Why the electronic cigarette worked for me

[shc]

My first quit was in March 1971. I remember because it was my 21st birthday. I made it two weeks cold turkey. From that point on I would try to quit at least once a year even when the last quit ended in failure. When the nicotine gum came on the market I tried that. Pills, same story. Patches, same story. On and on and on I would try anything. Nothing worked for more than a month…until… In 2000 I had a heart attack and left the hospital tobacco free, cold turkey. I had no withdrawal symptoms and didn’t really think about it. I was just happy to be alive and since I was restricted from driving a car I was somewhat isolated. That lasted three months until I had to take my wife to the emergency room one day and I smelled a cigarette burning in the parking lot. In 2006 I was diagnosed with COPD. Back to the gum, patches, support groups, etc. Nothing worked. Stress was always my weakness and a cigarette was always an easy fix and as close as a 7-11.
How stupid could I have been? Very…Weak? Absolutely…Overpowered? With out a doubt. If a heart attack and COPD wouldn’t scare me into quitting I don’t know what could.

I now have a fleet of doctors and all of them tell me what I already know, QUIT SMOKING. Since I’ve tried every prescription and method they could give me and had no success I was on my last legs and resigned to the fact that I was facing a miserable existence for the rest of my life.

That was my life fourteen months ago. After forty years of trying I did find a way to quit smoking. I found vapor. The same sensation of a smoking inhale was all it took to get me off the cigarettes and onto vapor from the very first day I tried it. For me it has been a miracle. ALL of my doctors are very supportive and the medical tests I have undergone since my quit are showing remarkable results. For the past year my BP has been a steady 110/90 give or take 5 points.

Nicotine. ALL of my doctors would prefer that nicotine was not part of the equation but they also agree that with my history some nicotine in my system is acceptable if it will keep me from smoking. The plan has been to gradually reduce the nicotine strength until I hit levels that might take away the inhale sensation which for me is the key. I have no idea what that level will be. Hopefully it will be zero but I will not jeopardize my quit if it isn’t.

I just wanted share my experience with folks that are in the situation I was in and maybe give them some hope that it’s not to late. I do appreciate that the main thrust of this site is to help people to quit smoking. If any of you have a hand in saving just one life you are a hero in my book. Keep up the good work.

[dls46711]

I will paste this and send it to my mother. thank you.

[Stephanie]

I like information that is the real experience of the member..that is how we have always rolled.

Steph

[SimplySimon]

Welcome, and thank you.

THat is a moving story, and one I think we can all learn from. Good luck as your story continues.

One thing I hope we can learn (not just on this board, but as a society) is that there are many different addictions. As many as there are individual addicts.

There isn't going to be a one size fits all solution.

Best,
Simon

[Roland]

For me it has been a miracle.

Me too, in fact I see that written quite a lot.
I just issued the following google site specific query:
"a miracle" site:e-cigarette-forum.com

It got 1,300 hits. Not all were people saying their quit was a miracle, of course, but most were.

Cheers
Roland

[Deadcat2]

For me it has been a miracle.

Me too, in fact I see that written quite a lot.
I just issued the following google site specific query:
"a miracle" site:e-cigarette-forum.com

It got 1,300 hits. Not all were people saying their quit was a miracle, of course, but most were.

Cheers
Roland

I Googled the same site specific search using the words Nobel Prize and got 69 hits.
Many people feel strongly that the inventor of electronic cigarettes (Hon Lik) should get a Nobel Prize.

And yes, they truly are miracles to so many people.

[Misday]

For me it has been a miracle.

Me too, in fact I see that written quite a lot.
I just issued the following google site specific query:
"a miracle" site:e-cigarette-forum.com

It got 1,300 hits. Not all were people saying their quit was a miracle, of course, but most were.

Cheers
Roland

I Googled the same site specific search using the words Nobel Prize and got 69 hits.
Many people feel strongly that the inventor of electronic cigarettes (Hon Lik) should get a Nobel Prize.

And yes, they truly are miracles to so many people.

Agreed I am one of them. This invention ranks right up there with the internet for me.

[cigarbabe]

It was also a miracle for me.
I was a 2 pack a day smoker for whom none of the traditional ways worked.
No more COPD or Asthma no more wheezing hacking bloody coughing not being able to walk barely at all and worst of all no stamina for sex.
I would be far too winded even doing nothing.
I was blessed to have found a friend who showed me what he was doing and how it worked for him.
Oh happy day!
C.B.

[renstyle]

It took me some time to tack it down as well, but the "ritual' itself is the part I find most pleasing.

I've been experimenting with zero nic juice with my ecig, and with decent throat hit from mint/menthol or PGA, it is enough for me to not desire the "feel" of nicotine. My ecig has turned out to be less hassle than my cell phone, and I've left it home for several trips the past few days to ensure that I wouldn't have a panic attack if it wasn't there (the ecig that is, wife won't let me leave home w/o a cell, deer country you know).

BTW: I kissed a veteran today (grandfather's b-day)

[SharonC]

This post has been very helpful for me. I think I am also one of the people who need the "inhale"....I've quit many times, and I can get past the cravings, no problem. It's the sit down, relax, inhale that I miss SO much. I'm going to try the Electronic cigarette...

[shc]

*Changed title. Old one was just not clear enough.

[Curvychic]

Great story! Keep doing whatever works for you!!


On a side note....I've stayed away for quite some time....hoping things would've settled down by now. All I can say is wow!!! Even with "our" own little room, people who have chosen to use ecigs to quit smoking are still being attacked and flamed. And it's being allowed! That is just tragic.....

[Misday]

Great story! Keep doing whatever works for you!!


On a side note....I've stayed away for quite some time....hoping things would've settled down by now. All I can say is wow!!! Even with "our" own little room, people who have chosen to use ecigs to quit smoking are still being attacked and flamed. And it's being allowed! That is just tragic.....

You noticed that too huh?

[vaping fiore]

SHC-Great story. I am glad you found something that finally worked. I was a 2 pack a day smoker for over 20 years And it was the only thing that has helped me also. Don't smoke to die...Vape2Live!

[CrazyWeimLady]

The electronic cigarette worked for me in two ways.

First, I was able to quit smoking the first day I received it. I flet better almost instantly, my chest felt lighter, my nose cleared, my sense of taste returned, I didn't smell smoke on my hair or clothes anymore, and I didn't feel like I was killing my dogs with every exhale of smoke.

Second, after 40+ years of smoking, I have finally been able to get my husband make an honest attempt at quitting. He has been smoke free for four days and doing well. He had a few moments the first few days where he really wanted a cigarette, but when I asked if he wanted to buy a pack of cigarettes he said no. I am so proud of him, and so grateful that this device exists and is working for him to help him quit.