New member, and looking for advice

[RoseJ]

Hi there! I'm new here, but it looks like this is where I need to be. Let me tell you a bit about myself, and also ask some advice.

I'm a 30-year, 2-pack-a-day smoker, and I've just recently been told by my doctor that I'm in the early stages of COPD. This means that it's still possible to reverse a lot of the damage to my lungs. This has forced me to confront the fact that I need to quit.

I've been dabbling a bit with vaping on and off for a couple of years, but it took me a while to find something that I can live with. With the new e-cig system, and the COPD news, I've cut back to 8 cigarettes per day from 40+, and have done it without too much pain.

But I'm having a problem cutting back further, let alone quitting altogether. I'm sure it's psychological - I just wish I could get to a stage where my first reaction is to reach for the e-cig instead of the tobacco, without even thinking about it. Has anyone had a problem with those last few cigarettes? What did you do about it?

Logically, I know that from a nicotine perspective, the e-cig is providing what I need, so why do I still look forward to my next real cigarette? You know, the one that's killing me. Argh, I just can't figure out the problem, and would love some advice or insight.

Thanks for reading!

 

[WhiteHighlights]

Welcome RoseJ! Sorry to hear about the diagnosis. That's not good news.

What nic level are you vaping? You might need to go up just a notch to help with those cravings. For a long time I had juices at 2 levels; one for the urges and another for regular use.

When I started out sometimes I had to make a conscious decision to vape instead of picking up a cigarette. I'd vape like crazy until the urge went away. It got easier over time. I retrained myself to vape in the morning with my coffee. I found a juice I liked and I'd vape through the urge. Some find giving up the morning cigarette the hardest. Once I kicked that one seemed easier to keep vaping the rest of the day.

But think about the cigarettes you're not smoking and celebrate that. You've made great progress. Relax, those last ones will go away before you know it.

There are many good people here to help you on your journey. Feel free to ask any questions!

 

[AndriaD]

It does sound psychological at this point. I played a game with myself, keeping a tally each day of each real cigarette I smoked, and tried each day to smoke fewer than the day before -- it worked, till I got to 1 a day, which was when I had to pay attention to *how* I was vaping -- when still half asleep, I was trying to vape as if I was smoking; short hard fast draws -- vaping doesn't work well that way, and delivers very little nicotine that way. When I slowed it down, took slow easy draws that I allowed to hang around in my mouth and throat before inhaling, then exhaling via my nose as much as my mouth... I didn't feel the need for a cigarette that morning; that was my first smoke-free day.

There are also other chemicals in cigarettes besides nicotine which are equally addictive, if not moreso -- other alkaloids such as anabasine, anabatine, and nornicotine, along with MAOIs, monoamine oxidase inhibitors. If you are able to get completely free of cigarettes, but sometime around 3 weeks-ish, you find yourself having ungodly cravings, then it's probably those alkaloids that your body is missing. There are ways to get them, without smoking, but it's much better to be totally free of cigarettes and find out if you really need them, because they're almost as hard to get free of, as cigarettes themselves.

You didn't say if you smoke indoors, or only smoke outdoors. I was an outdoor-only smoker for the last 16 yrs I smoked, and I also used procrastination to great effect, during the "tally game" -- I'd say, well I want a cigarette, but right now I'll just vape, and later if I REALLY want a cigarette, I'll go on out and have one. If you're an indoor smoker, I'd strongly suggest starting to take it outdoors until you're finally able to quit, because once you do quit, you won't want that stink in your home.

and BTW, welcome to ECF!!!

Andria

 

[BrotherBob]

Welcome and glad you joined.

I just can't figure out the problem, and would love some advice or insight.

Might want to talk it over with someone who vapes and could show you the ropes. If you do not know anyone, the next best bet is your local brick and mortar vape shop. Some vape shops feature tasting events. happy hour, group gatherings.
These special times are good to get multiple, relatively unbiased opinions on how to solve your wants/requirements.
The vape shop employees may even be helpful.
You should receive some good feed back here. Apply what you think is going to work for you.
I suspect somewhere is the right flavor and setup for you.

