My first day with an e-cig

[WhizKidSecrets]

Maybe I should have read the forums first... instead of just "pretending" to read some of the stories. You all really do seem like an interesting bunch of people. The stories are fun to read.

Today, I started with my first e-cig. I got it from Goodprophets.com and am very pleased with customer service from them.

My friend, a fellow user on this forum, encouraged me to finally take the plunge after he, himself, has been vaping for over a year.

I never knew a lot of the terms that I've learned today... like "analogs" "cartomizers" "atomizers" etc... so there is a small learning curve. It's nice to have a friend show you how to refill the carto's etc... because I was a little lost at first.

My e-cig works fine, I've refilled it twice now and charged it up, etc... things seem to be going great. It's been 12 hours on e-cig only and haven't even wanted an "analog" (real cig). I'm curious - what types of withdraw am I going to be in for come tomorrow?

Thanks!

 

[Mr.Self_Destruct]

Nicotine is what used to give me withdrawals. I have not given up nicotine and have not had any withdrawals. Your lungs will clear out, your smell will get better. You might get a sore throat, and you will get chapped lips. Drink lots of water.

oh and congrats on the switch!

 

[WhizKidSecrets]

Nicotine is what used to give me withdrawals. I have not given up nicotine and have not had any withdrawals. Your lungs will clear out, your smell will get better. You might get a sore throat, and you will get chapped lips. Drink lots of water.

oh and congrats on the switch!

Thanks for the heads up Bert. Anything else you can think of to let a newbie know?

 

[Buzzy]

Hi, WhizKid!
I've only been vaping for about 2 months, and have gotten off of tobacco cigs completely. But that didn't happen for me all at once. For the first couple of weeks, I smoked about 3 cigs a day, then two, and then one, and now none. The nic craving was higher for me in the am, and tobacco cigs hit harder.
So, if you cannot stop them completely right away, you can do something like what I did. And as said, drink a lot of fluids. I did get a bit of dry mouth and sore throat at first, but that went away. Drinking a lot of fluids will help.
My breathing is better, less nasal congestion, and my sense of taste and smell are much improved.
Go for it!

Oh, and try lots of different flavors of e liquid at first. Finding those that are satisfying to you takes a bit of experimentation.

 

[Mr.Self_Destruct]

Thanks for the heads up Bert. Anything else you can think of to let a newbie know?

Thats all that comes to mind at the moment. If I knew which model you have, I could probably give you more. I'm sure this won't be the last or only model you own. I'm movin' on to #3 e-cig model. blu, 510 and soon ego. (when it arrives)

 

[WhizKidSecrets]

@Buzzy: thanks for your reply and info... I'll take that into consideration.

@Bert: I'm using a double duece 22 from Goodprophets.com. It's a cartomizer unit and I'm doing the menthol juice. It's actually very similar in flavor to my old cigs so not sure if I need to experiment, although earlier at my friend's house I tried grape, and R3 which I liked the grape but I also tried a waffle juice and that was weird.

 

[bassnut]

Hi, WizKidSecrets. Congratulations and welcome.

There is something else in analogs that we're addicted to besides nicotine. I don't know if it's been identified yet.
Be prepared for you body to tell you something is missing. It's going to go through changes. (for the good)
For me it wasn't as acute as nicotine craving but it was there never the less. This gets discussed around here from time to time.
I just vaped right on through it. I vaped a lot in the first few days (24mg). Hell, I vape a lot now! (6mg to 12mg) I was determined not to come up short and it worked. I actually had a fun time doing it too. Having good gear helps a lot. Those cravings went away in just a few days.
That was only about 3 months ago but I haven't had an analog since after 40+ years of smoking up to two packs a day. I've never been able to quit smoking up until then. I tried many, many times.

Enjoy yourself. Buy extra bats if you need to and plenty of juice that you enjoy. Don't skimp. In the long run you'll be saving money and improving your health at the same time.

 

[CaptJay]

You may not get withrawals as well, not everyone does. Many people focus only n the positive effects such as easier breathing, rosier skin an increased energy.

Some things you MAY notice;
drier skin
drier eyes and nasal passages
Sore throat
solution: DRINK MORE LIQUIDS

Urge to smoke
solution: Nic not high enough

Headaches, upset stomach, rapid heartbeat
solution: Nic too high, dilute it or get new liquid at lower strength

Acne, canker sores in mouth
Solution: not much really - its from giving up smoking. It will pass but until it does treat the symptoms with over the counter medicines

Hiccups, acid stomach
solution: Tricky one this, its often the way you are vaping (pulling in too much air and swallowing it) or too much vaping. Dial it back a little and you should see an improvement.

