Help! need advice for kicking analogs.

[gallowraven]

I have had an ego-t for about a year now. most of that year I have spent as a full time smoker. a couple months ago my hubby (28) was diagnosed with emphysema. so I decided to dig out the old egos and say, we are going to quit smoking. these are our last packs. and handed him the box with his ego stuff in it, while I had already gotten mine all charged up and ready to go once I burned through my last pack. and I literally burned through it, just to get to quit faster. then I found another unopened pack in the bottom of my work bag, so I had to wait another day. (can't waste a cig).

For some reason it feels like there is something missing from the vaping. I smoked menthols, so I got menthol juice. I was a full strength pack a day to pack and a half a day smoker, so I got 24mg. I know the nicotine level is working, because I didn't cuss anyone out at work last night. but there is something else, maybe the smell, or the taste, or just the way it feels going down. or some other highly addicting chemical in analogs that we don't know about. after all there is 4,000+ in them. I have so many reasons to drop analogs. I have a young daughter and a smoking husband (28) with emphysema. I know, I can't quit until he does, and the same goes for him. so I made the first move. but I can't put my finger on that one thing. I can sit and puff away on my ego until I feel the nicotine in my throat, and still want an analog. what's wrong with me?

 

[supergerbil]

First off yes, there are TONs of highly addicting things in analogs other than Nic. Anti depressants for one (MAOI's I think).

Try playing around with your juice until you find something with a little more.... ooomph. For me the sweet juices leave me unsatisfied but something like a 555 or chai, extra strength flavor, 24mg, at a 70/30 really hits nice.

Oh and most importantly, HANG IN THERE!!!

If vaping isnt scratching the itch then come on here and ask tons of questions or just start a thread and vent! For me just the act of reading and talking to people on here has been incredibly helpful. Its like one big support group, lol.

 

[gallowraven]

maybe vitamins would help? or herbal supplements?

 

[AttyPops]

<snip> For some reason it feels like there is something missing from the vaping. I smoked menthols, so I got menthol juice. I was a full strength pack a day to pack and a half a day smoker, so I got 24mg. I know the nicotine level is working, because I didn't cuss anyone out at work last night. but there is something else, maybe the smell, or the taste, or just the way it feels going down. or some other highly addicting chemical in analogs that we don't know about. after all there is 4,000+ in them. I have so many reasons to drop analogs. I have a young daughter and a smoking husband (28) with emphysema. I know, I can't quit until he does, and the same goes for him. so I made the first move. but I can't put my finger on that one thing. I can sit and puff away on my ego until I feel the nicotine in my throat, and still want an analog. what's wrong with me?

Well, you basically laid it all out.

1) It's not exactly the same.
2) There's "Other stuff" missing

Consider this:
There is still a withdrawal from tobacco while using e-cigs. Some don't miss it at all. Just look for all the "I quit on day one" posts. lol. Others of us miss it, but get by. Still others use snus, or WTA juice, or whatever.

Try it this way:
Tough it out for 2 weeks. Don't buy any smokes. Don't bum em either. Just hole up for two weeks as much as possible while vaping.
Maybe give it an extra week.

You'll go through some MINOR withdrawal. May even get kindof a "cold" thing... sinus and such. Sleep may change a bit too. Try not to over-nic at night. You can do it.

After this, you'll find that cigs stink. This is the condensed version of the story. But you get the idea. You have to put your mind to it. However, vaping allows you to have most of the action and habit along with the nicotine. And it tastes good. Try some other juices too.

I read an article recently about eating more fruit and veggies to help smokers quit. IDK... but the fresh fruit/healthy attitude is a good start for vaping.

Good Luck!

 

[Cherryblossom]

Everything that AttyPops said!

