DRock88 - Hello to All

[DRock88]

My first (second, actually) attempt with Jake's Mint Chew. My only concern with this is the impact it will have on my gums. Obviously, it's better than putting a dip in but I'd still like an answer as to whether or not it will irritate/further harm/or prevent my gums from healing. I have an email in to the company right now. This attempt is much better than the first. The first time it was messy and got all over my mouth, etc. This time I made sure to pinch and place like an amateur. I used to just throw a wad of dip in and place it with my tongue. So far, so good.

[DRock88]

Today has easily been the hardest day for me. As I move into the weekend, I'm beginning to rationalize the irrational more and more. My week days are pretty full with activities that keep th dip out of my mouth. Weekends have more opportunity and more things that I used to dip while doing. Staying strong.

[lwildma2]

I understand and agree. And the plan is to continue cold turkey and/or with the fake stuff.

Glad to hear that DRock.

PM me any time if you need to vent or talk. I quit with you.

Dipping raisins are working better for me than Jake's mint chew right now.

[worktowin]

I understand and agree. And the plan is to continue cold turkey and/or with the fake stuff.

When you need help, we are here. Nicotine is not the help you need.

You've got this.

[DRock88]

I understand and agree. And the plan is to continue cold turkey and/or with the fake stuff.

[KingNothing]

In the absolute worst case scenario, I can grab a small pack of nicotine gum.

Wrong. Do you know what the active ingredient in nicotine gum is? Do you know what you are addicted to? Hypothetically if you were an alcoholic, would you quit by giving up hard alcohol but drinking as many beers as you wanted?

Nicotine is what you're addicted to DRock. Dipping was your preferred method for absorption, but nicotine is your addiction. Nicotine gum, nicotine patches, cigars, cigarettes, vapors, dip, chew, snuff, snort. All off limits partner.

Keep the fake stuff going if it helps you, but stay away from anything with nicotine.

[DRock88]

Anyone try Jake's mint chew? I bought a sample pack about a month ago, tried 1 flavor, hate it, and it's been sitting there. Any suggestion on flavor? Is it also bad for my gums? I plan to reach out on their website, too, for some guidance.

I hope your weekend goes great because my first two WERE EXTREMELY ROUGH, if yours turns out to be don't hesitate to reach out to all of us on here. Send a PM for a phone number if needed. I do have some Jakes, I tried three flavors- Wintergreen, Cinnamon, and Spearmint. Spearmint is the only one I really enjoy (I heard their Kola flavor is great too)....and I don't believe its bad for your gums as it is just Mint and all natural. See ya bud.

Thanks again for the reply. I really think I'll be okay. My mind is made up not to put tobacco in my mouth again. I have the Jake's Mint Chew just in case the oral fixation is too much. In the absolute worst case scenario, I can grab a small pack of nicotine gum. They sell small 10 piece packs now for like $3. That's probably not the best idea, but it's better than caving altogether. Again, that's absolute worst case scenario and something I really don't foresee happening. Having a plan in place that doesn't include giving up is what I think will be important.

Notable updates:

Through 5 days today, woke up feeling very fresh and rejuvenated and hopeful. I took an extra Calms Forte and listened to a new sleep hypnosis last night. I was legitimately hypnotized into a deep sleep. It was kind of a strange feeling. I woke up way less than I had been before. Heading in the right direction with rest/sleep. My mouth, as of this minute, feels better than it has in probably 5 years. Praying that all of the positive progress markers encourage me to stay quit instead of creating too much sense of comfort. That's up to me, though. It's almost as if I'm not sure I want the anxiety to go away or not. As far as the cloudiness that many have described, I can't say that this has been a big issue for me. At times, I zone out or am forgetful, but I think I've always had a little bit of undiagnosed ADD.

[LG17]

Anyone try Jake's mint chew? I bought a sample pack about a month ago, tried 1 flavor, hate it, and it's been sitting there. Any suggestion on flavor? Is it also bad for my gums? I plan to reach out on their website, too, for some guidance.

I hope your weekend goes great because my first two WERE EXTREMELY ROUGH, if yours turns out to be don't hesitate to reach out to all of us on here. Send a PM for a phone number if needed. I do have some Jakes, I tried three flavors- Wintergreen, Cinnamon, and Spearmint. Spearmint is the only one I really enjoy (I heard their Kola flavor is great too)....and I don't believe its bad for your gums as it is just Mint and all natural. See ya bud.

