I genuinely apologize...

[Myk]

Hmmmm...thanks for the advice. I have been using 36 that I get from the UK. I will definately think about lowering the nic content as I go along. I'm just glad right now that I'm satisfied today with the e-cig and didn't run back to the store for a whole carton of cigarettes. Geeez, it's so easy to just start again...and I do not want to smoke cigarettes, do not want to, ever again.

Give it a while to get over the cigarettes.
There definitely is something more to cigarettes than simple nicotine.
I switched from cigarettes to pipe smoking (not inhaled) for a couple years once and that first month was not easy, and that was with me getting all the nicotine I could stand plus everything else that goes along with burning tobacco.

 

[TBinAZ]

Give it a while to get over the cigarettes.
There definitely is something more to cigarettes than simple nicotine.
I switched from cigarettes to pipe smoking (not inhaled) for a couple years once and that first month was not easy, and that was with me getting all the nicotine I could stand plus everything else that goes along with burning tobacco.

WTA. Trust me. Try it for a bit.

 

[Myk]

WTA. Trust me. Try it for a bit.

For starsflashgordon maybe, but I don't need it.

I had about 3 days that I smoked half a cigarette in the morning. Then maybe a week where I took a few puffs of 18mg in the morning. After that it wasn't a problem.
I expected to need a few puffs of 11mg in the morning when I was going down to 5.5mg but so far haven't.

Although I want to point out that when I switched to pipe smoking and that wasn't enough to easily get over cigarettes, I was getting all the WTAs, TSNAs and everything else you can think of that burning tobacco gives. My guess is what I wasn't getting was the freebase effect cigarettes have.

 

[TBinAZ]

You really need to get your head around it. Kinda simple actually if you put some effort into it.

 

[JENerationX]

God Bless You All for not throwing me out of ECF.

No need for that. You were trying to educate... you were just slightly misinformed. Congrats on throwing that pack out right away and getting back to the vape. I was in the same position, (family tragedy, not a storm, but all the same feelings), picked up a cig, and smoked for 3 months before coming back.

Vape on dudette!

 

[Wishdog]

I'm starting to lower my nic because I like vaping like a fiend mostly.

Congrats on leaving the cigs and hitting the vapes. Any quick self help thing is usually bogus.

But, yeah, congrats.

 

[starsflashgordon]

Well, I'm down to 20 now and it's satisfying. I kind of like the idea of GRADUALLY dropping a little at a time and wait to see if I notice. If some ECFers can vape 0-5.5, that's something I'd like to accomplish...eventually. Geeez, tho, I can vape at work (but I don't since I'm just paranoid about it in front of others...) - at home, I vape a lot, enough to keep me awake too long when I try to sleep. My most trying cravings for cigs come when I get into my truck and leave work. Whoa, I loved to smoke in the truck and drive. (Dudette, I am, just a Silverado truck...cuz I own a horse...godda have a truck...) vape, vape, vape.

 

[TBinAZ]

Well, I'm down to 20 now and it's satisfying. I kind of like the idea of GRADUALLY dropping a little at a time and wait to see if I notice. If some ECFers can vape 0-5.5, that's something I'd like to accomplish...eventually. Geeez, tho, I can vape at work (but I don't since I'm just paranoid about it in front of others...) - at home, I vape a lot, enough to keep me awake too long when I try to sleep. My most trying cravings for cigs come when I get into my truck and leave work. Whoa, I loved to smoke in the truck and drive. (Dudette, I am, just a Silverado truck...cuz I own a horse...godda have a truck...) vape, vape, vape.

That's awesome in such a short time. I know what you mean about those nasty 'enablers' that habits create. Keep it going. What are you vaping now as far as juice? Inquiring minds would like to know.

 

[KDude]

I think at this point, I could quit vaping if I wanted. The nic cravings aren't as intense after awhile, and ecigs alleviate it only so much. It's a take it or leave it thing. I stick with vaping out of sheer oral fixation and curiosity/enjoyment of the ejuices out there. I'd like cut down the nic levels at a really low level, but at the same time, I like the throat hit.

 

[TBinAZ]

I think at this point, I could quit vaping if I wanted. The nic cravings aren't as intense after awhile, and ecigs alleviate it only so much. It's a take it or leave it thing. I stick with vaping out of sheer oral fixation and curiosity/enjoyment of the ejuices out there. I'd like cut down the nic levels at a really low level, but at the same time, I like the throat hit.

