Still smoking support and chat thread

[JJ1977]

Hey, JJ! Very long time no see! I'm so proud of you that you've given up smoking and vaping, too. That's something I can only imagine at this point. I've cut down from the 24mg I started with to 12mg, but I'm still chain vaping as much as before. I haven't noticed any cravings from cutting down, but when you're vaping all the time it's harder to notice. Keep up the good work and don't be a stranger.

Roosterado, what ever possessed you to buy tobacco after six months of vaping only? (sounds like something I'd do ) I've heard tell that it's harder to switch completely to vaping the second time around, (I'm afraid to find out for myself) but I'm sure the WTA will help. Good luck.

this was my second attempt thayamax. dont get discouraged i know the feeling roosterado, it takes patience and will power and the determination of saying screw it i dont want to smoke analogs anymore. i make all smokers smoke outside my house now they are not allowed to smoke inside not even my mother i grab her smoke wet it throw it away she gets up and goes outside lol

 

[Darr00742]

I thought I'd just post about my life of smoking and how I ended up switching to e-cigs.

Having both parents smoking in the house... i remember the thick layer of smoke in the room, and knew I was breathing it even though, not being aware of the dangers.
I starting smoking at the age of 9 (surprise surprise)

I became a heavy smoker by the age of 11, pack of 20 a day

Things progressed and at the age of 39... I cannot remember a day when I didn't smoke.

At the age about 25.. I switched to rollies (amber leaf) going through about 30 or more a day.

I started getting problems with my eyes.... sharp pain that could last for hours... days. Knowing that it was caused by smoking too many fags in a short space of time.
I began to use my first e-cig during the nights as I found myself waking up to smoke.

I had tried a few different tanks and coils.... long story short.. I found a setup that worked for me.

Then one day... I just vaped my e-cig.. then soon after.. I smoked a rollie... that was when I stopped for good. (3 months ago, i.m 40 now) I got through 3-4 drags, something inside said "no more".

I've not even been tempted by the fags.. even when stood next to a smoker. (something I never thought could happen)

Since then.. I've confidently said to many people.... find the right setup.. and you will never smoke again.

 

[Timothy Moore]

I thought I'd just post about my life of smoking and how I ended up switching to e-cigs.

Having both parents smoking in the house... i remember the thick layer of smoke in the room, and knew I was breathing it even though, not being aware of the dangers.
I starting smoking at the age of 9 (surprise surprise)

I became a heavy smoker by the age of 11, pack of 20 a day

Things progressed and at the age of 39... I cannot remember a day when I didn't smoke.

At the age about 25.. I switched to rollies (amber leaf) going through about 30 or more a day.

I started getting problems with my eyes.... sharp pain that could last for hours... days. Knowing that it was caused by smoking too many fags in a short space of time.
I began to use my first e-cig during the nights as I found myself waking up to smoke.

I had tried a few different tanks and coils.... long story short.. I found a setup that worked for me.

Then one day... I just vaped my e-cig.. then soon after.. I smoked a rollie... that was when I stopped for good. (3 months ago, i.m 40 now) I got through 3-4 drags, something inside said "no more".

I've not even been tempted by the fags.. even when stood next to a smoker. (something I never thought could happen)

Since then.. I've confidently said to many people.... find the right setup.. and you will never smoke again.

You know, they have TARDIS skin covers for the itaste mvp

 

[ShariR]

Hi Darr and thank you for your story. This is the first time I remember reading someone post about waking up and smoking in the middle of the night. I used to do that!!! Wow, I had forgotten all about that. Yup, we smokers are a hard core bunch.

So very glad you found your right setup. Me too. The only downside for me is that I find myself vaping as much as I was smoking before. But it does not worry me like the cigarette smoking did. At some point I will slow it down. I may or may not quit vaping down the road. Right now I am enjoying it much more than I did smoking cigarettes. I just have to learn to make a few juices I can vape in quantity because what I go through in juice each week is obscene and expensive.

I thought I'd just post about my life of smoking and how I ended up switching to e-cigs.

Having both parents smoking in the house... i remember the thick layer of smoke in the room, and knew I was breathing it even though, not being aware of the dangers.
I starting smoking at the age of 9 (surprise surprise)

I became a heavy smoker by the age of 11, pack of 20 a day

Things progressed and at the age of 39... I cannot remember a day when I didn't smoke.

At the age about 25.. I switched to rollies (amber leaf) going through about 30 or more a day.