[DRock88]

Anyone try Jake's mint chew? I bought a sample pack about a month ago, tried 1 flavor, hate it, and it's been sitting there. Any suggestion on flavor? Is it also bad for my gums? I plan to reach out on their website, too, for some guidance.

[DRock88]

DROCK, welcome man. Your in a good place here, its helped me tremendously. Ok, that being said a couple of tips for you alright? I AM VIRTUALLY IDENTICAL TO YOU (your story). I started as a senior in high school (18) and just have quit at 31 (13 years of use ). I was roughly 1 can every 2-3 days, first Timberwolf Wintergreen Longcut, then Grizzly Wintergreen Longcut, and the last 7 years Grizzly Wintergreen pouches (also 1 can every 2 days). That being said quit tearing yourself apart with anxiety, it does not help the process you are going through at all. Cancer is cancer because it eats and destroys everything around it, if you had it in your mouth it would be growing and you would know, trust your dentists because if they saw it they would know. Secondly, I am now coming up on 20 days without a dip, which until recently, I never thought I would be able to do....see I am just like you I LOVE COLLEGE FOOTBALL and playing Madden on my PS4 and those were things I always did with a chew in.....in fact that was my biggest fear, not being able to enjoy those things without a dip in....however IT CAN BE DONE! Now its tough, no doubt, but given time you can still watch football and not need a massive chaw in. The first week was rough, but the second week was PURE HELL for me....and now the third has been WAYYYY better, not easier but def better. That being said, all the dudes on here are right , it is important to get in a quit group and post up every day because there are many times your mind will mess with you and you will want to cave but if your like me, the thought of shaming these bros in my group always have kept me from doing it....its just like having someones back ya know? Anyways man, welcome and KEEP FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT! You can do this man, even though it is tough.

Awesome, man. Thanks for the reply. I was about 3/4 can per day, Skoal Mint. I got 4 dips to a can. I never kept them in long. But, you're right, that wasn't me. I'm an extraordinarily healthy person with very few vices. Knocking back a few beers is something I like to do. Dipping was another vice. They went hand in hand sometimes. But I feel certain that I can do one without the other. I'm actually kinda looking forward to the challenge this weekend.

[lwildma2]

Just over 4 days quit now.

I took the calming/sleeping meds last night with great success. I didn't fall right to sleep, but I did wake up far fewer times than nights previously. I did listen to some self sleep hypnosis for a little while, too. I think I will be using both of these regularly now.

I have to admit, I'm suddenly getting a few more frequent cravings for a dip. This morning was tough. But, I keep picturing the outcome I want versus the outcome that is likely if I cave. As the weekend approaches, I know it will get even harder. I'm a college football fiend and love to have some beers while watching the games. Usually, this also meant a couple of dips in between. Hopefully, I can resist.

My stomach is a bit tore up the last 12 hours. Not sure if this has anything to do with the quit.

Glad the hypnosis tracks helped. I don't think I would ever sleep with out them.

I understand college football and drinking with a big chaw in. How I think of it are that wasn't me and those days are over. I am QUIT. I guess I might have it a little easier because I haven't been able to have any alcohol for 8 months due to medications.

This evening I have been having horrible cravings. Packed some raisins in and it seemed to have done the trick. Getting ready to hit the hay.

Stay strong and quit on.

[worktowin]

