Called the 1-800-QUIT-NOW line today.

[sawlight]

Long post, sorry!

So, I still smoke, I managed to quit, for over a year even, then I broke my back 3 years ago and went back. Last year I wanted to quit again, I was at 2-4 PAD, and it just wasn't good! But try as I might, when the pain kicked in I just couldn't get the "instant gratification" from vaping that my body really wanted, NOW!
Well, an ER visit led to 2 1/2 days in ICU and a whole lot of lecturing during that stay! Smoking is EVIL!! Drinking is EVIL!! I'm going to die and it's going to be horrificall! Yada, Yada, Yadda! The smoking, don't care, I wanted to quit anyway, the drinking, well, that just doesn't sit well with me!
Anyway, after 2 1/2 days in ICU with nothing but a patch, no vaping allowed, made me realize it was possible to do this. I went and bought the 21mg patch and vaped as I needed (I am NOT endorsing this, just saying what is kind of working for me!) and about died when I saw the prices of the patches! Well, we have a storm front moving in tonight, so my pain is off the scales today! I went and bought the 2mg gum as well, which has helped. So I haven't had a drink since Monday and a cig since Tuesday and I'm desperately trying not to kill people right now!
So I made the call, I realized I was in over my head! I had no intention of mentioning anything e-cig related at all! So she takes my info, finds out where my wife works and who I'm insured through, well my wifes company supports them and will provide NRT for free! NICE! So we go on and she asks about Chantix and I tell her not happening in this lifetime! I also suffer from depression and have had years of experience with these drugs and I'd rather deal with the depression than the side effects of the drugs that are supposed to help it!
So I tell her I have the patch and just bought the gum, she's fine with this, then asks if I am also using some form of an e-cig. I wasn't ready for the question, and ready for a long fight, I answered yes. Didn't phase her a bit, "OK, how has that been working for you?" I tell her I've gone from 2-4 packs to 1/2-1 a day using it. "That's GREAT!!" "So are you using a dripper, a cartomizer or tank system?" I about fell over in shock! I told her a tank then she wanted to know how much and what strength I juice I was using, 6-9ml at 9mg. "That's great! Sounds like you are doing everything just fine, our coaches actually are suggesting that you use various forms of delivery systems to get over the humps when they show up. It sounds like you have things well at hand! I'll get the info mailed out to you and have a coach call you tomorrow!"
WHAT???????????? Here I'm thinking I'm about to get the lecture of a lifetime for using more than one product, much less throw in an e-cig!
Maybe things are turning around and they are starting to realize there's more than one way to skin a cat and not everything works as well for everyone? I'm not sure, but found the whole thing a bit overwhelming!

 

[claudebo]

That's great Sawlight, and congrats on your efforts to put the cigs down.
Takes a while but keep trying!!!!

I would not have expected that reaction from her either. I was surprised that my doctor was pleased
that I was vaping.

 

[klynnn]

I feel for you but that is the last number I would ever call.

 

[sawlight]

I feel for you but that is the last number I would ever call.

And 2 1/2 days in the ICU is the last place I wanted to be, so pick your battles!

 

[Truetopath]

Congrats on working so hard on quitting! I hope you feel well soon!


CASAA member 2013

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[navigator2011]

Thank you for posting this. Maybe there is hope.

 

[Patkid]

Are you able to get patches for free now?
With vaping I no longer need them and I have a WHOLE bunch of them I would be happy to send you if you are having to buy them
P

 

[Ryedan]

Hang in there sawlight, you can do this .

Yup, their reaction surprised me too but it's great to hear it went the way it did!

 

[Iffy]

Other than your sufferings, I found your post both refreshing and encouraging!

Best o' luck out to ya...

 

[maiarowan]

I also have a ton if anyone needs them. 12 of the 14mg I think and 14 of the 7mg.

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[maiarowan]

Oh, and congrats on taking those first steps!

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[sawlight]

Are you able to get patches for free now?
With vaping I no longer need them and I have a WHOLE bunch of them I would be happy to send you if you are having to buy them
P

Thank you, I've got two weeks worth right now and should have more here by the time I need them.

 

[Jman8]

Other than your sufferings, I found your post both refreshing and encouraging!

Best o' luck out to ya...

What Iffy said. Refreshing and encouraging.

 

[finney]

While this is great over all, that they are "mainstreaming" vaping, it also raises some concerns.

NRT is regulated by the FDA. E-cigs and juices are not. ALL companies say that e-cigs are NOT a smoking cessation device. For some of us they are, for some they are an alternative, and for still others, an adjunct to smoking. Personally, I think all of those are fine. If it helps you cut down or quit tobacco, it's GOT to be healthier. And if it gets you off nicotine completely, better still.

But they are not regulated for smoking cessation. Grouping them into that category is asking for trouble. Regulations and restrictions and taxes, oh my!

I'm also uncomfortable with lumping them into other "delivery systems". Again. NRTs are classes as DRUGS. They may be prescribed by a doctor. E-cigs are NOT DRUGS. Remember that whole "ZOMG e-cigs are a drug delivery system oh noes" lawsuit? Yeah, well, they didn't win that time. THAT time.

