Are You Addicted to Nicotine Gum Or Lozenges ?
86Nicotine gum and nicotine lozenges can be useful tools when you are trying to beat a smoking addiction, especially one of long standing. However, for a growing number of ex-smokers,there is a risk of trading one addiction for another. The number of smokers who start using nicotine gum or nicotine lozenges as an aid to quitting cigarettes, and then find themselves trapped in a new addiction is unknown, but it may well be substantial.
All the packages say you should not use the gum or lozenges for more than three months. Trouble is, once you are hooked, you are hooked.I know people who have been using them for years and are as dependent on them as they were on cigarettes. I find it interesting that no formal studies have been done on the effects of long term use of these products, yet nicotine gum and lozenges are readily available over the counter in your local drugstore or supermarket. I also personally know people who have used them for years--many years-- and have experienced stomach problems, high blood pressure, borderline glaucauma, hair loss among other things-- all of which disappeared when the nicotine gum was stopped.
In addition, there is growing evidence of a relationship between long term use of nicotine gum and mouth and throat cancer. I think some real medical studies are definitely in order.
Quitting cigarettes is hard-- VERY hard. I should know. I kicked the habit after more than thirty years and I did it with the help of a nicotine patch and later nicotine gum. I wrote a hub about quitting cigarettes and how I did it which you can check out if you like and I have now been smoke free for more than a decade, but not gum and lozenge free. It took me years more to free myself from that addiction and my experience is far from unique
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My Nicotine Replacement Story
I had my last cigarette over a decade ago. I had managed to stop once for four years, but had a life crisis and bummed one cigarette-- I couldn't believe that after four years, one cigarette could hurt, but it did. Within months I was back up to two packs a day and lots had changed.
For starters, the price of cigarettes had gone up dramatically and people were much less tolerant of smokers than they had been when I smoked before. The upshot was that after a year or so I started trying to quit again. I finally made it, going cold turkey with the help of the nicotine patch.I threw out all my cigarettes one night and slapped the patch on when I woke up the next morning and that was it. After four weeks on the patch, weaning myself down from the 21 mg. patch to the 14mg. one, I decided to use Nicorette gum instead of the patch, figuring that I would taper off even more on the gum till I was using no nicotine replacement at all.
It didn't happen. Like any good addict, I stopped counting how many pieces of gum I chewed. I kept buying my supply and ignoring the fact that it was taking more and more of the substance to satisfy me. . I consumed 10 or more of the 2 mg lozenges or pieces of nicotine gum a day. I got so that I liked the taste and looked forward to my lozenges the way I had once enjoyed cigarettes. I told myself that it was OK to keep using my lozenges because at least I wasn't smoking.
Now, I hasten to say that there are 4000 substances in tobacco smoke that are not in the gum or the lozenges, and most of them are poison and many proven to be carcinogenic, but nicotine is the addictive substance in cigarettes and when you put it in a lozenge or piece of gum, it is still an addictive substance. If you were a highly addicted cigarette smoker, you will be at high risk of becoming addicted to nicotine gum or nicotine lozenges.
That said, I must also admit that only with the help of nicotine replacement therapy was I able to get off cigarettes, so here is what I recommend for you if you are either a long term user of nicotine gum or lozenges ( more than 3 months) or a highly addicted smoker considering using nicotine replacement as a quitting aid.
How To Get Off The Gum
Whether you are in the process of using nicotine gum or lozenges to help with quitting cigarettes or are an ex smoker who has become hooked on the nicotine replacement, the same rules apply.
- Do not, under any circumstances, smoke a cigarette while using nicotine gum or lozenges. An overdose can be very dangerous and will totally sabotage all your good work.
- Buy a little notebook and carry it at all times. Use as many pieces of gum as you wish to calm cravings, but note how many you use and the time so that you know how many a day you are using. Be honest with yourself and don't cheat or forget-- that is important. Most people when they first give up smoking use 15 to 20 lozenges or pieces of gum a day. You want to get a baseline and work down from there
- After 2 weeks of keeping track take away just one lozenge a day and see how you do. The idea is to use the nicotine replacement just enough to keep the
withdrawal symptoms at bay but not so much that the gum replaces
cigarettes, thus you should be feeling mild but manageable cravings. When these stop, withdraw one more lozenge or piece of gum from your daily allotment. Do this for as long as it takes but no longer than three months Once you are down to five or so nicotine hits a day, you might want to put the lozenges or gum someplace inconvenient in your home-- like in the attic or a closet or under a pile of books so that you really have to make an effort to get one--and of course keep track in your notebook.
- If you are still using gum or lozenges three months after giving up cigarettes, you have probably substituted one addiction for another and are just not getting your nicotine hit from cigarettes ( which is good) but are still hooked on nicotine which you are getting from gum or lozenges( not so good). Start with step one above and get yourself unhooked. If you can't do it alone, talk to your doctor or enlist a friend to supervise your tapering off period. Do not, under any circumstances smoke a cigarette. It is amazing how stubborn an addiction can be and it is equally amazing how having to be accountable to your doctor or a trusted friend will help you unload those last few nicotine quitting aids and become totally nicotine free.
KIcking cigarettes is no small thing and, as many will tell you, getting hooked on the nicotine replacement therapy is not nearly as bad as being hooked on cigarettes ( plus you don't have to step outside in the rain and the cold to chew a piece of gum after dinner) BUT and this is a big big BUT. Nicotine, even in the form of gum or lozenges is a poison and bad for your body and it is highly addictive. Long term use can bring on serious health problems, that is for sure and there are those who say there is a link to possible gastric and mouth cancers as well as dental problems, so the bottom line is: Nicotine gum and lozenges can be important aids to quitting cigarettes, but it is equally important to not let the aid become a new addiction.
Nicotine Addiction is Real
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First off, I don't condone or promote smoking and urge that those who've never smoked to never start. I'm also aware that some people are genetically prone to becoming addicted to *something*, whether it be nicotine in any form, alcohol, drugs, gambling, shopping, sex, video games, or the internet - even food - to name only a few.
As for the 4,000 toxic substances in tobacco smoke, a smoke-free life is not devoid of toxins. They're in our food, our water (and the bottles we drink it from), our clothing, our furniture, our cleaning products, and in prescription drugs as well as OTC products. Even with the windows up, we breathe the toxins in vehicle exhaust fumes. We apply toxic substances to our bodies in the form of make-up, hair color, bath products, fingernail polish and remover. The list is endless.
That said, I wonder at the logic of those who rally around a relative with breast cancer or a debilitating disease such as MS, but avoid or sever all ties with a friend or relative addicted to nicotine.
Great tips, robie, for breaking an addiction to nicotine. Now about that addiction to the internet... ;D
Thanks Steph and Jama-- not trying to step on any toes here, Jama. We all get to pick our toxins. It is just that for those who really want to quit but can't, nicotine gum and lozenges can be very useful, however they are a double edged sword and that is not publicized nearly enough. We get to pick our addictions too so light up, my friend. I do not in any way consider smokers second class people. It is a choice like everything else er now I must get back to the internet :-)
robie, I didn't mean that *you* consider smokers "second class people". But there are some who do. And some who shun smokers but think nothing of getting falling-down drunk in a smoke-free bar several nights a week. Hello?
But back to the point of your very informative hub. The dangers of nicotine gum and lozenges **should** be more widely publicized. However, since nic lozenges and gum cost roughly the same as cigarettes, it's a sure bet the companies who make them don't want the public to know how dangerous they really are.
