New from MD

[jomvig]

Hey!

I’m Jake and new to the forum as well. I just recently got interested in vaping and I’m trying to learn as much as I can about it.

 

[GPC2012]

Hey!

I’m Jake and new to the forum as well. I just recently got interested in vaping and I’m trying to learn as much as I can about it.

You've come to the right place. So much information here, and that's the least of it. The people are fantastic, and always willing to help or at least offer an opinion.

Welcome.

 

[Bearded Ninja]

As another fellow MD'er, welcome!

Sent from my Vectrex using Tapatalk.

 

[DavidOck]

Hi Jomvig, and welcome aboard.

You say you've "just gotten interested." Have you started yet or still in research mode?

 

[jomvig]

Hi DavidOck,

I'm still in research mode... I'm fascinated with the grass roots entrepreneurial culture. Not to mention the heath benefits of quitting smoking cigarettes. Many members of my family have struggled to quit smoking and I'm curious to hear about how others have made the transition to vaping and managed to stay smoke free.

 

[jomvig]

Thanks Bearded Ninja! I love the name!

 

[Margie123]

Welcome. You've come to the right place to learn all about vaping. Lots of great people here and a wealth of information. Enjoy the ride.

 

[DavidOck]

Hi DavidOck,

I'm still in research mode... I'm fascinated with the grass roots entrepreneurial culture. Not to mention the heath benefits of quitting smoking cigarettes. Many members of my family have struggled to quit smoking and I'm curious to hear about how others have made the transition to vaping and managed to stay smoke free.

I guess I'm one of the fortunate ones...

Smoked for 45+ years, tried to quit many times. Cold turkey, patch, gum, patch. Hypnosis. Every way but the drugs. (Big pharma warns that the drugs might make you crazy - and you're already going crazy trying to quit...)

Stumbled into vaping, but got some good help from a local B&M. Although my starting nic level was too low to satisfy me. After a week of mixed nic intake methods, I got some higher nic, and I was off cigs.

About a week later, I got up one morning and my old "friend" chest rattle was gone. Couple months later my daughter visits from out of state, and comments that my skin looks a lot healthier and younger...

My dental hygenist says my gums are looking healthier.

My MD says my blood pressure is better.

Finding the right nic level (and flavors, of course) was essential to my success. And getting sufficient hardware that I was no longer fretting about something failing and leaving me vapeless

 

[jomvig]

Thanks Margie123! This looks like a great community to be a part of so far.

 

[jomvig]

DavidOck,

When you made the switch did you have any of the side effects that some here have written about - Headaches, swelling, etc?

 

[Bob Chill]

Welcome fellow MD'er! I quit smoking on a dime 1 year ago. I really wanted to quit though and failed at all other methods over 3 decades. The desire has to be there because while vaping is pretty easy, it's not as easy as smoking. Requires some getting used to.

During the first couple weeks I could feel the hollow feeling even though it was quite easy to not smoke. I think a lot of people go through that. With cigs, it's not all about the nicotine. They also like to mess with your mood and mind. Probably the MAOI aspect. Vaping doesn't have that and I think most feel what I'm talking about during the first month. I had it for just about 2 weeks and it was easy street after that.

My personal side effects were limited to a dry throat at times, trouble sleeping for a couple weeks, and occasional headache from too much nic. I'm certain I was getting too much nic during the transition and it probably messed with my sleep and definitely gave me headaches. I attribute it to chasing getting rid of the hollow feeling and simply vaping too much. It all leveled out pretty quick. I've been in the sweet spot for over 8 months now and love it.

One thing you might consider is getting a blu or njoy and just trying that. It will be the worst vape you'll have but still a great test of whether it may or may not work for you. I bought a couple blus and njoys before investing in real gear. I was able to not smoke cigs for 3 days with disposables and I knew I could do it permanently.

