Do you think us vapers ae 'different'?

[intriqken]

I just need the drug,
Call me a child of the 60's

 

[JazzBaby]

Well, I quit smoking two years ago because I found out I inherited a lung disease from my father (it took his life, ultimately) and because of undiagnosed sleep apnea my heart just sort of...blew...and now I live with congestive heart failure, among other disorders and diseases. The doctors told me if I ever put another cigarette to my lips...I pretty much wanted to die in a few months. I never smoked, again.
Alas...about six months ago I was diagnosed with psoriasis and eczema and I got horrid rashes which covered large portions of my body. The itching is unbearable during a bad flare-up. Needless to post...this caused stress and stress is what causes bad flare-ups. Then...the stress made my TMJ flare-up and I was in constant pain in my face and jaws. And I had a son getting married in December...having a large wedding. Lots of doctor's visits and medical tests...and I found myself standing in drug stores in front of the cigarette displays...practically salivating. It was just a matter of time before I cracked.
Now...I made a promise to God, and myself, that I would NEVER smoke another cigarette, again. I keep my promises...but stress was wearing on me...and I knew I was about to break a very serious promise and if I did...I would die.
I had been researching "e-cigs" for some time...and when I felt I couldn't take it anymore...I ordered a starter kit from another company. Unfortunately it took way longer than it should have for me to get the kit...and THAT caused stress...but I found Vapor4Life and it's all be uphill since. I am not a big-time vaper. And I use only 0 nicotine juices. I reckon it could be a lot worse.
And I didn't break my promise. I did NOT start smoking, again...and when I told my pulmonologist about the "e-cigs"...he wasn't thrilled and he wasn't horrified, but he couldn't understand why no nicotine. Hey, haven't had it for two years...so I don't need it, now. Plus, it does affect my irregular heart-beats and blood pressure. He's just glad I didn't pick up a pack o' smokes. That's SMOKE is killer, ya know?
And...I'm like Miss MJ in that I have an addictive personality...even when it comes to collecting things. I get all gung-ho about something and usually peter-out in a few months.
For right now...I'm content with the hand-to-mouth motion of vaping. It's a comfort during really stressful times.

I'm fibbing a bit. Whenever I see a person light a cigarette...I want one more than anything. And I wasn't even a die-hard smoker. I was one of those people who played with her cigarettes and barely puffed on them...or left them burning in the ashtray. I cannot breathe around smoke -- gasp for air -- and I tried to take my mother to a casino for her birthday and I almost had to be hospitalized from taking in that much smoke, which just hangs in the air. Duh. I didn't even think about THAT when I went...
I may have quit smoking two years ago and may not really be able to smoke...but I'll NEVER be an "ex-smoker". Deep down I'll always be a smoker...wanting her next cigarette...

 

[JazzBaby]

Geez, y'all. I'm sorry I was so...long-winded.

 

[Hallinass]

Jazz my thoughts and prayers are with you.
I do not have any thing wrong with me like that but just the same I needed to quit analogs. vaping is great. I have spent quite a bit of money not as much as some and more than others. I got a PV I like and I got 32 flavors (sounds like baskin robins), nic juice etc. every thing I need to make my own juices. My companion says I have spent enough and I agree but I tell him that the initial cost is going to be high and that it will level out and I will actually be spending less in the long run. But I am finding that with some of the reciepes out there I still do not have the flavors I need. But with what I bought I should be able to come up with some really good juices like the Black Walnut Cinnamon Roll I made yesterday that I am vaping right now to try it. Is going great with my morning coffee. Yes I am addicted to vaping now and was to anologs and yes when I find some thing new I do go over board. Can't take the money with you when you leave this earth so you might as well enjoy it while you are here.
Every one has some thing that they do to control their issue and the ones that don't are the ones that are out harming them selves and/or others.


Vapor On....

 

[Joyce]

I'm an accidental vaper. Like NoMatches, if I had to pick one of Jam's categories, I fit #1 the closest. I didn't intend to quit, got the PV as an adorable little gimmick to use in places I couldn't smoke. I like tech. Imagine my surprise when I liked it so much better than smoking that within a month of serious use, I actually quit smoking! I credit V4L's great flavor catalog.

 

[jeffree]

Excellent post, Jazz. No need to apologize for something so honest and heartfelt. Sorry about your father.

 

[NoMatches]

Jazz.... sounds like you had some tough sledding. Hang in.

 

[Morandir835]

Ms. Jazzbaby, I finally got a chance to sit down and read your post. I'm sorry about your father. You are one tough person though to go through all you have and still give up cigs and nicotine.

 

[crbrown]

I know I am addictive..that's why I only drink once in a while and only take RX drugs. I can get hooked on collecting things too! All the batt colors..all the flavors ect.!
A lot of people have other problems that they smoked to control. Vaping does the same thing (nic). Self medicating.

