Stories & experiences

Well said Pisces24.
No it's not for everyone and it's definitely not smoking. .lol (do a little research of your own)
Yes support groups are amazing and work for so many addictions and issues so as this site says..You can use a number of methods but just find the right one or ones that suit you.
Millions of people can't be wrong though so it's worth a go....anything is to be nicotine and tobacco free.
Well done on 7 days.
Keep it up.

Keep up that great work!! Statistically, I believe most attempts fail within the first seven days so you’re phenomenal. I’m on day five myself. The sweet thought of finally being free is hugely motivating

Good post and well said Pisces. While we know little of vaping they may also benefit from researching as well .

To each their own, and you are owning this Pisces!

We actually know lots about Vaping Happiness and I don't appreciate you knocking a proven method every opportunity you get.
You say you are here to help but you are hellbent on putting crap on everything Vaping.
There are over 61 studies worldwide conducted over the last 10 years and that is why many countries endorses Vaping as it's proven to work.
Why would UK health put them in hospitals and if you go to the doctor in England to quit smoking they give you a script for a Vape kit.
Just worry about your method and stop criticizing. We know it's not for you. We get it thank you

We actually know lots about Vaping Happiness and I don't appreciate you knocking a proven method every opportunity you get.
You say you are here to help but you are hellbent on putting crap on everything Vaping.
There are over 61 studies worldwide conducted over the last 10 years and that is why many countries endorses Vaping as it's proven to work.
Why would UK health put them in hospitals and if you go to the doctor in England to quit smoking they give you a script for a Vape kit.
Just worry about your method and stop criticizing. We know it's not for you. We get it thank you

She was not bashing it. She was simply stating that little is know about it and this is true. Yes, there have been countless studies that show its benefits. However, there are also many studies that suggest possible negative effects.

Do you know if you look hard enough you can find studies that suggest smoking is really not that bad for you and the illnesses associated with it have more to do with socioeconomic factors? It’s easy to find a plethora of information supporting one side or the other on any issue.
One thing is for certain, vapes have not been around long enough to understand long term effects.

Fantastic !! :) Go you :) I told you it would be a week, before you knew it :)
Up, up, and away. Don't even look back. You got this. :)

We actually know lots about Vaping Happiness and I don't appreciate you knocking a proven method every opportunity you get.
You say you are here to help but you are hellbent on putting crap on everything Vaping.
There are over 61 studies worldwide conducted over the last 10 years and that is why many countries endorses Vaping as it's proven to work.
Why would UK health put them in hospitals and if you go to the doctor in England to quit smoking they give you a script for a Vape kit.
Just worry about your method and stop criticizing. We know it's not for you. We get it thank you

Well if you go to this a website and go to Alternate methods it has E cigarettes as an option people have chosen.
BUT..
Australian Government don't sanction this method nor NSW Department of Health.
..
I would never encourage friends, family or FORUM FRIENDS to go this path, but if they did and it works, good on you....
I want not only to give up Smoking I want to never smoke again. It looks disgusting and I don't want anyone to think it's cool.
It's just not cool or attractive to puff on anything!

Good work TryingTK. You Happiness and Red-67 are my first motivators. Ive I a soft spot gor you all. Reached out and vared when I didn't know what to do or how to cope.
YEAH🙋‍♀️🙆‍♀️🙆‍♀️🙆‍♀️🙆‍♀️
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NOT COOL OR ATTRACTIVE TO SMOKE!

Incorrect opinion again and yes she was bashing it and has done in all her comments and rants.
You keep avoiding the comments I make about UK health???
Strange that.
Yes there are enough studies and 15+ years it has been around.
Enough for me and the millions of others.
Narrowmindedness can lead to intellectual retardation.
Millions can't be wrong....surely. Crap!!! you must be right.

