Please Help...!

[Rosa]

If you are on meds for your panic attacks I would discuss quitting cigs with your doctor. Often docs will prescribe anti-anxiety meds at a certain dose because they are aware of your smoking and they know that you are already getting MAOI's from your cigs. If you tell your doc that you are not going to smoke anymore they may want to adjust your meds to account for the different amounts of dopamine that you are likely to be getting (or not getting in this case).

In most cases, I would think that going to 24mg would help -- and it MAY help, but it seems to be that it would be more of a concern that you are trying to wean yourself from maoi's (the cigarettes) without getting something else to help make that transition.

IMO, you should:

• speak to your doc about what you are trying to do (click on the link under my banner so you'll have a few talking points)
• go up to 24mg
• reaffirm within yourself that you DO NOT HAVE TO QUIT! This is not quitting, it's just switching to a new brand. It's a transition -- there's no quit date on the calendar.

Best of luck

 

[lunachan]

I'm taking 4 /1 mg of Xanax a day and 20 mg of Paxil. I have told my doctor months ago about my using e-cigs so maybe I should go to a higher level of nic strength, like you said? My doc won't take me off my medicine or reduce it ( believe me, I've asked...). Thanks, I didn't think any one would reply and your all so nice

 

[Rosa]

I'm taking 4 /1 mg of Xanax a day and 20 mg of Paxil. I have told my doctor months ago about my using e-cigs so maybe I should go to a higher level of nic strength, like you said? My doc won't take me off my medicine or reduce it ( believe me, I've asked...). Thanks, I didn't think any one would reply and your all so nice

It couldn't hurt to try the 24mg... the average vaper uses 24mg so you are actually trying to switch using less nicotine than most.

Another thing you can try is to supplement with swedish snus.... I know it sounds gross (wha? chaw?) but it's not that bad, has a mild flavor and there's no spitting involved. It will give you the "cigarette relief" feeling that you are missing, and has been shown to be very safe when compared with smoking.
Snus - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[lunachan]

I am so sorry about your Fibromyalgia. I had a neighbor who had that as well. Hope you are feeling well.
When I read your post, I had to giggle because I've been doing the same things:switching brands, hiding ashtrays and lighters, hiding analogs everywhere -including my fridge also! I don't smoke in my car...my father nailed my ashtray shut. I have a PT in car now. But for first time my car smells good instead of like a consignment shop. My pv is in my bedroom and I'm using the 510 that has the different lights. I like using it but my batteries die faster than I can blink. I think I vape until I feel like I'm going to pass out..maybe that's why it's dying? Plus, I smoked Newport 100s so it's hard to find a mix- one tasted like collard greens. My bf quit and it seemed so easy for him but he didn't smoke as much as I do. He's trying to figure out what to give me but I guess we're both stumped. I will try to get something where I can get more juice and I just maybe can beat this thing. It's not so great to have onion breath all the time or smelly clothes. I know I shouldn't stress so much but I do. I do so appreciate you writing me back and you are so sweet.

 

[lunachan]

Thanks for replying I first was like wha? Snuff? EW..!! But I'll look into it. I think I'd like to try the 24 mg as well. I'm so happy I'm getting so many replies and thanks sooo much!

 

[lunachan]

Rosa, for some reason when I started vaping, and told my docs they raised my med dosage of Xanax, took me off of Serequel and put me on Paxil. They know what I'm trying to do, maybe they don't believe me? I showed them my information I received and even gave them a card from here. I won't quit trying to quit totally and will speak to them again on the 23rd. I am very proud and in awe of all of you who have. Thanks again- Lunachan

 

[lunachan]

Oh thanks Lori! Yeah I've been having a problem finding the right juice :menthol so I've been mixing it with nu-port and it's just ok. But I did mix the one from Awesome Vapes and it was spearmint -like at first but I've mixed it with the other two. That's for OMG moments! So I'll take your advice and try to find a higher juice level. I love peanut butter and choc also strawberry, melon,bananas n coffee. Those are my 18 mgs but I run out very quick.
I have a PT/usb from Cigparts.com;PT it's automatic. Thanks for the advice you are all awesome.