I started getting problems with my eyes.... sharp pain that could last for hours... days. Knowing that it was caused by smoking too many fags in a short space of time.
I began to use my first e-cig during the nights as I found myself waking up to smoke.

I had tried a few different tanks and coils.... long story short.. I found a setup that worked for me.

Then one day... I just vaped my e-cig.. then soon after.. I smoked a rollie... that was when I stopped for good. (3 months ago, i.m 40 now) I got through 3-4 drags, something inside said "no more".

I've not even been tempted by the fags.. even when stood next to a smoker. (something I never thought could happen)

Since then.. I've confidently said to many people.... find the right setup.. and you will never smoke again.

 

[AndriaD]

Hi Darr and thank you for your story. This is the first time I remember reading someone post about waking up and smoking in the middle of the night. I used to do that!!! Wow, I had forgotten all about that. Yup, we smokers are a hard core bunch.

So very glad you found your right setup. Me too. The only downside for me is that I find myself vaping as much as I was smoking before. But it does not worry me like the cigarette smoking did. At some point I will slow it down. I may or may not quit vaping down the road. Right now I am enjoying it much more than I did smoking cigarettes. I just have to learn to make a few juices I can vape in quantity because what I go through in juice each week is obscene and expensive.

I find myself edging into DIY as a means of self-preservation... I need a lot more PG in my vape than most do, VG suffocates me... and since I no longer really care for tobacco flavors, I got the 'Best berry pancakes' WTA, which is unfortunately 80% VG. I had been mixing it with my blueberry muffin/banana nut bread ejuices, and ending up with a mix about 75% Pg, but it's still too much VG, so now I have to try to aim for about 80% PG. Just today I got my latest blueberry muffin order, got both the the 6mg and 12mg in 90% PG this time, and I got some flavors from WizLabs, some Banana Nut Bread, and some sweetener... so I'm kinda one foot in the DIY world and one foot in WTA land -- so I can both a) keep breathing, and b) WANT to keep breathing! That sweetener makes worlds of difference in the taste of the vape, since I had to dilute my 75% PG mix with yet more PG, and it really lightened the flavor, but with the sweetener, plus some of the Banana Nut Bread flavoring, it's back to tasting really good!

Andria

 

[Darr00742]

You know, they have TARDIS skin covers for the itaste mvp

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

 

[Topdogie01]

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

Off the top of my head I know jwraps has alot of designs, here is the sonic screwdriver, there is also 3 saber designs.
http://www.jwraps.com/product_p/s36.htm

In the dropdown select evic supreme.

 

[etherealink]

I also believe that nicotine is probably the least addictive substance in cigarettes, if that were not true all of the nicotine replacements would work quickly and easily, and none of them do...

I will never consider myself a non smoker until/unless I can quit vaping...

Without dripping, lung hits, lower ohm coils, and really really good juice combined with good dependable mods I would never have made it...

Does vaping completely satisfy my urges, no it doesn't, but I enjoy the flavor and the act of inhaling the vapor. The truth is that smoking a cigarette didn't satisfy me either for a long time before I quit smoking them and I remind myself of that when I feel something is lacking...

I am about as weird as one can get and pretty much a hermit because of it, I don't socialize much because there are very few people that I have anything in common with around here and my family is all in California, 2000 miles away. Being old and retired I don't have to deal with people unless I want to and I'm sure that makes things easier as well.

OK, multi part response as usual here.

First, I agree that nicotine is not the only thing in cigarettes that is addictive. For me it was the feeling of my lungs being full of smoke, kinda like a hug from the inside.

Second, after having a cigarette or two the other day to keep my mods clean and getting no enjoyment from them and no desire to have another (roll your own, BTW) I DO consider myself a non smoker.

As I mentioned above, the full lungs thing was impossible on the tank and ego setup I had a year ago. And without dripping and sub-ohm coils (for me) it wouldn't have worked. Just an aside, for anyone interested, there are a few good mod & rda combos that are under $50... and yes I know very well that can be a huge amount of money for everyone sometimes.

I completely agree that vaping does not always satisfy every craving but, it helps keep them at bay and manageable. And no, smoking didn't always do it either. I've been known to chain smoke just for the fact of smoking at times.

Thankfully, I too have the option of not interacting with people on a bad day (without spell check, lol). I probably would be unemployed if that wasn't the case lately...

 

[AndriaD]

First, I agree that nicotine is not the only thing in cigarettes that is addictive. For me it was the feeling of my lungs being full of smoke, kinda like a hug from the inside.

