When do you know if E-cigs are for you?

[style1983]

Hi, let me introduce myself quick. I'm a fitness-oriented person that started smoking early in college. After nearly 10 years of smoking either Parliament Lights or Marlboro Lights, I decided to try out e-cigs. I was never a heavy smoker by any means...maybe 4 or 5 cigarettes per day. More on weekends if I was drinking and/or stressed out. I've been able to quit here and there for a month at a time, but after a drink, I'd always want a cigarette. I finally decided to try the Blu (I know there are mixed reviews on them) upon recommendation from a friend. I honestly liked the way they looked and the price was good.

I've had them 3 days now in cherry crush in light (12mg).

Day 1: I probably over-vaped initially. Had to recharge the battery. There was something neat about just being able to smoke indoors again, watching the vapor. Initially, I did get a strong buzz and had to slow down. Felt like the first time smoking a cigarette...the head rush, coughing, etc. I had read that e-cigs were much weaker than analogs, not sure if that is the case. I did smoke one analog hours later, and it did seem much stronger, but I'm not sure if that's only because I had been vaping all day long.

Day 2: Woke up with what felt like a cold (sore throat/postnasal drip)...got better as the day went along, but still slightly there. I don't think it's nicotine withdrawal because I was never a heavy smoker and had cut back a lot lately. I read this can be a side effect from vaping. I hope it doesn't last too much longer. I vaped today, but not nearly as much as the first day. I noticed I didn't want an analog today, but I wonder if that's because of this cold-like feeling I have from the e-cigs, opposed to actually being satisfied with the e-cigs. I think it is both, I find myself wanting an analog more out of the habit, than actually wanting one via craving, but the satisfaction with an analog was better. So far, I get the feeling e-cigs get me to not want analogs as much, but I don't feel the complete satisfaction I felt with an analog. After a few drinks, I know I'll want an analog most likely.

Question to you: how long before you knew if e-cigs were right for you? I know people that use e-cigs, but still smoke periodically analogs. I'm still trying to figure out where I stand.

 

[Thulium]

You aren't done until you find something you like BETTER than smoking! If you don't already, try changing something. You can try different flavors or nicotine levels on the Blu, but there are other models and different atomizers/cartomizers that most people find to be a lot more satisfying than the Blucig.

I first discovered e-cigs at a mall kiosk and spent WAY too much for a kit that was too expensive to maintain so it mostly went unused for about a year. It wasn't until I started researching for better models here at ECF and found a system that worked for me that I was able to get down to smoking one or fewer "analogs" a day...after just a few days my senses of taste and smell improved and regular cigarettes started to taste bad--especially compared to my customized vape setup!

 

[Boodle]

+1 for Thulium. He nailed it.

 

[JJWilder]

That's really a tough question since its gonna vary for everyone. For me, I had been smoking for almost 10 years with several breaks throughout the decade. I have been smoke free for about a month on the dot now. I had done a lot of research on PVs and was really just trying to decide what model i wanted to spend my money on. I went with the Volt from Smokeless Image, a vendor here on the site. I had a smooth transition to my PV, with no desire to go back to analogs. With that being said, my mindset once I got my Volt was: It would be nice if I liked it and stopped smoking analogs, but if i didn't enjoy it, I would have no problem going back to my smokes. I just figured I'd been beating up my lungs long enough.

As stated, I've been smoke free for a month. I've had a few drags from an analog here and there, and it only reminds me how bad they taste, and how good my e-liquid tastes. Since you've already made the investment in the Blu, I'd stick with it but try some more flavors. About the throat irritation; I noticed that if my atomizer isn't nice and wet with flavor, it will be very harsh on my throat.

And...............WELCOME to the site!!!!!
There's a ton of info here on pretty much any topic you could imagine. Hope all goes well with your new PV and you stay away from those stinky analogs

 

[Thulium]

People that want to sell "electronic cigarettes" for $100+ and pre-filled cartridges for $2/ea want you to think that they are some super-high-tech complicated piece of machinery.

The truth is that vaping is actually very simple technology: All you need is a power supply (battery), switch (manual or automatic), heating element (atomizer/cartomizer), and liquid. Almost all of these components are interchangeable between brands with the right adapters, so basically every component of vaping can be customized to suit your individual/changing needs.

 

[94_FLSTN]

You might be having a reaction to the PG (Propylene Glycol) in the e-juice. It's somewhat rare but some do have an alergic reaction. Almost all e-juice is made up of a combination of PG and VG (Vegetable Glycerin) but some vendors do allow you to request specific ratios of PG/VG mix. You might want to find a vendor that gives a choice on mix ratios and order small samples of PG/VG ratios in the range of 25/75, 50/50 or even 100% VG, to see if that makes any difference.

Since you smoke so few analogs, you might want to go with a lighter mix on the nic as well. Try some small samples of around 6 mg or 8 mg to see if that helps.

Stick with it. It's worth it. Hope you find a solution soon.

 

[emus]

When you get an awesome PV and find a juice that fits you.

 

[Ralikar]

I used my pv and smoked for like two weeks which just increased my nicotine habit. Best advice I heard: vape or smoke but not both. Was up to 3 packs/day of Mar Uls... Day 1 1.5 packs, day 2 1 pack, Day 3-4 no cigs but missed them a bit now like 2 months later find vaping is better than smoking. My advice: vape not smoke; vape alot to control cravings and habits then just forget smokes--it will be easier than you think. Throat thing goes away.

