E-Cig as a Pallative

[EnoughAlready]

I've been vaping for about six months now, my trusty GLV-2 always by my side. Even so, I still smoke about half the analogs (which is still a lot - pack a day) I used to.

I've definitely noticed a change in chronic symptoms of smoking I've had for years, though, that I can't attribute just to cutting back, and was wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience.

For many years I've felt a lump in my throat when swallowing, which I had checked out and was told was nothing more than irritation from smoking and/or allergies. It is now totally gone, I'm happy to say. Also, my throat isn't scratchy. Interestingly, I also find vaping to be a bronchial dialator. After vaping, my breathing improves!

I'm guessing that VG has a protective and soothing effect on the soft tissues, though that doesn't rule out it also having long-term harmful effects, but as most of you know, it's used in inhalers partly for this reason.

Like I said, just wondering -- anyone else have a similar experience?

 

[Rosa]

no, but I do have a question:

Were you hoping that vaping would replace smoking?
Do you still want it to? and if so, what's your vaping routine?


(the reason I ask, vaping usually works within 3 months and most vapers do want it to replace smoking. Maybe there's a way....)

 

[EnoughAlready]

I did, and still do. For the most part, I prefer vaping over smoking, except it often lacks consistency in flavor and intensity. Though I really like Vermont Vapors mixed berry as a drip, I haven't found an absolute favorite. Also, after more than 35 years of smoking, it's just hard for me to part with them.

 

[H Niemand]

I have been smoking for the better part of 50 years. I vape more than I smoke now. I went from a pack a day or more to a pack every three days, at most.
My smokers hack is gone as is my sore throat. I hope that the analogs will be gone completely in about 6 months.

 

[HzG8rGrl]

You should try a LR 306 on that GLV with some DesertShip at a smidge higher in nic mg than you have been using.

 

[Rosa]

I did, and still do. For the most part, I prefer vaping over smoking, except it often lacks consistency in flavor and intensity. Though I really like Vermont Vapors mixed berry as a drip, I haven't found an absolute favorite. Also, after more than 35 years of smoking, it's just hard for me to part with them.

I noticed that you mentioned using VG e-liquids. What is your reaction to PG e-liquids, or have you tried them yet? If so, do you find that it's the same for you either way?

I can't use VG because it causes the e-liquid to lack any flavor whatsoever (IMO!!) and has zero TH.

 

[WomanOfHeart]

I didn't go into vaping thinking that I would quit smoking. All I really wanted was something I could use indoors when the weather was cold or nasty because we have a "no indoor smoking" clause in our lease. Like so many others, I had tried to quit smoking so many times and in so many different ways only to fail miserably. I didn't think vaping would be any different. I was wrong....so very, very wrong...and I'm glad I was wrong for once. I quit smoking the day I got my Riva. I just had so much fun trying out all the juice I bought and marveling at how wonderful vaping was that I forgot to smoke. Then I realized that I didn't need to smoke and I became an "accidental quitter."

 

[ddirtyvapes]

What I recommend in your quitting efforts is checking out some real quit smoking forums and see what people do when they quit without nicotine replacement therapy, but don't quite quit "cold turkey." By that, I mean there's a lot of people that had a system like, smoke 1 less cigarette every other day (20 the first day, 19 the next two, 18 the next two) so it's slow and unnoticeable. I don't know if you tried something like that, but if you did since you have a PV you can just have a nice vape session instead of those cigarettes you begin to cut out. The other thing I would personally recommend is checking out NRT. I know there is nicotine in the eliquid, but if you look at a lot of studies (or ask any vaper) vaping is a horrible nicotine delivery system. Lovely for so many reasons, but not necessarily the best way to get your fix. I have been chewing nicorette gum along with vaping and I find that the nicorette really helps with the craving while my PV helps replace the manual/oral/ritual aspects of smoking. If gum isn't for you, maybe a patch. If you prefer NOT to do NRT then I definitely recommend looking up ideas on how to gradually pull back and just use your VP as you do. Also, if I may ask, where have you tried juice from and what have your other favorites been? I'm not a juice connoisseur (yet!) but maybe I've tried something you haven't that you may like.

