Skitish

[Mr.Stick]

I made the jump last week from 8mg to 4mg, and I don't seem to have turned into a mumbling pile of worthlessness, or into Satan himself, though the wife says I am a little ornery... I've only been quit from smoking since March, and I wondered if anyone can describe the transition to zero nic.

I have to admit, I've been pretty flippant about my nic reduction up till this point, but I worry about a single factor, and it is as follows -

If I really want to quit, is it better to drop down to 0 nic without a crutch as a back-up, or would it be prudent to have a bottle of 4mg or so nearby, just in case? Anyone here who has tried, and even failed, please advise. I don't ever want to sheepishly wander into a gas station to bolster Phil Mor's income again.

 

[deadman31299]

If i were you i would certainly have a backup..the 4mg sounds great. Would hate to slip and have a regular old smoke again if i didn't want to.

What harm could it cause to have some 4mg on hand?

 

[v1John]

I agree with deadman. I quit smoking in March also, but I'm still on 24 and 36.
I have quit smoking so many times with the patch, the gum, and lozonges, and it never worked, until now, that is.
With lozonges, the [fda approved?] box recommended 4mg for me (up to 9 times a day=36) however, for the first month and a half (iirc).

So, if you're at around 4, how many cartos per day? Or was that 4mg per day? Anyway, congratulations on not smoking; my opinion is yes, I would keep a supply handy.

 

[Mr.Stick]

If I felt guilty, I suppose I could cut it to 2mg, but at 4mg I'm already knocking on the door of placebo... I've done my reading, and as for science, hell, I'm already suffering from a mental deficiency as it is. That Zero number is just so freakish.

 

[Mr.Stick]

I agree with deadman. I quit smoking in March also, but I'm still on 24 and 36.
I have quit smoking so many times with the patch, the gum, and lozonges, and it never worked, until now, that is.
With lozonges, the [fda approved?] box recommended 4mg for me (up to 9 times a day=36) however, for the first month and a half (iirc).

So, if you're at around 4, how many cartos per day? Or was that 4mg per day? Anyway, congratulations on not smoking; my opinion is yes, I would keep a supply handy.

I'm shady on the math, but I'm killing 2 prefilled 4mg cartos per day, plus, lets say... oh, the equivalent to two more in liquid when I refill at home. Granted, I cut the refills with gin, but I still refill for two cartos worth, sometimes three.

 

[sonnetjie]

I tried having some 0nic at night and I don't know if it was just my mind playing tricks on me, but it just didn't "work" for me... I would have some 4mg juice on hand just for in-case... You are doing great!

 

[minxy_fox]

I just want to say that I think you're doing great! To get down to 4mg is an accomplishment in itself. I guess it will be a case of slowly does it for a while, so that you don't notice the drop so severely? In any case, as I said .... you are doing well.

 

[Mr.Stick]

I just want to say that I think you're doing great! To get down to 4mg is an accomplishment in itself. I guess it will be a case of slowly does it for a while, so that you don't notice the drop so severely? In any case, as I said .... you are doing well.

Wanna hear the funny story about how I went from 24mg to 8mg? I got 2 orders of menthol cartos, on accounta they have such an obvious kick and flavor, and I ripped all the labels off. That was easy though, in the middle-ground, because I didn't know if I had dropped my addiction level, or just stopped caring. All I know is that when I ordered 8s, I wasn't the least concerned, then again, that ZERO number is hard to hide. I'll get there though, and likely with a little bottle of 4mg somethingorother.

This is another reason that these forums are so important; thank you, support group, for the support

 

[minxy_fox]

Wanna hear the funny story about how I went from 24mg to 8mg? I got 2 orders of menthol cartos, on accounta they have such an obvious kick and flavor, and I ripped all the labels off. That was easy though, in the middle-ground, because I didn't know if I had dropped my addiction level, or just stopped caring. All I know is that when I ordered 8s, I wasn't the least concerned, then again, that ZERO number is hard to hide. I'll get there though, and likely with a little bottle of 4mg somethingorother.

This is another reason that these forums are so important; thank you, support group, for the support

Okay, so you tricked your brain. Maybe you can do it again? If you can't, just remember that it's not the end of the world! It will happen in time. I do understand that fear of the word ZERO though. You'll get there, I'm sure.

 

[Mr.Stick]

Okay, so you tricked your brain. Maybe you can do it again? If you can't, just remember that it's not the end of the world! It will happen in time. I do understand that fear of the word ZERO though. You'll get there, I'm sure.

Oh, I'll get there. I'm nobody and nothings B!tch... except my wife's. I'm her b!tch, no complaints and all compliments

Anyhow, call is made - Down to 0, with some 4mg back up, just in case.

 

[Michelle43]

I would stick with 8mg and do your fav flavors in 4mg. You probably smoked for years, no need to rush getting off it.