 

[suprtrkr]

Hi and welcome. Sorry to hear about the bad news, but the good news is you can do something about it. Try getting another tank and filling it with high-nic juice for those times you are craving.

 

[Topwater Elvis]

Many find that no matter what method is used to quit smoking it still takes a good deal of willpower.
It isn't / wasn't easy for everyone to quit smoking, some folks have to learn to deal with the cravings for years without smoking.

 

[RoseJ]

Welcome RoseJ! Sorry to hear about the diagnosis. That's not good news.

What nic level are you vaping? You might need to go up just a notch to help with those cravings. For a long time I had juices at 2 levels; one for the urges and another for regular use.

When I started out sometimes I had to make a conscious decision to vape instead of picking up a cigarette. I'd vape like crazy until the urge went away. It got easier over time. I retrained myself to vape in the morning with my coffee. I found a juice I liked and I'd vape through the urge. Some find giving up the morning cigarette the hardest. Once I kicked that one seemed easier to keep vaping the rest of the day.

But think about the cigarettes you're not smoking and celebrate that. You've made great progress. Relax, those last ones will go away before you know it.

There are many good people here to help you on your journey. Feel free to ask any questions!

Hi, and thanks for your reply. Regarding your question about nicotine level, I'm using 0.6%, for two reasons. I smoke ultra-light cigarettes, which are 0.6% I believe. I had read that you should vape stronger than your cigarettes, so I tried that, but it made me cough badly. 0.6% seems to be right for me. But I hear what you're saying and I do have some 1.2% left over, so it might be worth another try.

I like your advice about "vape like crazy until the urge went away". I tend to vape for a couple of minutes, and then stop (kinda like a cigarette). I'll try your suggestion. Also, I hear you about the first morning cigarette - it's a tough one. I've got to where I delay that one for an hour.

Thanks again!

 

[RoseJ]

It does sound psychological at this point. I played a game with myself, keeping a tally each day of each real cigarette I smoked, and tried each day to smoke fewer than the day before -- it worked, till I got to 1 a day, which was when I had to pay attention to *how* I was vaping -- when still half asleep, I was trying to vape as if I was smoking; short hard fast draws -- vaping doesn't work well that way, and delivers very little nicotine that way. When I slowed it down, took slow easy draws that I allowed to hang around in my mouth and throat before inhaling, then exhaling via my nose as much as my mouth... I didn't feel the need for a cigarette that morning; that was my first smoke-free day.

There are also other chemicals in cigarettes besides nicotine which are equally addictive, if not moreso -- other alkaloids such as anabasine, anabatine, and nornicotine, along with MAOIs, monoamine oxidase inhibitors. If you are able to get completely free of cigarettes, but sometime around 3 weeks-ish, you find yourself having ungodly cravings, then it's probably those alkaloids that your body is missing. There are ways to get them, without smoking, but it's much better to be totally free of cigarettes and find out if you really need them, because they're almost as hard to get free of, as cigarettes themselves.

You didn't say if you smoke indoors, or only smoke outdoors. I was an outdoor-only smoker for the last 16 yrs I smoked, and I also used procrastination to great effect, during the "tally game" -- I'd say, well I want a cigarette, but right now I'll just vape, and later if I REALLY want a cigarette, I'll go on out and have one. If you're an indoor smoker, I'd strongly suggest starting to take it outdoors until you're finally able to quit, because once you do quit, you won't want that stink in your home.

and BTW, welcome to ECF!!!

Andria

Hi Andria, and thanks for your reply! Some great advice there. I'm an outdoor smoker only, but outdoors includes the garage, so maybe I could work with that, in that "outdoors" really means outdoors.

I was super-interested in what you said about the other addictive chemicals in cigarettes. I was wondering about that, and if it's a factor. Jeez, tobacco companies really did a number on us, didn't they. Do you know where I can get more information about those other additives? This might explain some things. For instance, I have totally quit before, once for six months, long after nicotine had left my system. But there were other things happening that I couldn't explain, mostly mental. Like unreasonable anger, general and unshakeable unhappiness (and I'm a very positive person by nature). These things disappeared as soon as I started smoking again. So since then I've suspected that there's more to it than nicotine.

