There are 366 ratings for the drug: NICORETTE in the Askapatient database.

Key to ratings for nicorette: 5-Very Satisfied: this medicine cured me or helped me a great deal. 4-Satisfied: this medicine helped. 3-Somewhat Satisfied: this medicine helped somewhat. 2-Not Satisfied: this medicine did not work to my satisfaction. 1-Dissatisfied: I would not recommend taking this medicine.

Page: 1  2  3 4    Results are sorted by Date Rating Was Added.

Rating	Reason	Side Effects	Comments	Sex	Age	Time Taken and Dosage		Date Added
				F  M
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3	Quit Smoking	Acid Reflux	been a smoker off/on since teens. Have quit many times and nicorette helps get through the first couple weeks. Most recently though, chewing only one per day, after dinner, I noticed severe heartburn/acid reflux at bedtime. I fell off the wagon for a weekend during which I smoked, drank and ate a lot and didn't have the heartburn problem. On Sunday, got back on the non-smoking wagon, took another piece of nicorette and heartburn came back. have since stopped nicorette and heartburn also stopped.	M	50	2 weeks		10/30/2009
5	quit smoking	Some hiccups if I chewed a lot.	THe others are a bunch of whiners. Hair loss ... got that anyway. I love the stuff. Bit expensive, but I like it ... only the original recipe for me. None of that flavoured stuff. Plus it is much better for you than smoking. I have 6 to 10 pieces a day. I do worry about sleeping with it ... which I love. Wake up refreshed!	M	43	120 days		10/29/2009
1	To quit smoking	headaches, jaw pain, tooth decay, fatigue		F	48	1 years		10/28/2009
5	to quit smoking & chewing tobacco	the usual side effects. although i have a strange sensation on the bridge of my nose that has become chronic and may or may not be related.		F	29	1 years		10/17/2009
5	quit smoking	In addition to smoking cessation, Nicotine gum has helped me maintain healthy body weight.	I weighed 200 pounds when I quit smoking 8 years ago. I quit smoking through "combo-therapy." I joined a smoking cessation group, I started an exercise program, I started taking Ziban, and I began chewing nicotine gum. The self help group ended after a few months. Ziban caused strange dreams, so I gave that up, too. But the exercise and the nicotine gum remained for the next 6 years. Within months, my wight declined to 160 pounds, which I maintained for the next 6 years. In December 2006, I gave up the nicotine gum but maintained the diet and exercise program. I assumed that the diet and exercise program was entirely responsible for maintaining low body weight. Still, within a year my weight shot back up to 200 pounds, so I started the nicotine gum again. Within a month my wight declined by 25 pounds, and I am now confident that I will reach my normal weight in due course. For me, nicotine gum seems to be an indispensable elixir of good health. I buy nicotine gum in bulk on line, and the cost is far less than cigarettes. I buy the cheapest brand I can find. They all work equally well.	M	47	7 years		10/13/2009 Email
1	to quit smoking	severe hair loss	I smoked for approximately 35 years. I have been addicted to nicorette and committ for almost 4 years. I have experienced severe hair loss. Today I am quitting nicorette and committ and pray my hair grows back. I would have never even used these products had I know the horrible side effects.	F	52	4 years		10/12/2009 Email
5	info	If you chain-chew the nicotine gum expect to experience: 4mg gum > heart palipations (skipping beats) 2mg gum > no heart problems Possible receding gum line after years of use NOTE: Female pattern baldness is often caused by menopause	Doctors and dentist never bad mouth this product I chew the gum while drinking beer and wine - no problems I would like to not have this addiction but have no plans to quit	M	40	5 years		10/10/2009
1	Stop smoking/chewing tobacco	Used gum to stop chewing tobacco that I previously used to stop smoking. Gum was great. No need to spit as w/ chewing tobacco. Could even chew gum at work. Now I could feed the nicotine habit during all waking hrs of the day! I got to the point I preferred gum to chewing tobacco or smoking. Initially felt better on gum than chew... Started using gum almost non-stop 5 years ago. Consumed 10+ pieces 4mg per day, some days up to 20. Started to experience heavy palipations (heart pounding) at night and lack of cardio. Shortness of breath when climbing stairs and occaisional chest pain/fullness. Quit cold turkey 2 months ago. Used Stride spearmint gum 1st couple days. Very cranky at first. Used will power and refused to relapse after first couple days. Since quitting have had some more chest fullness and esophogus pain/discomfort. Visited DR and ER due to chest pain/dizzyness.	Completed stress echo test w/ no problems found. I guarantee I would not have been able to make 14 minutes on treadmill prior to stopping gum. Was winded just climbing stairs before quitting. Will be going in for another visit. Maybe scope for acid reflux? I think prolonged usage of gum has contributed. Dr's don't seem interested in talking about nicorette, think enough time has passed since quitting that it's not a factor. I think so much nicotine for so long had impact on health, physical and mental. QUIT TODAY! It is not as hard as you think. Make it through those first couple days and it gets easier. You will be grumpy for a while but it is worth it! I will post again after additional DR visits to let you know if anything is found.	M	42	10 years		10/6/2009
1	Wanted to quit smoking.	Severely addicted to Nicorette gum for 12 years. Extreme hair loss, wearing down of porcelain crowned teeth, general mailaise and not feeling well.	This stuff should carry the same warning as cigarettes have to. It is a nicotine product that is even more addicting than cigarettes, and can make a person much sicker than cigarettes ever could. I'm disgusted that this company seems to be enticing young people with their candy flavored gums. Young people need to be educated about this drug just like they are about cigarettes. There is no reason that the FDA should approve of this drug for any reason whatsoever.	F	60	12 days		9/29/2009
2	smoking cessation	severe addiction, hair loss,	This product should not be available without a prescription	M	51	12 years		9/26/2009
4	To quit smoking.	I quit, 19 years ago. But I became addicted to the gum. In last year I was chain-chewing, perhaps 40 pieces a day. I have been loosing more hair than I think normal for many years. But aside from the hair loss (which I did not connect to nicotine until I found this Board), cankers (hard to get rid of when chewing gum), I thought all was ok. Now I just got back mildly abnormal liver function tests (ALT in particular), an ultrasound that showed an echogenic liver and an elevated ferritin test (which has something to do with iron stores). And strangely, I notice that elevated ferritin is associated with hair loss. I don't know what is wrong with my liver yet. But, I am wondering if other heavy gum users have encountered liver problems.		F	59	19 years		9/23/2009
3	To Stop Smoking	Totally addicted to the gum...but had to stop because I started to get greasy hair, dandruff, acne and red 5-8mm flat scaly looking bite marks on my face, neck and arms. I have never had any health problems previously.	I saw an Oxford senior consultant dermatologist who also hadn't a clue what I had...but the only time in 40 years where I had a skin problem was whilst consuming 10 - 15 pieces of Nicorette gum. Please be aware that the first 6 months I had no problems but it seems if you exceed the recommended usage and continue to ingest the chemicals in the gum you are at risk of getting some side effect. I now chew Gurana gum from the health store and my acne, dandruff and mysterious red scaly spots have slowly gone. (My personal conclusion) after researching the ingredients in all the UK smokers gums...there are chemicals contained in all the gums that if ingested for longer than the stated period of time adversley alter the chemical balance in the human body. I rated this as 'somewhat satisfied' because it did stop me smoking!	F	40	1.5 years		9/22/2009
