Hello All,
My name is Corey. I am 28 years old and started dipping in 2007. I usually dipped about 2 cans every 3-4 days. I quit several times previously, the longest lasting about a month. And, most recently I tried to quit on 11/8; and failed. I have been nearly 7 days without a hint of nicotine, which is the longest I have lasted since 2015.
Below is my story:
On 11/8/2017, I quit using tobacco. However, my day two symptoms were sudden. I nearly couldn't get out of bed and called off work. Was extremely light headed and kept passing out on the couch throughout the day. Day three, I went to the local convenient store and picked up two tins. And felt a bit better, but still felt a bit crappy.
On 11/20/2017, I went to the ER with what I thought was pneumonia. Turned out at 28, you can get diagnosed with an enlarged heart (dilated cardiomyopathy) and an ejection fraction of 19 (heart is pumping only 19% of the blood to the rest of my body). Doctor claims there is about a 1 in 3 chance I will need an ICD and/or a transplant at some point over the next few years. Unless, it is caused by a virus (won't know until March with repeat testing). Since this diagnosis; I am on a low fat/low sodium diet and am tasked to getting my BMI under 32 (in case of a transplant). Also, I have to quit dipping. Because of new medications, I was advised not to quit dipping for about a week.
(Lesson learned, the detox from nicotine likely masked my symptoms of heart failure; just poor timing. Make sure you consult your doctor with symptoms of nicotine withdrawl!)
On 12/4/2017, I quit dipping. The only real symptom I have had since, is an irritability. I am laser focused and I also do not believe that my diagnosis has really sunk in quite yet. Either way, on 12/3/2017 I touched the last piece of nicotine that I will ever have. And, in doing so, carved a path to a healthier future.
Question: Currently, I am using smokey mountain snuff as an alternate to tobacco. However, I have a dilemma that I need to keep sodium intake to 1,500 mg - 2,300 mg (I still can't believe how much sodium is in everything!). Because of the sodium intake issue, Smokey Mountain has roughly 40 mg of sodium per 2 g of dip. So, a day, I am using 400 mg of sodium on herbal snuff (which has to be reduced or eliminated due to fluid build up). However, I also need to watch out on caffeine (eliminates coffee versions). Does anyone know of any tobacco alternate products that contain no salt/sodium? If not, I will probably try to use un-salted seeds or something. Or, any recipies for homemade versions?
Thanks!