 

[Saintscruiser]

You are the only person that can decide for yourself. But what you're telling us is that it seems to be working, but messing up your sinuses and throat. I agree that the PG e-juice may not be for you. I use both....one drop, then the other drop.

I wanted the e-cig to help control my analog intake and wound up quitting tobacco altogether. I have not put tar and the 2,000 carcinagins into my lungs since last July. I never thought it could work for me, but after a week, two weeks, a month.....I started telling people that I quit smoking. I don't smell like an ashtray walking around. Was it worth it to me? YES!! My mom died of lung cancer and after 42 years of smoking, this gal can breathe without hacking up a lung. I waited for all of the coughing that is supposed to happen after tobacco....nope! When I do cough, it's from sinus allergies. My only regret is that I didn't know about them sooner. God has perfect timing. Was it completely smooth sailing? No. I had to re-commit there over and over again. It just looked so good on tv. But, I didn't give in and I won't! I don't want that heavy smoke in my lungs, nor that smell on my clothes, hair, etc. I give God all the credit! I wish great blessings on you!

 

[hairball]

Question to you: how long before you knew if e-cigs were right for you? Immediately upon getting my little 510 kit. Quickly upgraded but I knew it was working from the get go.

 

[Lisa66]

It's true that everyone's vaping needs are different. That being said, you could have done a lot worse on your PV selection on your first purchase.... In one week I will have been off the analogs for six months. I started with a KR808D-1 and still use it (I don't mind charging batteries more often and like the analog-type appearance). I had a difficult time in the first couple of weeks because I needed to find a juice I liked. Until I did, I was questioning whether this was going to cut it. Once I found something acceptable it became smooth sailing.

One thing I might suggest (if you want an analog-looking device) is to at least fill blank carts/cartos with juice. It is far better than prefilled cartos, much more satisfying. The other thing is that if you do stick with the analog-looking device, at least try a manual one (with the button....forgive me if I'm being too remedial) since it gives you more control over the quality of the draw you get, plus you don't have to worry about getting sloppy with juice and the potential of shorting out the battery (although I have yet to do that on my autos).

If it's any consolation, I never felt quite satisfied for about the first two weeks. After that I began to notice that I really wasn't thinking about having an analog any more. Again, that's just me. Good luck on your vaping journey.

 

[style1983]

Thanks for all the input so far, I do appreciate it. I'm hoping the side effects were just from over-vaping the first day, and I probably inhaled too hard because I like the flavor, I do find e-cigs to be enjoyable so far. I haven't vaped nearly as much today. I did have one analog earlier and it definitely felt harsh and didn't taste good (made me wonder why I liked those things so much - they just feel unhealthy).

I thought I had read somewhere that Blu was pg free. Even if there is no pg, I assume it may take some getting used to. As for mixing juice/flavors, I really have no idea how to do that yet, but I have noticed it is very popular.

Another thing, I'm on day 3 and the blu doesn't seem as powerful as it originally did, it feels smoother now.

Are there any stats on the percent of people who successfully quit analogs when finding the right e-cig? Would be an interesting study if it hasn't been done yet.

 

[MiMoSeTH]

I don't really know anything about the Blu, but the PG is in the juice, not in the PV. Or maybe you mean there's no PG in the prefilled cartos for it?

DIY liquid is a lot of fun, yeah, and you have a lot more control over the strength of the flavors, nic and PG/VG in your juices. It's not that hard at all to get started, but you may want to check out the DIY e-liquid forum. Just be careful when calculating nic strength, and manipulating it.

 

[Shannon65]

I knew from the very first time...it was love at first drag. I wanted to stop smoking tobacco SO BAD and for SO LONG.

 

[vsinner]

it was "Love at First Puff" for me, I only got mine yesterday and I immediately knew it was a good fit!

PAD smoker of Marlboro Gold (lights they used to be called) for 14 or so years and only got a PV thinking "it can't be that bad". First hit I discovered it's got everything I got out of smoking without the smell, possibly less health issues (this is a discussion point in some circles) and a variety of flavors to chose from.

 

[carpedebass]

I liked it from 1st puff. But I wanted/expected more "smoke" until I ran out of supplies and bummed an analog from a friend. Then I noticed that analogs really do not produce any more TH, or "smoke" than a PV. I was all in at that point.

 

[TWolf]

To address the sore throat issue.... drink plenty of water, especially before bed... this will help and the feeling will dissipate over time.... Welcome to the family!

 

[Bozzlite]

Well, e-cigs and I hit it off from day one. Haven't even craved a cig since that first day almost a year ago. And I was what many consider a very heavy smoker, over 2 PAD for many years.

The hard part is finding the right combination of PV and E-juice. Luckily, I found the right PV for me on the first shot. Joye Ego.
It took much longer to find the right juice tho and I'm still trying new ones.

 

[otrpu]

I started with Blu too. I knew it would work for me after I took the first drag off the PV. Took me 6 months, lotta little toy PV's, lotta crappy cart'n'carto's, and find the juice balance I needed. But, if you wanna quit. . .it will work. JMHO

Cheers,
otpru

 

[mangoon]

I had a rough time with it to start also style. The first 3 or 4 days with the coughing and scratchy throat had me questioning my decision to get the ecig but I wanted to quit the analogs and stuck with it. In less than a week I found my groove with it and its been smooth sailing ever since. I def knew they were for me when I put an analog to my lips and it tasted like wet swampy dog a** lol. That is a great day believe it or not.