A deserted island in the Pacific seems to be the only toxin-free alternative...as long as I can access the internet. ;D
hmmmm is there wi-fi on those deserted Pacific islands? You make a good point-- there is not much logic when it comes to addiction, is there--gotta go check my email now:-)
I have seen this transfer of addictions. I know a friend who has been on the gum now for years. He feels superior to smokers even though his nicotine gum addiction far exceeds his wife's smoking addiction.
Yes, your point of studies needing to be done to test the ramifications of long term use is spot on. This gum was cleared very quickly for use under the guidance of a doctor not for widespread use as an over the counter remedy.
Thanks for your comment Joni--you make a good point about ex-smokers being lulled into a false sense of security by the gum-- and while it is true that the gum when used properly can really help and using it is better than smoking-- it truly is not without danger. Personally, I ended up with massive dental issues, stomach ulcers, and a borderline glaucoma which totally disappeared the moment I got off nicotine replacement
A mentally sound and determined person can do what he or she likes to do. Stat smoking or drinking, now stop everything- everything is possible for the person It is because ‘the will’ is under him and but if ‘the will’ is not under him, the person can not control anything.
I think that translates into, you have to really want to in order to quit and unless you really want to you can't do it. and if that is what you are saying I'd say that in most cases you are absoutely right.
What an important warning bell you have rung. Well done :-)
Thanks de Greek-- good to see you
I gave up smoking cold turkey in 2002 and have never looked back. I've friends who tried the gum and patches and are still smoking - because you can't replace the addiction of nicotine with nicotine. Even the strong willed have difficulty with this one. And as you say robie2 - you really have to want to quit. If you want to quit you will, you will find a way.
A change of standpoint helps - like I was told that I no longer fitted the stereotype of a smoker. That helped - meant to infer I was bigger than the cigarettes. I also looked at being a slave to these cancer sticks. They ruled me, I seemed to have no choice - and that was crap, I did have choice but I was choosing victimhood by smoking.
I stopped the guilt trips that come with being a smoker and not being able to quit - it doesn't work, and I made me more important than Phillip Morris and the pharma companies that want to prolong your addiction with the gum.
What a great point you make, Jewels, about choices-- seems to me that addiction removes our ability to choose and really does enslave us-- I ended up knowing I was smoking because I had to and not because I wanted to and feeling totally helpless. I so agree that taking back your power and choosing not to be a victim is the mindset that works-- my problem was getting there :-) Thanks for sharing your personal experience and congrats on becoming an ex smoker:-)
Thanks Robie. Like to add that saying I am a non smoker is like music to the lips, ears and lungs. It feels great to say "I don't smoke." I never ever thought of that when I was a smoker.
Amen:-)
You just described me. I quit smoking 1 year ago but I still chew the gum. Although I have made great progress and I am chewing only 1 or pieces a day. I break them into two pieces and have one in the morning and one after work. That cost about 8 dollars a month. I have not decided to give up the gum. I think when I do, I will be able to.
You seem to be using the gum the way it was intended to be used-- I am sure you will be able to stop when you want. I was chewing at least ten pieces a day for years and got totally out of control with the gum. Congrats on quitting and thanks for adding your two cents.
It is sad to say that the cure can be as bad as the addiction. I just quick cold turkey!
Congrats 2besure-- that is fabulous
I think cold turkey is the easiest way to quit.. on whyquit.com they have this free e-book called Never Take Another Puff.. After reading it, it was really easy to quit... and when you do it cold turkey you get done with the withdrawals in a week or so, instead of dealing with them for months while using NRT.
I totally agree with you Shannon-- for people who can quit cold turkey that is-- and if you go cold turkey you don't run the risk of getting hooked on the nicotine replacement. My problem was I never could get more than two days off cigarettes before relapsing and I reallythought I was never going to be able to quit so the gum, patches and lozenges are very helpful for people like me-- problem is we get hooked on them too and have to detox twice, as you say-- doesn't matter how you do it-- the bottom line is quitting and staying quit
I smoked for 33yrs. and stopped with the help of nicotine lozengers. The only problem is that I stopped 4 1/2 years ago and I still use the lozengers. I can't stop my addition. Does anyone have a suggestion? When I tell my doctor, all he say's is he would rather have me use those instead of smoking.
I had the same problem Karen, and ended up with some pretty serious gastro-intenstinal issues. I sucked on those damned things for 8 years and finally kicked by counting each lozenge I used and writing it down in a little notebook I kept with me at all times. It took about six weeks for me to get down to zero.
easier to get off than actual cigarettes though.
hmmm not sure about that, princess g-- but it is true that the lozenges have nicotine, which is the addictive substance but don't have the one hundred or more other poisonous and carcinogenic substances found in cigarette smoke-- so sucking on a lozenge is not as bad for you or as harmful to bystanders as smoke-- plus you don't have to go outside and huddle nest to a public ashtray to do it:-)
That said-- maybe the lozenges are easier to give up than cigs for some people. For me it was kind of a toss up.
Cold turkey is the way to go! I'm linking to your hub from mine :D
I agree-- Cold Turkey is best if you can do it--many people can't. I tried cold turkey dozens of times over the years and never made it-- but if you can do it, absolutley, cold turkey is the way to go. Thanks for the link. I'm off to become your newest follower:-)
Hi, I've just come across this site and must admit it read with alarming truth! I gave up smoking 7 years ago, having smoked 40 a day for years but am addicted to the lozenges now, I just suck on them permanently. Trouble is, there is a stock problem at the moment and it's only now I've realised the extent of my addiction. I'm in a panic as I can't buy any. I've driven to a couple of towns and bought up what they had, I've even tried ordering on line. Now that's tragic I know - people don't seem to appreciate that you can substitute one addiction for another, I get comments fairly regularly saying "why are you still sucking those things?", until now I've replied, because I want to, when in actual fact, it's because I need to. I have decided to kick the habit though as am concerned at the levels of aspartame I must be consuming too. It has really shocked me as, like a few of the other comments, I feel great that I'm not a smoker anymore but feel a little less pious as I know I am still addicted. It was reassuring to read that I'm not alone...I think I will have to try cold turkey, am not that good at rationing myself! Thanks for the very interesting article. Lastly, I too agree that a study should be carried out to ascertain the long term effects.
I to am addicted to the lozengers. For 13 years!!! I will be trying the writing down thing as I know they can't be helping my health. One thing I do know is I'm not hurting anyone else. That means something. Just wish me luck. I know I need it.
Emma and Sasa-- thanks for adding your voices here and good luck getting off the lozenges. You can do it-- you both got off cigarettes, cold turkey or gradually, either way you will get off them-- how you do it isn't important, but it is important to get off them
Good article. Emma and Sasa I think we need - and is probably only a matter of time before they pop up - a support group for people getting off NRT! I stopped smoking almost 5 years ago using the lozenges. Was a heavy smoker - at least 30 a day. Never smoked again and though I found it tough, the lozenges were brilliant. Used them as meant i.e. I reduced the numbers and the strength but could never make the final jump to none. Somewhere along the way my use increased. Still use the 1mg ones but use them constantly. I HATE that I am doing this and am prepping to quit. I chew ordinary gum as well. Often both together. For goodness sake - I am getting really tired of ME. Time to quit for good and all.
