Okay, so I've been dual using for a long time..about 3 yrs, and what I've found is that I'm smoking about the same amount ( one to two ppd) and vaping in between. I've realized that I'm an "all or nothing" smoker. Have one, and all the rest follow. To be honest, I am so addicted to cigarettes that I smoked all through breast cancer treatment last year, wanting so badly to quit knowing what an idiot I was, but still using them as a comfort or coping mechanism...whatever. So here's my dilemma: I am having surgery that involves the vascular system, and will be tested for nicotine beforehand. In a weird way, I'm so glad that the option of smoking is taken from me. Like, it's a relief...strange, I know. However, stopping nicotine altogether is freaking me the hell out! I am prepared to vape 0 nic, but want to know if anyone went from smoking full time to vaping 0, and how did they do with it? Also, please don't judge or come down on me... I've had plenty of that from family and friends, and I'm probably more in disbelief and regret than anyone could throw at me
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Here's Plume's post that helped you awhile back. Sorry, that's all I got except Best Wishes!
4 weeks! Cravings...
4 weeks! Cravings...
When I quit smoking cigarettes, it was cold turkey. I didn't vape at the time, but what did help me was carrying around a straw. Any time I felt the urge to smoke, I just held the straw the same way I would a cigarette. Could even draw on it like one if I really felt like it. Seems kind of silly at first, but the muscle memory was comforting for me to replicate.
Good luck on quitting! Just take it a day at a time.
Good luck on quitting! Just take it a day at a time.
I was a hardcore smoker, too, you're not alone. I did quit smoking when I started vaping, but I had to vape ALL THE TIME. No matter, though, it kept me off cigarettes, and that's what I wanted. I did go to zero nic fairly quickly, within about 6 months, because I thought, why not? But I ended up with some "side effects" of lethargy, apathy, depression, etc. I needed a .... sling to get myself up the stairs, you know? Once I finally realized it was the lack of nicotine causing my problems, I went back to a low dose of nic, 2mg, and that was OK, then I went down to 1mg. Most people wouldn't even notice that much, but it makes a difference for me. I could probably go to zero nic now without any bad side effects, but I'm happy at 1mg, so that's where I stay. I still vape all day, unless I'm busy doing something, and now it doesn't seem to bother me when I go hours without vaping.
For you, though, I'd say go to zero for a while, at least until your test and surgery is over, and then start at a low dose of nic, IF YOU NEED IT. Be aware of how you're feeling. It took me a long time to realize I was depressed, then a little longer to figure out why. Don't worry about how much you have to vape, just vape to keep from smoking. You'll be so glad you did. And listen, if I can do it, so can you. I had fully intended to be puffing on a cigarette right up to the moment I finally died. I had no idea it would be possible for me to quit. None. But it just happened. You can do it, too, trust me!
For you, though, I'd say go to zero for a while, at least until your test and surgery is over, and then start at a low dose of nic, IF YOU NEED IT. Be aware of how you're feeling. It took me a long time to realize I was depressed, then a little longer to figure out why. Don't worry about how much you have to vape, just vape to keep from smoking. You'll be so glad you did. And listen, if I can do it, so can you. I had fully intended to be puffing on a cigarette right up to the moment I finally died. I had no idea it would be possible for me to quit. None. But it just happened. You can do it, too, trust me!
Also, thanks r77r7r, I had forgotten that post and plumes did help at the time. I quit for a short time looking at that post, but here we are 3 yrs later! Geez...hard to believe I've wasted so much time just NOT quitting for good. Thanks for the reality reminder. 
The Nic may be addictive but its not the source of "nic fits" that one has to crave that smoke. When I smoked cigs, the nic fits were there. With vaping those nic fits aren't there any more, I can go hours without having a vape. It took time to flush all the crap out of the body from smoking but one does notice that nic fits are gone. IMO if you want to vape then pods and pens make it quite a challenge to quit smoking. A decent setup along with properly nic'd juice to not need that chaser ciggy to finish the crave. One of the 4000+ chemicals in that ciggy is still holding on too you and its not the nic. I quit ciggys the day I took that first vape 5+ years ago...took a bit longer to totally forget about them.
