Effects of Long Term Nicorette Use

[mmexplorers]

I'm embarrassed to say I've been chewing Nicorette for 12 years.  I have a lot of hair falling out.  It has recently become almost impossible for me to wear my contact lens, and I'm wondering if it could be because of dry eyes.  Has anyone else had this problem?  By the way, quit the gum cold turkey 7 days ago -- it's pretty tough giving up this stuff!

[kathyjo]

I have recently been placed on blood pressure medication and am in menopause so I can relate a bit. I used lozenges too, but for a short time. My dentist was the one to alert me to the damage that was being done by the lozenges even though I knew something wasn't right. I can't imagine that you have been using them for 2 years. The roof of my mouth had peeled and was ulcerated, yikes!

If you have read the different threads that deal with NRT (nicotine replacement therapy) then you know that you are still addicted to nicotine. What you have to do is stop it altogether.

I often use the whyquit.com website. To me, the biggest step toward a quit is to understand why we do it and then to change the behavior. There are some really great articles under "Education" that are so helpful.

Good luck and remember that we will be here if you need us : )

[cbijl]

Hello there I have reading all of your comments and I am in the same boat I quit smoking two years ago with the help of Thrive Lozenges started on the 2mg and now on the 1mg still sucking the damn things. Yesterday I was so sick, feeling nauseated and dizzy all day blood pressure went up to 152/89, although I have GERD as well and am in Menopause so am not sure which to blame. My husband is still sucking the damn things too only worse than me I think, it is costing about the same as when we were both still smoking, it is ridiculous we really need to ditch this stuff but it is not easy, any suggestions would greatly help. Thanks a lot, it is nice to see we are not the only ones addicted to this stuff.

[kathyjo]

that is amazing and it will only get better as you decrease even more : ) It really is a shame that this product remains on the market! Lets just hope that people going through the same thing will read this and learn from it too.
Thanks for sharing and if you need support, we are here for you : )
Good luck!

[delraybchFL6525]

for 3 days i cut down to 4 pieces and alternated with chewing gum..absolutely amazed, my toe is almost normal color...going to continue weaning off because it's obvious the nicorette damage is very real

[kathyjo]

I know a few people who have been using the gum for years and they too have medical issues. I don't know why they sell this product.....exchanging one addiction for another : (

Delray, there is an excellent website whyquit.com that can help you through a cold turkey quit. Even if you choose to use the patch or chantix, this website will help you with understanding the addiction and help you to deal with it.

We are very supportive here on this forum so you can post as much as you want. We have all been there or are there now and know what you will be going through.
Good luck.

[delraybchFL6525]

been on it for 10 yrs...absolutely love it...flavors are great..but i had a bicycle accident a couple yrs ago  smashed my pinky toe ( i ride with flip flops 10 miles 4x week) and my  toe turned blue/black because i smashed it again and the capillaries were so constricted in my toes from chewing 12-15 pieces of 4 mg everyday...unbelievable...went to a few doctors and they all sent me to wound care at the  hospital..that's serious...the doctor said i could lose my toe...i was so freaked out..i'm athletic, ride long road trips on the Harley, workout....so anyway he gives me these Nitro patches to put on my foot everyday..and it healed perfectly but it took 2 months...anyway it came back last month..i had some cosmetic surgery and out of frustration from the pain and long healing time of a tummy tuck...i smoked an entire pack of cigarettes in 6 days and alternated chewing the nicorette ,,well i really screwed up...my toe turned blue again within days....so those capillaries are so small it won't allow the blood to circulate to that toe...so i go back to wound care...first thing doc asks is, did u get off the nicorette...i said no...he said..I must do this or face losing toes...****...freaked out;;;anyway down to last 4 strips of my costco box and it's over...totally...can anyone give me a tip on quiting and exactly how each day feels and how many days to lose the craving...thx in advance...freaked out in Delray Beach, FL

[kathyjo]

I'm glad you decided to get off the gum and if it takes going to the patch, then so be it : )
We welcome you to post here if you should need the support. We have a great bunch, all using/used different methods. I'm glad you put it in print regarding the "high blood pressure" with prolonged use. It's important for people to know about that.

Good luck to you and keep posting....it's always nice getting new and different perspectives : )

[Sore_Jaws]

It’s good to know there are people in the same boat as me! I have chewed NRT gum for 11 years (only smoked for 10) and probably chewed up to 40 bits of 2mg gum a day!

After been given a slightly high blood pressure at a medical I started looking to see what possible side effects there is to long tem nicotine use – high blood pressure was one. I had always thought the gum was safe, no obvious bad side effects listed. I probably stayed chewing gum as it’s a lot more socially acceptable than smoking plus you can chew gum anywhere.

Now on day 10 without the gum, using patches to wean myself of nicotine.

Well done on your quit

[kathyjo]

Congrats on your quit! First couple of weeks are tough, relearning everything without the smokes, but it is do-able, believe me : )

Kathy Jo

[jbuckl]

ive been chewing  nicorette   for a long time on and off,   im planning on quiting soon,     good luck

[kathyjo]

Why should you be embarrassed? We do whatever we can to quit and the fact that you did stop smoking is the important part.
You are not the first to claim that Nicorette is an addiction and I can imagine, like any other addiction, that over time it will show some effects. I'm glad to hear that you have given it up and if it becomes to much to handle, post here and we can try to help you through it.

There was someone else that posted on this forum regarding Nicorette. Read the post and leave a message.

Hang in there!
Kathy Jo