Anybody reading, try - try REALLY hard - to quit smoking cold-turkey!
Meg
Thanks for that terrific comment, Meg. I know how you feel. It is soooooo frustrating to have given up cigarettes and find yourself tied to the lozenges. I did it for eight years and ended up with stomach ulcers from the whole experience. I'm thinking the idea of a group for people getting off NRT is a great one -- oh yes, and it doesn't help that my doctor totally under-rated the seriouslness of my lozenge addiction but just kept saying it was a lot better than smoking cigarettes-- well yah-- but still !!!!!!
Thanks for stopping by and commenting and Welcome to Hubpages. I'm following you now and looking forward to reading your hubs
I've been on the lozenges for about 3 yrs after smoking for almost 20 years. I have to stop because I can afford them. I read this article about health and dental problems. My left eye has got worse and worse over the last few years that resultied me getting glasses. I've had 4 teeth pulled. I can't seem to eat dinner without running to the bathroom less than 5 minutes after eating in the evening. I know I use close to 20 lozenges a day. Help me Robie.
i am addicted to the lozenges! I dont even want to smoke any more, but i look forward to my lozenges and panic and get irritable if i can't get hold of any. I feel more like an addict than before as I have to go to the chemist to get the damn things. also, living in italy, the availability is poor and any visitor coming to see me is asked to bring out a stash, like a drugs mule!! Woe betide them if they forget. My brother in law once brought out a few packs of gum instead of the lozenges. I was devastated as I hate the gum (But will use it on an emergency). I am really sick of this addiction and know it is harming my health. But it is a psychological crutch just as the fags were and i reckon i need some addiction to keep me going. If only I could get addicted to running or something healthy, but it ain't gonna happen. I will try to cut down but at the moment I need them (been quit almost a year). Nicotine is damned addictive, amazingly so, if you have an addictive nature. I for one will never try crack cocaine, as i reckon i would be hooked after a couple of draws.Still, the lozenges are better than smoking as in general i feel pretty good. Good luck to thise in the same boat. this nonsense cannnot go on. we need to get a grip. Maybe I will try sucking buttons or pennies.
Basil and Daphne. Thanks for sharing your personal experiences here. I identify with both of you. I was in the same boat for years. Tapering off finally worked for me, but it wasn't easy. In some ways getting off the lozenges was harder than kicking cigarettes but please do try because it is well worth it once you are free
Hi,
Thank you for writing an article about this. It is defintely
It definitely is:-) thanks for commenting, Dan
I have been using one half of a 2mg losenge a day (broken in 4 pc.) that's 1 mg of ncotine a day for 4 weeks and still get crazy urges. In fact, I do believe that my personal experience of the lozenges is that they are more addictive than smoking was. Maybe because it's a pure pharma-grade nicotine? not sure, but this sucks. I'm using tic-tacs now to see if this works. All the best and thankyou for prompting the world of medicine to see if they can look into this. Bottom line is that it's not profitable to research what's wrong with meds, only to prove that they have valu. You and I are the research.
Right you are, addict-- we are the guinea pigs :-) and I think you may be right about the lozenges being more addictive than cigarettes-- at least for some people. I still suck on breath saver mints, but I don't get the craving for the nicotine anymore. It really does pass, but it does take time. Good luck and don't let the cravings get you down.... keep at it and you will win
Wow am truly shocked with these comments decided to do a bit of research into side effects on the usage of the lozenge have been using these for nearly 3 years, and know that I have escalated my use of them like Daphne I lke sucking on the lozenge, look forward to my first every morning then don't really stop, up to 20 per day. For the past three months thought have been experiencing some real discomfort in the stomach and bowel, and wondered wether it could be related to the lozenge after reading this page have realised that my discomfort is probably related to the lozenge...time to seriously think about stopping for good!
Just to let you know, Ivy-- I sucked on the lozenges for 6 years and ended up with stomach ulcers as well as serious heartburn and a totally irritated intestine. I became anemic as the result of the ulcers. I'm fine now-- but was on medication for a year -- take this seriously. It is a real addiction and can really hurt you.
Wow, I can relate. I have been cigarette free for 10 months now but now I am addicted to the lozenges. I have been timing myself and only allow myself to have one every 4 or 5 hours. I have ulcers now though and stomach problems. Thinking this can definitely be linked to the lozenges. I am either going to try to completely stop them or try cutting more out and doing the notepad idea like you suggested robie2. Thanks for all the info and comments. It really is trading one addiction for another and it really is harmful.
Hi Lotus11 Do get off the lozenges as soon as you can -- I am convinced they caused my ulcers and anemia and gave me heartburn. Thanks for sharing your experience here and best of luck
Wow, after being addicted to Lozenges for almost two years now, and in recent months been hit with bad stomach problems, diarhea, and heartburn, I googled "addicted to nicotine lozenge" and came across this page. Just wow. I really thought this addiction was harmless, at least in comparison to smoking. I probably go through at least 10 4mg lozenges a day.. It's gotten to the point that it isn't just the nicotine that's addicting, it's the almost soothing feeling of having the lozenge resting in the corner of your mouth. Now I have to figure out how to quit these things..
I totally identify with you Jason-- I came to prefer the lozenges and didn't want to go back to smoking. I think that for some of us lozenges can be the methadone of nicotine. Sadly, there is no way to quit but to quit. It really is an addiction and while less bad than smoking, can certainly do a bad bad number on your stomach and intestines.
Just came across this site after a ghastly experience trying to stop smoking with the aid of NRT. I tried to stop because I was feeling so ill (been off sick from work, bored, smoking more than usual, I'm normally a light smoker); 10 days later after using the NRT *prescribed by the nurse at the quit clinic* (!!) I wasn't smoking, but I was feeling far, far worse than I had ever felt whilst smoking - nauseous, shaking, pounding headache, stomach upsets. Then I read the side of the NRT packet and compared the amount of nicotine each of these things contains compared to a cigarette - between twice and six times as much, depending on strength of cigarette.
I will never ever use them again, if I try to quit again, hopefully soon, it will definitely be cold turkey! Can't believe that you can now buy these highly potent, extremely addictive items in any supermarket in my country, much more freely than cigarettes can now be bought. They can even be bought by children over 12 years, incredible but true.
Since I only smoke in my own home and car (and I live on my own and drive on my own), and I'm quite capable of going without cigarettes for several days if I need to visit non smokers, my only reason for quitting is consideration of my own health; so there's no way I'll ever try NRT again. I could feel my blood pressure rising with each dose as I never have done with cigs!
Whoever said that the pharma companies are using us poor suckers as guinea pigs has it dead on. No new medicine would be allowed on the market in the way these things have been allowed, there is NO data on effects of long term usage and I suspect another health time bomb is being created here under the guise of 'health promotion', when the primary motivation of the manufacturers is in reality not public health but their own profit margins.
Thank you so much,Ros for you long and really informative comment. I have been amazed at the comments this article has generated. I now know that I am far from alone in my bad reactions to nicotine lozenges and am beginning to think they are as dangerous as cigarettes-- in the same way that Heroin, which was developed as a kind of synthetic morphine, became more dangerous than the drug it was designed to replace. Thanks for reading and commenting
Thanks to all of you for your stories. I have been using the gum for 7 years and finding it impossible to quit. Reading all your comments have given me the push that I needed. Hope we all do well stopping this addiction.
