What made the transition off analogues easier for you?

[manc]

/snip/
I know what you mean also about trying to get other smokers interested. I have shown everyone in my building at work who smokes, those who I see outside on our smoke breaks. I'm so excited about it, and give them a very fun demonstration and pep talk about it. Most have thought it very cool, but so far, not one of them has made the move and actually done it, not that I know of yet.

This may seem simplistic, but I wonder if some of these people think e-cigs cost too much. People who buy cigs by the pack may think that. People like me, paying $60 for my last carton of cigs, felt like $60 for an e-cig starter kit is just fine.

I feel fortunate, that for whatever reasons, finding out about e-cigs when I did was just right. I was absolutely ready to do it.

Though now, after three weeks, I'm still finishing that damn carton of smokes I had bought just before I ordered my e-cigs. And since I'm smoking fewer a day, it's lasting me a long time. At the very beginning, I thought maybe I'd get right into vaping and throw that carton away! ($60 be damned.) But it wasn't like that.

So I'm nearing the point where I won't have any cigs...and I hope I don't decide to buy just one more pack or whatever. Because so far, I've relied on both analogs and e-cigs; I've not had a day yet without an analog.

And Mikea, I liked your recent newbie-info thing you did in another thread, what you've learned. All the info here for newbies is invaluable!

I could not do this without this forum. Or I should say, it definitely helps me stay on course and happy about doing this.

Well, carry on, friends!

kathy

It's interesting to think about what makes someone actually take action and do something like taking up e-cigs. I'm still a newbie, so I haven't had a chance to show many smokers yet. I was telling a fellow smoker about them, before I had received mine, and she really didn't seem excited about it. I told her, "You'll be impressed once you see it." We'll see...

For me, I had seen them at the mall, but still wasn't actually considering them for myself... especially at the prices they sell them for at the mall (not to mention the slick salespeople at my mall seem like tools to me.) Then I saw an add for Blu on craigslist, and something clicked. I realized that I didn't have to spend over a hundred dollars for an e-cig, and hey, if it helps me give up smokes... Luckily I found this forum and ended up going with a different model. But I have to give blu credit for one thing: they convinced me to try out e-cigs. I give ECF credit for everything else

And yeah, I too was hoping that I'd be one of the people that gets their e-cig and throws away their analogues. Just didn't happen... yet. I still have faith, though! The day will come when I leave analogues behind.

 

[manc]

/snip/ Glad you all are here, what would I do without all the support???

Amen. I would never have come this far with e-cigs if it weren't for this forum full of people willing to help out and support each other.

 

[manc]

Well, I'm glad for your duck-to-water thing And I also totally agree that all the fiddling is therapeutic. At first I didn't know if I liked that idea, that you have to mess with all this stuff, keep everything going. But I totally like it also.

kathy

I like it too. I was a RYO, then became an IYO (inject your own) cigarette smoker, so I was used to having a routine around smoking cigarettes. I think that DIY attitude came in really handy when I started out with e-cigs.

 

[mikea]

Great job, shivadance. It must feel really good being off analogues. The right mindset can go a long way towards success... I'm wondering if I just don't want to quit badly enough yet, and that's why I'm still smoking analogues.

Many years ago my first wife was adamant that I quit and I went through a quit-smoking program. I think it was actually a good program, but the fact is, I didn't want to quit. And I did not quit. More recently my wife has always wished I would quit, but hasn't been pushy about it -- she knows that doesn't work (and I know it too). Then a couple of things happened that made me want to quit:

Someone clued me in to a type of filter (called Tar Gard) that takes tar out of the smoke -- you can see the stuff building up into the filter if you get the clear ones. That was a very graphic demonstration. (What, the endless smoker's cough and the bad colds in the winter, and the sinus infections, and watching my mother die of a smoking-related disease weren't enough? Apparently not!).

The tax increase ...... me off big-time (egad, pity super-addicted smokers in Florida right now). I decided to start making my own. Now I've got lots of tobacco mess in my home office...kind of unpleasant, but still I was saving a bit of money.

