I am frustrated and need help please

[cheryl58]

Hello!
My husband and I received our Joye Egos from Liberty Flights and tried them for the first time today. I thought I had read everything there was and had prepared myself to show my husband what this whole experience is all about. He did much better than I did and was actually blowing smoke rings. Me -not so good.

First we tried the cartridges that came with it (MLB-HIG). We are both Malboro smokers (me - light - 1-1/2 packs a day and my husband ultra-light - a little less than a pack a day). Then we put on drip tips and tried dripping 3 drops on the atomizer. I like that better but am finding it to be quite harsh (it was only 6 mg of nic because I am afraid of ODing-LOL). We had blown out the atomizers before we started.

So, here I sit with my ego to the left of me and my cigs to the right of me, and I have already smoked 3 analogs since trying my Ego. I think I am afraid of it!! I have about 3 cigarettes every hour and am not sure how much to puff on my Ego. I have bottles of 18 mg nic that I am afraid to even try. I know in order to quit I will need the nic but I just can't get all the "math" to what equates to what. I have probably taken about 7 puffs off of it and now am not sure what to do. I had pictured myself puffing away on this pretty much all day and half the night for a while to break the analog habit and now I am afraid of it!!

I did order the Boge LR cartomizer and the Boge standard cartomizers (one box of each for me and one box of each for hubby). I am hoping to make this as easy and painless as possible because it is way too easy to reach for "the devil I know". When you use these cartomizers, your put about 24 drops of liquid in, right? Do you have to let it sit before using it? I read where someone fills up 3 of these a night and is good to go for the next day. Do you then fill the same cartomizers up again the next night after they are empty? How do you know they are empty (before you get the burnt taste)?

Please someone help me. I am 52 years old, have smoked for 37 years, am a 5-year breast cancer survivor (I know...no lectures please), and my kids have stopped nagging me (for now) in hopes that I will quit with my Ego...it was enough for them that I had ordered it and that my husband and I were both going to do it together. Anything you can tell a newbie to make this a better experience would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[Religion]

You'll get the hang of it. My guess is that you're not vaping anywhere near often enough and 6 is pretty low mg. Don't be so scared. You'll notice the effect of the nicotine long before you get twitchy.

 

[Religion]

Sounds like you already know how to fill the cartomizers and you'll notice less vapor or a slightly off taste before the burnt taste. Relax, have some fun with it. Once you get it, it more fun than smoking.

 

[uba egar320]

Maybe try taking much slower drags on it. It sounds like you're well informed about the ins and outs of usage. You just need to jump in there. I had the same problem when I switched over. I kept hitting it like a cig. Especially when I got peeved about not getting a good drag. Keep at it, you'll get it. Good luck!

 

[Mudflap]

When you draw on it, try a soft, gentle pull.

To fill your cartos, search youtube for "carto condom fill" and you should find some decent videos for instruction. It's super easy.

At 1.5 PAD, the 18mg juice shouldn't put a hurtin' on ya unless you chain vape for a half hour or more.

Don't be nervous. Just go at your own pace and have fun with your new toys.

 

[dzlady]

Let me put your mind at ease. I usually use 24 mg nic, 4 x the amount you have. My e-cig is in my hand constantly...CONSTANTLY...and I puff of it like I'm sucking on a pacifier. It would take an extreme amount of nic to OD or poison yourself. So let that go. Where it is possible, but you'd have to have 36, 48, etc mg nic and puff on it non stop and then I think you would feel it before it got as far as OD.

You may not care for the flavor of your juice. Did you order any bottles of juice? I have about 5 flavors that I love and will not be without. And when I vape those, I vape 3-4 ml per day...of 24 mg nic.

 

[cheryl58]

Oh, I didn't get the cartomizers yet. They should be here soon. The only thing I have actually done so far is drip the 3 drops of liquid on the atomizer. When I depress the button for 1-2 seconds before I draw, it snaps, crackles and pops. Is this okay? I have read a lot about the cartomizers and I ordered those in an attempt to make this an easier break from the analogs. I know I have to find something close to my "sweet spot" before I will be able to give up the analogs. I watched every video made and read this forum through and through, but I think it is just a jumbled mess in my brain now.