5	To quit smoking	Acne, Oily skin and hair loss	Off nicorette within 8 months, side effects have waned. (been off nicorette for 1 month. Highly recommended. I never thought I could quit. I was a pack to a pack and a half a day smoker for over 30 years. It did what they said it would do	M	46	8 months		9/11/2009
4	to stop smoking	After 7 years I have developed precancerous lesions on my tongue.	See above	M	52	7 years		9/11/2009
4	Stop Smoking	I'm taking the patch. I currently have been using it for 2 days. I experienced for the first time today a rash that looks like tiny blood vessels that have popped from where the patch was. Plus, it's kind of itchy.	Overall, I haven't had a cigarette in the past two days since starting them, however, for me...it's been more mental. I can honestly say that it's not the nicotine that I'm addicted to, it's definitely the "having something to do" situation. I have terrible anxiety so it's hard for me to not do something with my hands or what not. But, it's working out alright for me. I currently have a hair-tie on my wrist that i pop whenever i feel the urge of having something to do with my hands. Seems to work well.	F	20	2 days		9/6/2009
3	to stop smoking	Gas, bloating, belching, burping, flatulence, headaches, severe ear ache, back pain, irritability, severe anxiety, high blood pressure, shortness of breath, sore stomach, can't eat almost any food without it causing issues with digestion. Lightheadedness, fog brain	I went from working out every day to staying home and packing on weight from not working out. I couldn't breathe or I would get short winded or have these episodes that occured where I would feel like I was punched and lost my breath. I don't know if it was the nicorette or not as I suspected gall bladder or gall stones but I strongly suspect it after reading these posts and my symptoms matching others. I have been in and out of the hospital and today just came home from a ultrasound. Not sure if gallstones or not but I am telling you, I am beginning to think it is the nicorette. I am going to do my best to get off of this stuff..been on it a year and I bet my problems are a result of this gum. I think over time these symptoms progess as I have been on it about 13 months. I notice when I start chewing that I will get a small burp. Unfortunately, I will get stressed and chew, chew, chew and I will start burping more. Sometimes, I feel like my whole belly is going to explode and I will belch, have stomach acid, be gaseous, and I will go into a panic attack from the anxiety.	M	46			9/5/2009 Email
3	To stop smoking	After 3 years on not smoking, I'm now addicted to Nicorette gum. It's ruining my teeth and my hair is falling out! Didn't realize it was the Nicorette until I started reading the experiences of others. I think my increased blood pressue and overall body aches and pains is also attributed to Nicorette. Big question: how to I now break the gum addiction and remain smoke free?	After 3+ years of chewing this gum, I find myself addicted to it. How do I break this addiction and remain smoke free? Help!!	F	48	3.7 years		8/21/2009 Email
2	to quit smoking	itchy skin,severe hair loss,dental problems, flushed face, felt very unhealthy..felt like I was ageing rapidly and extremely high blood pressure very very addicted 4mg 10-12 times a day	grateful to be off cigs but not worth the side effects.found this sight because I was curious about side effects of the gum felt very unhealthy I'm hoping to regrow my hair and keep it Haven't chewed the gum for three days..I'm done..	F	49	18 months		8/20/2009
5	Smoked over 40 years.	Soreness in mouth	Much easier to breathe heart doesn't strain climbing stairs anymore. Easier to concentrate than when I've quit cold-turkey.	F	58	17 months		8/19/2009
5	to stop smoking	hiccups if I chew to fast	I love this gum. I am a "chain chewer". When I'm awake it's never out of my mouth. I'd like to quit because of the expense but I haven't been successful. However, my doctor says that it won't harm me. If nicorette caused hair loss I would be bald and I have nice thick hair. Hair loss is usually caused by a very stressful period three months prior to the hair loss. Also, hormonal changes can cause hair loss. The hair does grow back. My teeth are also fine. I've always chewed the unflavored gum. Some of these people who are posting seem to be suffering from anxiety and blame everything-real and imagined-on the gum. It absolutely makes quitting smoking much easier and smokers cough, shortness of breath, and smelling stinky can all be a thing of the past. If you want to be sure you don't get addicted to the gum, then follow the package directions. I didn't.	F	53	10 years		8/17/2009
1	TO GIVE UP SMOKING		MY HUSBAND IS TOTALLY ADDICTED.HE HAS TRIED EVERYTHING TO GIVE UP AND SPENDS MORE MONEY ON GUM THAN HE EVER DID ON CIGARETTES.IT CAUSES HIM TO LIE AS HE WON'T ADMIT HOW MUCH MONEY HE SPENDS. IT IS DESTROYING OUR ONCE HAPPY MARRAIGE.	M	51	8 years		8/15/2009
1	To resist social smoking relapse	Addiction, also likely related: tooth sensitivity, soft gums and gingivitis, mouth and tongue sores, gas, bloating, and farting, GERD/Reflux, chronic nasal drip type cough, asthma, sinusitis, sleep disturbances when taken late at night, acne, increased sebum production, irritability, depression.	This drug is addictive and the whole point of flavoring it now is to get new customers, making this market as bad or worse than the cigarette market. Drug dealing is drug dealing, whether you're "protecting us" from carbon monoxide or not.	M	36	4 years		8/14/2009
3	To quit smoking	None	I was able to quit smoking right away with Nicorette. I was also addicted to it right away. I chew 30 + pieces of 4mg daily. At one point I used Zyban to break the gum chewing habit and it worked for approximately 8 months. Ended up back on the gum and have been cheweing it ever since. Since I have found it for $16 dollars for 105 pieces, I don't have any incentive to quit and have never experienced hair loss or tooth decay. Would love to quit though, don't like the control that it has over me.	F	43	14 years		8/7/2009
1	to quit smoking	mood swings, intense addiction, panic attacks,unexplained minor strokes	This is not the person taking the gum but his wife writing this to you. The mood swings got worse, He started getting panic attacks more and more, He has now suffered two slight strokes which the doctors can't understand why because he doesn't have the markers to have them. I think the FDA should find people to run it that actually care about people not what drug company is going to throw money their way. I strongly urge people not to ingest this substance it could cost you your life. I am puting his gender, age,and years ingesting this crap.	M	53	12 years		8/7/2009
1	TO stop my cigarette smoking	Anxiety, sleeplessness, the red acne like things on my face, hig blood pressure,	I have been chewing 2mg for past 7 years- Initally I was happy with the results of no longer being a smoker, ut at this point i am not ableto stop the addiction to the gum.	F	39	7 years		8/5/2009 Email
1	to stop smoking	Loss of tooth enamel,anxiety,nausea. Highly addictive.	Initially used to stop smoking. Now have been using on and off for 20 years plus. Constantly reassured self it was less harmful than smoking so OK. Consider NRT an unregulated, expensive scam. As hard to quit gum as smoking - have stopped now for 2 days and am determined to keep going - 20 years ingesting this poison has been too long.	F	52	20 years		8/2/2009
5	To stop smoking	Heartburn if chewed to long before parking gum	Using the 4mg Nicorette Cinnamon Surge. Been using it for 5 days and on day 3 started using Big red gum in between pieces to help cut down the Nicorette. Today I haven't used one piece of the Nicorette, just the Big Red.	F	49	5 days		7/29/2009
4	to stop smoking	I am hopelessly hooked on it. I am trying to quit the gum and having all the classic signs of drug withdrawal through the day. My teeth which were quite healthy until the last couple of years are starting to crack and break from the chewing.	Nicorette is great in the fact that it does help you quit smoking but it is just as easy to get addicted to the gum as it is the cigarettes. Only difference is that the cigarettes are more destructive to your health. I have been on it since 2003.	F	56			7/29/2009
