Day 4 off cancer sticks! Curious about some things...

[JCinFLA]

I was interested in participating in this study too but when I checked on it on their website http://projectease.moffitt.org it said that they want people who currently smoke and vape so I didnt follow through since I no longer smoke. Do you think I should contact them anyway?

No, because they've had the study group of former smokers who are now current vapers, filled more than a year ago. They seem to have the hardest time keeping the dual user group filled...because people regularly transition to vaping only!

I became a part of the study on the 2nd day after the study was announced, alittle more than a year ago. They were looking for participants who would fit in several different groups. At that time, they wanted: (1) current smokers who would like to quit but hadn't tried (2) current smokers who had tried quitting unsuccessfully with other methods, but would consider trying ecigs (3) current dual users, and (4) former smokers who are vaping only. I fit in the 4th group, which I was told later...was the fastest one to fill! In fact, it took less than 3 days, and they were still getting calls for months afterwards from more people who would've been in that group, too. Says something right there for how well vaping has been working to help people get off the smokes!

 

[ScandaLeX]

Wow how horrible, her data will make vaping look worse since they won't see any benefit from it...

At one time she was a dual user- I know; I'm the one she got all her stuff from. She stopped vaping when I stopped supplying everything.
What you said can be seen the other way around too. If she were strictly a vaper & lied saying she smokes, the data would still be flawed.

 

[Eskie]

No, because they've had the study group of former smokers who are now current vapers, filled more than a year ago. They seem to have the hardest time keeping the dual user group filled...because people regularly transition to vaping only!

I became a part of the study on the 2nd day after the study was announced, alittle more than a year ago. They were looking for participants who would fit in several different groups. At that time, they wanted: (1) current smokers who would like to quit but hadn't tried (2) current smokers who had tried quitting unsuccessfully with other methods, but would consider trying ecigs (3) current dual users, and (4) former smokers who are vaping only. I fit in the 4th group, which I was told later...was the fastest one to fill! In fact, it took less than 3 days, and they were still getting calls for months afterwards from more people who would've been in that group, too. Says something right there for how well vaping has been working to help people get off the smokes!

I wonder when the study will finish collecting data. From that point it will be many months before the statistics are all worked out, and up to a year before conclusions drawn. Assuming the results break out the way we think they will, it could be extremely important in validating vaping as an alternative to smoking. Unfortunately it won't answer safety questions, but if a higher percentage of smokers (cigs only or dual) do transition to vaping, it will be a big vote of confidence in vaping as a viable alternative. It will not establish harm reduction though until other data can be gathered demonstrating safety, both in animal models and people. Those two would create a helluva solid basis to support harm reduction claims that could not be easily dismissed as anecdotal.

That this study is even being run out of a premier cancer treatment center in the US adds credibility to further study of vaping. Now we wait to see how the numbers actually fall in place. As much as WE believe vaping is huge step that has benefited us, proving it in a larger group will have enormous credibility over our individual reports that it helped us. Remember, the reason these studies are done is to find out with hard data. We all want it to be favorable, but you just plain don't know until you add it all up, so cautious optimism is as far as I would go with expectations from this (or any) study.

 

[JCinFLA]

Hopefully the following might answer some questions about why they wanted former smokers who were only vapers now.

They're interested in finding out:

What types of ecigs, what nic levels, what types of eliquids (ie. tobacco flavors or others), etc. they used to help them quit smoking

What, if any, physical problems they experienced during and after switching to vaping, as well as any physical benefits they experienced

How long it took them to transition to vaping

What, if any, other positive benefits they've noticed since totally switching (social, mental, emotional, monetary, etc.)

They also want to track what the longterm success rate is...for those people, in staying smoke free.

There's more, too, but those are the main reasons I remember being told...for them wanting people who had totally quit smoking and were vaping only.

