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MedHelp Member's Question

Nicorette Addiction

by Tips, Mar 11, 2001 12:00AM
I've been chewing Nicorette for about ten years. I chew between nine and eleven pieces of the 2mg a day. What are the harmful effects of the gum (beside, obvious addiction). And, do you have any suggestions as to how to get off the gum?
Member Comments (9)

by spook, Mar 11, 2001 12:00AM
To: Tips
Not really any `toxic` effects to worry about,yet,unless you start chewing like about 50mg a day.I think you should get some normal chewing gum and every now and then have one instead,do it really slowly,but just try to get in the habit of taking a non nicotine chewy when you can,gradually you will swap over to the nico free chewing gum,but you may end up chewing for life,and this can lead to decreased tooth cavities,not such a bad thing really.

Their are pills that reduce nicotine craving,but your problem was originally smoking and the carcinogenic substances in tobacco smoke like tar,nickel carbonyl and others,also carbon monoxide is not good for your red blood cells oxygen carrying capacity.The pills are a bit suspicious,as they are Psychoactive and possibly worse than the gum(Nicotine).Of course you know Nicotine is a poison,with no known medicinal use.Should be Shedule 1 but the Govt aint got the balls,money talks,you know the rest.

by embliegus, Mar 13, 2001 12:00AM
I was addicted to Nicorette 2mg. for about 2-1/2 years...however, I chewed 24 pieces a day!!! WAY too many.



I just wanted to warn you that I have a swallowing disorder now.

I was chewing sooooo much, (a lot more than you), that the

constant nicotine draining down my throat caused me all sorts

of esophagus problems.



Just watch yourself, living without being able to eat right really sucks!



P.S. I finally got off the gum by using the patch?!?!?!



Emblie

by spook, Mar 15, 2001 12:00AM
To: Emblie
Your advice is much appreciated,of course you got off the gum using the patch-because you stuffed up your throat and had to swap to a patch.I am hoping that she gets of the gum soon, as you have discovered for you nicotine can harm ones esophagus.It is excellent to hear such a report and I think it should become common medical knowledge,were their warnings on the pack??????.............

by Charden, Mar 15, 2001 12:00AM
Hello.  

I have a question that does not have anything to do with nicorette addition.  HOwever, I have been unable to post a new question, as I am told it is full for the day.  Even early in the morning. I am hoping that someone can answer this for me.  



The other day, I caught a television commercial to watch the evening news for information on a new method to help smokers quit.  It was supposedly in the form of a shot behind the ear.

Unfortunatly, I could not catch the news that night, and have been since trying to find out information about it.



Does anyone know about this new method.  How it workks?, and it's effectivness.



Any reponses would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Chris

by spook, Mar 16, 2001 12:00AM
To: Charden
I have never heard about it ,sorry I cannot help.But the key word here is it can "Help" stopping smoking.

by FormerNicCopeUser, Nov 27, 2007 08:12AM
To: All
Hi,

I’ve been a Nicorette gum user for 5 years…I chewed about 12-18 pieces per day.  I used Copenhagen for 20 years prior.  Nicorette really helped me quit Copenhagen…but now I’m obviously addicted to the gum…The gum is obviously better than Copenhagen for many reasons..however..I can tell you that my blood pressure has risen, and I have a low white blood cell count because of the gum.  I get sick all the time due to this.  If I over chew it I’ll get a sore throat and eventually a sinus infection.  My doctor always asked me ..”do you smoke?”  I tell him no…he doesn’t  know I use any tobacco products.  He says “ you get bronchitis s a lot”.  
Bottom line the gum is no good for you…It will have long term effects.     So…I started Chantix last week…I quit that after 5 days…major side effect for me..I couldn’t sleep..and when I did I’d have nightmares all night…so I went out and bought 20 packs of every flavored sugarless gum and quit the Nicorette gum cold turkey last Saturday…I have to say the key is to set a quit date… throw out the gum (I have to flush down toilet otherwise I would search trash).  I can tell you this being Day 4 that is much much easier than quitting Cope or cigs…Right now I already feel confident I’m done with it…It has been extremely easy to do it…I already feel better…So give it a try cold turkey before using Chantix/zybin….Try to go 3 days…I think the Nicorette gum was making me depressed too..I always had that crashing feeling/lethargic feeling…Do you know what I mean?   Anyhow…I don’t have a lot of will power but canning the gum in not too hard..just set the date…throw all gum out….buy 20 packs of all flavors of sugarless gum…I had minor withdrawal symptoms but nothing that made me want to drive to store and buy nic gum.  Good Luck to all…


SW

by IBKleen, Nov 27, 2007 08:19AM
Former...Hi!

You are posting on a thread from 6 years ago. I don't think these folks are here anymore.

You should start your own post. Go to the top of this page and hit the "post a question" button. Take care.

by Kirssten, Jun 27, 2008 03:02PM
To: all
Addiction to nicotine gum is real.  I quit smoking using the gum and the patch.  After weaning the patch after 2-3 months, I chewed various brands of gum for two years.  I developed gastrointestinal problems, mouth sores and decayed teeth.  The generic versions are notorious for stomach cramps and diarreha (sp?) which was resolved by switching to nicorette cinnamon. (which I love!)  The difference in my pearly whites is astronomical.  More cavities than ever before, gum seperation, teeth worn down and staining.  Finally after 12-14 pieces a day and over $100 in cost a  month (comperable to cost of cigarettes a month, why aren't these things cheaper? Nicorette must be raking it in at our expense) I'd had enough.  Additionally, the self-hatred you feel addicted to cigarettes is the same with the gum.  The constant need for a piece of gum is classic addiction.  I quit the gum using the patch - 21 for 14 days, 14 for 14 days and 7 for a week.  Boy it was hard though not as hard as giving up cigarettes.   And lots and lots of Orbit gum.  Brush your teeth constantly.  Carry ice cold water at all times.  Remember that after 3 years of giving up cigarettes I still think about it.  But the GUM DID HELP ME QUIT!  The gum will soothe your withdrawal symptoms.  You must stop the gum as soon as you can.  The mouth and hand association with nicotine is what you must conquer.   It is hard to accept that after giving up cigarettes the world does not suddenly become Nirvana.  The gum is only a step in a very long but worth it process.  If it makes you feel any better, I heard Obama is addicted to the gum too.

by acepilot, Sep 03, 2008 07:38AM
i m 54 now n started smoking since was 13 and did about 30 cigs a day till 10 years ago , then shifted to nicorette, to which addicted for last 9 and half year, doing about 30 2 mg gum. tried many times tgo quit by reducing gradually and suceeded to reducing to 5 gums a day for months but would revert to 30 or so. my conclusion: whether i quit when used to 5 gum or 30 gum, pain would be same , so no sense in reducing it gradually and just have to go cold turkey on nicorette, same way went for ciggartees,. on a flight about 6 months ago, i decided impusivley and ask the stewardess if she could throw the nicorette and give me a beer. cheerfully she did that. for 3 nights, i kept myself drunk . it was terrible mainly on the 3rd dy , the first week and all the way upto 3 weeks. mainly survived by drinking 2-3 nights a week, go to sleep early . many times thought would come to have just one oiece and start a fresh tomorrow but somehow i managed. after 3 weeks, i knew , i have beaten it though the craving was there, strong albiet managable now. its 6 months . sometimes , there is a sudden strong flesh of craving but i think i got it made. ace
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