Still smoking support and chat thread

[AndriaD]

Howdy All,
It's been awhile since I've checked in here.

Hi Rangerrobin -- your name is new to me, since I just started hanging in there this summer, so, nice to meetcha! Congrats on the week! It's always so amazing to me, that I'm not smoking... and NOT FREAKING OUT ABOUT IT!

I wanted mainly to say how much I love your sig -- I look around at my home, yeah it's a mess at the moment, but a home of our own was something we dreamed and hoped for, for so long, and never managed to have until we'd been married for 24 yrs. Now it's a reality. Likewise, being a non-smoker -- ever since my dad died in '06 from lung cancer, thoughts of not smoking anymore kept occurring, more and more frequently, but until I discovered e-cigs, it was a pipe dream, something I longed for but knew, realistically, I would probably never achieve... and now I have.

Andria

 

[loxmythe]

Rangerrobin good to see you again. Keep up the good work

 

[Thayamax]

Hi, Robin. So nice to see you've accomplished what you thought you could never do. Congrats on 1 week smoke free and keep up the good work! You've earned my hyper dancing bananas.

 

[EastSideLove]

ShariR and all others,

thank you so much for the support. Sorry I didn't reply sooner, things have gotten crazy with school. Its so easy to let the vaping habit slip in times of stress. I almost automatically go back to smoking its so difficult to resist. I used to smoke cigarettes after every study break, every completed hw assignment, every test, every time i got in the car to drive to school, and after I get out of the car at school, before class and after class. So i've got a lot of association to break. vaping has helped a lot, but at the same time it seems like all my progress is erased at least until i can get a grip.

ShariR, I'm from Rocky Hill (that place you pass through on 91N going to hartford) and I havent been to Milford but I do love the shore. Just wish we had surfable waves..but oh well still lovely. My setup is an mvp 2.0 and an iclear 16. I was using my kanger protank2 but I ran out of coils for it. Im using the itaste because I have some unused coils stocked up (a whole two of them). I'm thinking about learning to use rebuildables and maybe even eventually get into diy juice like Timothy Moore was saying if anything just to save money. When I first got into this I didn't realize coils needed to be replaced.

And its really good to know that eventually the chase does end and satisfaction lasts. As far as juice chasing goes, I seem to end up sick of the juice i am vaping within a week or so. Maybe I should try unflavored? Anyone else experimented with unflavored?

I will certainly take the advice to take my time and enjoy it

 

[ShariR]

I was just reading about the Eleaf Lemo RTA. And I watched a Pbusardo video on it. It is supposed to have the ability to be a hybrid tank atty for the Evic and Evic Supreme. You unscrew the bottom 510 connector on it and it fit the Evic perfectly. People in the thread about it are saying it beats the Kayfuns for it. I know it holds 5ml of juice but is a PITA to fill and adjust airflow. But they are loving it and it sells for around $35.

Just thought I would throw that out there if you are interested.

When there's a light saber or sonic screwdriver skin for the evic supreme.. let me know I haven't found anything yet ...

 

[ShariR]

Wow! 90 days! CONGRATULATIONS!!! Here are some bananas for you!

A very good idea, if it's cravings that are giving you such a hard time. I was vaping my face off with the absolute highest nic I can tolerate, 10mg, and the cravings were still slapping me around like a redhaired stepchild -- once I added the WTA, even just a little bit, they completely went away. It's ONLY because of the WTA that yesterday I hit 90 days smoke-free AGAIN. And I've been going thru the 3mo point of that godawful "rule of threes" and the depression started really bothering me, so I increased the WTA just SLIGHTLY -- can't use too much because of the high VG -- and it's helping a LOT with the negative feelings -- depression, sadness, self-pity, alienation, all that fun stuff. The WTA is a godsend to help with awful feelings like that, but the honest truth is, if I hadn't been able to overcome those cravings, I would have gone back to smoking -- there's only so much self-denial I can handle.