Then I did something incredibly stupid with a cigarette -- not falling asleep with it; I don't smoke inside the house -- that started a fire. Only by sheer blind luck we were able to get it out before it caught the siding of the house. If it had, in this weather we'd probably have lost most or all of our beautiful house. It was a case of one's day going from ah, this was a good day to HOLY ***T! in the twinkling of an eye. Cost us a bundle to repair the burned area. Argh.

And it was all my fault. I could have ruined our lives. It wouldn't have been the cigarette's fault, literally; it would have been the fault of the idiot who had been smoking it. But there it was: cigarettes have been at the center of any number of bad things that have happened in my life...

Talk about having to be hit over the head with an anvil to get it. First the sight of the tar...then the fire. And the health issues. And I thought: ok, I've had enough wake-up calls. It's time to do something about it. I'd been totally stubborn about it up to that point -- stubborn, and stupid. I'm still not down to zero cigarettes, but much closer now. I wonder what's the trick to totally breaking the habit...

It isn't 100% great now; sometimes I've gotten too much PV in the mouth and haven't felt well for a while afterward -- must be more careful with filling. My wife appreciates this change for a number of reasons, but she still gets whiffs of the e-liquid in various places in the house and doesn't like it. Not sure yet how to fix that. The hurdles aside, overall this is so much better than being a heavy smoker...

 

[sattec]

I'M HOME! I love this forum! Everybody here is great! I love the free flow of info! keep up the good work!

 

[Robert]

The first thing I noticed is that after 2-3 day of my 510 analogs taste terrible. They also gave me a headache, but this still wasn't enough to make me quit.

I have been using E.F.T. Emotional Freedom Techniques ( a needle less form of accupuncture ) for various physical and emotional issues. EFT or Tapping as it is better known can really help a person change unwanted thoughts and relieve physical pains.

I started Tapping on "Even though I want a real cigarette...." after two day of tapping on and off I am over analogs.. It is amazing to me.

EFT is free to learn at EFT Home - World Center for EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques)

Here is how you do it- Everyone Please try this on anything that is bothering you, it will help.

EFT on a page http://www.centerforinnerhealing.com/eft/eft_on_a_page.pdf

Robert

PS
I would love to hear anyones result using EFT. I know it works even though it seems like the strangest thing in the world.

 

[wezzie]

I know that there are no long term studies on e-cigs, but OMG...so many people state that they are feeling much better (me included) after quitting the analogs. I have been analog free for 6 weeks and cannot remember when I felt this good...oh... perhaps before I started smoking 36 years ago.

What still sticks in my mind...walking in the malls and seeing people tote around a oxygen tank with a tube connected to their nose...and thinking if I do not stop smoking, that will be me in the future!

 

[shivadance]

I would love to hear anyones result using EFT. I know it works even though it seems like the strangest thing in the world.

I haven't used EFT but anything that focuses the mind and and works on physical and/or mental stimulation for behavorial change can be effective if used.

I'm in behavorial therapy counseling for anxiety and the thing is, anxiety and behavior adjustment really is all in the mind. So consciously I made the choice to tell myself negative things about smoking every time I lit a cigarette. I knew I'd been feeling like crap for the past couple years from smoking and just started the mantra a few months ago, 'smoking makes me feel terrible,' 'I do not want to smoke another cigarette,' etc. I've always enjoyed smoking itself, but I do have mild asthma and my mom has COPD and it will kill me one day. No question.

I'm so happy that you found something that worked for you! If we can only help somone find that one thing that works for them as well, we'll have paid it forward.

 

[shivadance]

I know that there are no long term studies on e-cigs, but OMG...so many people state that they are feeling much better (me included) after quitting the analogs. I have been analog free for 6 weeks and cannot remember when I felt this good...oh... perhaps before I started smoking 36 years ago.

What still sticks in my mind...walking in the malls and seeing people tote around a oxygen tank with a tube connected to their nose...and thinking if I do not stop smoking, that will be me in the future!

Speaking of oxygen tanks... I was sick one year and walking from the bus stop to work. I was having some congestion and breathing issues from the cold (I thought). Then this 60+ year old guy, hooked up to an oxygen tank (a big one!) walks right by me smoking a cigarette! 8-o

I thought, holy moly, I can't even walk as fast as him! I got to work and called the doctor right away. Sure enough, I had brochitis and was diagnosed with mild asthma for the first time.

