For me, it is not a "should" thing (and I urge that it not be for you). As you are seeing, many of us smoked for decades (4 decades in my case). Having one more is not going to kill you. [No, I'm not minimizing the dangers of smoking. If the worst happens, it won't be those last few that did you in, but the tens of thousands before that.]
The reason I don't pick up an analog (and I do have some squirreled away in the house for a rainy day*) is because I love vaping so much!
* That "rainy day" (week actually) hit recently - not because of a craving - but because I got caught short on attys (my spare turned out to have been DOA). My supplier was prompt in fulfilling my desperation order, but our beloved postal service took its sweet old time getting I to me. I limped along with the one remaining battery from my abandoned first e-cig (NEVER thow away functioning parts of units you no longer use). But that battery took "forever" to charge, so I was forced to supplement with the yucky pooies (which describes the taste as well as the carcinogens). Yes, I learned my lesson.
I will say this for analogs: they are efficient nicotine delivery devices. Which takes me back (finally) to *your* tale of woe. Make sure that the nicotine level is high enough for what your body is used to. If it is, then there must be something about the hardware (the e-cig model) and/or the flavor of the juice(s) you're using.
Unlike analog smoking, vaping is not one set experience, virtually identical from one brand to another. Rather it is a category of experiences. You haven't mentioned what model you are using. Some pack more throat hit than others (at the same nicotine level). And even though you like that vanilla juice, you might find a tobacco flavor (perhaps combined with the vanilla or alternating between the two) more satisfying.
Experiment until you find that device, flavor, and nicotine level that you would shudder to give up for an analog!