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Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To share a boring story of vape regret

31 replies

NoMoreVaping · 07/10/2023 17:47

NC for this because my DP knows my usual name

not intended as a criticism of vapers - if it suits you, no wprries.

God, I wish I'd stuck to smoking...I didn't even smoke every day.

I started vaping this summer as I thought it would help me stop smoking, which I didn't do daily, never in the house, and maybe got through a pack a month. I really wanted to give up for him he gets so pissed off when I smoke, he said it was a dealbreaker when we met in fact but then changed his mind.

I feel like such an idiot because the last couple of weeks, I have been feeling very unwell suddenly, tested for covid etc. I thought that I was going off my usual flavours and didn't connect the dots.

For context, it would take me about three to four days to get through a disposable but I'm still confused about how vaping translates into numbers of cigarettes tbh.

I suppose the point is, I'm now on a daily nicotine habit. I have been feeling ill in a really weird way, but only put two and two together yesterday. I was at the gym and I just couldn't do anything. Bizaree feeling.

I looked it up and yes, I feel like an idiot, but the one of the big issues seems to be I have been inhaling a lot more nicotine than I was from a cigarette?

I kind of wish it wasn't so socially unacceptable to smoke. I like the odd smoke the way some people like a drink.

Obviously I've ditched my vape - now in the recycling box at the vape shop - but now wondering how lomg I will feel like shit. I can't even face dinner and was meant to have trout with almonds, which I love.

Hopefully I'll feel all right for work on Monday? I feel like I've got flu or something. Aches, pains, gastric issues. Tbh i had those yesterday, so probably more likely nicotine overload than withdrawal?

has anyone experienced this? Thanks. Feel free to have a go at me, I probably need the motivation. I think ive accidentalky added a poll but don't have a question really

OP posts:
LostAtTheCrossRoad · 07/10/2023 17:56

Did you not check the nicotine content of the vapes before you started them? Can you not get zero nicotine vapes? I would assume that's what smokers would switch to tbh.

Topseyt123 · 07/10/2023 18:06

You can get vapes in varying doses of nicotine. I know this from researching it for my mother.

My mother was until last Christmas a 40 a day dyed in the wool smoker who needed to stop when she almost died from pneumonia (over Christmas). She has the highest dose vape cartridges and nicotine patches. She is gradually reducing the dose from the patches I believe, but I am not sure she will do that with the vapes. Certainly not yet.

You can get reduced dose vapes though. Right down to zero or near zero.

OnlyFannys · 07/10/2023 18:15

Are you saying you think you have nicotine poisoning? If it takes several days to get through one Disposable that doesn't sound like a huge amount. Of course not saying that's impossible, im sure it depends on many factors but I would just be wary of ruling anything else out (correlation not being the same as causation and all that). What symptoms have you had exactly?

Original poster
NoMoreVaping · 07/10/2023 18:17

LostAtTheCrossRoad · 07/10/2023 17:56

Did you not check the nicotine content of the vapes before you started them? Can you not get zero nicotine vapes? I would assume that's what smokers would switch to tbh.

yes but I didn't realise the lowest ones are still more because of the mechanism? That's what I've been reading today. That you get a lot less nicotine from a smoke than even a low dose vape.

if I was going to zero nicotine, I wouldn't buy a vape. I think smokers who like the action of smoking might do that?

I'm hoping I feel back to normal on Monday.

reading a lot of stuff about nicotine salts but don't really understand what they are. Why did I ever try these stupid things!

OP posts:
Original poster
NoMoreVaping · 07/10/2023 18:20

OnlyFannys · 07/10/2023 18:15

Are you saying you think you have nicotine poisoning? If it takes several days to get through one Disposable that doesn't sound like a huge amount. Of course not saying that's impossible, im sure it depends on many factors but I would just be wary of ruling anything else out (correlation not being the same as causation and all that). What symptoms have you had exactly?

No, I don't think I have nicotine poisoning

my body is probably unhappy with how much I've had but I don't think it's poisoning, no.

i can't really drink alcohol much or even coffee, I will have a weak instant coffee bit that's it really. So I've probably been upsetting my system all summer with nicotine and it peaked yesterday?

symptoms - flu like, bit feverish (no temp though, just a feeling), aches and pains, feel a bit nauseous. No breakfast, had a sandwich and apple at lunch.

my limbs were like lead at the gym yesterday, like I couldn't drag them on to a mavhine and walked hime veeeery slooowly.

