Anyone else have an "in between" stage?

[subliminalurge]

So today marks one week since I picked up my first e-cig. I'm a solid 2 pack per day smoker, and yesterday I had 6, so it's obviously working out well. And that's with a truck stop Mistic e-cig purchased with no intention of quitting smoking, or even cutting down. I got it on a whim to help with the nic cravings while doing the family visits for Christmas.

Now I've noticed that the e-cig isn't quite getting me all the way "there", thus still having a red here and there. But what surprised me was that while I was out and about yesterday my battery died, so I was stuck with my real smokes for a couple of hours, and I found that those are now leaving me feeling like something's missing. Wasn't expecting that.

So now I sit here with two nicotine consumption options in front of me, and neither one completely does the job. I need to do both to get 100% to "satisfied".

Just a transitional phase, I'm sure, but one I wasn't expecting. Anyone else experience something similar?

 

[5vz]

That is perfectly normal subliminalurge. I can't believe it is working so quickly for you and on a cheapie gas station model! I needed something much larger than that to even get the feeling. Take it as it comes and you'll be alright.

 

[LucentShadow]

Hi. I'm in a transitional stage, myself. I've cut down about 40% on cigs in about a week and a half.

I find that vaping doesn't quite 'do it' for me, but does help. I figure it's probably some of the other chemicals in cigarettes that I'm missing...

I do find that I vape quite a bit when I skip a cigarette, and that the next cig tastes worse than usual. That was unexpected, but I guess it makes sense. I suppose that it may help me reduce my smoking in the longer run.

 

[SummerDawn]

I can completely relate. I had the same thing going on for about a week when I started vaping regularly back in May. What helped me the most was getting a good kit I could rely on so I didn't have to carry around a PCC anymore, and raising my nic level.

I started out at 18mg and it just wasn't doing the trick for me. I was a 1.5-2 PAD smoker of American Spirits.

Back in my ECF lurking days, I discovered the E-Power, and that became my first decent kit. It still sees use when I don't feel like bringing a mod out in public.

Several different companies sell the E-Power and a full kit with atty's and cartridges (cartomizers are usually sold separately, of you prefer them), a charger, and two batteries averages between $45-$50.. A very worthwhile investment and a great stepping stone for a new vaper.

Like I previously mentioned, the other bit to remember would be raising your nicotine level, whether in juice or pre-filled cartos, for your PV. If 18mg isn't cutting it, try 24 or 36.. You get the picture.

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

 

[SummerDawn]

By the way, the E-Power runs on either a 14650 or 18650 battery, which you can buy extras of for a steal at MadVapes, Super T Manufacturing, or other battery vendors. I preferred this to the eGo, which you have to re-charge as a unit, similar to the "gas station e-cig" you are using now. The E-Power's battery life is much more extensive, especially if you go for the 18650 model.. Happy vaping.

 

[subliminalurge]

Yeah, definitely working on upgrading. I have roughly 140 ml of juice on the way from a few different vendors, in a variety of flavors. Both 24 and 36 mg.

I've settled on the KGO as my first "real" PV, but that order is going to have to wait until I get paid on Friday. Hopefully Hoosier will have one in stock. Yesterday the site listed 10, and now it's showing he's got 5 left. Grrr.....

 

[swedishfish]

I never really started vaping to quit smoking, although once I tried it I realized it could be possible.

I gradually just started liking vaping more than smoking and eventually just vaped. The biggest thing if your still having cravings after you vape is get a higher nicotine juice. Maybe even 30-36. That's what's recommended in the EFC guide for long time smokers. I vaped 24 and had some 30 around for those times. Some vendors if you ask, they'll do that for you.

 

[swedishfish]

Yeah, definitely working on upgrading. I have roughly 140 ml of juice on the way from a few different vendors, in a variety of flavors. Both 24 and 26 mg.

I've settled on the KGO as my first "real" PV, but that order is going to have to wait until I get paid on Friday. Hopefully Hoosier will have one in stock. Yesterday the site listed 10, and now it's showing he's got 5 left. Grrr.....