 

[shivadance]

But again, if I had the right mindset, I'm sure I could make it happen. Perhaps the longer I vape, the more I'll see analogues for the disgusting things that they are, and want to quit.

You made a great first step moving to vaping and hopefully the rest will just happen naturally for you. Be proud of the step forward you have made!

 

[sattec]

hang in there, the bottom line is burning tobacco is killing you. it's mind over matter. I have a dear friend that used to use ......., one day he nearly had a heart attack, from that day on, he knew coke could kill him in an instant, he never did coke again. Don't wait to find out tobacco/cigarettes can kill you, decide now that the only nic your gonna get must come from an e-cig, simple as that....

 

[wezzie]

Shivadance...so you are involved with behavorial therapy counseling for anxiety...bet you have busy!!!

Since I have been smoke free for 6 weeks, I no longer need the Advair Diskus. It was to prevent my major bi-annual brochitis attack from hell...and the constant wheezing.

E-Cigs are a good thing.

 

[shivadance]

Shivadance...so you are involved with behavorial therapy counseling for anxiety...bet you have busy!!!

Since I have been smoke free for 6 weeks, I no longer need the Advair Diskus. It was to prevent my major bi-annual brochitis attack from hell...and the constant wheezing.

E-Cigs are a good thing.

Quitting smoking, delving into PVs/juice/parts, anxiety attacks, meds, therapy, meditation, dealing with new boss at work... all in the last 4 months. Ain't no thing.

My mom is still on the Advair, but doesn't need her emergency inhaler anymore and she doesn't wheeze at night. I don't wheeze either, haven't touched an inhaler since using my PV. Glad you got off the Advair!! That's awesome!

PVs are a good thing!

 

[kathyst]

The first thing I noticed is that after 2-3 day of my 510 analogs taste terrible. They also gave me a headache, but this still wasn't enough to make me quit.

I have been using E.F.T. Emotional Freedom Techniques ( a needle less form of accupuncture ) for various physical and emotional issues. EFT or Tapping as it is better known can really help a person change unwanted thoughts and relieve physical pains.

I started Tapping on "Even though I want a real cigarette...." after two day of tapping on and off I am over analogs.. It is amazing to me.

EFT is free to learn at EFT Home - World Center for EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques)

Here is how you do it- Everyone Please try this on anything that is bothering you, it will help.

EFT on a page http://www.centerforinnerhealing.com/eft/eft_on_a_page.pdf

Robert

PS
I would love to hear anyones result using EFT. I know it works even though it seems like the strangest thing in the world.

Thanks, Robert. I definitely like this kind of thing. I believe I've heard of it, but haven't looked into it further. So now I will. I'm glad you mentioned it!

kathy

 

[kathyst]

I haven't used EFT but anything that focuses the mind and and works on physical and/or mental stimulation for behavorial change can be effective if used.

I'm in behavorial therapy counseling for anxiety and the thing is, anxiety and behavior adjustment really is all in the mind. So consciously I made the choice to tell myself negative things about smoking every time I lit a cigarette. I knew I'd been feeling like crap for the past couple years from smoking and just started the mantra a few months ago, 'smoking makes me feel terrible,' 'I do not want to smoke another cigarette,' etc. I've always enjoyed smoking itself, but I do have mild asthma and my mom has COPD and it will kill me one day. No question.

I'm so happy that you found something that worked for you! If we can only help somone find that one thing that works for them as well, we'll have paid it forward.

That's interesting, shiva, that you do that on purpose, tell yourself negative things about smoking analogs. I have found myself doing this, not on purpose. But I know it's a good thing to do so I'll keep doing it. It's like everytime I light up I say to myself, what the hell are you doing such a stupid thing for? And when I'm smoking, I find myself saying, yuck, this tastes terrible. And when I'm finished with one, I say, sh*t, that was gross -- I sure didn't need that!

Whatever it takes...

kathy

 

[shivadance]

That's interesting, shiva, that you do that on purpose, tell yourself negative things about smoking analogs. I have found myself doing this, not on purpose. But I know it's a good thing to do so I'll keep doing it. It's like everytime I light up I say to myself, what the hell are you doing such a stupid thing for? And when I'm smoking, I find myself saying, yuck, this tastes terrible. And when I'm finished with one, I say, sh*t, that was gross -- I sure didn't need that!