OP posts:
OneTC · 07/10/2023 18:20

Used to work in a vape shop and used to warn people that smoked hardly any that they would end up vaping more.

Buy a more traditional device and cut your nicotine right down, stay off the elf bars and the 20mg nice salts things. Once you've been vaping on 3mg for a while you'll find quitting it easier. Also structure your vaping like smoking, don't do it indoors, make it as inconvenient as possible

Mummy08m · 07/10/2023 18:25

You've recycled the vape because you were put off it by the covid taste problem...

Unless I'm reading it wrong... Result! Am I right? You've basically just quit smoking.

Stop beating yourself up and give yourself a pat on the back instead.

Original poster
NoMoreVaping · 07/10/2023 18:26

OneTC "Used to work in a vape shop and used to warn people that smoked hardly any that they would end up vaping more."

decent of you to do that. I didn't think for a minute I'd do it every day.

I'm going cold turkey and no more. Just looking at it this morning honestly made me feel nauseous. If it wasn't irresponsible to bin it, I'd have done that but it was goid to have a shameful trek to the shop, feeling knackered and wondering what I've done to myself.

OP posts:
Original poster
NoMoreVaping · 07/10/2023 18:27

Mummy08m · 07/10/2023 18:25

You've recycled the vape because you were put off it by the covid taste problem...

Unless I'm reading it wrong... Result! Am I right? You've basically just quit smoking.

Stop beating yourself up and give yourself a pat on the back instead.

I haven't got covid?

but thank you, I've quit vaping, I just don't get how I was dumb enough to start in the first place.

OP posts:
OneTC · 07/10/2023 18:31

If you haven't been on them long you'll find it easy enough to kick em then. I was very into vaping until the pods and the 20s became so prevalent and the cynicism of them put me off vaping, plus they were all people wanted and I was more into the hobby side of it (building them myself)

Anyone who smoked less than a few a day I used to tell them to try cold turkey instead and that was actually consistent across our company.

It's a shame that most of its disposable now and sold from corner shops, the original vape shops that sprung up were actually a pretty good information resource for people wanting to quit.

Mummy08m · 07/10/2023 18:34

NoMoreVaping · 07/10/2023 18:26

OneTC "Used to work in a vape shop and used to warn people that smoked hardly any that they would end up vaping more."

decent of you to do that. I didn't think for a minute I'd do it every day.

I'm going cold turkey and no more. Just looking at it this morning honestly made me feel nauseous. If it wasn't irresponsible to bin it, I'd have done that but it was goid to have a shameful trek to the shop, feeling knackered and wondering what I've done to myself.

Ah sorry you wrote "tested for covid" and I misread that as "tested positive for covid"

What does it matter. You've quit. It's good news, not bad, surely?

Mummy08m · 07/10/2023 18:35

I quoted the wrong quote but nvm!

Original poster
NoMoreVaping · 07/10/2023 18:46

Typed a whole reply and MN lost it

Mummy, thank you, that's true but I am worried I have made myself ill. Hopefully I'm just being silly there and this flu like thing will pass?

OneTC yes, vaping is so much easier to do, I don't know why I was dumb enough to start. I did go to a vape shop but they never asked anything about my smoking habits. I don't see it as their responsibility anyway, it's my own fault. I started with a kit but moved to disposable.

I've made a video of myself saying how shit I feel so that's my deterrent.

OP posts:
OneTC · 07/10/2023 18:54

Oh and I meant to say before that yeah you've probably just overcooked it on the nic and well be fine in a few days. I find those 20s to be savagely strong, they screw up my mouth and the hit off them is brutal because of the strength and the bioavailability of the salts. If you're vaping one every few days compared to having a cig sometimes then you're having far more nic overall. 1 dispo is 48 cigs approximately. So imagine you smoked 5 cigs in 4 days normally, you're now having approximately 10x the nic is n the same period, it's LOADS more than you're used to and will do funny things to you

OneTC · 07/10/2023 18:55

And good luck with sticking with it, sounds like you've given yourself a scare and that should help keep away from them.

Original poster
NoMoreVaping · 07/10/2023 19:03

OneTC "1 dispo is 48 cigs approximately"

woah, I did look at this before I started and most guesstimate at 16 - 20.

so I am going to feel like a 10 a day smoker giving up, but maybe worse?

is it worth getting some activated charcoal tablets to get rid of it faster, do you think? I bought some Vit C and zinc thinking I had some sort of bug but won't take that unnecessarily unless it might help?

