Anyone else caught in the "in between"?

[Caileadair]

I haven't seen anything like this posted in my perusal of this site and after reading all the success stories of never wanting an analog after they started vaping I feel rather frustrated at my attempts.
True enough I did have problems at the beginning. It took a while to figure out I was reacting to PG....which having gone to a meetup close by and with the help of my son (a vaper) we got that figured out and now I'm using straight VG....no more chest tightness.

I've smoked for 45 years at 1-1.5 pk per day.

I was using a Joye 510 and have switched to an eGo and fluxomizers. The set up works great (easy to use), the e juice (including the right level of nic so that I wasn't falling down dizzy) is doing okay but.....I seem to be caught brtween the dissatisfaction of vaping and smoking. Neither one seems to satisfy. I vape and I crave an analog...I smoke and it doesn't "do it" for me either. Analogs don't taste disgusting to me as they do for many but it just isn't the same as it was.

BTW, my son stopped analogs as soon as he got his e cigs as did my brother. I didn't /don't expect that kind of success for myself but I sure wasn't expecting this constant nagging angst either. Suggestions?

 

[Beans]

It may be the lack of MAOI's your missing. I still struggle with that angsty feeling at times, but higher voltages have helped me immensely.
It can be a rough transition though, make sure your getting the support you need and don't be too hard on yourself. Everyone is different and has different needs. Your doing great!

 

[H Niemand]

I'm kind of stuck too. I went from 1-2 PAD to 1-2 PAD a week. However, I only smoke about 1/2 an analog before I have to put it out.
I have been smoking for 40 years and I think that's the problem. To many years of habituation and addiction. Also, the morning stinky is the one that gives me the most grief.
All I can say is I seem to be smoking fewer analogs every week. I hope it will be the big zero before long. Hang in there. You'll see me right next to you.

 

[Boodle]

Get your post count up to 5. That will allow you to post in other threads. I suggest reading in the other nicotine alternatives thread. You may be one of those people that need a little something extra to make the transition. Snus or ? You can increase your post count by replying to this post, welcoming other noobs to the forum, etc. You can read in other areas now.

 

[Stef64]

I started vaping 2 1/2 years ago and I still crave and have an analog every now and then. During this time I went completely smoke free for a few days, and was also smoking 1 PAD along with vaping for others. Since using a Riva I have smoked less and less. I'm at a point now where I wont beat myself up for not quitting altogether. Having an analog a day or every couple of days beats the 1.5-2 PAD habit I had before.

 

[carpedebass]

Just don't stress over it! If you still have a few analogs, it's really still a winning situation because it's just that much less garbage you're taking into your lungs.

As to why neither of them seem to satisfy you, I'm not sure. Perhaps the MAOI thing mentioned by Beans could do it. I would say just hand in there. Drink lots of water to help your system flush the toxins faster from the analogs. Hopefully this will only last a few days.

EDIT - Also you might try to get on a regimen of multi vitamins.

 

[Taegost]

I have a friend that was able to switch over immediately... I had a hard time with that. I bought myself a pack of cigarettes and limited myself to a maximum of 4 per day (Well... That was my goal, and luckily I was able to do it, but a couple days I wanted more) and after a while, I still had the feeling of wanting a cigarette, but I really didn't. It wasn't easy for me, every time one of my friends who smoked menthol was nearby, I would have to remind myself over and over that I didn't actually want one... The urge still isn't gone, but my moral of the story: It's a process, as long as you're able to cut down, you're winning. Just try to cut down more and more in a time frame that's comfortable to you until you're good.
Maybe try a higher-voltage mod... I noticed a difference going from a 510 to an eGo (Even though the voltage is about the same). It was a bit more satisfying. Using my 5v USB pass-through is even more satisfying then that, so I use it when I'm home, and have my CRV for when I'm out and about, or at work.

 

[Uma]

Count the ones you didn't smoke instead of the ones you did and have fun adding to the count each (day or week or month).

Keep Snus or Orbs on deck and ready at a moment's notice.

