I'm going to quit vaping

[Vapeaddict]

Anyone else trying/kicked the habit? Please send any words of wisdom, tips, tricks or even just a reminder that it's gross and I really need to do this!

I've been vaping for about 6 years now and I'm desperate to stop. My DC hate it and it's a bit embarrassing when out and about. It doesn't actually cost me that much (refillable vape, parts are inexpensive) so I can't go for a financial incentive but there are dozens of other reasons to stop.

There's never really been a 'good time' and now is no exception, apart from DH has packed in this week so a) he won't tempt me and b) I feel really bad making it more difficult for him!

I've bought patches and some lozenge type things and have been mindfully cutting down this week. Do I just go for it tomorrow?!

I’ve almost quit vaping. I’ve weaned myself down from disposables (I was so naive but they are so strong!! ) to 0% nicotine.
I just need the final push to kick the actual jams to mouth habit. I’ve been on O% since the end of March and I’m far less anxious about being unable to vape places

Yes @emilyin jump straight in!

Well done on getting down to the 0% @PiggieWig I had no idea that the disposables were so much stronger. I've only ever used refillable but always the strongest liquid. I thought about tapering down to low/extra low/0% but ultimately I think that's just kicking the can down the road for me- it is the habit and the hand to mouth/soothing action of it that I find the most addictive. I need to find something else to fidget with (today it's been an elastic band I found on my desk, my fingers are actually a bit sore from twiddling/wrapping it).

I cannot believe I've done it today, my first smoke and vape free day in years. I have a shred of hope I can do this!

I have been vaping for 3.5 years since I had my little one. I quit for 6 weeks in November for an operation, it was easy because I had something to quit for. I’ve had Covid this week and been struggling to breathe, I am sick of waking up every morning thinking about my vape!! It consumes so much of my day. Someone said to me today it is like sucking on a USB! (I use disposables) I have no idea what it’s doing to my body. I need to do it for my kids!!! Good luck everyone xx

You can buy something called a 'breathing necklace'. It's a vape-shaped thing you wear on a chain to mimic the hand-to-mouth action.

Yes @emilyin I vaped for a bit before I got pregnant and when I stopped for that it was hard, but I had such a good reason to pack in. I think that's why it's been so hard to pick a day to start- it's been easy to put off!

Hope you're feeling better with the covid soon- a friend had it a few weeks ago and it seemed to go on for ages. Have you got a plan for quitting?

Yes I've seen those on tiktok @AInightingale you can put little filters in them can't you for flavour/resistance. I'm probably really annoying to be around as I keep taking huge deep breaths and tapping my fingers on my legs but it's doing the trick. Day 2.. here we go!

Op well done for stopping just think how much better you will feel. You and your surroundings will not stink. Your children are telling you not to do it. Sorry to be direct but that is the way it is when people smoke or vape.
Best thing I ever did 40 plus years ago was to give up smoking cigars. It was all because I had a problem with my teeth!
Good luck.

Phew this is feeling tough today!
It's the feeling that something is missing, that I've forgotten something. That initial "oh shit where's.." then realising. I hope this wears off a bit soon! I'm managing the cravings well with deep breaths and tictacs, I just need to calm my brain to understanding we haven't forgotten something major.

I was like many vapers in that it was never out of my hand. Working from home made it all too easy to just smoke all day long so I knew it'd be tough to break the habit.

Interestingly it's much easier when I go out of the house, and so nice to just grab my phone and go! But I'll be broke at this rate 😅

Stay strong. Just remember:

-Vaping products are going up in price next year. I'm not sure what the duty will be, but it's going to be substantial and a shock for people.
-it ages your skin. Smoking was always linked to wrinkles but it's nicotine that's the culprit, it destroys collagen. Also linked to hiatal hernias.
-you will be able to cope better with colds and flu next winter. I had two shocking throats in the two years I vaped, for the first time in years.

I'm sure there are other incentives to stay stopped (and I still struggle at times) but these will do for now!

I plan on chucking all vape stuff on Sunday night before bed.
im so dependent on it. It’s embarrassing!!

I like the crutch analogy for people who want to give something up (smoking, vaping, etc).

If you broke your leg you'd be very grateful to have crutches to allow you to get around. If, however, by accepting those crutches meant you had to carry them around for the rest of your life - long after your leg had healed - you'd soon realise they had a very limited usefulness.

It's the same with the habit you took up to help you deal with that time (social acceptance, grief, self soothing, etc). In theory you should decide to stop the smoking/vaping/emotional eating/drinking/drugs/gaming, etc once it was no longer serving any useful purpose but by then it's become a habit and your perception (plus the inference from industry that is selling you their product) is that it's going to be difficult/painful to quit, so you don't. If however your mindset is that you've grown out of needing that crutch then it becomes far more easy.

Just woke up this morning and threw my vape away. I’m usually gagging in the morning. I’m sick of feeling like shit though and I know it’s from that. Day 1 today. How are you doing OP? X

You're right @AInightingale and I do need to keep reminding myself of the positives! I didn't know that about nicotine and collagen. I'm sure the vape was giving me indigestion/reflux though..
You can do it @sciaticafanatica! A night is a good time to pack in, you can sleep through the first bit and you've got a head start.

That's an interesting take on it actually @Eyesopenwideawake I'll give it some more thought.. I definitely used it as a crutch during a traumatic time.

Wow @emilyin I find the mornings so hard so that's extra impressive! Did you use it before you binned it?! Good luck for today!

I've managed drinks & social eve without it last night. I think I'm sleeping better too. Must keep it up!

