nicotine gum

[ksmum]

I gave up smoking 6 years ago and started chewing nicotine gum, Managed to give that up too but then started having odd sneaky fag, so went back to gum. Can't remember when but at least 3 years ago. I am now totally addicted to it, Does anybody know what the long term effects are and if it is really bad for you? At least its not as bad as fags but \i think \i ought to stop it.

[DiscoFever]

hi ksmum, i am in the same boat! i gave up 14 months ago and have now become addicted to the gum. I dont think there are any real bad effects as nicotine (i have been told) itself is no where near as bad for you as actual smoking a fag is. There are over 4000 chemicals in fags my doc told me. I try to give up the gum and sometimes alternate the gum with sugar free mint chewing gum. Try that?

[macwoozy]

Same here. I'm still on the gum 3 years later. I asked my chemist about the possible side effects after using it for such a long time and he explained that it can cause palpitations. Once he heard that I'd been chewing for 3 years, and knowing I've got a heart condition he refused to serve me until I saw my doctor, he actually wrote a referral note. I couldn't believe it, I was so shocked that he could do such a thing, what a joke as I just walked around the corner and got a pack from Tescos. My mates pissed themselves when they heard I got refused nicorettes, and I still can't believe it to this day

[hellobello]

me too. I stopped smoking nearly 4 years ago and now I'm sucking 1mg lozenges. Sometimes I run out and leave it for a few days, but I'm mostly on about 5-6mg/day.

[ksmum]

I think it is quite widespread, I was a tthe doctors once and noticed she had a packet and she said she gave up 7 years before. Thing is I like them, though I know it looks a bit manky chewing them. So i just want to know if they are actually bad for me as well as being a waste of money and an addicition. I do get stressed out if I am running out of them and it is a slight pain as \i am very specific i.e. nicotinell 4mg fruit are the only ones that will do.

[saffy202]

2 1/2 years for me. Has to be 2mg Nicotinell fruit. Have tried to stop taking them and I felt suicidal. I was so depressed

My worry is that they could cause mouth cancer but have not found any info to back it up, so not sure where I have got the idea from.

[macwoozy]

I heard mouth cancer too, but googled 'cancer' with 'nicorettes' and nothing substantial came up, surely I would have found something if cancer was connected with nicorettes.

[ksmum]

Maybe I will ask the doctor next time I am there. Its another thing to give up and if its harmless then I shall continue. Already trying to lose weight and drink less so shall continue with this vice a while longer.

[paulaplumpbottom]

why not try switching to chewing regular gum