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rabernet

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Hi folks! Very glad to have found this forum! My name is Robin and it's nice to meet you!

What brought me here? Well, this past Monday, I had to rush my boyfriend to the ER at 4 in the morning, because he was gasping for air and couldn't breath. We are both smokers. After an hour long breathing treatment, the doctor told him that he wanted to admit him. After a feeble argument from him, I convinced him that if he didn't agree to stay, we'd be repeating that ER visit within the week.

His primary nurse met with us, then told us that she used to be a smoker, but had quit in August thanks to switching to an e-cigarette. I went home that evening, after he had his dinner, and immediately started to Google e-cigarettes. After watching videos and reading testimonials, we decided to try the Safe Cig Micro.

We get our starter kits on Wednesday this coming week. I focused much of my reading this past week on the Safe Cig micro reviews and videos, and reading their blog. I've been very encouraged reading that this really does seem like a lifestyle that we can easily transition to, and finally both be smoke free.

I talked about my research during smoke breaks this weekend (yes, I'm currently still smoking until our e-cigs get here), and one of my co-workers got in on my order and ordered herself a starter kit and I think she's as excited as we are to put down the cigarettes finally.

We've got many other smokers who are anxiously waiting to see what our verdict is before they take that step.

After I was satisfied with the choice we made for our foray into the world of e-cigarettes, or vaping, I started to look for forums that I could join and found this, and now I feel like our Safe Cigs are going to be our "training wheels" so to speak before we launch into some of the other options available to us.

I will admit, I am currently a little overwhelmed (and a little intimidated, if I'm honest) with all the information available. I've been lurking since Friday and reading as much as I can, taking advantage of the stickies throughout the forum, and trying to learn the lingo.

I'm excited about this journey that we're starting on, and I'm so glad that I've found this forum.

You might wonder about my avatar - I breed ball pythons, and that's my logo for my ball python breeding business. It's a hobby business, I work as a buyer for a large technology company. We were recently acquired, and learned that if you use tobacco products, you have to pay an additional $75 a month for your health insurance. I verified that e-cigarettes do not fall under that clause, so that's another reason a lot of co-workers are interested in how this works out for us.

Karl is out of the hospital and admitted to me that he really thought he was going to die on our way to the ER on Monday. He's also very excited to start vaping.

Thank you for taking time to read this!

Robin
 

36tinybells

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Welcome! Sorry for Karl's health troubles, but glad you are both here. Do not personally know the e-cig that you have ordered, but just want to let you know that many of us started vaping with a kit that wasn't enough and upgraded. You just need to ask whatever questions come up and someone here will help! We were all newbies once and totally understand how many issues can arise when making the switch. And drink alot of water!
 

Survivors Mom

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Hi Robin... welcome! I'm glad Karl's ok. No matter if you like your first choice or not, you took the most important step! Once you are comfortable with your setup, vaping will be the most awesome thing you and Karl can do for yourselves and each other!

You aren't the first and won't be the last to be overwhelmed and intimidated by all the info here. I still get that way quite regularly! There's a LOT of info here and so many different types of e-cigs and juices. Oh my gosh!

Just ask questions and someone (or lots of someones) will be able to answer them for you.

Happy vaping! :vapor:
 

icewall

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It's not really as bad as it seems. I think most people starting out these days get confused and intimidated, but I think in most cases it all works out by itself. You buy a simple starter kit that's overpriced and underperforming. For me it was E-lites. But truth is I was happy with them. They worked fine for a while, and I was just happy that I didn't feel like smoking; but if you come to enjoy it, eventually you will want more. Truth is that you can't really know what you want before you start, and the worst that can happen is wasting money, initially. But then, considering how much most of us spent on smokes, it's money you should pay gladly. :)
 

Sugar_and_Spice

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Hello and welcome to ecf.....