I've only been asked to go back over to Tampa 2 times in the last 8 months. Once to test vape different ecig types, various eliquids with and without nic, various eliquid flavors, etc. and give my opinions of them. Second time was to have some bloodwork done on oxygen levels and a few other things in my blood.

 

[Bea-FL]

Hopefully the following might answer some questions about why they wanted former smokers who were only vapers now.

They're interested in finding out:

What types of ecigs, what nic levels, what types of eliquids (ie. tobacco flavors or others), etc. they used to help them quit smoking

What, if any, physical problems they experienced during and after switching to vaping, as well as any physical benefits they experienced

How long it took them to transition to vaping

What, if any, other positive benefits they've noticed since totally switching (social, mental, emotional, monetary, etc.)

They also want to track what the longterm success rate is...for those people, in staying smoke free.

There's more, too, but those are the main reasons I remember being told...for them wanting people who had totally quit smoking and were vaping only.

I've only been asked to go back over to Tampa 2 times in the last 8 months. Once to test vape different ecig types, various eliquids with and without nic, various eliquid flavors, etc. and give my opinions of them. Second time was to have some bloodwork done on oxygen levels and a few other things in my blood.

This is so cool you being a part of this study. I wish I had found out about it when you did.

 

[JCinFLA]

I wonder when the study will finish collecting data.

It's a 4-year study, so quite awhile yet, unfortunately.

I called and spoke with 1 of the doctors in charge of the study, before the FDA deeming was announced, but was expected soon. I asked if there wasn't something that Moffitt (with its wonderful reputation & notariety) could do...to make the FDA aware of its study, and hopefully then put off its deeming until the study was concluded and the results obtained. I was told in effect, that the ball was rolling way to fast for that to make any difference in the FDA's plans. But that hopefully, when the study was finished...if the findings indicate that vaping is a product that definitely helps smokers quit, and should be considered a smoking cessation product...the FDA may make changes to its policies.

 

[JCinFLA]

@ReikiHealer - I really didn't mean for the Moffitt stuff to hijack your discussion. So, I'll stop posting anything about it. But you might want to let your Mom know that vaping is being studied seriously as a potential smoking cessation product. It might make a difference in her wanting to try it. I hope she does! It worked for me after all those years of smoking.

 

[Bea-FL]

@ReikiHealer I too apologize because I was actually the one responsible for starting the hijack when I saw @JCinFLA's post about the study.

 

[Just Me]

This was the only downside to quitting smoking for me...

My darn fingernails are growing way too fast.
Gotta cut them all the time now.

I KNOW!!! And not just fingernails, but toenails and hair, too.

 

[DavidOck]

They seem to have the hardest time keeping the dual user group filled...because people regularly transition to vaping only!

Why am I not surprised!

 

[Just Me]

Your sense of taste and smell should come back very soon, weeks to a couple of months.

I didn't cough up any gross stuff when I switched. I waited for it, but it never happened. I haven't had a cigarette in over 3 years, so if it were going to happen, I assume it would have happened by now.

Lung capacity... for me, that took a while, maybe months. My O2 level is now 98%-100%, when it was 92% while I smoked.

I had made up my mind I was quitting when I ran out of cigarettes that week in July 2013, so I had one smoke left when I walked into the vape shop that day. I didn't want a cigarette after that, but I did have small cravings here and there for a while afterward. They would come and go, and I would just keep vaping. Cigs weren't on my mind all the time, but just occasionally the thought would pop in. As time went on, cigs were less and less important. After a year smoke-free, I never thought about them any more.

The longer you go, the easier it gets.

I can't stand the smell of cigarette smoke any more. I smell it on people in stores sometimes and almost have to cover my nose. It's disgusting. I really think there isn't enough money in the world offered to me that would get me to smoke another cigarette.

CONGRATULATIONS! KEEP GOING AND YOU WILL BE FREE!

 

[ReikiHealer]

hey you guys no worries about the Moffit stuff! lol, forums are for conversations and sometimes conversations go down different paths than the one they started out on.