Some doctors do prescribe multiple NRTs for heavy smokers just quitting. As the person you spoke to said, to get over the proverbial hump. But again. Lumping e-cigs into the category of drugs, drug delivery systems, or NRT isn't something a lot of us are likely to benefit from.

 

[freeatlast!]

Sawlight, I'm sorry for your pain and troubles but glad you are still working on kicking the smokes. Don't give up on yourself. I too have some 7 and 14 mg. patches left, and some 2 mg. gum if you need those items. My skin reacts badly to the patch adhesive so I cannot use them, and I don't really need the gum anymore. PM me a mailing address if you want this stuff. My best to you!

 

[WhiteHighlights]

Wow! You've been through a lot. Points to you for doing everything you can to quit smoking. It's nice to know that the quit line supports your vaping efforts too.

One suggestion - if you want to step down a level on the patches or even stop using them, you could up your nic for vaping. 9mg is pretty low for a heavy smoker and that could be why you weren't getting the gratification you were looking for. I was a moderate smoker and started at 18mg. That worked to get me off the butts but sometimes it was a bit too much. I'm now vaping 9-12mg and starting to go lower but if a craving or stress hits, I know I can up my nic level to get me through it.

Good luck to you! I hope you find the path to success that works for you.

 

[sawlight]

While this is great over all, that they are "mainstreaming" vaping, it also raises some concerns.

NRT is regulated by the FDA. E-cigs and juices are not. ALL companies say that e-cigs are NOT a smoking cessation device. For some of us they are, for some they are an alternative, and for still others, an adjunct to smoking. Personally, I think all of those are fine. If it helps you cut down or quit tobacco, it's GOT to be healthier. And if it gets you off nicotine completely, better still.

But they are not regulated for smoking cessation. Grouping them into that category is asking for trouble. Regulations and restrictions and taxes, oh my!

I'm also uncomfortable with lumping them into other "delivery systems". Again. NRTs are classes as DRUGS. They may be prescribed by a doctor. E-cigs are NOT DRUGS. Remember that whole "ZOMG e-cigs are a drug delivery system oh noes" lawsuit? Yeah, well, they didn't win that time. THAT time.

Some doctors do prescribe multiple NRTs for heavy smokers just quitting. As the person you spoke to said, to get over the proverbial hump. But again. Lumping e-cigs into the category of drugs, drug delivery systems, or NRT isn't something a lot of us are likely to benefit from.

I really didn't get the impression they were "lumping" e-cigs into anything. And just maybe, if they here enough stories of people being able to at least reduce cigarette use with e-cigs, they might find some validity to their use.

 

[sawlight]

Sawlight, I'm sorry for your pain and troubles but glad you are still working on kicking the smokes. Don't give up on yourself. I too have some 7 and 14 mg. patches left, and some 2 mg. gum if you need those items. My skin reacts badly to the patch adhesive so I cannot use them, and I don't really need the gum anymore. PM me a mailing address if you want this stuff. My best to you!

A public Thank you! You have a PM!

 

[sawlight]

Wow! You've been through a lot. Points to you for doing everything you can to quit smoking. It's nice to know that the quit line supports your vaping efforts too.

One suggestion - if you want to step down a level on the patches or even stop using them, you could up your nic for vaping. 9mg is pretty low for a heavy smoker and that could be why you weren't getting the gratification you were looking for. I was a moderate smoker and started at 18mg. That worked to get me off the butts but sometimes it was a bit too much. I'm now vaping 9-12mg and starting to go lower but if a craving or stress hits, I know I can up my nic level to get me through it.

Good luck to you! I hope you find the path to success that works for you.

In regards to that, and I didn't explain it before.

I used to vape 36-48mg, but I got tired of trying to find something online I liked and started buying local at 36mg. Well they hired some gal that is insists that they can't sell anything over 24mg, which didn't do so well for me and then I couldn't find a juice I really fell in love with. Then I tried some Mad Murdock 710 and it was all over! BUT it's only sold in 9mg, but my smoking didn't really increase, other than my bad days, so I've just stuck with it.
Not sure that clears things up or not!

 

[Tinkiegrrl]

Good to hear that more are recommending ecigs! My dr recommended them months and months ago, but I told him I didn't have any faith in them, since so many of my friends spent so much money on cigalikes and failed. Then, a little over a month ago, my grandmother died of lung cancer and my mother handed me a cheap, $15 blister pack containing a variable volt, 650 mAh, passthrough, ego type batt and a bottom coil clearo after the funeral. Considering the circumstances, I had to promise I'd try it, but I was sure that carrying around something that looked so strange to me PLUS being as ineffective as the cigalikes was not going to work for me. It's funny how wrong I was. Now I carry an MVP 2 with me everywhere, and I don't care how many people are looking. As for my dr, he took pictures of my set up after I told him about my success. I think he's showing patients what to get. Blu is everywhere unfortunately, and he said his patients had as much success with Blu as my friends had with their cigalikes. Great to hear that someone answering the quit number knows about something other then cigalikes.