 

[v1John]

I would stick with 8mg and do your fav flavors in 4mg. You probably smoked for years, no need to rush getting off it.

That is a real good point. I just read the OP again and realize now that the jump from 8 to 4 was only a week ago.

I agree. I would stick to the 8mg, but buy a bottle of 0mg also. Then you can mix half-and-half and end up with 4, and you'll have 0 and 8 handy and ready as needed.

 

[deadman31299]

I'm shady on the math, but I'm killing 2 prefilled 4mg cartos per day, plus, lets say... oh, the equivalent to two more in liquid when I refill at home. Granted, I cut the refills with gin, but I still refill for two cartos worth, sometimes three.

Hum. Well that kind of puts a different spin on the situation really. So you are almost consuming 3-4 carts a day with refilling? lol.

Sounds to me as maybe you would want to INCREASE your nicotine level. Really, in my personal opinion, doesn't seem as you are getting that "satisfaction" from 4mg. It all really depends on what you are looking to accomplish, i assume your #1 goal is no cigarettes, and from the sounds of things, eventually no nicotine.

If you are looking to end the experience altogether, like no vapor as well eventually, then certainly the plan would be to degrade your usage as you have been.

If you don't mind using nicotine, go higher! I found with higher nicotine levels, i was "vaping" less. After using some "high" strength, i felt "full" satiated, and definitely used my VK less. Personally i don't mind the VK habit. Seriously, it's a million times better than actual smoking as you and many others here know. Much better using a nicotine substitute with roughly 5-6 chems, than a cig with thousands.

You made a big step abandoning the smokes to begin with, and for that you owe yourself, so not to be the devil's advocate, but why not splurge on your nic level? Unless that is like i mentioned you want to be done with that altogether. We are only human. Understanding from others may be important, but understanding YOURSELF is the most important of all. Would hate for you to rush yourself is all. Take it easy.

 

[Adrenalynn]

You could try blind testing to see if you're ready. Have someone else, like your wife, label cartos of 4mg and 0mg, for example, with simple numbers. 0,1,2,3,4,... Have her write the equivalence on a piece of paper and put it somewhere out of reach. Try one series for a period of time, then another series. You won't KNOW what the numbers mean. Keep track, and at the end of a month or some-such, go back and check.

 

[Mr.Stick]

@Deadman- I'd always been one of those kinds of smokers; I was a chain-smoker. Now I just vape, but I vape alot. I claim to have been a 2 pack a day smoker, but thats really just ballpark figure, on a good day, if the wife was happy, if nothing went wrong at work, blah, blah, blah. I don't intend to ever stop vaping, but yeah, I'm shooting for an addiction free experience.

To all the others, thank you for the input I'm glad I decided to post this before my next order. Sticking with 8 and 4mg for a while isn't a bad thing, and Adrenalynn, I'm gonna keep that idea about getting my wife to switch it up from time to time Brilliant.

Thankyouthankyou thank you all.

 

[Adrenalynn]

I can't take credit for any "brilliance" in Scientific Method, but thanks for the nod!

 

[Mr.Stick]

Update!!!

I'm back to 8mg now, having bottles of 8 on hand now. I am, after a week or so, noticing that I have vaped less than with the 4mg... This is a bitter-sweet revelation, as it means that the nic still has a hold on me which I can't deny. On the other hand, the help you all offered via advice in response has cut me down to a reasonable consumption and helped ground me. I intend to stay with 8 for a while. Thank you for all your kind attention

 

[deadman31299]

Update!!!

I'm back to 8mg now, having bottles of 8 on hand now. I am, after a week or so, noticing that I have vaped less than with the 4mg... This is a bitter-sweet revelation, as it means that the nic still has a hold on me which I can't deny. On the other hand, the help you all offered via advice in response has cut me down to a reasonable consumption and helped ground me. I intend to stay with 8 for a while. Thank you for all your kind attention

That's great news d00d. Reasonable consumption is a good thing! Glad you found your "level"!

 

[MeMa]

Update!!!

I'm back to 8mg now, having bottles of 8 on hand now. I am, after a week or so, noticing that I have vaped less than with the 4mg... This is a bitter-sweet revelation, as it means that the nic still has a hold on me which I can't deny. On the other hand, the help you all offered via advice in response has cut me down to a reasonable consumption and helped ground me. I intend to stay with 8 for a while. Thank you for all your kind attention

First, congratulations on kicking the butts! However, I do think that you are trying to rush the process a bit. A 2 pack a day habit is difficult to quit. Give yourself time to adjust and slowly cut down to 0. We are all addictive personalities - switching out your addiction for one that has less cr*p in it is admirable and quite an accomplishment! It sounds to me, like you are almost trying to quit cold turkey - that's a scary thought! My theory is that it will happen when you are ready and that you can't force it. Good luck!