I don't think I ever got that "full lung" feeling even from smoking; my asthma meant that I never could inhale very deeply without coughing up a lung, and I smoked ultra-lights. For me, the "other stuff" is: minor alkaloids, and especially, the MAOIs -- which is why the WTA serves me so well.

Second, after having a cigarette or two the other day to keep my mods clean and getting no enjoyment from them and no desire to have another (roll your own, BTW) I DO consider myself a non smoker.

I haven't had a cigarette in 89 days; therefore I have been a non-smoker for 89 days. Vaping is not smoking; it's what I do so I don't have to smoke -- therefore a vaper (who doesn't smoke) IS a non-smoker. In fact, in 2014, I've been a non-smoker far more than I've been a smoker -- the year is nearly 10 months gone, and I was only a smoker for approx 3 of those nearly-10 months -- a serious WIN!

As I mentioned above, the full lungs thing was impossible on the tank and ego setup I had a year ago. And without dripping and sub-ohm coils (for me) it wouldn't have worked. Just an aside, for anyone interested, there are a few good mod & rda combos that are under $50... and yes I know very well that can be a huge amount of money for everyone sometimes.

I completely agree that vaping does not always satisfy every craving but, it helps keep them at bay and manageable. And no, smoking didn't always do it either. I've been known to chain smoke just for the fact of smoking at times.

Thankfully, I too have the option of not interacting with people on a bad day (without spell check, lol). I probably would be unemployed if that wasn't the case lately...

None of my mods have cost more than $40; the most expensive tank I've bought were the two kayfun clones, at $32.95 each -- because to this family, $50 is a very significant sum of money, and the only reason I have ANY money to spend on vaping is because I'm NOT spending it on smoking! (another serious WIN!)

I agree also, there are some cravings that really can't be satisfied with ANYTHING... well, maybe chocolate. I used to try to fill up those "empty spots" with booze, but the booze was killing me, so that had to go. I dunno if cigarettes ever did fill those spots, or if smoking just meant I didn't have so many of those spots. Vaping something that tastes really good is a good, no, a GREAT way to get past those spots, until they vanish on their own. And they always do vanish, it just takes longer sometimes. Distraction is usually the best way to get past them -- just do something different, put your mind on something else; in a little while it's hard to remember what you were so exercised about.

And for me, the internet is the best possible way for me to deal with 99% of humanity. If I don't feel like it, I don't have to "talk" to anyone, and they are spared interacting with me when I'm in a terrible mood. Win, all the way around!

Andria

 

[darksparkle13]

I thought I'd just post about my life of smoking and how I ended up switching to e-cigs.

Having both parents smoking in the house... i remember the thick layer of smoke in the room, and knew I was breathing it even though, not being aware of the dangers.
I starting smoking at the age of 9 (surprise surprise)

I became a heavy smoker by the age of 11, pack of 20 a day

Things progressed and at the age of 39... I cannot remember a day when I didn't smoke.

At the age about 25.. I switched to rollies (amber leaf) going through about 30 or more a day.

I started getting problems with my eyes.... sharp pain that could last for hours... days. Knowing that it was caused by smoking too many fags in a short space of time.
I began to use my first e-cig during the nights as I found myself waking up to smoke.

I had tried a few different tanks and coils.... long story short.. I found a setup that worked for me.

Then one day... I just vaped my e-cig.. then soon after.. I smoked a rollie... that was when I stopped for good. (3 months ago, i.m 40 now) I got through 3-4 drags, something inside said "no more".

I've not even been tempted by the fags.. even when stood next to a smoker. (something I never thought could happen)

Since then.. I've confidently said to many people.... find the right setup.. and you will never smoke again.

Darr welcome welcome, thanks for sharing your story my BFF is from England and I haven't heard it called a ... until you said that, mentioned it to her cuz, we make fun of each others accents and things we say!
So thank you for reminding me how awesome my BFF is! Her and I are on our quit smoking journey together she lives two states away but we talk almost every week! I miss her

 

[Darr00742]

haha! yeah we have some nutty accents.. i'm from Cardiff.. 4 miles from where they filmed gavin and stacey ! and yeah I do sounds like that a'right!

 

[Darr00742]

Off the top of my head I know jwraps has alot of designs, here is the sonic screwdriver, there is also 3 saber designs.
Sonic Screwdriver

In the dropdown select evic supreme.