I went straight to a simple twist battery and evod and I was off to the races. I remember buying it at vape dojo in ellicott city. $38 for 2 batteries and $14 for 2 evods. They threw in a charger for free. They showed me how to fill it up and adjust the vape and I walked out of the store giddy. Vaped like a chimney all the way home and that setup worked fine for a month or 2 and then I kept upgrading.

Couple of things I can share from my experience are you have to want to quit. Vaping is not the same as smoking. Most new vapers want it to be exactly like smoking and it will never be that. Second, you have to start off with gear that satisfies you. A simple twist/evod is never a bad starting point. It's cheap. No sense buying a $100 mod until you are absolutely sure that vaping is going to work for you. Plus, having a twist/evod or something similar as a backup is never bad. I still use mine once in a while.

Flavors are super fun and super frustrating. I wasted more money on lame juice than anything in this hobby/habit. Sample, sample, sample. Never buy a big bottle of something until you are sure you can actually finish it. Like many, I started off with fruits and desserts. Loved them. But I've gone through all kinds of phases and now vape mostly tobacco flavors (I mix my own now). Each person is as unique as a fingerprint. A mindblowing juice for someone can be that nastiest thing a different person has ever tasted. Be careful reading the eliquid discussions. I wasted a lot of money based on reviews there. You have to find your own flavor sweet spot and it can be tough.

Once it's working for you then the real fun comes in by chasing new gear and delivery systems. It only keeps getting better once you're in.

 

[Jugband]

Hi, welcome to ECF!

 

[dshgr]

Welcome! I'm in Western Maryland but visit the Baltimore Metro weekly.

Find a good vape store to get started. I recommend Vape Dojo in Ellicott City. Their prices are good and they are very knowledgeable. They have a great selection of juice and they won't oversell you.

I think they have other locations now but I've only been to the Ellicott City store.

Do not go to SS Vape. They charge way too much money for everything.

I smoked 2 PAD for 37 years. Quit the day after I got my ego setup and haven't looked back.

You will have cravings on occasion. I still do after 3+ months. Just vape through them.

 

[Rat2chat2]

to ecf and you certainly have found the right place to find out anything about vaping and pretty much anything else. Lots of wonderful people here on ecf. Good luck to ya and happy vaping.

 

[Jdbaker82]

Hey!

I’m Jake and new to the forum as well. I just recently got interested in vaping and I’m trying to learn as much as I can about it.

this forums + YouTube and you will be a pro in a month if you really get into it like I did lol

I recommend PBusardo, GrimmGreen VapingWithTwisted420, RIPTrippers, SuckMyMod, and ToddEcigreviews. subscribe to those 6 folks sit back relax and you will be vaping like a champ in no time

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Xparent Skyblue Tapatalk 2

 

[DavidOck]

DavidOck,

When you made the switch did you have any of the side effects that some here have written about - Headaches, swelling, etc?

About the only adverse side effect I've ever had (other than the occasional over-nic!) was a dry mouth. Drink lots of water. If you already drink lots of water, drink more

For me, too high a VG will give a feeling like the back of my throat is "coated", so I just watch the ratio I buy. (I do have one local flavor that I really like, comes only in 50/50, so I just live with the coating when I want that flavor. Just have to clear my throat now and then...)

 

[Tomthern]

Welcome to the forum! I have been smoke free for a while (I think it was in March I try not to keep track. and I am so much healthier. I also agree when they say start simple. If you get verified you can got to the classifieds. I did and I have gotten a few things from there. I started with tobaccos and now varying with desserts. I started with an ego and I moved up. I learned what places online are good and there is a coupon tab on the top that can help you get things at a discount. Granted I now have a Provari, which I got a great deal in the classifieds on but it has been fun. I have a B&M that I really like. This is a great place to learn so much stuff.

 

[Marredding]

Welcome fellow Marylander.

 

[epicdoom]

Hello there Jake I'm Joe also from Baltimore, Md. Welcome to ECF

 

[Blackboar]

Hey there! Hailing from MD also