What I recommend (it's a bad recommendation cause I havent done it but I think it would work) is get yourself a good mouth to lung device. Maybe an rta if your up to the challenge of building. Start with high mg nicotine then drop it a little lower with every bottle. Vape more if you have to or go thru 2 of each strength to get used to it, as you get lower on the nic maybe go for 3 or 4 bottles until your satisfied. On a low power device but of good quality you should be able to smoothly reduce your nicotine to zero.
As others have said, I've been vaping 4 years now. I still want that gosh darn smoke. Vaping doesn't replicate smoking it's a nicotine replacement with less harmful side effects. Even years afterwards it's a mental mind game. Your body doesn't forget, it's a real jerk. I tell myself now that if I light up, I'm done for. All my progress is for nothing.
For you, dual using is ok, every 1 less cig you have is a win. Focus on the cutting back cigs. Replace usual routines with vaping, after coffee, in the car etc.. once you're ok and not murdering anyone without a smoke focus on reducing nic thru vaping. Idk how much time you have until your operation, but if you have a steel trap for a mind just stop buying smokes al together and vape zero nic for somewhat of a replacement until your op is over then jump into a low dose nic. 3mg if you use direct lung devices or maybe 12mg on a tight draw mouth to lung atty. Hope I helped..I'm terrible at explaining crap.
As others have said, I've been vaping 4 years now. I still want that gosh darn smoke. Vaping doesn't replicate smoking it's a nicotine replacement with less harmful side effects. Even years afterwards it's a mental mind game. Your body doesn't forget, it's a real jerk. I tell myself now that if I light up, I'm done for. All my progress is for nothing.
For you, dual using is ok, every 1 less cig you have is a win. Focus on the cutting back cigs. Replace usual routines with vaping, after coffee, in the car etc.. once you're ok and not murdering anyone without a smoke focus on reducing nic thru vaping. Idk how much time you have until your operation, but if you have a steel trap for a mind just stop buying smokes al together and vape zero nic for somewhat of a replacement until your op is over then jump into a low dose nic. 3mg if you use direct lung devices or maybe 12mg on a tight draw mouth to lung atty. Hope I helped..I'm terrible at explaining crap.
Hi and Welcome-
Maybe some strong flavored eliquids may help cut out nicotine? I like candy sweet flavors and coffee, taste so much better to me than any cigarette.
You have to cut out nicotine for your health.
Yes giving up cigarettes is hard- I smoked for over 30+ years- Vaping helped me but needed much will power to quit too. I set a quit date and toughed it out, the 1st few weeks were tough, but I didn't back down and treat myself to any cigarettes. I have been cigarette free for almost 4 years.
I use 0-3 mgs of nic.
Best of Luck to you!
Maybe some strong flavored eliquids may help cut out nicotine? I like candy sweet flavors and coffee, taste so much better to me than any cigarette.
You have to cut out nicotine for your health.
Yes giving up cigarettes is hard- I smoked for over 30+ years- Vaping helped me but needed much will power to quit too. I set a quit date and toughed it out, the 1st few weeks were tough, but I didn't back down and treat myself to any cigarettes. I have been cigarette free for almost 4 years.
I use 0-3 mgs of nic.
Best of Luck to you!
I hate that you are having to go through this so quickly but the plain fact is you simply need to quit buying smokes. Use what time you have before the nic test to wean down the nic from you juice. If you have a few weeks before the test WTA juice will help some and give your will power a sturdy crutch. Best of luck to you.
Being that into cigs and smoking that much you probably need a much higher nic imo.....have you tried something like the nautilus tanks? They are mtl , so not sure if that's your thing, but it's worth a try imo. With that type of tank, I would definitely use at least 18, if not higher mg nic.
