Still smoking support and chat thread

[AndriaD]

It helped me to pay more attention to the ones I don't smoke than the ones I do. Focusing on smoking tended to make me want to smoke - even talking about it in here at times. I think everyone has to find the balance that works for them.

With unflavored WTA (both Aroma and WC) I think you are getting the alkaloids, meaning you can add some drops to your fav eliquid and get the full effect. Notice that Aroma calls their pre-mixed "WTA infused" - well when you buy the unflavored, you are getting the "infused" part with no flavorings. I'm not sure what WC is offerring lately. I know the two are very different product lines. I've used both. WC is a newer company and they have changed their products so you might want to double check with them directly and see what they reccomend. You might also ask at Aroma's thread too. But my hunch is that you might be successful just adding it to what you've already got.

I started out at 12mg, even got dizzy at first (chain vaping) and had problems making the transition. Someone suggested upping my nic level and I tried it, worked like a charm. I still float between a variety of nic levels during the day.

I float around too; start the day at 10.5 mg, for maybe an hour-ish; then go down to 8 or 9 mg; after dinner usually I would go down to about 6mg, but I'm having a harder time dispensing with the evening smokes than the daytime ones, so currently I'm not decreasing the nic, to try and do the substituting thing more. Mainly for me it's just been getting the acquired taste reacquired; it was a recent acquisition, so when I lost ALL my tastes for everything from being so ill, it was one of the first to be lost, I guess -- LIFO! But the cigarettes were indeed very old friends, from whom I had not been parted all that long, so not really surprising I guess. And from what I hear, maybe they actually helped that post-appendectomy IBS, which was just wretched, and probably the biggest part of the suffering; the surgery itself was no big deal.

I do think the unflavored would be better, since I use several sweet flavors, that were my initial branching-out from "Virginia" 24/7. Got some more sweet ones on the way from Killer-Juice, from their recent "blitz" sale: blue ice, red ice, mtn dew code red (which I suggested, back in March!), and chocolate chip cookie. I'm loving all these delicious tastes without gaining weight!!!

I'm pretty sure the chain vaping thing is why even the 12mg made me ill; I had to drop all the way to 6mg so I could just vape as much as I wanted, and it got me to quit smoking the first time. But the novelty is gone, and now I find I really do better at about 9mg-ish, and not vaping just *constantly*, and that helps prevent some of the dehydration too, if I just don't vape so often.

Andria

 

[Thayamax]

Timothy, it sounds like you've got a ton of vaping stuff. If you're looking for more tinkering opportunities, try switching from cotton (or whatever you're using for wicks) to rayon. It's a whole new ballgame and you'll find yourself rewicking everything and tinkering a lot to get it just right.

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/rebuildable-atomizer-systems/561226-rayon-wick-better-flow-flavor-saturation-nic-hit.html#post13089068

 

[Timothy Moore]

I am hearing more and more about this, but have yet to try it.

I may have to jump on this bandwagon.
I am sure we all know that new stuff encourages vaping as well.

BTW, love your avatar lol. Every time I see you post, one of the songs from the score starts playing in my head. lol

 

[AndriaD]

I am hearing more and more about this, but have yet to try it.

I may have to jump on this bandwagon.
I am sure we all know that new stuff encourages vaping as well.

BTW, love your avatar lol. Every time I see you post, one of the songs from the score starts playing in my head. lol

"It's just a jump to the left..."

But I agree 500% about the rayon -- amazing stuff!

Andria

 

[Karen N Daytona]

First, I would like to say Hello and welcome to all the new family members!

For those that don't know me, I haven't been around much, I get sick often,

For those that do know me, I have finally been to the Doctor! I am now on 6 meds, none for pain, just 6 things I had to start taking, for Diabetes and HIgh blood pressure, On WellButrin to try to stop smoking, with vaping allowed and liked by the Doctor.
I am getting referrals to another 6 Doctors, most important right now Pain Management, so I go to that on THursday, I have to go to a Cardiologist, I have something called PAD, among my problems. Gastroenterologist for my problem swallowing, I have wheezing so I have to be checked for COPD, and, as if the fun will never stop the GYN as well.

The meds make me tired, I thought it was my imagination but, no, they make me tired about 45 minute after I take them.