Oh, btw, I do the tally thing too and it does help.

 

[RoseJ]

Welcome and glad you joined.

Might want to talk it over with someone who vapes and could show you the ropes. If you do not know anyone, the next best bet is your local brick and mortar vape shop. Some vape shops feature tasting events. happy hour, group gatherings.
These special times are good to get multiple, relatively unbiased opinions on how to solve your wants/requirements.
The vape shop employees may even be helpful.
You should receive some good feed back here. Apply what you think is going to work for you.
I suspect somewhere is the right flavor and setup for you.

Thanks BrotherBob. Actually I like the setup I have now. I use a VaporFi "pen" I think it's called. The closest VaporFi store is 50+ miles away though, and the only vape stores close to us are dingy hole-in-the-wall type places. But a support group or get-together might be good, as you suggested. I'll check again to see if there's something like that relatively close.

 

[zoiDman]

Hi, and thanks for your reply. Regarding your question about nicotine level, I'm using 0.6%, for two reasons. I smoke ultra-light cigarettes, which are 0.6% I believe. I had read that you should vape stronger than your cigarettes, so I tried that, but it made me cough badly. 0.6% seems to be right for me. But I hear what you're saying and I do have some 1.2% left over, so it might be worth another try.

I like your advice about "vape like crazy until the urge went away". I tend to vape for a couple of minutes, and then stop (kinda like a cigarette). I'll try your suggestion. Also, I hear you about the first morning cigarette - it's a tough one. I've got to where I delay that one for an hour.

Thanks again!

Hi RoseJ. Welcome to the ECF.

When I switched. I kept a Cartomizer full of High Nicotine, High VG, for my Mourning Coffee. And for After Diner. Those were the Cigarettes that were Very Hard for me to go without. The rest of the time I used my Regular Strength e-Liquid(s).

I'm not sure what type of Hardware you are using. But you consider getting a 2nd RTA/RBA/RDA and fill it with a Higher Nicotine and Slightly Higher VG to PG Ratio.

You are doing Great going from 40+ to 8 cigarettes a Day. And I know how Tough the Last Couple of Smokes can be to Eliminate. But you can Do It.

 

[WhiteHighlights]

RoseJ,
Are the 6% and 12% juices the same? You could mix them equally and get 9% which might be a little easier for you.
Do you have 2 VaporFi's? I'm not familiar with them but you could have one with 6% and the other with the 9% and switch as needed. Another vaping rule - always have a backup!

FWIW - when you vape the nicotine gets into your system more slowly than it does with a cigarette. Relax and enjoy a few extra minutes vaping.

Points to you for waiting the hour. Some days I'd grab my PV while the coffee was perking! (Those Monday mornings when I was running late, already stressed about my day.. nope, didn't wait for the coffee LOL).

All the best to you!

 

[AndriaD]

Hi Andria, and thanks for your reply! Some great advice there. I'm an outdoor smoker only, but outdoors includes the garage, so maybe I could work with that, in that "outdoors" really means outdoors.

I was super-interested in what you said about the other addictive chemicals in cigarettes. I was wondering about that, and if it's a factor. Jeez, tobacco companies really did a number on us, didn't they. Do you know where I can get more information about those other additives? This might explain some things. For instance, I have totally quit before, once for six months, long after nicotine had left my system. But there were other things happening that I couldn't explain, mostly mental. Like unreasonable anger, general and unshakeable unhappiness (and I'm a very positive person by nature). These things disappeared as soon as I started smoking again. So since then I've suspected that there's more to it than nicotine.

Oh, btw, I do the tally thing too and it does help.