OP posts:
OneTC · 07/10/2023 19:47

Nah just drink plenty of water and I'd avoid other mild stimulants while you're feeling sketchy like caffeine etc as well. Also you'll find it easier than coming off 10 cigs a day I'd reckon. Some studies suggest tobacco contains other active ingredients that make nicotine more addictive than just nic on its own.

THisbackwithavengeance · 07/10/2023 20:10

I was giving some training sessions for newbies at work the other week. About 15 20-somethings. At break time, they all - and I mean literally all - went outside to vape. In my day, in any group there would always be a small handful of smokers but certainly not everybody.

DH and I went to an all day event held outside last month. Sat next to a young couple who both vaped constantly for the entire day. The only stopped vaping to eat. Never seen anything like it. Sucking on their little boxes like dummies. So unattractive. At least people had a break between fags.

This thing is worse than smoking. People who were never even smokers in the first place are addicted to vaping. Don't even get me started on the blatant marketing to DCs.

It's a fucking disgrace. I wonder who in Government has shares in or owns vape companies?

Original poster
NoMoreVaping · 07/10/2023 20:10

Thank you OneTC.

OP posts:
Velen · 07/10/2023 20:13

I don't think vaping is the reason you feel like shit. Did you feel like shit smoking cigarettes? If not then it's not a nicotine problem, especially if a vape is lasting you several days.

I vape. I go through 1 disposable per day. I feel loads healthier than I did when I was smoking cigarettes.

Original poster
NoMoreVaping · 07/10/2023 20:18

THisbackwithavengeance · 07/10/2023 20:10

I was giving some training sessions for newbies at work the other week. About 15 20-somethings. At break time, they all - and I mean literally all - went outside to vape. In my day, in any group there would always be a small handful of smokers but certainly not everybody.

DH and I went to an all day event held outside last month. Sat next to a young couple who both vaped constantly for the entire day. The only stopped vaping to eat. Never seen anything like it. Sucking on their little boxes like dummies. So unattractive. At least people had a break between fags.

This thing is worse than smoking. People who were never even smokers in the first place are addicted to vaping. Don't even get me started on the blatant marketing to DCs.

It's a fucking disgrace. I wonder who in Government has shares in or owns vape companies?

I was thinking this too re govt but kept quiet as I’m such a fool. Have literally gone from the odd smoke to daily vape. I would never have left the house with a cigarette in my bag. But I started vaping in April I guess and by June it was in my handbag.

I didn’t vape in front of others in a social setting but vaped on lunch break, walking back from station. Evening if Dp not here I vape while I do wordle!

the fact it doesn’t stink out the house, I did recognise it as a risk but for some reason thought I’d stop smoking altogether with it. Feel a right idiot. My body’s been trying to tell me to stop for a while I think.

OP posts:
Original poster
NoMoreVaping · 07/10/2023 20:21

Velen · 07/10/2023 20:13

I don't think vaping is the reason you feel like shit. Did you feel like shit smoking cigarettes? If not then it's not a nicotine problem, especially if a vape is lasting you several days.

I vape. I go through 1 disposable per day. I feel loads healthier than I did when I was smoking cigarettes.

How much did you smoke? I never smoked every day, or even every other day.

is your disposable a day like a 2% type? You probably have a much higher tolerance than I do.

I don’t think anything else is wrong but if I don’t feel better in a few days I’ll investigate.

OP posts:
Inca22 · 07/10/2023 20:21

I don't smoke but nicotine isn't the issue? Smoking is because of the damage to your lungs and other health implications

DesTeeny · 07/10/2023 20:23

I've trained in smoking cessation. Within 72 hours all of the nicotine will have left your system, so you should stop having physical withdrawal symptoms by then.

You might still feel a bit cranky and irritable but it's missing the physical habit of vaping/smoking rather than actual nicotine withdrawal by that point.

Best of luck, stay strong!

Original poster
NoMoreVaping · 07/10/2023 20:27

Inca22 · 07/10/2023 20:21

I don't smoke but nicotine isn't the issue? Smoking is because of the damage to your lungs and other health implications

Also what I thought but looking at the amounts maybe it’s more like drinking more booze than your body can manage

OP posts: