Renewed Determination

[leannebug]

hey hon, I glaced over the other suggestions briefly.. so forgive me if I repeat anything... also.. always keep in mind YMMV (your milage may vary).. what works for one, may not work for another!!

First thing.. absolutely: stop smoking in the car, stop smoking in the house, don't make it easy on yourself. If it takes effort to light up, then you have to think about it first.

Second.. you are probably one of the ones that needs those 'other' things in the cigs.. the MAOI's etc. DeVap did some extensive studies on it, and if I had the link I'd link you to it.. but do a search.. it's here on ECF somewhere. There are some of us (myself included) that get hooked on some of the other ingredients in the ciggies besides just the nic, so we need to replace THOSe as well.

SO.. go check out the nicotine alternative forum section. You mentioned snus. I tried that.. didn't care for it, so I used the snuff. I liked that much better (because it was like walking around 'smelling' pleasant things) IF you'd like some samples, LMK and I'll send ya a bunch.
I also went to my dr, talked about what was going on, and asked about a MAOI alternative. Since I have heart problems, taking an MAOI was not an option, so he put me on Wellbutrin for the short term. (still on it)

Next... even with all of those things.. I still could not stop the last 3-5 smokes a day. Just couldn't drop them. I tried messing with the nic levels, PV devices, and tried every flavor of juice I could find. (all the while wondering how everyone else could just quit!)

FINALLY I found a PV set up that I loved... THEN I found a juice that became my "all day vape"... and suddenely I quit. I just stopped smoking. I dont even know the exact day it happened. Not even sure how long it's been.. I think about 2 months.

My point is.. it took a lot of factors for it to happen for me.. all the cards had to fall into place.. and then it was SO easy, I didn't even realize it was happening! So go easy on yourself. We are all different, we all need different things, different juice levels, PV's, additives, etc... there is NO one perfect answer for anyone. As long as you want this, it will happen. (and if you have a cig.. it's OK.. eventually you will find what works for you!)

I hope this helps,
wishing you the best!!


PS> after I did find my 'all day' I upped my nic at that time, and found that helped a little too .... I also know nothing about coughing. Perhaps too much TH? That was the only time that *I* coughed.. the nic and TH were too high
bug♥

 

[lynleestar]

wow, from what I've heard the snuff stings your nore really bad?

 

[gramakittycat]

I'm another 40+ 2+ppd year smoker and also one that can't remember quite when my iast cig was but it has been a while.I just kept a pv in hand and tryed many types.I also got lots of samples from lots of vendors of different juices.One day I realized I had'nt had a smoke if a few days and did'nt realize it! Keep a loaded pv in hand at all times;if you light up puff the pv along with the cig.You will succeed;I now can tell the moment my son lights up in the other room and it STINKS! I have no cravings for a analoug now at all and once in a blue moon I'll try a puff from someone but I never want a second one LOL and I would have sold my soul some time back for just another pack.Now you could'nt give me one.I'll put you in my prayers and I fully expect to read similar words here one day from you on how you are no longer a analoug smoker.

 

[chimney55]

Hi Lynlee I saw your post and had to respond. I'm another one who hasn't been able to break the ties. At first I was vaping juice that was too weak (nic wise) so I upped the nic level to 24mg--this was better. Then I had to find the PV that was perfect to me. After that, it was finding the perfect flavor to vape that I could vape all day even if it meant going to "tobacco flavors for a time. (that was key for me---flavors are fun, a tobacco flavor means business!) So why did I buy another pack of analogs this afternoon??? I've decided that it is "separation anxiety". I've moved around a lot in my life. After 37 (stressful and lonely) years of smoking anywhere from 20-60 cigarettes a day and only 3 day respites in there for the patches or gum, I realize that I'm scared *&@!less to leave behind what has been for me my only friend. Now, I am trying to convince myself that analogs are NOT a true friend and that my PV is my friend.

In addition to that, I find that I'm sensitive to PG. I'm okay at less than 80% PG, but I usually hover around 50/50 now. Also, you'll find that some flavors (regardless of the nic level or PG level) are harsher than others. Find the ones that don't make you cough and up the nic level.

 

[grandmato5]

Thanks for answering my questions Lynlee. Congratulations on already cutting out 50% of your smoking !!!!! You should be proud of that accomplishment !!!!!! Instead of looking to cut all your analogs out immediately what about working on cutting out another 50% in the next 2 weeks as a goal??

