It's Official: I Have Leukoplakia

[GoVegan]

I'm sorry to be blunt, but I think the only solution is to give up snus.

Let's look at the facts. You use snus - this is causing the problem. To get rid of the problem - guess.

It's a sh*t decision to make and I'm sorry you've been unfortunate to get this. It's maybe something that quite a few of us will have to deal with in the future.
I don't really care about what others say - leukoplakia ain't a good thing no matter which way you look at it. I wouldn't take the risk.

The decision, obviously, is yours.

Thanks for letting us know. At least I can be more observant of the signs in future.

Excellent point! The risk seem to be minimal but is it still worth it?

[Mr. Snuffleupagus]

Well that sucks! I don't think I'd be able to quit if it was me. Hoping for the best!

[snusgetter]

Excellent point! The risk seem to be minimal but is it still worth it?

What is life but a series of risks!

Every breath we take has risks involved. The only way to counter the risks is to stop
breathing! Not very enlightened.

Everything we do has potential risks along with potential benefits. The trick is to weigh
one against the other along the path of the yellow (or pink, or blue..) brick road.

The glass is either half full or half empty. Your answer to that question ultimately
determines your course of actions.

We're addicted to nicotine, straight and simple. We've tried to go without it and have
failed. Oh, what to do? For me, it's pick the poison with the least potential risk of harm
and follow the brick road to the next dilemma. A little snuff and a little snus go a long
way to making the days more than tolerable. Alternate and moderate wisely.


Wish I'd known of this stuff years ago; sure would have made things easier (especially
in the dead of winter while freezing my ass to get in a quick smoke!).

[precious007]

The glass is either half full or half empty. Your answer to that question ultimately
determines your course of actions.

Definitely the half full part.

However anyone that's keen to quit nicotine alltogether is able to do it. Because it is possible!

That's why God created humans with rational thinking - to be able to choose.

Bottom line, snus won't hurt you more than smoking does and won't give you all those horrible "headaches" .. "coughs" .. "bad smell" .... you name it.

[Fury]

I guess I'll just quit snus and stick to cigars so I don't have to worry about mouth cancer XP

[jagmanss]

What is life but a series of risks!

Every breath we take has risks involved. The only way to counter the risks is to stop
breathing! Not very enlightened.

Everything we do has potential risks along with potential benefits. The trick is to weigh
one against the other along the path of the yellow (or pink, or blue..) brick road.

The glass is either half full or half empty. Your answer to that question ultimately
determines your course of actions.

We're addicted to nicotine, straight and simple. We've tried to go without it and have
failed. Oh, what to do? For me, it's pick the poison with the least potential risk of harm
and follow the brick road to the next dilemma. A little snuff and a little snus go a long
way to making the days more than tolerable. Alternate and moderate wisely.


Wish I'd known of this stuff years ago; sure would have made things easier (especially
in the dead of winter while freezing my ass to get in a quick smoke!).

snusgetter, I couldn't agree more, Well said and well written and so true... I like it..

[precious007]

I guess I'll just quit snus and stick to cigars so I don't have to worry about mouth cancer XP

Not a good choice..

Cigars are a serious threat in terms of oral cancer AND lung cancer.

There was a thread recently about Freud's 20 cigars a day addiction and ended up without his jaw bones. (Silly enough he was still smoking after 30+ surgeries)

Cigar smoking (as a daily habit is one of the most dangerous habits)

[Frosted]

That's all very well and good Snusgetter but if you had leukoplakia would you'd continue to use snus?

This guy has Leukoplakia - we don't.
He has a decision to make. If he continues to use snus, his chances of getting oral cancer, just by a common sense deduction, are higher than ours.
So yes - we'll continue to use snus. But if I get this in my mouth I'll be saying goodbye to nicotine forever.

You have to use a bit of common here and weigh up the acceptable risks. And that is of course a personal choice.

Leukoplakia is a warning - a chance - you either heed it or ignore it. You don't get that with lung cancer, so snussers are lucky.



I

[lxskllr]

The doom and gloom posts regarding this have me puzzled. It isn't much worse than getting callouses on your fingers from playing guitar. It's a sub optimal condition, but really not much of anything in the end.

[Frosted]

The doom and gloom posts regarding this have me puzzled. It isn't much worse than getting callouses on your fingers from playing guitar. It's a sub optimal condition, but really not much of anything in the end.

I'd rather listen to an oncologists opinion on that.

[lxskllr]

I'd rather listen to an oncologists opinion on that.

I've already posted a link showing it's no big deal. If you have something contrary, I'm all eyes.

[Frosted]

I've already posted a link showing it's no big deal. If you have something contrary, I'm all eyes.

I sincerely hope that all the 'facts' and figures that have been displayed on this site are correct.

[lxskllr]

I sincerely hope that all the 'facts' and figures that have been displayed on this site are correct.

It's easy enough to check if you desire. References have been given for their sources.

[snusgetter]

I'd rather listen to an oncologists opinion on that.

Methinks you place too much faith in these medical professionals.

If it were me getting such a diagnosis that, initially, is not life-threatening, I'd
surely seek a second opinion before deciding on a course of action.

I'm speaking from the perspective of an extremely-longtime smoker who has tried
just about every trick in the book to quit smoking: from chewing raw shelled
sunflower seeds, to nicotine lozenges and gum that were so bad I needed a
smoke to get rid of the taste, to the patch, and almost to Chantix (but I didn't
do it 'cause I know for a fact I don't need that kind of stimulation to **** up
my mind!) ... and everything in between (straight apple cider vinegar, anyone?).
And let's not forget the hypnosis sessions that led to an immediate smoke upon
leaving the building!!!

Snus (and now some nasal snuff) have led me to a point where cigarettes are
no longer totally consuming me, physically and mentally.

Let's face it. Quitting smoking is easy ... hell, I've done it hundreds of times!!
I haven't totally conquered the smoky demons totally yet but I'll see where the
snus and snuff stuff take me. Problems along the way? I guess I'll just have to
deal with them. And I will discuss any concerns with my primary care physician.
But in the final analysis, the decision is mine, and she, thankfully, is fully aware
of that.

[dreed2]

I rarely dip or use "chew" tobacco. The location of the leukoplakia is the in the exact spot where I place my snus. My dentist pointed out when he saw the spot, "You must place tobacco in your upper lip. That's uncommon." He could tell instantly that I placed tobacco there.

As for all of the comments, don't worry about me. Lxkllr posted a study that concluded oral cancer DOES NOT result from snus induced lesions (leukoplakia). My dentist also said quitting snus would make the leukoplakia go away, but who would want to do that?!

"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, totally worn out and proclaiming, 'WOW, WHAT A RIDE!!!'"

But seriously, do what your heart tells you to do. Try moving the snus to another spot to give that area time to heal. Take vitamins, eat well, exercise daily, and take care of your health and it might heal on its own.