Hi Moms, I am reaching out to see if anyone has any additional information (from experience only please) regarding mouth cancer. My husband went to the dentist yesterday, they used some new technology which will detect early signs of cancer and told him that it is a possibility for him. A L. history...before I met him, he started "dipping" or chewing tabacco...whatever you want to call it. Well, it sits on the left lower side of his mouth. As gross as this is to many, it was a habit of his... one that he has tried to quit before but just couldn't. Anyway, after his appt, he came home and threw out all of his "cans" and said he is done. Cold turkey... DONE! I have to say, he looked pretty upset and scared. I don't even know what to say. I told him that I am proud of him for taking this step and not ignoring the Dr's warning. The Dr. said that it is in the pre PRE stages of possibly turning into something but that my hubby could possibly turn things around if he stops now. Anyway, I guess I am just scared for him and want to see if there was anyone out there who has been thru this. He is only 37yrs old.. :( Is there anyone who's husband has gone thru this habit and kicked it? What did he act like as he went thru the withdrawl process? Any information would be so helpful to me. I am almost scared to look online for info..
He knows it is self inflicted so I don't need that kind of response please...just asking for advice from those who have been in our shoes...
thank you all!
Hi Ladies. Thank you all for your responses and support/information/advice. I appreciate it. So, it has been one week since my husband quit. He has not had a "dip" since 12n last Tuesday. I am so proud of him. The day after he quit was the worst. He was cranky and not the nicest person to be around. Chewed gum like a horse eating hay. This past Sunday was also a rough one but hey, he has made out alive (without me hurting him) - LOL. Anyway, it is a daily battle and he is getting by with chewing gum. He said lastnight that when he is 80yrs old, he will allow himself to dip again as a celebration to making it that long. HA HA. Anyway, just wanted to let you know how it was going...thanks again.
my husband has chewed for a very very long time and is 36 yrs. old and refuses to go to the dentist. I worry so much about this happening to us but if he won't let anybody look at his mouth I don't know what signs to look for!
He can use nicotin patches for the withdrawal symptoms just like a smoker would. Also, buy him some beef jerky or something to chew on when he gets the urge.
try going on the american cancer society website. they have lots of information. you can even call them and they'll answer questions you may have and will even refer you to support groups.
It's just like quitting smoking. Maybe some Nicorette gum would help him get through?
This is a great website with many home/natural remedies.
I found some help with quitting smoking for my hubby.
He hasn't done it yet and I worry about him ALL the time!!
The good news is, YOUR HUBBY QUIT!! Now time to heal!!
Good luck and GOD BLESS!!
D.
My dad was a smoker and a doctor told him there was a shadow on one of his lungs in an xray. He quit smoking right then. Turns out the doctor was mistaken but I'm so grateful to him for his "mistake"... I think all doctors should tell smokers and chewers something like this to scare them into quitting. :) I wouldn't worry too much about the cancer and be glad a dr scared him into quitting. Who knows if that's partly what the dr is trying to do... And early detection is so key for cancer that now you know to keep an eye on it. And then like other people said, nicotine gum etc should help.
No info on the cancer part of your post. But you might try googling "nicotine addiction". It is present in the "dip" tobacco just like it is present in cigarettes. So I would think that the same withdrawal symptoms are likely to be noticed. It would probably help you both to be aware of what he is likely to experience as he goes through the withdrawal process.
And like Amanda, I suggest you keep a good supply of "mouthy" items for him: gums, lollipops, jerky, etc. It won't do anything for the nicotine withdrawal, but it might help satiate the desire to have something in his mouth.
I hope all goes well. :)
I had a grand uncle that chewed for years (his back yard was disgusting with all the spit out tobacco everywhere).
Eventually he died of cancer of the mouth and esophagus (but he was like in his 70s).
He couldn't/wouldn't quit.
Parts of his face were missing and he still had a wad of tobacco tucked into what ever corner of a cheek he had left.
If your husband has caught it early, there should be a good chance of recovery.
Quitting is a good thing.
Nicotine is very addictive, but it works best as a pesticide.
A dear friend of mine died of tongue cancer at a young age. It is nothing to trifle with. She was not a dipper and there was no specific cause to her cancer and she fought it as hard as she could. The scary truth is, mouth cancer is one of the deadliest because it is one of the least detected in a stage at which it can be fought.
I praise your DH that he is taking the dentist seriously. I would suggest he go and see a specialist and get a second opinion and a plan treatment or observation from here on out.
Good luck to you!
Don't panic! It is a great sign that he heeded the advice of the dentist. Now he just needs some follow up to stick wig it. More than likely your husband has some anxiety that he doesn't even realize he has and he was treating that anxiety with nicotine. Many people who smoke, drink, use drugs and nicotine actually have low serotonin in their brains and may need an antidepresant to help with those anxious feelings. Counseling might be a good step just to evaluate why your husband used the chew. Chantix or zyban, rx from a doctor can help too. The best thing your husband can do is to stop he chewing. Much of the tissue can heal itself and your dental provider will keep a close watch on it. My BiL used theses bandit pouches with some type of herb in it to help with the physical need to have something IN his mouth. mints, gum. exercise. trying to substitute something healthy. just try to support him and don't nag/lecture if he falters. it ultimately comes down to the person. they have to have the desire to want to quit. my mom has been smoke free for almost 5 years. never thought I would see that in my lifetime. my dad, however, still smoking like a chimney. good luck and don't freak yourself with a bunch or oral cancer picks. they are nasty and you will really stress then. good luck and blessings to you and your husband.
A guy I worked with had mouth cancer. He was diagnosed in his early 30's and had to have over half of his tongue removed. He could barely talk. After many years of chemo, radiation, and reconstructive surgery, he is doing very well now. But honestly, I've seen a lot of people over the years go through cancer treatment and this was one of the worst cases I've seen. I'm not telling you this to scare you. I say do WHATEVER it takes to support him and get him through this and spare no expense! I would never want anyone I love to go through what this guy went through.
Unfortunately, I can't give you the exact answer you're wanting. I will say that my husband and I made a deal about a year ago. If I quit a nasty habit, he would too. So I quit biting my nails and he has cut way back on his dipping. I know, I know. He hasn't quit altogether but he never could quit dipping cold turkey. He quit smoking cold turkey several years ago along with me and I was proud of him for that but he eventually took up dipping not long after. I then told him about our deal to both quit a nasty habit and so he's gone from having a can last him a day or two to a can lasting longer than a week. Again, he didn't quit it cold turkey, but he's working his way there.
If your husband feels the urge to dip, go get him a bag of sunflower seeds (with the shells on). My husband will take a L. handful of the seeds and put it in his mouth where the dip used to be and suck on them, unshelling each seed and spit the shells out into a container. I know this seems gross but it's healthier for your husband than dip and if it works, that's all that matters. :)
HTH,
Jen
We all do stuff to ourselves - why should your husband be any different than the rest of us? ;o) We should all get a good scare for whatever it is that's our "vice". Get him a few different flavors of sugarless gum so he can find out which he prefers. Look for foods rich in antioxidents - they can actually reverse cell growth that is "pre-cancerous".
my hubby is 38 and has been dipping for years. i dont want to sound like i am making light of your hubbys mouth cancer. but it sounds like the dentist wanted him to know if he continued to dip he might,perhaps,maybe, get cancer. i am so glad he did decide to quit! his withdraws is something you can and should look up to better understand and support his quitting. but the scary "cancer" word looks like it can be avoided... if he quits... which he has.