Had to get a huge pill organizer, I hope I can keep them all straight!

Vaping more since I absolutely have to quit or I will die for sure. Not willing to go at this age! Fighting on.


Haven't been doing as much with contests either, my back has been sick since I fell, so I am not feeling great to sit up that long.
Still have to get a tablet so I can lay down and still be online!


Well that's my drive by, and I miss and love you all!

I didn't have time to read past the last two pages because I can't sit that long, not editing so hopefully I speeled right!

 

[ShariR]

My sister seems to have the same effect on me. I visited her less and planned for what I would do when I was at her house. I would have a different flavor that I vaped only when she was around - or vaped my favorite, chain vaping. I had some 24mg that I kept just for sister-time. I am down to 12mg, but that hour of 24mg left me with no desire to light up. I also would make sure I smelled her smoke and watched and paid attention to her smoking. The smell ended up being repulsive to me.

The kicker was me trying to get her to try my Provari. Just listening to all her reasons not to even try it was reinforcement for me to not have a cigarette with her. That was me a little over a year ago. I will not go back there.

I do not know if any of these things will help you out FQ, but I get it and do feel for you. The emotional triggers are the hardest. You can not change anyone else. Just do what You want to do and be ok with it. You know who you are and what you want. Keep your power. By that I mean if you want a cigarette, have one. If you do not want one, do not let her interfere with your head. I know all this is easier said than done. You will be fine.

Hey everyone! I've identified a trigger, however that does me absolutely no good, because I can't avoid this trigger forever.

My sister.

Every time I'm around her I immediately start smoking every time she does. When I'm planning on going over to her house for a visit I just automatically buy a pack of Newport 100's in preparation. When I go home I leave the remnants of the pack with her (she smokes the same ones) because I won't want one again until I see her again. If she comes to my house (even for a few brief minutes to pick up or drop off kids) I'll go outside and at least have a couple drags off her cigarette, unless she just gives me a whole one.

What sucks is I've gotten past all my other triggers except this one. I can go and vape in the smoking gazebo, smell them, be around them, and never want one while I'm working. But if I'm in her presence, smoke 'em if you got 'em. But what really really sucks is I was around her a million times when I first quit and didn't give in. Only from Thanksgiving to now I'm "weak" in this situation.

Aside from cutting off all contact with her, which ain't gonna happen, any advice or ideas welcome. Thanks in advance!!

 

[ShariR]

OMG! That was ME!!! For years and years! You nailed that one. I thought it was just me.

Ugh. I know that problem well. On several of my quit attempts I've had to limit smoking friends or I'd be right back at it. I always smoked more around them too even if I wasn't trying to quit. There's a weird thing that happens. One lights up, the other does to and then the first one has finished so they light up again and by that time the other one has finished, and lights up again. Awful. I'd go through double the smokes, maybe more. It can happen on the phone too.

I agree with Jazz. Talk to her and tell her this is causing problems for you and see if she wouldn't mind vaping around you instead. My guess is your missing the cigarette experience and not the nicotine so much, maybe a cigalike would be more comfortable or something like an ERoll? Just a guess.

 

[Thayamax]

Great to see you, Karen! I was starting to wonder and worry about you since I hadn't seen you around for way too long. Hopefully your multitude of pills and doctors will finally get you back in working order and we'll get to enjoy you being around again. Miss you lots. Come around when you can and keep us informed of your progress.

 

[ShariR]

Sorry to hear about the poor toothies. Big Ouch!!! Good for you that your vaping stuff is ready to go. This does sound like a good time to try vape only for at least a few days and try to build on that. Hope you feel better soon.

Well, God works in mysterious ways, his wonders to perform.

New breakthru in my battle with cigarettes.
Two things happened today that pushed me back into more vaping.

One, and the lesser one, was that I finally got some brasso for my brass mods.
Now, for me, the more I tinker with my ecig stuff, the more mindful and desirous to vape I become. I already have all my juice made and all my rebuildables set up the way I want. This diminishes my tinkering time
But with brasso, I have spent over a couple hours today polishing my brass mods. (they were in pretty bad shape. One had started to show green.)