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I was in that position before I started vaping so I know that feeling.
If this helps any, you're sorta lucky because vaping didn't exist when I had to do this......so I went from cigs to........candy canes n' stuff.
I literally went out and got a 2nd job that I didn't need, in an environment where I couldn't smoke, because I didn't think I could do it. To be honest, my "fear" of having a botched surgery outweighed my urge to smoke cigs, and I had 3 different surgeons tell me they would not operate on me if I didn't quit smoking 6 weeks beforehand. Not having the surgery wasn't an option.
As you know, there *are* certain types of surgery, not all, that have poorer outcomes when nicotine is involved. Its not really the same as chemotherapy in that sense. (in that case ,you are just trying to give your body every chance to heal so you want to have as few bad habits as possible that might impede that.) But chemo won't fail due to smoking that I know of.
You got this! You can do it. If you can start earlier than you have to , then do so so you don't feel strangled by your deadline and panicked. If I had to do it all over again I would seriously start dropping my nic levels ahead of time....and maybe put the cigs down, jsut get your nic from the vape, and then go to 0 at your deadline.
Best of luck to you.
Have some sin foods like milkshakes, or whatever it is for you, to replace your feeling of being denied.
Hey, I won't make this long, but you can absolutely do it! I was in a similar situation, but was vaping 3mg and had to stop for 5 days. It wasn't easy but the act of vaping helped with the mental withdrawal. Vaping saved my life, I know that is starting to sound cliche, but it's 100% true. I no longer cough or wheeze and feel so much better after 26 years of cigarettes. I now vape 3mg again because I like the benefits of nicotine as a stimulant, but I've been there and you can go to 0 and push through. I wish you the best!
Thank you everyone. The advice and strategies helped. I am 2 days smoke free now. Vaping 6mg on Legend mod with a Falcon tank and loving it. Still want cigs, but it's just not an option. I have to be done with nic by Nov 1st to be 4 wks nic free for surgery. Will step down every few days a little bit at a time til then. Just wanted to update and let you all know how much I appreciate the support.
Vickki
Vickki
Good to hear Vickki! Let us know how you're doing and there is always someone around 24/7 here if you need to chat. Buy some 0mg nic so you can keep vaping, the hand to mouth habit is soothing with or without the nic.
Hi everyone, thanks again for your help and advice with my struggle. I am happy to say I've been cigarette free since October 17th, and zero nic since Nov 1st!!! I think knowing it's not optional/negotiable has helped me to get through the psychological part, and the physical just hasn't been a problem at all. Go figure! I still have moments that I think I'd sell one of my kids for one (lol), but it's fleeting. Seems to hit when I'm not expecting it, like I finish a project and get up, head for my jacket then realize "Oh yeah, I don't do that anymore". That part sucks! Otherwise, It's very doable. I have to stay nic free until 4 weeks after surgery, so that puts me at the end of January. No way I will go back to cigarettes at that point, but may pick up nic at low dose if still wanting it. Who knows?
Anyway, thank you all again for talking me through this. Never thought I'd be reporting success, but here I am
Vickki
Anyway, thank you all again for talking me through this. Never thought I'd be reporting success, but here I am
Vickki
Almost forgot...Letitia, I bought 3 bottles of zero nic, and it does help a LOT!! Thanks!!!
Vickki
Vickki
Congratulations! So good to hear you succeeded in reaching your goal. Let us know how you are faring, wishing you a speedy recovery.
Yay for YOU! Go back to the nic later if you think you need it. There's nothing wrong with nic, it's all the tar and stuff in cigarette smoke that was killing us and making us so miserable. And I for one was miserable, although I would NEVER admit it, not even to myself. I was so hooked, I was delusional... but now I'm free, and you can be free, too. I'M SO PROUD OF YOU!
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