Very true. The nic additive is what really gives you the TH. You may want to gravitate towards the mainly VG based nic additive juices at lower levels, it may give you a more satisfying vapor output at the same time. Which is what I really like about those kinds of juices. More satisfying for my brain to get a good plume at the same time.

 

[Myk]

Well, I'm down to 20 now and it's satisfying. I kind of like the idea of GRADUALLY dropping a little at a time and wait to see if I notice. If some ECFers can vape 0-5.5, that's something I'd like to accomplish...eventually. Geeez, tho, I can vape at work (but I don't since I'm just paranoid about it in front of others...) - at home, I vape a lot, enough to keep me awake too long when I try to sleep. My most trying cravings for cigs come when I get into my truck and leave work. Whoa, I loved to smoke in the truck and drive. (Dudette, I am, just a Silverado truck...cuz I own a horse...godda have a truck...) vape, vape, vape.

If your ashtray (assuming you have one) is open I suggest either closing it or sticking your e-cig in it. My spot on the couch was my craving out of habit. I did away with all lighters and put my e-cigs were my pack sat. Cleaned my ashtray and use it as a cup holder.
Same thing with at my computer.
I still have lighters around but other than for work they're hidden from view. My work ashtray was cleaned and holds my e-cigs.
That way when my mind went looking I was able to train it to look for the e-cigs.

This was my first week with nothing but 5.5mg.
Monday, try to go to a doctor for a problem. Nurse tells me I need to go to the ER. (Note that I have panic disorder and that is directly responsible for me smoking cigarettes the last 5 of my 35 years.)
All week, get harassed by the guy I get most of my work from, first trying to micromanage me, then telling me I procrastinate, then telling me this crap load of work he took in needs to be done by Friday because he's going on another vacation. Then he tells me after the fact I have to return more scrap than was ever here to return. So we get into a big email argument. This was the day before a doctor visit so I'm already stressing as it is.
Today was the doctor. I wake up 4 hours early to sit here panicking. I don't want to waste Xanax and with 4 hours of sleep it could easily put me out to miss the appointment if taken that long before.
The only good was a good prognosis, but that was shadowed by the memory of needles (I have a major needle fear).

Talk about everything being against me. Did I want a cigarette? You bet. I cussed my roommate under my breath for leaving his pack sitting right by where I walk. But I didn't.
I still have a tank of 11mg sitting here but I didn't vape it. I think I'll replace it with 5.5mg since I could make it through this week OK.

 

[TBinAZ]

If your ashtray (assuming you have one) is open I suggest either closing it or sticking your e-cig in it. My spot on the couch was my craving out of habit. I did away with all lighters and put my e-cigs were my pack sat. Cleaned my ashtray and use it as a cup holder.
Same thing with at my computer.
I still have lighters around but other than for work they're hidden from view. My work ashtray was cleaned and holds my e-cigs.
That way when my mind went looking I was able to train it to look for the e-cigs.

This was my first week with nothing but 5.5mg.
Monday, try to go to a doctor for a problem. Nurse tells me I need to go to the ER. (Note that I have panic disorder and that is directly responsible for me smoking cigarettes the last 5 of my 35 years.)
All week, get harassed by the guy I get most of my work from, first trying to micromanage me, then telling me I procrastinate, then telling me this crap load of work he took in needs to be done by Friday because he's going on another vacation. Then he tells me after the fact I have to return more scrap than was ever here to return. So we get into a big email argument. This was the day before a doctor visit so I'm already stressing as it is.
Today was the doctor. I wake up 4 hours early to sit here panicking. I don't want to waste Xanax and with 4 hours of sleep it could easily put me out to miss the appointment if taken that long before.
The only good was a good prognosis, but that was shadowed by the memory of needles (I have a major needle fear).

Talk about everything being against me. Did I want a cigarette? You bet. I cussed my roommate under my breath for leaving his pack sitting right by where I walk. But I didn't.
I still have a tank of 11mg sitting here but I didn't vape it. I think I'll replace it with 5.5mg since I could make it through this week OK.

Have you truly talked about these anxious feelings,the Xanax 'addiction' (just me talking here), and the fear of needles with your doc? It sounds like there is a multitude of things going on here to me. One thing masks another thing. Once you break through all of that you WILL feel better. Trust me. Been there. If your doc doesn't respond the way you feel is right, then go shopping. There are alternatives out there who are truly willing to help as long as you fess up.

 

[Myk]

Have you truly talked about these anxious feelings,the Xanax 'addiction' (just me talking here), and the fear of needles with your doc? It sounds like there is a multitude of things going on here to me. One thing masks another thing. Once you break through all of that you WILL feel better. Trust me. Been there. If your doc doesn't respond the way you feel is right, then go shopping. There are alternatives out there who are truly willing to help as long as you fess up.

