Help please...new vaper struggling

[Joanne75]

Help! I’m a new vaper (since June 20). After the first few days, I was able to give up cigs entirely (I was a 1 PAD smoker) with no problems whatsoever. I quickly dropped from 18mg to 12mg to 6mg and a few days ago, was considering buying 3mg juice. Part of me was thrilled with how easy it was (no withdrawals, no cravings—basically I didn’t even think about cigs), and the other part of me was waiting for the other shoe to drop; I’ve tried quitting in the past with gum, patch, and cold turkey, and I remember how hellish it was--so I was not really ready to believe it was going to be this “easy”.

The past couple of days I’d been feeling as though the 6mg wasn’t quite cutting it, so I stepped it up to 9mg and then to 12mg….but really, I felt OK…just felt kind of like I needed a little more nic. But then today, for the first time, I had a full blown nic fit. The morning went fine, vaping at 9mg on my normal schedule. Went out for my vape break at lunch as per usual. Then, about ½ hour ago, it struck out of the blue. I wanted a cigarette worse than ever—the craving reminded me of a time when I wasn’t able to smoke for 12+ hours (plane flight) and how I felt the minute I stepped off the plane. It felt like I wanted to just throttle someone…anxious, shaky, well…you all know the feeling, I’m sure.

Luckily I had a little bottle of 18mg on me, so I loaded up the tank and went outside. Vaped for about 15 minutes…and while it got me through it, it didn’t truly extinguish the craving. I now feel like I’m able to deal with the craving, but it’s still there.

This is somewhat disheartening for me, because I felt like I was on a really good trajectory…and also because one of the things I love about vaping (as opposed to other ways of quitting) is that I don’t feel angry, anxious, irriatable…and I hate feeling that way.
Is it normal that this is happening?? Especially given how smoothly it had been going?? I really don’t want to “fail” with this attempt…

 

[RIMP]

we all go thru different things It sounds like you tried to step your nic down pretty fast. If it takes 18 or 24mg to keep you off of cigs it's okay. Just keep at it. It will get easier

 

[GaG8tor]

Probably not the nicotine you're withdrawing from rather the other toxins. I felt the same way. Like it was just too easy or too good to be true. I'd say it's probably normal. You could have dropped your nic level down too fast. I've been vaping for 7 months now and went down to 9 but now back up to 16-18.

 

[RIMP]

I tried dropping to 12mg and found it didn't satisfy me. I usually vape 18mg and it keeps me happy

 

[Joanne75]

Thanks!

The thing is, I was dropping the nic level because I felt like it was too much (I was getting headachey and a little nauseous). I was actually worried that maybe I was dropping too fast, but I was going with what my body was telling me. I am definitely OK with vaping higher levels, but I guess what is most concerning to me is why I was doing OK at lower levels and now I seem to be going in the opposite direction.

 

[Marisela Sol Maldonado]

I've been vaping for almost a year (August 23rd) and I still have those fits...I think its not so much the nicotine, I think its the habit and chemicals that your mind/body want. Keep on it and you can do it! If my mother of over 30 years smoker can do it so can you!

 

[LJFinFLA]

Hi Joanne.

Even though I'm a new member to ECF. I have been vaping steady now for 10 months. This is my 3rd attempt at stopping the cigs through vaping and now it seems to be lasting. I too had major cravings as well, and like a dope I went back to the cigs. I had been a 2 pack a day smoker. It's never easy to get rid of a bad habit like smoking. This time around, every time I had a craving, I grabbed my e-cig and vaped. Eventually the cravings will stop. Like Lee stated it's probably something else you crave and not the nicotine. Keep at it it will pass. Good Luck and stay strong!

 

[Harlen]

Hello
I'm working on getting off nicotine but it is a slow road started at 36mg down to 8mg it's ben 14 months for me , tried to do it fast and had a lot of stress over it then started to cut back slowly slowly will take longer but one day I will be off nicotine .
Best wishes
H

 

[anna117]

The headache and nausea could be from dehydration instead of the nicotine. I had that problem. Upped my water intake and felt much better. Hang in there!

 

[CreepyLady]

Hi and Welcome to ECF Congrats on the quit!

Follow what your body tells you and dont be discouraged if you move back up. What helps many is keeping a tank of one or 2 steps higher nicotine around for those angsty moments that come (they tend to get fewer and far between the longer it is that you avoid smokes thankfully!) another helpful resource can be WTA eliquid (Whole Tobacco Alkaloid) My SO had about 6 weeks in - well, basically a total epic meltdown. Fortunately he didnt give in and smoke, he stuck with it and some super helpful folks here on ECF directed me to consider getting him a WTA - and it was definitely what he needed. I was fortunate to have less frequent/intense episodes than he did, but there were a few occasions that I went to it myself- and it really helped to satisfy the "I HAVE TO SMOKE" antsy, crazy, compulsive feeling.

It may or may not be what you are missing- but couldnt hurt to try it

Good luck and happy vaping!

 

[Enoch777]

Much agreed with all the replies!

Hang in there. As light a smoker as I was it still took me a good 6 months to switch completely and find my happy spot. What setup do you use? It could be that a better one (that provides more satisfying TH) could curb the cravings and help prevent a nic-fit inspired vapeathon. Not that there's anything wrong with that, AT LEAST YOU'RE VAPING!!!

