Nicotine Patches & Vaping

[08Cayenne]

First I'd like to say this is a very informative forum, I've been reading up trying to get a handle on the basics. I'm a heavy smoker, have been for years. It is now starting to catch up to me so its time to quit. My insurance covers nicotine patches so I'm going to give them a try. I use them on occasions when I travel and can't smoke and they seem to work pretty well as long as I can sneak a couple cigs throughout the day. Not sure I would be successful stopping completely with just the patch though. I am hoping to supplement the patch with ecigs for the obvious reasons. Is it common to use both patches and ecigs at the same time?

Thanks
Frank

 

[WillyZee]

welcome to ECF Frank ... I've never tried the patch ... why not skip the patch and give vaping a shot ... it worked for my 35 year smoking habit.

 

[wheelie]

First of Welcome to the forum.

No do not use an esmoke with nicotine and a patch on. Best to consult your doctor. I don't believe we have a doctor in the house here. LOL

 

[havinfun1]

Welcome to ECF. I was a 40+ year smoker, at the end I was about 1 PAD smoker. Tried the patch several times & didn't work for me. Tried vaping about 16 mos ago & haven't had a cig since. I started with an EGO CC & 24mg eliquid, down to 6mg now. You should really just try the vaping alone, it may surprise you how well it works.

 

[rolygate]

If you still have cravings even when using an ecig, then the first thing to try is to increase the nicotine strength in your refills. There would be no point in using a nicotine skin patch, they are far less efficient than an ecig *when used correctly and with a sufficiently strong refill*.

If you consume too much nicotine due to multiple product use, there is no need to worry according to Prof Hajek, who says you will just get a bit queasy and as a result stop consuming one or both, and no harm will result. It's like drinking a bit too much coffee.

 

[Rat2chat2]

to ecf 08Cayenne. So glad you are here. I tried and failed with everything until I tried vaping. It worked and for that I am so thankful. The patches worked fine with me until I took them off. The Chantix worked until I stopped taking them. I had already given up hope of ever being a non-smoker. I only tried vaping to save some money. The more I vaped, the less I smoked. It got to the point where I just preferred vaping. I gave up a forty some year habit with just a puff of tasty water vapor. I can see where the patches would be helpful if you are going to try to use a 0 nic juice. But I have read to many posts on ecf where people have stopped smoking with vaping and then reduced their nicotine intake with hardly no issues at all. I am not one of those. I have increased my nic since I began vaping. I am one of those that it will take a lot more information to convince me that nicotine is any more harmful than caffeine. You will find that ecf is not only a wonderful place to read reliable information regarding vaping, but it is also one heck of a support group. Let us know how you are doing. We all care. Good luck to you and I look forward to reading more about the beginning of a fantastic journey for you.

 

[Katya]

And if the patch is working for you, you can vape zero nicotine--you'll get your nic from the patch and your hand-to-mouth fix from vaping. Or use a lower strength patch and low strength e-juice (3 ml/mg or so). Your body will let you know if/when you're getting too much nicotine.

Good luck!

 

[djsvapour]

I used both, with the approval of my NHS quit adviser and GP (Doctor).

Do whatever it takes.

(A good e-cig shouldn't require the use of further NRT though....)

 

[Debadoo]

You need to ask your doctor. Even if a doc said it was ok for one person, doesn't mean it's ok for another. We all have different states of health. But I would seriously try either 0 nic if you need the inhaling sensation and the patch delivers sufficient nicotine, or vape higher nic juice without the patch. I started at 18mg....had cravings for a cig everyday. Went up to 24mg and the cig cravings went away aside from an occasional "nostalgic" type of craving. The brief smell of a freshly lit cig for instance. I live in a house with two smokers. Once in awhile I think about the simplicity of cig and lighter, or that freshly lit cig smell.....but I have no more physical cravings, and know i'll never go back as long as I can get the vape gear I need for me. Good luck...and welcome to ECF!

 

[08Cayenne]

Thanks everyone for the great advice. I'm sure my doc would not agree with the patch and a ecig. I tried getting him to agree to the patch and a low dose, (2 mg) nicotine gum, for just bad times, but he wouldn't. I don't think a patch will be enough to completely quit so I think I'll try vaping. Now just need to figure out what to order. Thanks again. BTW Merry Christmas.

