Can't believe the difference

[LibertariaNate]

I've been a PAD smoker for about 8 years...

I can't tell you how many times I have tried to quit. I've tried the gum, lozenges, patches, cold turkey. Results varied from "OMG! I'm gonna kill someone!" to whatever side of my body I placed the patch feeling like it had been kicked by a horse. Cold turkey I never made it passed day 3. Despite the painful side effects from the patch I made it a month. What did all of these methods have in common? A near constant, intense desire to smoke a cigarette.

I received my Mega T-Rex yesterday. While I was waiting for batteries to charge, I had an analog. I haven't had once since. I'm more than happy to vape instead.

Granted, it's only been 18 hours (why am I counting?), but this time just feels different.

 

[PoliticallyIncorrect]

What's missing in any/all the BP's FDA-sanctioned cessation gimmicks—something critical, something that anti-smoking Nazis can't or won't understand—is the physical act of smoking. Or vaping.

Stopping with a patch or a pill—getting nicotine, but not the act—is not unlike feeding yourself intravenously; getting calories, but never tasting, chewing or swallowing.

 

[nerak]

That is just how to get started! Realizing that vaping is a much better choice is just part of the quitting cigs. Knowing that vaping is a pleasant alternative is a huge part of being able to stay away from the cigs.
You will count, hours, then days, then months. If you still give in to a cig, you count the ones you would have smoked.
If you get into a nic fit, then adjust your liquid to a higher level for awhile.
Vaping will work, congrats on the 18 hours!

 

[H Niemand]

I've come to the conclusion that there is a little OCD in the act of smoking. It's a complex set of motions and behaviors. The nicotine addiction is only part of the habit. With vapeing, you get to satisfy the vast majority of the behaviors. What you don't get is smelling like an ash tray, shortness of breath, burning yourself and getting dirty looks.
I still get people waving at the vapor. I wave back.

 

[LibertariaNate]

I've come to the conclusion that there is a little OCD in the act of smoking. It's a complex set of motions and behaviors. The nicotine addiction is only part of the habit. With vapeing, you get to satisfy the vast majority of the behaviors. What you don't get is smelling like an ash tray, shortness of breath, burning yourself and getting dirty looks.
I still get people waving at the vapor. I wave back.

I've noticed that too. While I can vape indoors now, every once in a while I'll still go to my usual smoking spot. I like being around other people, but it's nice to go to a secluded spot, sit down, light up and relax. Just you alone with your thoughts. I always missed that in my previous attempts to quit.

Made me laugh about people waving at your vapor. You must be blowing some serious clouds for someone to mistake it for smoke.

 

[Nynaeve]

That is just how to get started! Realizing that vaping is a much better choice is just part of the quitting cigs. Knowing that vaping is a pleasant alternative is a huge part of being able to stay away from the cigs.
You will count, hours, then days, then months. If you still give in to a cig, you count the ones you would have smoked.
If you get into a nic fit, then adjust your liquid to a higher level for awhile.
Vaping will work, congrats on the 18 hours!

I just got a friend of mine at work started on this, and that's exactly what I told her. It's not like you're making yourself stop something, it's like you're replacing it with something WAY better!

 

[Waiting to Exhale]

Congrats! It is different ... no withdrawal or change in habit. It just doesn't get any easier than this.

 

[BiffRocko]

Stopping with a patch or a pill—getting nicotine, but not the act—is not unlike feeding yourself intravenously; getting calories, but never tasting, chewing or swallowing.

This analogy is wonderful for describing that aspect of quitting smoking.

 

[Zion21]

I am right there with you. Just got myself a 510 kit and notice such a difference between other quitting techniques. Best of luck to you.

 

[Iffy]

LMAO! I counted hours up to 72... then days... tomorrow I start on months. And I was a 2 PAD for 45 years.

Even if I get down to 0 nic, I'll still vape!

 

[H Niemand]

I've noticed that too. While I can vape indoors now, every once in a while I'll still go to my usual smoking spot. I like being around other people, but it's nice to go to a secluded spot, sit down, light up and relax. Just you alone with your thoughts. I always missed that in my previous attempts to quit.

Made me laugh about people waving at your vapor. You must be blowing some serious clouds for someone to mistake it for smoke.

I create my own fog banks!

 

[LibertariaNate]

I'm four days into this now. Yesterday was the worst so far, but my pv helped. I don't vape constantly... Just when I feel a craving for an analog.

The dreams last night were intense. Not so much nicotine dreams, but I would wake every time I lit up.

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

 

[Capers]

Congrats! It's amazing, isn't it? Boggles the mind that people still actually smoke analogs at all these days..

 

[pianoguy]

Congrats and keep up the good work! I had a few rough spots over the first couple weeks, but after that it was a breeze. And even those passed quickly. Best of luck - you can do it!

 

[lnfound]

I'm four days into this now. Yesterday was the worst so far, but my pv helped. I don't vape constantly... Just when I feel a craving for an analog.

The dreams last night were intense. Not so much nicotine dreams, but I would wake every time I lit up.

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

The biggest difference is realizing you don't HAVE to drop everything and go outside for one. You can continue doing what your doing (in most cases), and vape until your good. This was the biggest change for me. I started vaping 1 month ago and can't stand the idea of analogs anymore!

 

[English_Kris]

What did all of these methods have in common? A near constant, intense desire to smoke a cigarette.

Ha ha how very very true! - congrats on making the switch - sounds like you're going to do fine

All the best

 

[kwanYin]

Congratulations! It is a wonderful thing not to have to go out into the cold. Keep up the good work..

 

[Cyatis]

Congratulations, you have made a wise decision. I can remember being pretty disgusted with myself, when I dropped using the patches. After all there must be something seriously wrong with me to quit those when I really wanted to quit smoking and couldn't last the eight weeks without going crazy. That method may work for some people, and if it does, that is great.

I have found it ironic that I have had people watch me fail time and again with other methods, and then ask me if vaping really works if you want to quit smoking. I tell them it absolutely worked for me, and a lot of them look at me as if I'd lost my mind. I tell them, think about it, is it a coincidence or just convenient that I stopped smoking on the same day I started vaping. Then some people get it, and others don't.

There is a bit of humor in the fact that it feels a lot better to have others look at me like I'm crazy, than to look at myself or feel that way.

Vape On

 

[Mudder]

It's coming off all that crap you've put into your system over the years, that make it the toughest part of quitting smoking. It's just easier to feel how you once felt, rather than go thru the new phases, toward feeling like a whole new person. That need for an analog just seems easier in the beginning. There is also the need for the hand to mouth routine, that often traps us into gaining weight, when trying to quit analogs. You can have all of that with a pv, and be sooo much better off for it. Just keep hanging in there. Every day will get a little easier than the last. Congrats.

 

[wickedmama]

Congrats. you made a great choice.
I have been counting too. Im on month 2 of using an e-cig but on day 22 of no ciggs.