 

[theKev]

I have found that less usually equals more when filling the cartomizers. If I do think that I over-fill them it usually works best to let them sit overnight and then they are good to go. I used to keep re-using the carts until I felt like it was time to replace them (no real rhyme or reason to that one). I also think based on the amount you used to smoke that you might want to up the mg to 12mg or even 18mg. When I first started vaping and stopped smoking analogs I had my ego in my hand basically 24/7. No need to be scared of anything other than feeling better! Good luck! It will get easier!!

 

[Boodle]

On the dripping, to get your atty started you'll need more than 3 drops. A fully dry atty takes 5 or 6 to get a nice vape. Do a couple of primer puffs before inhaling.

You can do this even if you just cut down on regular cigs in the beginning it's a fabulous start. Congrats to both you and your hubby. Hang in there

 

[Silverback]

Everybody is different but the suggestion about slower gentler puffing is something that you should try. I have found that you can not hit the eGo like a cig. Longer and slower works best for me. Also I have to agree that you may need to try the 18mg. That is what I started at and I have now backed it down to 6mg, but I am trying to get off the nic. And as everyone has said, you will know whne you need to put it down. It would be pretty hard to OD, your body will let you know before that.

 

[keyzygirl]

Take a deep breath.Decide that your ready for this and take it slow.You will get the hang of it.Dont get flustered,just relax and do your best.Drip,drip,puff puff.Be proud of yourself for doing this.

 

[Mudflap]

Oh, I didn't get the cartomizers yet. They should be here soon. The only thing I have actually done so far is drip the 3 drops of liquid on the atomizer. When I depress the button for 1-2 seconds before I draw, it snaps, crackles and pops. Is this okay? I have read a lot about the cartomizers and I ordered those in an attempt to make this an easier break from the analogs. I know I have to find something close to my "sweet spot" before I will be able to give up the analogs. I watched every video made and read this forum through and through, but I think it is just a jumbled mess in my brain now.

Information overload. It happens.

The snap, crackle, pop, you hear is normal. Your cartos will do that too when you get around to using them.

As I said before, go at your own pace, inhale gently and slowly, and don't stress out over it. It's a great alternative to analogs and you'll find your comfort zone if you relax a little.

 

[dzlady]

The snap, crackle and pop is the atty firing up and heating the juice. Its normal. I just got my ego tank yesterday from liberty flights. I also got about 9 bottles of juice. When I sample new juices, I use the drip method and an empty cartridge (with no filler). This gives me the best sample of the flavor. When you take a puff, you dont puff like you would a cigarette. Push the button, raise it to your lips and take a long, slow drag off of it. Let go of the button and continue to suck on it to get all the vapor out. 1 puff usually lasts me about 5-6 seconds from when I put it to my lips, to when I remove it from my lips. Be careful if you direct inhale as it might make you cough heavily. I inhale into my mouth and then into my lungs all at once.

 

[Del Boy]

Cheryl - this is brilliant. It may not seem like it but you are on the way. You've started the move away from analogs.

These are tentative steps ...sure. But they are steps. I'm so glad you posted this because there must be other people the same as you. That are suddenly nervous now the 'gear is there and ready to go. Well....we're all here now. We're all reassuring you. It's up to you now.
It sounds like you've got excellent gear. So many of us start off with fairly weak models.

Don't worry about smoking as well. Wean yourself slowly. Doesn't matter how long it takes. It'll be a short while before you realise that you prefer the tastes from your ego. Then it'll be bye bye analogs.

This is brilliant i feel like i've got a front row seat at a real live show...lol.

 

[Eclipsed1770]

When I depress the button for 1-2 seconds before I draw, it snaps, crackles and pops. Is this okay?