Since you REALLY want to give up those analogs here's my suggestions for you. Set a specific goal of cuting your number of analogs per day in half down to 7 instead of 15. Each night put 7 in a container and make those the MOST you can have the following day. Remind yourself you can have them anytime you want BUT when they are gone there are NO MORE for that day.(that helps prolong when you start smoking during the day since you really don't want to be left with nothing to smoke at the end of day if you REALLY want one then and that is what will happen if you smoke them all early in the day). IF you feel you really want one look at the clock and give yourself 15 minutes before you have one. In that 15 minutes vape yourself silly with your 24/30 mg nic. IF you still REALLY want one when the 15 minutes are up have it, BUT if you still want one but can stand it, vape another 15 minutes to see if that major urge has passed. Make a game out of keeping to that 7 or less cigs a day. Never light more than one cig when you do have one. Never have one cig after another again.

18mg is obviously not high enough for your needs so you do need to up that to 24 or 30 mg for a great part of your day. Use your 3.2VT(Ego) or preferably your 3.7 VT mods for those higher nic levels sometimes. Use your 5VT devises for your chainvaping at your 18 mg liquids. That doesn't mean you can't use the 24/30mg on your 5VT its just that many of us that do use a 5VT devise find that those high doses don't go well with chainvaping although you should be fine with the high levels as long as its not in a major chain vaping mode on the 5 VT. So limited 24/30mg vaping on the 5VT devise, major chain vaping on the 5VT at 18 mg for now.

Start your morning with that 24/30 mg vape on your 5VT to get you going. 24/30 on breaks at work. 24/30 on your way home from work and right after you get home from work. Get that 510 direct 5VT PT for your car and use it !!!!!! Chain vape in the next two weeks like you've never vaped before. Just be careful to lower that nic level back to 18 when you are chainvaping on the 5VT for any major lengths of time.

Let those of us on PIF help you. Start a thread or continue this one and come on here when ever you need support in the next two weeks. Come talk to us when you really want a ciggy and maybe we can talk you though it sometimes. No matter how you do we all support you and beleive in you !!!!!!!!!!!

 

[lynleestar]

great suggestions, thanks so much~!


I've had 3.5 cigs today. I think getting non menthols has helped with the slow down~! And all the support here in pif!

 

[grandmato5]

YEAH!!!!!!!! Midevening and only 3.5 cigs today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now that's a good vaping day!!

 

[Ciego]

Lynnlee, first of all, you're doing better than you think you are. I say this, because you've reduced your analog use. Here are a couple more suggestions to add to the good advice already given:

* Don't discard your ashtrays. Leave a PV resting in a clean ashtray. Put PV's where you'd normally leave your ciggies: Glove compartment, purse, backpack, kitchen counter, bedside table etc.

* Keep a pack of cigarettes handy, but keep vaping supplies right next to it.

* Smooth falvors? Try BWB Malty in the 24 mg. strength. Very smooth. Also, KBV OMG (hurry!) is a smooth vape. Do not use heavy tobacco flavors or anything that's more than 80% PG.

* Menthol can help, even if you are not a menthol analog smoker. I really like V4L "Smilin' Special Menthol," it's not too harsh and has a peppermint/sweet edge that makes it very palatable.

* Enjoy the adventure of trying new flavors. It's crazy; I've been going through bottles sent to me as a PIF last night and today (Thanks Tori L.!) and even though I don't like all the flavors I've tried, I'm enjoying some of them quite a lot.

* Do little vape-maintenance chores. Clean your atomizers, make sure batteries are at full charge, sort out your juice bottles.

* Regarding the PT: You'll get a very potent hit from a PT, so if the 3.7 volt is too harsh for you, the PT might be worse. You might try alternating between high nicotine juices and low or zero. If you're like me, you gotta have that pacifier in your face most of the time. (Hey, I sucked my thumb until I was like 50...LOL). Having a low-nicotine option will prevent you from building your tolerance even higher, and will give you a safer option if you vape constantly.

And I have to echo the PIFfer above who said you shouldn't be too hard on yourself. You built one hell of an addiction to cigarettes over the years; it might be tough to break that addiction. Nicotine along with Vitamin D can help, but the lure of those damn stinkies can be strong.

One good thing I did which convinced me to *never* go back to analogs was to stay away from them, absolutely for a week. When I went back to them, the first puff tasted like poopoocacadumpplop. So, I listened to my taste buds, crushed it out and didn't look back. Trust me; after a week or two of no analogs, they taste like a chemistry set. Horrible.

I wish you success. I know it's tough, but you can and will do it.

 

[lynleestar]

yes I've had the Indulgence with the 801 head cap at 6v glued to my hand all day. 5 snus pouches. Whatever it takes

 

[kj4lxw]

You're doing alot better than you think, lots of good support here for you and happily supplied.

