Older People - 55 years and up!

[Coffee Addict]

"Raises hand"
I too am in this group, well a few months. Smoked since high school, always smoked inside, and sad to say, I couldn't even quit while I was pregnant 7 times.
Have to say, I was so addicted I had my kids at home because I couldn't smoke in the hospital. (That's addicted).
Needless to say, I tried everything out there to quit smoking. I have no idea why I wanted to quit, I had no bad side affects that others have.
No problems breathing or any other health issues, my whole family smoked. Even now including my kids (all who are over 18).
I decided to ask the doctor for chantix to quit......to my suprise, he told me NO. Said I would die from the stress of not smoking before I would die from smoking.
Saw a "smoking everywhere" in the mall, decide to do some research, and ended up here.
Smoked and vaped for about 6 months, then finally went to vaping only.
No smoking for 3 years now, even though my family still does around me, no cravings or desire to smoke.

Needess to say, I like many others, tried everything else, and never thought I would be a "NON SMOKER"......but 3 years now and I really don't see anything that would make me go back.

 

[stephpd]

Won't be 55 until this summer. So as one of the 'younger' folks in this thread I'll still give my 2cents.
Smoked over 30 years 1-2 PAD and some days more then that.

Didn't think these would work but tried them anyway. Had been wanting to quit but have had bad results with all the Big Pharma stuff that never seemed to work. Didn't want to try the pills since the side effects seem even worse then smoking. But the gum and patches didn't work.

Why E-cigs work for me is all the psychological things associated with smoking that vaping mimics very well. Something to hold onto, taking deep breaths and holding it in. Exhaling and seeing the 'smoke'.

Been at this now for 3 months, 2 without a single smoke, though I still get cravings. Just up the nicotine for those occasions and all is well. Eventually plan on reducing the nicotine levels but it will be at my own pace and not dictated to by any patches and their arbitrary levels.

 

[hubseven]

Smoked 2 PAD for 45 years, started vaping a little over a year ago and never looked back and yes I wish vaping came out a LOT sooner.

 

[Karen171]

Good afternoon, Bluesman and fellow "older but better" friends. What a great thread ...hope it becomes a sticky. A great tool if the younger folks read it. They might think twice about picking up an analog after reading about our health problems. Which reminds me, why do we call them analogs? I always called them cigs or cigarettes...but guess it's the modern term now..analogs.

It's good to see that a lot of our health issues have improved since vaping. I feel a lot better. Since vaping I have had a problem with dry skin. Trying to drink more water ...blech. I love A&W diet root beer but they say vaping dehydrates so we all need lots of water.
Dancing Heretik, I'm like you..I don't think I've saved any money yet. Always on the the search for that perfect juice. But hey, I am truly stocked up for emergencies.

So what is everybody vapin? I love these vendors: Backwoods Brew, Mt Baker, Crossroadsvaping, QuicNic. They make good stuff and customer service is over the top. I mainly like the tobacco vapes but am now getting into the other flavors.

Btw, Richie G, if you see this...your dog is absolutely gorgeous! Reminds me of my Sheltie, Willie.

 

[nansc]

Bluesman thank you for starting this thread.I love it

 

[Bostonsnboxers]

Bluesman thank you for starting this thread.I love it

I agree...I think Bluesman should start a group ..AND share his story

 

[DancingHeretik]

Well, I started tearing up a few posts back.

Have to say, I was so addicted I had my kids at home because I couldn't smoke in the hospital. (That's addicted).

Well, I didn't have my kids at home. But, not smoking in the hospital wasn't a problem because I never wen to the hospital until I went into transition. I knew I was in transition because I no longer could handle a cigarette!

I'm getting all warm and fuzzy finding so many kindred spirits. I had been starting to feel pretty lonely among all these youngins!

 

[Bluesman]

I am enjoying all your stories and comments - you would not believe. You people are wonderful. I wish I could personally meet all of you. I started this thread because I was curious how many vaping people around my age were in here. It has turned out to be a great thread because of you folks. Thank you for telling your stories. It seems everyone is enjoying them; and that's what matters.

Bostonsnboxers, I will tell my story but right now I am enjoying yours. I love to meet new and interesting people; and I feel like that's what's happening here.

Karen171, thanks for the tobacco e-liquid leads. Tobacco is all I vape. And, yes, why do they call them analogs?

Tear up, DancingHeretik - as long as they are happy tears.

Keep on posting!

 

[Roxi]

I'm 52, but I thought I'd put my opinion here.
I smoked for 35 years, and I've been vaping for 3 years. I feel so much better, no health problems. My teeth and face are clearer. I feel as good as any other person that has stopped smoking.

 

[rave]

And, yes, why do they call them analogs?

Analog as opposed to digital. For example: Analog clocks/watches are the one with the hands (that many younguns can't even read believe it or not!!) Digital have the numbers. So, "old style" as opposed to "new style". It isn't technically correct, but the meaning comes through.

 

[nanovapr]

Hi all, a quick note now, and more later.... I am guessing they are nicknamed analogs in the vaping community, because everything even remotely new, and connected with electricity is now assumed to be digital, and an an "e-this" and an "e-that". "Analog" is the older predecessor of "digital", so it seems to have stuck. I call them cigs, or "the things that no longer will kill me".

