Baby steps

[precious_gal429]

Hey there! I’ve been an analog smoker for the last 32 years (and I even used my calculator to be sure, and yes its been 32 years) I had reached a point where I couldn’t stand the cough, stuffy nose, shortness of breath and all the other “junk” that goes with analogs; but couldn’t put them down, the nicotine addiction was too ingrained for me to quit.

Since being diagnosed with different medical issues in the last few years (diabetes being the biggest one) I just knew I had to QUIT smoking. I got my Joye510 on Tuesday… I was so excited I could hardly stand myself. Since Tuesday, I’ve been able to go from 2 packs a day (ultra lights, but still analogs) to only smoking 5 so far today. OMG! This is MAJOR for me.

The analogs I have smoked actually don’t taste all that great, compared to my e-cig with Red Bull.. mmm mmm good! (tried Caramel, it rocks too!!) but I think it’s just a psych thing for me. The more I vape, the less I really want an analog. Who’da thunk that I… long time smoker would ever be able to put down analogs??

I am so blessed to have found this forum through my sis!! Kudos to you all for sharing your experiences and failures with us all.

Just taking it one day at a time, getting better with each day!!

 

[Rosa]

Hooray for you! I think e-cigs are the best!

 

[Seabrook]

Very, very nice post. Thanks CaptJay. Had tears in my eyes a couple of times there, as I can really relate. Keep up the good work.

 

[CaptJay]

Over 100 days now - gosh where does the time go?
I'd love to tell you I've never felt the urge to light up an ole stinky again but it wouldnt be true - I find after eating chocloate especially its like a sharp POKE to light one. I don't but the feeling amuses me. What IS it about that particular food that links it in my head to smoking? Gotta be some kind of 'mouth feel' experience.
I'm lucky in that I wasn't unknowingly self medicating a depression issue with the MAOI in cigarettes, or I think a slight POKE would become a large 'bash over the head' - but still it makes me wonder how chocloate and cigarettes got linked as far as that part of my brain that deals with 'reward and pleasure' goes.
Ok so - back to progress - over 100 days ago I quit the fags and became a vape-only gal. Can't say I regret any of it, despite the hardware issues at times (thankfully get less of these as time goes on, hope that doesn't jinx it lol). I'm still buying juices, that doesn't seem to change at all - when is 'enough juice' actually 'enough'?
I love variety so I can't imagine having 'just one' special flavor like some of you manage to. Its allergy season and mine are worse since I stopped smoking so I have days right now where I cant taste 'certain flavors'; how annoying. Thank god i have others to fall back on.
I've been looking at battery mods recently - I love my PTs (I have 2) but I am rather tied to a wall plug using one - if I want to wander about I have to deal with basic 510 batts. It always makes me laugh when people say ' I went from a 510 to an ego' Do they not know that the ego uses 510 atties? SO an ego is just a 510, with a bigger battery. I've looked at getting an ego battery myself - but Im not sure if I want one of those or the slightly more versatile XHaler (3.7 + 5v + 6v in one device is tempting). Its just pretty big. I could use both my 510 and 901 atties on it though - a bonus.
Well, thats the boring news from the 100 day + mark - still loving vaping, still not smoking, and still buying juices
Oh - should also add that my thyroid condition may have improved to the point it doesn't need medicating any longer (I had hpERthyroid) - the doctor took me from 3 pills a day down to 1 or none if i felt ok on that. This is soley from stopping the evil stinky-stix. Im due to get another thyroid hormone uptake scan in a few months so Ill know if its 'fixed' or not then. Apprently smoking can mask an underlying thyroid issue or exacerbate an existing one. I guess we'll see in a few months

 

[CaptJay]

I'm almost into month 9 now - it hardly seems possible that I started this journey that long ago, not even wanting to quit smoking, just wanting to feel BETTER and here we are, ciggy-free, since day 10 that I got my 510.
I'm a bit scared that the FDA might force me back into ill-health for 'my own good'- not really sure how that works guys, aren't you supposed to HELP us? The drugs (and gums and patches and throat sprays) your pals in BP suuply didn't help us, certainly not for long or permanently; is the quit or die option really the best our own govt agency can come up with? I can't help but think, the day after 9/11, that our govt seem to want to kill us off more than those idiots who flew into the world trade center.

That aside - I got myself an eGo and a Buzz (ego from cignot and buzz from notcigs, yeah I know the names are very similar) since I last posted. I use both all the time although my little basic 510 has been retired now, but I can't bear to throw it out or sell it. I'm keeping it for emergencies lol.
My health is still great, I still don't have any cough or wheezing and I still chain vape when I'm at home. I do relly enjoy vaping way more than I ever 'enjoyed' smoking and it hits the spot in my brain that seems to need 'something' whether it be nicotine or some kind of hand/mouth inhale/exhale habit.
For anyone new - this new habit can have a learning curve every time you get yourself some new equipment. My buzz needed a little extra learning curve as it has the option to vary the voltage (and I don't have a multi meter yet which I think would've made it a lot easier lol) - oddly though my eGo really didn't have much of one going from a basic 510. If you haven't got an eGo yet and are thinking of trying one, I say DO IT. Its a lovely little machine
The one thing I wish was that atties were made in the US, or were easy to make, so I'd never feel nervous about losing supplies - heck Id even teach myself to solder and do electronics if it were that easy
Still haven't had my thyroid test yet so I can't report about that but I'll keep everyone updated when I do.