2	quit smoking	heart palpitations, rapid heart rate, constipation.	Substituting one substance for another is misleading. Yes, I finally quit smoking - but I whole-heartedly believe I could have successfully done so without the Nicorette... It is merely a mental-crutch. And an expensive one at that! If you choose a nicotine replacement - set up a quit date for the replacement as well.	F	35	13 months		7/29/2009
4	stopped smoking	It seems to accelerate tooth decay		M	48	366 days		7/28/2009
1	to quit a smoking habit	hair breaking off; hair thinning; (and don't give me the crap about post-menopause); two bouts of 2.5 months of severe explosive gastritis; weight loss; rapidly receding gumline, sensitive teeth and pulling of one tooth; addiction to the GUM.	The question on this website for Nicorette Gum is "DID IT WORK?" The Answer we have all given is an unequivocable: "NO". What THE GUM did accomplish was the expensive replacement of one addiction (nicotine from smoking) with the same addiction (Nicotine in the Gum). And the FDA approved this scam. The tiny warning print on the pamphlet inside the packaging is not acceptable - I got out a magnifying glass and read the warning after I was well past the 3 months of taking Nicorette and I read it because my normal good health was becoming compromised...this product MUST go back to being prescribed by your Doctor. It is far too dangerous when taken for more than a few months and likely more dangerous than cigarettes if the FDA would bother to look into the known side effects. When you visit your Dr. and have tests taken to try to figure out what is causing rapid onset of hair breakage/loss, severe gastritis, dental issues, etc., NOTHING SHOWS UP IN THE TESTS and blood work. The only item that changed in my life was taking the NICORETTE and NOT SMOKING CIGARETTES, so I know it's the Nicorette poison upsetting many areas of the body. Certainly doesn't make sense to ingest nicotine in gum form in an attempt to cure an addiction to nicotine in cigarette form. Our issues are too similar and consistent with Nicorette use. Quit NOW. The pharma's are making a killing off this product and likely causing more health issues than the damn smoking was causing.	F	59	15 months		7/24/2009
1	To quit cigarettes	Addicted to nicotine gum	face spasms for last 2 months; am now prediabetic (doesn't run in my family, I eat healthy, weight in normal range, exercise/walk at least 5 hours a week); always tired and achy; suicidal; feel and look like I've aged 10 years in the last 2 years.	F	56	2.6 years		7/23/2009
4	To stop smoking	Product was helpful in reducing cigarette cravings, however, I developed awful hemorroid inflamation! Have discontinued the gum (and am smoking again) but hem inflam is gone. Lose/lose situation.		F	55	6 months		7/17/2009
5	To help quit smoking.	None whatsoever.	From day one, I have been pleasantly surprised with how effective Nicorette was. I had always just kind of thought it would not help (i.e., that I would still crave the real thing--cigarettes). Admittedly, I didn't follow the suggested Nicorette plan--I still chew the gum and have never really cut down. However, I view smoking as the worst thing in the world to do to yourself, so for me, the gum is one million times better than smoking. And no I haven't experienced any hair loss at all, and I have been chewing the gum for several years off and on, and daily the past 6-9 months.	M	29	2 years		7/16/2009
4	To avoid a painful Cancer Death	Yes there are side effects, but death from cancer is not one. No the gum does not make you go bald.	It's really sad that a handful of post menopausal women who would of been losing hair anyways come here and blame the nicotine gum. Way to scare all the younger women into staying on cigarettes. Or are you ladies working for the tobacco companies? Hey I've been chewing the gum for 5 years... guess what... I'm balding too. Grandpa was bald, my brother is bald.. I'm 40 years old. Safe to say it's probably not the gum making me bald. Now my receding gum-line and loss of tooth enamel is another story. Bottom line ... the side effects are better than getting cancer.	M	40	5 years		7/11/2009 Email
5	to quit smoking	jaw was sore from chewing first few days	i smoked 2 packs a day its been 4 and a half weeks i haven't freaked out or gained a pound i am very pleased with this product	F	28	32 days		7/9/2009 Email
5	Break the cigarette habit	I have lost more than 60% of my hair and have always had healthy teeth. Suddenly I have 2 teeth that have to be replaced with implants due to acid erosion and fractures. I am totally convinced that the gum has caused all.	I would recommend the nicorette to quit but EVERYONE needs to understand that they have to get off of it soon or suffer the horrible visible consequences, and possibly equally as horrible internal problems. Would love to know if hair and teeth ever return to normal. Please answer.	F	51	4 years		7/5/2009 Email
5	To quit smoking	Hair loss	Does anyone know.... when one quits nicorette... will your hair grow back in time? I see this question asked many times.... but I quess the people who's hair grew back do not re-visit this site when they are cured of their side effects???	F	68	3 years		7/2/2009 Email
4	To quit smoking	None really. Good side effects of nicotine. Feel calmer and more relaxed and elss lethargic. Not smoking makes me feel much better due to sinus and ear problems.	I've been chewing the stuff for a week now. All of you complainers need to realize you are abusing the product. If you abuse anything you are going to have negative side effects. Get a grip. You can't chew 60mg of nicotine a day and think you will be ok. You shouldn't even use the stuff after a year. You shouldn't get TMJ if you are using it as directed. Read the box for christ sake. You shouldn't chew more than five pieces of this stuff a day. The suggested 9 pieces is more than I would recommend. If you want to quit slowly cut down the amound you are using day by day, week by week, or whatever. Yes, if you chew this stuff you are liable to get mouth cancer after a long period of time. No one should be on 4mg of this stuff for a long period of time. You are just asking for it. Learn some self control.	M	22	1 weeks		6/26/2009
4	to keep from smoking	jaw discomfort if I chew to many pieces a day. I am having calf pain when walking and Im afraid I might be have having circulation problems due to the gum.		F	38	8 months		6/25/2009
1	To stop smoking	Hair loss, mouth lesions/sores, numbness in extremities, headaches, nauseau.	Remained addicted to nicotine. Due to ease of use, was ingesting more nicotine than had been getting through smoking, yet continued to crave (and take) cigarettes. I am now on day 3 of a cold turkey quit, feeling incredibly better physically.	F	46	2 months		6/25/2009
1	to quit smoking	I am so addicted to this gum it is really ridiculous.	Anybody out there trying to quit I would really try to quit cold turkey. Or try the patch first because the gum is worse than smoking for me and it is very ridiculous.	F	49	4 days		6/21/2009
2	Yes	Hair loss and severe headache.	I found this website looking for a linkage between hair loss and Nicorette. I have been very addicted to Nicorette and managed to reduce the number to 7 per day when I became extremely ill and could not tolerate any. My only choice was to go back to smoking. What a relief! I feel much better on cigarettes. (I am smoking a brand I don't like to cut down on the addition.) I was trying to find a job, but was going around with a scarf because of hair loss. Why did I wait so long? I think we have been made so ashamed of smoking, we will put up with anything to stop. Something is wrong with that thinking. I continued to take Nicorette way longer than I should have. My comment: Wake-up folks! Do we need to lose our hair before we Get off Nicorette?	F	62	5 years		6/11/2009
5	to stop smoking	sore throat. sore jaw from all that chewing!	i think i'm now addicted to the gum nearly 8 months after stopping smoking.	M	36	6 months		6/10/2009 Email