Andria

 

[ShariR]

Oh! How wonderful and exciting for you! It is amazing what happens when you take a chance, make up your mind, and just do it. I am so happy that it is working for you.

I have kept a little bottle of 24mg juice around for over a year. I dipped into it occasionally when I was having a bad craving time. It nicked me out, but it reinforced the not picking up a cigarette for me. It is way too strong for me to try to vape now, since I am down to 6mg and 12mg, but for a long time just knowing it was there really helped me.




(I figured out how to get bananas to multiply.) lol

Howdy All,
It's been awhile since I've checked in here. I am happy to report that today is my 1 week quit smoking anniversary!
Since I was vaping for 7 months prior, it feels weird to say "vapeversary". Thoughts?

It’s kinda funny how I finally stopped smoking, so I must share: I started vaping 7 months ago. I took the cut back approach. Early on, I had a set plan on how many I wanted to cut down to each month, but it wasn’t going as planned. I even tried WTA which didn’t work for me, but I was smoking less. I found this thread which helped me stop beating myself up. Fast forward to the last month; I was down to 1-2 cigs per night.

The last cig of the evening, which had always been the hardest for me to give up previously, was starting to feel like a chore.
Finally, I realized the psychological aspect of the addiction that I was fighting. I was getting my nicotine, but was still afraid I would go through serious withdrawals like I had previously, plus it was hard to change my 14 year routine. I knew it was a matter of will power, but was seeing it clearly for the 1st time.

So, last Thursday, I decided to try going to sleep without smoking a cigarette.
I wanted to eventually quit and was getting my nicotine, so it was worth a try right? I gave myself permission to get up if I just couldn’t take it. I went to bed and although it felt completely foreign and uncomfortable, since smoking before bed was something I had done EVERY night for 14 years, I made it through and have not smoked since. I’ve only had one “craving” for an actual cigarette in the past week and I just chain vaped through it.

I wanted to add a "cig free counter" to my signature, but couldn't figure out what to input. i.e. How many cigs I was smoking BEFORE I started vaping or when I quit smoking. Plus, it doesn't add in what I've spent on vaping in the last 7 months.
Guess, I'll skip the counter.

Congrats to those who have quit since I was last in here! One day at a time and may the force be with you to those who haven’t, but want to.

 

[ShariR]

Yes, I know Rocky Hill. There used to be a great Japanese restaurant on, I think, Rt3?, and their sushi was excellent. There are a couple of good vape shops right off I95 in the East Haven/Branford area. They have been there for about a year and one of them supposedly has a much better gear and juice setup. One is right after you go over the Q bridge and the other is near the Chowder Pot a few exits up. It has been a good year since I was back in CT so I do not know what is available back there now.

If you are not ready for building a coil yet, the Nautilus with the bvc heads is supposed to be a great clearo. Much better vape than the iclear from what I read.

I have Russian 91s and Kayfun Lites and love them. I am an old lady and learning to build a coil is easy for me now. It only took me a couple of tries after I picked up the Artistic Wire Gizmo coil winder at Hobby Lobby for under $10. It is in the beading section. I use the 2nd smallest rod (about 1.5mm) and my coils come out perfect every time. Because of my real bad eyesight and bad hands for close work, my challenge is to mount the coil. The wicking with cotton balls is easy, you just need to practice how much cotton to use.

Building coils for a protank or evod is real hard, for me. Too many tiny, tiny pieces. Not worth it to fight with it for me. The Kayfun clones are a breeze for me. They are all I use anymore on a daily basis. Makes my vaping good, consistent, and easy. And way cheaper since I am not buying all those heads anymore. Plus it is fun when I am not frustrated getting my hands and eyes to work right.

ShariR and all others,

thank you so much for the support. Sorry I didn't reply sooner, things have gotten crazy with school. Its so easy to let the vaping habit slip in times of stress. I almost automatically go back to smoking its so difficult to resist. I used to smoke cigarettes after every study break, every completed hw assignment, every test, every time i got in the car to drive to school, and after I get out of the car at school, before class and after class. So i've got a lot of association to break. Vaping has helped a lot, but at the same time it seems like all my progress is erased at least until i can get a grip.

