Brief Answer:
Explained below.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Many people fail to benefit from the
nicotine chewing gums as they do not know the correct way of using it. If the chewing gum is chewed too fast, all the nicotine is released quickly and this causes a bitter taste in the mouth. It can even cause
nausea and
vomiting if the nicotine is swallowed.
The nicotine gum should be used using the "chew and park" technique. You should chew the gum until it softens and produces a
tingling sensation or peppery taste. The gum should then be "parked," or tucked, in between the cheek and gums. When the tingling ends the gum is chewed again until it returns, and is then re-parked in a new location. These steps are repeated until the gum is depleted of nicotine (about 30 to 60 minutes) or the craving dissipates. Do not swallow the saliva mixed with nicotine as it will irritate the stomach. Nicotine gums are meant to deliver nicotine through absorption into the blood vessels of the mouth and not through the stomach. Try using the 2 mg chewing gum. If it is not sufficient to control your craving, the 4 mg gums are also available.
I expect you to need less than 10 gums per day initially. After a few days, start reducing the number of gums you use per day, taking a few weeks to stop completely. You can also try to manage your craving by:
1) Eating or drinking something when you have a strong urge to smoke
2) Distracting yourself by getting engaged in some task, making a phone call etc
3) Talking to a friend/ family member about your urge, who can then encourage you to resist the urge
4) Remembering the reasons to quit and the benefits of quitting
Please let me know if you would like to know something else as well. What you are going to do is difficult but not impossible. Have faith in yourself and keep trying. Avoid being with people who are
smoking and avoid the places where you used to smoke usually, if there were any such specific areas, as these act as cues to induce your craving.
All the best!
Dr Preeti Parakh
MD Psychiatry
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