The other, greater thing that happened was a dual tooth extraction I had today. Of course, smoking after an extraction leads to dry socket. So smoking is a bad bad thing right now. Plus the tar makes for slower healing.
But I already had one of my IGO-L drilled out. Two 1/8 holes. This means I don't have to draw hard at all. This gives me extra incentive to vape.
As long as I don't break down, I should have at least three days of just vaping under my belt. This could lead to full-time vaping.

So if you need an incentive to jump back into vaping, get a tooth pulled and a very airy setup.

 

[ShariR]

Karen!!

Hi and lots of hugs. I am so happy that you got to see the doctor. Not so fun to be a pill receptacle. I have a space on my bookcase that I line up my pill bottles in the order I need to take them. I have a small custard cup that I tape 'morning' on and one for 'evening.' Every night after I take my night time pills I fill both cups for the next day. Helps me remember to take my pills and to not take the morning ones twice. I have done that a couple of times and it is not good. I have not found a pill organizer that holds all my pills right. My doctor likes to give me huge pills. lol

Glad you are going to the other doctors too. Hopefully in a couple of weeks you will start feeling better. The Wellbutrin with your vaping may help you get a better handle on the smoking. Managing the pain will help too. You are going in the right direction.

So glad you were able to come visit. You are missed here. Take care and come back soon.

 

[etherealink]

It helped me to pay more attention to the ones I don't smoke than the ones I do. Focusing on smoking tended to make me want to smoke - even talking about it in here at times. I think everyone has to find the balance that works for them.

I started out at 12mg, even got dizzy at first (chain vaping) and had problems making the transition. Someone suggested upping my nic level and I tried it, worked like a charm. I still float between a variety of nic levels during the day.

I agree with paying attention to the ones you don't smoke. What I used to do when I was really craving (which now I just try to ignore and chain vape) is smoke a couple drags and put the cigarette out, the charcoal taste was a self-defense deterrent against lighting the cigarette again and I didn't want to just throw it out either.

Also, being cooped up in a vehicle for 12 hrs that reeked of tobacco smoke made wanting to quit and "clear the air" seem like a great deal. Harsh, yes... but we all beat our heads against the wall differently.

* * * *

About upping the nicotine (for those that can) it was a great help for me to have 24mg or even 36mg juice (in small quantities) around and a dripper ready to go for when I just couldn't stand it anymore and needed a fix.

Even on an Ego, a mini dripper ($10 or less) can be a quick way out of a cigarette when you really need it; and even just a few mg up on the ladder for a few drags can give you the push you need to catch your breath and get back on the routine. Even after almost a month I pack a dripper daily with an off-ADV ejuice in case of emergencies, you never know when you will need a superhero lol!

Just a note: Don't drip and drive... [emoji41]

 

[etherealink]

Well, God works in mysterious ways, his wonders to perform.

New breakthru in my battle with cigarettes.
Two things happened today that pushed me back into more vaping.

One, and the lesser one, was that I finally got some brasso for my brass mods.
Now, for me, the more I tinker with my ecig stuff, the more mindful and desirous to vape I become. I already have all my juice made and all my rebuildables set up the way I want. This diminishes my tinkering time
But with brasso, I have spent over a couple hours today polishing my brass mods. (they were in pretty bad shape. One had started to show green.)

So if you need an incentive to jump back into vaping, get a tooth pulled and a very airy setup.

Just a note on polishing various metals since I'm a chrome and all things shiny junky...

My truck rims, in and out of a coal mine nearly 40 times in every 24 hrs and they still sparkle.

My "testing" rim (cast aluminum but I have tests on brass, copper and stainless as well) is a *scrap* rim damaged in the line of duty. The black marks are spray paint to mark it as "out-of-service".

