rash where nicotine patch is??

[CardyMow]

Due to having pneumonia for the last 3 weeks, I gave up smoking on the 17th February. As I was a very heavy smoker (30-40 roll-ups a day) I am using patches to help me with the cravings. Which I might add are still there at least twice an hour, despite using 21mg patches. But for the last 7 days, I have been getting a localised rash where I am putting the patch, and now even taking a piriton tablet isn't stopping the itchy rash. Why would I be getting this when I've never had a problem with normal plasters?

I can't use the gum, as I'm not a gum chewer, and I've tried it and it tastes...err...RANK! And I'm not allowed to use the champix tablets due to my epilepsy. I've tried to give up without the patches, and have never managed more than 6 HOURS on willpower alone, I have managed to go 10 days using the patches.

What do I do if I have to stop using the patches?? I CAN'T start smoking again, the doctors have told me in no uncertain terms that if I get pneumonia again and am still smoking, I will not survive. But I know that within 6 hours of taking the patch off, I will be smoking again. HEEELLLLLPPPP!!!

Oh and before anyone suggests the Alan Carr book...It didn't work for me, I tried it last year, and it didn't even help me to cut down, never mind stop..

I had a slight reaction to them, but nothing quite as bad as you've had. If I were you I'd stick with them until you can get to see your doctor. He/she would rather you gave up smoking than gave in, so will maybe be able to suggest a different type or give you something to calm the reaction. Whatever you do, don't think this gives you the excuse to start smoking again. I know I looked for any reason under the sun to have a cig, which is why it took me so long to give up. 9 years on, I have to say it's heaven not to be a smoker any more. All the benefits far outweigh the pleasure of smoking, believe me. I wish I could offer you more help, but think your doctor will be the only one with the answers. Best of luck - it's really hard to do and you sound like you're doing great so far x

It might be the adhesive on the patch you have; some of my patients have reported rashes and irritation (in a perfect patch-shape!) with their Niquitin patches. (is that the one you have? I think it's Niquitin that do the 21mg one)

Are you changing the site of your patch each day? The 21mg patches can also cause irritation due to the higher level of nicotine being delivered into the skin. Sometimes it can be worth switching to the 14mg patch and using microtabs or lozenges as a boost when needed to cope with cravings. Having said that you can use another product eg microtabs, gum and lozenges even with a 21mg patch.

The cravings are normal and should ease a lot over the next couple of weeks. Remember they are also partly psychological and should only last a few minutes as the NRT patches are providing background nicotine, so be strong, ride them out and remind yourself how well you are doing!!

nicorette also do a nasal spray which might ovecome the problem of the skin patch irritation

Try using a different brand of patch. Or just put up with the itching - its worth it to stop smoking.

I finally managed to stop with patches, even though I had tried about 5 or 6 times with them. So do perservere, and if you don't manage it this time, try again in a few months. They made me itch too - but I just lived with it.

Also ensure you put the patch on a different bit of skin each day.

I can't get any from the GP until Tuesday (that's when the nurse does the stop smoking sessions) so I've been buying the tescos own 21mg ones as they're cheaper. I have been moving the patch to a different place each day. I've tried the gum, can't stand it, it makes me throw up, and I can't afford the microtabs (the patches cost me more than smoking did as I was smoking roll-ups).

Today I have had immense cravings twice that have lasted for over 30 minutes each time to the point where my DP was having to hold me in the chair to stop me from hrting myself. I didn't give in, but the craving was beyond anything I expected, especially with a patch on.

When I told my GP the day I stopped, he said it was pointless as the only way I would stop is with the champix, that I can't take. It's not just an 'itch' where the patch is, it's a red raised rash and hives that spread along my arm from where the patch is.

And I genuinely don't have any more money to afford anything dearer than the tesco's one, it only costs me £9.96 a week to smoke 30-40 roll-ups a day, and it is costing me £10.99 for the tescos own patches. I don't want to start smoking again, I could be dead before I'm 30 if I do, but equally, if I get another craving that lasts for half an hour that is as strong as it has been today, I'll end up throwing myself out of an upstairs window!!

My GP doesn't have the answers, he just told me not to bother giving up smoking as I wouldn't manage it. Even though when I saw him I had a 'chest infection' (pneumonia) and had already gone 12 hrs without a fag with the patches.

your gp sounds like an arsehole.

i get a rash when i put patches on my arm, so i used to put them on my thigh - where it was ok.

LOL my GP is an arsehole, he managed to miss my pneumonia, and when I'm well enough to put in a complaint, I will. The only problem is that my town doesn't have enough GP's so I am unable to change surgeries. I will try it on my thigh tomorrow, but what do I do about the fact that even with a 21mg patch, I'm getting cravings that are lating 30 mins at a time and making me want to bash my head on a brick wall to make them stop?

yes try them somewhere else, i got the rash, like a red traffic light but itching it was so nice that and i got used to them.

inhalator is great too, i used that as well as patches for a while

Ignore the GP, what a wanker. You can give up smoking, of course you can. You know you don't have a choice. The cravings will become less and less over the next week or two. Hang on in there.

i used to go for really long walks, if it was nice outside i would get a big pair of shears and chop things in the garden.

