Nicorette Addiction

[Tips]

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?

[crystalbay]

I've been chewing 20 pieces of this gum daily for 29 years and, other than the cost, have had absolutely no ill effects.  I have the healthiest teeth and gums of anyone I know, too.  I get it half priced from a pharmacy in New Zealand.

[cathy6870695]

Well I'm a Boston Marathoner (re qualified at Boston) who was addicted to  Nicorette-so many years I can't count-reading the stories above reminded me of all the things I did to get my fix....I ran my Boston and re-requalified while chewing nicorette-just sick....but I was fast and felt I was in control.  My blood pressure has spiked (200/95) over recent years and my doctor couldn't understand why....good weight, lots of exercise, no stress, loving marriage.....so I quit nicorette on Dec. 20th, 2012.  For the first while I tried to sleep as much as possible ...so not to think about the nicorettes.  Now almost 4 months later I still crave nicorettes (not like first few weeks but sti
ll wish I could chew one)....My blood pressure was monitored over 24 hours and results showed 133/78 but I've gained 10 pounds (even with 6 day per week work outs-run approx. 50 km and two weight lifting workouts)....but I', not going to give up....I'm drinking a little more red wine but have my diet very restricted-not hungry but no sweet treats-that I used to be able to have.....please don't give up on your will power....I'm not going to....it must get easier sometime...so here's to sometime soon
Cathy

[Exchewer]

Good job on the quitting chew! I use nic gum now and am happy to do that as opposed to using Kodiak, like I don't search my mouth for oral cancer obsessively anymore. I've been clean now for 2 weeks and feel a lot healthier and am not afraid to go to the dentist now. Chew tobacco is nasty and I'm glad I quit for my health and my family.

[rexnico]

Chewed this stuff on and off (mostly on) since 1996. I am now 45 and have had some odd health problems in the past year (heart irregularities and liver enzymes raised) that I think might both be down to too much of this stuff and for too long (always 2mg, but 20 pieces or more a day).

I also have done it in secret for most of the past 10 years.  This is an odd situation as then one can't appeal to family/friends for help when quitting (my other half would be furious).  

Anyway, stopped.  I had tapered off quite a bit - was on holiday and it was hard to get to a pharmacy to I was down to 3-5 pieces a day.  It was the pretty easy just to stop.  I kept finding rogue pieces over the next week that sort of staved off the worst without me buying another stupid box.  The last piece was now two weeks ago.   I'm proud of having stopped, but I've stopped for this length of time before and always go back after some bought of depression (usually 2-3 months after stopping).    I think this time it will work as I'm worried about the health stuff.  

I'm skeptical about some pages reporting no ill affects as people are reluctant to admit they are chewing for so long and almost no research has been done.  Use the gum, but obey the three month instructions and treat it as a POISON, which is, afterall, what nicotine is in the wild.

[highrailer]

Cold turkey.  It's the only way to quit NRT's.

[naz218]

why dont we all take the NRT companies to court, since they have given us an alternative addiction