Nicotine gum chewers-past and present-check in

[Theres-a]

Ok, I haven't had a cigarette in 4 months today.However,I chew nicotine gum. Has anyone else chewed and then gone back to smoking? I have, and would like to know if anyone else is content with just chewing the gum.

I ask because someone discouraged me from the gum last time I quit. I decided they were right,that if I was still chewing the gum,I hadn't "really" quit.So,with that twisted logic,I went back to cigs.Let me tell you what followed was a nightmare.I was back to a stinky,nauseating $10 a day habit.

So, here we are again. 4 months later,I feel like a failure for still chewing gum.However,I do not buy the lie that it's as bad as smoking.I am able to hike again,and that is one of the things that really bring me joy. I can even afford a new map and compass!

I am not looking for advice,exactly,but I do wonder what other folks have experienced.

[DaveJ]

1. Don't worry about it

While I am not interested in using gum, I have heard that nicotine is relatively harmless compared to the other hazards of smoking. The gum is probably not much different than coffee, and a lot more pleasurable.

I'm on my 12th or so day of nonsmoking using Chantix. If I could afford to pay for gum indefinitely I might have considered it. At this point it sounds like it would be very satisfying, but I would not worry about being a 'failure' whatsoever. If anyone gives you grief about it ask how much caffeine they consume.

[Theres-a]

2. Encouraging ,thanks

I don't know how much longer I can afford the gum,I have been to the dentist,and it appears they would like me to sign over my next several months paychecks to them.Should I stand in their waiting room with a sign that reads "Will Work For Teeth"?

[DaveJ]

3. Sorry about that

At least, I guess, your dentist is warning you about the cost beforehand. When I took my family in with my new insurance, we were told our insurance was great and not to worry about the cost. Then come to find out insurance only paid about half of it, I was stuck with a big bill I didn't expect. Then of course my wife gets hurt and can't work, and so on....

Online it looks like Nicorette is about 25 cents a piece. Not sure if that would help.

[Theres-a]

6. I just paid $450

To replace a tooth with a flipper(single tooth).$70 for the initial consult.Ack.

[Hatchling]

4. I can stop smoking with the gum.

But I can't give up the gum. If I could afford it I would use the gum exclusively. I feel so much better, healthier, cleaner. But it is prohibitively expensive. You'd think the insurance companies would get the fact that covering the gum for me would be a lot less expensive than the increasing doctor visits and medications that I need for my chronic bronchitis, asthma and copd. Somehow, I think the gum would be cheaper in the long run, that the oxygen tank and supplies they are going to probably pay for in the future.

[Theres-a]

5. At $5+ a pack

It's cheaper for me to chew gum than smoke. I spent $11 per day on smoking. I only spend $30 per week on gum.Have you tried buying it at drugstore.com or walmart?Or were you a light smoker?It really is too bad insurance doesn't cover at least part of it.

[Shae]

7. I used Nicotette gum and was pretty hooked on it ...

When the time came to reduce the amount I chewed, I didn't want to cut down.
Finally, I decided to switch to the patch since that is a more passive way of getting nicotine.
I can't really say if that worked or not.
After a couple of days on the patch, I got sick (not from the patch), and was in bed for a couple of days.
The patch fell off and I didn't put a new one on. By the time I was well again,I didn't need it.
I have been 8 years smoke- gum- and patch-free.
Good luck to you.

[Theres-a]

8. Great story

Thanks for sharing it. I think next time I'm sick,I'll try forgetting my gum,maybe it'll help to be sleeping and miserable when I get off the gum. I am rather hooked on it. Beats smoking,but I believe I'll be better off without it.Congratulations on 8 years.

[Why Syzygy]

9. Now cigs are up to $7.00 a pack.

You can't just compare purchase prices. There are all those indirect costs of cigarettes. Burned clothes and car seats, repainting, lighters, air fresheners, candles, breath mints. There's also the extra burden we put on the environment with a pile of butts.

[NMDemDist2]

10. I'm a gummer

but i still smoke

i've gone down to a pack a week between vaping and gum