Good work TryingTK. You Happiness and Red-67 are my first motivators. Ive I a soft spot gor you all. Reached out and vared when I didn't know what to do or how to cope.
YEAH🙋‍♀️🙆‍♀️🙆‍♀️🙆‍♀️🙆‍♀️
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NOT COOL OR ATTRACTIVE TO SMOKE!

Narrowmindness😂 I tried that path brother, I did my own research.

From rollingstone.com

“And vaping isn’t exactly a solution to the harmful effects of secondhand smoke, either: A 2016 Surgeon General report found that secondhand emissions from vaping contains volatile organic compounds like benzene — which is found in car exhaust — and heavy metals, such as nickel, tin and lead, among other things. The bottom line is that even if vaping isn’t as harmful as smoking traditional cigarettes, it’s still bad for your health.”

We're in Australia. You're on a NSW Department of Health website.
What they do in UK, USA, or SWEDEN, FRANCE or wherever has nothing to do with me really.
I don't trust any other Governments other than our country and what affects us.
You're proof it works. You don't smoke cigarettes.
BUT....
You're still SMOKING.
That's what I in particular want to STOP!
I am not sure Vaping is socially acceptable either. Maybe it is cool in your age group. I'm just over 60 so grew up with smoking being "cool".
I wouldn't want to see my grandchildren smoke NOR Vape.

I have been open minded to the point that vaping may be less harmful than smoking , and yes certainly easier to switch to. My comment about research was about our method of teaching the Mindset to make this journey to quitting smoking and nicotine. I ask that you research that method as i have researched your views.
I even went as far as to tell a member that she might well be better off vaping if she had tried every other avenue open to her.
Please don't call me close minded.
I would just like to hear a little more support about quitting the nicotine addiction rather a group keeping nicotine alive and well.
While governments and companies might be fighting over the money without regard for lives, I gain nothing by devoting myself to a worthy cause.

While vaping may be a viable option for some, that is there decision to make and to research as best they can.
Learning the mindset is a total quit not a half measure.

Until you at least try you best to beat the nicotine with a support group and aids (yes, even vaping) don't make a hasty decision. Learn about nicotine and you. My fear is that you just take to vaping and forget about the fact that you will still be a slave to nicotine, and that the nicotine will make you forget once again from whence you came.












































a

To Pisces24, Happiness and TryingTK.
I am so horrified and shaken by your constant touts and ridicule.
You obviously didn't my read my story as I have 4 children so my "age group" was discrimination.
Next I don't need to explain my story to you but I will with shaking hands.
Being left a single father due to lung cancer I needed to find anyway possible to quit smoking.
Having tried every method numerous time, then to have champix which NEARLY caused ME to not be here for my children I found VAPING.

35 years of smoking and now I don't even vape, which by the way is NOT smoke.

I don't wish to argue (especially about political standpoints and agenda some clearly know nothing about) and only came on here to tell my success story but have received nothing but abuse.
I would rather see my children vape then smoke but thank GOD and my friends around me I am now free and can be here till the end for my children.

Sorry I upset you so much but if you had just read my story for what it was and accepted this worked for me and millions of others I wouldn't feel so much pain right now.
Great support room
Thanks

You will not hear anything but support from me

Picese and happiness, just back off. Vaping is not smoking. There is no smoke, there are many studies. Over 380 studies and scholarly articles. It's proven to be the most effective cessation device on the planet. I appreciate you have opinions, but they are not backed by science, or the TGA. I suggest stopping your war on NRTs. All you are doing is villainising the most successful quit smoking aid in the world and potentially convincing people to continue smoking instead of using a safer alternative that will extend their life.

Try copying and pasting this to use as a link. There is a ton of information and research on Vapings efficacy and relative safety.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/19ZoFbnWQhRwIU3IzUMLfQUXsZD92JXP6xpnZAauxMV4/edit#gid=0

Good Day Pisces. I saw a bittersweet posting by you on AndrewCam's page but will answer here as not to alert him to the fact with e-mail. I hope EVERYONE will leave those two's pages rest in peace.