4	To quit smoking	Hairloss, Headaches, Toothache, Jaw Clicking and tiredness	I have been taken Nicorette 2mg gum for 2 years. This helped me stop smoking however caused me to be addicted to the gum. Side affects seemed very small at first but as time went on i started with sore throats and headaches. Then the hairloss started which i couldn't get my head around and neither could my GP. Now off the gum and suffering the cravings. I will not go back to the gum as the long term side effects are to severe. Could someone let me know if the hair grows back or am i resigned to being bald?? Also why are all the side effects not listed on the leaflets?	M	42	2 days		6/9/2009
5	to quit smoking	none	I would like to know if there is any connection between oral cancer and chewing nicorette. I go in for my 5th surgery to remove more cancer in my mouth.I quit smoking 5 yrs. ago when I found out I had oral cancer.	F	58	5 years		6/4/2009 Email
1	stop smoking	hair loss,gas,jaw pain, dry skin, panic feeling allthe time	this is realy bad stuff better off smoking	F	49	4 months		5/31/2009
3	To stop smoking	Thin hair, mood swings, irritable if I happen to run out, severe addiction	I believe I am more addicted to nicorette than I ever was to cigarettes. I went through a stressful time and resumed a chewing-which I had given up 3 years prior and now it's been 4 years and my habit had gotten out of control. I do want to tell those of you out there that are trying to quit-you can do it!!! I went to the doctor a couple of weeks ago and he put me on a medication for anxiety...little did I know that my out of control gum chewing frenzy-like behavior must have been anxiety, because I decided to finally quit. It's only been 3 days, but I am doing just fine and will get this giant monkey off of my back for once and for all!! Good luck to all of you-let's show 'em that we're not going to be tricked anymore!!!!	F	39	4 years		5/28/2009
4	to quit smoking	big bald spot, that feels heavy on my head	put down the cig's and the gum there both horrible	M		12 months		5/26/2009 Email
2	quit smoking	mouth sores, indigestion, insomnia, very high blood pressure,	I successfully quite smoking using the gum 3 years ago. For about 6 months all was well. When I encountered a stressful time, I picked up the gum & have been very addicted since. Recently, MY BP went crazy high & the more powerful meds have not helped (1 month). After reading this blog, I'm convinced that the gum is the culpret. Thnaks for the tips on making smaller doses than the OTC portions. This will help me reduce the volume of gum I chew. Wish me luck,,	F	54	2 years		5/20/2009
1	to quit cigarettes	I am totally aDDICTED TO NICORETTE FOR ALMOST 6 YEARS	HOW DO YOU GET OFF OF IT	F	52	5 years		5/8/2009 Email
1	Quit smoking	All as others have described	Hang in there, everyone. Now on day 4 without Nicorette and not looking back. You have every reason to quit- just stop chewing right now and get on with your life. You can do it. We all know that no one is monitoring long-term use and that this product is likely to cause severe health problems, other than the dental, digestive, and other issues folks have described. It won't get easier to quit, just do it. Strength and luck to you all.	F	34	8 years		5/5/2009
1	originally to quit smoking	EXTREMELY ADDICTING. Sores in my mouth, extreme tooth sensitivity, possible affect on my red blood cell count and ability to heal after surgery, pain and large muscles in my jaw.	I've been addicted to this gum for 20 years. I would rather have this gum than smoke a cigarette. I'm so addicted to this gum that I think it will be harder to quit than cigarettes. I was a closet smoker so never smoked freely all day long like I do with this stupid gum. I have it in my mouth all day long. I plan on quitting tomorrow! This will be my second try. I found this website doing a search on the topic and now wonder if my recent hair loss issue is possibly related to my long term nicorette use? This should be enough to motivate me to quit (vanity can be a powerful reason). There is no way this gum is totally benign...it's a chemical that's being ingested into our bodies. It's evil (but I am grateful it got me off of smoking).	F	48	20 years		5/5/2009 Email
4	Safe? Tobacco substitute	Heart skips beats if I chew too much, ringing ears if I chew too much, possible loss of some tooth enamel although my dentist does not agree with me about this.	I chew the 4mb soft mint gum, about 8-10 pieces a day since I quit smoking in 2005 - that's 4 years. I watched my dad a lifelong smoker quit cigarettes using the gum and he is still alive at age 70 because of this (he stills chews a few 2mg pieces a day too). Like everyone else on this message board I have an addiction to nicotine. I feel I was born with this addiction but I wont go into that topic here. So, the three choices we have are: smoke cigarettes ingest tar etc and get cancer, chew nicotine gum and suffer side effects, or quit nicotine altogether. I think the products does what it claims, most of the side effects are listed on the paper in the box. Is it addicitve? Yes.	M	39	4 years		5/1/2009
4	To quit smoking	Trying very hard to stop the gum	I've been using the gum for about 18 months, for the last year of so about 15 pieces of 2mg a day. Last week there was a article in The Times (London) that stopped me in my tracks - http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/article6143744.ece and I stopped immediately. A week and a day later I haven't taken any but I have found it very hard, not as bad as quitting smoking, but almost. First of all I can't sleep trough the night, awake at 4:30 every morning, severe depression, lack of concentration, increased appetite, weight gain and I'm very irritable. But it's getting better every day and I know I can quit, hey if you can quit smoking, you can quit chewing - but be warned, it is not easy. I'll let you know if I succeed and what it was like, look out for another post in 3 weeks time, I'll sign it - AS_London	M	60	18 months		4/30/2009 Email
5	To quit smoking	I started Nicorette 19 years ago and I am still chewing! I cannot seem to get off of it and I'm highly addicted (chew 25-30 pieces a day). It definitely helped me quit since I was a 2 pack a day smoker. How can I get off of it?		F	54	19 years		4/17/2009
4	Quit smokeless tobacco	None so far.	I am using this product to quit smokeless tobacco. I am taking 2 mg approx. 8 per day. Although the product is definitely addictive, I feel that it is not as powerful or as harmful as smokeless tobacco.	M	70	60 days		4/17/2009
3	To stop smoking	Just couldn't get off the stuff and I used it all, patch, gum, lozenges...	Well, I am officially off the stuff for 14 days now and it's been extremely hard! I quit smoking about 12 years ago and I have been on some form of nrt ( nicotine replacement therapy)since. When I have tried to get off the stuff I became an emotional/physical mess. This last time I think I am succeeding because both my kids are away at college so I could actually feel terrible and do nothing and no one bothered me! I also knew just how bad it was going to be because I have quit before but never for more than 5 days so I was ready this time to allow all feelings of depression, anger, sadness, and general feelings of irritability.(and I have a great husband) I will note that my weight loss has stalled since the day I quit and I haven't done anything different so hoping that will fix itself soon. I am now trying to revel in the fact nicorette doesn't have a hold on me anymore!!!	F	42	12 years		4/9/2009
2	to quit smoking	extremely addicting, hair loss, stomach upset, headaches, jaw pain	I have found that Nicorette and all nicotine gum is extremely addicting. It did help me quit smoking, but now I can't quit the gum. I've tried many, many times over the past 2 years to quit the gum. I even switched to the Commit lozenges and became addicted to those then switched back to Nicorette. The side effects are awful. If I had it to do over again, I would keep trying to quit smoking going cold turkey.	F	31	2 years		4/6/2009 Email