I’m on day 5 of stopping vaping. I stupidly started 8 years ago after having stopped smoking for 6 years previously. Over the past few years I was vaping all the time and my sleep became terrible, waking in the night then reaching for the vape, so I was tired all the time. I also had a really bad stomach at times which I’m sure was a result of too much nicotine. I’d also lately become very anxious about what I’m doing to myself. I had a hypnotherapy session on Monday, which drew a line in the sand for me, and I’m using patches, which have taken the edge off. For me the first 3 days have definitely been the hardest, with yesterday feeling like I’d gone over the peak and am now gradually coming down the other side. By the way, when I took my last puff I gathered up all my vape paraphernalia and gave it to my other half and asked him to bin it outside in a random bin, so I have no temptation around me. I honestly thought I wouldn’t be able to get through even half a day without vaping . It’s so awful how the addiction instills this fear in you. Positives so far have been no longer clearing my phlegmy throat 🤢 a lot ,my tongue feels normal and I don’t wake up with a cardboard mouth. I’ve slept SO much better the last few nights than I have done in years, I have more energy and I’m feeling like I want to get on and do things, rather that sitting around procrastinating and feeding my addiction. Also that feeling like you’ve forgotten something/should be doing something (the habit of reaching for the vape) is diminishing. Just wanted to give some positives, and say that even though I’m still relatively early on in stopping, it is getting easier!!

I kicked it but not without nicotine replacement. I went on to the nicotine pouches (Zyn, Nordic Spirit etc) and then came off those once the hand to mouth habit was over about two months in.

Thanks so much for posting @FiDawlishW your message gives me hope that after this day (3) it will start to get slightly easier. The forgotten/should be doing something is driving me crazy but also showing me just how much time I wasted breaking off stuff for a vape break!

I thought I'd written it this morning but I can see I didn't- I am also sleeping so much better! It's embarrassing to admit that I'd vape right up to going to sleep and always reach for it during my multiple night wakings 😳 I've slept through the last two nights and slept well too.

Our timings of smoking/vaping are similar and you're just a couple of days ahead of me in the quit journey. Let's both keep it up!

@CosmicCuppa I wondered about those pouches but I have absolutely no idea what they are- I tried looking at Nordic spirit and something like Zayn(?) but it wasn't clear what they were. Are they like pastilles?

Today is hard. I've got a fidget spinner as I've run out of distractions. My kitchen is spotless and I've baked bread. Any further ideas for distractions most welcome!
(I'll also need a diet thread soon as I'm snacking but it's the lesser of the evils for now).

@Vapeaddict Remember that the craving will pass in 3 minutes, whether or not you indulge it. Just three minutes and then you can get on with the rest of your day.

The pouches are tiny paper sachets that you put between your gum and cheek. I tried them, but they gave me dreadful heartburn. All nicotine delivered orally that passes through to the stomach is quite rough. The pouches are not that much different from nicotine gum/lozenges, and more expensive.

I’ve bought the lowest nicotine lozenges for Monday so I’ve got something to take the edge off if needed

Funny this thread should pop up I’m thinking of quitting too.
When I quit smoking for vaping a couldn’t believe how easy it was. But now I’m vaping constantly and like pp I’m vaping through the night.
I’m sure it’s having an effect on my lungs my chest feels congested and heavy anyone else get this from vapes?

Well done ladies for successfully getting on with this I’m hoping I can but I know my willpower stinks.

Yep, I too was vaping right up to going to sleep, just terrible, but underlines how it takes over every waking moment. I got to the point where although it was pretty much constant it just never felt quite enough if that makes sense. I really can’t do it anymore, I hate it. Just need to keep reminding myself how all consuming it was and how I hated it, so that any feelings of discomfort I’m experiencing now aren’t as bad as being totally consumed by something I hate. The discomfort is the drug leaving our bodies so every time we feel that discomfort it’s actually a win as we’re a step closer to it being gone! We need to keep going and weather the storm that WILL pass before not too long.

Ah that makes sense @AInightingale I have a sensitive stomach at the best of times so will give them a swerve! A friend of mine is hooked on those Nordic ones- has stopped vaping but always has those. @Eyesopenwideawake I've been repeating your mantra about 3 minutes to myself!

Good luck for tomorrow @sciaticafanatica you can do it 🙌

@Unforgettablefire I can relate to the heavy chest feeling. I noticed it most when I tried to hold my breath for any length of time- washing my face or whatever- I just couldn't do it for long. I hope it's something that will improve as if like to work on my fitness.

@FiDawlishW absolutely YES to vaping constantly but it never quite feeling like enough, then I'd completely overdo it and end up feeling sick.

I don't miss the agitated feeling kicking in every 20 minutes or so, I've been so much more productive. Yes it has been hard but I'm SO pleased I've got this far, every hour/day/temptation resisted is solidifying my willpower not to go back, I can't ruin it now! I haven't told anyone (except DH) and no one has noticed yet- I didn't want to announce it in case I failed- but DC will be so thrilled when they find out. It's keeping me going!

You're doing really well, I've heard from friends that giving up vaping is harder than giving up cigarettes.

I gave up cigarettes 4 weeks ago, I bought myself a vape to take the edge off but ended up being poorly with a sickness bug for 3 days, so didn't bother with the vape and I think the bug helped me get through the first bad 3 days of withdrawal!

I still feel something is missing but I'd smoked for 25 years so unsurprising, but I'm determined this time to give up for good

Well done @Lovelynames123. Yes, being ill is a good time to give up smoking or vaping. I gave up in New Year when my throat and chest were in ruins from the flu. You must have saved a packet too in four weeks.

I've definitely noticed a difference in my bank account, at £15 for 20 cigarettes how can you not?!

😱 I didn't know they cost that much! They're always hidden away.
The govt is slapping duty on vape liquid next year too. It will be quite a jump.