smoke again. I always imagine some crisis will have me opening up one of the packs. But I have been smoke free for well over 3 months now, and getting close to a month without help from the patch, and I am doing fine. You won't know if they work for you unless you try. The cost for a 2 week supply is around the same price as a carton of cigarettes. You can buy them in packages of 14, or if you feel you only need a week more, they also come in packages of 7. Some are clear and unnoticable as well.

Go for it, you have nothing to lose(except the addiction) by trying, and Good Luck!
Laurie

P.S. Oh yeah.. be prepared to gain some weight. Then switch to fresh and healthy snacks, and it'll start coming off again!.




20 of 23 found the following review helpful:

ABSOLUTELY WORKS  Jul 15, 2005
By C. Lamb "charles76"
If you've come this far, you are at least entertaining thoughts about quitting. That's important.

Simply put, the patch worked. I had smoked 1 1/2 packs a day for 29 years, and had attempted to quit cold turkey on numerous occasions. Nothing helped me. I became almost psychotic, and always returned to my cigarettes after a few days.

You must feel like quitting for the patch to work. It's not a silver bullet that takes away all desire for tobacco. It simply takes the big edge off your nicotine withdrawal symptoms, which is a huge boost. You then take care of the motivational "triggers" yourself -- and believe me, it's far easier than you think, once the nicotine cravings are gone. If I can do it, you certainly can, too.

I did not suffer any kind of rash, and the only side effects I had were vivid dreams (nice) and a sort of occasional, pleasant drowsiness.

Within six days of dropping the habit and using the patch, my blood pressure dropped to normal. I had more patience. I breathed deeply and without coughing. My sense of taste and smell improved. My circulation was better (no more cold feet or hands on a chilly night), and I had noticeably more energy. Even my skin improved. And my sex life certainly did, also. There were other, less obvious differences, but ones which I definitely felt. These were evidence of a body beginning to heal itself after 29 years of poisoning.

After two weeks my urges were barely noticeable. After four weeks, I didn't think about cigarettes anymore, and couldn't stand smelling one burning from across the street.

And I gave myself back about 21 hours a week that I would have wasted smoking.

Please, if you have had trouble quitting before, get the patch and follow the schedule. Make the commitment. It's not scary, nor is it torture to say goodbye to those coffin nails. It's an adventure. Within just a few weeks, you'll be looking at smokers with pity (and feeling great while you do). I came through it, and you can too.

8 of 8 found the following review helpful:

I would highly recommend Nicroderm CQ over any other patch...  Sep 25, 2007
By Heather Charlebois "transformationalhealth"
I like most others have tried repeatedly to quit smoking. I have failed many, many, many times. I will not say that Nicroderm CQ is what made me stop because that is NOT true. I failed many, many, many times even with the use of Nicroderm CQ. What I will say about Nicroderm CQ is that I truly believe that it gave me the help that I needed to stop smoking when I WAS READY!

Nicroderm CQ does not take away ALL of your cravings but it really does make a lot of them managable. I do not think that I could have done it with out the help of a nicotine patch.

I have also tried other "cheaper" patches and I found that Nicroderm CQ was worth the extra few dollars for a lot of different reasons. The most important reasons are that they stick better. You would think that is not a huge deal but let me tell you when your patch is always falling off then you are not getting the "help" or nicotine from the patch that need. Nicroderm CQ sticks really good. Another reason I would choose Nicroderm CQ is that there is a great support program that comes with the patches. I believe that you really can not quit smoking alone (it would be difficult) and with these patches you don't have to. There is a pamphlet inside the box with phone numbers and a`website. You answer some questions and they do the rest. There is a lot of information, you can call 24 hours a day to talk to someone, and the website is very informational. Support is not only there for you when you are suceeding but support is also there for you if you slip up or even if you fail completely. They do not judge you, instead they provide resources and information about trying again when YOU are ready.

If you are reading my review then I am assuming that either you or someone you know is looking to quit smoking...and no matter what route you or the person who is quitting takes I wish you (or them) the best of luck! :)





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