I am having a dreadful time

[PapawBrett]

I think in your original post you stated you wanted to know how other people have beaten a problem similar to yours. Answer; Fear. I smoked 1 1/2- 2 packs a day for 40 years. My wife of 27 years also smoked, until she was diagnosed with cancer and had the top lobe of her right lung removed two years ago. This is a woman who has never called in sick, healthy as a horse, and then she's lying in a hospital with a tube in her back. Even that wasn't enough to get me to quit though I tried the gums, lozenges and patches. Six weeks ago the company nurse was doing her annual poking and prodding when she said, "I can hear some damage in your lower lungs." I have three grown kids and seven wonderful grandchildren, and I'm not ready to say good-bye to any of them. I began vaping six weeks ago, quiting the cigs immediatly. For the first several days the withdrals were violent enought to actualy turn me sideways in my chair. But those symptoms are behind me now. I refuse to vape tobacco flavors, that's not the idea. The Idea is to find something I will enjoy OTHER THAN tobacco. I've found a taste for sweet vapes, and I am truly thankful for all the help and support the wonderful poeple here at ECF have given me. That's how I did it, maybe this story will help you. I leave you with the words of Winston Churchill; Never Give Up. Never, never Give Up. Never, never, never Give Up !

 

[MikenGA]

PapawBrett, You brought a tear to my eye~! GOOD for you finding something "OTHER THAN" tobacco.

It's absolutely amazing (to me) that I was finally able to quit a 32+ year - 2 PAD - addiction...nothing else worked for me...EVER!

I'm just over 10 months vaping exclusively, and TODAY I was accepted for health insurance as a NON-SMOKER, even though I told them in advance that I'm a vaper. I'm really tickled by it.

From 24mg eLiquid, I'm now somewhere between 6mg and '0' nic, not because I'm 'trying' to cut down, but because my body is adjusting to lower nic, all by itself. It's definitely getting easier than ever to know I'll NEVER be a smoker again.

We live in a GOOD time, where we HAVE all these cool PV options and flavors available: No doubt, they are helping a lot of us to make healthier, life promoting decisions.

WE are GOING to SUCCEED THIS TIME, because we CAN! Keeping you and wifey in my prayers, along with Hunters Friend, and all the rest of ya!

I'm enjoying this thread.

 

[PapawBrett]

That's Right, MikenGA, Stay Positive and Appreciate the Opprotunities we have ! Great approach to anything in life !

 

[dnakr]

Even though stories like this make me cry, I love reading them, because there is hope... Congrats to both of you..

PapawBrett, sending thoughts and prayers to you and your wife. Congrats to being cigarette free.

MikenGA, I bet you feel awesome to be considered a non-smoker .... Congrats...

It is amazing how addicted we were to these things. I watched my dad die in 2005 because of cigarettes. It was a slow and painful death, and it still was not enough for me to even try to quit. Granted e-cigs were not available in 2005, but other products were. Still I did not try.

In 2007 when they became available here, I wanted to try them to see if I could cut back. Within 3 days of trying them, I was cigarette free. That was almost 5 years ago.

 

[36 Years Later]

Are you sure you are not confusing cartridges or cartos with tanks? Tanks hold MORE than CE3's.

I am really confused about eGO threading. They have 510's, and they seem to have something eGo-only? They are certainly not 808!

510 is a type of threading, the interface. Mini-batteries (cigarette-sized) come in 510 and 808 both. Big batteries come in those two + ego (I guess) + some more kinds. Most people call the cigarette-sized batteries "minis" so you probably have a half-zillion 510 minis.

If your smaller 510's are automatic, I'm finding it difficult to make some of the bigger things work on automatics because they are really designed to work with buttons. (I have big and small autos and manuals i.e. button-controlled) -- but my roommate is happily using a mini-ViVi Nova from GotVapes on a little 510 automatic. She loves it.

Well, the vapor is better on a bigger battery but the ViVi Novas are threaded 510, and like I said, my roommate likes that combo.

My batteries are definitely 510's - the long ones or XL. Thankfully, I only started with a couple of automatics before going with the manuals. I did indeed and do have the tanks - 510-T. I know that Ego's have the same thread, just trying to find bigger tanks, preferably Clearomizers that will work the 510 batteries. I'm going to try a Vivi Nova. I do LOVE the CE3's so far, and am finding the "Stardusts" too cool of a vape, wish it was warmer. So far, the CE4+ Stardusts are very portable and don't leak, unlike the CE3's...

 

[36 Years Later]

Are you sure you are not confusing cartridges or cartos with tanks? Tanks hold MORE than CE3's.

Sorry, I forgot. The 510-T tanks hold maybe .5 ml and the CE3 holds almost 3 times that.

 

[JudeD]

Sorry, I forgot. The 510-T tanks hold maybe .5 ml and the CE3 holds almost 3 times that.

