Joint and muscle pain while using nicotine patches. how long does these side effects last. I have?

I've been on Step One Habitrol for about a month now, maybe a little longer. I've had similar experiences, though I can handle the pain. Not sure if I just don't have it quite as bad as you did, or if it's because I have quite a high pain tolerance. But either way, since starting to use the patches, I've been receiving a numbness in my arm, and sometimes sharp pains. At first I thought it was just a coincidence, but then as it got more frequent I thought about it, and I realized that the numbness and pain is always happening in the arm I had the patch on. The reason I came onto this post is actually because I had the most intense sharp pain yet about five minutes ago. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't the only one this is happening (or has happened) to. Glad to know I'm not alone!

I am on week 6 of using the nicotine patches 21mg. I had the same issues. Joint pain. More so when patch is placed on shoulders or tops of arms. I found that in my case that I was not rotating enough. U need to ensure that you do not put the patch in the same place for at least 7 days. The joint pain has now eased off but now have a new issues. Having really bad headaches for the past 3 days. Keep up the good work people. It will be worth it.

I'm on round 2 with patches. I totally quit in June with them so they work. The pain went away after a few days for me. I'd rather deal with temporary pain than spend $500 a month on cigarettes. Keep with it. I can't stand the cravings so I can deal. The pain will stop. At least you know it's working

I just started the patch this morning and am having the same exact pain. It is so excruciating.

I have recently (2 weeks) started patches and I have horrible arm and joint pain. I thought I was coming down with the flu.

I just started using patch yesterday and the arm I have patch on started to feel pain... It's like someone said in comment, "feels like someone punched me in the arm". It's so sore and uncomfortable. I know it's the patch because yesterday I placed it on my left arm and it was sore on left side of the arm, today I placed on right arm and it's sore from the right. I'm not sure if I should continue.. However, I know by putting patch, I'm not cranky from not smoking... So what's worse? Smoking or the side effect of patch? I don't know...

I had same symptoms and after consulting my doctor I was referred to a physio. The trouble was around my rotator cuff. It took maybe 10 treatments of massage ect., and exercise to come right. I stopped taking all nicotine products while doing this. Good as gold now. I wonder if the nicotine weakens the tendons?

I was in the hospital for four and a half days and they gave me a nicotine patch I forgot to take it off at night experience severe nightmares and even days after the patch was removed my left arm where I kept my patch feels as if its been punched wondering when the sore achiness will go away

I just started the patch at 10 oclock this morning... around 830 i took a shower and the patch came off. So i put a new on on the other arm and experienced extreme nausea and now I am experiencing arm pain like never before... its terrible... Im starting to think if its really worth it.

I am having the same issue so it don't seem to be that rare I am on day 3 of the 21mg patch and I hurt in the area the patch is. Feels like some one punched me

I started 2 days ago and today in class my shoulder started to hurt, then the pain intensified to about a 6 or 7. it started to radiate down my arm within hours. I removed from my right to my left. Within 15 minutes it started in my left. It has to be patch. if you take off the pain takes a couple hours to go away but its pretty intense.

In my own personal experience, I have had the same pain problems with the patches. The pain I would experience was excruciating. If I wore the patch on my shoulder, the pain would originate in my shoulder joint, then send sharp, stabbing pains down to my elbow, and in some cases down to my wrist. When worn on my hip, the pain would shoot down to my knee. And like you said, it would stop me in my tracks. Lowering the dose and going down to a lower step didn't seem to alleviate the reaction, but I did find that if I wore the patch on my stomach, I didn't incur any joint or muscle pain. That was about 2 years ago when I tried to quit, and I'm giving it another shot!! Good luck to you with quitting!!

Welcome to the site. I looked up all side effects and although rare, joint and muscle pain are listed as a side effect. I don't know if the symptoms will subside with continued use.
Best bet is to see your PCP for advise on continuing with the patches. Maybe a lower dose, stage 2, might relieve the symptoms. The references I looked at did not say, but your reaction was listed as common. So, please see your healthcare provider for help.
Best wishes with your smoking cessation.
Peace,
Sweet Hippie