Coping W/ the Loss of Analogs . . .

[JHernandez]

This post has to do more w/ mental health than physical health, so bare w/ me . . .

Been clean for 2+ months and I feel like the novelty of the e-cig is wearing off. It's helped a great deal, but the thing is I don't feel like the same person anymore. May sound a bit melodramatic, but it's true. This is a huge lifestyle change for a guy who smoked non-stop for 14 years. Seriously: the e-cig just isn't cutting it anymore. I want a real cigarette.

The two things that are really getting to me: I can't think straight, I have 0 concentration. Not saying I was ever centered on analogs, but they at least gave me the feeling that I was centered. I guess, imo, a sense of false security is better than the feeling of having no security at all.

And, two: the weight gain. Ohhhhhhhh, man. Seriously, this is pissing me off. Diet and exercise aren't doing a thing for me, either.

I know, I know, I'm adding years to my life w/ quitting the analogs and, yes, I've made the right decision, but truthfully, I'm just not happy. I miss smoking. I miss my analogs. Depressing state of affairs all around. Cigarettes used to me my one and only treat on a day to day basis, and with the habit crushed that void is just empty, now.

What do ya'll do to cope? I've tried exercise, but I really can't over do that. I go to the gym every other day as it is to keep my wits about me. Sadness . . .

Thnx for hearin' my rant, ya'll.

 

[CaSHMeRe]

what nic liquid are you using?

 

[Bellinghamster]

... and device?

 

[JHernandez]

I alternate w/ low-nic Abandon-Mint I got from Katie, and some low-nic Vanilla I bought from you, Cash.

 

[JHernandez]

device: regular dse-901b

 

[CaSHMeRe]

up your nic intake ... food cravings will drop and energy level will go up.

 

[JHernandez]

Good to know, good to know. I'll give it a shot, sir. Much thnx.

 

[CaSHMeRe]

no problem bud ...

try stepping in to the realm of 16-18mg ... If that still doesn't do it and knock you back in your seat, go with 24/36mg. Although you may not want to go this high, a nice kick in the rear when you are really craving an analogue should work out quite nicely...

 

[Sun Vaporer]

It has been well documented that chemicals in cigarettes have many mind altering properies (for example- the first antidepresant and antipsycotic drugs where derived from studing their chemical composition). So the withdrawal of nicotine is not the only thing one experiances. There are other chemicals that you may be experiencing withdrawal symptoms from. Whatever it is, it will subside if you stick with it. We all now see how or systems have changed now that we are off them--I hope you do not give it up--hang in there!!!!!!!!

 

[Harry Crazington]

Yep there's GOT to be something else besides nicotine that's got a hook in us. I've smoked 2+ packs a day for 40 years, tried EVERY quit smoking program & still couldn't quit. I've only been vaping 2 weeks. The first week was a breeze, didn't even want tobacco. This 2nd week though, that old craving crept back in, especially in the morning. So I took a step back and lit one up but promised ..no more, today. That satisfied me for the day, even the next day too. But the third day I did it again, ONE...then no more for the day. So now I just face it, if I can get by with only one a day...two at the most...that's a BIG improvement over smoking 50 a day.

 

[Jammi98]

I have to agree with Harry. Cutting back might not be as good for you as quitting, but it's sure better than being totally on the analogs. I've had many of the same issues; I can go for a couple days and not even miss them, but now and then, wow, the desire for an analog really hits me hard. The great thing though, at least for me, is that sneaking one now and then doesn't bring me right back into smoking fullbore; I CAN have just one, and not even think about it again for a few days. That never happened with other quit smoking methods.

I would like to shake off the occasional slip-up though so I guess I'll be trying some 36mg next time I order nicquid for a quick spike and see how it works.

 

[TropicalBob]

What we are missing is not nicotine. Never was nicotine. It's another "myth" that e-smoking satisfies as a cigarette does. In my experience, NO.

I understand every word of your rant. I, too, feel exactly the same - except I smoked 30 cigs a day for 50 years. I've been off almost 18 months. Not an hour goes by that I don't want a real cigarette.

The big difference with me is my new short temper. I was an easy-going guy on cigarettes. After the initial enthusiasm of quitting wore off, the cravings set in with a vengeance. I get "crossed" easily and quickly, to a flash point. And THAT makes me mad!

I like e-smoking. It helps me. But I never, ever say that I have quit cigarettes. When they no longer dominate my every waking moment .. maybe I have quit.

 

[Silk]

Another one with Harry in the cutting right back has to be a huge improvement on chain-smoking (which is basically what I have done for a long time).

I still smoke a few hand rolled cigs - some days almost none, some days (like today) a few more. But if I concentrate on 'not having', it's all I concentrate on. This hasn't been helped (in my case) in my ability to kill devices

However rather than a stop smoking device, I see it more as a way to not smoke as many, especially as I work, where I could really go thru em'!

