New Member

[Pictor]

Hi everyone
I just spent a good while typing up a new post only to get a blank page when I clicked on 'preview'!
I began using e-cigs 4-5 weeks ago and have gone from 35-40 real cigarettes per day to 3-4! Quite bemused and amazed to be honest because I only tried a disposable one to see if it helped with sore, itchy & swollen eyes that I'd been troubled with for a couple of months. When I realised I'd smoked 10 less on that day, I carried on and reduced it further without even trying or setting myself what could be impossible goals.
I just hope I can keep it up ....despite the unexpected effects mentioned below. Those effects aren't particularly excessive, so perhaps they'll go in time. In the meanwhile I'll take some cranberry capsules and also probiotics too.

It was mostly about this thread:
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/health-safety-e-smoking/458214-new-number-two.html
It was good to read that as it's answered a few questions I had regarding strong urine & flatulence
It also mentions artificial sweeteners, and I got some small mints a few weeks ago but they have Xylitol in them instead of sugar. I normally avoid artificial sweeteners but was eating quite a lot of Ex Strong mints made with sugar, so thought the little ones without sugar would be better. Perhaps not!

 

[TwinTurbo120]

Welcome to EcF!

I'm going to go out on a limb and say the side effects you are having are because of the pg. Have you ever tried a vg based juice?

 

[StevenServo]

drink more water welcome to the forum

 

[keonee]

Welcome Pictor to ECF. I see your a long time member here. Good job on reducing your daily cigarettes.

Good Luck to You.

 

[itskohler]

Yes, hydrate hydrate hydrate.

 

[dedi]

Welcome (again?)

 

[tnt56]

Welcome to finally posting.
I'll agree with WATER, WATER, WATER. Did I mention water?
Congrats on the success your having. Keep up the good work.

 

[Pictor]

Thanks for the welcome and replies I will definitely try to drink more water! I need to if only for the drier skin I'm getting!

Welcome to finally posting.
I'll agree with WATER, WATER, WATER. Did I mention water?
Congrats on the success your having. Keep up the good work.

Yes, been a long while since I registered. I will drink more water. Thank you.

Welcome Pictor to ECF. I see your a long time member here. Good job on reducing your daily cigarettes.

Good Luck to You.

Thanks. I never posted before - I originally got some Gamucci and hated them so much I gave up on cutting down! Don't think I've visited the forum since.
I had a disposable I bought some months ago and apart from the occasional try before a doctor appointment, hadn't given it much thought until last December.

Welcome to EcF!
I'm going to go out on a limb and say the side effects you are having are because of the pg. Have you ever tried a vg based juice?

Thank you. I'm only just getting used to the ones I've tried so far: V2 & SmartCigs. I also ordered some GreenSmoke to try. I didn't even know there were 2 different types until today either.
For now, I like these because they look and feel pretty close to a normal cigarette.
I'll perhaps see if I can reduce strength and frequency of use before investing in anything else.

 

[TwinTurbo120]

I understand. Well at least now you know their is more than one lol Stick to whatever makes you stay off analogs!

 

[Avi8tor]

Welcome!
Just started vaping. Found that water - more than I usually drink is required

 

[revco]

You know, I have a different perspective when I read about the "side effects" of vaping. I've had some changes too, specifically with what you're talking about, but haven't been too freaked out about them. The way I see it, if I had started smoking yesterday and felt the way I did after 18+ years of smoking the next, I would be more than freaked out than I am with vaping. I can't even recall back when I started smoking, much less if I experienced any changes. I don't think I cared...I was invincible back then and the thought of the next 20, 30, 50+ years was never a factor in my consideration.

My (relatively inexperienced) opinion is that it has a lot to do with increased water intake. With smoking, I could forego water intake. With vaping, I can't...I have to drink 2-4 glasses a day or I get incredibly dehydrated. This alone can have digestive impacts, usually for the better. (At least that's what the doctors say, and I believe them) I'm sure there could (and probably are) other reasons or causes, but that's what I've noticed in me and my body.

I also find it interesting the change that happens when we start vaping. For years, decades even, we consciously choose to inhale carcinogens. We very well know the harm, it's impossible to not. Yet, when we take on vaping, our immediate concern is the effects, or the changes or the question of short term conditions. I think it's our desire to be healthy and the innate understanding of the unknowns in this (theoretically healthier) habit. It's just odd how most of us go there, when we were literally killing ourselves before.

