Tips for a mouth spray to help quitting Nicolette spray!

[Battypatty2]

Hi everyone! I've been watching from afar as I joined this group maybe halfway through my current journey of 130 days quit (sorry Jillygirl didn't message you to let you know after I'd joined!).

I quit using nicorette spray and patches at a time of poor health which was eventually identified as b12 deficiency and treated. But this meant that I had 3 months of quitting with my body being shut down so my nicotine desire was quite low, I'd often go days spraying 5 times and forgetting to put on a patch and being fine. But now my b12 is resolved it's like my nicotine receptors have woken up and I'm spraying more during the day. Grateful that the desire to smoke is scale 0 despite my craving for nicotine itself.

I had my final call with NHS stop support today so I need to work fairly quickly towards quitting the spray. I've spent the last week consciously reducing it and wearing 7mg patches consistently but I think something that would really help is replacing it with a mint mouth spray. I ordered one off Amazon but it's not hitting the spot as well (more spearmint than fresh mint). Does anyone have any recommendations?? I've become accustomed to the powerful mint taste that's borderline sickly 😂.

Thank you in advance for any help you can give!! Apologies for the essay - though this is a short post for me 🙈

Ps. If you're thinking of quitting, contact your local NHS quit service!! They will prescribe you nicotine replacement, and you can do pre payment prescriptions so you can get unlimited prescriptions for 3 months for something like £30. It's been a lifesaver for me!!!

Trish 😀

[TheTabbyCat Administrator LONG TERM WINNER]

Hi Battypatty2,what a brilliant name!

I can't help you with the mouth spray as I've never used it but I wanted to thank you for sharing the info about the support available in the UK. That is exactly what peer to peer support is all about.

I wish you all the best, you're doing really well so keep it up 🚭 xx

[Battypatty2 5 MONTH WINNER in reply to TheTabbyCat]

Thank you ❤️❤️. Definitely here to share and care. I feel great pride when I see stoptober adverts in the UK and be far into my quit 😍

[TheTabbyCat Administrator LONG TERM WINNER in reply to Battypatty2]

You're doing really well, 130 smoke free days is brilliant. I've just looked at my calculator, that's 18½ weeks and 4+ months. 👏👏👏

Watch this space, your new, shiny badge is on its way.

[jillygirl Administrator Queen Bee]

Hi there BattyPatty2. Well done on staying smokefree. Its not easy finding the correct nrt to suit, but from what you have said you are almost ready to wean off the nrt. There is nop harm in trying any to see if they help. Have you thought about the spray bur also suck an extra strong mint too. I know a few members have just used those for quitting and it worked.

Remember to drink plenty of water aswell to help with the cravings.

I have assigned you a progress badge and put your quit date as Saturday June 8th. If you wish to change it just let me know.

Lovely to hear from you. 😊xx

[Battypatty2 5 MONTH WINNER in reply to jillygirl]

Thanks Jillygirl! Yes this next step to finally quit nicotine actually feels the most daunting somehow , habits are easier to change than nicotine habit itself! When I get to that point in the next few weeks I'll restart my quit journal - the most powerful aide for me personally. Always great to read back on previous quit attempts for learning and self encouragement too. Thank you for the badge 😍.

[Cloe Administrator]

Hi Battypatty2,

Yes! Amazing 134 days now! 🤸🏻🥳

I did use gum which is easier to move over to gum because there’s much more choice. And I really liked the strong mint at the back of the throat, it is a thing, like feeling the hit at the back of the throat. So I would really breathe it in too.

I think like what Jillygirl as suggested, extra strong mints. I wonder if you could get a little spray bottle, I know wilko used to sell them which are online now and make your own, you may be able to leave an extra strong mint or two in water to dissolve? 🤔 just a thought 🧐

I would also google, if you haven’t already, strong fresh mint mouth spray too, you would think there’s something out there 🙄

Patches are also good so you can ween yourself down from the nicotine, the patches I had wasn’t gel like so I cut them in half too.

Remember, you have got through the hardest part, even if it doesn’t feel that way, you’ve come so far! 🥳👊🏻🤩😅 you’ve only got to get through one day/minute at a time and this will soon be a past thing 🙏🏻🥰😅

Take care of yourself 🥰🙏🏻🚭

[Battypatty2 5 MONTH WINNER in reply to Cloe]

Thank you Cloe for your lovely words ❤️ so much support in this group it's brilliant. If I can't find any mouth spray replacements your DIY option is a great idea! I'll keep you updated how I get on 😊.if you don't mind me asking a personal question - even with gum being a sloth err release method did you find it hard weaning off from a nicotine point of view? As opposed to a habit point of view X

[Cloe Administrator in reply to Battypatty2]

Hi Battypatty2,

My earlier quits I had to wean myself every fortnight, so I would use as much of a gradual dose as I could. My last 2 quits I felt a bit more sensitive to the nicotine to be honest and after my initial first 2 weeks I gradually reduced on a weekly basis, and higher reduction too. I would advise to just go by what feels right for you, if the slightest gradual reduction feels more comfortable I would go with it, whatever makes your journey most comfortable. I like a kinder and more supportive approach and it may feel like you’re taking ages to reduce in the moment but before long you’ll be looking back and thinking it wasn’t actually that long.

Whatever feels most helpful and supportive early on is the best approach in my opinion, but listen to you and what feels best for you 🙏🏻💪🏻🥰

[Briarwood Administrator Ducky]

Huge congratulations Battypatty on your terrific achievement 🎉🚭💪👏

Thanks for sharing your support info for others👌 and just to say Boots sell a minty mouth spray so maybe check that out.

Keep doing what you’re doing coz you’re doing great🚭👍xx

[Battypatty2 5 MONTH WINNER in reply to Briarwood]

Thank you so much for your support ❤️❤️ I was selfishly hoping for a shortcut as mouth sprays are so expensive - but I'll keep trying and reporting back when I've found a good substitute!