 

[Katya]

Lunachan, some people have a really hard time quitting with nicotine replacement alone. As others have stated, the absence of the MAO inhibitors in the eliquid can be detrimental to those who relied on their antidepressant function. Swedish snus, especially the white mini portions, works best by providing the whole tobacco alkaloids without all the poisons contained in cigarette smoke. Another wonderful product I use is dissolvable tobacco, such as Ariva and Stonewall. If you want to know more about snus, snuff, dissolvable tobacco, CigRX and other products that are out there, and how to use them, where to get them and what is most recommended for the beginners, please wisit the ECF Smokeless subforum and ask your questions there. They will be answered by very friendly and knowledgeable people who, not unlike you, have not been able to quit with vaping alone.

Upping your nicotine to dangerous levels will not do you any good if what you're missing are MAOI.

Good luck. You're not alone.

 

[lunachan]

Thank you WOH. You all are so nice and understanding.
You are right and I understand I'm probably attached because my mom smoked. But I think I will taper and vape this month with what I have & my Joy510 and find some good juices 36/24 mg comes in also a Riva 510. What do you guys think?
Hugs,
Luna

 

[Katya]

Give it a shot, but do not overdo it. 36 mg is already a dangerously high level, especially if you tend to chainvape. Heart palpitations, nausea, and anxiety are the first signs of nicotine overdose.

If you want a sample of Ariva, snus or CigRX, just PM me and I'll be happy to send you some.

 

[MattZuke]

And still, I can't quit analogs! ... Do I need another type of e-cig?

I was on Camel Turkish gold, and at first I found vaping didn't quite address my urge for a cig. This was until I got a cheep KR808-D1 with 24mg cartos in Marl Bros (dirty dish water). Mine I got local for $15. I'm still new to this scene, but I mainly use the 501/T-rex and resort to the 808 for fruit flavors.

 

[druid]

Thank you lunachan for making this post. I thought I had researched a lot about e-cigs, but I had no idea about the MAOIs in tobacco. I have a lot of the same medical diagnoses as you, and the advice from other people here will also help me. Good luck quitting, and try not to let it add to the other stresses of life.

 

[DaveP]

Think more about how many tobacco cigarettes you are NOT smoking rather than doting on the fact that you haven't completely quit. Relax and convince yourself that you will eventually give them up and pat yourself on the back for slowly changing over to something that is less destructive to your health.

When you have the desire to smoke, vape a little heavier and the craving will subside. Do this each time you feel you need an analog. Tell yourself that you will reduce analogs by one a week using this method. Make Progress!

If it takes you a year to completely quit, so be it. Check out the article below about MAOI components in tobacco.

http://whyfiles.org/024nicotine/brainscan.html

 

[wv2win]

........Upping your nicotine to dangerous levels will not do you any good if what you're missing are MAOI.

Vaping 24mg or 36mg is NOT a dangerous level. Why would you even say that! There are hundreds of posts from members over the last 2 years who regularly vape 36mg with no issues. Additionally, it is well known that vaping is far less efficient in getting nicotine into the system in comparison to smoking. Scare statements are not helpful to a new person. Signs of too much nic are apparent and allows the person to reduce their strength without any "dangerous" effects.

lunachan, I would suggest you look at a better PV that provides more throat hit, battery life and consistency than your regular 510. The next logical step would be an eGo/Riva 510. That could help a good bit.

 

[Rosa]

Rosa, for some reason when I started vaping, and told my docs they raised my med dosage of Xanax, took me off of Serequel and put me on Paxil. They know what I'm trying to do, maybe they don't believe me? I showed them my information I received and even gave them a card from here. I won't quit trying to quit totally and will speak to them again on the 23rd. I am very proud and in awe of all of you who have. Thanks again- Lunachan

They are right to raise the dose. Think of it this way: when you smoke you are self-medicating with the anti-depressants in your cigs. If you quit smoking you are actually getting less medicine than usual. It makes sense that they would want to supplement that deficit with prescription meds.

Vaping 24mg or 36mg is NOT a dangerous level. Why would you even say that! There are hundreds of posts from members over the last 2 years who regularly vape 36mg with no issues. ......

Is use 36mg on occasion no problem. No heart palps or anything either. But we are all different

 

[CherylannM]

I am new to vaping, giving it a try 3 days before we had to make the heartbreaking decision to take my MIL out of the hospital and into hospice for the countdown to her final day ... not a good time to try to give up my 1-2 pack a day analog habit. BUT I have found this forum to be exactly what the doctor ordered, so to speak.

I currently have the standard 510 and an Ego-T ... made the mistake of getting low nicotine juices (100% PG 11 mg), now doing better with 24 mg from FreedomSmokeUSA juices in a 50/50 PG/VG mix. Will place another order soon, will probably vary the ratios and get a couple in a higher nic content. I've fallen back to analogs during the past week, not as heavily as I used to smoke, but more than I'd like; I'm not beating myself up for it though, I realize how difficult it is to try to change stress relievers on a moments' notice, especially when extreme stress/anxiety issues are involved.