Safe cig was one of my first also...that and the Blu.....Both got me started on vaping and worked ok for the first month....but I quickly realized that in order to put down the cigs forever, I needed some other options. then I found ecf.....
Main thing is to get started.......
Please come often and ask questions if you have them. This forum is the best out there because of the awesome members...... there will always be someone here that can help.....
Glad you found us...
Keep up updated on your progress......
:)
 

bigtiime

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Welcome rabernet! Very sorry to "hear" that your BF had an issue like that. But you know what, sometimes it takes something like that to make us realize that we're mortal and that more than likely something we're doing to ourselves caused the problem. Personally I feel as though you've made a monumental decision in your lives that can only make your lives together longer and much better!

I speak from personal experience as I am a 57 yo male that smoked for 42 years. Had a double by-pass at age 44 (still smoked) and a mini stroke just about 3 months ago (still smoked). I discovered e cigs approx. 3 weeks ago and was able to completely drop analogs like the bad habit that they are. btw, I've never tried to quit.

The very first day I tried the e cig (a disposible Blu) I threw out my pack of analog cigs, my ashtray, and my lighters. I never looked back. So, it CAN be done. I've had NO withdrawal, I feel great, and my wife & son are happy as heck! (both non-smokers).

Very good luck to both of you!
 

rabernet

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Welcome! Sorry for Karl's health troubles, but glad you are both here. Do not personally know the e-cig that you have ordered, but just want to let you know that many of us started vaping with a kit that wasn't enough and upgraded. You just need to ask whatever questions come up and someone here will help! We were all newbies once and totally understand how many issues can arise when making the switch. And drink alot of water!

I'll definitely be asking lots of questions! Seems like a great forum! I'm not a stranger to forums in and of themselves (I actually co-own the largest ball python related forums in the US), and I know what an a amazing tool and resource they can be. I'm looking forward to participating!

Hi Robin... welcome! I'm glad Karl's ok. No matter if you like your first choice or not, you took the most important step! Once you are comfortable with your setup, vaping will be the most awesome thing you and Karl can do for yourselves and each other!

You aren't the first and won't be the last to be overwhelmed and intimidated by all the info here. I still get that way quite regularly! There's a LOT of info here and so many different types of e-cigs and juices. Oh my gosh!

Just ask questions and someone (or lots of someones) will be able to answer them for you.

Happy vaping! :vapor:

Thank you SM! Also very glad that Karl's ok. And truth be told, I hate being the cougher in the office. I can't wait to get rid of the cough. Even when one of my favorite co-workers got lung cancer from smoking a couple years ago (and thankfully is still surviving), I didn't put down the cancer sticks. I just LIKED the act of smoking. Even though I knew it could kill me. That's why discovering e-cigarettes is so exciting to both of us!

It's not really as bad as it seems. I think most people starting out these days get confused and intimidated, but I think in most cases it all works out by itself. You buy a simple starter kit that's overpriced and underperforming. For me it was E-lites. But truth is I was happy with them. They worked fine for a while, and I was just happy that I didn't feel like smoking; but if you come to enjoy it, eventually you will want more. Truth is that you can't really know what you want before you start, and the worst that can happen is wasting money, initially. But then, considering how much most of us spent on smokes, it's money you should pay gladly. :)

Well, I jumped all in, and not only purchased starter kits for both of us, but six different flavors to try. They were sold out of their menthol re-fills, and since we both smoke that, I told Karl he can have my menthols from my starter pack, and I'll smoke the other flavors. He's welcome, of course, to try some of the flavors as well. I'm more willing to try new things than he is, so just getting him used to the menthol for now is great. And he's really excited. Keeps asking me "what day are they getting here?" LOL

Hello and welcome to ecf.....

Safe cig was one of my first also...that and the Blu.....Both got me started on vaping and worked ok for the first month....but I quickly realized that in order to put down the cigs forever, I needed some other options. then I found ecf.....
Main thing is to get started.......
Please come often and ask questions if you have them. This forum is the best out there because of the awesome members...... there will always be someone here that can help.....
Glad you found us...
Keep up updated on your progress......
:)

Thank you S&S for your welcome! The good thing about starting off with the Safe Cig micro's and then finding this forum, is that my brother is also a smoker, and he's tried to stop on and off over the years without success. I plan to get him a starter kit for Christmas. Now I can do a little more research and find a good starter kit to get for him, that will also be easier on him financially (he's un-employed right now).