That's the sound of calming. Yes it means it's working. Don't worry about od'ing on the nic level. Get a glass of water to set next to you. Vaping until you don't want to pick up the real cig, but don't worry if you have one. When you have one it will feel like "why did I do that, I'm not getting the normal enjoyment I used to" That is when you know you are at the right nic level. Take long slow drags.

 

[Aras]

I had a frustrating start as well. At least you're starting with an Ego! Good unit to start with. You are definitely going to need a higher nic juice. I used to smoke full flavor cigs, 1.5 - 2 packs a day. I vape 24mg juice and 10 - 12 solid puffs gives me a good fix. Long slow drags is where it's at. You definitely need to take longer drags than a analog cig. Hard to get used to at first but, you'll learn to love it. Took me about 2 months of vaping before I stopped buying analogs. Now I can't even finish a single analog, I even tried rolling my own from a friend who had some all natural tobacco. I used to LOVE my hand rolled smokes, not so much anymore.
Keep it up, this is the right place to be if your a newb to the world of vaping.

 

[Wolf]

It is normal for an atomizer to make some noise as it vaporizes the liquid. Personally, I've not used cartomizers but I imagine filling them the night before makes starting the day easier. Screw one onto your battery and you're good to go vs. messing with juice and filling the carto when you're only half awake. Finding a flavor I liked was the hardest thing for me. I continue to add new flavors even after two years of vaping. I wish there had been an eGo when I started.

A couple to three drops shouldn't be a problem. It's always better to have a wet atty than a dry one. As for how often, whenever you feel like it . Having smoked for that many years, you are as addicted to the mechanics of smoking as you are the chemicals of combustion. The motion of hand to mouth and the inhalation of vapor in conjunction with the nicotine in your liquid has the job of making your body think it's getting the 4000+ chemicals that are inhaled from a lit cigarette. It will work! If in the process of getting used to vaping you light up a cigarette, don't be discouraged. You just need to adjust either your nicotine level or how often you pick up the eGo.

My husband uses his Silver Bullet (mod) continually. I recently got him a Phidias (box mod with bottom feed) so now he isn't trying to drip while he drives. He was a 2 pack a day smoker for the better part of 38 years. I never imagined I would get him to vape, but as of 01 April 2011 he's smoke free for 2 years.

 

[swedishfish]

Where did you get your juice? No offense to LF, I get all my supplies there but I don't like their juice at all.

My sister smoked Marlboro and I got her juice from Vapor Station- Tampa.

 

[DuncanDisordely]

Firstly, WELL DONE! You're on the path of righteousness

Don't be hard on yourself, take it slow. It's a very different draw than on a cigarette - kinda gentle and let it roll into your mouth for the best flavour development - the thing has to produce the vape so if you suck on it like a train engine then it won't keep up.

Seriously do not worry about the nicotine. Get yourself a can of coke / lump of sugar / chocolate bar / sweet thing ready and then just vape - if you start to feel dizzy or sick (you'd need to have a fair amount) then stop vaping and eat/drink your sweet thing and 15 minutes later you'll be fine.

The nicotine you receive from cigarettes is WAY higher than what you can get (on average) from a pv, so your tolerance will be high anyway. But take it slow to start with and keep an 'eye' out for any sicky feelings as that will be your warning light. (personally I doubt you will ever feel it unless you chain vape 20+mg)

Send that dead atty back to LF, they will warranty it (email/contact them first obviously!) They have a procedure for such events - remember that the warranty on atties is very short so you should test them when you get them. It does occasionally happen that an atty will arrive dead or die within seconds, they understand this.

I am proud of you and you will find all your help / advice / love on this forum

 

[DuncanDisordely]

OH.. finally, remember that the ciggies are/were giving you TSNA's as well as nicotine that your body needs to 'kick' when you move over, so expect a few (mild) cravings for the first few days. If the cravings are strong then you may not be getting much/enough nicotine, trial and error and GOOD LUCK!