Set a special eCig at your "smoking" spot (like by the door if you used to go outside to smoke), fill a carto with a stronger Nic tobacco flavor. This will be your "cigarette".

Vape vape vape through the cravings.

Try different drip tips... whistle tips, rubber tips, ming tips, etc...

You have half the battle won already, just by realizing that you indeed are an individual with individual needs and that you will find your individual style that not only helps you but you will be able to later report back and help others through their difficulties.

Best wishes!

 

[bnrkwest]

I can understand what you are saying, I have the same thing sometimes. I feel like I want an analog but I know they taste so crappy so I go vape instead. Then my taste buds crave a new experience so I mix up some blends and that helps I am now ready to try new fruits and dessert flavors, which before I had no like of but now I keep craving new things. It is like being between a rock and hard place sometimes, but I do like vaping much more than analogs, it is just I still crave one sometimes but am repulsed by the analog flavor, smell and lack of satisfaction. I guess we just keep seeking new vape eliquids to give us a new experience to keep us happy! LOL brnk

 

[Justice]

Don't beat yourself up. It's ok like someone previously said count the ones you don't have. I can go days at times without an analog and some days I have up to 5-6. But compared to 40+ I'm doing really well. I've been vaping now for 6 months. I can say that finding the right setup makes a huge difference. I found a Reo mod with lr attys is the easiest and most convenient for me. Ease of use is a huge part of it. Again don't beat urself up take it easy I hope you are able to get to 0 analogs soon enuf.

 

[dbranciforte]

Right there with ya. I cut way down almost right away, then had some really heavy personal stuff come up. I'd second what a lot of ppl have said and just keep in mind every one you don't smoke is a win - plus, I've noticed that it's MUCH easier to "mess up" and smoke and then get back on track with eCigs compared to any other cessation technique I've tried.

 

[swedishfish]

I haven't seen anything like this posted in my perusal of this site and after reading all the success stories of never wanting an analog after they started vaping I feel rather frustrated at my attempts.
True enough I did have problems at the beginning. It took a while to figure out I was reacting to PG....which having gone to a meetup close by and with the help of my son (a vaper) we got that figured out and now I'm using straight VG....no more chest tightness.

I've smoked for 45 years at 1-1.5 pk per day.

I was using a Joye 510 and have switched to an eGo and fluxomizers. The set up works great (easy to use), the e juice (including the right level of nic so that I wasn't falling down dizzy) is doing okay but.....I seem to be caught brtween the dissatisfaction of vaping and smoking. Neither one seems to satisfy. I vape and I crave an analog...I smoke and it doesn't "do it" for me either. Analogs don't taste disgusting to me as they do for many but it just isn't the same as it was.

BTW, my son stopped analogs as soon as he got his e cigs as did my brother. I didn't /don't expect that kind of success for myself but I sure wasn't expecting this constant nagging angst either. Suggestions?

What exactly is your reaction to PG. Is it a definite allergy (less than 10% of people have them) or an irritant?

My mom smoked for 60 years. When she started, she needed really high nicotine. And yes she had some issues with the juice being harsh and tongue issues. But after two - three weeks of using high nic juice she was able to get off cigs completely. Now she's on 6 mg nicotine after 7 months. But she needed the high nicotine (36 and 30) in the prefilled cartos which were probably all pg to make the transition.

If you have a definite allergy I wouldn't do that. Maybe try adding something to give more TH in that case. If not, stick it out for a couple weeks.

 

[Iffy]

Count the ones you didn't smoke instead of the ones you did and have fun adding to the count each (day or week or month).

Luv this!

 

[Caileadair]

Wow...what great support! Thanks so much. I will start counting the analogs I didn't have instead of the ones I did have. I have cut back the analogs just not as much as I "think" I should have by now. Change of mind set coming right up.

