Anyone using Nicotine patches for Long Covid?

After contracting covid in early January 2021 I have been out without my sense of smell for over three years now. That seems to be the only lingering symptom, but I am definitely willing to try the nicotine. I am somewhat afraid of the side effects as I have not been a smoker for over 40 years. I have read on here that some people use the gum and some use the 7 mg patches. Does anyone have advice for someone just missing their lack of smell?

I completed my two-week 7 mg nicotine regimen two days ago. I had no side effects other than minor constipation and some sleep disturbance – no improvement in energy or strength during the two weeks. Since the last patch, I have noticed an improvement – not during the two weeks, but over the past two days. It has been mostly in the form of my ability to keep going, exercise, and sleep a bit better. My wife has noticed the improvement – calls it encouraging. I will keep you posted with what time brings. cm/Asheville, NC

I tried nicotine patch three times.
I was hopeful because others with my symptoms had gotten a lot of help. Like you, I am very sensitive to nicotine. I couldn’t come up with a dose that was tolerable. I know some say at first you will feel worse, but if you are vomiting, or anxiety is intolerable, it seems wrong to continue.
I might consider gum to try to build a little tolerance....I don’t know.
Good luck to you.

After contracting covid in early January 2021 I have been out without my sense of smell for over three years now. That seems to be the only lingering symptom, but I am definitely willing to try the nicotine. I am somewhat afraid of the side effects as I have not been a smoker for over 40 years. I have read on here that some people use the gum and some use the 7 mg patches. Does anyone have advice for someone just missing their lack of smell?

UPDATE: So I was feeling so incredible, and a day or so after my initial post I had a bad day/reaction to the patch. Almost passed out and couldn’t make a rational thought or statement, it scared everyone in my house (and it all came on almost instantly)…my family removed the patch and walked me to the couch where I slept for 3 hours and woke up feeling a little hungover. That feeling lasted 2 days. Today is my first day back on patch. I am just so determined to continue, in the hopes for any sort of normalcy. I still seem to have maintained the smells I gained, but do not think I am back to 100% (or even close), but it’s still better than it was so I will continue!!! I just don’t think people understand what it’s like having these issues and how much it has messed with my memory of what everything is supposed to smell/taste like. I find myself feeling really confused but I am still hopeful! Will continue to post as updates happen!!! I just pray we all find real answers someday…

Two reactions with nicotine: 1) no issues worth any discussion or 2) nausea, what I call the "Copenhagen buzz", skin irritation, or some more minor symptoms.

I recall as a 10 year on on my initiation to manhood (so described by an older buddy) that it had no negative effect on me, except the buzz (this was a very mild old brand), but two others had issues. One turned green and started vomiting the other was "high" and he was light headed. The average "dip" of Copenhagen (the strongest of the brands) is 11 to 12.8 mg nicotine.

The responses I hear in my family are the same as listed.

Nicotine is in much lower quantities in tomato (firm green, not ripe, nicotine protects the fruit from pathogens and insects), potato (dispersed throughout, although I would avoid eating the carbohydrates as they convert to sugar and which both are inflamatory...bad for you), pepper (eat all you can, mild to hot, hotter is better as it had more capsaicin and vitamin C), eggplant, and some spices in that family, and outside that family of plants (Solanaceae) cellery and cauliflower.
These are really "bioavailable".

If you use gum, try the 2 mg. Just break the surface of the gum a bit with your teeth and put it in your cheek or under your tongue for direct absorption into your blood stream. Each five to ten minutes you need to slightly chew the gum and then put it back in the cheek or under the tongue. It will take a number of times to render all the nicotine. This method prevents the nicotine from getting into your stomach.

A 3 mg pouch of Zyn or similar product causes less mouth watering and more direct absorbtion and you can choose flavors.

Cost per mg of nicotine is the least in the pouches. Zyn can be purchased at a large discount if bought in volume on the website.
Walmart or similar chain is the least expensive. In volume, it is less than $4 per "can". The site we used was Northerner.

Just worth mentioning, I dipped Copenhagen or other brands for 36 years. I had the flu only twice in that time and rarely had anything else my siblinngs or parents had or later in my own wife and children. The insurance company made me quit. I notice my buddies that still dip today have had little or no Covid. This is now supported by several published research papers this year on nicotine and Covid or long Covid.

Each person had to "find" the dosage which works for them. The suggested dosages had little or no effect on me. I had to dose and wait for response for about three weeks until I found my rate. Then the effect was extremely significant. All my long Covid symptoms went away after about 15 days of treatment on the correct dose for my body. I expect the response is dependent on a) other nicotine intake (we eat a good bit of cauliflower, cellery, peppers, and tomatoes), b) individual metabolism, c) body weight, and d) the level the body is impacted by Covid or long Covid.

My cases of Covid and long Covid have been bad to severe.

I believe the nicotine, from my response and my familes (daughters, son-in-law), wife, and others I communicate with is a game changer. The published research shows that the nicotine blocks some cell receptor sites and modulates cytokinin (cause for cytokinin storm in the body which is an over reaction to the virus from our immune systems).

Nicotine and addiction? Well, are you addicted to peppers, tomato, egglant, cellery, cauliflower, or potatoes?

Our cells have nicotine receptors. Nicotine is in some of the "healthiest" vegetables. Nicotine protects the fruit from disease and insects. Nicotine is a minor plant alkaloid. Other plant alkaloids include caffeine, vincristine, emitine (life saving drug), and others.

Nicotine can be toxic if high levels are taken. Read up on this by searching the word string: nicotine, Covid, toxicity, alkaloid, and dosage.

I was never a smoker.
I am now on 2 mgs a day - using lozenges. You can also cut patches up. I found it challenging for first hour or so....and yet? If I rest, symptoms became relaxation!
If there is a cleansing of receptors - this may be why it packs a wallop at first. My brain fog is going and my energy is returning. I won't add more until I am stable in 2-4 mgs. E

I know a person who had success with nicotine patches, so I recently joined a social media group - Renegade Research--#TheNicotineTest Although the information overload in the group can be a bit overwhelming, I have come to realize that this long haul C is definitely legit. It actually helps to realize that perhaps you're not actually loosing your mind because that's exactly how you feel! I do not have a confirmed diagnosis but I am beginning to think LC is what I am experiencing, so I am doing as much research as I can. I plan to see a doctor who is treating LC. All I know is that C along with it's after affects is pure evil and can disrupt your life in a big way!

I was never a smoker.
I am now on 2 mgs a day - using lozenges. You can also cut patches up. I found it challenging for first hour or so....and yet? If I rest, symptoms became relaxation!
If there is a cleansing of receptors - this may be why it packs a wallop at first. My brain fog is going and my energy is returning. I won't add more until I am stable in 2-4 mgs. E