And thank you, Selma, for adding your voice to the chorus here. Good luck to you in getting off the gum. It is hard, but well worth the effort.
Been on lozengers for 4 years and am truly addicted. Have been to doctors and they advise replacing them with fishermans friend tablets!!! So will probably now be on them for years. Have to say had no tummy problems but eye sight definitely worse. I will try cold turkey and see what happens instead of getting addicted to something else. So glad I found this - really helped.
Thanks for sharing your experience Lesley and good luck with the cold turkey.
I smoked for over 20 years, quit smoking about 11 years ago and started chewing the nicotine gum. I ended up chewing the gum for about 7 years. It destroyed my dental work and tore out my bridge work. I finally somehow managed to quit the gum and was nicotine free for about 3 years. I made the mistake one day of taking a hit off a cigar (of all things) and eventually became addicted to cigars. I was only french inhaling them, thinking i couldn't get addicted that way....wrong!! Next thing I knew, I was sneaking outside at work and hiding behind a building, smoking a cigar! I had to hide because I'm a woman and thought people would stare at me.
Anyway,after about 6 months, I finally decided i was ready to quit the cigars and I started using Nicotine lozenges. Now, almost a year later, I'm still scarfing down the lozenges. I don't follow the directions and I use a lot of them. I've also recently developed some strange symptoms. The doctor says it's called Angio edema and he says I'm allergic to Nickel. I get huge, red, itchy welts all over my body and my lips, ears, hands and feet have all swollen up like a balloon. Even though he says it's Angio edema, I have a sneaking suspicion that it's related somehow to the lozenges.
I plan on quitting the lozenges very soon and I dread it!
oooh Barbarasue, that rash sounds awful. I think there is a lot they don't know about these lozenges and a lot they do know that they aren't telling us. I hope you can get off the lozenges soon to know if your intuition is right. I had terrible intenstinal trouble, anemia and borderline glaucoma all of which totally disappeared when I quit the lozenges-- go figure. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you and I hope you set a quit day soon. Thanks for sharing your story here.
I smoked 2 packs a day for 35 years, quit 3 years ago and could never had done it without nicotine lozenges. Yep, you guessed it. Totally addicted to the lozenges now. At keast 10 a day, always have a back up container. Still miss smoking though. (How sad is that?) Will try your count and taper method. Good to know I am not alone. Thanks for your post!
You are far from alone Debbie-- do the taper and get rid of the damned things. I don't miss smoking but I still suck on sugarless breath mints so I guess I must miss the lozenges-- how lame is that?
I have just 'quit' not smoked for a week. Missing it like mad, can't concentrate, feel moody anxious and bored. I am on the gum, lozenges, patches, UGH! Getting fed up with them already. Thinking of going Cold Turkey. Can someone please tell me how to expect to feel if I choose the CT option, plus is it correct that I will get rid of the cravings after a week. WISH I HAD NEVER EVER STARTED SMOKING !!!
If you can do cold turkey, it is the way to go-- but the withdrawal and cravings are very powerful while they last which is why NRT is used by so many. If you choose cold turkey the worst should be over in a few days-- but even after withdrawal the cravings continue, however they get weaker over time if you don't give in to them. Two things to remember, whether you use NRT or go cold turkey is 1) Do not under any circumstances give in and smoke " just one" and 2) most cravings, no matter how intense, only last for ten minutes or so-- just tell yourself to wait half an hour and you will find the craving gone in most cases. Good luck sms71-- you can do it-- you've gone this far. Keep going.
Help ! Ive been on 2mg lozengers for over 4yrs. I consume them like sweets and as a result end up with mouth ulcers. I have also noticed my eyesight getting really bad and have problems with my intestines like bloating. Allergies have increased and I now have asthma. I'm convinced this lozengers have created most of these problems but the truth is I'm well and truly addicted. I'm considering trying patches to help break the habit of lozenger popping (yes I know....swapping one addiction for another!)not sure what mg to start on though?. Cold turkey hasn't worked I just go crazy!! Ive found the supermarket own brands are the cheapest to buy and get really stressed if the shelf is empty (which they usually are), resulting in my purchase of a more expensive brand....dread to think how much I spend :( My teeth are okay so far but I'm worried about damage to them too. My GP tells me that I don't need to worry, as niquitine is addictive but the lozengers haven't got the chemicals in them like cigarettes. I agree, test should be done because there's obviously a problem here and I really don't want to be a guinea pig!.
Thanks for your comment J-Le. For what it is worth, The patches might work as a tapering off measure-- just make sure you don;t do both patches and lozenges at the same time. You could start with the 4mg patch and taper down to the 2 mg patch after a couple of weeks-- Good luck. I don't care what the doctors say-- the lozenges have their own problems-- just look at this comment thread. I am amazed myself:-) Anyway. Please do try to get off them one way or another. Patches, tapering, whatever works for you. Good luck.
I have been sucking lozenges for almost two years and am definelty addicted. I feel guilty sneaking them, spending so much money I do not have. I am noticing my eyesight is getting worse--I can't read words on signs or tv like I used to. I thought I needed my lazik tweaked! I have incredible gas all the time. My teeth are suffering--cavities. I am 56 years old and very worried about this problem. I am going to monitor my use and try your cutting back method. Thank you in advance.
Hi again, having read 'Lesley's' comment about trying fishermans friend lozenge, I decided to give them a try. I have cut down on my consumption of the niquitine lozenge by almost half although you either love em or hate em!. They do come in several flavours but are hard to get hold of, however Ebay has all the sugar free varieties ....will be ordering them :D. They are a similar consistency to the niquitine ones and a cheaper alternative to my plan 'A' to try patches as well. Hope this helps someone else?.
I am open to anything! I am noticing other symptoms (with my daughters help) super cold feet, ringing in my ears, lots of bone pain. I quit smoking in 1996 for 11 years and did not use anything else---don't remember any weirdness like this time but hey I am alot older now to! I have attributed all these symptoms with age--now I think its the nicotine.
Good luck Dove-- I think that once you get off the lozenges you'll feel better in every way-- that was my experience-- and think of the money you'll save:-) Thesse things may help us kick cigarettes, but they have their own problems with prolonged usage. That's for sure. I've got my fingers crossed for you.
J-Le-- thanks for coming back to share your experience with Fishermans Friend lozenges. Kudos and I am so glad to hear you are feeling better already
So good that I found this and other websites talking about this! I've been using lozenges for the last 6 months and started really enjoying them. The effect: I just got my first mouth sore, besides bloating and feeling fatigued for quite a while already. Going to quit this stuff immediately! Will write how it goes.
Well have to report that am now free of the lozengers after replacing them with fishermans friend tablets!! Who would have thought it would work !! they come in a variety of flavours but I like the aniseed and mint ones. Not getting through many at all and the craving for the lozengers has just about gone. Will keep you informed.
Kudos to both of you and please do come back and share what happens. I'm glad you wrote about Fishermans Friend lozenges here too-- maybe the information will help somebody else.
I don't normally comment on forums but I feel I must in this case. If for no other reason than for anyone out there wanting to quit smoking please read on.
My story really begins on mothers day 2002. But 1st some back ground.
I started smoking in Ernest when I was 14 yrs old. I liked it. I felt grown up but I enjoyed it. Even now I can honestly say I could smoke and STILL enjoy it. As the yrs passed my habit grew until I was smoking at least 60 a day. I didn't even want to pack in smoking. I could afford my habit and as I said I enjoyed smoking. I was approached by some guy who was running a stop smoking group in my area and I was asked to join. Everyone else wanted me to quit and so for them I said I'd go along!