5	quit smoking	hair loss, severe abdominal bloating,breathing problems,pimples, smelly gas.	it did help me quit smoking, 6mo, i have been a 4pk a day smoker for 25+ years. would rather smoke than eat it was my best friend. i went to look up the calorie count of the gum because i was gaining weight, and found all these symptoms i was having that i ignored. i put the gum down, the withdrawal symtoms are similar to just stopping smoking. i find this easier to get off of. if i can quit smoking i can quit this gum.i think i just had enough of the whole smoking/gum/patch ect. others in my house smoke they stink!	F	43	6 months		4/3/2009
3	Quit Smoking	Hair loss and severe acne breakouts	Experienced hair loss and very bad acne (painful) after being on it for 3 months	M	42	90 days		3/31/2009
3	to stop smoking	none.	have now substituted cigarette addiction for nicorette addiction. despite cutting down, cannot eliminate nicorette gum completely.	M	35	2 years		3/31/2009
2	Quit Smoking	Bloating. water retention, swollen legs/feet. high blood pressure, kidney pain (vomiting to expel waste products), hair loss. more anger/depression, rapid weight gain, diarrhoea, insulin sensitivity changed, some minor teeth pain but altered how I was using it to minimize the effect.	Anyway, in short, I went from being a quite healthy guy [BP 115/75, RHR 50], even as a smoker, to being quite unhealthy in 3 months while playing with this NRT nonsense. I stuck with it, mostly because of encouragement from other sources, doctors, Internet, etc. Unfortunately, for me, even with minimal use the effects were quite strong and prolonged well after discontinuing use. -- It took three months of solid effort after discontinuing use of NRT to return my health status to pre NRT use, including dropping the excess weight gain. Hair did not recover, I suspect it won't. -- After that I tried quitting again, AND since my only option NOW was essentially cold turkey or quickly weaning of, I stuck it out and am now smoke free for 4 months. The biggest trick with quitting smoking, is not a trick at all. It's the same trick, people use for whenever they are doing something. If your not happy about doing something you will simply not do it. When quitting smoking, it is essential to do things/activities that will boost your dopamine thru normal mechanisms for the first little while. -- Nobody, I know that tried quitting smoking was successful with NRT. I think NRT is BS.	M	43	3 months		3/31/2009
1	to quit smoking	burned gums, teeth problems, sore jaw, stomach irritation	JUST TAKE THE PAIN OF QUITTING COLD TURKEY. the really bad withdrawls are over in ~3 days. some posters here have been using this gum for YEARS, omg, it's crazy. you are still addicted to nicotine. i am starting my 2nd week smoke-free cold turkey. i promise, it really is just a few days of hell and then you begin to feel better. yes i still think of smoking, A LOT, but, it is not those 'kill someone' cravings like days 1-3. rather, i keep telling myself that i could handle one smoke. but the fact is, i am a NICOTINE JUNKIE. if i take a single puff, the addiction will start up again and i will have to go through the hell of withdrawl again; if i can find the power to do it again. i found whyquit.com and wow!! that site tells it like it is. we are addicts. junkies. as i sat there reading the site, i knew it was time. i didnt even really want to quit, but i did. day 8 with no added nicotine. woo hoo!! the pushers/dealers of nicotine keep coming up with new ways to keep us addicted and them rich. gum/patches/inhalers. why dont they just put it in a syringe for us? i saw a kiosk in the mall selling some no-smoke nicotine device. **shakes head** i read about RJR or PM making flavor pods that junkies can use for their fix in those things but without the offending smoke. wonder what is in those flavor pods..? they wont tell you, because it is top secret.... what ever it is, you can be it is addictive. SLAG OFF YOU PUSHERS!!! check out the website whyquit.com	F	40	3 times		3/30/2009
5	to quit smoking	I bit my tongue a few times, and sometimes it caught in my dental work or I would snap it, which infuriated my husband. I loved the flavor (original) because it tastes like pepper - that was difficult to give up!	After 40-years of smoking 1-2 packs of cigarettes per day, I needed a reliable method to assist me with the arduous task of quitting a habit that I loved. The patch was my first choice being the most convenient method, but it disturbed my sleep even if I removed it hours prior to bedtime. Lacking health insurance, my choices were limited so I tried the gum. The instructions were clear, simple, and easy to follow. I was able to reduce the number of pieces per day gradually until I didn't need them anymore. I gave the remaining pieces to a friend of mine who had decided to quit smoking based on my successful experience.	F	53	10 weeks		3/27/2009
1	Cope with Stress	Very addictive, makes heart race, sores in mouth, insomnia	I do not recommend taking this drug, and if you are on it, consider quiting as soon as possible. Years ago I used it to quit smoking. At that time I basically subsituted one addiction for another. It was very difficult to quit. About 4 years ago I had significant stress and chose nicorette to help me cope in lieu of smoking again. Here I am 4 years later and I was just able to quit this week. This blog with symptoms listed was very helpful. On Monday I cut down to 7 pieces, Tuesday 4, Wednesday 1, and Thursday and Friday none. I feel the uneasiness of withdrawal still, but it is good knowing that I am done with the drug for good. I am drinking a lot of fluids, chewing spearmint gum, and excercising. Not a pretty site, but it will be over for good soon. I threw out my remaining nicorette, and feel that I am done with it for good. I feel that more information will come out on this drug in the future, and it will not be positive. I hope all people who are having trouble with this drug, take the time to be uncomfortable for a week, and give it up. Good luck to everyone.	M	51	4 years		3/27/2009
1	to quit smoking	Benign cyst removed from throat in August 2008; yesterday, March 23, 2009, told I have emphysema and enlarged heart. Also experiencing pain in throat where cyst was removed.	Does anyone know if there's a connection between Nicorette Gum and heart disease or emphysema/lung disease?	F	62	3 years		3/24/2009
5	to quit smoking	Tongue sensitivity, teeth are "wearing down" somewhat from so much chewing, a little jaw pain, nicotine overdose if I chew too much too quickly (dizziness, nausea, rapid heartbeat), and (not sure if this qualifies as a side effect) I get irritable if I run out of the gum :)	I tried quitting smoking multiple times over the course of 8 years using the following methods: 1) cold turkey 2) hypnosis 3) Zyban (lasted only 5 days, then I quit the Zyban due to horrid side effect of severe depression/altered mental status) 4) smoking cessation counseling 5) Nicotine patch (lasted 3 weeks while I was on the 21mg patch, then I relapsed with the 14mg patch) 6) Nicotine gum (started off chewing during the day/smoking at night, then I only smoked when drinking/going out, then I quit smoking completely and only chewed gum. It's been a year now that I've quit smoking, and I am so happy about that.) Verdict: for everyone, there is a good way to quit that is best for them. All of the methods I've tried DO work for different people. For me, the nicotine gum was the only thing that worked, I have been smoke-free for over a year and I am SO GLAD! It was starting to become a joke among my friends that I was "quitting smoking" again. Now they are in awe and I am inspiring some of them to quit smoking too. Next step is quitting the gum - I did 2 attempts to quit the gum in the past 2 months, and while they were not successful, I'm using them as learning experiences so that the next attempt will work. I am heartened that I was able to get through 4 days without any nicotine, and I am reducing how many I chew now (I was chewing 20 pieces a day, now I'm down to 6-8 pieces a day, and I'll move to 4 pieces a day soon).	F	30	3 years		3/22/2009