Chain vaping helped me, kept me occupied and away from the bad stuff. But its different for each of us so keep at it, you will find your nitch.

 

[chimney55]

great suggestions, thanks so much~!


I've had 3.5 cigs today. I think getting non menthols has helped with the slow down~! And all the support here in pif!

OOOh!oooh! Are you a menthol light smoker perchance? Those are my "downfall" as well. I recently sampled and ordered PureCig (with menthol added) from freedom smoke USA. It's the only thing that would satisfy that "menthol light" that I was looking for without be "harsh".

 

[lynleestar]

pall mall menthol yeah. Not menthol light but not newport either~! I have yet to find a menthol vape that I like though.

 

[Sdh]

pall mall menthol yeah. Not menthol light but not newport either~! I have yet to find a menthol vape that I like though.

Lynleestar

Have you tried any Vapor Renu East coast menthol. It is so close to a newport. Also Tasty vapor tobacco menthol is different.
Gourmet vapor nuport/camel with menthol had a good taste. I also tried TW salem and its okay. So far I have not found anything really with the flavor of Turkish tobacco/menthol which is like a L&M would be. I like that flavor. I also liked Pall mall menthol. (As you can tell I am a menthol lover as well!) Good luck on your quest!

 

[Eekaa Chu]

Jut keep trying is the best advice I can give. Everyone is different, and it may take you longer to kick the habit, but you are trying and just like your sig line says, every one you avoid is a good thing.
Don't beat yourself up too much when you have an analog, and keep on vaping and looking for what works for you.
You can do it! Love ya girl!

 

[cobaltblue]

Lots of Great suggestions already!

One that worked for me in the beginning was to set the pv on the nightstand loaded with 30mg nic (maybe not that high for you). In the morning I made myself vape for 15 minutes before I got out of bed. Talking about the type of chain vaping where the only oxygen I'd get was going to be through the end of that pv. lol Seemed to help since the nic from a pv hits slower than from an analog. Maybe snus first thing would help instead.

Sometimes during the day I'd get so busy working that I'd forget to vape. Big mistake, so I made myself do something similar during the day. After a while I noticed that I'd start to get nauseous if I tried anything close to that and started to decrease my nic and the amount of time I vaped. The major cravings for an analog started to pass about that time too.

Not that you need to go to this extreme but I also kept the pack of cigarettes Buried out in the garage. Not talking in a box in the far corner but way down deep in a full freezer, or while I was building oak cabinets for the house the pack was between stickers under Hundreds of board feet of lumber. Wasted a lot of 'women-hours' digging for those things but managed to get a lot of extra exercise along with that sore back. lol

About your cough...

You're really familiar with the types of juices you like by now so if there are any flavors you've found that seem better on your throat just PM a long list with your addy and I'll send them so you can give them a try DIY style. I don't have any VG based nic or I'd just make them for you. I can order some if you'd like though.

((((((Giant Hugs Lynlee))))))....you're already on the right track and doing great!

 

[lynleestar]

well, I'm going to end the day at 6 analogs. Woo hoo~!

 

[emilysunshine]

From 15 to 6 is awesome! You can do it!

 

[keyzygirl]

Very Good Lyn!Just keep going.

 

[bonniegirl]

Lynlee
Don't know if you are aware, but I take consultations from Doctors to help patients with e-cig success. Before I weigh in with my opinion and suggestions, I need some information.
1. Brand smoked and number perday
2. were you a binge smoker or dabbler? Bingers have 3-6 in morning with coffee, 2 at break, 3-4 after lunch and dinner and chain smoke through evening. Dabblers smoke all through the day at regular intervals.
3. When you say harsh, where is the harshness and what increass it?
4. Did you direct inhale (like a straw) or bolus inhale (hold in mouth and after toke inhale whole amount at once into lungs)
5. What is it that you miss in the vapor or e-cig ritual that you get from the analog?
6. Do you have a family history of COPD, emphysema or have you been diagnosed with either?
7. Do you get short of breath doing activities of daily living?

After these questions are answered, I will better be able to give my 2 pence worth. Also, very good suggestions have been posted thus far.
Hugs
Bonnie

 

[lynleestar]

Thanks Bon~!

1)Pall Mall Menthol Was 30 a day until I started vaping, then went down to 15 a day (only 6 yesterday!)

2)binge smoker

3)the harshness is either on inhale or exhale and kicks me in the throat. It is either too much pg or too much nic

4) with analogs bolus inhale, with my pv direct inhale

5)I cannot answer that, I don't know~!

6) I have not been diagnosed but my grandmother and mother have been diagnosed with copd, and my father passed from lung cancer

7) not short of breath for daily activities but I do get wheezy if I over exert myself.