A "memory" popped up today. In 2013 on this day I was 6 days Cig free...due to vaping. no cig 6 yr

[demtenjeep]

I smoked for 25 years.

I started vaping at 32 strength nicotine. Today I am at 3 strength

I plan to be done all together within this next year.

I could NOT have done it without vaping.

[emmaverybo]

1. Congratulations! 🎈🎊

[leftieNanner]

2. Good for you!!!

From what I understand, the problems that are popping up medically are not with the nicotine/cigarette replacement vaping equipment, but the THC additives that people are using.

Congrats on your success!

[WA-03 Democrat]

3. Well done!!!

Congratulations!

[GulfCoast66]

4. Good for you and I agree vaping can be a good thing.

Had the FDA used the power it has, vaping could have been the best smoking secession device we ever had.

I quit dipping only with Chantix, but while it caused me no problem did for thousands of people.

Every smoker would be way better off vaping instead of smoking and I know many who have quit nicotine because of it. Unfortunately we let corporations develop it into the next cash cow and now youth addiction to nicotine is rising rapidly. Had it been properly controlled that could have been prevented.

Of course, that now brings our fucked up medical system into it. Had it been controlled it would be unaffordable to many Americans because it would be medical care! It’s a no win situation.

[cwydro]

19. I have a good friend who finally quit with Chantix, but she suffered some of the worst side effects.

A very bad time for her. However, she did quit.

She vapes now, which I’m not so wild about, but I guess it’s better than cigarettes.

Good for you for quitting the dipping!

[GulfCoast66]

20. I quit smoking with little problem. Then a year later started dipping. That stuff is the Devil!

Way more addictive than smoking. At least to me.

Free of nicotine for 9 years.

I actually had a great Chantix experience. Vivid fun dreams!

[ecstatic]

5. Congrats. You're at the finish line, just quit altogether.

I quit Prilosec cold turkey after almost 7 years of daily use. It was an absolute nightmare and I thought I was going to die on several occasions.

I always feel a little nervous about smoking/inhaling anything, even allergy medication. Seems dangerous and not good for the lungs.

[mr_lebowski]

6. Wow Prilosec is physically addictive too? I know a lot of things are that people don't THINK are ..

But I'd not have guessed a heartburn medication would be one of them ...

If you don't mind my asking, what are the withdrawal symptoms?

Grats on getting off of it, in any case

[ecstatic]

7. It's not that it's addictive. The problem is that getting off of it causes the

worst rebound acid imaginable. So I was a slave to it for many years simply because not taking it resulted in severe acid reflux, coughing, dry heaving, heart racing, throwing up, etc. I can't even describe it.

Anyway, I quit cold turkey, which is NOT recommended. It's better to wean off, but I quit because I had a full upper and lower digestive scan and they didn't find any physical evidence of acid reflux or an ulcer.

The moral of the story is: stay away from prilosec and nexium. Try something less harmful and destructive, like Tums, or if it's really bad, try zantac 75 (or the generic version).

Also, STRESS (for example, stress induced from the clown in the White House) causes heartburn symptoms that aren't necessarily real.

[scarletwoman]

9. Chewable papaya enzyme tablets work great, and they won't fuck you up like all that other shit.

Cheap, too - and better for you than Tums or Rolaids, or whatever.

[ecstatic]

10. I'll look into that. Thanks! nt

[Raine]

8. Congratulations

Keep up the good work!

[mntleo2]

11. 40+ years smoker

...today I am almost 3 years smoke-free. However, I am not going to pretend I had some magic will power or anything. I got really, really sick with the terrible flu (and I had the flu shot). I was down for the count in bed for a week and a half. I was feeling a little better and decided to go outside to smoke (I did not smoke indoors).

I was coughing so hard it hurt and on the way to the door, I said to myself, "Self, you have gotten through the worst of withdrawal, sooooo do you want to start that back up now? You are going to hurt like hell with all the coughing you will endure. You've been out of it for over a week and over the worst part of recovery is over. If you go out there you will once again restart that habit, and hate yourself for being such a fool."

My answer was, "Errrrmmm no I do not want to start that habit again, thank-you very much!" So I went back to bed for another week of sleep and never touched tobacco again. However many smoke-free people hate the smell of the smoke after quitting. Not me. I still like second-hand smoke for some reason. So I tell my loved ones it is ok if some of their smoke comes to me.

I also went to Tobacco Anonymous online for awhile. That was just to commiserate with other ex-smokers, but most of them were still smoking. I understood the struggling with the habit, I could relate all right, but I still wanted to talk about how much I miss my old friend tobacco with others who might feel the same. BTW they are a nice group of folks to hang out with online if you want to go to people who understand the struggle. Google them if you want some support.

I sometimes have a half thought I want to smoke, but it usually lasts for a sum total of 20 seconds. I sometimes still go out and hang with the smokers during a break or with the family who smokes. I do this because some of the most stimulating conversations goes on there plus i like the smoke. That circle is where you often get the news you would not get otherwise.

Cat in Seattle

[ancianita]

12. Thanks! I'm a long time smoker for lots of reasons others call excuses. I'll try vaping. I have to.

I can't remember what are the most reputable brands. Could you run them by us again?

[Mariana]

15. The disposable ones from the tobacco companies are crap.

I think the tobacco companies make them so awful on purpose, so people will try them, hate them, decide that vaping isn't for them, and just continue smoking.

I recommend you go into a few local vape shops, and ask a bunch of questions.

[ancianita]

16. Thanks for the tips. Will do.

[logosoco]

17. Please do!!!!

There are places online and message boards to help learn so much about vaping!