ShariR, I'm from Rocky Hill (that place you pass through on 91N going to hartford) and I havent been to Milford but I do love the shore. Just wish we had surfable waves..but oh well still lovely. My setup is an mvp 2.0 and an iclear 16. I was using my kanger protank2 but I ran out of coils for it. Im using the itaste because I have some unused coils stocked up (a whole two of them). I'm thinking about learning to use rebuildables and maybe even eventually get into diy juice like Timothy Moore was saying if anything just to save money. When I first got into this I didn't realize coils needed to be replaced.

And its really good to know that eventually the chase does end and satisfaction lasts. As far as juice chasing goes, I seem to end up sick of the juice i am vaping within a week or so. Maybe I should try unflavored? Anyone else experimented with unflavored?

I will certainly take the advice to take my time and enjoy it

 

[rangerrobin]

I hope y'all are doing ok today. As mentioned above, yesterday I hit 90 days smoke-free AGAIN, which is wonderful; when the cravings started up after I had gone back to vape-only this summer, I was really afraid I was doomed to remain a smoker forever, so I'm really glad that I found a) WTA, and b) this thread and you lovely people in it.

I'm going to be sticking closely to this thread for the next month especially; in 24 days I will reach the same 115 days I got to, last time, before I smoked and had to start all over again; thank god I only had ONE appendix, so I'm hoping the universe won't throw anymore caca at me of that nature. By the time I reach FOUR months smoke free, that will be my own personal best, ever, since I started smoking in 1975.

Andria

Thanks & Congrats! I felt doomed too, but not anymore!

Thanks everyone for all the dancing banana, they are my favorite!

 

[ShariR]

I vape unflavored at least once a week. Usually it starts out with me vaping it figure out why my juice is not tasting right. I will vape it for an hour or so and sometimes end up vaping it for a day or two. It gives my palate a rest and gets me through vaper's tongue or if I am dehydrated. The vg in it (50/50 with 12mg nic) gives it a slight sweet taste, very slight. Sometimes I will add a small amount of flavor or a bit of my vendor juice for a hint of flavor.

I am reading about more and more people here talking about vaping unflavored. You can save a ton of money vs. vaping vendor made juice. It is also a good way to start playing with do it yourself juice making. Go start reading the DiY forum and see if it would spark an interest. Diy can get expensive, but vaping unflavored is pretty cheap.

 

[AndriaD]

I vape unflavored at least once a week. Usually it starts out with me vaping it figure out why my juice is not tasting right. I will vape it for an hour or so and sometimes end up vaping it for a day or two. It gives my palate a rest and gets me through vaper's tongue or if I am dehydrated. The vg in it (50/50 with 12mg nic) gives it a slight sweet taste, very slight. Sometimes I will add a small amount of flavor or a bit of my vendor juice for a hint of flavor.

I am reading about more and more people here talking about vaping unflavored. You can save a ton of money vs. vaping vendor made juice. It is also a good way to start playing with do it yourself juice making. Go start reading the DiY forum and see if it would spark an interest. Diy can get expensive, but vaping unflavored is pretty cheap.

I highly recommend The Flavor Apprentice thread... it's really huge, so I just started reading from about the first of this month, and even that took a couple days to read up to the present.... there are some really great helpful and creative people in there, posting all kinds of yummy recipes. I'm learning a lot just by reading and lurking.

Andria

 

[ShariR]

Wow! Where is everyone?

Looks like I am joining GtrSoloist in the Wounded and Waiting camp. Finally got approved for SSI, not full disability. Long story and I will not go into it. But I was able to see a doctor for my general health after 6 years. Good news is my diabetes is so under control with a1c of 5.6 which in the the normal people range. I am thrilled with that. Then it is downhill from there. I have a medically induced stress test this coming Friday to see how my heart is doing. I had MRIs on my neck and back and flunked both.