Whatever it takes...

kathy

You got it! And don't forget to throw in the 'positive' side as well, "Vaping is better for me, I feel better afterward then when I have a ciggy," and "Wow, vaping sure tastes a lot better than that last analog I had!"

Not to sound like a nut or anything, but the mind is powerful and power of positive thinking is not to be underestimated!

Oh, and my therapist was thrilled about my success with PVs. He couldn't wait till I left to look it up in the intertubes.

 

[Breakfree]

Wierdly, it was the flavors that made it easier for me which surprised me because I started out thinking "flavors??? why would I want flavors when I didn't smoke a flavored cigarette in the first place?" I thought flavors were for Wusses quite frankly.

Well here's what happened, I got an eCig that came with 5 boxes of different flavored and strength carts. I had been Vaping tobacco flavor only on my other eCig brand and that was all I intended to keep doing as flavors just seemed silly and vain to me.

Enter the flavored carts and things changed without my realizing it. First I reluctantly tried the mint after running out of tobacco flavor. It was quite satisfying even though it had a lower percentage of nicotine than the tobacco flavor. Then I started on the coffee which was an even lower percentage of nicotine, and again, satisfying.

Then it dawned on me that these flavors were stimulating the pleasure center in my brain so I didn't need so much nicotine to bombard my neurotransmitters with.

Eureka! Flavors are the key and not for Wusses like I thought. Flavors are for the smart Vaper who wants to get off nicotine or reduce it.

Now I love trying new flavors, cotton candy, raspberry, chocolate, bring em on!

 

[shivadance]

Eureka! Flavors are the key and not for Wusses like I thought. Flavors are for the smart Vaper who wants to get off nicotine or reduce it.

I think once I tried my first coffee and chocolate cart I was like, WOAH! I was really impressed at how complex they tasted and really started enjoying vaping then.

Eureka is right!

 

[Zrane]

For me it was very much an intentional thing. I've been smoking for about 9 years, and while it was cool when I was a teenager, I've grown up some and realized it's basically a racket to pay someone to kill yourself. Not to mention it stinks, is dirty and generally unpleasant.

I'm not entirely off analogs, I've had a few since I got my PV(Especially when I moved last month, and people helping me pack got all my kit mixed up in different boxes). When I first got one(An Njoy Ncig) I quit almost immediately, then sort of drifted between not smoking for days and then having a few. I went back to my 801 a few days ago and haven't had one since. Maybe it's my device?

My biggest issues aren't wanting a cigarette so much as being unprepared. I always cart a bottle of juice around on me, but I tend to tear through batteries. To help alleviate this, I've ordered myself a Janty Stick. The USB recharge/passthrough is a big one for me(On top of the manual switch) since I've got USB power everywhere(Even in the car). Waiting eagerly to get it.

Also, probably going to order a 510 and a PCC. I'm totally a technophile, and more gadgets always please me. My wife's already scowling at me about how much I've spent buying equipment and new juice to try. She quickly found what worked for her.

 

[tonigirt]

Ok here is my story and im sticking to it . I stopped smoking analogs May 8 and was strictly vaping .. well on July 1 almost 2 months of not smoking analog cigs we moved to a new place the move was very stressful .. I couldn't find my charger, my batteries went dead , atomizer went out everything excuse in the world fell on me and I blew it.. yep went back to smoking analogs after almost two months I let myself down . well we are all moved in now and im back weaning myself off of analogs been only having 3 or 4 a day now for the past few days .. I'm telling you I love the e cigs but when your really stressed and all your options or batteries in my case are dead I blew it .. I really really feel bad did anyone else fall off the wagon all I'm hearing is success stories and no falling off the wagon stories.

But I promised my Grand daughter that I would quit again, I actually promised her that I would not smoke a analog infront of her again even though I go outside . I refuse to smoke a analog in my new place , my old place smells of smoke even with all the cleaning I did when we moved out it just gets in everything.. please let me hear of others and that I'm not the only weak one(as I feel not meaning anyone that has fallen off the wagon is one just me) out here..
Toni