Coping W/ the Loss of Analogs . . .

[surbitonPete]

I am managing to satisfy my tobacco addiction with vaping but at the same time I am really scared of developing far too much tolerance to Nicotine and the possibility that if e-cigarettes do get banned I will find myself having to smoke a 100 cigarettes a day to satisfy my addiction............So for a few days now I have been vaping very low nic and every hour or so giving myself a few drops of 36mg......but when I tried a tobacco cigarette today it made me feel as light headed as if I hadn't had any nicotine for a month! Yet according to all the theories even the way I am vaping now is 'still' giving me far more nicotine than when I was tobacco smoking. It's all very confusing.

[sherid]

This post has to do more w/ mental health than physical health, so bare w/ me . . .

Been clean for 2+ months and I feel like the novelty of the e-cig is wearing off. It's helped a great deal, but the thing is I don't feel like the same person anymore. May sound a bit melodramatic, but it's true. This is a huge lifestyle change for a guy who smoked non-stop for 14 years. Seriously: the e-cig just isn't cutting it anymore. I want a real cigarette.

The two things that are really getting to me: I can't think straight, I have 0 concentration. Not saying I was ever centered on analogs, but they at least gave me the feeling that I was centered. I guess, imo, a sense of false security is better than the feeling of having no security at all.

And, two: the weight gain. Ohhhhhhhh, man. Seriously, this is pissing me off. Diet and exercise aren't doing a thing for me, either.

I know, I know, I'm adding years to my life w/ quitting the analogs and, yes, I've made the right decision, but truthfully, I'm just not happy. I miss smoking. I miss my analogs. Depressing state of affairs all around. Cigarettes used to me my one and only treat on a day to day basis, and with the habit crushed that void is just empty, now.

What do ya'll do to cope? I've tried exercise, but I really can't over do that. I go to the gym every other day as it is to keep my wits about me. Sadness . . .

Thnx for hearin' my rant, ya'll.

I would feel the same way. I have used the e cig to cut back on regular cigs but not to entirely quit. I smoke about 6 regulars a day...a lot better than a pack a day. I guess it depends on whether you came into e smoking with the goal or need to quit smoking entirely or if you started e smoking to cut back or to try to get past smoking bans. I have a feeling that using really high nicotine to avoid cigarettes is probably not a great idea either.

[pointedobject]

Well, after a couple of weeks analogue-free I now have a 1 or 2 nasties a day. It seems to really help a lot with my concentration, that sharp/focused feeling you get instantly with analogues instead of that dull/foggy buzz feeling that I get with the e-cig..
How are you coping Hernandez? Your post really hit home with me as it summed up how I'm feeling. The latest thing I'm trying is to switch to VG juice to see if it helps, I'll keep you posted...

[sherid]

Well, after a couple of weeks analogue-free I now have a 1 or 2 nasties a day. It seems to really help a lot with my concentration, that sharp/focused feeling you get instantly with analogues instead of that dull/foggy buzz feeling that I get with the e-cig..
How are you coping Hernandez? Your post really hit home with me as it summed up how I'm feeling. The latest thing I'm trying is to switch to VG juice to see if it helps, I'll keep you posted...

I continue to smoke cigarettes, but I have no more than 5-6 a day after decades of a pack a day. I see nothing to beat yourself up if you have a few. I like that I have not pushed myself to quit and have no guilt whatsoever if I feel like smoking rather than vaping. It's a huge improvement that I never thought I would make.

[pointedobject]

I continue to smoke cigarettes, but I have no more than 5-6 a day after decades of a pack a day. I see nothing to beat yourself up if you have a few. I like that I have not pushed myself to quit and have no guilt whatsoever if I feel like smoking rather than vaping. It's a huge improvement that I never thought I would make.

Yeah you're right, a pack every week or 2 is a whole lot better than 1 a day.
When I think about it, it's amazing how I've cut down without that much effort. I'm just going to take it day by day for awhile and not put myself under too much pressure.
I seem to feel better so far with the VG stuff though, no speedy/anxious feeling or clenched teeth, which is good. Now I just have to figure out my ideal nic strength... What strength are you using Sherid?