My husband has been so proud of me! (he's a 2 pack a day-er). He came with me to a Vape shop in town and picked one up for himself! This was early afternoon yesterday. After he got the vaporizer he did have three cigarettes last night. But it is 2:30 pm and he just texted me to let me know he hasn't smoked one cigarette today! He really really loved his cigarettes too. I'm so excited! I can't wait for my step-daughter to come home and see Daddy's stopping too!

As far as my mom goes, if she doesn't get one herself by Labor Day weekend (the next time I plan on driving up to see my parents), I'm going to insist we go to a local shop near her. She hates being a smoker, hates the stigma, hates the smell, hates the hold it has on her, so I know she's very open to trying something new. Chantix was the last thing she tried and it was basically useless for her (not saying it's useless for everyone, just specifically it didn't work for her...nothing has so far, obviously).

Oh! And it's officially been a week! I am semi-allergic to my dog, but I love her to bits so she still sleeps with us. Every morning when I woke up my nose and throat were crazy clogged. I had to literally drain myself, it was gross. I'd been attributing it to the dog, but I think it may have been the cigarettes too, because I noticed immediately that I'm clear in the mornings now...like, absolutely no problem. That was IMMEDIATE. Although, coincidentally, I did also pick up new "allergen proof" pillows two days before switching to vaping, so it's possible that it's a combination, but I am really loving waking up all clear now.

 

[Smoke_too_much]

Congrats on 4 days and all the power to you to keep going.

Of course with your ever improving olfactory sense you will soon discover just how bad much of this world actually smells. That was the one thing I didn't like about giving up smokes. I guess I was simply blissfully unaware.

 

[celticluvr]

hey you guys no worries about the Moffit stuff! lol, forums are for conversations and sometimes conversations go down different paths than the one they started out on.

My husband has been so proud of me! (he's a 2 pack a day-er). He came with me to a Vape shop in town and picked one up for himself! This was early afternoon yesterday. After he got the vaporizer he did have three cigarettes last night. But it is 2:30 pm and he just texted me to let me know he hasn't smoked one cigarette today! He really really loved his cigarettes too. I'm so excited! I can't wait for my step-daughter to come home and see Daddy's stopping too!

As far as my mom goes, if she doesn't get one herself by Labor Day weekend (the next time I plan on driving up to see my parents), I'm going to insist we go to a local shop near her. She hates being a smoker, hates the stigma, hates the smell, hates the hold it has on her, so I know she's very open to trying something new. Chantix was the last thing she tried and it was basically useless for her (not saying it's useless for everyone, just specifically it didn't work for her...nothing has so far, obviously).

Oh! And it's officially been a week! I am semi-allergic to my dog, but I love her to bits so she still sleeps with us. Every morning when I woke up my nose and throat were crazy clogged. I had to literally drain myself, it was gross. I'd been attributing it to the dog, but I think it may have been the cigarettes too, because I noticed immediately that I'm clear in the mornings now...like, absolutely no problem. That was IMMEDIATE. Although, coincidentally, I did also pick up new "allergen proof" pillows two days before switching to vaping, so it's possible that it's a combination, but I am really loving waking up all clear now.

Congrats again! And congrats on hubby too! It'd be so awesome for your mom to stop as well.

 

[DavidOck]

My husband has been so proud of me! (he's a 2 pack a day-er). He came with me to a Vape shop in town and picked one up for himself! This was early afternoon yesterday. After he got the vaporizer he did have three cigarettes last night. But it is 2:30 pm and he just texted me to let me know he hasn't smoked one cigarette today! He really really loved his cigarettes too. I'm so excited! I can't wait for my step-daughter to come home and see Daddy's stopping too!

Great to hear that, and the rest of your post as well!