DROCK, welcome man. Your in a good place here, its helped me tremendously. Ok, that being said a couple of tips for you alright? I AM VIRTUALLY IDENTICAL TO YOU (your story). I started as a senior in high school (18) and just have quit at 31 (13 years of use ). I was roughly 1 can every 2-3 days, first Timberwolf Wintergreen Longcut, then Grizzly Wintergreen Longcut, and the last 7 years Grizzly Wintergreen pouches (also 1 can every 2 days). That being said quit tearing yourself apart with anxiety, it does not help the process you are going through at all. Cancer is cancer because it eats and destroys everything around it, if you had it in your mouth it would be growing and you would know, trust your dentists because if they saw it they would know. Secondly, I am now coming up on 20 days without a dip, which until recently, I never thought I would be able to do....see I am just like you I LOVE COLLEGE FOOTBALL and playing Madden on my PS4 and those were things I always did with a chew in.....in fact that was my biggest fear, not being able to enjoy those things without a dip in....however IT CAN BE DONE! Now its tough, no doubt, but given time you can still watch football and not need a massive chaw in. The first week was rough, but the second week was PURE HELL for me....and now the third has been WAYYYY better, not easier but def better. That being said, all the dudes on here are right , it is important to get in a quit group and post up every day because there are many times your mind will mess with you and you will want to cave but if your like me, the thought of shaming these bros in my group always have kept me from doing it....its just like having someones back ya know? Anyways man, welcome and KEEP FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT! You can do this man, even though it is tough.

^^^bad ass. This dude gets it. Every word he said is spot on.

[LG17]

DROCK, welcome man. Your in a good place here, its helped me tremendously. Ok, that being said a couple of tips for you alright? I AM VIRTUALLY IDENTICAL TO YOU (your story). I started as a senior in high school (18) and just have quit at 31 (13 years of use ). I was roughly 1 can every 2-3 days, first Timberwolf Wintergreen Longcut, then Grizzly Wintergreen Longcut, and the last 7 years Grizzly Wintergreen pouches (also 1 can every 2 days). That being said quit tearing yourself apart with anxiety, it does not help the process you are going through at all. Cancer is cancer because it eats and destroys everything around it, if you had it in your mouth it would be growing and you would know, trust your dentists because if they saw it they would know. Secondly, I am now coming up on 20 days without a dip, which until recently, I never thought I would be able to do....see I am just like you I LOVE COLLEGE FOOTBALL and playing Madden on my PS4 and those were things I always did with a chew in.....in fact that was my biggest fear, not being able to enjoy those things without a dip in....however IT CAN BE DONE! Now its tough, no doubt, but given time you can still watch football and not need a massive chaw in. The first week was rough, but the second week was PURE HELL for me....and now the third has been WAYYYY better, not easier but def better. That being said, all the dudes on here are right , it is important to get in a quit group and post up every day because there are many times your mind will mess with you and you will want to cave but if your like me, the thought of shaming these bros in my group always have kept me from doing it....its just like having someones back ya know? Anyways man, welcome and KEEP FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT! You can do this man, even though it is tough.

[worktowin]

I know I can do it. I just start rationalizing things sometimes. Rationalizing the irrational, I guess.

Just an update on my mouth. Overall, I think my mouth is feeling better. I do have 1 ulcer like sore on an inner cheek towards the back but, again, it's around where the wisdom teeth were extracted...so it could really have nothing to do with the quit. Not total comfortable with how the extraction sites are feeling since it's been almost 4 weeks since it was done. And, teeth could feel a little loose...which I was warned could be possible after such a deep cleaning of the pockets caused by gum disease. Buttttt, this all could be anxiety. Everything mentioned has improved in the last several days since quitting. I will be making an appointment with the dentist anyway for next week to ask every question possibly can. The more I know, the easier this will be.

It is anxiety. Every one of us went through this bullshit, which we caused ourselves. It is all part of the healing process.

Another win man. Great job!

I was a ninja for a whole lot of years, but my dentist always knew the truth. You are in good hands with your doctors. Try to focus on the positives... you are saving money, you are healing, you are winning, you aren't purposefully trying to get cancer... and the rest will fix itself. You are doing great.

[DRock88]

I know I can do it. I just start rationalizing things sometimes. Rationalizing the irrational, I guess.

Just an update on my mouth. Overall, I think my mouth is feeling better. I do have 1 ulcer like sore on an inner cheek towards the back but, again, it's around where the wisdom teeth were extracted...so it could really have nothing to do with the quit. Not total comfortable with how the extraction sites are feeling since it's been almost 4 weeks since it was done. And, teeth could feel a little loose...which I was warned could be possible after such a deep cleaning of the pockets caused by gum disease. Buttttt, this all could be anxiety. Everything mentioned has improved in the last several days since quitting. I will be making an appointment with the dentist anyway for next week to ask every question possibly can. The more I know, the easier this will be.