I want a cigarette

[jeffree]

I like your honesty and openness, TJ. I'll join the pack's thoughts here about nic levels and such. In general, I've managed to stay off cigs for nearly a year by A) keeping my nic level at 18 since the start and B) spending the money to have plenty of batts and cartos everywhere I might need them. (V4L likes that part.) I don't even refill cartos--I keep everything ridiculously easy so that I have no excuses.

When I think of the hassles and costs associated with smoking cigs and serious disease, I decided early on not to worry about nic levels or a few extra bucks, and all's been working out so far. Might be worth a try. Whatever, good luck to you. Keep us posted, TJ. I'm sending you good vibes.

 

[CSR]

I also agree - kick up the nic level and try to lose the guilt - just have a cig and go on vaping
good luck

 

[Luma]

grab some 36mg. you will forget about that cig lol. I hit a 36 twice the other night and I was like "F cigarettes! OMG!"

The more you think about it, the more you will crave. Just remember bro, you have better s**t to do than smoke a cig. No worries. Just forget about it. I have been there and I just shrug it off. The phase passes easily if you actually just dont care and dont entertain the thoughts and cravings. Stay busy.

 

[Sallyem]

Close your eyes....try to relax....and take ten DEEP breaths....slowly. It really helps.

 

[StormFinch]

A head rush from a cigarette means you aren't getting the amount you need from your vaping. Nicotine by itself isn't much more detrimental to your health than caffeine. Like everyone else says, raise your nic levels.

We've just dropped into winter, the days are shorter, there's less sunshine, it's likely that it's effecting you. If you aren't already, start taking 2000 IUs of a vitamin D3 supplement every day. A lot of us are D deficient in the winter and have no idea.

 

[Davo]

Ditto to all... UP that NIC LEVEL!!!!!!! I've been vaping over a year and I'm only to 8mg; I have some 4s but that's what I do, go down a notch and check the affect and go back and forth to I can handle the lower level... it takes time for the body to adjust. I have had a few drags once in awhile, but it only serves to remind me how bad smoking cigarettes are (I was a 30year + 1.5 pack/day guy), tastes like crap and stinks to high heaven. And I forgot who mentioned, if you're getting a rush from the cig... here's your sign, you need more nic from you PV. At 4 to 5 months, you're well on your way, no worries, you know what to do...

 

[dormouse]

I found some flavors leave me feeling like I ate (and wanting an analog). I have to just not do those flavors as regular vapes. I found a flavor that leaves me physically and emotionally satisfied and it works well for me most of the time. Some people suggest having a flavor with higher TH and/or higher nic for those times when you just need more.

Re the analogs - I know I've only been vaping 2 weeks but I was a 1.5 PAD smoker for decades. I got in a jam the other evening with no charged batteries (and I don't own a PT) so I had one analog while my batteries charged a bit. The analog was absolutely disgusting. It may have helped that they were harsh analogs anyway (Pall Mall orange) and not my old favorites that got too expensive. But really it tasted hot and gross and chemically. I had no desire to smoke another. Just wanted my battery charged enough to use it!

 

[topdown67]

It's been 1-1/2 months since I started vaping and hadn't had a cigarette since (until last night that is). Last night I had a particularly strong after dinner craving and had one of my wife's ciggs - Nasty - I had 3 or 4 puffs and out it went. As far as nic levels go, I started at 18/24 and am down to 4/8 already - I've still got 24 juice that makes my head spin (I was an ultra-light smoker).

 

[TJQ86]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I did have 2 last night and I am not feeling anymore guilt. Lol it was funny because after all this time vaping it felt so weird smoking a cig and holding it..but after, I started vaping with my PT, I have some 24mg freebies(thanks v4l) laying around and it felt good to vape. I am going to vape what I have stockpiled until I can get my regular order in with HIGHER nic. I will admit, I probably did go down from 36 too fast! thanks guys for all the good posts!

 

[poisonette]

I too dropped too fast. Went from 16mg to 8mg in a short time thinking I can quit this too. But I'm up to 24mg now. AND I've had a few cigs, had 2 last night just as an experiment. I don't feel guilty about it, I still have my PV with me now. I still have cigs left and it's up to me whether I use my PV or light up.
I guess my views on vaping have changed a little over these few months. They make a GREAT alternative to analogs but it's ultimatly the user who choses if it's a quitting method.

For anyone: Never view a relapse as a failure. Use it as a learning experience.

 

[moseng]

Geez, I'm at a month with no cigs and all this no guilt talk is making me want one, LOL! Lucky for me I have some strong juice and 6 volts ready to go.

 

[biidaaban]

We went to a casino yesterday for the 1st time since quitting. The last bastion of smokers in MN. i think the only time it bothered me was when i was sitting next to my brother and his smoke was blowing into my face. Not his fault, just the way the air was moving. i was good, didn't cough and start waving at the air the way some ex smokers do. He was worried we'd become nasty ex smokers like my mom did. But we realize that everyone has to quit in their own way and when they are ready (or smoke for life). We loved smoking and besides my husband's health concerns, we mainly quit because we were tired of being outcasts in our own country.