Email was the term I knew first, in 1981, but it really was akin to "electronic mail", so that one still seems valid.

Most e-cigs are not digital at all (some are), most are just a battery and a switch of some kind. Technically, those are analog.

 

[MikeA5]

This is such a great thread! Probably my favorite one along with the very long RY4 thread. Just to read the stories of how people 55ish or over have stopped and the trials and tribulations they have gone through in their lives is very heart warming. Karen171, I forgot to mention how appreciative our pets are that my wife and I have stopped smoking. Our Yorkie/Maltees mix used to sneeze quite often when we smoked now he doesn't sneeze anymore! Our 2 cats are happier as well. And the kids don't complain anymore about the smoke smell when they come over . Things have been so much easier for us since we quite smoking.
Best wishes to everyone.

 

[Uncle Willie]

I decided to quit telling my age some time ago, and would quit birthdays as well if folks around me did not just have to remind me .. suffice to say, I qualify to post on this thread ..

40+ years / at least a PAD / believed the word "Light" actually meant they were not as bad for you .. it was the cool thing to do when I started .. no health facts were well known .. and that first smoke about made me cough up a lung .. but I hung in there ... gas was about 20 cents a gallon in my neck of the woods and when I joined the Military, smokes were around 25 cents a pack ..

Heart attack and 2 stents about 3 years ago .. first thing I did when I got home from the Hospital was, guess what .. ?? Light up a Marlboro .. sadly, true .. the power of addiction ..

One day, maybe a year after the heart attack, I saw an expensive e-cig in the local smoke shop .. paid over $100.00 for it, used it for a month, maybe .. put it away, back to the analogs .. about a year ago, I broke it out and decided to give it a try again .. nosed around the Web for supplies and accidentally stumbled on ECF .. read / read and read some more .. ordered a proper PV kit and some liquid ..

In the last year, I'll admit to having 3 analogs .. each time at a family function, each time as Jack Daniels had losened my resolve ..

Now, I need to start the "Battle of the Bulge" and try and shed those extra pounds I've put on due to my inability to resist cuisine that now makes even a Big Mac taste like gourmet ..

 

[mattiem]

Analog as opposed to digital. For example: Analog clocks/watches are the one with the hands (that many younguns can't even read believe it or not!!) Digital have the numbers. So, "old style" as opposed to "new style". It isn't technically correct, but the meaning comes through.

I started feeling the age thing the day one of my friends daughter came for a visit. was a day or two ago . she needed to call her mom and didn't know how to use my rotary dial phone. I really have upgraded since then.

 

[Semiretired]

Hey, they got a post going that is talking about the "Older People Thread" - LOL... Where's my Geritol???

 

[ctourtelot]

Hey, they got a post going that is talking about the "Older People Thread" - LOL... Where's my Geritol???

Could rename the thread "Welcome to Geriatric Park"

Ok, I'll go back to the kiddie table now

 

[Stosh]

OK, so there's loads of 50 somethings posting here, I'm 59 and holding (actually 61 )

I'm so happy to see this thread, always thought I was one of the very few old f**ts in here.
Always posted that I smoked for 35+ years, just never said how many ++++
(depends on what the meaning of is is) 40 years+ is likely closer to reality.

Started quitting about 30 years ago, was first successful when I bought my first PV,
crummy 401 but I could tell this was something that could work if I stuck with it,
and it's been wildly successful!!!

 

[txtumbleweed]

I'll be 72 this year and I've been vaping for over two years. I inhaled my first cig when I was ten and by 16 I was smoking a pack a day. I was diagnosed with COPD about seven years ago and tried to quit smoking without success. After receiving my first PV I have only smoked a couple of cigarettes and know as long as I can vape I will never return to smoking. My health has improved tremendously and I no longer wheeze, cough or run out of air everytime I climb a flight of stairs. I know my lungs will never be as good as they would have been if I would have quit 20 years ago but I'm sure happy I tried vaping and glad my health has improved so much.

 

[Stosh]

Someone had to remind me, so I'm reminding you too. Don't laugh.....it is all true...

Perks of reaching 65 and heading 70! (or more)

01. Kidnappers are not very interested in you.

02.. In a hostage situation you are likely to be released first.

03. No one expects you to run--anywhere.

04. People call at 9 PM and ask,"did I wake you?"

05. People no longer view you as a hypochondriac.

06. There is nothing left to learn the hard way.

07. Things you buy now won't wear out.

08. You can eat supper at 5 PM.

09. You can live but not very good without your glasses.

10. You get into heated arguments about pension plans.

11. You no longer think of speed limits as a challenge.

12. You quit trying to hold your stomach in no matter who walks into the room.

13. You sing along with elevator music.

14. Your eyes won't get much worse.

15. Your investment in health insurance is finally beginning to pay off.

16. Your joints are more accurate meteorologists than the national weather service.

17. Your secrets are safe with your friends because they can't remember them either.

18. Your supply of brain cells is finally down to manageable size.

 

[mattiem]

I think most of y'all will agree that we have actually been smoking since birth. Back in the day, long long ago no one even thought about second hand smoke. Everyone did it everywhere. Both my parents smoked and thought nothing about the kids in the car. When I actually picked up my first one and lit it it felt like I had been smoking all along. No coughing, no turning green. It just felt natural. Was it like that for the rest of you "old folks"?