There are a couple other suppliers that carry the KGO. BreezEsmokes and another supplier RTS? (I'll check) also carry the kgo.

 

[subliminalurge]

There are a couple other suppliers that carry the KGO. BreezEsmokes and another supplier RTS? (I'll check) also carry the kgo.

Thanks. I'd really like to order from Hoosier if he has them just because I've read several things about the guy that runs the place that make me want to send my money his direction if at all possible. But if he doesn't have them I guess it will come down to how soon he expects more in. I could wait a week, but probably don't want to hold out for two months.

I suppose it wouldn't be an issue if I could live with a pink one, but I really have my heart set on the black.

 

[Marthag]

I'm a newbe to this whole ecig business bince i just started a week ago, but now i'm totally of analogs. My advice or what worked for me is to get a good kit one that allows you to upp the voltage and get some high nicotin juice. When i have the craving for a real cig i just up the power to max with the high nic and it blows my socks off and my cravings go away. I find that i have to do it at least two times a day to make the cravings go away and inbetween i can wape on anything even if it has no nic in it it still works. Hope that helps.

 

[subliminalurge]

Argghhh.... Just noticed I'm WAY low on juice. Going to have to run to the mall and pick up another bottle from the Tececig kiosk. $10 for 10 ml. Not as overpriced as some kiosk vendors, I guess, but given that I have 140 ml on the way that cost me a third of that price and will show up on Tuesday, it still kind of chaps my ... to have to go do it. 2 of the 3 juice orders I placed would have been here yesterday or today if the vendors hadn't taken 3 days to drop it in the mail.

Guess I should just be glad that it's available locally at all.

(Note to vendors: When you're in the business of providing addicts with their fix, you should really try to stay on top of your shipping...)

 

[dormouse]

Some people start with too weak an ecig for their habit because they are trying to duplicate the size/feel of a cigarette. Some start with auto batteries for the same reason even though manuals give the best hit and and harder to damage. Many start with atomizer + cartridge but most prefer cartomizers for a more consistent experience. On top of that it take a bit of time to find juices with hit a AROMA that pleases and satisfies you (you need to smell the vapor). Also you need to figure out if only tobacco juices satisfy you right now or if only non-tobaccos keep you off cigs or both. Do not expect a peach juice to keep you off cigs if you are one of the new vapers who needs tobacco aroma to be calmed and satisfied. And many new vapers have equipment problems in the beginning. You need a good setup with spares.

I think a majority are able to stop smoking immediately but some underestimate their ecig needs or choose poorly or just take more time. And I think about 85 percent are able to eliminate all cigarettes either immediately or in a short period of time which may include upgrading their equipment. About 1/2 of the remaining 15% continue to smoke and mostly vape and the other 1/2 of that 15% continue to mostly smoke.

 

[bjannr]

One thing to remember, subliminalurge, is the most of the juice vendors door not mix the juice until it is ordered. The good thing about this is that you get fresh juice. The drawback is that you have to planning and order before you are close to running out.

 

[subliminalurge]

One thing to remember, subliminalurge, is the most of the juice vendors door not mix the juice until it is ordered.

Then they really need to inform their customers of this. If an item is listed as "in stock", that should mean it's in stock. Not that they can whip it up in 3 or 4 days.

 

[tigerlily]

Like you, I really didn't think I would stop smoking when I started vaping. I just wanted to cut down on how much I smoked. I did both for quite a while before I got to the point where I really didn't like the taste of cigarettes any more. The whole process took me about 3 months. I think the secret was that I allowed myself to do both so I didn't ever really feel like I was being deprived.

 

[Vapoor eyes er]

It could be worse. Think of all the millions of smokers out there that are taking pills, trying patches, hypnosis, acupunture and not being successful. The statistics are there proving the failure of convential smoking cessation methods. Wosre yet most smokers are completely unaware of the Ecig and that's sad. I'm certain you'll eventually get there and you've already been impacted greatly by the Ecig. Glad to see you're getting some 24 and 36 mg.
Good Luck, Vapoor.

