3 weeks into vaping and really strong cravings for a cigarette

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linda19

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Jun 7, 2011
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I have been vaping for 3 weeks and was totally surprised at how easy it was for me to stop smoking. I had tried many times before but it never lasted more than a month. I think it is the act of puffing and exhaling the vapor plus the 12 mg of nicotine and throat hit that is doing it for me. And I was so happy.

Yesterday I had a bad fight with my .....y daughter in law and I was so upset that on my way home I thought about stopping to buy a pack. I made myself get right home and started vaping like crazy (while crying). I know that if I had any cigarettes in the house I would have caved. I promised myself that if I still felt that way this morning I would just buy some cigarettes and have a few and throw the rest away.

This morning I feel a little better. Still vaping a lot but hoping to get through this. It is really ironic because the last time I quit (hypnosis that time) it was this same daughter in law that upset me and I caved in that time.

My question is, will I eventually be able to handle big upsets without wanting to smoke? If so, how long will it take me to get there.? I really want to know that this will get easier because life keeps coming at you.

Thank you for listening.
 

chikkaccino

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Each person is different. I've had some major stressors recently that would have ultimately sent me back to smoking had I not found vaping. Instead of punishing myself with a cigarette, I just vape a little more, and it passes after a few days. That's how I view analogs now -- they're a punishment, not a reward. Maybe up the nicotine level temporarily during those extraordinarily taxing times?
 

devauto

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I have been vaping for 3 weeks and was totally surprised at how easy it was for me to stop smoking. I had tried many times before but it never lasted more than a month. I think it is the act of puffing and exhaling the vapor plus the 12 mg of nicotine and throat hit that is doing it for me. And I was so happy.

Yesterday I had a bad fight with my .....y daughter in law and I was so upset that on my way home I thought about stopping to buy a pack. I made myself get right home and started vaping like crazy (while crying). I know that if I had any cigarettes in the house I would have caved. I promised myself that if I still felt that way this morning I would just buy some cigarettes and have a few and throw the rest away.

This morning I feel a little better. Still vaping a lot but hoping to get through this. It is really ironic because the last time I quit (hypnosis that time) it was this same daughter in law that upset me and I caved in that time.

My question is, will I eventually be able to handle big upsets without wanting to smoke? If so, how long will it take me to get there.? I really want to know that this will get easier because life keeps coming at you.

Thank you for listening.

Hi Linda,

For starters, congratulations on going 3 weeks without smoking, that is a GREAT accomplishment!

I can't speak for everyone, but for me it doesn't get any easier. I will say that having some WTA juices on hand does help for those moments during "life's all time lows" cravings, there is a little extra something in the WTA that helps me, but that may not be the case for you! I still cave every now and then, but only when I can bum one from someone else, I REFUSE to buy a pack because that will be the beginning of the end for me.

The one (best?) piece of advice I can give you is this:

DON'T count your failures by the cigarettes you smoke, count your successes by the cigarettes you DON'T smoke!

It's all about attitude, and this attitude is what helps me keep going and get through, especially after I have caved in and bummed one ... I can honestly say that knowing this helps keep me from caving nearly as often.

I wish you the best in this battle! If I can do anything to help you get through it, just say the word.

Good luck!
 

_Lee

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Sep 9, 2013
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I don't know, Linda. It's a personal thing that only you can control. It's great you are recognizing your triggers. Hopefully with the holidays coming up, it will give you time to get your game face on and get ready. ;-)

Take it one fallout at a time. Everyone has their breaking point and I am seeing that the longer I go without analogs, the higher my breaking point is becoming. Hopefully that holds true for you as well. Stay strong and if you do cave, do not beat yourself up about it. Accept you caved, forgive yourself and move on.
 

Valanda

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Nov 14, 2013
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Champaign, IL, USA
I tried for over a year before I gave up the regular cigs completely. Three things helped alot. Between them, they made all the difference. I now no longer crave cigs at all. I can't say this will work for you, I can only say that it worked for me.

1) I got better equipment.
2) I got stronger nic juice for those trying times.
3) I made some 100% VG, unflavored, no nicotine (It is thinned with 5% vodka). This seems like it wouldn't help at all, but I have found that exhaling huge plumes of vapor with force is what really helps me calm down. I have tried chamomile extract in it, and a few others that should be "calming", but simply plain seems to work best for me

Usually, I'll vape some strong juice for a couple minutes, then switch to type in #3. Slow deep breaths and lots of vapor... makes me feel so much better. I also know I cannot achieve that with a regular cig -- so vaping is preferable.
 

diggyb

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You mentioned getting home to vape like crazy. Did you not have it on you? If possible, keep it with you all the time - just like you probably would a pack of smokes.

Nicotine addiction is like water in that it will try to take the path of least resistance. Make vaping easier than smoking and that will help I think.
 

Sugar_and_Spice

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I have been vaping for 3 weeks and was totally surprised at how easy it was for me to stop smoking. I had tried many times before but it never lasted more than a month. I think it is the act of puffing and exhaling the vapor plus the 12 mg of nicotine and throat hit that is doing it for me. And I was so happy.