When i got home, my new V4L kit was there and any cravings or concerns i had went away. New toys, i'm so easily amused LOL

 

[tonna11]

It makes me very happy to hear you a little less stressed, LOL! Its so easy to downplay/forget totally the progress you've made when you focus on what you still need to do, if that makes sense. Its good to know all the support you have at times like this. Now the holidays are crashing down on us, and all the stress that brings, it will be good to have those higher nic cartos around. Dont beat yourself up if you need to have one every now and then, consider how you felt about that when you first discovered vaping--I was convinced that even though everyone said it was easy, it would not be for me. I thought if it could just make me take the analogs down to less than 10 a day, that would be a friggen miracle. I never in a million years thought I could pick up my PV and totally forget where my lighter was! But in a way, thats a kind of stress, too. Its almost like I feel since it IS so easy, I should have much more success than I have right now. Last night, I couldnt get a single carto working the way I wanted it to, and had a couple of smokes. This morning when I got up, I could feel it in my lungs, and was so ashamed when my husband told me how much better my breathing has been. As if, by having those two smokes (and not even sneaking them, I'm an honest idiot) I betrayed everyone rooting for me. Not thinking "wow, I've only had 2 smokes in the past 3 days" like I thought I would. In reading over what I just wrote, I do realize I should take my own advice-
Off to fix those cartos, and have put in another order for blanks. I seriously havent been getting as many as I should, I thought I would be fine with just a few blanks laying around. Since I basically go the cheaper route and fill my own, I gotta make sure I get enough of those!

 

[warlike36]

Have a smoke....(Im ready to get beat up on this) I mean REALLY...I have..and it was NASTY...then back to vapin I go...DONE... Its that or sit and be very uncomfortable...Just my opinion..

 

[krazie_Kid]

TJ remember one thing, it is a saying I tell everyone and learned it from 2 dear friends of mine Saw and Born:

It is not a failure or an embarrassment if you have to smoke, but a victory for the fact that you did not smoke as much as you always have. Remember every cig unsmoked is a great achievement!"

And I tell everyone that feels like you do that and they feel a lot better.

 

[Electric Power]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I did have 2 last night and I am not feeling anymore guilt. Lol it was funny because after all this time vaping it felt so weird smoking a cig and holding it..but after, I started vaping with my PT, I have some 24mg freebies(thanks v4l) laying around and it felt good to vape. I am going to vape what I have stockpiled until I can get my regular order in with HIGHER nic. I will admit, I probably did go down from 36 too fast! thanks guys for all the good posts!

I just ordered my very first Starter Kit today from V4L and will hopefully get it just in time for Thanksgiving! I commend you for what you (and all others who vape) have done up until now. You should only feel pride that you have chosen to vape rather than smoke. I can't speak from experience as until I get my kit, I'm still smoking....but I only hope to do the same amazing job you have done!! Keep it up!!

 

[jeffree]

Good choice, Power. V4L rocks. And here's an unrequested insider's tip based on nothin' more than my own experience and that of a few others I know... Quitting cigs completely after your very first vape may make the quitting easier--if that's what you really want to do. I've noticed a pattern there. Many folks who continue vaping and smoking still eventually manage to quit cigs, of course, but it does seem harder in a way. Whatever, good luck to you.

 

[Electric Power]

Good choice, Power. V4L rocks. And here's an unrequested insider's tip based on nothin' more than my own experience and that of a few others I know... Quitting cigs completely after your very first vape may make the quitting easier--if that's what you really want to do. I've noticed a pattern there. Many folks who continue vaping and smoking still eventually manage to quit cigs, of course, but it does seem harder in a way. Whatever, good luck to you.

Thanks! Yes I do eventually want to quit....in fact I've been walking around with the patch (step 1; I have all 3 stages) in my purse for about 5 months or so...I'm just not mentally ready to quit yet. I'm hoping I can start out with vaping and then wean myself off to no-nic eventually

 

[krazie_Kid]

Good choice, Power. V4L rocks. And here's an unrequested insider's tip based on nothin' more than my own experience and that of a few others I know... Quitting cigs completely after your very first vape may make the quitting easier--if that's what you really want to do. I've noticed a pattern there. Many folks who continue vaping and smoking still eventually manage to quit cigs, of course, but it does seem harder in a way. Whatever, good luck to you.

That is what I did, it helped a lot. I had a cig a week or so ago and almost threw up.

 

[Electric Power]

That is what I did, it helped a lot. I had a cig a week or so ago and almost threw up.

I feel like throwing up every time I light up and I haven't even started vaping yet.....OMG I can't wait for my kit to get here!! LOL