Quitting...

[bighatcowboy]

I've been smoking bout 2 packs of Kools a day for the last... well... lets just says packs were about $1.25 in a gas station, cartons for 10.

I've tried quitting cold turkey, with gum, with pills, with patches, with hypnosis, and my wife's least favorite with chewing tobacco, and lots of combinations above. No matter what I tried I felt I had a itch just beyond reach, a hunger that no food could stop, and I was a very very angry person. I'd eventually break, feel horrible about myself and bing smoke for a week till I was sick.

I tried quitting when packs hit 2 dollars, then 3, 4, 5, and now 6. I tried quitting when my daughter was born, just ended up sequestering myself outside. Tried again with my son, nope still on the porch freezing my .... off.

The last time I tried I bought the strongest patches and gum, loads of candy to keep my mouth occupied. I then had my wife gather up and hide every last dollar in the house, along with my bank and credit cards and hid them. No money, no smokes, and nicotine supplements, how could I fail... 4 days later my wife found me rummaging through an old ash tray in the garage at two in the morning looking for a .... that maybe had a puff left on it.

Nothing helped. I love to smoke. Everything about it sense I was 16 hit so true. I can easily avoid all the other vices in the world, alcohol, food, chocolate, sweets, caffeine, but smoking, I just plane love it. Well loved it.

I am writing this now, just moments from 48 hours without a cigarette and I feel fine. Hell better then fine, I feel gitty, and I can't put my pv down. Not that I feel I need a cigarette, it's just to damn fun.

I've never made it this far without wanting to scratch my eyes out, and I haven't even felt a hint of want for a cigarette. Hell I still have a few packs in the house, but there they sit on the shelf collecting dust.

I never would have been able to do this without this forum, and the volumes of information contained within. So for that, everyone who posts here has my deepest thanks.

 

[Infojunkie]

Ugh...You are lucky. I haven't been able to kick it yet. I've cut my smoking in half, and for me that's good enough for now.

This forum is a gold mine, and the people are awesome to noobs like us. So patient, and I'm sure they've seen it all before but they still answer like it's the first time they have heard about it. It's an extraordinary community.

 

[Chriswerx]

I applaud you! Putting those things down is a huge accomplishment.

It's been rough for me so far. Just when I thought I had it licked... I broke down and got a pack. But like Infojunkie, my smoking has been cut in half! That's no small thing! Hopefully 2/22 will be my day!

Stay strong bighatcowboy! We're all proud of you! Congratz!

 

[tarheeldan]

bighatcowboy - thank you for a great first post. No matter how many times I read about it, the hope PV's give smokers trying to quit - because the experience is so vastly different from trying the gum, patches, etc....it still gets to me; and your post more than most. Welcome, and I wish you success upon success.

 

[MaryMarcelle]

Welcome BigHatCowboy. I'm so happy for you. I can relate with you on the absolute EASE of the transitioning. I feel it really is a miracle that I was able to quit (and so easily) I DO NOT recommend this, but just FYI I tried an analog after a week of Vape only (I was out drinking that night and bought a pack) and I HATED it. I couldn't even finish that first cig. That's when I knew for sure that I would really NEVER smoke again. That pack of cig's sat in my drawer for a week untouched (and then I gave them to a smoker friend who isn't ready to make the switch)

I am absolutely thrilled that you have found vaping, and have had such a great experience with it! Congrats and welcome.

 

[bestthingever]

So happy for you ! I've rummaged through some ash trays myself in the past, so don't feel like the lone ranger ! It's a mighty desparate feeling.
Keep up the good work, and please let the members here on this forum help you if you hit a rough patch.

 

[CaptJay]

Go go bighatcowboy! Is your wife in shock over the ease? Or is she waiting for that other shoe to drop?
It IS nice once you feel you don't want them anymore - or just want LESS, that works too (chris and info take note!). Any reduction has to be better than none, took me a week or so to get rid of my last one and Ive been cig free a month now..wow..yeah..never before this long.
Even if you have just one or 2 a day when you used to smoke a pack or 2 at least - its a victory.

 

[justsomeguy]

Absolutely fantastic!!
Congratulations... keep it up, and keep us updated...

 

[ilk80]

I am writing this now, just moments from 48 hours without a cigarette and I feel fine.

I have tried gum - yuck.
Lozenge's - hurt my teeth (they are sensitive)
Chantix - turns you into an evil monster.

48hrs is still a good thing = be proud.

I will be 1wk 2d by 4PM EST later today, take it day by day.

 

[bighatcowboy]

Go go bighatcowboy! Is your wife in shock over the ease? Or is she waiting for that other shoe to drop?

She's crazy supportive, been putting up with my smoking for the 16 years we've been together. I'm more shocked then she is.

As far as the shoe dropping, I just woke up this lazy sunday, grabbed my pv off the nightstand, and had a "smoke" in bed as I woke up. Something I haven't done sense my wife got pregnant the first time, bout 12 years ago. Nope that shoe ante dropping.

The real test will be monday. I work construction, so smoking all through the work day is no problem, unlike say an office job in a non smoking building. I'll also be surrounded by about 8 different smokers in the break trailer. I'll probably be explaining all day what this thing does lol.

To those who haven't quite quit yet, don't feel bad. That was always my main problem when trying to quit, it was all or nothing. To adapt a phrase from an alcoholic friend of mine who just recently got his 25 year pin from AA, one smoke is both not enough, and to much. And thats what's so great about these things, it's not all or nothing, success of failure, you can cut back and ease off slowly. So don't feel bad that you haven't quite, feel great that you are smoking less.

Good luck to you all.

 

[jj2]

There is those Giant Leaps Of Smokers. This was me but only because I went out of state to see my daughter and only took my brand new e-cig with me and no analogs. Stayed three weeks so that forced me to get through the transition.

Even after I got home, I kept my analogs & paraphernalia. Eight months later, I finally gave away four cartons of cigarettes, and all my do it yourself equipment (loading machine, filters, loose tobacco). Didn’t even bat an eye.

Then there is those who do this in baby steps. My theory, as long as you taking forward steps, be proud.

There are those who still, and may always, have one or two a day.

Then there are those who use snus, gum, sprays, etc. to help them along. Just keep on taking those steps and find out works for you---just don’t take retreating steps with the analogs.

FYI: I kept the ashtrays because they come in handy for my Pvs.

 

[lightinup]

Welcome BigHatCowboy to the forum and congrats on your accomplishment! Keep us posted on your progress! Happy Vapes!

 

[Drummel]

I love reading these stories! Makes me feel so good!

A HUGE CONGRATULATIONS for a grand first step into the vaping world!!

For some it takes some time, for others it's a perfect match. I, myself, had only a small struggle. I never did go back to analogs, I just had to deal with fighting something for a little bit until whatever beast it was stopped rearing up at me.

I'm super glad you finally found something you feel will get you off the analog beast. Again, Congratulations, and my best wishes to your continued success!!!!!!