I hear you about the battery's, I love colors! You should see my nail polish collection. How cool would it would be to have matching nail polish and battery?
I think for me to put the analogs aside I just had to really reach the end of them. My mom was put on oxygen last year due to smoking and that's what it took to make me ready to quit and vaping is what it took to get me to quit. I have three other family members who started vaping at the same time as me, one is still doing half and half and the other two gave up and went back to smoking. The funny thing is, out of all of us I have the most addictive behaviors... lol maybe that's why I took to it better.

 

[crbrown]

I dunno. For me it was really about the expenses of smoking. At $200 a week, I went heavilly into debt. I have CC bills up the wazoo. I had just recently purchased a ton of nicorette and patches. I was desperate, and every attempt failed miserably. If I were a rich man, I would not have tried vaping, but I was beyond desperate. Really, I was at a dead end. I was so addicted I convinced myself I enjoyed smoking, but that was the addiction speaking. I know that now.

Then, I'll say it, God directed me to a thread in the off topic forum of a football site. My sis was trying to get me to visit the old shopping mall kiosk vaping outlet. I resisted. Then came that thread. There were just too many people having far too much success quitting, I started to read... and learn. I realized it wasn't a gimmick.

I think that is what many smokers believe too. It's some whacky gimmick not to be taken seriously.

Yes, because we all have wasted a lot of money on those. I know I have

 

[crbrown]

Jazz, sorry to hear about your father.
You are a trooper, wish you the best.

 

[aubergine]

Hey Jazz, that wasn't long winded - it was straight from the heart. And good for you; you're a trooper.

 

[Mary Kay]

Jazz you are a fighter..I am so pleased you are part of our family! Hang in girlfriend..we will have your back.

 

[RNPic]

For me, I was never a really heavy smoker and am more addicted to the act of smoking. I have quit many times for long periods of time. But it was really hard considering that my hubby, mom, brother, and most of my friends smoked. I had started smoking when I was 14 because my BFF started. My mom didn't even have a problem with it because she said that she had started at that age and can't really say anything. When we moved away from all of these people so that I could finish school, it was easy for me. I only had to deal with my hubby smoking and he went outside. But then we went back home to visit and for my BFF's birthday party, and that was it. Drinking and smoking just go together! I started smoking again! Then quit again. Then went to a race and started all over again. I always started smoking while drinking!! But, I never had a problem with quitting and I didn't smoke very much anyway (2-3 packs per week). Last August, my BFF got married and a friend of ours had an e-cig at the rehearsal dinner and reception. We asked about it and he explained it to us, gave us a V4L card, and let us try it out. After that weekend, we did a little research and ordered our starter kits. We haven't touched an analog since! I thought that my hubby would never quit smoking, he is truly addicted. But, V4L changed that and I am so happy! Even now, I am not addicted to vaping, but it is nice to have when we go out with friends for some drinks, when we go to races, or stressed, or when I just feel like taking a little puff! We get asked about them everywhere we go and we hand out cards all the time. Personally, I feel like some smokers get a little jealous because we can vape in the bar and they have to go out in the cold to have a cigarette!! LOL!!

 

[JazzBaby]

Thank you all...soooo much...for the very kind words. You've made me feel so welcomed here...and I'm so glad...cause from the moment I came here I knew this was a special group of people.
I've enjoyed reading every last post on this thread -- getting to know all of you a little better.
This is like part of an extended family...

 

[Pokeygizmo]

Yes, I think vapers are "different". We are some of the most determined people I've ever met! Determined to make this work for us for whatever reason we stumbled upon it in the first place. We are determined to find the right PV, the right juice, the right atty/carto. Successful vapers are information seekers - we read, read, read and read some more. We talk, we share, we experiment, we create and then we talk some more !!!

Vapers are a giving bunch -- our time, our stories, out heartaches and our joys, not to mention our stuff! Never have I encountered a community so willing to help each other out as much as I've seen here on ECF. Vapers are not just "different", we are amazing! And we are family, for sure.

(Hugs to you, JazzBaby. That's been a tough road)

 

[keyzygirl]

Your so cool Pokey!!and I agree with you totally!!

 

[ValleyGirl]

Cool thread! I just love hearing everybody's stories!

I never really had any intention to quit smoking...this was a total fluke. I miss my cigarettes sometimes - but man I look cool now

 

[ProjectVIN]

never really had any intention to quit smoking...this was a total fluke. I miss my cigarettes sometimes - but man I look cool now

I intended to quit analogs, the "cool" factor is merely a bonus!

 

[ValleyGirl]

My 17 year-old daughter says to her friends "Look at my mom's cool electronic cigarette that she smokes!" and all the friends oooh and ahhh over it.

During the previous 17 years that she's seen me smoking cigs, I never ONCE heard her say to her friends "Look at that cigarette that my mom is smoking...isn't that cool?!?"