My first few days of quitting smoking - So far, so good!
So far, so good!
The past 4 days since I quit smoking have been going very well. Mixing the patch with the e-cigarettes seems to work extremely well as I have very few cravings. I also feel like I have a ton of energy and my mood is surprisingly good.
I’ve not slipped up but I will admit that if there was a cigarette in this house, it would still be difficult not to sneak it outside for a few puffs. I still do have cravings and desires — it is almost like I ‘miss’ the process of smoking at certain times or events through the day (e.g. after dinner, before breakfast, etc.). So with zero cigarettes in the house, the patch, e-cigarette and getting outside a slight bit more, I can say that I feel great and so far, so good!
Compared to Chantix and Nicorette, this is BY FAR the easiest method — so far. The weekend is here and I’ve been dreading the challenges that lie ahead as I go out, perhaps have an alcoholic beverage or two, and etc.
Here goes! Day 1: Nicoderm CQ + Crown7 e-cig
I’ve begun my 2nd attempt at quitting smoking. As mentioned in my previous entry, I’ve decided to go with the patch and e-cigarette method — a method I am sure hasn’t been tested much if at all before.
I got a late start today. In all actuality, I think it’ll be a good thing — I had about 6 cigarettes left over from the holiday weekend that I finished up right after dinner. A bit later, I put the patch on and officially began my quit routine.
If anyone wants to drop me a line, you can e-mail me at jml -at- slonky -dot- com.
WISH ME LUCK!
Giving quitting another go with the help of Nicoderm CQ + Crown7
I’ve decided to kick the habit. Again.
With the recent adoption of a new puppy and a new home in good ol’ northern Virginia, I feel I am at a good place in life to give quitting another shot. I’ve already stopped drinking caffeine — I was drinking many cups of coffee and/or energy drinks each day. Last week, I decided to drop caffeine (it is a trigger of mine) so I didn’t go through multiple withdrawls come my quit date.
Speaking of which, my quit date is set for SEPTEMBER 1st!
Starting the 1st of September, I am going to quit smoking. It hurts to say such a thing as I gave it a very strong and confident go last Fall with the help of Chantix (if you read the blog, you’ll learn why it didn’t exactly work out). This time though, I feel good about the decision. I have a walking partner (Micah, our puppy), the patch, e-cigarettes, and a desire to set a good example for my girlfriend’s 4 year old (Eimie).
As mentioned, I will use Nicoderm CQ (”The Patch”) and e-cigarettes. The Patch is pretty popular and self explanatory; however, the e-cigarettes may not be. In a previous blog, I wrote a review of the Crown Seven (Crown7) e-cigarette. It is essentially a smoke-less cigarette that vaporizes liquid in a nicotine cartridge. You inhale and exhale like a regular cigarette. I will still be using my Crown7 e-cig.
A reply from the President & CEO of Crown Seven
I received an interesting note from the President & CEO of Crown Seven recently. It is his reply to my review of their e-cigarette and I felt it only fair to post (with his permission) his response. Here goes:
Jason, Hello, My name is Ron MacDonald and I own Crown7. I saw your post and wanted to comment, but the post is closed to comments.Your post deserves a reply on my part. First off, sorry for the delay in shipping.We were going through extreme growing pains and shipping was getting backed up as well as back orders on a few different products. Crown7 has successfully fixed those issues for now and we are working hard to keep them from happening again. Our emails are answered most of the time now within 24 hours except on weekends.As with any new product, there are a few flaws that need to be worked out, we believe the quality control is at a higher level now than in the past. I just got back from China yesterday (Saturday), from a 6 day trip to look at different manufacturers as well as our manufacturer. After this trip, I am very confident that our products are better made and at a better price than any of our competitors. Cheaper is definitely not always better. Crown7 has a few new products coming out within the next 2 months that will be incredible for our current and future customers. Sincerely, Ron MacDonald President/CEO
My Crown Seven (Crown 7) e-cigarette review
I just received my Crown 7 a few weeks ago (13 days after ordering). While I wasn’t pleased with the time it took to get from Arizona to Washingon D.C., I am overall happy with the purchase.
As this was my first e-cigarette, it took me a few days to figure the thing out. It seems simple: screw together and smoke it like a cigarette — but it was everything but perfect at first. I was getting very little vapor and even decided to put it down for a few days as I was unhappy with the performance.A few days later, I was tinkering with the product and figured that I can create more vapor if I take the white nicotine cartridge inside the mouthpiece out and put it in separately (thus touching the atomizer more than if it was still in the mouthpiece), I got a TON of vapor. This method seems to kick more vapor out for about 4-5 puffs then I just have to repeat the process of pressing the white cartridge against the atomizer again and putting the piece back on.
Overall: there are some design flaws with the product, but being a relatively new item to the market, I can’t complain too much. I am sure I will see much improvement over the coming months and years; or in other brands. Crown Seven shipped via DHL and the shipment hadn’t even been given to a shipping company for 7 days — my main complaint would be the time it took to receive the product.It was mentioned that they reply to ALL e-mails within 3 days: this is a fallacy. I wasn’t happy with their lack of responses to my questions.
Customer service: 1/5 stars
Price: 3.5/5 stars
The eCig’s performance: 3.5/5
Anyone know of any good places to get cheap, but quality e-liquid?
