Trouble getting started, anyone else have this problem?

[mkauthen]

So it has been about 2 weeks now. I'm using an evod twist, w/ a tank w/ a coil/wick in it. I've been using 18 mg juice predominately (I've tried 6 and 12, but it just doesn't work for me as yet). But I feel like I'm going crazy. No matter how much I vape, I'm not feeling it. I can't decide if my battery is just too weak, or if my juice isn't doing it for me. I don't know. I like the flavor of the juices that I have (all from brick and mortars in my area, being in L.A., there are plenty of shops) I am trying desperately to quit smoking. I've done all the tricks I can think of. Don't buy them, hide them in a place that is not a usual spot, etc... but I am in full blown fit mode most of the time. My kids are sick of how bitchy I am, and honestly I don't blame them.

So. Did anyone else have a really hard time quitting? Or am I just a lost cause? I can't buy a new device (this one was a hand me down from a nice lady), with five kids, money is an issue. So, any advice? Ideas? Help!

Michelle

[Tam]

When I first started I used 24 mg nic in my juice even though I smoked Marlboro Lights (around 12 mg). That got me through the first part in letting go of the smoking habit. Don't be so hard on yourself. Smoke when you need to, vape at other times. It will get better as time goes on. Hang in there.

[Bebop]

Tam is wise.

[Compenstine]

When I first started it was 24 mg and I don't think there was a time for the first 6 months I didn't have it in my hand and vaping. My Honey thought I was nuts and going to kill myself with it. I just asked her if she would rather I went back to analogs. LOL I even fell asleep with it in my hand on many occasions. Don't judge what is best for you by others quitting quickly. Everyone is different and some take longer than others or, Vape more than others. The more you stress about it the harder it is to kick the analogs. So, take a breath and grab the vape even if you don't ever put it down.

[jasonculp]

I agree with the wise ones above!

I was smoking 2-3 packs a day of Reds. I never felt the nicotine at all! I did get some stomach aches, but not the woozy, dizzy, nicotine feeling. I started with 18mg juice and it wasn't doing it. I moved up to to 24 mg and chain vaped. I, like Comp, kept it very close. I would stay in a near nicotine induced buzz all day. It didn't take long to kick the analogs. I couldn't really smoke any analogs because I was pumped so full of nicotine from the vape that every time I smoked one it would make me feel terrible (nearly ill). I probably was taking in a little too much nicotine, but it worked. I was also drinking about 3 times as much water as usual.

It probably wasn't the smartest way to go about it. I am sure my nicotine levels were much higher than they should have been. It did work. I have gone from 8-10 ml a day of 24 to less than 4 ml. I will probably move to 18 in the next few weeks.

Good Luck!

[mkauthen]

Ok, calmer now. Thanks guys. I know in my head that it will come with time. I just feel so stressed with life (yea I chose one hell of a time to quit smoking...) that I want this vaping thing to work instantly. lol not logical I'm sure. I will probably buy some 24 mg when there is a little money to spend on it. That may just be the problem, I don't know.

But I will stop kicking myself and just keep vaping. Sooner or later it will work. I'm confident...

[Tam]

I just feel so stressed with life (yea I chose one hell of a time to quit smoking...) that I want this vaping thing to work instantly.

The difference from all the other ways to help quit smoking is the one thing that helped me stay off analogs: vaping is not an all or nothing thing.

With the patch, gum, lozenges, cold turkey... you have to do one and cannot do both. With vaping, the pressure was off. If I really wanted a cigarette, I could smoke one then go back to the e-cig after. It was knowing I didn't have to choose that helped take the stress and pressure off. That's how I was able to succeed. You'll find your balance soon-ish. In the mean time, take your time and don't stress about it. Let it come around when it does. You can do it.

[bcartervol98]

My wife still uses 24mg exclusively and has since April of 2013. I started there but dropped to about 18mg after a little under a year.

Don't buy into the hype that nicotine is the enemy. Cigarettes and tobacco are the enemies. It doesn't have to be about the lowest nicotine level you can stand just vape the level that keeps you off cigs. I know a lot that started on 30 or 36mg.

[VapeMama]

Wise words from all the above.

And, we are all different. I vape exclusively, my hubby does not. I use 6mg (started with 18mg) and hubby uses 12mg. We like different flavors and equipment.

The important thing in my humble opinion is that every time you vape, that's one less smoke you have. Go easy on yourself, one evening you will go to bed and realize you didn't have an analog all day!

[OhmWrecker]

I wish you luck on your journey to quitting analogs it's not an easy one but you can do it. I was really grouchy when I exclusively started vaping I felt like I wasn't getting my nicotine fix. When I got my mom a E-Cig to try she didn't like it she didn't think the hits felt the same but then she would slowly cut back on the analogs week by week until she just wasn't even buying them anymore. I was different from her but everybody has there differences and some people have harder times than others you just have to keep with it and look to the future positives of not smoking.

[Earthling789]

Everyone is different, but one common thread to all who try vaping as a substitute for smoking... nicotine level and flavor. Once you find a flavor you like, you're more apt to pick up the vape... and having enough nicotine to satisfy the cravings will keep you coming back to the electronics, rather than grabbing the lighter!