Yesterday I had a bad fight with my .....y daughter in law and I was so upset that on my way home I thought about stopping to buy a pack. I made myself get right home and started vaping like crazy (while crying). I know that if I had any cigarettes in the house I would have caved. I promised myself that if I still felt that way this morning I would just buy some cigarettes and have a few and throw the rest away.

This morning I feel a little better. Still vaping a lot but hoping to get through this. It is really ironic because the last time I quit (hypnosis that time) it was this same daughter in law that upset me and I caved in that time.

My question is, will I eventually be able to handle big upsets without wanting to smoke? If so, how long will it take me to get there.? I really want to know that this will get easier because life keeps coming at you.

Thank you for listening.

Hello and welcome to ecf.
I agree that maybe you will want to up the nic for those times. Just have one bottle on hand that has it.
It may be that you also should consider how you handle the dil problems too. If it is on a continual basis, most likely she isn't going to change so you will need to change the way you let it affect you. Don't give her that kind of power over you. I know, much easier said than done. Maybe she knows your triggers? and uses them against you? Dunno, but being this upset isn't good for you.
Think about it. Hope I haven't offended you, but I felt compelled to say it.

:)
Good luck and hope you are doing better today and tomorrow and the next......
 

Blkwdw86

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Oct 6, 2013
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I would definitely find a calming flavor, something reminiscent of happy memories, and grab a batch with 24mg nic for just such occasions. Keep it in it's own special tank, your "return to calm" tank, maybe even a pleasing blue or pink color.

Just hammer through those cravings with your vape. It's the faster nicotine from cigarettes you're craving, but it comes with buckets of poisons that you don't need to get through a little stress. Your vape will get you through, you can rely on it.
 

linda19

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Jun 7, 2011
65
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florida
Thanks for the great replys. You guys are wonderful and I honestly don't think I could do this without you.

I love the idea of some stronger juice. I will definitely buy some and use it when I need it.

As for my DIL this has been going on for 10 years and I know she will never change but of course I need to see her because I want to see my son and be close to my 2 young grandchildren. It just is what it is but I can't ever let her make me cave. This is so much more important.
 

Roselie

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Nov 4, 2013
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Ugh, I had a nice reply but deleted it on accident lol. To sum it up:

Everyone is different but what works for me more than anything is having a flavor that I love, and also has a calming affect as well. The nicotine amount doesn't seem to matter for me but everyone is different. In times of stress I pick up this flavor and puff away until the cig craving passes. I never put a limit on how much I can puff and found a nicotine amount (12-18mg) that I seem to be able to puff on as much or as little as needed without overdoing it.

So, since I quit smoking I always have one of my tanks filled with this flavor (a dragonfruit blend, tried 3 so far and all seem to work well for me) and in times of stress I puff away until the cig craving and/or stress starts to fade.

But you are doing awesome! 3 weeks is roughly where I am at too since my last cig, but from what I understand it gets easier as you go. Keep it up and you'll do fine :).
 

DaDippy

Full Member
Oct 25, 2013
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Phoenix, Arizona
I totally understand where you are coming from. Like others said, it would be wise to have a tank with a higher nic juice in it. I can tell you however, it has been 7 months for me and there are still times when I get a strong craving. During those times, I usually just try and pull myself away from whatever it is I am doing, relax, and vape a little more than usual.
 

WillyZee

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Sep 23, 2013
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well done Linda on not caving ... your DIL probably enjoys pushing your buttons ... so you have to also overcome the urge to engage conversation with her when she is on a roll.

As soon as you notice her going off ... time to get out of there and relax with a vape (even if that means every time you see her).

You can do this Linda ... don't cave to her or the smokes :2cool:
 

billo

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May 1, 2009
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Linda, I vaped for years before finally quiting cigarettes entirely about 1 year ago. The last year of smoking it was only two cigarettes a day (I kept track.) But I still "couldn't" quit entirely that year.

Another trick is if you "need" a cigarette never smoke the whole thing. Just smoke half and finish it off later. Half satisfies the urge just as well, for me anyway.

Just because you smoke a cigarette doesn't mean you've "lost" and have to go back to cigarettes full time ! It's just a temporary setback !
 
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ric23

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I don't know, Linda. It's a personal thing that only you can control. It's great you are recognizing your triggers. Hopefully with the holidays coming up, it will give you time to get your game face on and get ready. ;-)

Take it one fallout at a time. Everyone has their breaking point and I am seeing that the longer I go without analogs, the higher my breaking point is becoming. Hopefully that holds true for you as well. Stay strong and if you do cave, do not beat yourself up about it. Accept you caved, forgive yourself and move on.

First, let me remind you and congratulate you on those smoke-free days. It is a tough battle. I am not a very active forum member on any forum that I have been a member on. BUT this forum is different. It actually has a very positive effect in my life, a good cause, and an opportunity to help others.

I quoted Lee on his reply because I can attest to what he said. The longer I have been away from analogs, I find that I can fight the cravings a lot better. Hang on to this. I am sure a lot of people have had this experience too. And hopefully, you get there very soon.

Good Luck!!!
 
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