Well, the main way that the tobacco companies messed with us was in adding ammonia, which speeds the whole alkaloid cocktail straight to the brain in like 5 seconds flat -- that sort of "punch" to the brain is part of why cigarettes are so extremely addictive. But those other alkaloids are actually naturally present in tobacco; "WTA", whole tobacco alkaloids, contains them all, with nicotine making up 95% of the total, which is probably why everyone has always thought that just replacing the nicotine is the thing to do -- and for a lot of people, nicotine replacement does work very well -- it did for me, my first time around, back in Feb 2014 -- the sheer fact of not smoking and not missing it, thanks to vaping, was such a delightful novelty after 39 yrs of smoking, that even when I felt a bit depressed at the 3wk and 3 month points, I got over it in about a week both times, and went right back to being delighted to be smoke-free.

But, after I had my appendix out in June 2014, I suffered such horrible illness afterward, I couldn't eat, drink, or vape for 4 days -- when I was finally able to drink some pepsi and get out of bed, I tried to vape as much as I could, but at that point, EVERYTHING tasted horrible, and I just couldn't seem to vape enough -- then the most ungodly cravings hit me smack in the face, though I'd been smoke free for nearly 4 months. I gave in and smoked, and managed to use the same tactics to get free of them again in about a month, just like the first time -- and though I was delighted to be smoke-free again, 10 days later those cravings came back, just as bad. I had by then acquired some of the WTA, so instead of smoking, I tried that -- and the cravings completely vanished.

I have a page with some info about WTA at my website -- http://angryvaper.crypticsites.com/about-wta -- which will give some background about what it is, how it came to be, etc. I do strongly suggest that you get completely smoke-free before trying it, or its effect will seem hardly distinguishable from regular e-juice -- you really only notice what it can do for you, if you're already suffering the horrible cravings, and then the WTA makes them go away. Plus, most people don't really seem to need it, they do alright with plain-nicotine ejuice, and further, as I said, it can be almost as difficult to get free of, as cigarettes themselves -- I've been using it since August 2014; January 2015 I started stepping down from the 10% I was using (24mg WTA, added to my ejuice at 10%), and I am now at .7%, so still not entirely done with it, but getting close! It's also very costly -- the best I've found, for price/quality, is from wholecig.com -- 24mg is $20.95 for 15ml; one of those 15ml bottles was about a month's supply, when I started at 10%. They appear to be out of stock of the unflavored that I always used, but they have some other variations, which are in-stock.

Andria

 

[Robino1]

There is a great section of the forum to explore: The ECF Library

One of those threads has some great info for the beginner vaper: Inhalation technique with an e-cigarette

Welcome to ECF!​

 

[AndriaD]

There is a great section of the forum to explore: The ECF Library

One of those threads has some great info for the beginner vaper: Inhalation technique with an e-cigarette

Welcome to ECF!​

That article about inhalation technique made all the difference for me, when I had gotten down to just that one smoke in the morning; couldn't figure out why all the rest of the day, I did ok just vaping, but still needed that one in the morning -- slowing it down, taking my time, made all the difference!

Andria

 

[Chuck64]

Welcome to ECF. I'm 51 years old and in the same boat as you. Mild copd, 2 packs a day for over 30 years, now down to maybe 10 cigs a day. Started vaping on November 5 my birthday. I never considered that there was more to cigarettes than nicotine combined with habit. But like someone already stated big tobacco did a number on us. Just wanted to say you're not alone.

 

[RoseJ]

Hi RoseJ. Welcome to the ECF.

When I switched. I kept a Cartomizer full of High Nicotine, High VG, for my Mourning Coffee. And for After Diner. Those were the Cigarettes that were Very Hard for me to go without. The rest of the time I used my Regular Strength e-Liquid(s).

I'm not sure what type of Hardware you are using. But you consider getting a 2nd RTA/RBA/RDA and fill it with a Higher Nicotine and Slightly Higher VG to PG Ratio.

You are doing Great going from 40+ to 8 cigarettes a Day. And I know how Tough the Last Couple of Smokes can be to Eliminate. But you can Do It.

Thanks for this information. I'm using the VaporFi e-cigarette.

I did find that it was making me cough a lot, so I get the 60-40 VG/PG mix, which helps a bit. I wish I could get a higher VG level. I might have to look into mixing my own. You're right - it sure would help in the mornings.