 

[Mushroomie]

Congratulations! I don't know what day your on now and I hope you are still on the vape! Yes smell taste comes back no more wheeze. I coughed up a little bit. The one thing that happened to me one week before a trip to Vegas I caught a cold which turned into bronchitis I could not cough up the flem in my lungs like I could when I smoked. I would cough and sound like a seal it was horrible! I emedetly went to doctor and said look I need strong antibiotics now. I have to go to Vegas next week. I told them I quit smoking and started vaping and they gave me the Zpack which I never got when I smoked. It worked I was fine by the time we went to Vegas and they love Vapors you can vape in their airport. Mind you this was two years ago but I thought that was cool. So watch out for the seal bark and vape on brother!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk

 

[Bea-FL]

@ReikiHealer how is it going? It's been a few days since you posted. Stop by and tell us of your progress.

 

[RedRobin]

Hi everyone! I'm on day 4 of no cigarettes and I honestly feel so happy. My stepdaughter (7) came back home to our house yesterday (we split custody 50/50), and when she saw me use my vape (after being home for two hours, normally I would have smoked right away, not sure if that has anything to do with switching to the vaporizer, but I feel like I can go longer stretches now), she said, "heyyy I know what that is! My stepdad has one! It's not smoke! It's water foam or something!" ("water foam" lol) she was so excited when I told her I hadn't had a cigarette in three days. I remember being her age and wishing my parents would quit, begging them to, even. Don't ask me how I wound up smoking once I became a teenager. Now, I don't want her to wind up vaping nicotine when she gets older, so we tried to explain that to her but I think it's hard at that age to understand things like "addiction."

Anyway, I'm curious: for those of you that smoked cigarettes before making the switch: do you guys feel like using vaporizers reaps the same effects as cold turkey quitting? As in: will my sense of taste and smell be stronger soon? Did any of you cough up that gross stuff? I have noticed a few things: one, it is really nice not feeling self-conscious of the way I smell. two: guess who doesn't like energy drinks that much? I used to get two every morning: one for the drive to work and one for the way home. I can't drink them without a cigarette, though. I've just been picking up a mtn. dew instead because I genuinely like the taste (I know water or tea would be even better, but baby steps...). How soon did you guys feel better capacity in your lungs? I FEEL like I feel that way, but idk how much is just placebo because I know I haven't had a cigarette in a few days. Did you immediately stop wanting cigarettes? The first day/night I was totally good, the second, not going to lie, I wanted a cigarette, but figured if I'd already gone almost 48 hours, why break that? Last night wasn't an issue, though.

Only 4 days in and I'm feeling very good! I wish I made this switch years ago =). Better late than never.

I am on my 4th day not smoking, l can tell you I have had bad and good days. My 3rd day was bad..l was shaky, really wanted a cigarette. I have gone through bad withdrawals..headache's, itch skin, shaky, and anxiety. But l can breath better, my tongue is pink again. I just think about the benefits and keep the smokes around as a security blanket. Keep with it you are doing great!!

 

[RedRobin]

Big Congrats!!! I am on my 4th day today not smoking. I too have had bad withdraws, yesterday was my worst... lightheaded and anxiety. But hang in there the benefits out way the chemicals. I can breath better, talk without getting out of breath etc. There is a lot of support on here, when l am feeling anxious l go on here and read, there is tons of info on here

 

[mattiem]

Big Congrats!!! I am on my 4th day today not smoking. I too have had bad withdraws, yesterday was my worst... lightheaded and anxiety. But hang in there the benefits out way the chemicals. I can breath better, talk without getting out of breath etc. There is a lot of support on here, when l am feeling anxious l go on here and read, there is tons of info on here

Congratulations Christine. The first few days can be hard but in the end it is so worth it. I am coming up on my 5 year mark and am still amazed that I can now honestly say "I no longer smoke" I tried patches once or twice and cold turkey so many times. The longest I ever stayed smoke free was 6 months and I craved a smoke every minute of every day of that 6 months. I decided I would not go through the rest of my life feeling like that so right back to smoking I went. If given a chance, vaping just plain works!