What they call tanks with the 510-T is what most people on here call plastic cartridges or carts. That's where the confusion comes in. When people on here say tanks, they are talking about a plastic or glass cylinder that has a cartomizer in the center (with holes punched near the bottom) and the tank surrounding it keeps a constant flow of juice on the cartomizer. Those tanks hold a lot more juice than the plastic tank/cart that works with the 510-T. I know that vendors call the cartridges on the 510-T a tank system, but calling it that on here will just have a lot of people scratching their heads instead of giving you good advice.

If you are looking for a warmer vape with the Stardusts, you might want to try an Ego Twist. You can crank the voltage up a bit and warm the vapor up at will.

 

[Berylanna]

Sorry, I forgot. The 510-T tanks hold maybe .5 ml and the CE3 holds almost 3 times that.

Well, I'm too new to say this for sure but they sound kinda misnamed. But my tanks are Phiniac and Valley Vapes.

Now I have to look up CE4+, you really got my attention there. I get some leaking iwth CE3's (not too much if I'm careful) and more with the clearomizers that are kind-of Stardust-like. Funny, the clearos only leak when the barometric pressure drops, so if we get a hot week I'm good.

 

[MikenGA]

...MikenGA, I bet you feel awesome to be considered a non-smoker ...

Since it has NEVER happened before, it feels really strange, but "awesome" is a word I'll take! Thank you

I watched my dad die in 2005 because of cigarettes. It was a slow and painful death, and it still was not enough for me to even try to quit. Granted e-cigs were not available in 2005, but other products were.

So sorry you had to go through that. I did the same with my dad in 2007.

We can't kick ourselves too much about not trying to quit at those times. Previous experience with Chantix, nicorette and Webutrin had already proven they were ineffective for me. However, like you, I did eventually discover the ecig in August 2009. UNlike you, it took me another TWO years to find the combination of hardware/juice that allowed me to succeed.

Wouldn't it have been great if we had these things when our dad's still had time to learn about them. I reckon that's my greatest regret.

 

[John D in CT]

Wouldn't it have been great if we had these things when our dad's still had time to learn about them. I reckon that's my greatest regret.

Please don't ever regret a thing. My father died from smoking in 1987 at the age of 66, and I just make a point of loving him every day, and being eternally grateful that I had the pleasure and honor of knowing him.

He's also my main motivation for helping people conquer smoking - so he saves lives long after he left. That's just the kind of guy he was.

 

[36 Years Later]

What they call tanks with the 510-T is what most people on here call plastic cartridges or carts. That's where the confusion comes in. When people on here say tanks, they are talking about a plastic or glass cylinder that has a cartomizer in the center (with holes punched near the bottom) and the tank surrounding it keeps a constant flow of juice on the cartomizer. Those tanks hold a lot more juice than the plastic tank/cart that works with the 510-T. I know that vendors call the cartridges on the 510-T a tank system, but calling it that on here will just have a lot of people scratching their heads instead of giving you good advice.

If you are looking for a warmer vape with the Stardusts, you might want to try an Ego Twist. You can crank the voltage up a bit and warm the vapor up at will.

I can understand that, the tanks are quite small, but I didn't want a cartomizer because of the polyfill. To this day, I haven't tried a cart. Looked here on the forum for other tank style things that would work with the 510's and found some ideas. I've been thinking of getting a twist - I do have a couple of regular Ego batteries and on the Stardusts the vape is the same as the 510's.

 

[36 Years Later]

Now I have to look up CE4+, you really got my attention there. I get some leaking iwth CE3's (not too much if I'm careful) and more with the clearomizers that are kind-of Stardust-like. Funny, the clearos only leak when the barometric pressure drops, so if we get a hot week I'm good.

I've been using the CE4+ (Stardust) for a week now. No leaking and I am finally cleaning it as we speak. The CE3's are definitely hit and miss, but I love the flavor and vape when they're working. I've had worse luck traveling with them. Every time I take them somewhere, one of them ends up leaking out. The Stardust may be a better option away from the house.

 

[dragonladee]

I loved the taste and smell of analogs too. Every time I had tried to quit before, that is what got me-I'd walk past someone else smoking and catch of whiff of it and that was all it took for me to give in. Now that it has been over a year when I get around other smokers I get the eye/nose burn and it isn't pleasant at all.

I had zero expectations for vaping. I tried it to appease my husband who nagged me relentlessly to quit.....he'd worked with someone who vaped and raved about it, so I researched and ordered an 808 kit. To my surprise I loved it and was very lucky to hit on something I enjoyed right away.

That being said I have tried hardware and juices I hated since. I can easily see how if I had ordered those things first I would not have been successful right off the bat. The hardware is tricky but research and advice can lead you to the right setup-juices, however, are way harder because taste is subjective and there are SO many. If you don't LOVE what you are vaping, you can't blame yourself for not sticking with it! IMO you haven't failed until you stop trying-and you're still here.