Intense vivid dreams
Solution: Lower nic before bedtimes!


Tiredness
Solution: No getting around this one, you just arent getting all the pep chemicals from juice you once got in cigs. Increasing physical excersise can help, as can coffee


Depression, agression, panic feelings
Solution: You may need to supplement your vaping with a smokelss tobacco product such as Swedish Snus or snuff. *you may also jsut be suffering bad smoking withdrawal, only you will know the severity and if you need to do more than just 'wait'.

Everything tastes 'funny' or 'of nothing'
Solution: Either bite the bullet and try a NEti Pot, which is a nasal irrigator, or just wait a while. Your sense of smell which governs your taste is in revolt and may mess you about on and off for a few weeks. This is a result of giving up smoking and will pass in time.

Aches, pains, weird hives or rashes
Solution: You could be sensitive to the PG in eliquid. Luckily there are liquids made from all VG as well. It could also be a tranisition period where your body is getting used to a new substance. Maybe try all VG for a while then re-introduce PG/VG mixed juices to see if your reaction is the same.

Overspending
Solution: Well..stop. lol If money is tight look on the boards here for samples, or for sale items in the classifieds. This is very common and some people find it a fun part of their new habit.


I hope that helped some - remember some people will get NO qutting symptoms and some will get everything; most of us fall somewhere inbetween.

 

[Shaka]

Hey Whizz, welcome to the forum!

Whatever you feel, just take it one day at a time and address them as they occur. CJ above has provided you with a really comprehensive guide. Just know that whatever you go through, and I mean whatever, someone here has also. Just post you concerns and you'll receive great guidance.

Good luck to you.

 

[Tuscany Sun]

COOL list for us newbies, CaptJay -thanks for posting it!

 

[bsoplinger]

From the ECF library, an even more detailed description of what's happening with your body:
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...ing-your-symptoms-while-adjusting-vaping.html

 

[Wafflestomper]

Awesome post CaptJay! That should almost get its own sticky.

I will now add my useless two-cents and smartass commentary

Acne, canker sores in mouth
Solution: not much really - its from giving up smoking. It will pass but until it does treat the symptoms with over the counter medicines

I had a problem with this, and am prone to canker sores from sweets and acidic things. Not sure if its the pH in your salive that changes or not, but warm salt water rinses in the morning and whenever convinient throughout the day really helped me with this.

Intense vivid dreams
Solution: Lower nic before bedtimes!

Why mess with a good thing, just dont watch the Exorcist before bed

Everything tastes 'funny' or 'of nothing'
Solution: Either bite the bullet and try a NEti Pot, which is a nasal irrigator, or just wait a while. Your sense of smell which governs your taste is in revolt and may mess you about on and off for a few weeks. This is a result of giving up smoking and will pass in time.

This is another thing I really noticed, happened to me as late as a month or two. Analogues kill your taste buds and olfactory senses. Also, you don't have that "constant" cigarrette smell that you have become accustomed to... it's kinda like garlic...eat garlic everyday and you won't even realize your breath stinks, once you stop.. your brain has to adjust.

I also noticed when I first started vaping, If I used the same juice everyday, one day out of the blue I just HATED that juice. Went through a really rough time when every juice I had tasted "salty". Thats when I switched to sweeter juices.

If this happens to you, stick it out. It WILL go away. Happened to my wife as well. There is nothing wrong with you....probably.

Even now, I am sure to switch flavors now and again, just to keep my brain on its toes.

Overspending
Solution: Well..stop. lol If money is tight look on the boards here for samples, or for sale items in the classifieds. This is very common and some people find it a fun part of their new habit.

Good luck with that!

Only thing I would have to add (or expound on) is drink a LOT of water. Some people get that sticky, gunky feeling... or diaphoresis, where you just feel oogy and not quite clean. Thats toxins coming out of your body. Happens with everything from drug addiction to quitting soda.

If you drink plenty of water it helps a ton...If you are really worried about detox, some people drink water with a touch of lemon and cayenne pepper a couple times a day....eww.

Vaping dehydrates you... drink water.

Did I mention water?

EDIT: This forum filters the word ......? really? Oh brother. [The word that sounds like female hero]

 

[darthvapo]

Well done CaptJay, I believe you captured it all! That post should be "stickied" somewhere