Xanax addiction? Anxious feeling???
Not only do people with real Panic Disorder tend to not get addicted to Xanax (just like epileptics don't have a problem with Klonopin), it's a lot more than feeling anxious.
You seriously think averaging 1 pill a month of the smallest dose is an addiction?

The doctor I had that thought a little talk therapy was all it takes set me back many months after Xanax and exposure therapy got me able to go to the store without being drugged. In fact if the first doctors I had seen about this after Panic Disorder was known had simply given me a few Xanax to break the cycle instead of messing with my brain chemistry while leaving me in a state of panic for months I probably would've been able to get over it by now.

You may have BTDT for anxious feelings but you haven't BTDT for a genetic predisposition to panic from very young childhood which has turned into Panic Disorder and lead to agoraphobia so bad you couldn't even go out to your own garden.
Genetics Of Fear: Specific Genetic Variations Contribute To Anxiety Disorders, Study Suggests

I have good reason for my dental fear and I'm guessing I earned my needle fear by being a kid who spent a lot of time in hospitals pretending to be a pin cushion.

 

[mol]

it happens no big deal

 

[Racehorse]

Karen,
Another storm scaredy-cat here LOL people who don't live in tornado alley don't know what a "storm" is at least not the kind we are talking about.

BTW, Alan Carr's book is a must-read, IMHO. Best one ever written. It's a classic, and actually, you can use what is in the book with other things, not just cigs, too. I must've given out at least 10 of those as a gift over the years.

 

[TBinAZ]

Xanax addiction? Anxious feeling???
Not only do people with real Panic Disorder tend to not get addicted to Xanax (just like epileptics don't have a problem with Klonopin), it's a lot more than feeling anxious.
You seriously think averaging 1 pill a month of the smallest dose is an addiction?

The doctor I had that thought a little talk therapy was all it takes set me back many months after Xanax and exposure therapy got me able to go to the store without being drugged. In fact if the first doctors I had seen about this after Panic Disorder was known had simply given me a few Xanax to break the cycle instead of messing with my brain chemistry while leaving me in a state of panic for months I probably would've been able to get over it by now.

You may have BTDT for anxious feelings but you haven't BTDT for a genetic predisposition to panic from very young childhood which has turned into Panic Disorder and lead to agoraphobia so bad you couldn't even go out to your own garden.
Genetics Of Fear: Specific Genetic Variations Contribute To Anxiety Disorders, Study Suggests

I have good reason for my dental fear and I'm guessing I earned my needle fear by being a kid who spent a lot of time in hospitals pretending to be a pin cushion.

Sorry, Myk. Didn't mean to ruffle with my reply. You didn't provide all that extra info. Was just trying to help.

 

[Myk]

Sorry, Myk. Didn't mean to ruffle with my reply. You didn't provide all that extra info. Was just trying to help.

I realize that and figure you had a problem with Xanax or love someone who had a problem with it. But it literally saved my life.
I have taken it daily for weeks solid when I was bad agoraphobic and then went to as needed without issue. A panic person (friend of my sister's) was on Paxil and Xanax daily for years and once she decided she didn't need it she dropped them both instantly, no stepping down, no withdrawal (even I was amazed about that). Until I figured group therapy was giving me more things to panic about I was on a panic forum and the lack of addiction is very common.

This new doctor was good. We didn't go into too much detail about panic because I'm having a more important cancer scare right now but he did recommend I stay with the Xanax. If he will write out the prescription (instead of my dentist, the old insurance was odd) I will be more free to get back to exposure therapy along with the negative self-talk correction.
He didn't know about hyperthyroidism causing panic disorder/hypothyroidism causing general anxiety disorder but ordered the test when I asked. This really should've been the first thing those other doctors did along with giving Xanax to stop the panic.

 

[Caridwen]

Karen,
Another storm scaredy-cat here LOL people who don't live in tornado alley don't know what a "storm" is at least not the kind we are talking about.

BTW, Alan Carr's book is a must-read, IMHO. Best one ever written. It's a classic, and actually, you can use what is in the book with other things, not just cigs, too. I must've given out at least 10 of those as a gift over the years.

I agree with that. I have known people that have quit reading his book. I wasn't one of them, but I have known people that have.

Glad to see you back!

 

[amerirish44]

Welcome back..never a quitter till you stop trying .."dudette"..be well and thanks for the heads up...i'm new at this too...