Hello...Like to introduce myself

[Shonna76]

Hello!!!! Today is my 6th day that I have not smoked. I have been using e-cigarette to help me out. I did not have intentions on quitting, but a trip to the ER with chest pain provoked this desicion. Xrays came back that I had a collapsed lung. They immediatly put in a chest tube. I used the e-cigarette while in the hopsital...shhhhh....lol. After being there for 4 days, I wanted to take advantage of the 4 day jump start on quitting. I have been smoking for 21 years, and quitting in the past had been just that....stressful atempts. My dad (age 54) had COPD and passed away 6 months ago from pnemonia in the same hospital I was in. The so sad thought of my dad not get the chance to leave the hospital gave me the reality check I needed to quit smoking. I have been relying on the e-cigarettes just as if they were my smokes. I have been trying to research the saftey of them, and did I really quit or just substitute them for something else that isnt much better? So far they seem pretty safe. I found this site very helpful, so I joined in hopes of future support for kicking the habit and gaining more knowledge of e-cigarettes. I am open to any advice ,even the best of the brands, because I am totally new to this "vaping" ---did I get it right? lol Not ready to stop living!!!!! Nice to meet ya all, and looking forward to good conversation Shonna

 

[Mr. P]

Welcome and congrats.

 

[dandelionwings]

hi there Shonna and welcome to the ECF! congrats on taking the first step to getting off of analogs---you found a really great site, right off the bat, too

condolences on your father.

 

[kmk]

Welcome to ECF Shonna

 

[36tinybells]

Welcome, congrats on quitting and I am very sorry for your loss.
The true safety of vaping won't be known until they do some unbiased studies. However, I and many others here have found that our health has radically improved since quitting cigarettes. I get sick much, much less. I feel better physically and god knows I smell better!

 

[dormouse]

You have just substituted something. However, what you substituted is not as addictive and certainly not as unhealthy. Cigarettes have 4000 ingredients including numerous carcinogens, formaldehyde, cyanide, carpet glue and an anti-depressant effect, and when you smoke real cigarettes you are breathing carbon dioside and carbon monoxide.

The health benefits are great. I got my sense of taste and smell back and food tastes great. My sinuses cleared up and I wake up now not only with clear sinuses but not coughing for the first 1/2 hour away. In fact I am not coughing at all. When you first start vaping you may cough a bit from the unfamiliar feeling of the vapor and you may have harsh 100% PG juices that let through all of nicotine's irritation. Once you find the right nicotine level and get some decent juices with a bit of VG in them then vaping won't make you cough.

After a couple of months of vaping I started working my nicotine level down to a level lower than any cigarettes you can buy. You di have to give up throat hit as you go down. I can't do zero nic but some people can.

 

[Pyster]

Welcome to ECF, and congrats on getting away from the cigs! I am so very sorry for your loss. As others have said, we won't know the long-term effects of vaping until more studies are done, but I can certainly attest (one month in) that I feel worlds better (cough gone, easier to breath, etc). I, too, have loved ones that have passed from the long-term effects of smoking, and can't help but feel that we are STUNNINGLY fortunate to have a better way out (uncertain as it is, it HAS to be much, much better).

 

[Trucapri]

Welcome!! You've made a good decision. Vaping is not a "perfect" solution, but it's the best for so, so many, because it can and WILL keep you off the analogs when nothing else works!

Be sure to read the safety and health threads so that you'll be prepared for "detox". The actual symptoms and degree varies among the community, but you don't want to mistake a symptom of detox for other health issues, or panic over what's to be suspected. And never hesitate to go to your doctor if you feel you should!!

ECF is a GREAT support group . . . full of information, food-for-thought, and encouragement. Read, read, read, and never hesitate to ask questions!! Enjoy the road to a better and healthier lifestyle!!

 

[R00k]

Welcome, congrats on quitting.

 

[player30]

Welcome Shonna and good going on your success.

My heartfelt sympathy goes to you on the loss of your father. My father died 7 years ago, but I still talk to him. And I loss my mother in September; I feel oh, so like an orphan.

Keep up the good work.

 

[rob5482]

Welcome and gratz. All I can say is read read read. Educate yourself. The information you could ever want is available here and if its not ask some one. Don't be afraid to ask for help if you don't understand something. That was one of my 1st mistakes when I started almost a year ago.

 

[Skennard]

Welcome and congratulations. As others have said educate yourself "knowledge is power"!

 

[Shonna76]

You all are so warm and welcoming!!! Thank you for the condolences as well. Im sure you all will help make this journey a lil easier!! Thanks!!