 

[subliminalurge]

I do have an advantage there. I haven't actually liked the taste of cigarettes for quite a few years. Now, a good cigar is a different story, but I find the taste of cigarettes disgusting. I've been doing it so long I don't really taste the tobacco anymore, all I taste is burning paper. It's purely an addiction driven habit for me.

I could be off them already, really, except for the few times a day when I just need that quick hit that they provide. The e-cig kinda eases the nicotine in gradually, but there are times, like first thing in the morning, when I still want that instant, smack you in the face little headrush.

Have a good amount of 36mg juice on the way, hopefully that'll get a little closer than the 24mg stuff I can get locally.

What still really confuses me, though, is that cigarettes aren't leaving me satisfied anymore either. I can chain smoke 2 reds and now I still need to vape a bit before I feel like I'm "there".....

And, like you mentioned, I'm allowing myself to smoke the real thing as much as I want with no guilt, so I don't have to deal with the feeling of deprivation that comes when you announce to the world that you're "quitting smoking".

 

[Vapoor eyes er]

I have a funny feeling the 24 and/or the 36 mg will help greatly. I started at 36 mg and now, 3 months later, am down to 20. In the evenings I vape 10 mg because the 20 mg impacted mt sleep- learned that from swedishfish Every evening when I first begin vaping the 10 mg (been doing this for 4 weeks) for the first 1 1/2 I feel the same as you- just not getting enuff of something so I vape like crazy and eventually it goes away.
What still really confuses me, though, is that cigarettes aren't leaving me satisfied anymore either. I can chain smoke 2 reds and now I still need to vape a bit before I feel like I'm "there".....
A freind was at that crossroads and he didn't force it but one day he awoke and the vaping had become preferable. He's been vaping 2 months now and has gone from 2 PAD to less than 5 per day and that's HUGE SUCCESS
Happy New Year, Vapoor.
Personally speaking for myself, thank Gawd for the support here at ECF- people here have been a lifesaver.

 

[FAAmecanic]

Sublim ... you are echoing my sentiments almost 100%. Im on my first day of vaping and have gone down from 1-1.5 PAD to 5 or 6 cigs so far. And truth be told I LOVE my vape more than the nasty taste of my cigs. My problem is (as stated in another thread) is Im only using 18mg juice and afraid to go higher as this level of juice already "tickles" my throat and slightly stings the noise on exhale.

I just had dinner, and normally in my 6 past quit attempts, is my WORST moment for cravings. I sat down and watched a movie with the wife and vaped away...and that almost 100% satisfied me. PROGRESS!!! heh heh. I say almost because there will still be a bit of a struggle to push completly past analogs. As someone else said in this forum... e-cigs/vaping wont be the silver bullet. Your body will still crave the other chemicals added to or a product of analogs that vaping wont give you.

Good luck to you (and me)....and VAPY NEW YEAR!!!

 

[vlee]

Me to. I started with a store disposable on 11/2 and thanks to the net, purchased a V2 cig model within that week. Though I have not smoked a real cig I have not really been satisfied. I was using the USB most exclusively in my car and at home until it burnt out 12/30. I was in a panic not wanting to grab a pack of marlboros. I found a real vapor retail store in MN. and drove the 40 miles to try find something that would satisfy me. They sold me an eGo-T which is okay but I still feel something is missing.

It is nice to not have to switch cartomizers or to drip liquid. Some have suggested to increase my nicotine level but I find I get jumpy and headaches at levels higher than 12mg. Right now I am using 6mg for most of the day and the use 12 mg in AM to get get my nicotine fix when I get up. Before vaping I smoked .5-1pk a day. I seem to vape a whole lot more than I smoked.

So far the tank system is okay but I am still not all the way satisfied. So I hear you and feel your pain. I also wonder if I will ever be satisfied. I am now starting to think about getting a vv mod and have ordered a DIY e juice kit in hopes of finding the right combo. So far I have spent mucho bucks on this little endeavor and hope my husband (nonsmoker) does not see my CC card statement because I have spent over $500 getting this thing started in the last month.

Any advice from veterans out there would be greatly appreciated. Is the vv mod such as provari or lavatube the answer? Should I have started with these first? What do you guys use?