 

[WomanOfHeart]

I wouldn't exactly call vaping a "horrible nicotine delivery system." The delivery is slower than cigarettes, but you're also taking thousands of other chemicals out of the equation and eliminating the carbon monoxide. This is just my opinion, but I would be extremely careful with using NRT's in combination with vaping. I'm not saying don't use them, just be cautious because the combination could make it very easy to take in too much nicotine. I think this would be especially true with the patches, since they are time released and have been known to fail.

Sometimes it takes people a while to completely quit smoking when they start vaping. Some might see it as a failure, but I see it as a step forward. Most people who start vaping find that the amount they smoking declines drastically, and that's fantastic! Over time, they might start vaping more and smoking less until they've completely quit. The great thing about vaping is that it can be custom tailored for each individual, which is impossible with smoking. My advice is just to experiment until you find the right combination of hardware, juice and nic levels that suit you.

 

[Rosa]

I wouldn't exactly call vaping a "horrible nicotine delivery system." The delivery is slower than cigarettes, but you're also taking thousands of other chemicals out of the equation and eliminating the carbon monoxide. This is just my opinion, but I would be extremely careful with using NRT's in combination with vaping. I'm not saying don't use them, just be cautious because the combination could make it very easy to take in too much nicotine. I think this would be especially true with the patches, since they are time released and have been known to fail.

Sometimes it takes people a while to completely quit smoking when they start vaping. Some might see it as a failure, but I see it as a step forward. Most people who start vaping find that the amount they smoking declines drastically, and that's fantastic! Over time, they might start vaping more and smoking less until they've completely quit. The great thing about vaping is that it can be custom tailored for each individual, which is impossible with smoking. My advice is just to experiment until you find the right combination of hardware, juice and nic levels that suit you.

I agree for the most part. I do think there should have been more of a reduction after 6 months of vaping -- not that cuttiing your smoking in half isn't great, it IS and you should remember to count the cigarettes you AREN'T smoking and not the ones that you are.

Since I don't know your routine, what mg/pg/vg etc you are using, and all that I will throw out a couple of suggestions:

• Try higher PG levels for more intense flavor and TH.

• vape for about 10 minutes before you smoke, and then if you still want a cigarette have one. Just promise yourself that you'll TRY vaping first. You have to do it every time, though, even if it means you are starting to think the e-cig is attached to your mouth.

• raise your nicotine, up to 36mg is totally a reasonable level. Over 36mg is a bit sketchy but not totally unheard of.

Good luck!

...and remember, it's not how many you smoke that matters it's how many you DON'T smoke that matters. So instead of saying, "I smoked 18 cigarettes today", start saying, "I avoided smoking 22 cigs today!"

(and yes, add the smiley)

 

[WomanOfHeart]

Don't be afraid to use different nic levels through the day. This has helped lots of people, including me! Some people use a higher nic level during the day or when they're at work to control cravings, and use a lower level in the evening. I used 24mg to control cravings when I was at work or away from home, then used 18mg at home. I did this until I was using 18mg exclusively, which I still do. I also vape several different flavors and gave trying to find that one "all day vape." It just doesn't work for me. That's why my sig says "If it tastes good, vape it."

I really love Rosa's outlook on the smoking. It's very much "the glass is half full" and doesn't have the negative connotations that imply failure.

 

[ckc]

Took me a while to do the switch but one thing i made myself do was read what smoking can do to you.As graphic as you can cope with,it ain't nice but it does give you another push in the vaping direction.

 

[EnoughAlready]

EG makes me cough and makes my chest raw. Of course, my wife has the opposite reaction...

 

[Rosa]

EG makes me cough and makes my chest raw. Of course, my wife has the opposite reaction...

Have you tried different percentages? Often people who are sensitive to PG can do very well even at 30%VG and 70%PG.

Also, what mg nicotine do you use?

And one more idea: Have you tried the juice vendors who offer to double the flavor yet?