Cutting back from 100g of tobacco a week to 25g a fortnight is a major milestone for me, and my wife can't believe it. & I reckon if I can get my paws on devices that can survive me, I 'may' be able to go further. Even if I can get down to 25g a month - great! but I am not going to beat myself up about it, if I don't.

 

[Silk]

The big difference with me is my new short temper. I was an easy-going guy on cigarettes. After the initial enthusiasm of quitting wore off, the cravings set in with a vengeance. I get "crossed" easily and quickly, to a flash point. And THAT makes me mad!

I so agree with you on that. The last time I quit properly, it was my wife who almost begged me to start again. I have always been so laid back I've been in danger of falling over, but take my sticks away and I become the bear with a hangover and a thorn in his paw

It was during that time we also clicked I am bi-polar - Not as serious as some, but bad enough that I can be very over focused, hyper, and bordering on the genius - switching to Mr Grumpy who desn't want to go anywhere or do anything in a heartbeat. (Very common with very creative people I understand)

Learning that has made a huge difference to me - And although I can't blame the 'sticks' for my condition (I do have a good idea what, but that is another story) completley quiting the cigs was not a good idea (for me). Especially as although the meds that help my cluster headaches also help the B-P, a full dose makes me sluggish and blunt. However a carefull mix of 1/2 dosed meds and occaisonal cigs keeps me close enough to the edge not to fall (too often) either side.

But even full whack liquid doesn't quite cut the mustard. Now tell me its just the nicotene I was missing ??? Not just a e-cig myth - also a total NRT myth too, an I've tried most of em.

 

[Oklahoma]

I believe that smoking analogs was a mannerism addiction. I enjoyed going to my garage where I had cable TV and chair to smoke analog cigs. This was my biggest transition to conquer when switching to vaping. But the time I have regained to be with my family and not isolated to the garage or outside is worth it.

I would never be able to quit with patches or pills. I needed my hands to be busy and e-cig does that for me. I am only 27 days in to not smoking analogs but e-cig has made it much easier to accomplish quitting.

I know there is still a long road to go but feel confident that using e-cigs will help me stay off analogs. You could try going to your old smoking places. Smoke the e-cig the same way as an analog. Try flipping the ash off the e-cig to keep you sane but keep working with vaping. It is still better than analogs, as far as we know.

 

[surbitonPete]

I have been using the 36 mg for just over a month......but after reading some of the threads saying that I am vaping far more nicotine than I was getting from smoking I started to worry about overdosing......so I mixed a bottle with half glycerine to cut it down.....but I am finding that is bringing back that feeling of 'craving' for a real smoke so I am going back to using the 36 mg.

 

[pointedobject]

I'm going through the exact same thing, the ONLY thing that's bothering me is my new lack of concentration. My thinking is fuzzy and it's worrying me that this is not just because I stopped smoking analogs - but has something to do with the chemicals in the liquids.
I tried a test; to stop vaping one day to see if it would clear my head. My head did clear a bit but I also got very anxious and my temper flared like a demon so I caved early.. I want to try again on the weekend when I won't put my business in jeopardy by yelling at all my customers!

JHernandez, could you try to cut out the vaping for a day and let us know what happens?

 

[LaceyUnderall]

Funny - Silk - The last time I quit, my husband handed me a cig and said smoke this or we need therapy!

I will admit, my first few days were horrible. Complete ....., totally lost, not feeling myself. After day three, I sat back and asked myself why. I have been analog free now for 10 days.

At that point, I reminded myself that I am not quitting, just changing my habit.

I have found that by using the e-cig as a "cigarette", instead of a "puffer", it is really helping. I take my breaks to my favorite chair on the porch, drop some eliquid into my mini and puff... hard. Fill my lungs with the weight of the vapor and I am good to go.

I am only using a medium liquid and find that I smoke approximately 7-10 times a day. I like my vape-breaks.... just like my smoke breaks were.

 

[JHernandez]

JHernandez, could you try to cut out the vaping for a day and let us know what happens?

There are actually some days I go w/out vaping, like when I forget to charge my batteries, or I forgot to pack my juice, or clean my atomizers. Really doesn't make much of a difference. The concentration problem came on the day I quit smoking . . . probably cause my mind was/is too busy wrapping itself around wanting to spark-up a fresh Marlboro.

Too true, Tropical Bob, I haven't quit smoking in that sense, either. Even if I'm not smoking, cigarettes are still in control of my life.

 

[Kate]

It might be the change in nicotine dose and frequency that's causing you problems. I've heard that nicotine helps focus the mind and aids concentration.

Could you try what Lacey does and have vape breaks when you are craving? I don't think going to very high nic levels is wise though, if it doesn't make you sick it will raise your tolerance and dependence for no good effect.

Either vape zero and have breaks with a couple of drops of medium or high (not extra high) or don't vape and have breaks for nic. That should dose you in the way you are used to with smoking. Not using a constant low dose won't numb you to the effects either, you should get a bit of a buzz with zero and occasional spikes.

There are other chemicals to consider but if you try manipulating your nicotine dose it might help.