3	To quit smoking	MASSIVE HAIR LOSS, heart burn, lethargy	I was able to quit smoking using the product, but am now realizing the side effects were severe. I used the gum for about 2 years and chewed on average 6-10 pieces per day. I experienced severe heart burn with this product. I also noticed lethargy and occasional heart palpatations...I found these side effects to be acceptable during use of the product, after all it was only temporary. The one side effect that was most disturbing, and took a while to figure out was Hair Loss. I estimate that I lost at least 50% of my hair while using this product. I could not figure out what was going on...talked to my doctor and my hair stylist...no answers. The hair loss eventually subsided a few months or so after I stopped using the gum. It has been 3 years now and no hair regrowth. I now have thin, limp hair (permanently?) Should have gone cold turkey (with my hair)	M	32	2 years		3/20/2009
1	to keep off cigarettes	bloating, gum problems	Horrible stuff. All it does is keep my nicotine addiction going. Having another go at weaning myself off it, but it's not easy, just get so depressed and end up irritable and weepy. It solves nothing. Someone is making shedloads of money out of people's misery, and in a couple of decades there'll probably be loads of health problems linked with nicotine gums that were kept secret from us for years, just like with cigarettes before. Should be available on prescription only.	F	39	5 years		3/19/2009
1	stop smoking	loose teeth, bone loss in jaw on the right side (where i hold the gum in my mouth), white sores on tongue and all along inside my mouth-dentist wants to do surgery ($4500.00), swollen stomache, aches & pains, sore neck..	If you can-DO NOT START ON THIS..you will become addicted -your teeth WILL COME LOOSE, and you will have problems with the tissue in your mouth turning white (pre cursor sometimes to mouth CANCER) I am at the end of my last box (only 5 pieces left!) and I will quit. The damage to my teeth as well as the distended stomach is not worth it!!!! I will not go back to smoking either..good luck to everyone and if you can...stop chewing this stuff it is extremely bad for you..just read all the posts about the horrible problems others are having as well..and like smoking it is stupid to pay someone to damage your body, you only have one. Like someone told me once “Even stupid people can quit”……………..	F	41	11 months		3/19/2009
5	to stop smoking	In one year of use overall minimal side effects. Some occasional minor jaw pain, heartburn or hiccups. Twice went to sleep with gum in mouth and had mouth sores, but the cause there is obvious.	Compared to smoking a pack a day for 25 years, chewing 5-10 pieces of Nicorette a day for the last year is fabulous. No complaints.	M	41	1 years		3/18/2009
1		I am a 22 year old female and I started taking these to give up smoking. Around the same time I noticed my hair has become very noticeably thinner- my hairdresser couldn't understand it. It was a few months later I came across this site and it clicked why I had lost so much hair.	I would not recommend taking these in case you experience the same. I found it very distressing having lost so much hair and although it is fairly normal now, I don't think it will ever be as thick as it once was.	F	22	9 weeks		3/17/2009
4	To help stop smoking	I have an entry below, but wanted to add that I had to stop the gum because I was getting swollen glands & sinusitus & ear pain so awfully bad. Every day I felt like I still had a cold/flu. I tried a test and stopped the gum and the pressure in my ears was gone & what a relief, my swollen glands went down-they were so sore I felt like I had the mumps and the swelling in my sinuses went down so I didn't also have a headache. I think it is like TMJ and oh boy I have had a time with it & all the advil and sinus meds I have been taking when I realized what was really going on. I also got cankers on both sides of my very sore sensitive tongue. Extreme dry mouth in the morning. So many days have been wasted due to the gum and me feeling unwell & if I had known why long ago I could have had a lot of good days that I missed.	I am still addicted to nicorette and probably will be for ever, but I will never smoke again-can't even stand the smell. So since the gum has been my friend and really helped me out I now realize if I want to feel good I need to stop "chewing" the gum. So I am still taking Nicorrete but in lozange form, I bought the 1mg Thrive and suck on that and it helps with my cravings without the side effects. Maybe try it, can you imagine how many times in a day over a week & a month into years we chew-chew-chew? The old jaws are going constanly and eventually even jaws give out. What an awful thing nicotine is I wish I was never raised in a home of smokers and then I became one & then my son became one. Nicotine is so powerful it's hard to believe. My mom died of lung cancer in 2005-it's just sucks!	F	55	10 years		3/14/2009 Email
1	to stop smoking	thinning of sweating bad tempered .my teeth are all breaking since iv been on this .	i might not be smoking now after 2 years .but keep chewing the gum all day long for 2 years .	F	61	2 years		3/11/2009 Email
5	to quit smoking	A little palpitaty when misused the first week. Since then, none. My blood pressure is great; none of the other symptoms I read here, no hair loss or pimples, stomach problems, etc. And it improves my concentration...no question about it.	I'm definitely addicted, but my weaning day will come. I know it will be awful so its not something I look forward to. Felt extremely spacey-headed, goofy and irritable during a "test weaning" recently.	F	58	12 years		3/7/2009
3	Originally to stop smoking	None after about a week of use	I used this to quit smoking 10 years ago and am still addicted to the gum. In those 10 years, I have chewed it while being a smoker, chewed it while taking Chantix, and now, thank heavens, I'm only chewing the gum. I think it might be giving me headaches, but only when i use too much. I finally read the literature last night, and realized that i overdose almost daily. So i'm rationing it now, with the goal of tapering off to a quit. But bottom line is, i'm addicted to it. I get panicky when i'm out, and will take a break during the work day to run to the drug store to get more. I agree with another poster that the consistency is important, and most regular gums aren't going to work for me. That being said, I'd much rather have a regular gum habit than this awful, embarassing addiction.	F	57	10 years		3/6/2009
1	To Avoid Smoking/Stress Release	accelerated aging, weight loss, heart flutter, mouth sores....	I was utterly addicted to Nicorette, chewing 20 pieces of 2mg a day for 3 years. I was getting married and noticed that the more I chewed the more weight I lost. On my wedding day I looked emaciated and really old. I am sure it was from the gum. After the wedding I quit. I was moody, irritable, constipated and thought about chewing 24/7. It has now been 8 months and although I still think about it, the cravings are gone. Do yourself a favor and quit now, you will feel better and look healthier. My skin looks healthier and I feel better than I have in years.	F	30	3 years		3/6/2009
3	to stop smoking	headaches, feeling tired, sore gums	the tired feeling might have just been me but the headaches. wow. i've never had such a bad headache. Advil barely knocks it down. i haven't smoked or chewed all day cause i feel too crummy to get out of bed. i currently have no desire to do either so it's working in some way.	F	24	3 days		3/3/2009
1	To Quit Smoking	Incredible amount of hairloss, depression, tremors, tingling sensation in hands, muscle and joint pain!	Horibble drug! Can someone please let me know if your hair grows back after quiting the gum.Had the thickest hair to almost bold in the 6 monts while chewing the gum! PLEASE HELP!!! email me at prinsjaco@gmail.com	M	27	6 months		3/3/2009 Email
1	College fad	Addiction, high blood pressure, anxiety, ringing in ears, recession of my gums on the lower right side.	I decided to try nicorette in college. I had never smoked before (not even once), and became addicted. 7 years later, I am still addicted and have a host of physical problems including high blood pressure. This medication should not be available without a prescription.	F	29	7 years		3/3/2009