Welcome rabernet! Very sorry to "hear" that your BF had an issue like that. But you know what, sometimes it takes something like that to make us realize that we're mortal and that more than likely something we're doing to ourselves caused the problem. Personally I feel as though you've made a monumental decision in your lives that can only make your lives together longer and much better!

I speak from personal experience as I am a 57 yo male that smoked for 42 years. Had a double by-pass at age 44 (still smoked) and a mini stroke just about 3 months ago (still smoked). I discovered e cigs approx. 3 weeks ago and was able to completely drop analogs like the bad habit that they are. btw, I've never tried to quit.

The very first day I tried the e cig (a disposible Blu) I threw out my pack of analog cigs, my ashtray, and my lighters. I never looked back. So, it CAN be done. I've had NO withdrawal, I feel great, and my wife & son are happy as heck! (both non-smokers).

Very good luck to both of you!

It's stories like yours that has us both so excited for this new chapter in our lives! Thank you for the welcome!


Hi and welcome Robin. Sorry to hear about Karl but glad you found your way here!!!

Thanks jj! We're glad we found our way here too! He's not a forum guy, heck, he's not much of an internet guy, so I'll be the one participating, but you'll hear lots about our journey, I'm sure!
 

Sugar_and_Spice

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Hello again,
I just wanted to add that some of our Sheetz stores(like a 7-11) has blu kits for sale...don't know the price, and don't know what part of the country you are in, but you may want to get the BF started as quickly as possible....while these are not the best, they will at least give you an idea of what it is you think is important to you...
I know that most(when starting out, I am quilty too) want something that is going to look just like an analog(cig)....sadly, while these will get you started, most don't have the umpth needed for hard core smokers to lay down the analogs.....just saying this cause I don't want you to be disappointed...the good news is that ecigs really do work(look at my sig) and if you keep at it, you will get your lives back...(Idid)...
enuff for now......
So glad to meet you.
:)
 

rabernet

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Hello again,
I just wanted to add that some of our Sheetz stores(like a 7-11) has blu kits for sale...don't know the price, and don't know what part of the country you are in, but you may want to get the BF started as quickly as possible....while these are not the best, they will at least give you an idea of what it is you think is important to you...
I know that most(when starting out, I am quilty too) want something that is going to look just like an analog(cig)....sadly, while these will get you started, most don't have the umpth needed for hard core smokers to lay down the analogs.....just saying this cause I don't want you to be disappointed...the good news is that ecigs really do work(look at my sig) and if you keep at it, you will get your lives back...(Idid)...
enuff for now......
So glad to meet you.
:)

I'm in metro Atlanta. We don't have Sheetz (though I'm familiar with them because of my job - we make the point of sale terminals that they use). We have Quik Trip, and checked out what they had, which wasn't much. They had some off brand I had not heard of during my research, and it only came with one battery and USB charger and five tips (I know my terminology isn't correct yet). I thought about getting one for Karl today, but the only starter kit they have isn't in menthol, so you'd have to buy the menthol refills separately. I also didn't want him to try something "cheaper" and have his first experience not be positive, and then not be open to something that at least by all the reviews I've seen is well received by those first trying it. :)
 

sandybeach

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Hi Robin, glad you are here! A Nurse Practitioner friend of mine recommended e-cigs to me. I just started e-cigs six days ago. It is so much easier than quitting smoking! No withdrawals at all.

I agree, there is way too much information here. I think if one of us made a simple kit with everything included and instructions that would be very popular.

Good luck. I have not heard of the kit you bought, but I like the one I got, so if you don't like that one, ask me and I will tell you about it!