The first week I was frustrated and missed smoking, I felt a little spastic and like my emotions were all over the place. DH decided we were no longer smoking and had purchased vaping equipment. I was not a happy camper. Any discussion on the subject would cause hostility on my part. At his steadfast insistence I resigned myself to trying vaping. I gave my word that I would honestly try. So I started the process and tried to think about it as little as possible. I'd have a craving and have to talk myself through it...I found that in all actuality the cravings were very short, and if I could just talk myself through a minute or two it would pass. Knowing that made all the difference for me...I mean who can't hold out a minute or two? I didn't focus on forever, I focused on each day, just one day at a time. If I thought about never having another cigarette ever again, it was an immediate feeling of panic....but if I just focused on today, heck I was fine. I didn't throw out my cigs, they were still at the bottom of my purse, I didn't throw out my ashtrays.....the idea of either made me panic. So I just let them sit where they were. Anytime I wasn't at work, I had my e-cig in my mouth. I read ECF constantly paying much attention to other member's stories. I allowed myself to be absorbed into looking for the perfect companies to order juices from. I tried to think very little about quitting smoking, and think lots and lots about vaping.

By the second week I was reaching for my e-cig first thing in the morning without having to think about it. My Husband put away the ashtrays and I didn't really think too much about it. I'd more or less resigned myself to the fact that yes, vaping would be the future (the DH pretty much told me heck would freeze over before I got another cig) Sometime during the week, I realized I had no idea where my cigarettes were, and wasn't that odd? More juice was rolling in to be excited about trying, mailman trips were anxiously awaited. I still didn't concentrate on the idea that I was quitting smoking, but concentrated on enjoying vaping instead, still just looking at each day as it arrived. Down time from work was spent looking at all the incredible vaping equipment of others and thinking....."ooooh that is pretty....look a carved wood box...oh my goodness is that e-cig purple...and look at that someone put pretty rhinestones on their equipment!"

During the 3rd week vaping had become the new norm for me. I no longer felt that something was missing. When crossing paths with smokers, I was shocked that....wow, I used to smell like that to other people. I realized that the idea of a cigarette no longer appealed to me, the thought of a dirty ashtray was unsettling, and that I no longer had any idea what happened to my cigs and if they were still somewhere in the house or if hubby had thrown them out. And oddly enough....I didn't care.

Vaping has been an odd journey for me, and one I didn't undertake willingly. Thankfully my DH firmly pushed me into it, and I tolerated it because I love him. I didn't really expect to quit smoking. I didn't expect to fall in love with vaping either though, and somehow the vaping made cigarettes just nasty in comparison.

It's been over 3 months for me now without a cigarette, and I can't even imagine wanting to light one. I love my purple silver bullet, my colorful bella tanks, and my plethora of juices, they make me smile and I'm thankful for them. Also very thankful for my stubborn husband, and all the members on this board who's stories and knowledge helped me get to this point.

Every time I see one of those horrid anti-smoking commercials on tv, I'm relieved I no longer smoke. I'm sometimes amazed now by the idea that something so completely addictive and harmful is legal.

 

[rsi1986]

For me, I think it's the taste. I still smoke, but replaced half of my analogs with the e-cig. I am so used to having that ashtray taste in my mouth. After I eat is the worst. Does the menthol juice you are vaping taste anything like the brand you smoke?

 

[BananaCreamPie]

I smoked heavy for 40 plus years. If you keep smoking analogs, they will eventually kill you.
Think a bit about this:
You can't walk to the mailbox anymore because you can't make it that far without a walker.
You have to stay on phone line waiting for customer service idiots to re-order your oxygen.
You can't play with your grandchildren because just bending over makes you out of breath.
You can't breathe everytime there is a forest fire nearby because of the smoke.
Everynight you have to hook up to your cpap machine to sleep with all those hoses and wires across your chest
You can't taste or smell anymore
All your friends and aquintances quit smoking and don;t want to be around stinky smokers anymore.
All the heaps and cans full of butts, everywhere buts and nasty black ashes.