5	to quit smoking	when I first started using it I was aware of what felt like skipped heart beats but my doctor told me this was not a concern.	Like many people, I am addicted to nicorette gum. I have used it now for 6 years. At first I used the 4 mg..probably 15 or so a day. Then I cut down to 2mg..about the same amount. Now i chew 2mg with a piece of regular sugar free gum. I was a heavy smoker for many years and I believe Nicorette probably saved my life. Apart from the early palpitations, I have had few side effects. However, recently, a few of my teeth have been breaking and fillings chipping off. I am 63 and my dentist feels the breakages are more a result of having large fillings, which eventually swell and put pressure on the tooth enamel, but whatever the reason, it is costing me big time and I am trying to talk myself into quitting the gum..just in case. Some people have said that the gum is as expensive as cigarettes, I don't agree. A pack of cigs in Canada is about $10 these days. Being a pack and a half a day smoker...thats $15 in todays money..or about $450 a month. I buy Nicorette at Walmart for between 25 and 2	M	63	6 years		2/28/2009
2	to stop smoking	Hair loss, bloating, palpitations, addiction to the gum. I do note, however, that many on this site who say they have experienced hair loss are female and at pre-menopausal or menopausal age where hair loss is common. This could also be the reason for my hair loss - but I do wonder.	It's dangerous. The chemist should ask how long you are on it when you buy it and advise against using it for more than a few months.	F	50	4 years		2/25/2009
1	at this time because I am addicted	I lost a ton of hair I at first thought it was my Metformin (diabetes med) but I now after reading all the hair loss have a different opinion. This is my 2nd entry as I had more to say. Please feel free to email me.	My pressurized sinus & infection, congested ears aches,red sore throat, loss of voice, productive cough,body aches and pains, headaches, stiff neck, sore raw cankered tongue, red sore tongue-can not eat spicy food. Spacey brain fog- I believe all from nicorette, Bad stuff. The only substitute gum that I can maybe use is Extra Bubble gum-why?- because it is a "tough" chew like nicorette-not soft and slimy. I really wish they would make a gum that has the chew and taste without the nicorette. If the makers of Nicorette wanted to sincerely help people with addiction they would have- 4mgs;2mgs;1mgs and a .05mg. They are as bad as the tobacco company's they want us hooked, can you image what they are raking in from addicts like us????	F	55	10 years		2/23/2009 Email
3	To stop smoking	Horrible, debilitating headaches and the feeling of losing consciousness. Once it was so bad I went to a medical clinic and after an EKG, the doctor called an ambulance. I was admitted to the hospital and stayed 4 days. There was no diagnosis. Also, thinning hair. I wish there was a better way to address this addiction.	I realized that when I take too much Nicorette (more than 12 per day) these symptoms return and I have to cut way back to 5-6 per day. I have been so sick from Nicorette, that decreasing is not difficult. I am trying to switch over to Trident gum.	F	59	4 years		2/22/2009
4	To stop smoking & it worked	I quit smoking in 1999-10 years ago and still to this day use this gum. It was the only product that working for smoking cessation however not without side effects.	I chew probably 10 or more 2mg pieces a day, I fall asleep with it in my mouth, my dogs wake up with it stuck to their butts or it's stuck to my bedding, bed clothes, my face anywhere and everywhere! My tooth enamal is zippo, a crown fell out, my gums are sore also the lining of my mouth, my tongue has canker sores on both sides where I "park" the gum. I have had bronchitus, sore throat, sore glands and sore pressurized ears for ever and thought it was a life long cold or allergies. I have no energy and my body aches feel like I have the flu too. AH-HA-Duh it's the Nicorette-BINGO. I am so addicted to the gum! I love the gum but my mouth,throat, tongue are now too sore to use it, probably a good thing and hopefully I can now concentrate on stopping the gum. It really is a wonderful product to get you off the cigs but not for long term and of course the package warnings does tell us this but I ignored that because I liked it. I feel like crap-I am tired, sore,brain fog, br	F	55	10 days		2/17/2009 Email
4	for stimulant purposes (stay awake)	mild naseau if ingested too fast; hiccups if taken too soon following eating/drinkings	I started using nicorette 10 years ago after I developed an allergy to caffeine and was looking for another way to stay awake during law school classes. (I've never been a smoker or dipper). I found it to be a much more effective stimulant than caffeine and have continued using it since (but switched to cheaper generic version several yrs ago). I generally chew no more than 1-2 2mg pieces/day, and only on weekdays, so I've never worried too much about the side effects. I have lost a lot of hair since I started chewing it, and the comments on this site made me wonder about the connection, but it looks like male pattern baldness and it's not clear that it's properly attributable to the gum.	M	36			2/14/2009
5	STOP SMOKING	SOMETIMES, HICCUPS IF I CHEW TOO MUCH AT ONE TIME. USUALLY, I CUT A 4MG PIECE INTO 4 PIECES AND STORE THEM IN A TIC-TAC CONTAINTER. I (USUALLY) ONLY CHEW A 1/4 PIECE AT ONE TIME. I CHEW 5 OR 6 QUARTER PIECES PER DAY (ABOUT 1.5 PIECES OF NICORETTE).	I love nicorette! I smoked up to a pack a day in college. I quit a few times before Nicorette but I kept going back. I started chewing it because so many of my friends smoked and, I kept going back to social smoking. When I chew Nicorette, I have no urge to smoke, even in a room full of smokers. I have been using it off and on for 10 years now. I quit easily when I became pregnant and started again some months after I stopped nursing. I don't really chew it to stop smoking anymore, as I have no urge to smoke. I use it as a stress reliever. I could see it being a problem if you have an addictive personality, as would most people who are smokers. I might quit soon because my daughter (2.5 years old) has started to notice that I have gum and keeps asking for some. I have experienced NO negative side effects. My hair is not falling out, I'm not anxious, I don't have stomach problems or high blood pressure. Actually, I have low blood pressure. My teeth are fine. I recommend it to every s	F	35	10 years		2/8/2009
5	stop smoking	sore mouth	works great. Having read all of the previous posts, I cant believe people complain after being on the stuff for YEARS. youre supposed to be on it for 3 MONTHS, you idiots...	M	35	30 days		2/7/2009
1	Quit Chewing Tobacco	Aged skin, sore mouth all the time, headaches, sore tongue, Mouth sores of all kind, massive addiction to the stuff. reduced vascularity in extremities, very easily frost bitten.	This stuff is sneaky. You think you are doing yourself a favor by not getting all the hydrcarbons that come with tobacco, but the gum is worse because, I didn't feel like I was harming myself the same way.	M	41	20 years		2/5/2009
5		ok I quit 5 years ago this month. Nicotine is addictive because when you started smoking it signals to you body to produce serotonin. When you stop getting nicotine you notice the complete lack of this happy hormone. The good news is that for every day you do not give your body nicotine, it starts to produce and release serotonin again on it's own. It will never produce this hormone on it's own if you keep feeding your body nicotine. The gum works but merely continues the addiction to nicotine. Once you stop all forms of nicotine, your body will crave nicotine less and less as it starts regulating it own dosing of serotonin. My experience with the gum was stomach problems, which led to poor digestion (especially of protiens & fats). It also caused severe bad breathe. It has taken most of last 3.5 years of no gum to restore my stomach. Use it to quit but realize you need to go through some withdrawl when you first give the gum up. I just wish I hadn't chewed it for as long as I did.		F	45	18 months		2/4/2009