Sandy

p.s. Don't hesitate to ask lots of questions
 

Sugar_and_Spice

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I'm in metro Atlanta. We don't have Sheetz (though I'm familiar with them because of my job - we make the point of sale terminals that they use). We have Quik Trip, and checked out what they had, which wasn't much. They had some off brand I had not heard of during my research, and it only came with one battery and USB charger and five tips (I know my terminology isn't correct yet). I thought about getting one for Karl today, but the only starter kit they have isn't in menthol, so you'd have to buy the menthol refills separately. I also didn't want him to try something "cheaper" and have his first experience not be positive, and then not be open to something that at least by all the reviews I've seen is well received by those first trying it. :)


You know best....I was just thinking of how hard it must be for him. You did not mention if he was still smoking, but if he is, he is still probably scared to. And if he is not, the withdrawl is hell....have you thought about the patch? Just throwing some things out there to get him through a rough time. I know all the pit-falls I had when I smoked....
:)
 

Survivors Mom

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You know best....I was just thinking of how hard it must be for him. You did not mention if he was still smoking, but if he is, he is still probably scared to. And if he is not, the withdrawl is hell....have you thought about the patch? Just throwing some things out there to get him through a rough time. I know all the pit-falls I had when I smoked....
:)

You're so nice. :)
 

rabernet

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Hi Robin, glad you are here! A Nurse Practitioner friend of mine recommended e-cigs to me. I just started e-cigs six days ago. It is so much easier than quitting smoking! No withdrawals at all.

I agree, there is way too much information here. I think if one of us made a simple kit with everything included and instructions that would be very popular.

Good luck. I have not heard of the kit you bought, but I like the one I got, so if you don't like that one, ask me and I will tell you about it!


Sandy

p.s. Don't hesitate to ask lots of questions

Thanks Sandy - I will definitely ask you if we don't like it. I'm surprised more haven't heard of The Safe Cig, as it looks like for your basic e-cigarette, it's one of the top 3 rated ones, depending on what reviews you read. Knock wood, I haven't read a negative review on the product yet - a few grumblings about customer service, but not the product itself. :)

You know best....I was just thinking of how hard it must be for him. You did not mention if he was still smoking, but if he is, he is still probably scared to. And if he is not, the withdrawl is hell....have you thought about the patch? Just throwing some things out there to get him through a rough time. I know all the pit-falls I had when I smoked....
:)

He's doing great, actually. He has asked for a hit off my cigarettes every now and then (I'm going outside now - we always smoked inside), and I think he's smoked one full cigarette since last Sunday, and he was a pack a day smoker. He's got pretty strong resolve. Because he knows we're getting the e-cigs so soon, he hasn't complained at all. Well, actually - now he's complaining about how I smell of cigarette smoke! LOL

You're so nice. :)

Yes she is!
 

36tinybells

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Where are these ratings you are referring to? I am thinking some of us should be paying attention to this, having our say in them too, since we are vapers and most of us have used more than one device. Might save some newbies some startup costs!

Oh, and CVS is carrying Blu start ups if anyone has emergency needs. Pbsardo reviewed them as decent, there's a video in Reviews forum.
 
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Balthezar

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I'm in metro Atlanta. We don't have Sheetz (though I'm familiar with them because of my job - we make the point of sale terminals that they use). We have Quik Trip, and checked out what they had, which wasn't much. They had some off brand I had not heard of during my research, and it only came with one battery and USB charger and five tips (I know my terminology isn't correct yet). I thought about getting one for Karl today, but the only starter kit they have isn't in menthol, so you'd have to buy the menthol refills separately. I also didn't want him to try something "cheaper" and have his first experience not be positive, and then not be open to something that at least by all the reviews I've seen is well received by those first trying it. :)

Hi rabernet, I'm just south of the airport, and got my first e-cig at quik trip, it was a jasper & jasper. Not great, but it got me hooked. I now have a joye 510, which is a little bigger than an analog, and my newest is an eGo Passthrough

eGo 510 650mAh USB Passthrough Battery

I love it, but it's not a kit, you have to get the cartomizers and juice separately. One thing I really like about it, is that you can plug it in and vape, or unplug and vape on the go.
Anyway, welcome to ECF, and (I know you've heard this before) if you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask, that's what we are here for ;)
 
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