Does anyone here know someone that can interpret the MRI reports on my neck and back. I can fax the reports to them. I have been waiting to get an appointment with a neurosurgeon for over a week. The State Ins is fighting it. Does not want to send me. I read the reports and the Ortho Dr told me he could not help me, I need a neurosurgeon for both neck and back. Not good. He told me no travelling and that the neurodr would explain the MRIs to me. I am scared to death. Not knowing is making it worse.

But I have not had any thoughts of having a cigarette. I am vaping like a crazy woman though.

 

[beebopnjazz]

Good news on your a1c Hopefully your other issues can be addressed promptly.

 

[ShariR]

Thank you Jazz. Nothing moves quickly with TNCare. So I wait and make follow up phone calls. Thank goodness I have so much vaping time under my belt. This is a cigarette trigger for me, big time. But you all know how stubborn I am. I feel pretty secure in my vaping.

Good news on your a1c Hopefully your other issues can be addressed promptly.

 

[FinallyQuit]

Wow! Where is everyone?

Looks like I am joining GtrSoloist in the Wounded and Waiting camp. Finally got approved for SSI, not full disability. Long story and I will not go into it. But I was able to see a doctor for my general health after 6 years. Good news is my diabetes is so under control with a1c of 5.6 which in the the normal people range. I am thrilled with that. Then it is downhill from there. I have a medically induced stress test this coming Friday to see how my heart is doing. I had MRIs on my neck and back and flunked both.

Does anyone here know someone that can interpret the MRI reports on my neck and back. I can fax the reports to them. I have been waiting to get an appointment with a neurosurgeon for over a week. The State Ins is fighting it. Does not want to send me. I read the reports and the Ortho Dr told me he could not help me, I need a neurosurgeon for both neck and back. Not good. He told me no travelling and that the neurodr would explain the MRIs to me. I am scared to death. Not knowing is making it worse.

But I have not had any thoughts of having a cigarette. I am vaping like a crazy woman though.

Good news on your a1c Hopefully your other issues can be addressed promptly.

Thank you Jazz. Nothing moves quickly with TNCare. So I wait and make follow up phone calls. Thank goodness I have so much vaping time under my belt. This is a cigarette trigger for me, big time. But you all know how stubborn I am. I feel pretty secure in my vaping.

(((((Shari))))) I'm so sorry!!

Has your ortho given you a referral? That's a good place to start.

Sorry I can't interpret medical records, that must be so nerve wracking for you!!

But a huge congrats on the whole not smoking/avoiding a trigger. You're the best!!

PS: Hey Jazz!!

 

[ShariR]

Hey FQ. Yeah, I have a referral to a neurosurgeon but they will not make the appointment until the insurance gives the ok on paying for it. So I wait. And wait.

 

[darksparkle13]

Ranger how awesome! Happy I week! That is just great!

 

[darksparkle13]

Shari that sucks I am sorry! Getting around the system is frustrating!
Am sure this is a huge trigger! I think your stubbornness is the perfect tool for you!
I need to get stubborn on this! Yesterday I tried to only vape and sure enough anything that could go wrong with my gear did!
I had a coil break, had one of my build dry hitting, two batteries went dead.. Was trying some new juice and that did not go well!
Anyway trying again today,

 

[ShariR]

Don't you just hate days like that. I have them too. I have one atty that it takes me over a half hour to mount the coil on it. I keep struggling with it just to show it I Will conquer it, so there!

Shari that sucks I am sorry! Getting around the system is frustrating!
Am sure this is a huge trigger! I think your stubbornness is the perfect tool for you!
I need to get stubborn on this! Yesterday I tried to only vape and sure enough anything that could go wrong with my gear did!
I had a coil break, had one of my build dry hitting, two batteries went dead.. Was trying some new juice and that did not go well!
Anyway trying again today,

 

[etherealink]

Hey Shari... I just happen to have a Mother who's been a nurse for over 30yrs that might be able to read that MRI report