I am glad that you are still safely on your journey with no detours after such an ugly experience. Them attacking you like that was unconscionable. They claim to have come to help and then jeopardize your quit. That was exactly what i feared when they started to converge on us. They did not take part and support anyone here, only their own agenda. While they had some valid points of view they answered no questions that i asked of them openly. Those two were certainly hellbent on stirring up people. Even when you agreed with them, there was no middle road or place to negotiate. I agreed that it might be used as a nrt but of course it is up to the user to determine the risk to ones self.
I know how you feel Pisces. They tainted this site somehow. Not with the vaping alternative but with the way they conducted themselves. Ask, don't demand. Quitting smoking, but no mention of quitting vaping or nicotine. Answer the questions directly.

I feel they deliberately left me on the defensive for hours and then finally said they didn't even vape anymore, thereforre no source of nicotine. Why wouldn't they say that on a quit smoking forum knowing that is our goal. Why not make an Allie of us?

Apparently through bits and pieces, i gather that their "group" gets anti-vapers spewing off and not liking it much. So we, i think, became their payback. Of course we didn't like it either, and I am of course trying to counteract any potential harm that could be done to you and the other new ones just joining us and in your hardest days. You all certainly didn't need this added bullying Pisces, or pressure to change your quit plan. Especially when you and TryingTK are doing so well. We know that many others are also likely watching from the wings and taking it all in.

I was almost ready to apologize and accept that maybe it could have been an misunderstanding, but not after i saw how they bullied you after your nice comments, but firm stance. Much like I had done previously. They were on the attack. Not only did they come and potentially ruin some quits, but openly admitted that it was not about getting off of nicotine.
While i concurred that it was in all likelihood less evil than smoking and might be used as an NRT they had no interest in accepting limitations. It seemed to be an all or nothing.
Then i find out that vaping with nicotine is illegal in Australia. So they put an idea in your heads only to be taken away. Like eating ice cream in front of a child. They didn't give a lick.

To make it clear , I am speaking of the first two, AndrewCam and Rikki. Those who came at their bidding I believe came in goodwill. We hope they will stay and give support and perhaps even add to our way of dealing with the nicotine addiction. I hope they may decide to opt for freedom from nicotine and enjoy the best of both worlds.

I am saddened by the tone of your post Pisces. Even though you are newly on your quit, I can see you as a very driving force for other members quits in the future. I certainly hope you will stay and make this place an even better one than it was before this incident.
I can't believe when you first came you claimed to be weak and pathetic...
Well you have morphed into someone else and I do like her as well. Strong with a voice of reason.
I beg of you to please stay. If you leave, they will have won.

I thank you so much. I'm crying.
You too we're abused and TryingTK came to your defence.
I won't go anywhere I promise. I need you and your sweet friendship.
I did honestly think about it it but I don't want to abandon people like TryingTK who I care about too.
Red-67 also helped me very much but you my friend Happiness are like an earth mother to me and many others.
I want to help others too. If someone like me who has had not 1 smoke free day EVER for 48 years can QUIT truly anyone can. I smoke 5 - 10 per day but EVERY day. Addiction is addiction.
I understand myself so much more now.
I have self respect and pride and a feeling of strength I haven't felt before.
I'm worth it.
I couldn't do it without you guys and I will be FOREVER grateful and thank you.

Happiness. Did you see last.posts? So spiteful. I don't need this abuse

Yes, even after I supported their view. I did not do that for them but because it may be the right thing. It may be the only way for some who desperately need to quit when it comes to life and death. I still see it as a half measure, and would hope people would still want to be free of nicotine. It could save lives especially when some literally just don't have it .
Still so many questions, that might help our own here, but no response or enlightenment from them.
Maybe all they know are statistics about the apparatus. They know nothing about the people and their minds. They certainly don't know me or you. They want us to research vaping, but they don't want to understand the mindset They want to take but not give.
They are not worth giving another thought to Pisces. They are cravings.