I'm still recovering from pneumonia, can barely walk to the kitchen and can't get upstairs, so going for a walk to walk off the craving is out of the question atm. I'm stuck in the house on the sofa/ on the bed in the front room. Think the cravings are worse because I can't get anywhere or do anything, so it's even harder not to think about wanting a fag.

Bump. I only got a couple of hours sleep last night because all I wanted to do was have a fag, and it's just not going away this bloody craving. I'm now thinking about it every 3 seconds. Driving me mental now. I just want to stop wanting to smoke IYSWIM. It's been almost 2 weeks now, and it's just getting worse and worse. I've still not cracked, but I think I'm actually starting to completely lose touch with reality because all I can think about is needing a fag. I thought it was meant to get easier, not harder???

loudlass the inhalator is really good - you get a 'hit' it's really worth trying.

here

Why not try and Allen Carr Clinics. It costs but you get a money back guarantee even if you have read the book without success. I only suggest it because that is exactly what happened to me - I read the book - no luck - then went to one of the clinics and bang - all sorted. There's not really anything to lose except the bad health and itchy patches

Bit hard to do, paying for a clinic, when you havent got any money. I am registered disabled, and care for 3 dc's, 2 of them are SN with medical problems. I think I will give the inhalators a go tomorrow, as I'm perilously close to cracking atm. Can you use the inhalators and still use the patches? I seem to have found one place where they don't make me itch so badly, if I put them on my shoulderblade and take an antihistimine each day the itch is 'copeable' with, at least it was today. Do you think it's because the patch is meant to be for those who only smoked up to 20 a day that my cravings are so evil? As I was smoking near enough double that.

i smoked quite a few and used tesco's own brand of patch, it was quite strong. you can use the inhalator with the patch - i did. maybe you culd see the dr and they could give you better advice?

Your GP was less than helpful can you see the practice nurse? You can get NRT on prescription so might be free for you, and you can have patches and another product so maybe an inhalator or microtabs. The downside of the inhalator is that it can perpetuate the behaviour of smoking, so some people find it harder to stop that smoking action. However it can really help with the cravings.

Good luck, hope you get over this stage and continue to be smoke free!

Loudlass - I think your cravings are so bad mentally, rather than physically. The mental habit is harder to break than the physical one, and because you've got lots of time on your hands being ill then you're thinking about it more than if you were busy. Do you have something to do with your hands, like a DS game or knitting or something? If you could occupy your hands and mind then it probably won't be half so bad. And it does get better, really it does. Your mind plays tricks on you - trying to think up any excuse to cave in, but don't. You can beat it, you really, really can. And 2 weeks is fantastic! Try to find some online support, as that's what helped me a lot, knowing I wasn't the only one. Best of luck - and keep posting on here for more support

Just tagging on to this thread.
I need to give up smoking, I hate being a smoker, I hate everything about it but I love having a cigarette and know I'll struggle to quit.
I'm just looking at electronic cigarettes and wondered if anyone has tried one?
I've tried everything else, and failed miserably every time.
I'm a lot more determined this time, I really am fed up with being a smoker, but I know I need something to help me along.

mugggle have you thought about Champix? Your GP can prescribe it (if not contraindicated for you of course) and it's having fantastic results.

I'm seeing some serious smokers who have quit with it and who are doing really well.

Champix made me vomit, I did try it.

I've had every other stop smoking aid available, this is the only one left to try but don't know anyone whose used it.

Fancy trying hypnotherapy Loudlas? I am training as a clinical hypnotherapist and need volunteers!! It would be free......!!!

Where are you? And would it work if I've been this long already? Or would it just help my cravings to sod off calm down a bit? I am having a bit more success by combining the patches and the inhalator. And is it wise to use hypnotherapy on someone with uncontrolled epilepsy?

Muggle-I was a serious smoker, one who enjoyed every fag I lit up. 30-40 roll-ups a day. OK the pneumonia has given me the kick up the arse I needed, but even my mates are saying that if I can do it (apparently I was the most hardcore smoking enthusiast they knew ) then anyone can...not sure I like the idea of being anyone's inspiration though, seeing as how bad my cravings are!!

I think it's the fact that knowing that if I catch pneumonia again and am smoking, I'll likely die that has finally done it. tbh the consultant was that I survived this time. .

I had to WANT to do it, and I mean REALLY want to do it, before I've managed to get this far IYSWIM, muggle. I've even tried patches once before (about 4 yrs ago), and only lasted half a day!! Which I think was because I was trying to give up because I knew I should, not because my life depended on it, or that I really wanted to, you know.

I'm actually noticing how utterly RANK cigarrette smoke actually smells now...my whole LIFE I've not noticed it before...how in hells name did my non-smoker exes ever kiss me, when I must have smelt like THAT???