Day 24: Still smoke-free, busy
Sorry for the lack of updates! I’ve been very busy but I can proudly say that I am still smoke-free and things are going quite well!
A few weeks ago, my Crown7 e-cigarette’s batteries started crapping out on me after only a few puffs. I dropped Crown7 a line and without issue, they sent me replacements that same day. Without the e-cigarette, I am pretty sure it would make things extremely difficult to continue quitting.
Anywho: A little over a week ago, I stopped using the patch. I think it was a great method for the first 14 days, but I started forgetting to put it on or it would fall off — it made me realize that I may not even need it. I was right.
Currently, the e-cigarette is the only thing I am using. I take a few puffs every few hours or so; and when I feel the urge to smoke or start thinking of cigarettes, I take a few puffs. The Crown7 seems to be holding up well and I am enjoying testing out all of the flavors. When I smoked cigarettes, there was no way to tell what flavor was what. Now I can taste each flavor.
Anyway — back to work for me!
One week and still smoke-free!
I successfully got through the weekend without a cigarette. The first few days — as mentioned in my previous entry — were pretty easy. The mix of the patch and the e-cigarette seemed to work out very, very well. I had a few rough moments over the weekend while consuming alcohol or caffeine, but I pushed through. My Crown7 e-cigarette needs a new battery after a few months of use; it has been a bit weak lately.
In the past week, I’ve even played some tennis with the girlfriend and the 4 year old. My energy levels seem to be much higher already!
Today it seems like I’ve started to develop some kind of cold. My throat is itchy and swallowing is semi-torture. The strange thing is that today has been the hardest day so far in terms of number and severity of the nicotine fits. Perhaps every time I swallow I am reminded of smoking a menthol cigarette and ridiculously believing it helped me feel better.
Anyway: Day 8 coming up! Wish me luck.
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?
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