 

[RoseJ]

RoseJ,
Are the 6% and 12% juices the same? You could mix them equally and get 9% which might be a little easier for you.
Do you have 2 VaporFi's? I'm not familiar with them but you could have one with 6% and the other with the 9% and switch as needed. Another vaping rule - always have a backup!

FWIW - when you vape the nicotine gets into your system more slowly than it does with a cigarette. Relax and enjoy a few extra minutes vaping.

Points to you for waiting the hour. Some days I'd grab my PV while the coffee was perking! (Those Monday mornings when I was running late, already stressed about my day.. nope, didn't wait for the coffee LOL).

All the best to you!

What a great idea about mixing them! I might just try that.

 

[RoseJ]

Well, the main way that the tobacco companies messed with us was in adding ammonia, which speeds the whole alkaloid cocktail straight to the brain in like 5 seconds flat -- that sort of "punch" to the brain is part of why cigarettes are so extremely addictive. But those other alkaloids are actually naturally present in tobacco; "WTA", whole tobacco alkaloids, contains them all, with nicotine making up 95% of the total, which is probably why everyone has always thought that just replacing the nicotine is the thing to do -- and for a lot of people, nicotine replacement does work very well -- it did for me, my first time around, back in Feb 2014 -- the sheer fact of not smoking and not missing it, thanks to vaping, was such a delightful novelty after 39 yrs of smoking, that even when I felt a bit depressed at the 3wk and 3 month points, I got over it in about a week both times, and went right back to being delighted to be smoke-free.

But, after I had my appendix out in June 2014, I suffered such horrible illness afterward, I couldn't eat, drink, or vape for 4 days -- when I was finally able to drink some pepsi and get out of bed, I tried to vape as much as I could, but at that point, EVERYTHING tasted horrible, and I just couldn't seem to vape enough -- then the most ungodly cravings hit me smack in the face, though I'd been smoke free for nearly 4 months. I gave in and smoked, and managed to use the same tactics to get free of them again in about a month, just like the first time -- and though I was delighted to be smoke-free again, 10 days later those cravings came back, just as bad. I had by then acquired some of the WTA, so instead of smoking, I tried that -- and the cravings completely vanished.

I have a page with some info about WTA at my website -- Angry Vaper - About WTA -- which will give some background about what it is, how it came to be, etc. I do strongly suggest that you get completely smoke-free before trying it, or its effect will seem hardly distinguishable from regular e-juice -- you really only notice what it can do for you, if you're already suffering the horrible cravings, and then the WTA makes them go away. Plus, most people don't really seem to need it, they do alright with plain-nicotine ejuice, and further, as I said, it can be almost as difficult to get free of, as cigarettes themselves -- I've been using it since August 2014; January 2015 I start stepping down from the 10% I was using (24mg WTA, added to my ejuice at 10%), and I am now at .7%, so still not entirely done with it, but getting close! It's also very costly -- the best I've found, for price/quality, is from wholecig.com -- 24mg is $20.95 for 15ml; one of those 15ml bottles was about a month's supply, when I started at 10%. They appear to be out of stock of the unflavored that I always used, but they have some other variations, which are in-stock.

Andria

Oh gee, this is great information, and explains a lot about past failures. I hear you though about trying it without the WTA to start with. That makes sense.

One question - do these other additives have any harmful properties, other than their addictive nature?

Thanks so much Andria, for this awesome information, and taking the time to post it.

 

[RoseJ]

There is a great section of the forum to explore: The ECF Library

One of those threads has some great info for the beginner vaper: Inhalation technique with an e-cigarette

Welcome to ECF!​

Thanks much! That does make sense and I'll definitely modify myself. I'm so impressed by this community and how welcoming and helpful it is. I should have joined long ago.

 

[RoseJ]

Welcome to ECF. I'm 51 years old and in the same boat as you. Mild copd, 2 packs a day for over 30 years, now down to maybe 10 cigs a day. Started vaping on November 5 my birthday. I never considered that there was more to cigarettes than nicotine combined with habit. But like someone already stated big tobacco did a number on us. Just wanted to say you're not alone.

Thanks Chuck! Congrats on the 10-a-day!