I started off somewhat similar, at 18mg then down to 6mg and then 4mg. I realized I was craving cigs again one day being around friends who smoke, despite getting better at rebuilding. This was around last December. I ordered 12mg and couldn't have been more happy with my setup and overall vape. It was perfect and I could definitely tell.

Sure it seems nice to drop as low as you can but it may not always be necessary or even beneficial. If your ultimate goal is to ween down and drop your nic levels until you're vaping 0mg, go for it!

Just make sure you're getting a good vape that keeps you from smoking before you attempt to drop down another level. Honestly I think that's more important, at least for the time being.

Stay strong, vape on!

 

[LondonGirl]

Lee's probably right about it being the other chemcals. They'll all take different amounts of time to leave your system and everyone reacts differently anyway. You did exactly the right thing stepping up the nicotine and vaping through your cravings. This is very normal, but it will pass eventually. Stick at it, and get yourself a few more bottles of 18mg for times like this.

 

[Flyfisher]

I had a similar experience with the cravings so i vaped more and more but turns out it was dehydration i drink double the water i was drinking and the cravings have not come back once. I am new to vaping 3-4 months but i feel like i have come a long way I started out with 18mg and within the first month had to step down to 12 mg and then 9mg this week i am at 3-6mg and feeling great. i also found that the more vape your atty produces the more it satisfies the cravings i went from a ce4 with a 650mah to a vamo v5 with a aspire nautilus and that made the world of a difference since the vamo nautilus no cravings.

 

[zoiDman]

Thanks!

The thing is, I was dropping the nic level because I felt like it was too much (I was getting headachey and a little nauseous). I was actually worried that maybe I was dropping too fast, but I was going with what my body was telling me. I am definitely OK with vaping higher levels, but I guess what is most concerning to me is why I was doing OK at lower levels and now I seem to be going in the opposite direction.

I takes a little Time to find what Nicotine Level works Best. And what Works for One Person May or May Not work for Another.

I think the Key when you First Switch to e-Cigarettes is to not Take your Time. There is No Rush.

Drink a Lot of Water. Get a Little Exercise. You will be Fine.

 

[Jaylah]

Yup, dehydration and the fact that smokers are addicted to a lot more than just the nicotine in cigarettes.

 

[Lurch]

Hang in there! It gets better!
I typically use 12mg nicotine but I DYI and make some at 9mg. For those tough days, I make sure I am carrying 12mg.

 

[ryan in nashville]

Like others have said, I like to have a variety of different strengths around. I have some 24, 18, and 12mg sample bottle that MBV has thrown into a few orders. For days when I just have enough time to vape for a few minutes between things, I fill with 24. If I'm going to be chain vaping, I use the 18 or mix a little 24 with a little 12. If I'm just vaping because I'm watching a movie or hanging out I'll mix half 24 and half 12mg.

One of my other friends that turned me on to vaping started at 24+, uses 18 daily, but keeps a bottle of 24 at home for those really rough days. Think of it this way, some days you need a little more coffee/caffeine to get the day started, some you need less. Your body will tell you what it wants/needs.

Either way, YOU'RE NOT SMOKING!

 

[DeloresRose]

Thanks!

The thing is, I was dropping the nic level because I felt like it was too much (I was getting headachey and a little nauseous). I was actually worried that maybe I was dropping too fast, but I was going with what my body was telling me. I am definitely OK with vaping higher levels, but I guess what is most concerning to me is why I was doing OK at lower levels and now I seem to be going in the opposite direction.

If you need the higher nic but you get a little head ache, please drink water. I heard it here, but honestly I'm a huge water drinker so I at first thought I had to be drinking enough. But even so, I drank half a bottle and poof, the head ache went away within minutes. I have a history of migraine, and I thought I knew it all, lol.

I have been vaping for just over nine months, and it took about 8 months to get down to 6mg. I still at times need a little more, and I have 12 and 18 for those times. I quit quickly and easily, as you did, but did crave cigs for a couple weeks. I'd give in and take a puff - which tasted awful and actually helped me quit.

Sounds like you are well on your way to never craving an analog!

 

[realsis]

Your doing really well. Don't worry so much about dropping your nicotine leels right now. You want to be comfortable and not have cravings
For some very little nicotine will do, for others like me a larger amount is necessary. Find your comfortable place. For me, that's 24mg. I was a two pack a day smoker. So 24 works perfectly for now. Remember you can always drop your levels later after you get through the initial withdraw. Congratulations on quitting!

 

[edyle]

Thanks!

The thing is, I was dropping the nic level because I felt like it was too much (I was getting headachey and a little nauseous). I was actually worried that maybe I was dropping too fast, but I was going with what my body was telling me. I am definitely OK with vaping higher levels, but I guess what is most concerning to me is why I was doing OK at lower levels and now I seem to be going in the opposite direction.

I dropped very fast when I first started also BUT, I kept a small tank of 24mg cuban cigar for when I felt a craving, but my main tank was usually 0mg.

Nowadays I buy only 24mg pg-only and dilute it with vg down to 6mg.