When I 1st quit smoking, I started chewing sugar-free gum, lots. Everytime I wanted a cig, I chewed gum. I was up to more than a pack of gum a day. Than I started developing intestinal problems when I chewed too much gum, gas, bloating, (I'll spare u the rest, but u get the idea). But I couldn't stop chewing gum!
Eventually I started smoking again and chewed less gum. Plus, I've been biting my nails since I was a kid (i'm 29 now). I always have to have something in my mouth, a cig, gum, my nails, a straw (I'm always drinking sumthing, water, soda, whatever). What is wrong with me??? I heard about the whole oral fixation thing, but, whatever.
It's not even when I'm nervous, its just whenever. Can anyone relate?
The gas and bloating are probably caused by the artificial sweetener in the gum plus swallowing air when chewing.
Think really really hard about the wisdom of your tactic of "substituting" cigarettes for some of the gum and about whether this is any kind of solution.
Maybe you could arrange to replace your cigarettes with sips of water or straws and keep your gum usage reduced. Can't recommend nail-chewing, however.
When I 1st quit smoking, I started chewing sugar-free gum, lots. Everytime I wanted a cig, I chewed gum. I was up to more than a pack of gum a day. Than I started developing intestinal problems when I chewed too much gum, gas, bloating, (I'll spare u the rest, but u get the idea). But I couldn't stop chewing gum!
Eventually I started smoking again and chewed less gum. Plus, I've been biting my nails since I was a kid (i'm 30 now). I always have to have something in my mouth, a cig, gum, my nails, a straw (I'm always drinking sumthing, water, soda, whatever). What is wrong with me??? I heard about the whole oral fixation thing, but, whatever.
It's not even when I'm nervous, its just whenever. Can anyone relate?
alsaser...
I do know what you mean about the oral stimulation/fixation, I tend to do the same thing. I quit smoking 22 months ago, after a 30 year smoking habit, and I find that I'm having to (almost) constantly have something in my mouth. (I still chew nic gum too!) If not that, it's ice cubes, cough drops, and now I've started with toothpicks! lol.. I bought these neat little toothpicks, they were in the dental care section, as I was picking up my dental supplies. They have a "bristle" type end on one end, and the other end is shaped so it goes straight through between your teeth. I I bought them to clean btwn my teeth, but find I'm using them much more often, like after I've already brushed and flossed. One good thing,...since I've quit smoking, I take more time out for my dental care now...I floss while I watch TV, on computer, etc. Maybe just to have something more to satisfy that oral/hand fixation. ANYTHING is better than smoking, and my dental check ups have been great...much better since I quit smoking. Just guess I'm used to always having a cig in my mouth, and now I'm just replacing it with other things! I don't see it as a problem though. SMOKING THO, WAS A BIG PROBLEM!
Best wishes...
Deda
When I 1st quit smoking, I started chewing sugar-free gum, lots. Everytime I wanted a cig, I chewed gum. I was up to more than a pack of gum a day. Than I started developing intestinal problems when I chewed too much gum, gas, bloating, (I'll spare u the rest, but u get the idea). But I couldn't stop chewing gum!
Eventually I started smoking again and chewed less gum. Plus, I've been biting my nails since I was a kid (i'm 30 now). I always have to have something in my mouth, a cig, gum, my nails, a straw (I'm always drinking sumthing, water, soda, whatever). What is wrong with me??? I heard about the whole oral fixation thing, but, whatever.
It's not even when I'm nervous, its just whenever. Can anyone relate?
You sound exactly like me to a tee!!! I am with you. I stopped smoking today for the 4th time in my life. So, I am hoping I can stick with it this time. But if your a oral fixation freak, I definately am too! I bite my nails, chew straws, toothpicks, pens, pencils, my leather watch band......fricking anything. I don't know what causes this or why I do it.
Re: Gum chewing 
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