Welcome to ECF! Thanks for seeking us out and good luck with your jouney!

 

[Pictor]

We very well know the harm, it's impossible to not. Yet, when we take on vaping, our immediate concern is the effects, or the changes or the question of short term conditions. I think it's our desire to be healthy and the innate understanding of the unknowns in this (theoretically healthier) habit. It's just odd how most of us go there, when we were literally killing ourselves before.

Welcome to ECF! Thanks for seeking us out and good luck with your journey!

Thanks.
I've begun all this right about the time our government, the EU and media have started picking at the subject, and I suppose it causes some of us to take a closer look at exactly what it is we're using.
I'm far happier not using many cigarettes and everything smells better, including my hair & clothes

I understand. Well at least now you know their is more than one lol Stick to whatever makes you stay off analogs!

I'll try my best to stay off the real ones!
By the way, I don't suppose anyone makes the cartomizers with VG ?

 

[djsvapour]

Hi!

I says you registered in 2009. Is that when you started? (I'm confused)

Do you want to quit smoking totally (and then vaping too?)

Are you really using those cig-a-likes? (I failed to quit from just 10-15 a day on that type).

 

[DoZeY]

35-40 damn, make sure you stick this out! 2 packs a day is bad, bad, bad.

 

[Pictor]

Hi
As I said earlier, I registered in 2009 but didn't actually post anything. I'd tried some Gamucci electronic cigarettes and found them dreadful, so didn't bother again until last December.

I've smoked all my adult life, but in the past 24 years, probably around 25 per day.
Back in December, I was smoking between 35-40 per day, and had been for around 2 years.
Quite by chance I tried a disposable to see if it helped with sore eyes, and found that by the end of that day I'd smoked 10 less. Was a bit amused by that, so curious, I bought some rechargeable ones, carried on and by the end of a week had got down to half.
In the course of the past few weeks, I got down to 6 gradually without really trying hard, and I'm down to 2-3 per day now.
If I keep even that up I'll be very happy.
I think I may have had this result because I deliberately set myself no goals, no pressure and decided not to beat myself up if I fell over with it.
Having the added pleasure of a fresh smelling work room and hallway at home, and no smelly clothes or hair is making it even more worthwhile. The financial savings are a bonus too.

I'll aim for cutting to lower strength at some point, then less use if I can ...I'll just see how it goes.

 

[Pictor]

Hi DoZeY

Yes - over the past two years had a bunch of different close family issues to deal with varying from one having a bad reaction to some meds, another had a divorce, a dog with a SCC tumour, then one temporarily immobile with a trapped spinal nerve, and one with a skin carcinoma caused by sun, plus a long-term pesky persistent visitor .......on top of all that to help through and deal with, I'm self employed, so concentrating on my work in the midst of all that just found me smoking more and more!

Thanks for the encouragement. I'll do my very best

 

[djsvapour]

Sorry Pictor, I never read that bit.

Good luck with it all. I got down to a few (3 or 4) using a small e-cig and went on like that for too long, so I bought an eGo battery kit.

That was the end of my smoking.

 

[Pictor]

Sorry Pictor, I never read that bit.

No problem
...I'll see how it goes and if need be and I feel ready to, I'll try something else. I've only had one cigarette so far today - been up almost 7 hours now. Had half at 9.15 and the other half a couple of hours ago. Both times standing by the open rear door.
The real test for me will be when I start properly concentrating on my work again which will be any day now.

 

[djsvapour]

I have a great deal of respect for you. I cut down to a few, puffed on those little sticks almost constantly and my life fell apart. I was faced with the decision to either fight (the addiction) or accept my fate and buy a good e-cig.
Somewhat curiously, I did a week last summer on NRT and it worked to keep me off the vaping and I was able to concentrate and not be in nic' withdrawal mode. I am now considering my options for if/when the government take away my vaping supplies.

 

[Pictor]

I have a great deal of respect for you.

Thank you so much ...I sometimes mentally stand back from myself and wonder 'is this for real?' Only time will tell, but I'm staying optimistic.

I am now considering my options for if/when the government take away my vaping supplies.

I think they'd be very stupid to do that. They may figure out a way to put tax on them though!
I'm all in favour of not advertising them unless licensed as an aid to stopping smoking, or selling them to under 18's.

I spoke to my nurse practitioner on the phone today and told her about what I'd achieved. I'd half expected her to warn me that it's still nicotine though, but she didn't - quite the opposite, she praised the fact, and said that in her view, it's all good.