 

[Debadoo]

If you smoke full flavor, and around ppd or more, I would recommend starting with a bottle or two of 24mg and then get a bottle of a neutral flavor in 12 mg that would mix well with the higher nic you got. Something like a cream, or my fav is an apple juice since I vape mostly fruity juices. If the 24 mg ends up being too high, you can mix in the 12mg at 50/50 and end up with 18 mg. You can vape the 12 by itself and see if that is too low or just right. Will help you zero in quickly on the nic you need. Some find they only need higher nic in the am, and less nic at night etc. So you should be set for all scenarios and can start working on which flavor profiles you like.

 

[LondonGirl]

I don't think it would be a good idea to mix the two as you could easily end up with too much nicotine. However, you could try vaping 0-nic ejuice, as that will replace the habit of smoking for you while you are getting the nicotine from the patch.

I know you've got the patches for free, but I would recommend giving the vaping a go on its own.

 

[08Cayenne]

Thanks again
I've been reading reviews and watching videos all morning. From what I can tell, being a complete novice, is that the Joyetech Ego-C stgarter kit would be a good unit to start with. I really can't find any negative reviews on the system. Would you all agree?

 

[djsvapour]

Thanks again
I've been reading reviews and watching videos all morning. From what I can tell, being a complete novice, is that the Joyetech Ego-C stgarter kit would be a good unit to start with. I really can't find any negative reviews on the system. Would you all agree?

I wouldn't go with that.... NO.

The eGo-C battery is a basic battery (higher quality than some)... but what atomizer system does it use? It might be a) outdated and b) rubbish.

Do NOT trust reviews on the internet.

 

[djsvapour]

I just looked at the atomizer for the "standard" eGo-C kit and cannot recommend this at all.

(I'm not just trolling here, it is dreadful.... I got one bundled with a kit back in June... the atomizer and cartridge system is terribly outdated).

 

[Frenchfry1942]

The biggest thing that the patch didn't do for me was the action of sitting and enjoying a smoke. Kinda relaxing. I was frustrated with the patch. Vaping, I still take my "moments". Even if I vape zero nic, I can still sit on the front porch and have a "moment".

I think that is why so many don't succeed with patches or gum. Being diabetic, sitting in front of the TV in the evening I can vape a French Peach Cobbler for zero sugar.

I am

 

[DisgruntledGoat]

I've used the patch before to quit (I relapsed about a year later, but it did work), and I've also used vaping to quit...

I will say this...both worked pretty well for me, but I enjoy vaping better....I'm having a much better experience this time around!

Regarding your question about doing both at the same time, it would probably be fine, depending on the nicotine level of the patch and the juice you're vaping...but only if your vaping in very limited amounts. I personally wouldn't advise it.

As far as you question regarding hardware, my top recommendation for a starter kit would be the "Eleaf iStick" battery and "Nautilus Mini" tank. If you Google those terms, you should get plenty of results, and there are even YouTube vids out there on how to use them if you're interested.

 

[OlderNDirt]

Patches worked great for me.....until it came time to reduce or eliminate the nic. I tried and tried for 10 years and then gave up. Not only did I give up, but my wife, gp, and cardiologist all gave up on the old guy who would just never quit the smokes.

Then, six months ago, I decided to give quitting one more shot. I drove 100 miles to get to the nearest vape shop, got a lot of info on what equipment would get me started without breaking the bank, tried a lot of juices, and walked out with an all new outlook on quitting. Three days later I had smoked my last cig, haven't even had the urge to light one up, and haven't looked back. I would have never believed it and was expecting another long term struggle of fighting daily not to smoke. But with a positive mindset and supportive wife, I still feel very confident I'll never go back.

One suggestion, whatever you get from where ever, be sure to get backups......two batteries, two tanks, and replacement coils. And start with several small bottles of juice until you are sure they are what you want.

Good luck, happy holidays, and enjoy the journey you are about to take. It really is a life saving experience!

 

[Warpigs]

Welcome to ECF! I used the patch a few times and once while vaping. I was vaping 36-38nic at the time. It didn't bother me vaping and having 28nic patch on.