I just wanted to say hang in there and I hope you have found your vaping nirvana

 

[GunHed70]

We can all understand what your going through. I quit smoking and started vaping four months ago, and have not smoked since. I'm not bragging, it is tough. I still crave a cigarette from time to time but it lasts only for a moment and then I'm fine! Try breaking away from habits that involved smoking, like coffee and a smoke, or when people you know go on smoke breaks don't go with them for a while. These things helped for me and now my only problem is ordering my favorite e-juices from so many different suppliers. I always look at the good things about quitting, i no longer have to go outside to smoke, i don't stink, which the ladies seem to like, no more ash and smoke in the eyes, the money i spend on vaping is way less than smoking, and also i want to live a little bit longer. You've got friends in this community, PLEASE don't give up!

 

[MiamiMom63]

Thanks, the faith is easy to keep with this group. They have a lot more faith in me than I in myself.

But, have to say - without the advice received here - I am certain I would have failed again. Especially on the eGo twist. Quite frankly my wife was a little miffed that I bought something ahhhhh-gain...

(Almost feel like Tim the Tool Time Man - No no really honey, this is really going to do the trick!)

In the end she capitulated and said the same things as before - if it helps she is all for it. Learning about all the other gizmos and jargon helps too.

Thanks for the shout out.

Mike

I'm sort of glad I'm not married because I don't think my spouse would put up with all my mods and juices and DIY stuff! LOL. OMG! I guess I will have to marry a vaper if I ever marry again. LMAO.

 

[John D in CT]

We can all understand what your going through. I quit smoking and started vaping four months ago, and have not smoked since. I'm not bragging, it is tough. I still crave a cigarette from time to time but it lasts only for a moment and then I'm fine! Try breaking away from habits that involved smoking, like coffee and a smoke, or when people you know go on smoke breaks don't go with them for a while. These things helped for me and now my only problem is ordering my favorite e-juices from so many different suppliers. I always look at the good things about quitting, i no longer have to go outside to smoke, i don't stink, which the ladies seem to like, no more ash and smoke in the eyes, the money i spend on vaping is way less than smoking, and also i want to live a little bit longer. You've got friends in this community, PLEASE don't give up!

Welcome to the forum, and congratulations on your success against the deadly grip of cigarettes.

Can you please tell us what equipment you're using? I firmly believe that variable voltage helps people get off and stay off of cigarettes, and that particular attachments can make a huge difference as well.

 

[Chookychuck]

Yes, it has been incredible all the support from everyone here - both on the board and the PMs.

Hey Mike, Hope ur doing good & closer to off the analogs ... Have u at least cut back, i hadnt seen a post in a while and i wanted to say my thoughts are with u

 

[voipblaster]

I'm sorry to hear about how difficult it is for you. Well done for trying though! You will be able to do it! Perhaps trying a stronger nicotine content and various vendors for e-liquid? It can be challenging finding something which tastes great!

 

[edensin]

Hi Mike, what a great story. I appreciate your struggles as I had many as well. I was on again, off again. Mostly vaping, but when I got completely frustrated I would buy a pack of smokes and do one or two a day to keep me sane, or so I thought. I laughed out loud at your comment regarding keeping some smokes nearby just in case, "I was abusing it like a pinata at a Cinco De Mayo party." haha. Loved it. I discovered that if they were there, I would smoke em, so I knew I had to toss em and commit myself to vaping.
After 2 years of this I logged in here recently to find I had gotten an invite to a local meet up that was happening the very next day. I thought why not, I have read and read and read (so much to read!)and still don't feel I am completely getting it. So off I went and I kid you not in 10 minutes one very nice fellow gave me so much insight as to what I was doing wrong I came home and started from scratch. Got myself a vtube, a tank, a bunch of back up batteries and assundry other toys and gave myself time to figure them out.
I also decided to spend more time here actually participating and researching and watching all those great videos explaining how to do pretty much everything.
Anyway, things are tons better now, although I do have to be careful not to over do, when I am vaping tons I scale down the nic level to compensate, otherwise I have freaky dreams and hot flashes...egads!
Reminds me gotta drink more water.
Keep on keeping on! You gotta have that convention!

 

[bluemillion]

When I first started vaping, I noticed that no matter how much I did it, I still wanted a real cigarette. I even snuck and smoked at the same time. Then I did a little research. With a regular cigarette, the nicotine isn't the only chemical that you are addicted to. Other are over 4000 chemicals in a regular cigarette. When you start vaping, you are getting the nicotine, but you may feel like something is "missing". That is the addiction to the other chemicals in cigarettes. If you persevere and can avoid them for about 2 weeks, you should be able to vape and not really care about smoking any more. At least that's how it worked out for me. Hope this helps.