Withdrawal symptons after starting vaping

[caz55]

I have been vaping for about a week and a half. I have cut down to three analogues a day from about 10-12 little cigars per day, sometimes more, sometimes less. I have been vaping at mostly 11mg and have not been vaping a lot...usually vape at about the same rate as I was smoking (once every hour or two and maybe 7 or 8 hits on the mod).

The last two days I have been feeling kinda weak, a little bit of raw throat, and last night had some minor night sweats. I have felt just a little "out of it" the last several days. I must say my breathing and lungs feel better.

My question is could I be experiencing some nicotine withdrawal even though I am still smoking about three analogues per day with light vaping?

 

[judybr]

Welcome Caz55,

Yes, you can still have some withdrawal.
I started with a much higher nic juice and am working down slowly. I gave myself a month to quit smoking after starting vaping and did just that. But there are times when I still need something strong and go as high as 36 nic occasionaly. This is very subjective as some can use very low nic levels and do great. I smoked many years so it's just taking more to get me over the cravings and I have been vaping since August 2010.
Just take your time and work this out the best way for you. Remember to drink plenty also as vaping can be dehydrating.
There are also many "bugs" running around so it could also be something to do with that also.
Good luck!!
Judy

 

[Dougiestyle]

We're running on about the same track, OP. I'm feeling a little cranky. My girlfriend is doubting me a little lol. I haven't experienced as many of the symptoms as you described, but it's still a habit/hobby to wrangle away those darn smoke sticks. I went from 1-1/2ppd to 3-5 analogs per day, so far. I have a DIY juice kit, and I know it's just coming up with a yummy flavor or two to get me to fully appreciate vaping. At this point my transition is a little more begrudging than I hoped, but I'm happy with the results so far! Good luck with your switch!

 

[caz55]

Yeah, Dougiestyle, it's been a struggle, but not too bad really. I have found that my craving for analogues has gone down daily. I think I could get by with no analogues, but I'm not rushing things.

To be honest, I've dealt with other addictions and have overcome them, so quitting smoking is just another one (the last one of my remaining vices). It's worth the effort and like they say in other "treatment" programs.....one day at a time or sometimes one hour at a time. Talking about it on these forums is good therapy. I'm not complaining, mind you, because I think I'm on my way to kicking these stinking things.

 

[Rosco]

I sure hope you are drinking water like there is no tomorrow. Vaping will positivley dehydrate you and if you've never been dehydrated, you will NOT want to find out what it can do to your entire body, not counting killing you.
Dehydration also is not just about drinking alot of water, other factors include the mineral balance in your body (specifically Potassium & Sodium). Approximately 70% of your body weight is made up of water (blood, in the tissues, digestive tract, etc).

I did too much time in Kandahar and got dehydrated more than once. EVERY joint in my body hurt and ached and even some joints I don't have hurt. I learned an extremely valid lesson that I will NOT allow to ever, ever happen again.(even lots of vomiting/........ can dehydrate you)

Best of luck to you. I wish you vaping success.

 

[caz55]

I sure hope you are drinking water like there is no tomorrow. Vaping will positivley dehydrate you and if you've never been dehydrated, you will NOT want to find out what it can do to your entire body, not counting killing you.
Dehydration also is not just about drinking alot of water, other factors include the mineral balance in your body (specifically Potassium & Sodium). Approximately 70% of your body weight is made up of water (blood, in the tissues, digestive tract, etc).

I did too much time in Kandahar and got dehydrated more than once. EVERY joint in my body hurt and ached and even some joints I don't have hurt. I learned an extremely valid lesson that I will NOT allow to ever, ever happen again.(even lots of vomiting/........ can dehydrate you)

Best of luck to you. I wish you vaping success.

I think I'm drinking plenty of water/fluids. I drink about 4-5 semi-large glasses of water plus several cups of decaf coffee and some green tea. I got to the bathroom often. Is that enough? Thanks for your reply.

 

[canadianrebel250]

I'm at 16 days now. I'm fairly convinced that the nicotine absorption from ecigs is slim to none. The first three days were very akin to withdrawal symptoms - sweaty, bit of a headache, little light headed, dizzy sometimes. I thought, at the time, that it was because I was vaping too much. In hindsight, I think it was withdrawal, as I no longer have any nicotine cravings. Even after vaping for 20 minutes straight, I do not get a nic buzz. I`m not complaining, just speculating that nicotine absorption is very low.

 

[caz55]

Are you off the analogues altogether and were you smoking any during those first three days? If so, good for you. How much were you smoking when you started vaping?