I am going on 4 months without a stinky. I was that close to being most of the above. I finally couldn't sleep anymore because my heart was telling me to stop smoking or it was going to make me die.
I woke up the next morning and put my 2 and a half packs of pall malls in a cubbard shelf. They are still sitting there. They will sit there forever.
I had maybe 2 toss and turn nights and a dry mouth/throat when I first quit smoking and started vaping Thats it!
At 55 I have the energy level again of a teen again for the most part.
If you can't replace smoking with vaping without having cigarettes around you there is not much hope.
There will always be stinkies around you in life.
My vaper ego cig is with me at all times, everywhere I go with back up juices and batteries.
They can take my guitars, my cars, my tools, and all my other toys away from me, but they will never take away my ego vaper. Thanks to these devices, I will live a longer and happier life. I love playing with my grandchildren so freaking much it hurts I love them so much!

 

[iowajosh]

IT sounds like you need some better juice.

 

[mmrock]

WTA: Whole Tobacco Alkaloid

find out more information on WTA. people say they've tried it and it satisfies them, like having a real cig. it comes in menthol too. i never tried it, but a google search will come up with some vendors who sell it.

 

[Rhapsodies Fire]

Nothing is "wrong" with you.

My post is about the transition and not hardware, juices and accessories, because i think this plays an important part in your success in changing your habit. It is based entirely on my experience.

It takes time...and yes, you're missing all the other stuff that's in the cigs. I was so addicted to whatever else was in there I still smoked for 6 months after I started vaping. High stress had the best of me, and I just couldn't even imagine being a non smoker. Even talking about it caused me great anxiety, and I ended up behaving like an addict. Smoking was the only thing that was there for me for 25 years to help me through the rough times. I was so dependent on it, I was sure I would die a smoker. And I was even okay with that. Honestly, I was considering at one point after my husband quit, that our marriage would never make it because I "knew" I couldn't quit and how could he stay married to me ...a smoker? Ya, I just basically said that I nearly chose cigs over my marriage. Oh it was bad...and I'm so embarrassed.

So it's possible to do this...my husband did it. He quit smoking within a month of starting vaping...and this is a big deal, he was a 2-3 ppd smoker for 34 years. He was super patient with me and didn't climb all over me about my smoking. Honestly, i don't know how he did it...but I'm glad he did. it made it so much easier for me, giving me confidence that if he can....I can. (we feed off of each other's strength)

During that final stage of "transition"...it came down to discipline. I was getting what I needed out of vaping...but the first smoke of the day was the hardest to let go of. eventually the cigs started tasting terrible...and I started losing interest in them. Before I knew it, i had gone a few weeks without smokes...and that was the "Aha" moment I needed. I could do it. 4 months later I tried to smoke...got as far as lighting it. That was the day the cravings truly died for me. yuck.

This transition is different for everyone, and yes, withdrawals are possible. I had them for a few weeks...like a weak strain of the flu. That's how I knew without a shadow of doubt that I was addicted...to the other stuff in smokes.

I'm very sorry to hear that your young husband is paying an early price for smoking...that is awful. And the added stress of the diagnosis I'm sure doesn't help matters. Let me offer that if you take it one day at a time, remember to celebrate the smokes you didn't smoke and try not to stress too much over it. Stressing and getting wound up about it will only lead to frustration, which leads to anger, resentment, and ultimately, giving up. It may take you a bit to get over the hump. But when you do, you'll be amazed (at least I was) at how much clearer things seem to be. As for your husband, if you support him and continue to be patient, it might help him move in this same direction, especially if he sees you succeeding. I guess what I'm saying is try to find what works for you and then make the effort, then lead by example. Your success can be contagious.

Before I quit, this seemed to be an impossible goal. Looking back, I'm amazed at how easy it was. Unfortunately, I don't know what will work for you and your husband, and I can't seem to put it to words just how easy it was. I owe my clean bill of health first to my husband for showing me the way....and then to myself, because it was my decision in the end to change my habit...and I did. You guys can too. Keep your chin up and remember to drop a line here in the forum if you need a little support. There are literally thousands of folks who will support you here.

BTW...I'll be 2 years smoke free in just a couple more months.
Sorry about writing darn near a book....and this is the Reader's Digest version.

 

[LuV2SkRaTcH]

I've quit smoking and vaped a few times and "failed" 3 or 4 times. Went back to cogarettes with a vengence, always a lot more than i smoked before. I always tried making a solid switch... Didn't work for me. This time has been the longest without a cigarette. 7 months and counting!

What worked for me this time was to not tell people I'm quitting cigarettes... I started vaping 36mg juice and vaped as much as I could, took a break when I got "nicced-out." and slightly resisted smoking... Whenever I got a really bad urge to smoke, I vaped all the way outside to smoke... That got me relieved enough to continue vaping without turning into the hulk. Basically, vape your face off, and smoke only when you're about to flip out. Then continue vaping. Don't rush it, don't put too much pressure on yourself. Also, careful it's not too much nicotine for you, some people dislike such high levels causing them to relapse back to cigarettes.

This seems like it would take a long time, but being nicced-out got me really thinking "if I smoke this cigarette, would I start throwing up from all the nicotine?" and usually knowing I'm allowing myself to smoke whenever needed would relieve enough pressure to know that I can just smoke later, if I still need it I'd have it right there! (points to my drawer) took me 3 weeks, but it's different for everyone. Some people are very comfortable with a solid switch... To keep me off cigarettes I had to have an occasional cigarette. Don't beat yourself up if you do, just think of it as, "the cigarette that strengthens my vaping addiction." instead of a failed attempt to quit.

When you notice yourself not needing the PV in your hand constantly, lower the mic level, and chain vape again. Rinse and repeat until you find yourself vaping 0mg of nicotine, or I'd you feel satisfied enough to not need to vape.

Whenever I feel the urge now, I buy a new/different PV, or I spend a lot on some new stuff. (new type of carto tank, atty tank, rebuildable atty, new atomizers, or even try new flavors) if I spend a lot of money on new stuff for my vaping needs, I can't justify buying a new pack of cigarettes... Good luck!

 

[LuV2SkRaTcH]

Oh, I also gave one to my aunt who has smoked for a long time, and said... "Try this... use it, or don't use it. If you don't use it, give it back." I also told her everything in my earlier post. However, after a week she said she doesn't even need it anymore, and used it occasionally. Then began to tell everyone in our family her 2 week success story and that ALL of them to nag me about vaping... Recently, my aunt lost the brand new kit I bought her, begged me for my backup PV, and I also caught her smoking again. She feels like she failed at quitting, and insists she doesn't have money to buy a new one... She's retired, I'm currently unemployed and bought her EVERYTHING including my favorite juices and a bunch of carto tanks, cartos, atomizers from MY personal supply. Still had the nerve to try and make me feel bad. So I bought a 3 HH357s, Parva clean tank, 20-30 cartos, carto punch, and a BUNCH of juice that I won't be sharing lol!

 

[JENerationX]

I made a clean switch last August... vaped through about 5-6 months, then lost a family member and ended up smoking again. (Poor planning, not having fully charged full cartos when I needed them). I thought I'd failed and resigned myself to smoking full time. Only now I could FEEL what the cigs where doing to me. This time I didn't decide to quit cigs, I decided I'm going to give vaping a good chance. I smoke if I want to. I was doing 4-5 cigs a day and vaping in between. The important thing was, if I did have a cig, I'm not a failure because 4-5 a day is a huge improvement over 30+ a day.

Over the past 8 weeks, I've gone longer and longer between cigs. One day I realized I hadn't had any. OK, if I can do one day, I don't HAVE to have this one, I can vape for 10-15 minutes and that urge will pass. On the way home from work today , I got the urge even though it's been 12 days with none. I lit one... since I'm not a failure if I smoke, I can go right back to vaping. Well, lemme tell ya.... YUCK. I sucked on that thing like a Wendy's Frosty through a stir straw to try to get a decent vape feeling, it tasted like burnt paste and sawdust, and I wanted to spit it out. I didn't... I gagged through it but smoked the whole thing while driving down the highway. I swear I could feel my taste buds dying along the way. Then I took a sip of water, and put my PV in my mouth with oh so tasty Kick Bass Vapor peach sweet tea in it and laughed... because even though the road was still whipping by, I was clearly "home".

