nicorette gum

[Barb]

What are the long-term risks of continuing to chew nicorette gum for years?  I chew maybe one or 2 pieces a day.  I quit smoking 8 years ago and I realize I am addicted to the nicotine in the gum.  This is all right with me, but is it possible it can cause cancer of the mouth like chewing tobacco can?  I asked the nicorette people at their 800 number, and they said it couldn't give you cancer, but they sternly advised me to stop chewing it, that I was addicted to it now instead of cigarettes.  

Many thanks - this is a great idea for a website!

[candychica206]

I am in the same boat, let's do it!

[candychica206]

I love this idea, I am really addicted as well. At least 10 pieces a day for 5 years.

[Davie_Jones]

I quit smoking 1 1 /2 years ago after 50 years by using 4 mg nicorette gum. I had a bad cold one day and when I inhaled it hurt really bad. With the cost of cigarettes, the stigma and loss of rights (to smoke where you want), that was the last straw. I have gradually reduced from 4 mg to 2 mg (after 1.5 years) and tapered-off the use of the gum (for one month) until I stopped entirely three days ago. I was getting a skin rash and experiencing shortness of breath recently which I attributed to the gum. The shortness of breath was really troubling. My doctor gave me lots-O-tests and couldn't find a medical reason. Since stopping, those symptoms seem to have disappeared. Time will tell if the skin rash and shortness of breath are gone for good. I don't think I could have quit without the gum. I sure would like more input on side effects other people have experienced with the gum.

[Tebob2]

This posting is old but here goes. I have been chewing Nicorette on most every day for 11 years and quit smoking before that. I hate cigarettes and rather than go back to them went to the gum. I go through 10 to 14 pieces a day, no health issues and yes, I love it and I'm addicted but Nicorette doesn'e have any harmful effects for me, none... I work out daily, am a health nut now but can't kick it. The Dr. said it has not increased my BP and it's fine... it's expensive, that's the drawback...  Chew on dude

[miranda807]

Try to find sugarless gum without the harmful sugar substitutes like aspartame and sorbitol.  Over time they may be worse for you than the nicotine.  Nicotine gums use xylitol which is a natural sweetner.  I haven't been able to find sugarless gum which uses only xylitol as a sweetner. Let me know if you can locate any.

[Bear3117]

Don't chew the gum, best not to try one piece.  The only way to give up nicotine is cold turkey.

This is my story:

When I was 19 I dated a guy who smoked roll up cigarettes and marjuana.  I was very anti-smoking.  One day when trying to give up his habit he had nicotine chewing gum.  I tried some, liked it and then had pieces every so often for the mini rush when he was chain chewing it.  We dated 6 years, he inevitably relapsed into smoking and it was not long before I tried a cigarette and he taught me to smoke it properly.  I would have the odd joint and even tried coke, ecstasy etc on occasion - and I started with Nicorette!

Anyway I eventually decided to quit smoking, and discovered that I couldn't.  Then I started on a pattern of chewing gum for a week or two, then running out of gum and buying a packet of cigarettes because they were easier to get hold of.  Smoking more than ever for next couple of weeks, before deciding to quit again with the gum.  This has gone on for years.  

I am now 33, that's 14 years since I first chewed the gum.  I have not smoked a cigarette for a year, but cannot ditch the gum.  I chew about 30 pieces a day and it is very embarrassing.  I have to hide the chewed gum from my husband so he doesn't get disgusted by the amount I've chewed.  It's like this big secret that I don't talk about with anyone.

The bad points:
- it is costing me £100 a month!
- the social embarrassment of people asking for a piece of gum seeing me put a piece in my mouth and having to say its my last piece!
- the enormous pile of chewed gum everywhere
- being in a work meeting and popping chewing gum throughout with others noticing and thinking it odd
- having to keep gum-remover close by for when it gets on clothing/bedding
- the panic when I forget to bring it with me or run out and the ever-present risk that I'll smoke as I'm still just as nicotine-dependent as the last day I smoked
- not knowing the long term risks
- the shame of knowing I chewed it throughout my pregnancy and when breastfeeding my daughter
- the example I will set to her if I don't do something about it before she is old enough to notice

So... I'm trying again to quit.  It's not the first time.  But I'm not working at the moment so less stressed, my daughter is now sleeping through the night so I'm rested, and never has the financial incentive for quitting been more pressing (I'm on maternity leave).  It is 3 days I've been nicotine free.  I hope I stay strong.

NRT need further research and should be more controlled.  They are easy to purchase (I have been rotating shops for years so I don't have to explain my habit to a nosy pharmacist/shop assistant), you can chew in public places yet they are highly addictive.  If you are struggling to kick the fags they are likely to be healthier than cigarettes but they will not cure the addiction - the only thing that will do that is will power.