My 1st session was interesting and I learnt of all the bad stuff in fags which I hadn't known about and when they asked if I'd like to give quitting a go I said yes. I wasn't convinced it would work for me though but I went along with it. I was given a letter to take to my drs. Two days later I had a prescription in my hand for Zyban. Within 3/5 days of taking Zyban I was an ex smoker! I continued to go to my stop smoking group and I felt great. After 3 weeks I started getting some mild cravings but nothing I couldn't handle but I did mention it to the guy in charge of the stop smoking group and he gave me a couple of strips of 4mg lozenges! And so it began!
At 1st I didn't even like them. They tasted slimy and I sucked it and spat it out but of course that was enough. I was hooked and when I mentioned it to the guy who gave them to me I was told I could take them for ever if I wanted to as they're better for me than fags. If only I had known then what I know now!
About 6 yrs ago I started getting heartburn and integration. It got worse and worse until I collapsed. I was rushed into hospital (twice) where they found I had a badly infected gal bladder. The doctors couldn't understand it as I'm not over weight and I don't have a high fat diet. I'm not even much of a meat eater. I have a heathy diet. They just couldn't explain it and neither could I! I had to have my gallbladder removed but still I was plagued by stomach problems!
A couple of years ago my dentist started to worry about my teeth! She started asking me if I have a high acid diet! I said no
She then asked if I made myself sick. I said no why. She said I don't understand ( sounds familiar) why but your teeth seems to be under attack. The enamel is very thin. I've spent a fortune over the years trying to keep my teeth nice.!
About 6 mths ago I started finding I was needing glasses to read more and more. I'd always had 20 20 vision so it came as a shock. The optician said I don't understand it ( now I do maybe I can explain it to them all) your eyes are tired and older than they should be. My eyesight is in rapid decline!
After reading this article I've decided I have to stop the lozenges before they do any more damage. PLEASE anyone reading this PLEASE use them with caution. I'm going to give the fisherman friends ago and try and go cold turkey.
Sorry this has been such a long post but I thought my story should be known.
Having read What Mandi had to say have to comment on my dental problems too. My teeth are the same with the enamel thinning, and also a mouth infection that may or may not be related. My lord what is in these things!! Still on with the fishermans friends so had no lozengers at all. Will start to wean off these soon or there will have to be another forum to come off these tablets as well Lol !!
Mandi-- thank you so much for sharing all that. You made a connection for me that I had not thought of-- I knew that my gastric ulcers and borderling glaucoma were related to the nicotine lozenges but guess what-- I have had terrible problems with my teeth which has gotten somewhat better in the two years I have been off the lozenges. Wow-- my dentist couldn't understand why I kept getting cavities and having to have teeth capped even though I was brushing and flossing like a maniac. I have three dental implants now and for what I have spent on my teeth I could be traveling the world or driving a very expensive car-- damn!!!
Lesley-- I still suck on sugerless hard candies, but am not addicted to them the way I was to nicotine lozenges. I imagine your Fisherman's friend addiction is not too serious but Kudos for getting off the nicotine. I was amazed at how much better I felt after I stopped.
Have been on lozenges for 6 years, not a minute goes by without one in my mouth.I went cold turkey yesterday with help from Allen Carr's book.Couldn't have done it without the advice from the book.I find lozenges more addictive than cigs as u can have one in your mouth every waking second. My advice is to be very careful with them.
I did it! I've been off the lozenges almost a week now. I did the taper down method. In fact, I left the lozenges at home while I worked. I had 3 in the morning. And 3 in the evening, then 2' then 1 and on the last day I had one in the morning. I've been off a week now and...ITS HARD! I think all of us are looking for an easy way.....there isn't one. We just need to prepare ourselves that it WILL be hard. Anger at nicotine and addictions along with crying out to God, has given me strength. I used the Fishermens Friends lozenges for 2 days, but I have to warn you, it has an ingredient in it that is a stimulant. I didn't get any sleep while I was using them. I recommend regular cough drops....seems to have the same affect.
Anyway...I feel confident that I've made it through the hard part. I still having cravings, but they last about 2 seconds. I'm pretty sure that I will never put myself through this again!
WOW!!!! KUDOS BARBARASUE!!!!!! That is wonderful and thanks for taking time to come back here and share the good news with us. I am soooooooooo happy for you. I think you are right-- we all are looking for an easy way and there just isn't one-- however, maybe we could look at this as the two stages of quitting LOL Whatever-- you are now nicotine free and that is wonderful. I predict that in a couple of months you are going to feel even more wonderful as your body adjusts.
After writing my last comment just over 3 weeks ago I decided to go cold turkey. I think I felt angry with myself for getting myself into this mess. I know I was looking for an easy way out of my addiction and the lozenges helped. It felt great to be able to say I was an ex smoker ( I did feel a bit of a cheat though if I'm honest as I was still getting my nicotine fix but it was great being able to get my fix while sat at the dinner table)! Anyway I decided after my last post enough was enough. I'm now happy to say I'm an ex smoker and an ex lozenger user. I'm using sugar free mints. I still have cravings and I've put on a bit of weight ( diet after Xmas). But I'm already feeling better. My purse is feeling better too! I've not had any nicotine in any form since my last post.
Wow Mandi-- that's great. Thanks for sharing and what a great Christmas gift to yourself. Congratulations and thanks for sharing your success here.
I too felt soooo much better once I got off the lozenges. I think I really didn't know how bad they were making me feel till I got off them.
Hi everyone, felt I owed you an update on the fishermans friends. I have managed to half the niquitine lozenges while using fishermans friends too, but I'm struggling to give them up completely :(. The problem now is because I used to have one constantly in my mouth, which I now substitute with a fishermans friend, I'm getting bored with them ...even swapping flavours! Somewhere in my brain there's a little voice saying 'YOU HAVEN'T HAD YOUR FIX!!'. Although most of the problems associated with the niquitine lozenge have improved my eyesight is still bad to the point where food on my dinner plate is blurred! I am long sighted, so I don't need glasses all the time just close up. I'm also aware that my age (46)may be playing a part in this but because of the rapid decline over the last few years and its a common factor here with everyone else its so worrying!!.
Ok, maybe I should try going cold turkey? Best I go and warn everyone now :) to be continued......
holding my breath and keeping my fingers crossed for you J-Le. Congrats on cutting the nicotine in half and I know you will eventually kick the whole thing.
BTW I am far sighted too and remember that I began to need to wear glasses for more than just reading in my late forties. I went to the eye doctor who explained to me that there are two kinds of far-sightedness-- one that you are born with( hyper-opia) and one that comes with age( presby-opia) and that I had them both . I've been wearing glasses full time since then
Just another up date. Still off the lozengers and now off the fishermans friend and on to sugar free mints. Certainly am sleeping better but have put weight on. Do the lozengers speed up your metabolism does anyone know ?
nicotine does speed up your metabolism, so getting off the gum or lozenges will cause your system to slow down
That was my experience too-- I gained weight--went up a dress size, but after I had been off the lozenges for about a year I went to Weight watchers and took it off and it is still gone and I watch what I eat and get more exercise than I used to. Small price to pay IMO
I am currently withdrawing from the lozenges after almost 3 years. The thing is i was a light smoker (less than 5 a day) before i started them. I wanted a quick fix and these seemed to be the answer.