OMG.. just ordered it . thank you!

 

[GtrSoloist]

Are you dealing with Workers' Comp or is this private ins you have? Start showing up at the ER. Maybe the hospital will have an ortho dr there that will take you on quicker. Have them do an MRI (if they will) and bring your films. Call the State Ins Commissioner's office and get names and dates and start a letter campaign. It can not be a good thing to be not getting a broken back fixed. Has to be a way to speed up the process. Wish there was something I could do. That is frustrating.

You need to try to get off the cigarettes. A lot of ortho drs will not or do not want to do surgery on a smoker because it inhibits healing. They get all holier than thou and these days get away with stuff that they could not get away with a couple of decades ago. Back in 2008 the ortho surgeon would not have done my cervical spine (neck) fusion if I had been a smoker at the time. Not unless it was an emergency like my head was going to fall off. He told me that in not quite those words but that is what he made sure I heard.

I hope you can get the surgery bumped up. I will say prayers for you and send you good thoughts and hugs.

It's private insurance. I'm hesitant to use the ER, because if insurance declines to pay for it I will have to and hospitals are not cheap as healthcare goes. I have been seeing a pain management center prior to this who have been very helpful through this ordeal. They are supposed to be adding a Doctor who specializes in spinal neurosurgery to their practice but I have no idea when or if he will be covered by my insurance. They are trying to get a full spinal MRI approved by my insurance which is like pulling teeth, but needed considering the type of injury. I'm trying to figure out the best way to apply for SSI, because I don't think I'm ever going to recover from this.

Right now I just keep going back and forth with my Primary Doctor and Insurance who say they will get me an earlier appointment with the specialist and call me back in a couple days. At which point they blow me off. So I call back and start the process all over again.

Yeah I totally agree though, I need to stop smoking. It's certainly not helping anything.

 

[darksparkle13]

Gtr that is truly frustrating! It sucks when you have to work so hard just to get seen! Maybe do a bit of research on cognitive behavioral therapy. I have chronic pain myself and manage it wonderfully because of the program mentioned. It is natural and more about knowing your body, how to respond to what it is saying and doing something about it! I was taking pain meds like candy! That was over ten years ago! It is hard work but so worth it!

 

[roosterado]

Yesterday I threw most of the DIY Tobacco I bought on Sunday in the garbage. Used about 2 packs worth in 3 days. Stilling mulling over the idea of Buying some WTA Nicotine solution to mix with my VapersTek Nicotine Solution

 

[roosterado]

It's private insurance. I'm hesitant to use the ER, because if insurance declines to pay for it I will have to and hospitals are not cheap as healthcare goes. I have been seeing a pain management center prior to this who have been very helpful through this ordeal. They are supposed to be adding a Doctor who specializes in spinal neurosurgery to their practice but I have no idea when or if he will be covered by my insurance. They are trying to get a full spinal MRI approved by my insurance which is like pulling teeth, but needed considering the type of injury. I'm trying to figure out the best way to apply for SSI, because I don't think I'm ever going to recover from this.

Right now I just keep going back and forth with my Primary Doctor and Insurance who say they will get me an earlier appointment with the specialist and call me back in a couple days. At which point they blow me off. So I call back and start the process all over again.

Yeah I totally agree though, I need to stop smoking. It's certainly not helping anything.

I went through the Whole Social Security Disability Process starting almost 10 yrs ago. it took 2 years to get my Disability Payments. SSI is for people who do not have enough work credits built up to qualify for SSDI. I did the Initial Application myself and was denied,that took 4-5 months. Then I consulted a small SS Diabilty Law Firm and he looked at my Medical Records and took me on as a Client. We Appealed the Decision and I was turned down again,that took about 3 months. So I asked for a Hearing in front of a SSDI Judge. The wait for the hearing was 16 months. my Lawyer handled everything The Judge Awarded me SSDI Payments and I received 18 months Backpay.

From the time of my initial Application to the Hearing I had more medical records [tests/treatments] to show the SSDI Judge/Panel

 

[AndriaD]

Yesterday I threw most of the DIY Tobacco I bought on Sunday in the garbage. Used about 2 packs worth in 3 days. Stilling mulling over the idea of Buying some WTA Nicotine solution to mix with my VapersTek Nicotine Solution

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

 

[AndriaD]

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

 

[darksparkle13]

Andria yay! What a great accomplishment!
You should be so very proud! You will make it through

 

[rangerrobin]

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.