just wanted to say how much i appreciate you guys already.

[kindlekitten]

I quit a little over 4 years ago. I drank a LOT of water while I was quitting, and focused on "red". so everytime I would see red, that was my focus instead of Jonse'in for a smoke. there are some pretty weird things your body does once you are smoke free for awhile!

[jocampo]

Originally Posted by kindlekitten

I quit a little over 4 years ago. I drank a LOT of water while I was quitting, and focused on "red". so everytime I would see red, that was my focus instead of Jonse'in for a smoke. there are some pretty weird things your body does once you are smoke free for awhile!

I did not get cranky, bad mood, nothing, but got really, really, hungry! hahaha... gained a few pounds, but nothing else.

I associate cigarettes with really ugly pictures of mouth cancer and the taste of ashes ( I actually put my tongue on it) . ... in order to create a psychological association, a bad one. I guess it worked. And just thinking about that really makes me puke!

[Freeshadow]

the gettin hungry is new to me - I knew that people were gaining weight but this were the calories which were used up by the nicotine before.

But yep Christa you 're right for some people it's better to quit - for others it's too risky and some are free to choose. If you know its your thing to do - make it so and have all the hugs which might help

[GoSharks]

Oldest child just stated freshman year in college in Virginia (3000 miles away )...in first week they have their largest earthquake in 80 yrs and now she's being evacuated for the hurricane....I think I could take up smoking!

[Nyssa]

Originally Posted by GoSharks

Oldest child just stated freshman year in college in Virginia (3000 miles away )...in first week they have their largest earthquake in 80 yrs and now she's being evacuated for the hurricane....I think I could take up smoking!

(((HUGS)))

Is she staying w/ friends or in a shelter?

[GoSharks]

Originally Posted by Nyssa

(((HUGS)))

Is she staying w/ friends or in a shelter?

Dorm mate's family....but somehow Skype just doesn't quite cut it!

[CWatkinsNash]

Sharky!! **hug** **hug** **hug** So sorry you're stressing. I have friends and family up and down the coast that are on my mind too. My thoughts are with you and your daughter. Keep us posted, yeah?

Thank you everyone for the support. I just received my new e-cig in the mail today. I had one I bought a couple of years ago when I thought about quitting before (but never even got around to attempting that time) and it malfunctioned. This new one is awesome. A huge part of smoking for me is the physical aspect, so the plan is to step myself down to zero-nicotine cartridges over the next few weeks.

I'm also playing mind games with myself. The ecig I got is black. I figured getting one that doesn't look much like a real cigarette will help distance my actions from the thing I am trying to quit.

I've already gotten a couple of the "aren't you just replacing one habit with another?" arguments. Well, duh! Of course I am! I'm replacing the act of BURNING chemically-treated plant matter and inhaling the resulting smoke containing tar and carcinogens and God knows what else with a non-carcinogenic non-smoke vapor. Does it matter? Really? I don't exactly have willpower of steel over here, I need SOMETHING! I've been smoking for 22 years, fercrapssake! I'm replacing a habit that could KILL me with one that's a frackofalot safer!!! People need to give me some credit! This is a big freakin' deal!!!

I don't know why I feel the need to explain myself here, it's almost as though I'm acting out the arguments I'm avoiding in real life. Getting it off my chest, I guess. I spent yesterday evening and all morning with the new boy and he got to see first hand how emotional this quitting thing is for me. I almost started crying at one point. Almost, but didn't. Don't want to scare him off, I actually like this one. But he totally understands that cigarettes have been like a security blanket for me all these years, and being with him really helped combat the cravings. There were only a few times when the pangs really got to me.

I'm rambling, aren't I? Sorry. Just needed to get it out, I guess. Thanks for listening. I <3 you guys!

Love and hugs,
LeBrat

[Nyssa]

Originally Posted by GoSharks

Dorm mate's family....but somehow Skype just doesn't quite cut it!

I know. At least you know she's safe.

[GoSharks]

Let's see...latest text from my daughter -- a group of them are going to the mall this morning (I almost snapped my phone in half on that one) then planning on hunkering down and and having a study group (read that as watching movies!) until the power goes out. All the while I'm watching the slowest train wreck in history on The Weather Channel.....sometimes I really, really hate kids!!!

[Latinandgreek]

Originally Posted by CWatkinsNash

Sharky!! **hug** **hug** **hug** So sorry you're stressing. I have friends and family up and down the coast that are on my mind too. My thoughts are with you and your daughter. Keep us posted, yeah?

Thank you everyone for the support. I just received my new e-cig in the mail today. I had one I bought a couple of years ago when I thought about quitting before (but never even got around to attempting that time) and it malfunctioned. This new one is awesome. A huge part of smoking for me is the physical aspect, so the plan is to step myself down to zero-nicotine cartridges over the next few weeks.

I'm also playing mind games with myself. The ecig I got is black. I figured getting one that doesn't look much like a real cigarette will help distance my actions from the thing I am trying to quit.

