Struggles

[jlcarey03]

Tonight is a struggle. 2weeks off analogs and still fighting cravings. Even though I know if I cave it will taste like crap. Disheartened by those who think this shouldn't be that hard ("after all you're not REALLY quitting, right?") And the 4 other loved ones that I helped convert for whom this really isn't hard (or appears not to be). I know, this too shall pass, but from the threads here I can assume there are others out there tonight feeling the same.
Keep on keepin on... tomorrow's one more notch in my belt.

 

[Choc_Addic]

It is and it will be harder for some and not others.... Put your vap gear and go do something that can take your mind off of the coffin sticks?

I'm going thru same thing and last night I got up drove to down town and walked and vaped (discretely of cause). 30 mins walk did great deal for me.

Good luck and keep it up!

 

[bhswmc01]

I'm still having cravings too...I just remind myself how vaping tastes so much better, that I have no cigarettes in the house, and puff until the urge goes away!

 

[jetcity]

For me it's been almost two months since I quit analogs. I haven't had one since I decided to start vaping. I Just recently (the past week or so), haven't had cravings for them and actually look forward to vaping. At first I would have to keep running through all the reasons I wasn't smoking analogs. It does get better! I've been keeping myself busy reading this forum and buying new goodies.

 

[The Ocelot]

I'm sorry to hear you're going through one of those spells. Choc_Addic has a good idea, breaking up your normal routine, focus on something else... In the future you might want to keep juice with a higher nic strength around to vape when the cravings get strong. I also keep a couple of Green Smart Living (gas station) cig-a-likes in a drawer. They are just harsh enough to be like a cigarette.

Getting off cigarettes is very stressful. It's like breaking up with someone you knows is bad for you, but has been your emotional support for a long time. Comparing yourself to others can make you feel worse. You're quitting step-by-step, that's all that matters.

As bhswmc01 posted, I also don't keep cigarettes in the house. By the time I could get my act together to go buy some I can talk myself out of it.

 

[Susiejo]

One thing that helped me through the rough times was switching up juices......often!
I normally like to vape on blackberry but every once in a while I like to try some of the many other flavors I have here, like Amaretto, or banana, or cheesecake. I keep a wide variety of flavors and when I feel the need for something else I have it here and ready.
It really helped me when I would think that I wanted a "real" smoke.

Also, sometimes it helps to have a few flavors that are a higher nic level than what you normally vape. When you get cravings try vaping a high nic juice.

 

[SonHouse]

You might want to bump up your nic level. And make sure you have good equipment. At least based on my experience, I was long past the cravings by then. I also found it was harder when I drank too much coffee or got stressed too much, so consider if something along those lines might be causing issues.

 

[Griff.J]

Are you using nic juice? Just curious.. I didn't have any cigarette cravings once I started vaping properly. When I tried quitting with corner store e-cigs they weren't satisfying at all but once I got an eGo-C kit with proper nic juice I was able to quit smoking completely and haven't had any cravings for cigarettes. I'm still a fan of eGo batteries, I use 1000mah Twists with carto tanks.

 

[gando_salo]

I had the same cravings and I gave into them and most times i would puff half of it and chucking it out cause it tasted like ......
Eventually it was bad enough for me to never crave it again.

 

[SonHouse]

Yeah, I'll still have one from time to time. I've had a pack sitting around since I quit and after 5 1/2 weeks, I have 13 left. Of course, it's not my usual brand. I'll go back, try them, and remember all the negatives of smoking and be even more committed to vaping. The last couple I stubbed out after about half of them. If you're still suffering, there's something wrong in my opinion.

 

[InTheShade]

Keep at it jlcarey03, just remember why you are doing this.

Trying to avoid the triggers is a good way of reducing the stress of quitting. As some have previously mentioned, doing something else when you would have been smoking is a great way to distract the mind. Up your nic level if you are still having cravings and consider changing your loved ones if they are not supportive.

I jest, but I am a masochist, I keep 4 packs of Pall mall lights in my truck and one cigarette pack with one cigarette in it, poking out of the top, waving at me like some ex-girlfriend when I bump into her with my new beau on my arm. Reminding me of the good times, reminding me of how much I loved her - but knowing that I was dying inside by being with her (sorry for the girlfriend reference, but it works for me)

I dare myself to smoke it sometimes, then I reach for my vape and go outside and water the tomatoes or clean out the back of my truck or something. She still sits there and stares at me, and sometimes I reach for her and smell her hair... smells disgusting by the way...what a little tease she is.

That cigarette has sat on my nightstand since May 1st - and when it's my 12 month birthday for quitting in 2014, I will run over her in my truck. Then I will pick her up and squish her back into shape and set her back on my nightstand.