Not to brag, the reason I mention it is that Brasso and similar products have a rather high VOC content, meaning you need good ventilation when using them; by contrast what I use is very low VOC and for the amount you use almost certainly cheaper. A bottle that will do an entire truck-worth of rims is less than $20, and its protective to boot. Simple to use, rub it on... rub it off lol [emoji38]

 

[etherealink]

I float around too; start the day at 10.5 mg, for maybe an hour-ish; then go down to 8 or 9 mg; after dinner usually I would go down to about 6mg, but I'm having a harder time dispensing with the evening smokes than the daytime ones, so currently I'm not decreasing the nic, to try and do the substituting thing more. Mainly for me it's just been getting the acquired taste reacquired; it was a recent acquisition, so when I lost ALL my tastes for everything from being so ill, it was one of the first to be lost, I guess -- LIFO! But the cigarettes were indeed very old friends, from whom I had not been parted all that long, so not really surprising I guess. And from what I hear, maybe they actually helped that post-appendectomy IBS, which was just wretched, and probably the biggest part of the suffering; the surgery itself was no big deal.

I do think the unflavored would be better, since I use several sweet flavors, that were my initial branching-out from "Virginia" 24/7. Got some more sweet ones on the way from Killer-Juice, from their recent "blitz" sale: blue ice, red ice, mtn dew code red (which I suggested, back in March!), and chocolate chip cookie. I'm loving all these delicious tastes without gaining weight!!!

I'm pretty sure the chain vaping thing is why even the 12mg made me ill; I had to drop all the way to 6mg so I could just vape as much as I wanted, and it got me to quit smoking the first time. But the novelty is gone, and now I find I really do better at about 9mg-ish, and not vaping just *constantly*, and that helps prevent some of the dehydration too, if I just don't vape so often.

Andria

Andria -

Are you still on the high vg blend or am I remembering someone else? High vg will give you a dehydrating effect too.

 

[etherealink]

First, I would like to say Hello and welcome to all the new family members!

For those that don't know me, I haven't been around much, I get sick often,

For those that do know me, I have finally been to the Doctor! I am now on 6 meds, none for pain, just 6 things I had to start taking, for Diabetes and HIgh blood pressure, On WellButrin to try to stop smoking, with vaping allowed and liked by the Doctor.
I am getting referrals to another 6 Doctors, most important right now Pain Management, so I go to that on THursday, I have to go to a Cardiologist, I have something called PAD, among my problems. Gastroenterologist for my problem swallowing, I have wheezing so I have to be checked for COPD, and, as if the fun will never stop the GYN as well.

The meds make me tired, I thought it was my imagination but, no, they make me tired about 45 minute after I take them.


Had to get a huge pill organizer, I hope I can keep them all straight!

Vaping more since I absolutely have to quit or I will die for sure. Not willing to go at this age! Fighting on.


Haven't been doing as much with contests either, my back has been sick since I fell, so I am not feeling great to sit up that long.
Still have to get a tablet so I can lay down and still be online!


Well that's my drive by, and I miss and love you all!

I didn't have time to read past the last two pages because I can't sit that long, not editing so hopefully I speeled right!

Hey Karen

Glad to hear you hit the DR's finally!

Welbutrin will make you a bit sleepy in the beginning. If that doesn't work I would suggest "ativan" I call it my happy pill lol; if I forget it my wife tells me to sleep on the couch and talking to people at work is totally out of the question!!

 

[etherealink]

Just had to share... for all you rayon lovers, here's the scoop from a legend...

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/showthread.php?p=13733627[ /URL]

 

[darksparkle13]

Tim, I have to agree with thay on this I got a sample and love it! Love it, now waiting for some free time to rebuild all, everything I have working!

Timothy, it sounds like you've got a ton of vaping stuff. If you're looking for more tinkering opportunities, try switching from cotton (or whatever you're using for wicks) to rayon. It's a whole new ballgame and you'll find yourself rewicking everything and tinkering a lot to get it just right.

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/rebuildable-atomizer-systems/561226-rayon-wick-better-flow-flavor-saturation-nic-hit.html#post13089068

 

[darksparkle13]

Karen good to see ya! So sorry to hear about the issues! Might I suggest cognitive behavioral therapy for your pain! I had chronic pain (due to rhuematic fever) and it was the best thing I could have done! I now manage my pain very well and lead a close to normal life! Also cymbalta is amazing! Good luck with your other docs! And vape on!

First, I would like to say Hello and welcome to all the new family members!

