Quitting smoking (HONEST!!)

[gordonmull]

Best cure for the booze....PM me and I'll send you the forwarding address to send it too

OK I'll sign up for that one...just as soon as I've had another can

Please read up on the e-cigarettes as they can be rather dangerous.
Patches etc, should also be considered last resort, as you are substituing one addiction with another. The whole idea of using patches and gum to get off the habit is a pure marketing sale.

If possible, get to the root of the addiction - and I can tell you right up front, that its NOT physical - its mental.

I've done quite a bit of reading on e-cigs and have chemicals risk assessment experience. In my opinion of the known facts and in light of what studies have been done I cannot see why they are rather dangerous. More dangerous than using nothing but far, far less dangerous than tobacco.

Habit vs. physical addiction - frankly it depends on the person. Since you still enjoy the odd cigar you're obviously not as dependent as me. Once I stop nicotine I can't do that because I'd be straight back on the fags and I've proven that to myself over and over: "just one" becomes just 30. This is my ninth attempt, so I've got a bit of experience. We are all different.

Cigarettes cause heart disease and cancer, E-Cigarettes just cause heart disease.

I'd be very interested to see a source for this. In none of my research have I found any link to heart disease from e-cigs. In fact, Dr Farsalinos, who could probably be considered the leading independent expert on e-cigs, is a heart specialist and has not indicated this.

Facts about e-cigs:
Ingredient 1: Vegetable glycerine (VG), already used in medical inhalers. Not dangerous.
Ingredient 2: Propylene glycol (PG), already used in smoke machines, medical inhalers. Not dangerous.
Ingredient 3: Nicotine dilution in VG or PG, in tobacco already, barely harmful at the concentrations used.
Ingredient 4: Flavouring. There's an unknown on what effect it will have. I use menthol, that age old cold remedy that the doc tells you to put in boiling water and inhale. If buying from a reputable supplier the flavouring will at least be food grade.

My point with e-cigs would be that placing a KNOWN cancer risk with over 2000 different chemicals, doing god knows what in synergy, against a handful of chemicals, most of which are known to be safe, where would you put your bets? Ideally on neither but it isn't an ideal world.

I hope that didn't come over a a bit ranty, just presenting what I know and hopefully getting to learn from others

[August]

Originally Posted by gordonmull

In none of my research have I found any link to heart disease from e-cigs. In fact, Dr Farsalinos, who could probably be considered the leading independent expert on e-cigs, is a heart specialist and has not indicated this.

Well that's surprising since nicotine, the essential ingredient in E-cigs is well known to cause cardiovascular disease.

How Does Smoking Increase Heart Disease Risk? The nicotine present in smoke causes heart disease by:

• Decreasing oxygen to the heart.
• Increasing blood pressure and heart rate.
• Increasing blood clotting.
• Damaging to cells that line coronary arteries and other blood vessels.

http://www.webmd.com/smoking-cessati...-smoking-heart

Just because you change the delivery method doesn't ameliorate the risk of using the substance. E-sigs might be better than regular cigarettes but that doesn't make them harmless.

[krashkart]

Today I let my stash of cigarettes run out and I switched over to nicotine lozenges. I'll drop by this thread every day to post a progress report about my attempt to quit. I think that by making this part of my daily routine it will be easier to stay on track, maybe even give me a sense of accountability (after all, I made the promise to myself -- not a spouse/partner who will hold me to it).

[Jimbuna]

Good luck matey

[August]

What did it for me, besides the Chantix, is looking at a cigarette in my hand and knowing with my heart that it would be the last one I ever smoked.

Every failed attempt before that never had such a feeling of finality.

[AVGWarhawk]

Originally Posted by krashkart

Today I let my stash of cigarettes run out and I switched over to nicotine lozenges. I'll drop by this thread every day to post a progress report about my attempt to quit. I think that by making this part of my daily routine it will be easier to stay on track, maybe even give me a sense of accountability (after all, I made the promise to myself -- not a spouse/partner who will hold me to it).

Good luck sir! Be free of them. I can amass a list of things positive that occurred after I stopped smoking for good.