I don't know if I have suffered obvious side effects, although i do feel my teeth are weaker now. I've also made an effort to be really healty recently and still don't feel quite 'right' + irregular periods and i think these could be causing it. They're certainly not doing me any good are they?!I've taken 4/2 and now 1mg lozenges, ususally whatever was on offer/clearence at the shop to be honest.
I've rencetly cut them down from my usual 5 a day to 2 (3 days ago) and last night went cold turkey. Even though I was on a low dose it's so hard. I'm struggling right now. I'm 24 hours in and keep telling myself to keep going, I don't need this addiction.
There should absolutely be more research into the long-term side effects of this addiction. I have found very little. Just something somewhere saying 1mg of nicotine can kill a large rat? If it's true, then wow, that's scary. The people who know I am addicted to these think it's funny. There is nothing funny about this. In fact, it seems a very lonely addiction with noone to understand or encourage you to stop. I will report back and let you know if i am able to stay off the things. Good luck to tose you you who are trying to come off and thanks for the article.
It's been about a month since I have quit the lozenges. The cravings are less frequent, but can still be overwhelming at times. Like I sai before; Fishermans Friend contains an ingredient that is a stimulant and was keeping me awake at night, so I use regular mentholated cough drops like Halls or generic. I'm still using the cough drops and slowly implementing regular mints. I'm feeling better overall now and I started working out again 2 days ago, whereas before I didn't have the energy.
Also...just to note,I had mentioned earlier that I was diagnose with Angio Edema, which is a dreadful condition that can really mess up your appearance. I never had it before the lozenges and surprise,surprise, have not had one outbreak since I quit using the lozenges!
My opinion is that we are using the lozenges to the point where we are building up toxic levels of nicotine, or something else thats in the lozenges, and it's making us sick. We all need to get angry and stop poisoning our bodies! The tobacco industry is known for dishonesty and they don't care about us, all they want is our money. Just my two-cents.
Keep going Lesa. It's really worth it to get off the lozenges. One reason I wrote this hub was to spread the word that these things are really toxic and I have been really amazed at the number of people who have left comments reflecting experiences similar to mine. I'm not so sure anymore that the lozenges are not as bad as cigarettes-- they may be just a bad in a different way-- like they totally destroy your teeth and gastro intestinal track-- more research NOT funded by big pharma or big tobacco please.
Barbarasue-- you are amazing. Thank you so much for sharing your progress and the tips about Fishermens Friend and menthol cough drops and congratulations on kicking what is turning out to be a pretty nasty addiction. I totally agree with you. We need to spread the word about these lozenges. That's one reason I wrote this hub. Nicotine is a deadly poison and those of us who become addicted to the lozenges are just taking it in a different form than smokers. It says on the package not to use them for more than 3 months, but it is in small print and nobody tells you about these awful side effects.
I bet your angio-edema has gone the way of my borderline glaucoma-- pfffft gone with the lozenges.
So, update after 6 weeks - lozenges are history! I did switch back to cigarettes for a couple of weeks, but guess what - those were easier to control and then to quit. I had flu for a couple weeks, which helped not to want any cigarettes. So now, I'm still with the flu - but haven't had any nicotine for 3 weeks, the cravings are very infrequent and are getting more and more on the psychological side. Which is much easier to handle :). I'm happy because despite the flu, I feel like 10 times better than with lozenges, or cigarettes :).
I too have switched addictions and i'm really struggling to quit the lozenges. I'm now trying patches again to see if i can wean myself off the nicotine but i'm having trouble sticking with them as you dont get the same hit with a patch. i am suffering with alot of mouth ulcers and sore throats so its time to try and kick the habbit.
Try starting with the 14 mg nicotine patch and as many sugarfree hard candies or cough drops as you need. Needless to say, don't give into the cravings and don't smoke a cigarette. The first couple of days may be tough, but after three or four days it will be easier. After a week you may be ready to step down to the weaker patches. I think there are two or three different strenghth available. Keep going and let us know what happens. Good luck.
29 have stg III copd cant quit even though its prying @ me that this diesease is killing me so young. pipe tobacco rolled in a tube when prices on tobacco went up is my flaw.. cold turkey doesnt work I have anxiety. quit once for a year and relapsed. married now and we both smoke any ideas? i am so addicted (4 packs a day) I smoke, chew gum and wear patches as I am now addicted to it all
Simba, I think you need a doctor's help with this-- if you are smoking 4 packs a day and chewing gum and using the patch, that is really dangerous. You are going to poison yourself. At your level cold turkey is probably not an option-- and you need to get your wife to smoke outside and not smoke around you. With your COPD you definitely should not be around second hand smoke. I think you need to work with your doctor on this and I hope that the two of you can come up with a plan to taper you down and get you off nicotine gradually or send you to " nicotine detox" somewhere.
Hi guys. Just a quick post to let your all know I'm still off the lozengers. I'm using some sugar free mints from aldi's. I buy them buy the dozen lol. I had a bad dose of sinusitis that lasted over Christmas but other than that I feel so much better. I hope you all are as lucky as I am and win your battle with the lozengers. Whenever I think I need a lozenger
..... I try to remember how addicted I was to them and then I get angry and I find the craving passes. I don't want to be a slave to them any more. Good luck everyone.
Kudos Mandi and a big round of applause. Isn't it great to be free??? Just like I didn't know how lousy smoking was making me feel till I stopped, I didn't know how tired and terrible the lozenges were making me feel until I stopped. Your experience and your generosity in sharing it in these comments makes me really really glad I wrote this hub. Thank you so much.
NO, thank YOU. If it hadn't been for this hub I would still be on the lozengers and unaware of how ill they were making me. Thank you. Xxx
Mwah-- we are a mutual admiration society :-))))
12 weeks on lozenges and time to taper and quit. Great blog :)
Congrats on quitting cigarettes and good luck with the tapering. Thanks for reading and commenting. Glad you found this helpful.
Wow! I just found this site while researching the effects of nicotine lozenges! So glad I found this!! I, too, like many other posters have been addicted to nicotine lozenges for almost 2 years. I smoked about a pack a day of cigarettes previously before I decided to quit and start the lozenges. The problem was that instead of tapering off of the lozenges like I should have, I just kept taking them and now I suck on them ALL day long! I don't even know how many a day I go through but I am guessing somewhere from 10 -12 a day of the 4mg. I freak out if I am running low and always have to run to the store to buy more! I have never worried about it, thinking that it was "safe" and better than cigarettes. I was wrong! I went to the dentist and he said the enamel on my teeth is thinning and I always have a cavity or two. He can't figure out why either but now I know why! I have also noticed that I always have gas or get bloated or I am irregular(never had this in the past). Now I know why!! I have got to quit these things! I have a very addictive personality and develop addictions easily. I also always kept taking the lozenges because they would keep me from eating all the time or gaining weight once I quit smoking. Now, I don't care, I just want to kick this habit! Thank you sooooo much for creating this hub, it has really helped me realize my addiction to these horrible lozenges.
