Struggling through some withdrawal

[Brooklyn]

When you first gave up or tapered off analogs, did any of you still experience withdrawal symptoms? I'm trying various levels of nic juice mg's. Could it be the chemicals in analogs that I'm withdrawing from? I was a heavy smoker for about 23 years (Parliament, then Capri, 2 1/2 to 3 packs daily). I'm down to about 10 analogs per day. Tried cold turkey switch to e-cig but it was getting to me. I really want to do this desperately, but I'm having a tough time and wondering if anyone else did too.
Thanks!
Brooklyn

 

[LuckySevens4U]

I went cold turkey and never touched another cigarette. I smoked a pack a day for 20 years. YES I went through chemical withdrawls and I'm finally over them now. Takes like 3-4 weeks IMO to get over it. You just have to DO IT. It does get better!

 

[Wildsky]

I smoked and vaped at will pretty much for almost 2 months, from being a pack a day smoker - I got down to 2-5 analogs and then stopped. I didn't stress myself, if I wanted an analog I had one - I stuff/roll my own - still have plenty left, it became a bit of a PITA to make an analog everytime I wanted one, and after a while I wasn't getting what I thought I wanted... so I just stopped. (a week ago)

 

[Wildsky]

Oh and YES on the chemicals, there is totally something else in cigs that my body was craving... I think the roll your own is missing whatever it is as well.

 

[wv2win]

It took me over a month to quit completely. And I still want an analog at times and I have been off of them for 30+ days now. What helped me the most is getting a manual PV with a bigger battery, the Screwdriver. That allowed me to get consistent performance more similar to an analog. I also use 24mg juice. But the Screwdriver is what made the biggest difference.

Good Luck

 

[EbenezerScrews]

I think vaping calms the physical addiction, but the mental addiction for a smoke is still there. There is something in packaged smokes though. I use 36mg and I never get that buzz, ya know.

I agree with Wildsky about not puttin pressure on yourself, 50-60 a day down to 10 is a very good start, just keep vaping. These are habits, routines, once you get used to the vaping routine it becomes easier, just takes time.

Good luck, keep vaping!

 

[EbenezerScrews]

Yes, the Screwdriver, haha

 

[craftmaker43]

I am pretty new to vaping. I smoked analogs ( about 1 pack a day ) for 20+ years. When I first started vaping, I got it down to 3-4 analogs a day. I was using the RN4081. I recently purchased the Penstyle 801 and have been analog free since I purchased it. ( 12 days ) It is still very hard. There is still some withdrawal. I find that when I get that feeling that I really want an analog, I vape the 36mg. Gives me an extreme throat hit which helps me with the withdrawal.

 

[seminolewind]

Brooklyn, don't put so much pressure on yourself. You've cut down alot so far. Take a break and just don't worry about the rest. I started vaping and had 10 analogs a day for 2 weeks, then I just stopped. No reason, just felt myself looking forward to the e-cigs more.
Yes, sometimes the "habit" hits me for a minute, like well it's time to go out and have a cigarette, at that point I get up and get a piece of chocolate, and get my e-cig. It will get easier, just don't put so much pressure on yourself. E-cigs are enjoyable.

 

[Brooklyn]

Thanks guys. All great info and suggestions. I am totally loving my vaping and plan on making the switch 100% for sure! But you're right...why put all that pressure on myself? 10 nasty, chemical riddled, analogs per day is nothing compared to what I was smoking. It's a great start en route to my goal. Thanks for the vote of confidence. I will win this battle!
Brooklyn

 

[rav]

I feel your pain!!! I myself have just switched to vaping and totally cut out analogs cold turkey. I do still get the craving as you are for analogs but so far have stayed away from them. To get me through the beginning I just made sure I had a variety of juice to try to keep my mind off the analogs. It seems to be working and I am getting the same joy out of vaping as I did with analogs. Not sure if that will work for you but it did for me. Wish you the best of luck

 

[crazyhorse]

Could it be the chemicals in analogs that I'm withdrawing from?

Yes. That's a huge factor. IMHO, as big or bigger than the nicotine itself

 

[Yirabeth]

New to e-cigs too...definitely withdrawal symptoms! On top of that going through some heavy chit that sometimes has me shaking and repeating to myself over and over, I wanna F'ing cigarette NOW!

I have been using 10.8mg juice, as this corresponds with what I would smoke in analogs, but I saved some 36mg juice and I'm glad I did -- when I'm REALLY having withdrawal, I load a cartridge with this and vape til it's gone...craving over Actually I'll also call a friend and say, talk to me, NOW....what about? I don't care anything at all...hehe

So far it's worked

Don't feel bad if you have an analog though -- I continued to have analogs while vaping til my analogs were all gone, and I felt I'd sorted my vaping out enough to rely on...no harm done. The end result is the same if you keep working towards it

~Yira

 

[seminolewind]

I miss the routine the most, going outside at certain times to light up, esp at night before bed-e-bye. But it's getting easier, and I have no analogs, ashtrays or anything left here.