For those that don't know me, I haven't been around much, I get sick often,

For those that do know me, I have finally been to the Doctor! I am now on 6 meds, none for pain, just 6 things I had to start taking, for Diabetes and HIgh blood pressure, On WellButrin to try to stop smoking, with vaping allowed and liked by the Doctor.
I am getting referrals to another 6 Doctors, most important right now Pain Management, so I go to that on THursday, I have to go to a Cardiologist, I have something called PAD, among my problems. Gastroenterologist for my problem swallowing, I have wheezing so I have to be checked for COPD, and, as if the fun will never stop the GYN as well.

The meds make me tired, I thought it was my imagination but, no, they make me tired about 45 minute after I take them.


Had to get a huge pill organizer, I hope I can keep them all straight!

Vaping more since I absolutely have to quit or I will die for sure. Not willing to go at this age! Fighting on.


Haven't been doing as much with contests either, my back has been sick since I fell, so I am not feeling great to sit up that long.
Still have to get a tablet so I can lay down and still be online!


Well that's my drive by, and I miss and love you all!

I didn't have time to read past the last two pages because I can't sit that long, not editing so hopefully I speeled right!

 

[Uncle]

JUST AN FYI:

Hope this information is helpful . . .

Since I take approximately over 12 pills in the morning and 12 hours later another 6 at night (sometimes a couple of more depending on the problem/s I'm experiencing) - The best thing I found for organizing pills actually was from a craft store for organizing beads . . . I got "Mine" from Micheal's in different colors (Clear/Green/Purple/Blue for each week) and they are much less expensive then the regular pill organizers or the ones I originally got at a healthfood store for $15.00 for one weeks worth . . . Once a Month I set them out with all the Medications/Supplements - fill them with pills I need for Morning (Large) - then Night (smaller) . . . Stack a weeks worth together . . . "You" can even use a permanent marker to mar the days of the week on them . . . EASY PEASY . . . Even helps reminds "Me" which pills I NEED to take/I've Taken and/or when all "My" prescriptions are about due to be picked up from the pharmacy . . . Just Sayin' . . .

Here are some links - "You" can even find them at Walmart/Amazon/Multiple places on the Internet . . .

Large/Multiple Pills:

Darice Craft Keepers Round Mini-Stackable Organizer at Joann.com

Darice Craft Keepers Round Mini-Stackable Organizer at Joann.com

Darice Craft Keepers Round Mini-Stackable Organizer at Joann.com

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Round-Bea...bucket_id=irsbucketdefault&findingMethod=p13n

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Darice-1992-87-Bead-Organizer-6.-5-inch-x-5-inch/26592442

Smaller/Less Pills (also use the case these came in for "Atties"/"DripTips"/"Drip-Guards"/etc.):

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Darice-Bead-Storage-Set-Clear/22027054

Jewelry Bead Organizer 9-1/2"X6-3/8"X1-1/8" at Joann.com

 

[AndriaD]

Andria -

Are you still on the high vg blend or am I remembering someone else? High vg will give you a dehydrating effect too.

Not really, no, although since I discovered just diluting the higher-VG juices with a little water, they don't trouble my lungs so much, and since I discovered the coconut water, no more swollen ankles and sore feet, so now I vape pretty much whatever I want; the mix I have already mixed up of my ADV Virginia is about 72% PG, so it's fairly thin already; The WTA I add to it is 70PG/30VG. The blueberry muffin is 50/50, so I add just a drop of water to a small tank (mini PT II) and it's fine; I have two different "pineapple" ejuices; the 50/50 one I do the same thing with, 1 drop of water per small tank; I have another that's 80% PG, so it's pretty thin.

And I stay motivated to have that coconut water -- Sunday was our anniversary so we went out to dinner that night, and somehow I never did get any coconut water all day long, and that night when I went to bed, I noticed a little puffiness around my ankles -- excellent motivation to get back to the coconut water and fix the "puffiness" before it turns into serious swelling and pain! Also added having a banana about every other day, and canteloupe pretty much daily, and all the while drinking much water. Between all the additions to the diet, plus continuing to drink lots of water, I seem to be staying sufficiently hydrated to prevent those electrolyte problems that messed up my feet and ankles so badly before I got sick.

Andria

 

[darksparkle13]

Just curious since you are talking about swollen ankles/feet what issue were you having. I recently put if no where had this same issue..went to the doc..no reason for the swelling other than a possible allergy... It went down but
It has occurred again....
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