Welcome to the club, Mar-- and thanks for posting here. There seems to be a growing body of evidence on the dangers of gum an lozenges growing in this comment section. Yes yes-- do get off the lozenges. I was the same as you and 10 or 12 4 mg lozenges gives you almost as much nicotine as a pack of cigarettes-- think about that when you want a lozenge and good luck...... let us know how it goes and add any tips you want to this comment thread.
i have quit cigarete for 9 weeks with the help of lozenges now i read others comments i would try sucking mints in place of lozenges till i come off them, thanks to all the helpful comments.
hi, Just a quick update on my progress after a month. I have not had a lozenge in the whole month since I quit! I did buy the Fishermans friends and they did seem to really help in the early days. However I came off them because I coulnd't sleep at night. i have to admit I'm still having trouble sleeping a month down the line and wonder if this has something to do with the nicotine coming out of the system? Not sure really. i just feel really happy i managed to give these up after 3 years. Good luck to the rest of you. You really can do it. Not easy but after the first 4 or 5 days it gets easier. x
Am now off the lozengers completely and have replaced them with mints as suggested. My daughter is quiting too but is using the electric ciggies. Hopefully this is not as bad as the lozengers ?
Hooray for you, Lesley and I hope your daughter makes it too. I'll be interested in her experience using e-cigarettes as a quitting tool.
Hi, My twin sister has been chewing the gum (4mg) for over 15 years. About a year ago she started to have pain in her feet. She had CAT scans done of her feet and it showed the bones were dying/dead in both feet. She had both feet operated on at different times, they had to put cadaver bone in there to try to correct the problem. She was still experiencing pain and went back for another cat scan. The scan showed that the bones had not fused together and the doctor wants to operate on both of them again.
I think the gum has slowed/stopped the blood circulation to her feet and have caused the bones to die. Also I think the cadaver bones did not fuse because of the lack of blood going to her feet. The orthopedic surgeon could not explain the reason for these bones to just die. My sister told the doctor about chewing the gum. He said it could have caused this, but he doesn't know.
HAS ANYONE ELSE OUT THERE HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THEIR FEET? Or circulation problems? I am very worried about my sister, she has not been able to walk for about 4 months because the the surgeries and now she has to start all over again. Not sure the second time around will work either, she still chews the gum. HELP!
I'm a addict to the lozingers iv been on them for 14 months I am glad iv found this forum as I thought I was the only one after reading this it has give me thedetermination to get of them asap I found it easy to give tags up.
Good luck Dave and thanks for sharing here. Will be interested to hear more from you as you taper off and get off of all nicotine-- you are going to feel so much better you won't believe it!
I am so glad I found this site. I have been hooked on the Lozenges for about 3 years now and it seems the first thing in the morning I look for them and have one in my mouth most of the day. For two years now I have had constant throbbing pain in my right foot. I have been to lots of different kinds of doctors and even went to UI Hospital in Indianapolis, but they can not find what is causing this pain. I am wondering if the pain now is coming from taking the lozenges. I guess I need to stop them and see. Has anyone else had this kind of pain? Thanks for all the comments, I havent lost any hair, so guess that is good.
Hi Loretta and thanks for commenting here. Have no idea if your foot pain has anything to do with nicotine or not-- actually kind of doubt it but one thing is for sure, if you can unload the lozenges you will feel better and if they do have something to do with your foot pain, it will disappear, so it is worth doing. Good luck and keep us posted here on your progress.
I took your advice about 3 months ago and started a journal, didn;t need to do it for long to realize that I sucked on lozenges from first thing in the morning literally into the night with the rare time out to drink and eat. I had noticed that I panicked if I thought I weren't going to have one and I quickly recognized the same procastination techniques that I had experienced for years while trying to quit smoking. I felt hopeless. Then I got mad. Really mad at myself. I did not do any of the things that I did to quit smoking. No goal date. No seeking support of close circle of people in my life. I did nothing but in the back of my mind I planted the seed that it WOULD happen and it would happen SOON! Of course life threw me a few stressors to make the journey bumpy. I felt a bug coming on, you know the one you just watched your coworker go through for the last week and you know you are going to have a few miserable days ahead of you. I got in to see the doctor, started on a z pack in case it would help alleviate the symptons and went home and climbed in bed. I decided this was as good a time to quit as any, I was going to be half wishing I were dead any way. Just for the record every night when I went to bed I had to have a fresh lozenge to go to bed with. Well, after 3 months of planting and replanting the seed. it almost seemed like a good idea as weird as that sounds. I went to bed and in the morning and put a lozenge on my tongue out of habit and it tasted horrible you know just like that first cig you lit up after quitting for 6 months. It tastes incredibly horrid yet the connection it makes in your brain ensures you would get over it and in that very moment I realized it was so simple and I knew I had it beat!!! I hope to never get past the nasty taste that I now associate it with. In the first 2 days I napped a lot. I now realize I always had the power, I just never exercised it. Kinda like Dorothy and her shoes lol I am going to try apply it to other areas of my life and I really am celebrating not being a slave to them any more! I feel so confident that I am giving away the rest of the boxes I have left. Don't ever quit quitting, practice makes perfect. Thank you for letting me know that I was not alone!! Good luck to you all, you CAN do it!
What a wonderful wonderful story and thank you for leaving it here in this thread. Applause all around-- It is no small thing to take back your power and I am sure this will be like a pebble in the water that will radiate out to all parts of your life. I went and looked at your profile and see that you haven't written any Hubs yet and I'm hoping that you will expand this profound and beautiful comment into a hub of your own. You have a lot to say, I think and I defeinitely want to hear it all.
I am shocked at how many other people are finding it hard to stop using tge lozenges! I have asked 2 health professionals to help me and they have both said,' its fine.. Stay on the lozenges, they are much better for you than the cigs'.. My problem is though that i am fully aware i am addicted to them, gave up smoking in November last year when i was diagnosed with asthma. I have had about 15 lozenges a day since and cant bare the thought of cutting down!! I am so happy i have found this website and will definately try some of the ideas on here. I know i need to stop them soon as i have been suffering from palpitations, headaches, feeling sick and a swollem abdomen. I also feel really tense at times and depressed that i am still an addict and still rely on that little dose of nicotine to get me through the day!
Agh! This is terrible! i am addicted to the gum myself and i'm not sure what to do... I've been chewing it for almost a year now and i have a pack of 4mg a day... It's terrible, i've been cutting down a tiny bit.. seeing how i might have major health problems... but it's really hard for me because i used to chew tabbaco. So, in a sense its kind of the same thing. Without them i feel like utter shit... i get migraines, no sleep.... and really stressed. I might even start smoking to be honest, i haven't ever been addicted to cigarettes but now.. i walk up like 5 steps and i'm out of breath! insane! The gum is horrible!
Thanks so much for writing this and keeping the dialogue going. I'm on day 75 of quitting smoking through the aid of the mini lozenge. I tried to ween myself from 4 mg to 2mg but went back to 4mg with the next purchase. That's when I knew I was heading into stormy weather. I'm replacing addictions. I'm very proud of myself for quitting smoking, but I know I need to quit lozenges before I create another (transfer the?) mess. Thanks to this thread, I have some tools to help me do it and before my 90th day of not smoking, I will be free from the NRT. Thank you Robie and all of the posters. You've given me the courage to take care of this now. NRT gave me the courage to quit 75 days ago, but now it's time to go it alone! Good luck to all!