 

[EnoughAlready]

Any EG, even in the flavorings, gets to me. I'm at 20mg, which is where I'm comfortable. Vermont says they're going be selling just flavorings soon. I hope so.

 

[GMoney]

Everyone makes a lot of good points. I especially agree with the advice and info that Rosa has offered.

I only started this 2 weeks ago. My friend bought a "Blu kit" because he was dating a non-smoker and he is down to a few tobacco cigarettes a day. I had him pick me up a kit, only so that I could hopefully have something that would curb the cravings without me and my clothes stinking or having to follow my usual cleansing ritual before I came in contact with non-smokers. The "Blu" did nothing for me - well I think I went from 33 cigarettes a day to 31. I saw potential and started doing my own research, finding this site among others. I then bought a "Smokestick Pitbull"(I know many may disagree with this choice, but I made an informed decision for what I personally wanted). I immediately had an "AHAH" moment. I am down to 5 tobacco cigarettes a day and now I cannot get half-way through one without it feeling gross and putting it out. I think the PG gave me the feeling and sensation that I needed to feel satiated.

I thought I would never quit, I didn't even plan to quit or even really want to quit - I am shocked where I am at now after only a week with a PV that is working for me.

My point is that, as Rosa and others have said, keep reading, ask questions, try experimenting with different things and hang in there!

Good Luck!

 

[slumdog]

December 10 was the day I received my 510 kit, with all the intentions to stop eventually. well I smoked a cigarette while reading the instructions and charging the batts..Then it was like getting your first kiss, you knew it would be cool from everything that u had heard, but I had no idea. Didn't pick up a cigarette for three weeks, ran outta juice, still to new to me to gauge time factors smoked 2 and a half packs in 5 days which was real good cause now I know I can quit. Got my juice.. Started to order diy stuff cuz I never wanted to smoke again.got some bad unflavored juice, contaminated or something idk, just ran out of vapeable juice and had to smoke again for two days, but I haven't looked back.. I started with 24 mg/ml dekang nuport and bustin' blueberry and a standard joye 510, I smoked for 30 years and I'm only 38 so you do the math. all my life I have smoked, knew nothing but smoking.. Did not even know my body could feel this good (because I hadn't experienced it since I was 8, was taught to inhale right away, no my mom didn't know, I still wouldn't be able to sit dow, but to convert a lifelong addict I would have to say that this by far has got to be your best bet.. Maybe like others have said up your nic level a bit.. And just try to deal with the mood swings for a couple of weeks and your homefree. I found out quick that the other crap that they put in cigs is actually what we are addicted to, the m.a.o.i. Which gives you the sense of well being, which is why when we get angry or agitated we "just need a cigarette" I just know that we have made big tobacco rich with our habit and ignorance, and now we make then nervious with our intelligence. Just let it go big tobacco, nobody here wants to buy your poison anymore....

 

[Rosa]

...we have made big tobacco rich with our habit and ignorance, and now we make then nervious with our intelligence. Just let it go big tobacco, nobody here wants to buy your poison anymore....

Very well stated.

 

[Rosa]

Any EG, even in the flavorings, gets to me. I'm at 20mg, which is where I'm comfortable. Vermont says they're going be selling just flavorings soon. I hope so.

That's a shame!

(ps, it's PG that they put in the e-liquid and flavorings, not EG which stands for ethylene Glycol - the stuff antifreeze is made of. Just had to point it out in case a noob thinks that's what we are vaping, hahaha.)

Well, 100% VG certainly will limit your options as far as intensity of flavor and TH goes. Just hang in there, the more you vape the less you'll smoke - regardless of how long it takes, you'll make it. Do look into having your vendor double the flavor though, it might help.

Good luck

 

[EnoughAlready]

Sorry, I knew that; meant PG. Just to be sure, I went to the pharmacy and got some PG, put it in my mix, and almost immediately my throat closed up. My wife, on the other hand, hacks worse on VG than she does on analogs, but is fine with the PG that comes in carts from 7-11.