I quit after 33 years and never wanting to quit, only with the use of ecigs. I've been using them for 6 years. Amazing physical and financial benefits!

[ancianita]

18. Stresses and nicotine to relieve them have taken their toll. I'm inspired by this thread. Thank you!

[demtenjeep]

26. I have a "mod" it is the closest to a tight cig draw and I use a local company for juice Big E's

they mix it right in front of you. They can add things or take away things. I started with them and explained my situation and they helped me start and have helped me level down.


I think they are online. It is called Big E's and they mix the best liquid.

[ancianita]

30. Thanks for the helpful lead. I'll look them up.

[demtenjeep]

32. here is their website

https://www.bigesvaporshop.com/

[ancianita]

34. Great! Much appreciated.

[ancianita]

36. Thank you. If I can get good, clean stuff, I'm on my last pack.

[Missn-Hitch]

13. Vaping is incredible.

I was a smoker for most of my life. The hacking coughs, phlegm, the smell, the cost ALL gone thanks to vaping. I have been vaping for 4 years now. I do hope to quit completely soon but I do enjoy it with a cocktail or coffee.

To the populace: if you have respiratory disease, do not smoke or vape.

Done.

Cheers!

[lillypaddle]

14. I quit smoking almost 6 years ago

with the help of nicotine gum, but you have to use it correctly, not like regular chewing gum. Within 2 years of quitting I was diagnosed with reactive lung disease, and now spend some time on oxygen, especially at night.

Also have heart failure - I'm sure both of these serious & deadly diseases are self-inflicted, having smoked aggressively for 48 years.

Best of luck to anyone trying to quit. That was my 4th or 5th time trying, including a 2 year stint of smoke free when I had breast cancer. It's a terrible habit in every sense of the word.

I miss smoking pot, though.

[UniteFightBack]

21. Vaping has helped me too. And now NY State with the ban has me very upset. LIVID. nt

[demtenjeep]

27. order online

https://www.bigesvaporshop.com/

[UniteFightBack]

29. That's all I do. They will no longer ship to NY State. nt

[Gore1FL]

22. I smoked for almost 20 years. I quit cold turkey.

I didn't think it was possible, but I went to this place in Denver for a 4-hour smoking cessation session. I choked down what ended up being my last cigarette crossing the street on the way in not believing for minute it would be my last. Over 10 years have passed.

I stopped for year in the middle of those 20. That was a lot harder and didn't last. This last time seems to have stuck.

Good luck on your endeavors.

[Chasdev]

23. I smoked for 40 years and I found that quitting

Was no problem because I used the patch, which introduces the addictive drug into the bloodstream through contact with the skin.
I started with the same dosage as if I was smoking a pack a day and moved to a smaller dose patch each week until I was no longer addicted, six weeks in total.
I did not have any problems with not lighting up the next cig but after around 8 hours without the addictive chemical the withdrawal symptoms became unbearable.
The patch prevented all of that, so for those who still smoke (I quit in 2003 and have stayed off) try the patch system, it works great!

[japple]

24. I agree with you about the patches. I think it was Nicoderm CQ that I used, and

they really did a good job of warding off the nicotene withdrawal symptoms.

[stevesinpa]

25. yes you could have

it's been six years and you are still vaping, you slowed down but haven't stopped. like the old joke about the cop pulls the guy over for rolling through a stop sign. the guy says but I slowed down, and the cop starts hitting him with his night stick and says you want me to stop or slow down?
my friend smoked for almost 25 years and she quit. all 3 of my brothers smoked for varying lengths, from 10 to 15 to almost 40 years, all 3 quit without vaping. and all four of them quit in less than six years.
I congratulate you on slowing down, but six years?
and yes you could have quit without vaping. hopefully someday soon you'll be free of the addiction,

[demtenjeep]

28. I honestly think it is the hand and mouth movement that is preventing me from stopping all together

when teaching, about 30 minutes before my plan I get anxious. As soon as the bell rings for my plan I am with my keys, at the door and in my car as soon as I can . With a nicotine strength of 3 it isn't that that I feel I am craving, it is the getting away and the hand and mouth movement.

[Mariana]

31. You've done a wonderful thing for yourself by quitting smoking

and taking up vaping instead. Don't let anyone give you grief about it, or put you down because you didn't quit smoking the way they think you should have. The best way for anyone to quit smoking is the way that works for them.

I bet you could switch to zero nicotine fluid, if you really wanted to, but there's no good reason to do it if you aren't ready. I buy whatever liquid is on sale in the flavors I like, usually, from zero nic up to 6, and I don't really notice any difference which one I'm using at any given time. I really don't know why the critics obsess so much about nicotine - the danger of smoking was always from the smoke itself, not the nicotine in it.

[Ligyron]

35. Thank you!

My gawd you'd think nicotine was more harmful than heroin laced with polonium the way some go on about it. Nicotine in small amounts is a stimulant or depressant depending. Like many substances sure, in large amounts it's poison.

Anyway, it's tar and the other stuff being carbonized into your lungs that are the real issue with cigarettes. Vaping eliminates all that.

[meow2u3]

33. I quit smoking 6 years ago, thanks to vaping

I smoked for 38 years and quit thanks to vaping.

I started with 24 mg. nicotine; now, I'm at 3 and I make my own juice.

I hope to get down to 0 nic by next year and quit within a year and a half.

Vaping saved my life, so I don't understand why the anti-vaping zealots are trying to smear e-cigs, unless the Big Tobacco manufacturers are deliberately infusing flavored e-cigs with 50mg nic that it'll hook a teen.