The e-cigarette
A few nights ago I stumbled across a site discussing the latest trend: the e-cigarette. This is a cigarette, pipe or cigar-shaped smokeless way to get your nicotine and physical fix. There’s no smoke, just vapor — which means it is legal to ’smoke’ it where cigarettes are banned.
To learn more, check out the wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E-cigarette
After doing my research, I decided to purchase one to test it out. I’ve read of people quitting cigarettes all together because of this device (which can run between $40-250.00 each). When I get mine in a few days, I’ll be sure to give everyone my opinion of the device.
I purchased from Crown Seven (http://www.crownseven.com). It was $80 for the e-cigarette and cartridges (which are equal to 2 packs) run about $2.00 each. In the end, if it ends up being something I can get into, it will be a healthier, smoke-less/stink-less, and enjoyable way to replace my habit.
I’m back!
It has been a few months since my last entry. Things have been quite busy as Slonky has been doing very well.
On the other hand, my quit-smoking bout hasn’t been as successful. Shortly after getting off of Chantix for various reasons (mostly the side-effect of sleeping 20 hours a day) I picked the habit back up. This isn’t to say I have completely given up, though! I’ll write about my latest attempt and other happenings in the entries to come.
Stay tuned.
Day 5-11 without Chantix (still smoke-free)!
Yep. Still smoke-free.
When I decided to drop Chantix, I was worried the cravings would return and I would ultimately pick up smoking again. It has been a long time since I quit and 12 days since I stopped using Chantix. The cravings have not returned, my sleeping has become normalized (even more normal than before I ever used Chantix), and my dreams have calmed down. I will miss those crazy dreams but none of the other side-effects.
I’ve noticed that foods taste much differently these days. I taste spicey foods a bit more, coffee tastes like crap to me now (sadly), and beer tastes much stronger to me. There’s a mix of good and bad in there I suppose.
As for cravings: I get them from time to time as expected. After meals or with alcohol, I get the urge to have one. To be honest with you, I would really like to get to a point where I can drink alcohol and have a cigarette here and there without fear or relapse. Maybe someday.
How’s everyone else doing with quitting?
Day 1-4 without Chantix (still smoke-free)!
It has been a few days since I decided to stop Chantix for various reasons. To set things straight, I know that I wouldn’t be this far into being a non-smoker without Chantix; it was a strong and exceptional drug that helped me kick the habit.
But.
The side-effects were a bit too much for me personally to continue using the medication. Quitting smoking has been a delight. Quitting Chantix, honestly, has been just as much of a delight. The past few days, I have seen my amount of sleep get back on track and actually become routinized (sleep at a reasonable hour, wake early — no alarm clock needed).
I have more energy and I am still having VERY FEW urges to have a cigarette. I think Chantix got me through the hardest part (the beginning) of quitting smoking. For the first time since quitting, I am actually enjoying the fact that I don’t smoke. I have a lot more energy, don’t get as winded as I used to, sleep seems to come easier at night, and I don’t smell horrible. It was impossible to enjoy all of that while sleeping as much as I was while still on Chantix.
It has only been a few days since dropping Chantix, but I hope to keep on this track.
I’ve decided to quit taking Chantix
Chantix is not a miracle drug by any means. It has sufficiently taken the urge to smoke away, but leaves behind quite a few issues that need to be looked upon by current users, Pfizer, and potential Chantix users.
First off, Chantix is a very new drug (relatively speaking) and as more and more users give it a shot, there will be more and more side-effects coming to light. I have personally gone through a few side-effects that have been less than favorable; and have become too much of a burden for me.
I have every intention of continuing to be smoke-free. But the Chantix era of my life is in the past. Chantix, without ANY doubt, helps to fight off urges to smoke. However, if anyone is interested, here are my personal reasons for putting Chantix aside:
1. Sleepiness. For the past few weeks, I have slept more than I have been awake. At first, I questioned my health, level of activity, how lazy I can get sometimes, and etc., but in the end… sleeping 20 hours without knowing it is ridiculous. All of the sleep has also hurt relationships, business, and etc.
I am very confident that the Chantix is to blame: shortly after taking the medicine is when I am most tired. I’ve never been one to just zonk out, but it has happened quite a few times.
2. Chantix dreams. I loved them at first! They were fun, realistic and I could remember them after waking, but when I mixed all of those dreams with the boatload of sleep I was getting, it was honestly getting difficult to distinguish between dream and reality. I would have a discussion with my girlfriend who thought I was awake and then later not recall it — or have a dream and think it was real later.
3. An odd/new form of anxiety. I’m not exactly sure I can attribute this fully to Chantix, but I have been having a lot of anxiety since taking 1mg 2x daily. I’ve had anxiety issues in the past, but this one is a bit different and impossible to describe. But there is definitely an empty feeling from time to time.
I will continue to quit smoking. I am confident that I will continue making progress. Unfortunately, I do not know how my body will react to quitting Chantix (I have heard that it can be quite a task).
I do hope that all of you will still support me and I will surely continue to support fellow quitters out there. All of your support, suggestions and comments have been much appreciated!
I AM STILL SMOKE-FREE!
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