I started out with 24mg. As a former cigar smoker, I needed the high-PG throat-hit even more than the nicotine/vapor... So, it didn't take long before I moved to 18mg 80/20 juices during the day, saving the 24mg for early mornings when my cravings were highest (with my morning coffee, or after the evening meal). Soon, I realized I slept better at night if my last vapes of the day were 12mg or 6mg 50/50 juices... Even now, 6-months later, I still use 15-18mg (80/20, 70/30, and 60/40 mixes) most of the day, but keep some 24mg handy for high-stress / high-craving times... and use 12, 6, or 3mg (60/40 or 50/50 mixes) in different devices (RBA/RDA).

[charles vapor]

I've noticed that in some cases it takes somewhat of a life style change to help quit smoking as well. For me it was social situations and anything that involved beer. My wife really wanted me to quit smoking and I tried a lot of things before I went to vaping. It was to the point where I would drink just so I could have the excuse to smoke. That sounds pretty bad, but thats where I was headed. Now I find myself drinking a lot less and on the occasion that I do indulge, a cigarette just sounds rancid to me. It took a long time to get to that point though, and like everyone else has said, different people will have different triggers and different obstacles to overcome analogs. Just try to identify those situations that make you really crave them and try to adjust fire a little bit next time you feel that way.

[bcartervol98]

Everyone is different in what motivates them, what challenges them, what tempts them etc... The key is resolve. I WILL NOT SMOKE CIGARETTES AGAIN! That's what you have to tell yourself. Then get some juice with enough nicotine to make you sit back and say Ahhhhhh when you take a pull. It gets so much easier with time just hang in there!

[Heldar]

It took me about 3 months to completely switch from smoking to vaping completely. I was vaping 24mg and it just wasnt enough by itself. But i stuck to it, and i haven't touched a stinky in forever. It takes time and a little bit of determination.

[bcartervol98]

It took me about 3 months to completely switch from smoking to vaping completely. I was vaping 24mg and it just wasnt enough by itself. But i stuck to it, and i haven't touched a stinky in forever. It takes time and a little bit of determination.

Exactly this. I was able to say "I am done, no more cigarettes" from the first vape I took. It wasnt super easy but I was extremely motivated. My wife on the other hand still kept a pack in her purse for one here and there if she needed it. She was not as motivated as I was and honestly her primary motivation was that I was doing it and she felt like she sort of had to even though I never put that type of condition on it. Within a month she also couldn't stand the taste or smell of a cigarette.

Thing is it takes the right equipment and liquid-nic strength. That is probably one of my bigger pet peeves with the advice I hear about where to start. Most of my friends that started vaping and have been successful with it, those I have helped, all started with 24mg liquid no matter if they were a light smoker or a heavy smoker. That's where I advise everyone to start if you are trying to kick the stinkies. There are far more things in cigarettes that are addicitive besides nicotine and your body will crave those plus you have to deal with the toxins that are leaving your body. For a few weeks you might be more prone to acne, headaches, gastrointestinal problems and your tastebuds will be all over the place. A good dose of nicotine can help you cope with your bodys withdrawal to all the carcinogens and addictive chemicals (those that kill you) as they leave your body.

Edited September 29, 2014 by bcartervol98

[mkauthen]

I ordered a bottle of choco java last night from the Vapor Talk store. I made sure that it was 24 mg. Hopefully that helps. ) Thanks all.

[jonnoh]

Hi Michelle, Jon here, and I don't think anyone is a lost cause. I am probably right up there on the die hard smokers list since I started at 12 and did 2 packs of reds or since living in Malaysia, Dunhill full flavour for nearly 50 years. It's been more than 500 days since I've vaped full time and it's now working totally for me. I too tried all the tricks to quit and added acupuncture, hypnosis, and of course patches and gum. Sheesh. The thing most helpful to me was to become informed about all the other chemicals in cig smoke that are highly addictive besides nicotine. If nicotine was the only addictive property, than using a patch and a fake cigarette for the hand to mouth habit would probably be a highly effective quitting method, but as we all know they hardly ever work for the long haul. Nicotine in high doses and clouds of vapour are really a great substitute for smoking when it works well. Good flavours help to because you learn to look forward to vaping. However vapour doesn't replace all those other chemicals your body is used to so you have to be vigilant and actively work at getting off those other chemicals. Die hard smoker and all, and totally fearful of life without cigs, I am now so happy with it. Even though I am one of the weird ones that still loves the smell of cigs pipes and cigars, and purposely go to the smoking lounge at airports to get my fix of second hand smoke, being without cigs has become totally painless to the point of not even ever thinking about it except when I get a glimpse of all those rows of shiny packs at places like 7 11. A quick twinge of nostalgia and that's it. Hang in there and keep vaping even if you don't stop cigs all the way right away. It really does get better. I wish you the best of luck.

[Valhoon]

I don't mean to beat a dead horse but they are right...everyone is different...it's been about a month and I see friends smoke and the monkey starts howling so I'll get an analog and iunno...it tastes truly awful and I'll give it back to them. But now that I'm dripping....the analogs just don't have the airflow I like. The little evods just didn't do the trick for me. But once again...everyone is different. The first week or so for me was a bit of a struggle. I would suggest getting your hands on some more potent juice. I'm 21 and I smoked since I was 11 so....I wasn't just smoking months or a couple weeks before I started vaping. The figurative monkey had a full blown gang. Just hang in there and don't give up! You'll thank us and more importantly you'll thank yourself.