You're not quitting or giving up anything. You're an adult, you're allowed to smoke... but you know there's a much healthier way to get nicotine and the satisfaction of the hand to mouth habit, social aspect etc. Choose to vape, or choose to smoke.... but don't stop vaping just because you chose to have a cig. As you vape more, your body will eventually tell you that you want your nic in something that tastes clean rather than something that tastes and smells like an ashtray. It's a journey.... one step at a time will get you there.

 

[ohai]

First of all, there is absolutely nothing wrong with you. If it was easy to stop just because we know we need to, no one would smoke anymore, would they?

Give yourself time, and give yourself a chance. Try some other flavors, be adventurous, and above all, let it become something that's fun for you. If you cheat, you cheated, so what? One step backwards is not a failure, and we learn more from our mistakes sometimes than we do our successes anyway. Lots of people will go weeks without a cig, then give in and smoke one only to find they hate the taste of it after all.

Above all, stop punishing yourself, and stop judging yourself. You're doing something really hard, and you're doing it for someone you love, and I for one, think that's pretty amazing. Don't give up! It gets better, it gets easier, and it's so much fun!

 

[rosesense]

You have gotten some great advice. We are all different so I encourage you to read and try different things until you hit on what is right for you but the main thing is to just keep trying. You are never a failure if you keep trying.

My story is like so many others. Smoked for 35 years and was feeling the effects. Figured I would die smoking. Tried vaping and had equipment failure after 5 days so bought a pack of cigs. Got backup equipment and decided to try again. I still remember the panic attack about not having a pack of cigs with me but I knew if I had them, I would continue smoking them so I didn't buy more. I remember thinking, "what if I wake up in the middle of the night and don't have any? OMG" Then the voice of reason told me if that happened it was less than a mile to a store that was open all night. Decided to give it a try and thankfully, it has been over 2 years without cigs.

Hang in there because you can do it.

 

[BHam]

I struggle with that "missing" element too. I would still buy packs but smoke less because of vaping. Kinda what other people are saying, just find a juice that works for you for a "daily" vape. I have about 4 juices I use in rotation because I know I grow tired quickly and want to smoke. Just find that inner will power to put those packs down and commit to vaping. Good luck with your journey.

 

[wv2win]

The eGo is the smallest voltage battery on the market at only 3.4 volts. It's why I will never recommend them to anyone.

For most, warmer vapor (higher volt batteries) combined with 24mg nic strength eliquid provides enough similarity to the real thing to make the transition. At a minimum I would move up to a 3.7 volt model PV. But a better option would be a good 5 volt model like the GLV2 or a good variable watt/volt model. It could be all you need to make the final transition.

 

[ujack71]

when i quit smoking i decided to stay away from cigarette flavor juices, the last thing you need is a reminder of what your trying to quit

 

[LuV2SkRaTcH]

The eGo is the smallest voltage battery on the market at only 3.4 volts. It's why I will never recommend them to anyone.

For most, warmer vapor (higher volt batteries) combined with 24mg nic strength eliquid provides enough similarity to the real thing to make the transition. At a minimum I would move up to a 3.7 volt model PV. But a better option would be a good 5 volt model like the GLV2 or a good variable watt/volt model. It could be all you need to make the final transition.

I liked the ego when I used it, then I got the booster... They have the twist now, but I'm guessing she tried vaping before all the newer stuff came out. If it's all you have try getting some 1.5 ohm attys or cartos... Did it for me until I tried the booster to decided if an upgrade to VV APVs is something I'd enjoy. I recommend them simply because it worked for me, and I still use it from time to time when I first taste my eliquids.

 

[Briar]

Here is another perspective:

You need to take a hard look at yourself, and decide what kind of person you are, and what works for *you*, because it may not be the same as with everyone else.