3	To quit smoking	anxiety,chest tigtness, unable to breath normal, depression, high blood pressure, irregular heart beats unhappy feelings, mood change, worry almost about everything. if you want to quit smooking , nicorette or nicotien, use the sore natural gum. read my comments	I was able to quit smooking using first the Nicorette inhaler . I liked so much and was enjoying using it more than smooking itself. I used it for almost three years and because it is very expensive so, I turned to use the gum, chew the 4MG for almost one year then lowered to 2 MG used it for almost one year then started to split the 2 mg to two pieces and used only ten pieces a day but I started to have bad side effects. the most hardest feel is the anxiety which is the feel of worry about almost everything, got nervous so fast and can not control temper. heart beats increased, unable to breath normal and chest tightness. I decided to quit gum and would advise everyone to not use it at all as it is more harmful than smooking and cause addiction and bad side effects in the future. try to use a sore gum as a replacement of nicotien. this type of gum is a natural gum comes from a certain tree ( don't know its name in English) but if you knock that tree, a fluid like a milk will drop and	M	49	5 years		2/4/2009 Email
1		anxiety,depression, edging towards family, irregular heart beats, random cramps all over the body, clammy hands, extremely dry eyes, dry mouth, canker sore after 3rd day, raw cheeks, unable to swollow, mood change.high blood pressure. chest tightness, unable to breath normally. extremely bad addiction to nicorette gum.	I have been using nicorette gum for over than 6 years. it helped me to quit smoking but I got addicted to it .I feel I am poisioning myself gradually. I started to have a serious health issues. smoking would be better. I won't advise anyone to use any nicorette product or any other nicotien products. smoking is better or at least try to quit without using anything.	M	49	6 days		2/4/2009
2	To quit smoking	Acne, GI distress, frequent canker sores in mouth, throat irritation, gum bleeding, ADDICTION TO NICORETTE	21 year smoker, 2-3 packs per day. Approx 7 mos without a cig which is the only positive. Started with 4mg x 6 per day. Dropped to 2mg x 3 per day. Used death in family as an excuse to increase use. Now up to 4mg/10-12 per day. If I try the 2mg to try and cut use, takes 30-40 pieces to make the day. Canker sores on tongue/cheeks/gums every 10 days or so. Never had acne, now having acne which sounds/looks much like "Meth-Acne" where the body is forcing out toxins through the skin. Not normal pimples, almost like a boil. Painful from first appearance, forever to "pop", forever to heal (some 4weeks n not healed)...leaves scars. TINY disclaimer found on insert in nicorette pkg... "Under no circumstances should product be used for more than 16 weeks"... Nice CYA on that one.... BTW, love the add for free Nicorette 100pk on the first page of this article. Might be wrong, but I believe the same groups that own the Tobacco Market have partial ownership of	M	39	7 months		2/1/2009 Email
1	quit smoking	Many years now I have suspected nicortte gum to have many “nasty” side effects. As a dentist I have observed on my nicorette users patients, exaggeration of gingivitis leading some times the dedicated users to teeth loss. Reading this site I discover more site effects, the esophagus and stomach irritation, the addiction and many other symptoms the participants in this web site refer. I want to add one more site effect or to be more accurate I suspect it can cause acute myocardial infarction and death if it is taken by a person unaware of the severity of his cardiovascular disease. And unaware of an underlining cardiovascular disease persons, I believe (personal believe), are the majority of people in the age of 35 to 45-50 years old. This age group rarely checks even the blood pressure and many times if they see a doctor, (an offer of free check up with their med insurance), they are not taking seriously the doctors advises in general, especially if	Imagine the stress on blood vessels and the angiospasm of the vessels on an body with a non diagnosed yet cardiovascular disease. If a cardiologist, considers the possibility of my thinking being right then this medicine should be withdrawn from the selves of free use and be given ONLY by doctor’s prescription. Losing your teeth is not a life threatening factor, losing your life what factor it is? Maybe I’m devastated from the sudden death of a 45y old friend-doctor who was taking pills for his somehow high blood pressure. He was planning (after his doctors advise) to have a “stress test”, but because he was “athletic”, he did not rush to do it, (doctor patients are no different to non-doctor patients). Actually before the stress test, he decided to quit smoking first, (as strongly advised by his doctor) and 2-3 weeks before his death he started the nicortte to help him speed up the “quitting smoking process”. In his agony to stop	M	60	1 days		2/1/2009
1	To quit smoking	Acne, irregular heart beat, muscle cramps, thinning hair, mood swings, ADDICTION.	I have used Nicorette off and on for 6 years. At one point, I quit entirely. I swear to God, it felt as though my tongue was having its own detox. My entire mouth ached for gum, not to mention the rest of my body. Nicorette contains elements that will damage our bodies. The side effects we are seeing are only the beginning. Highly toxic elements are being deposited into our mouths, throats and stomachs, all day, every day. Every time I put a piece in my mouth, I feel like I am consciously eating poison. I urge you to research the ingredients, find out what they are and learn what you are ingesting. I feel like a lab rat and I regret ever beginning with the gum.I quit smoking to live. Today, I quit Nicorette for the same reason.	F	34	6 years		1/24/2009
3	quit chewing tobacco	Acne, stomach pain, heart irregularities, headaches, depression, lack of emotional response to emotional circumstances.	Great way to quit tobacco, but extremely difficult to quit the gum. I have become more addicted to the gum than I ever was chewing tobacco. I always chewed 2mg about 12-16 pieces a day. I would have a piece of 4 mg and it was like having a fine piece of chocolate. I would more often than not have severe headaches, nausea and stomach pains when I had more than 14 pieces. I always felt like Nicorette was more addictive than crack (not that I have any experience with crack), but I tried quitting numerous times and when I had a bad day, it was back to the gum! Good luck quitting, I'm going to try again. I just can't stand chewing this stuff anymore! I'm deathly afraid of the long term effects it will have on me. Especially since I never was a serious smoker (less than 1 year) and occasional chewer (2-3 times a week). Quit if you can! This is also ridiculously expensive and I certainly took advantage of the Nicorette Rewards Program (which sucks you in even more to chew	M	30	7 years		1/23/2009
5		twiching eye.		M	37	3 years		1/22/2009
1	to quit smoking	sore throat, vertigo, stomach pain	I have been chewing 20 to 30 2mg pieces a day for about 15 years. I am so addicted. I am petrified to quit. I think about it and I have tried many times but can never quit. I am afraid of the long term affects on my health such as throat cancer.	M	50	15 years		1/13/2009 Email
4	Time to stop smoking	Bloating, mood swings, more migraines, insomnia, severe pain in hips and knees - not sure if related, but started at the same time and has gotten much worse. I use about 6 pieces of the 2mg per day.	Smoking is addictive, primarily because of the nicotine, and this is addictive too. Be prepared to suffer when quitting smoking AND quitting Nicorette! I am going to use regular gum for 50%of the time from now on - after reading all of these comments. Good luck yall.	M	55	1 years		1/8/2009

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