New User - How to stay the course?

[Dyerseve3160]

Hi guys,

Been vaping on and off for about two months and have run into a couple of hurdles. The first hurdle I had was from the atty I was using previously (eGo-T) causing my throat to burn worse than a normal cigarette would, which turned me off to the ecig and kept me smoking analogs. I've since fixed that and have gone with a 510 and haven't had an issue since. The only problem is, I can't seem to keep myself on the ecig. Somehow I just dont get the same satisfaction, or my mind can't break the spell over analogs and I seem to find myself smoking analogs more than using my eCig.

So my question is, how did experienced eCig users stay the course and ditch the analogs for the eCig?

Thanks.

 

[Boodle]

Can you share how much you smoke? What strength is the juice you're vaping?

 

[Uncle Willie]

Nicotine level may be initially too low .. liquid flavor may not be right .. mind set not there yet ..

 

[Dyerseve3160]

Sure. Not a heavy smoker. If I go through half a pack a day it's a lot.. On average a pack of cigarettes will last me 2 days before I have to purchase a new one. I started off with 18mg liquid on my first eCig, but thought it was causing the burning to my throat, so since getting the 510, i've gone to a 10mg liquid.

 

[lrage]

It's going to vary for everyone. You basically have to find what works for you equipment wise and mentally.

I can tell you that the 510's didn't cut it for me. The ego's were better. The T's better. And the Ego Cartomizers with the mega ego batteries even better. This set up seems to work for me.

It might be totally different for you, but I would still experiment with equipment till you're pretty satisfied. The 510's might not bother your throat, but at the same time if you're just using standard 510's you're probably not getting the vapor that would make it more of a real smoking experience even though your throat isn't bothered anymore.

The next thing that *I* had to do (your mileage may vary) is consider it quitting. Ever quit with the patch? Or zyban? You had a quit date, and mental preparation to do. To me that still has to happen with e-cigs.

For me I used to be fine on the tanks for a few days or a week or two, but then I'd be out playing golf with my friends that smoke for 4 hours in a cart drinking beer and I'd bum a cig. Than another. Than I'd grab a pack on the way to the bar after so as to not keep bumming off them.

I don't play golf with them anymore. Why? Because when you're quitting an addiction you *have* to make lifestyle changes. If you don't accept that chances are you won't actually quit. In AA (just giving an example not suggesting to do it or really comparing it) they have your write letters to your drinking buddies telling them why you can't be friends with them anymore.

Now, ecigs make this a lot easier. You don't have to change your lifestyle as much as if you were going on the patch. But you need to still "quit". I've heard some people just picked up an ecig and quit instantly without thought, but it sounds you're not like that. Like me you've been back and forth. So I would suggest:

1) Get your equipment in order
2) Get your mind in order so you can quit analogs

 

[Uncle Willie]

No matter the equipment nor the liquid, if you are not mentally ready .. unlikely you'll quit ..

as you said ...

or my mind can't break the spell over analogs

 

[VapingRulz]

Honestly, I think that 10mg nic juice is probably far too low. It really doesn't matter if you only smoked half a pack a day; there's no direct correlation between former smoking habits and the nic level needed to keep the monkey off your back. If it's too harsh at higher levels you may want to up the percentage of VG to mellow it out.

 

[Spazmelda]

so since getting the 510, i've gone to a 10mg liquid.

I'd probably try something higher. Maybe you could try the 18 again now that you think it was the atty that was the problem rather than the juice?

 

[dormouse]

If you get juices with some VG in them then that will help smooth the vape (though also dull the flavor and TH somewhat). 20% to 50% VG is nice in atomizers. Cartomizers - for plain stuffing ones, I get best results with no more than 10-20% VG. The most irritating juices are nicotine in 100% PG.

Boge 3 ohm cartomizers are wonderful on 510. They hold more juice than cartridges, won't suddenly dump a bunch of juice, keep your flavors separate and have a fresh atty in every one. You do need to keep them damp and they have limited lives. I can get 10 days of use out of a Boge. In general the cartos provide a more consistent experience.

Juices - you need to find juices with flavor/aromas that make you go ahhh and the hit you want and relax you. I find alternating 2 contrasting flavors in cartos eliminates boredom and they refresh your palate for each other. Try some other juices. Remember to smell the vapor.

And the way most people refresh their vaping fun - buy a new model. Maybe a mod box or a KR808D-1 (though that may have more hit).

 

[Needo]

I’m with you Dyerseve3160 on that one. The e-cig doesn’t have the same satisfaction as an analog. Here is one trick that helped me. When I decided that I wanted an analogue I made sure to pull on the e-cig hard for about 10 to 15 minutes before having the analog. This accomplishes two things. First, it gets you in the habit of turning to your e-cig when you are having a nic-fit. Second, by loading up on nicotine from the e-cig, you reduce how much satisfaction you get from an analog. You should see your self slowing down on the analogs within the week.
You might try mixing the two strengths to somewhere between 12 and 15 mg/ml. The higher strength juices hurt my throat as well. I started with 24mg/ml and it satisfied the cravings but it hurt my throat something awful. I could reduce this effect by drawing in my mouth holding for a sec and then breathing through my mouth and nose at the same time. Or I would just take smaller draws and breathe in through the mouth after a pause. Once I knew that I hade smoked my last analog, I started reducing the nic levels to save my throat and improve the taste. I hope this helps. Also experiment, a lot!

 

[Dyerseve3160]

Thanks Needo. Glad I'm not the only one in this boat. Willie, I'm positive I want to get off analogs. I've tried quitting cold turkey in the past, only to fail after a few months. I really like the idea of the eCig and would love to use it more, it just never gave me the effect i'd get from an analog. I'm going to try a higher concentrate and see how that turns out.. Thanks for the tips guys. If you have any others, by all means throw em my way!

 

[naga77777]

It will help to find a juice you LOVE. Try samples from the reputable suppliers around here.

There's a thread titled something like "general newb questions about cartomizers" that has lots of juice reccomendations. Its in the newbie forum here.

I found a juice I love, and now my biggest hindrance to quitting is driving. I had one today in my 30 minute commute.

Yesterday I didn't have a single analog. First time I've gone a day without one since I can remember. But I was puffing away at the juice I love.

Wifey was smoking one last night, I asked her for a single drag. I took it, and preferreed my ecig to the way it tasted.

Just gotta find that combo that works best for you.

 

[cags]

I’m with you Dyerseve3160 on that one. The e-cig doesn’t have the same satisfaction as an analog. Here is one trick that helped me. When I decided that I wanted an analogue I made sure to pull on the e-cig hard for about 10 to 15 minutes before having the analog.

I completely agree with this! I didn't even really want to quit, I just wanted to go from 2+ packs a day to 1 pack a day. I am now down to 2 cigs a day. my only "rule" was that if I wanted a cig I had to vape first, then if I still wanted the cig I had it with no quilt. within 2-3 months I was down to 2 a day. and those are at the end of my day before bed. I also think living on the forum at first also really helped .