Swedishfish...a true allergy to PG? Well, I'm not sure about that only that every time I vaped I felt like my lungs were being cut off of oxygen and I would start wheezing. Rather frightening. I did start at 24 mg of nic and I could only take about 2 vapes on that strength and it was a different world...dizzy and a massive headache. My tongue was fine. Tried multiple times as I couldn't believe that 24 was too high being as I have smoked for so long. I'm vaping 10 mg now and it seems to be fine. Tried 15mg and it was pretty much the same as the 24mg.

I've ordered some new flavours....not a big fan of the tobacco flavours. Menthol analogs were my choice for many years.

I will practice patience, patience, patience. That and have a look at the have a look at the other aids available to give it all a boost.

Again...thanks for the support.

 

[Justice]

Caileadair I had issues with wheezing before as well I believed it was the pg so went to vg. And now use both with no issues but I mix my own now. I am pretty certain it was not the pg but more likely a flavoring agent in on or more of the juices I had at the time. As I now prefer about a 50/50 mix but can use 100% of either.

 

[swedishfish]

It was probably the juice made it taste extra harsh. The prefilled cartos are horrible and who know how long they've been sitting around in some hot factory.

Better quality juice, high nicotine would get you off cigs. To be honest though, I've been vaping about 8 months and 10 mg wouldn't cut it for me. So it might seem fine, but it's not helping you get off cigs. I'm not saying forever- but you might need to stick it out a couple weeks.

Remember how harsh and terrible regular cigs were? But we stuck it out and became addicts.

 

[Dark Jester]

I was one that was able to stop right away. Lot of variables out there though, and everyone is different.

First I'd ask if you are sure you have the right nicotine strength juice for you? I started with 18mg juice and still had a lot of analog cravings. Jumped up to a 24mg juice and that took care of them for the most part. I have some 30mg and 36mg juice around too that I'll switch to for a bit if I get some bad craving spikes.

Second I'd ask if you've found a flavor that you really enjoy? This is probably bigger than having a good PV. If you don't really like the juice you're vaping, it's going to be hard to stick with it. I went through 40+ flavors in the last 10 days and have only come up with a few that I really like. Some of the really bad ones (to my taste) would have pushed me back to analogs if I didn't have other flavors on hand.

Willpower does play a role though. It's not nearly as bad as cold turkey, but it does take some will to vape instead of smoke when you get hit with a strong cigarette craving. I've almost caved 4 or 5 times now, and the only thing I can say to help is just vape for a few minutes straight when the craving hits. See if it's still there in a few minutes. Odds are that it will have passed.

As mentioned by others though, every analog you don't smoke is a win. Keep counting up the wins and try to get a higher 'score' each day. Dialing in the nicotine strength and flavors will help make the wins easier to come by, and before you know it you'll be telling people you're an ex-smoker.

Edit: Don't push for the complete switch if you aren't ready for it though. It's better to have a few analogs and keep up with the vaping than to try and switch completely and crash, and end up going back to just analogs. You're the only one that can set your pace, find what works for you. Biggest thing is don't give up.

 

[BardicDruid]

When I hit that point I tried Swedish snus, that's not the Camel stuff or dip, it's Swedish snus, and I haven't craved an analog since.

 

[Karnivore]

Hey, I'm new to these forums, and new to vaping in general. Been smoking 20+years 1PAD at this point. I switched from the analogs about a month ago and love it. I bought a pack of Camels when I got my first ecig (a NicStick bought in a gas station). Like you, even after I got tired of puffing on the NicStick I had to smoke a Camel to settle the cravings. Even that was only a couple of cigs a day. That pack lasted me until I found the system I like (I'm using V4L KR8's atm) and that made a big difference for me. Once I found an eliquid concentration that did it for me... a system that was easy to use and had a good taste and feel. Finding the right eliquid helped out greatly. I found a menthol flavor that had a cooler, cleaner taste than any cig I'd ever smoked and it's been happily ever after since.

 

[npmillertime]

I did the snus thing too...keep reading and you'll discover you're doing yourself a favor. The right combination for me took a lot of reading and trial & error....and $$....but it was worth it!!!