You too can be free... and if you relapse and decide you need to smoke a cigarette, then I promise we will never judge. Just get up and go again.

Sorry, I know that was a weird stream of thoughts.

 

[Karen N Daytona]

I still have cravings now and then as well. I found a way to get my mind off of the stinkies and back on track to the vaping. I drip my flavors, I mix them to taste my creations. I have about 6 atomizers for dripping and I sit down and get creative. Many have been good creations, so good that I will fill a tank. The point is you have to find something else to dwell on. Something that you really have to pay attention to, so, that you don't have a second to think of anything but the task at hand. Sometimes, I just take things apart to clean and then reset all of my supplies. I go back and re taste the juices I might not have liked before. As I said, just something to keep you very busy.
Some say to raise your nic level, I would move my nic level up but my heart palpitations say other wise. We all get an urge now and then, we would not be human. I smoked 3 plus packs a day before I started to vape. I can't afford to go back and I don't want to. Your support system at home does not understand this as they didn't smoke or chose another path. You have a support system here, the members here are awesome and will always be here to help. You are not alone.

 

[Jwaterski]

Smoking is an addiction, ask almost anyone you may know who has been off cigarettes for years how easy it would be to start right where they left off. Some parts of the habit/addiction will probably never leave, only your ability to cope with them will change. I have seen people who haven't smoked in 20 years reach for their shirt pocket or lighter.

 

[newconvert]

Tonight is a struggle. 2weeks off analogs and still fighting cravings. Even though I know if I cave it will taste like crap. Disheartened by those who think this shouldn't be that hard ("after all you're not REALLY quitting, right?") And the 4 other loved ones that I helped convert for whom this really isn't hard (or appears not to be). I know, this too shall pass, but from the threads here I can assume there are others out there tonight feeling the same.
Keep on keepin on... tomorrow's one more notch in my belt.

funny? once i began vaping i never looked back? maybe you are vaping too low of an nic, level?

 

[trouble1000]

From what I can tell, everyone is different. Some stop easily without cravings, others don't.

I had minor cravings for the first few weeks, but nothing major. I do think you need a positive attitude towards vaping. I kept on telling myself how well I was doing, family, friends and the good people on ECF have all been really supportive. Swapping flavours does help for me, I normally have at least 5 different ones on the go during the day.

The plateau point for me happened when I had to move a delivery of gravel from the front of my house to the back. We've been slowly sorting out the back garden over the last year or so. Took me 2 hours to barrow 1 ton of gravel from the front to the back, when I finished, I felt great, no shortness of breath at all. 6 months ago, the same job would have taken me a full day and I would have been exhausted at the end of it.

I know this is a bit but it's this type of situation, that tells me I made the right decision to vape and kills the cravings easily

 

[Leithan]

I could never keep cigs in the house (I'm very weak willed). It's a struggle, in the beginning, vapping just eased some of the craving and kept me from going completely Bat $h!) crazy. It's hard, but isn't everything in life worth doing? Just know your not struggling in vane. Nothing made the jitters and the cravings go away completely in the beginning. Look to your loved ones and the people who support you. Except that for you it's going to be a tough row to hoe. Take it one hour at a time, one day at a time, one week at a time. Revel in what you have accomplished so far, if you have made it this far you have all ready beaten the odds. Take a deep breadth and enjoy the freedom you have won yourself. I don't think playing with juices and attys and devices would of worked for me. I just wanted the damn thing to make the suffering stop when I pushed the damn button. In the end it was only me that could get me through it. Don't give up!
And drink water!

 

[djimmy]

Hello, new user here, i've tried 3 analogs in a week since i started vaping. It still gives my some enjoyment but vaping should keep me off analogs.

 

[Gematria]

I begun vaping 5 days ago and personally I don't have any cravings, however I do still smoke on the side so that may be a possible explanation.

I'm down from 25-30 cigarettes a day to 3-4 cigarettes a day though and I'm hoping to transition entirely towards vaping in about a week or two.

 

[Lawton]

Good luck! You can do it.

 

[Mattnatti]

Yeah, I'll still have one from time to time. I've had a pack sitting around since I quit and after 5 1/2 weeks, I have 13 left. Of course, it's not my usual brand. I'll go back, try them, and remember all the negatives of smoking and be even more committed to vaping. The last couple I stubbed out after about half of them. If you're still suffering, there's something wrong in my opinion.

I have 3 left in a pack and a unopened pack. I just picked up my system yesterday ( still less than 24hr ) and have had a few but am pitching them after about half smoked. Vaping has sure reduced the craving for normal cigs though. It is really noticeable. I will finish these 3 and be finished.