 

[pixiedust]

I'm at 16 days now. I'm fairly convinced that the nicotine absorption from ecigs is slim to none. The first three days were very akin to withdrawal symptoms - sweaty, bit of a headache, little light headed, dizzy sometimes. I thought, at the time, that it was because I was vaping too much. In hindsight, I think it was withdrawal, as I no longer have any nicotine cravings. Even after vaping for 20 minutes straight, I do not get a nic buzz. I`m not complaining, just speculating that nicotine absorption is very low.

We either get an adequate dose of nicotine from e-cigs or it's the best placebo ever known to mankind. I never started e-cigs in order to quit smoking and never had ANY expectation that I would quit, but after I tried them my desire for analogs dropped to zero within a few days. And I was definitely addicted to nicotine I smoked for 40 years and have tried every method I could find but still craved cigarettes.

I had no withdrawl symptoms at all. For about a week I had some little cravings for an analog that were not based on needing nicotine, but seemed to be about the patterns I had established of smoking while doing certain activities, i.e. talking on the phone, drinking coffee but that passed rather quickly and now I find analogs disgusting..

 

[canadianrebel250]

I had no withdrawl symptoms at all. For about a week I had some little cravings for an analog that were not based on needing nicotine, but seemed to be about the patterns I had established of smoking while doing certain activities, i.e. talking on the phone, drinking coffee but that passed rather quickly and now I find analogs disgusting..

Every craving for a cigarette I have had since quitting has been because of trigger times, and as you have said, has nothing to do with nicotine cravings. After eating, driving, breaks at work etc.

I do, in fact, believe ecigs are a placebo; a fantastic and liberating placebo. I wake up in the morning and do not feel the usual effects of not having nicotine for 8 hours. I can go an entire afternoon without puffing on my ecig, and when I puff on it, I feel no nicotine effects. I can vape the thing for 30 minutes while watching TV, and I feel no effects of nicotine. All of this says to me that as a nicotine delivery system, ecigs do very little. As a smoking cessation aid, however, they are an absolute godsend.

 

[Kams Cats]

I do think I am getting some nicotine. Not as much as smoking. I went all day yesterday without a smoking and when I did finally have one I didn't get a nicotine high like I normally do after going all day without one. It was comparable to all the nicotine replacement therapies I have tried over the years.

On the other hand, I have always felt that nicotine is only a small part of the entire smoking addiction for me.

 

[burnsmary95]

sounds to me like you are detoxing, and possibly not getting enough nic. If you start with a low level, and don't feel you are absorbing enough, try stepping it up a little bit, (maybe try 18mg instead of 11mg) just be careful not to step up too much, or you could get the opposite, too much nic is not fun. I would try this before just giving up or calling it a placebo, which I disagree with if you get a high enough nic, you feel it. When you stop smoking, your body has to detox from all the chemicals in the cigs, not just the nic, so be patient, drink lots of water, eat as healthy as you can to help flush your body, and hopefully the e cig will help you maintain while you go through this. It can take a few weeks for your body to normalize. You could also be suffering from a mild PG reaction. I got dizzy and had a horrible sore throat, dry mouth, from PG, switched to VG and all is well.

 

[telsie]

When I started vaping, I quit smoking completely and I definitely felt some detox/withdrawal symptoms even thought I was vaping 24mg. In the first couple weeks I had severe headaches, sore throat, nausea, muscle aches, join pain and more! It was rough, but it got a little better around the two week mark and somewhere around two months, I think I was done with all the physical symptoms. Hang in there. It does get easier.

 

[dinky]

yeah still detoxing here too. also think ur nic level has something to do with it. i started at 8 and 11. not good.... i was going nuts. doing 18 now and i suspect i have been fooling myself as to how much i need. its not about how much will power u have its about how much u need. thats where i got myself screwed up. i have ordered some 24 and am anxious to see if that helps. many have said they think it will. if i find that 24 is too much i can always go 50/50/ with my 8 and come up with something in the middle. it wont go to waste.

i rally believe there is something in analogs that is addictive ...... maybe more than one thing and its not just the nicotine. my body is craving something else too. im sure this will pass in time. i just have to hang in there.

really think u should try stepping up the nic level and vaping a bit more. see if it doesnt help.

 

[dinky]

my 24 and 30 nic came in. switching between the 2. but guess what.... much better. ao maybe consider trying a little higher nic level and see how it goes.

 

[pigelty]

I agree with all. Sounds like detoxing and some nic withdrawl.
I felt nic withdrawl symptoms my first one-two weeks as well, eventhough I used a medium nic cartridge.
Also, just because you are vaping & imitating the act of smoking, you still are not smoking (combustion). Your body is still recovering from the hot smoke you used to put into it on a daily basis. It takes time. Some websites are informative about eh body's recovery from tobacco cigarettes. Which can include coughing (phlegm can be blackish-brown), ENT problems (sore throat and feeling like you need to clear it often), muscle issues, mouth canker sores and acne (your body is flushing the toxins out from your pores).
Take care of yourself as best you can.