I just took one member's advice and ordered a passthrough from MadVapes ... I realized one of the "things" I'm missing with vaping is the deep, penetrating feeling of analogs when I inhale (been practicing the correct technique, but something's still missing). Haven't done all the upgrading (like mega batts, etc.) yet, but will try to get there as finances allow.

My advice is to just take it one day at a time, realize you'll probably transition back and forth for awhile until some of the other issues you're facing calm down a little bit, follow the great advice/wisdom of the folks here on the forum, don't be too hard on yourself.

Rosa: somewhere here I saw a short "list" you put together of what hardware is compatible with what (510's and ego, 808, etc.). Can you point me to it if you remember where you posted it? TIA!

 

[Rosa]

Rosa: somewhere here I saw a short "list" you put together of what hardware is compatible with what (510's and ego, 808, etc.). Can you point me to it if you remember where you posted it? TIA!

I can't find it either, but I think it went something like this...

510/eGo can be used like this:
please note that 510 and eGo are interchangeable EXCEPT that you shouldn't use LR stuff on the standard 510 batteries and the chargers are not interchangeable.

• battery+510 atomizer+cartridge
• battery+510 atomizer+drip tip
• battery+510 atomizer+510 tanks or 'smart carts' (new!)
• battery+510 cartomizer
• battery+LR 510 atomizer+cartridge
• battery+LR 510 atomizer+drip tip
• battery+LR 510 cartomizer
• battery+eGo-T atomizer+eGo-T tank carts
• battery+mega 510 atomizer+mega 510 carts
• battery+clearomizer (or CE2 carto)
• battery+map tank
• battery+vapemate+bottle of juice
• battery+LR 306 atomizer+drip tip
• battery+adapter (510 to 901)+any KR808d-1 or 901 stuff
.. but note that there are adapters to use many models stuff on 510 batteries

For the KR808D-1:

• battery+808 cartomizer
• battery+808 clearomizer
• battery+901 atomizer+901 cart
• battery+901 atomizer+drip tip
• battery+adapter (901 to 510)+any 510 stuff EXCEPT LR stuff is not recommended.
..again, there are adapters to use other models stuff on your 808 batteries. Plus, I'm not as familiar with 808, so there may be more that is less often mentioned in the forums... anyone want to add to the list?

Was that what you were looking for?

 

[CherylannM]

Yes, thank you, Rosa! I'm still trying to get all this stuff/info sorted out, LOL! I've finally wised up and will open up a window with Word so I can copy/paste text info I don't want to lose anymore...

 

[wv2win]

........I just took one member's advice and ordered a passthrough from MadVapes ... I realized one of the "things" I'm missing with vaping is the deep, penetrating feeling of analogs when I inhale (been practicing the correct technique, but something's still missing). Haven't done all the upgrading (like mega batts, etc.) yet, but will try to get there as finances allow......

Good idea to move up to 5 volt vaping with a pass-through. However, you don't want to be plugging it into your PC's USB port. First, you won't be getting true 5 volts from your computer and second, it can damage your computer. You need to get a 5 volt/2 amp USB to AC wall adapter that you plug right into a wall electrical outlet. And I assume you are using manual batteries and not autos.

If you like the much better throat hit and consistency of 5 volt vaping and decide to upgrade, I would suggest you look at the 5 volt GLV2 from Great Lakes Vapor or for less money, one of Ken's 5 volt box mods. An even better option would be a good variable volt PV such as the Darwin from nhaler.com or a ProVari or Infinity.

 

[Beez]

My suggestion is to talk to your Psychologist (or other Therapist) about it... Hopefully you have such a resource. Although everyone is offering really good info for you, anxiety is a disorder of creating or building problems to a point not supported by facts (and medication does not necessarily fix that problem since it targets most often the physiological symptoms of anxiety). With anxiety, people tend to weight the facts in a way that is irrational and those with anxiety will easily and quickly discount logical arguments. My intent is to help here... I hope things go well for you on all your journeys

Btw, as has been suggested elsewhere in this thread, cigarette smoke has numerous chemicals that could have been "medicating" you to some degree. Therefore, it would be important to also discuss the fact that you have quit smoking and changed to PV's with your Psychiatrist (or other prescriber) so that she/he can change your meds as necessary (even if in the short term only).