Kelsea thanks for sharing your experience with the lozenges. I can see that for someone who used to chew tobacco they would present a special challenge. I hope you can wean yourself-- maybe things that have helped some of the posters in this thread will help you too. Don't try cigarettes-- If you think you are huffing and puffing on the stair now, you will be much worse after taking smoke into your lungs and cigarette smoke has other bigtime problems as well.
thanks-- so glad you stopped by and good luck to you. Please come back and let us know how it is going. Whatever you do don't smoke.
I am not going to go into my problems with lozenges as it is basically the same as everyone else above. It has been 8 years for me now and I have also had health professionals tell me it is fine to keep using them. With all the people who have written about their experiences above, is it possible for you to take it to higher ground and demand testing be done. The companies who supply these products should have to adhere to the strict conditions cigarette companies have to abide by, they are by no means the answer to anyone's problems.
Thanks Cathy for making the point. Some real independent studies on the long term use of Nicotine Replacement Therapy are long overdue--While the gum and lozenges are manufactured to strict pharmeceutical standards, and there is a warning about prolonged use on the package-- nobody takes it very seriously and they should.
Nicotine Gum and lozenges are like the methadone of nicotine and doctors say the same thing to smokers as they do to heroin addicts-- i.e. this is better and safer than smoking or shooting heroin so don't worry.
It is time to assess the real impact of long term use of nicotine gum and lozenges and the reality of addiction to them.
Good article. I've been using the nicotine lozenge to quit and because of slip ups on the second month it got pushed back 3 more months. i read a article saying that most smokers addicted to the lozenge or gum could successfuly quit using regular mint or cherry gum or lozenge like texters. I'm not addicted to it thank god. i just have the habit of having something sit on the side of my mouth while i'm on the computer. so i just started using regular peppermints. it helps.
That's great, Aseffa-- and congratulations on giving up smoking. Really glad you have had an easy time transitioning to regular gum and lozenges. Thanks for sharing.
I need some serious help. I have not smoked in almost 3 years. I smoked for 31 years.
I still use the nicotine lozenges daily. Probably around 10 per day. I bite off little pieces like some kind of crack addict.
I am hopelessly addicted to the lozenges now and I think it is affecting my health. Palpating teeth issues, stomach issues. I almost feel like scraping the whole damn quit and finish my days smoking. I signed up for life insurance and they are coming out Friday to swab my mouth looking for nicotine. Yes... I signed up as a non smoker. I have to go cold turkey in the morning. I think if I fail I might just go back to the horrible cigarettes and give up. I almost feel like I just can't win.
I meant to say palpations.
Also it's triggered bad anxiety.
I have got to flush this out in 4 days in order to pass the nicotine test. Plus I am so sick and tired of being addicted PERIOD.
I hear you Ste1959-- First things first. How about postponing the life insurance interview for a week or two-- just reschedule the appointment to give yourself a little breathing room. Then, go out and get a package of nicotine patches ( the strongest ones) throw out the nicotine gum and slap on a patch. Chew real gum, suck on hard candies and do what you need to but do not, under any circumstances, have micotine in any form other than the patch. Try to get through just one day this way and take it one day at a time. Use a new patch every day for at least a week. When you feel comfortable, step down to the weaker patches and do them for at least a week. Next find a support group and buy a lot of non nicotine hard candy and gum and when you are down to the lowest nicotine patch for at least a week, jump off the cliff and go without any nicotine replacement-- if you can get through a day with no patch, keep going one day at a time and reschedule your insurance interview.
Above all, don't do what you are doing now. You are setting yourself up for failure by putting all that pressure on yourself. Good luck. Got my fingers crossed for you.
Ok
Thank you
I bought the 3rd step patch today. I plan to only use 5 and go completely without after that. I can only postpone the insurance tech for 2 weeks.
I hope that 9 days will be enough to not detect any traces of nicotine when they do the swab.
Aside from that.. I want to be completely free. I know those lozenges can't be good for you.
Great Ste-- I know you can do it. Keeping my fingers crossed. You are going to feel soooooooo good when you are totally nicotine free. I promise
Jeez
This is not going as smooth as I had hoped. 24 hrs using the 7mg patch and I caved and had I 2mg lozenge.
I have to make sure I can do without both by Saturday.
One 2mg lozenge is not the end of the trail. Get rid of the lozenges-- get them out of the house so you won't be tempted. Now is the time to keep going with the patch. Ride the cravings through and stick with the patch only. I know it's hard, but starting over later will be harder. The amount of nicotine in your system is coming down. Just stick with it and give it time.... I;m pulling for you.
I'm hanging in there. I gave to get rid of the lozenges tomorrow. I had a half of one tonight.
smoked for 20 years. stopped in 2008. been hooked on lozenges for 3. i quit them things yesterday. felt worse than shit yesterday. asked jesus to help me through it. this morning i feel great. thank you jesus. if you don't got faith in your self ask a higher power.
pfunk-- thanks for adding that. Like they say, there are no aetheists in foxholes, and addiction is definitely a foxhole. I never under-estimate the power of prayer and congrats on getting off the lozenges.
I rate this as helpful info. On a scale of 1-10 , it would have to be a 10
Thanks D2-- pass the word. I think more people should just be aware that getting hooked on the lozenges is a possibility and be prepared-- not that they cannot really be helpful. I don't think I could have quit without them-- but if you stay on them longer than a few months they can be dangerous too.
2 pack a day smoker for 10 years quit several times using lozenges only to go right back into a full 2 pack a day habbit. Last attempt at quitting was in feb of this year and so far been very good and havent cheated once. But I am addicted to those damn lozenges again. While not as expensive as ciggs they are arent much cheaper. A tube of 4 mg every other day gets expensive. I am out of them and am going to try distracting myself with gardeneing and chores to finally rid myself of my nicotine addiction for good. As a side note the lozenges name brand and generic give me horrific painful gas. So much and so loud it scares the cats.
Thank you so much, Robie 2. I read this post string initially about 3 months ago. It got me seriously thinking that I should probably create a cessation plan. I had been chewing Nicotine gum for the last five years. I had fluctuated in my usage, but had gotten up to 15 pieces a day and had far exceeded the cost of cigarettes on the gum and was wondering what the negative health impacts were. Anyhow - I didn't figure I needed to keep at it to see if I could have the same problems others on the site shared. So, I got myself to 10 pieces a day for a week and then jumped down to six and was going to do that for two weeks and then taper down one piece every two weeks. I don't think I believed I could do it, but there were so many others on this site with WAY heavier consumption habits who did it, so couldn't I? Shouldn't I? I purchased nicotine patches in the event I freaked out. I also purchased a ton of Trident cinnamon gum. But then something magical happened - I went down to two pieces after about 3 days on 6 pieces. I hovered there for a few days and then went down to one piece at night and stayed there for about a week and then I was done. I never used the patch. I just quit. We won't talk about how much weight I've gained - but I think it is related to thyroid issues more than anything else. But I digress. It was this forum which afforded me the courage and belief that I could do it. I smoked cigarettes for almost 25 years and then finally gave it up only to get totally as addicted to the gum for five years. Oddly enough, I don't know the date of my last piece of gum, but it's been about a month or so and I am not going back. For the first time in my adult life, I am free from nicotine. Thank you Robie 2 and every other person on this site with the courage to quit and share your story! May we all continue to inspire others! Freedom!!!!
stephhicks68 Level 7 Commenter 22 months ago
Wow, I had no idea that nicotine gum and lozenges could pose such a problem! Great tips and very useful, especially with your personal story. Thumbs up!