[gordonmull]

Originally Posted by August

Well that's surprising since nicotine, the essential ingredient in E-cigs is well known to cause cardiovascular disease. [/LIST]http://www.webmd.com/smoking-cessati...-smoking-heart

Just because you change the delivery method doesn't ameliorate the risk of using the substance. E-sigs might be better than regular cigarettes but that doesn't make them harmless.

Evidence please? I've given you a heart specialist's name who is doing and has done a number of peer reviewed studies into the effects of e-cigs that are published in professional journals. His work is easily found and read. You've supplied WebMD. Ask your GP's opinion of WebMD, he will probably do something like this: That is to say, I don't consider it evidence

An independent researcher like Farsalinos, with no ties to tobacco or e-cig industries vs. the "sponsored" media or state? I know where my bets lie.

Above all, completely harmless or not, sheer common sense says e-cigs are better than fags. Used to cough myself sick in the morning, now don't. Shifted a load of tar out of my lungs the last couple of months. Always, always no nicotine is better than some but remember that some of us aren't so good at giving it up as others. Don't leave us to poison ourselves on a proven, horrible method.

Edit - for any other vapers out there: I'm down to 3MG now and will be going no-nic next month! Slavery over!

[Armistead]

My father is in the last stages of COPD. He now gets so little oxygen to his brain he really doesn't know who he is or where he is most the time. Constantly talking to past dead friends as if they're in the room.

Hospice nurse told me OK to cut all his numerous meds for blood pressure, heart, several other issues and now were mass doping him with morphine, sleeping pills... the death cocktail....

Amazing thing he never really goes to bed, he lies down, gets up and will sleep on his feet muttering until he either falls or sits down.

[gordonmull]

That's pretty sobering Armistead. Despite how we individually approach our way out of this horrible addiction, we should always remember realities like this. I will keep your father's experience in mind when I'm tempted.

NEVER AGAIN.

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by Armistead

My father is in the last stages of COPD. He now gets so little oxygen to his brain he really doesn't know who he is or where he is most the time. Constantly talking to past dead friends as if they're in the room.

Hospice nurse told me OK to cut all his numerous meds for blood pressure, heart, several other issues and now were mass doping him with morphine, sleeping pills... the death cocktail....

Amazing thing he never really goes to bed, he lies down, gets up and will sleep on his feet muttering until he either falls or sits down.

Very sorry to learn of this....try to stay strong and God Bless.

[AVGWarhawk]

Originally Posted by Armistead

My father is in the last stages of COPD. He now gets so little oxygen to his brain he really doesn't know who he is or where he is most the time. Constantly talking to past dead friends as if they're in the room.

Hospice nurse told me OK to cut all his numerous meds for blood pressure, heart, several other issues and now were mass doping him with morphine, sleeping pills... the death cocktail....

Amazing thing he never really goes to bed, he lies down, gets up and will sleep on his feet muttering until he either falls or sits down.

Sorry to hear of this news.

[fireftr18]

Originally Posted by Armistead

My father is in the last stages of COPD. He now gets so little oxygen to his brain he really doesn't know who he is or where he is most the time. Constantly talking to past dead friends as if they're in the room.

Hospice nurse told me OK to cut all his numerous meds for blood pressure, heart, several other issues and now were mass doping him with morphine, sleeping pills... the death cocktail....

Amazing thing he never really goes to bed, he lies down, gets up and will sleep on his feet muttering until he either falls or sits down.

I hate to hear this. I've seen way too much of this and I wouldn't wish it on anyone and the family. Prayers for the strength to get you and your family through this.

[August]

Originally Posted by gordonmull

Evidence please? I've given you a heart specialist's name who is doing and has done a number of peer reviewed studies into the effects of e-cigs that are published in professional journals. His work is easily found and read. You've supplied WebMD. Ask your GP's opinion of WebMD, he will probably do something like this: That is to say, I don't consider it evidence

Well don't believe it then. No skin off my nose. The last thing I would want to do is get between an addict and his fix.

For the record I have talked with both my GP and and my Cardiologist and their opinions about E-Cigs are pretty much as I have already told you. It's just easier to post the WebMD link than bring them to the keyboard to tell you themselves.

