I was a mere 13 years old when I started smoking and I decided just before new years to give up. I thought that it was going to be really difficult as I have no will power what so ever and thought that with some sort of aid, that I might just be able to do it.
For those of you who don’t know, Niquitin CQ clear patches are patches that you wear for 24 hours, as they are a programme to help you quit smoking.
Step 1 patches are best if you smoke over 10 cigarettes a day which in my case, I was smoking at least 20 a day. Each step has a different amount of nicotine, which supplies your body with the required amount. It does say on every packet, "Always read product information before taking this medicine. Contains nicotine. Requires willpower" This is to inform you not to be expecting miracles, but you may just think it after giving these a go.
On January
the 5th 2003 was the date I had decided to give up smoking completely. I had my last cigarette that day and then said goodbye to my one habit I couldn't give up in the past. (Please note that when using the patches you should not smoke as you may suffer from nicotine overdose!)
After my last cigarette, I washed and dried a patch on my arm and placed a Niquitin CQ clear patch on my arm. It is useful that it is clear so no one actually needs to know you are wearing one. After having the patch on my arm for about 10 minutes, I noticed the severe urge to scratch in that area. The patch was making my skin in the area it was placed all itchy, but not being able to remove the patch I sat there literally crying, as I needed to scratch so badly. It lasted for about 12 hours and eventually calmed down. During these 12 hours though, all I could think about was the itch but I forgot totally about wanting to smoke. It may be that the manufacturers actually had the idea to cause an itch to take your mind away from the urge to smoke. I can't comment on other side effects as I did not use these for long enough to suffer from any.
Now my worse vice was to have a cigarette after smoking which you will find that most smokers admit to wanting to smoke more often after every meal, but I didn't want one. The following day during breakfast, I noticed how much better everything tasted and I also noticed how much clearer my house smelt. My in laws are non- smokers and every time they came round they would complain of the smell of smoke even though we tried ever so hard to cover it with anti tobacco sprays, it didn't hide it.
You have to try and put a new patch on every day at exactly the same time each day, so it is sort of like taking medication where it has to be same time every day. My time was after "Neighbours" the early showing. SAD I KNOW! LOL! Well it finished at about 14.10pm so with washing my arm and drying it, I would have to put the patch on about 5 minutes later.
Well believe it or not, I actually decided to try going without a patch as I had just gone without a cigarette for 24 hours and thought that maybe I could cope without it and it has now been just over 2 months now and I have not had a cigarette. I am really proud of myself and am treating myself to a new sofa as I can now afford it with the money I would usually spend on cigarettes!
The disadvantage to this though is that you can purchase them anywhere really for a 14 day course which is 21mg it is going to cost you £32.95 per pack and if you follow the course correctly to the box, you need to buy 3 boxes of step 1, 2 boxes of step 2 and 2 boxes of step 3 in which step two offer 7 days they work out to £17.49 each. It is rather costly, but work it out this way- If you pay out in total to quit about £169.00 you will make that money back in the time afterwards as you will reap the benefits of not spending over £4.00 per packet of cigarettes.
The way it has worked out though it that the £169 is over 10 weeks of not smoking but if you were smoking say 20 cigarettes a day it would be £4 x 7days= £28 weekly. After 4 weeks of still smoking, you would have spent £104, 8 weeks= £208, so you are already spending more than if you gave up.
If you give up, just think of all the things you could do with the money you are saving. You could go on a holiday that you never thought you would be able to afford, get the new car you have been wanting for ages or even just like me enjoy little things like a new sofa and being able to buy my kids more things when I go out shopping. I feel the benefits not only of the money but health wise too. I do not get out of breath when walking up and down the stairs anymore and I can run around after my children and not feel all puffy and I can take deeper breaths when relaxing!
I advise you to give up smoking, as it is the best thing I could have ever done but remember to consult your GP before taking anything to help you quit!
Just a quick update that it has now been ELEVEN months, I am still not smoking, and I don't even miss it. I have found that I can taste my food better, do more things without getting out of breath and I can afford more things that I would like to buy. One little downside is that it is difficult to go into smoky pubs/clubs because you find that you can't STAND that smell anymore!!! It has worked out perfectly for me and I HIGHLY recommend for others to give up smoking because it is a disgusting habit and totally worth it!
Danny xx.
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Well done - I gave up 7 months ago (no patches or anything as managed to stay off the fags after having been ill for a few days. Best thing I ever did!
Neolad2020r 07.03.2003 18:50
Coming from a family of seven being the only non smoker when we all got together I used to passive smoke like hell.I think I needed these patches.Good op:)lenny
meggie1 07.03.2003 13:56
A very useful op. I will talk to my friend about these as she always talks about giving up. Though I don't think she has the will power just yet. :) Jane
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NiQuitin CQ Clear is part of a programme designed to support your wish to stop smoking. ... more
The programme contains 3 steps which you will need to follow, starting with Step 1, then Step 2, then Step 3. Each step has its own strength of NiQuitin CQ Clear pa...
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NiQuitin CQ Clear is part of a programme designed to support your wish to stop smoking. ... more
The programme contains 3 steps which you will need to follow, starting with Step 1, then Step 2, then Step 3. Each step has its own strength of NiQuitin CQ Clear pa...
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Mar 7th, 2003
(Nov 4th, 2003)
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