For some folks, discipline and "pushing through" works best. For me, it didn't. I resented it. I felt like I was fighting with myself all the time, and it stressed me out, and the more I was stressed, the more I wanted a cig, and the more I hated myself, and on and on. With my first attempt at vaping three years ago, it got so bad that I was smoking more than I ever did, trying to vape at the same time ("trying" because back then the equipment was no-where near as user-friendly as it is now), and falling into a major depression episode.

So the second time around I took a totally different approach. I just focused on enjoying vaping. Getting some toys, finding really good liquids, reading this forum a lot and meeting new people, "window-shopping" at all the cool Internet stores. Watching the reviews on YouTube. Just, basically, immersing myself in the culture of vaping, and really, really learning to "love the vape".

The more I did that, the less time I had to think about smoking. And, for that matter, it's sort of hard to pick up a cig when you have a purple Stardust in your mouth with a really cool purple eGo attached to it, and a totally awesome MOV CCRY4 tickling your taste buds.

You only have one mouth. If it's busy with vaping, it's not being used for smoking.

I almost hate to say it, but I'll be plain here: vaping all the time - and I mean *all* the time - is a good thing in this situation. It's also good to experiment with juices a lot - contrasting tastes, looking for interesting flavors, switching them around, whatever floats your boat, as long as you are enjoying it.

The point here is that you many not really enjoy a cig *less* - but as long as you enjoy your vape *more*, you'll reach for a PV instead of a cig *most of the time*.

And, for the rest of the time, get some WTA liquid. You can get it from Aroma e-liquids.

Let the process happen by focusing on the positive - the enjoyment of vaping, rather than focusing on the negative - quitting the analogs.

Once you are mostly vaping, you can focus on your triggers for the part of the cig habit that remains. The morning cig. The after-dinner cig. The-first-one-after-work cig. Try consciously reaching for your PV when a trigger strikes - and use the WTA juice for that. And see what happens. If you've really grown to enjoy vaping a lot - and you will, trust me, as long as you don't make an enemy out of it by picturing it as something that's forcing you to give up your bestest buddy the cig - you will find that, actually, with most of the chemicals replaced (that's what WTA is for), and with a new habit that you enjoy even more than cigs, giving up that one cig will be easy. And that's all this is about, really - just choosing to vape rather than smoke each time. And, btw, I found that most times, just three to five puffs on a WTA liquid takes care of whatever physical craving there may be. It's surprising but true. One moment you feel like you'll just die without a cig, and the next you are asking yourself: WTF was I *thinking*?..

Because you are not really giving anything up - you are *gaining* something.

Yes, it's a psychological game. And it's gradual, not heroic at all - it's just sort of letting things happen peacefully and happily, rather than getting into a violent battle with yourself. But, hey, I'd rather enjoy myself any day, than suffer. And for certain kinds of people it works great.

I think fighting an addiction can be self-defeating at times. Addiction is an obsession. By trying to quit all at once, and by fighting it, we obsess about obsession, and that may not be helpful for some folks.

Anyways, it works for me. I got to the point where I simply don't have to have a cig. Now, it's entirely my choice, and, being a control freak, and stubborn as sin, that's the key for me. I still have a pack in the house - simply to make sure that I *always* have a choice. In the past month I smoked a cig maybe two or three times. I didn't feel any particular need to pick up another one after that. And that's the greatest contrast: before, when I tried to quit with other nic replacements, if I allowed myself even one cig - forget it, I was back to square one, the cravings would just kill me.

Now I simply don't care. No pressure, no particular expectations, just chugging along happily. If I feel like having a cig, I know I can have it. But I don't *feel* like it - I like vaping a lot more. Cigs are boring, expensive, and they stink up my house, clothing, and dog.

For me this process took about, oh, maybe three months? I am not sure, but about that. Again, I wasn't focusing on counting the days, so I'm honestly not certain.

Best of luck to you. There are many ways to do this, and you'll find the one that works best for you. Vaping is the only method I know of that has a great success rate against smoking, so know that you can do it, whichever method you choose, and know that there is nothing wrong with you, and that even if you do pick up a cigarette again, it's not a failure, just a loop of the road.