I've already gotten a couple of the "aren't you just replacing one habit with another?" arguments. Well, duh! Of course I am! I'm replacing the act of BURNING chemically-treated plant matter and inhaling the resulting smoke containing tar and carcinogens and God knows what else with a non-carcinogenic non-smoke vapor. Does it matter? Really? I don't exactly have willpower of steel over here, I need SOMETHING! I've been smoking for 22 years, fercrapssake! I'm replacing a habit that could KILL me with one that's a frackofalot safer!!! People need to give me some credit! This is a big freakin' deal!!!

I don't know why I feel the need to explain myself here, it's almost as though I'm acting out the arguments I'm avoiding in real life. Getting it off my chest, I guess. I spent yesterday evening and all morning with the new boy and he got to see first hand how emotional this quitting thing is for me. I almost started crying at one point. Almost, but didn't. Don't want to scare him off, I actually like this one. But he totally understands that cigarettes have been like a security blanket for me all these years, and being with him really helped combat the cravings. There were only a few times when the pangs really got to me.

I'm rambling, aren't I? Sorry. Just needed to get it out, I guess. Thanks for listening. I <3 you guys!

Love and hugs,
LeBrat

I thing the ecig is an awesome idea. Best of luck, I know it's tough, I did it myself, but you can do it! Ive gotten to the point where I have a cigarette once in a blue moon, and enjoy it without worrying that I'll start smoking again

[Freeshadow]

i tried the new e-cigs (i.e. with a liquid tank instead of cotton like a zippo lighter) altough they actually are useable it's still is a *thumbdown* when they leak and you get a full load of fiquid (about half a drop) on your tonguetip. thats nicotine overkill even for a pipe smoker. I'll wait for the 3rd gen-tech in ecigs

[WT Sharpe]

Originally Posted by CWatkinsNash

...I just received my new e-cig in the mail today. I had one I bought a couple of years ago when I thought about quitting before (but never even got around to attempting that time) and it malfunctioned. This new one is awesome. A huge part of smoking for me is the physical aspect, so the plan is to step myself down to zero-nicotine cartridges over the next few weeks.

I'm also playing mind games with myself. The ecig I got is black. I figured getting one that doesn't look much like a real cigarette will help distance my actions from the thing I am trying to quit....

C —

I'm curious. What brand is it, where did you buy it, and does it satisfy you?

[CWatkinsNash]

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

C —

I'm curious. What brand is it, where did you buy it, and does it satisfy you?

It is a Solarflare 2012, which is actually a rebranded DSE-103. This model is past the end of its production life, which makes me sad because I really like it. I bought it on clearance at eliquidplanet.com. I'm attaching a pic. It's considered a "mini" which means it's in a lower capacity/lower power class but this one actually has exceptional output and performance for a mini. Since I love it so much, I've ordered spare parts while they are still available to make it last as long as possible.

The trick with ecigs is to realize that the nicotine delivery is not the same as a cigarette - it takes a little bit to build up rather than the instant nic hit of a real cigarette. An ecig needs to be puffed a little differently than a real cig (known as an "analog" in the vaping world) so there's an adjustment there.

With that said, YES, it does satisfy me. I used to have my first smoke of the day about halfway through my first cup of coffee. Now, I reach for the ecig while waiting for the coffee to brew so I can get the nicotine started - otherwise I start craving a cigarette horribly. My morning smokes were a ritual for so long, that this time of day has been the hardest to break. But as long as I stay on top of the cravings the ecig does the job nicely. With the right "juice" (eliquid flavoring), I can get a heavy enough vapor to mimic the real thing, with the bonus of it tasting a lot better than burning plant matter. It is also satisfying in terms of the physical movements and sensations of using it.

If anyone is interested or just wants more info on ecigs and vaping, I highly recommend http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com. There is so much good info on there, it will make your head spin. You'll also find a LOT of people over there who have either cut back or completely quit smoking cigarettes with the help of an ecig.

LeBrat

[Freeshadow]

I tried an eGo-T would be curious too.

[CWatkinsNash]

Originally Posted by Freeshadow

I tried an eGo-T would be curious too.

What were your impressions when you used it?

I've heard mixed things about the Ego T - apparently those that love them, love them, but those who don't just don't like them at all. Perhaps it's the size/shape. Some people prefer an ecig in a similar form-factor to an analog cig, others don't care about that. The Ego T reminds me a bit of a Sharpie permanent marker.

I prefer the mini form-factor, but not so much because it resembles an analog. Rather, it has much to do with the problems I have with my hands. The ecig I had before (an NJOY) was thin but it was longer, heavier and very much battery-heavy so it had an awkward balance. I had to keep shifting it in my hand which caused my fingers to cramp after only a few minutes. I don't have that problem with the Solarflare.

The NJOY, like some other models, had a whistle tip, which I don't enjoy. I prefer round mouthpieces.