Beyond web sites and dissertations though I add my own experience. I belong to the last great (American) smoking generation. We started smoking and in great numbers before the dangers of tobacco use were really taken seriously. Heck I'd been smoking almost a decade before they outlawed cigarette vending machines.

What this means is that over the years I have known and observed the smoking cessation efforts of literally thousands of people, including my attemptS (plural) to kick my own 36 year long pack a day habit. It's been my experience that nicotine replacement schemes lessen ones chances of quitting more than enhance them. This is because they draw out and maintain the cycle of addiction. Everyone I know that was successful did it what we call cold turkey.

Now you claim to be on track to stop using E-cigs then if that's true I say good luck to you Sir. I am not saying that you won't be successful but remember that you'll only begin to be really free of the addiction once you stop using nicotine completely.

[Armistead]

Originally Posted by gordonmull

That's pretty sobering Armistead. Despite how we individually approach our way out of this horrible addiction, we should always remember realities like this. I will keep your father's experience in mind when I'm tempted.

NEVER AGAIN.

And he's still smoking...course now mostly puffing on make believe cigs or unlit ones.

Before his last long bout in ICU I had to take him to the ER twice for health issues. They wanted to keep him both times, but after a few hours he would sign out...simply tell me he wanted a cig... After he almost died and made it out of ICU from severe pneumonia, he was placed in a rehab center, they wanted him for a few weeks. He signed himself out the next day so he could smoke.. He can hardly smoke now due to lung damage, but he'll try to puff one down between the coughing...

[gordonmull]

Originally Posted by August

Well don't believe it then. No skin off my nose. The last thing I would want to do is get between an addict and his fix.

For the record I have talked with both my GP and and my Cardiologist and their opinions about E-Cigs are pretty much as I have already told you. It's just easier to post the WebMD link than bring them to the keyboard to tell you themselves.

Beyond web sites and dissertations though I add my own experience. I belong to the last great (American) smoking generation. We started smoking and in great numbers before the dangers of tobacco use were really taken seriously. Heck I'd been smoking almost a decade before they outlawed cigarette vending machines.

What this means is that over the years I have known and observed the smoking cessation efforts of literally thousands of people, including my attemptS (plural) to kick my own 36 year long pack a day habit. It's been my experience that nicotine replacement schemes lessen ones chances of quitting more than enhance them. This is because they draw out and maintain the cycle of addiction. Everyone I know that was successful did it what we call cold turkey.

Now you claim to be on track to stop using E-cigs then if that's true I say good luck to you Sir. I am not saying that you won't be successful but remember that you'll only begin to be really free of the addiction once you stop using nicotine completely.

I've just re-read my reply to you August. I was little impolite there, so sorry. I have to say, though, that this is Farsalinos' area of interest and as such he's probably a bit more clued up on the subject than your average cardiologist. I have tried all sorts of nic replacement myself and they are useless. My feeling is that they are not tailored to the person, seek to treat the habit before the addiction and aren't easily customisable. Also, they put pressure on you: 6 weeks then 4 weeks and then 4 weeks of lowering strength, then nothing. It's too rigid. I've also tried cold turkey several times and that's even worse. I wholeheartedly agree with you that NRT programs only extend the agony.

The beauty with the e-cig is that you can VERY SLOWLY decrease your intake as and when you feel like it. I admit most people probably won't mix their own liquids and go down this route, however I do know of many people who have been successful by doing this.

Good news is I've been fag free for nearly 10 months now, except for one incident while drinking, and i couldn't even carry on smoking that - it was vile. It was a good feeling stubbing it out and knowing that I'd never touch one again. Weaning myself off with e-cigs worked for about two months but i ran it too fast and the withdrawals got on top of me so I'm back on nicotine liquid but cutting down slower this time. Too bullishly determined to be rid instead of listening to my body. Aiming to be a free man by December now.

The reason for my fall was having nicotine base liquid in the house. When I went on to no nicotine liquids I considered throwing the nic base out but kept it in case temptation came over me and I was tempted to smoke. This time when i get to no-nic, the bottle's going in the bucket, the e-cig's going in a drawer and I'm being 100% clean of nicotine AND habit. Really pissed off to be set back but I'm taking it as a learning experience.