 

[GratefulNerd]

I can also vouch for craving the "other" chemicals in premades. I switched to making my own (SYO) from a near 3pk/day of premades. I remember the first few weeks were difficult but once those cravings passed it became only a memory.

I was just introduced to an NPRO a few days ago and now I'm waiting for a pen style starter kit. After reading more on the forums here I'm already convinced I should get a high powered PV for those rough spots.

I was blown away by the fact that the first day with an e-cig I cut out 50% of analogs without even trying. When I get to over an 80% reduction like you, I'll be stoked for sure!

Discussions like these are great inspiration for me as I start this journey. Before a few days ago, the very thought of quitting was terrifying.

Thanks everybody! And to the OP, I raise my glass (coffee cup) to your achievement.

 

[Brooklyn]

Wanted to thank everybody again, for all the support, information, and suggestions. Also, an update. For one thing, I stopped putting so much pressure on myself and that alone, helped to eliminate some of my withdrawal symptoms. More importantly, the following day brought the arrival of my first DSE901...man, what a difference. I had been using a 3.0 from Smoking Everywhere. The 901 gave me much greater satisfaction, eliminating even more of my symptoms. On a side note: two of my friends have now ordered 901's and are converting to vaping after trying mine : ). These things, your support, and time have helped me greatly. My symptoms are disappearing one day at a time and I hope to be analog free soon. Viva La Vape!

 

[Rexa]

After I made the switch to ecigs completely, I've been having drastic mood swings. I feel chemically imbalanced but the funny thing is I don't crave a cigarette at all since I enjoy vaping and am getting enough nicotine. But there definitely must be something else that's giving some of us "withdrawel" symptoms. I directly linked my mood swings to stopping analogs because it happened almost immediately. I have been thinking to see a shrink because it gets really bad sometimes.

I can only imagine if I stopped cold turkey and never even vaped. It would've been even worse so I thank ecigs in that respect. I hope these mood swings go away soon.

 

[Brooksie]

Hi,
You can do it. It does take some adjustment. I smoked 40 years, 25+ cigs a day. The first few days of vaping, I vaped alot. My incentive really came from feeling miserable smoking - coughing my head off every morning on analogs. I have been vaping two weeks today, I have had 4 analogs (one just to see if I missed it, and the others when my battery ran out) since then I take a charger and battery to work and always have a spare with me. It takes a little adjustment, but I tried everything to quit, and vaping is the only thing that worked for me.

Also, after only 4 cigs in two weeks my health is so much improved that that provided me with a lot of incentive I wouldn't have had otherwise. I could never stay on the patch or gum long enough to do any good health wise. My cronic bronchitis is gone after only two weeks.

I also found that reading the forum on a regular basis, provided me with a kind of support network. Just skipping around and reading various posts, was helpful to see so many others out there trying to break the habit, was comforting, and something I could turn to at any hour to give me a mental boost. So, go easy on yourself, and know you are not alone in your quest. And many congrats on your good start.

 

[Kate51]

I smoked light 100's last three years roll-you-own 100's lights, at least three packs a day, sometimes more. After heavy smoker for 44 years, I had my last cigarette the day I got my NPRO. I have been using 24mg (High) Johnson Creek original, wanted to keep a mild cig flavor, and love it. Now using a DSE801 so don't have to refill so often, refill cart 6 or 7 times for all day. Am as content as could be. Was very proud today, had shopping, and for the last hour the battery was out, and resisted lighting up an emergency analog till I got home. Yah, was smoking in the grocery store. (No body saw me! HeHe)

NO WITHDRAWAL FROM DAY ONE

 

[ambersview]

When you first gave up or tapered off analogs, did any of you still experience withdrawal symptoms? I'm trying various levels of nic juice mg's. Could it be the chemicals in analogs that I'm withdrawing from? I was a heavy smoker for about 23 years (Parliament, then Capri, 2 1/2 to 3 packs daily). I'm down to about 10 analogs per day. Tried cold turkey switch to e-cig but it was getting to me. I really want to do this desperately, but I'm having a tough time and wondering if anyone else did too.
Thanks!
Brooklyn

I stepped down with cigarettes. It's been a pack a week average since I started. I haven't really desired them. I just interject a real cigarette occassionally. I find I like vaping more, but I didn't want to deal with a rapid withdrawal. I think the key is that I'm not stressing over how many I'm having. I am not letting myself light one after another any more though. If I have one and still feel like having another smoke I vape.