You , you reminisce about floating and gloating in that pool earlier. Remember how you felt. Keep that glow on. Positive thoughts Pisces. Keep the positive flow and let the others go......

Thank you.
I was referring to the comment in "don't abuse my method story".
It is a spiteful sledge and a personal slur.
I am not sure r his FORUM is for me.
I almost cancelled my account.

http://media.wix.com/ugd/74fa87_2010cc5496521431188f905b7234a829.pdf

You're doing great Pisces. Here is your link, sorry i didn't see your post earlier
You can do this girl. Enjoy the read.

I just saw the post above as well. I know events have left a bad taste in your mouth as it does mine. You and I both explained , apologized and conceded...they wanted to fight. Nothing was going to stop that. This has never happened on this forum before. Don't let it drive you away and especially don't let it ruin your quit. We can chat. on gmail.com
My name is shajou99 and I don't want you to do something rash. It is after one in the morning here so it may take time to get back to you.
I know that you can do this Pisces. Don't let anyone or anything set you back.

Hey Pisces 24. You are going so well. You sound like a very strong person and you have got this. I am really proud of you. Each day will get easier and they will add up so quick. Congrats to you sweetheart

Thank you very mu h Nuts and happiness. I'm not a strong person at all. Pretty weak and emotional.
But I'm not going to give up giving up now. I've got my son on the bandwagon, and 2 other family members are
contemplating the same path. So I won't let the team down.
Anything that is too hard we dodge but I want to win this and stand tall. I'm on the patches so I know I'll have to wean myself from them when I get my mojo on.
It's very soothing and comforting to have friends like you two. My friend TryingTK is going strong too and you all need to be so proud of yourselves for taking time out of your lives to help others cope. It's much appreciated.
🙋‍♀️😘

Ok. I gotta ask....what are those string of yellow icons you used on a post? I can't quite make them out. Clapping? Footprints? Something else?
Wow Day 12 coming up. You go girl.

You're welcome. My pleasure. So proud of you. You got the whole team here cheering for you and a private sector on the side. Nice. Awesome that they see you doing it and you are interesting them enough to want to see what it's about. Have them just look up the site and read the stories. They don't have to join to do that i don't think. No commitment , no fear, no pressure. Just suggest, don't push because we all know you have to WANT to quit. Just ask them to take a look and see what they think......

Knowledge is power!

I am glad to hear you enjoyed your party. It is so nice not to be ruled by the almighty cigarette. I went to a baby shower for my niece yesterday and I would have been the only smoker and would have been looking for an opportune time to sneak off for a few drags. My other niece is very creative and a few fun games were played.Instead of being anxious for my next fix , I was able to enjoy the whole affair without missing anything. Not worrying about how i smelled was nice too.

It is a good feeling to have that money off our backs!

Firstly the icon is hands clapping👏👏👏! So small but you'll get it now!
.
I was at a baby shower for my Niece too....I'm so surprised at how relaxed and calm I felt. Normally any other event in has thoughts permeating the whole occasion on How and When I can sneak off for my cigarette. Spraying perfume, mints and even portable mouthwash and just the fact you are creeping around to get the hit. The smug and looks from non-smokers li kj e you are a desperate. (I was!)
I'm really sensitive now to how bad it smells.
I don't have to scheme plan and creep... just sit back and RELAX and watch the smokers. It's funny how edgy they are then come back sated...But it's an illusion. Aready thinking about the next one. I WAS one of them.
It felt so good to have that worry and shame eliminated from my day out. It wasn't hard at all. Funny how your perspective alters.
.
I'm getting used to why and when I used to smoke.
They are emotional crutches. Didn't really help me though now and that I look back.

I'm so happy that you're proud of me...I'm proud of me too.
You dedicate yourself to helping others and what would we ever do without you.
Our Earth Mother.
Watching ,protecting, encouraging ,not judging and supporting without any complaints or rewards. You're a true friend to all who interact with you.
THANK YOU HAPPINESS !
We all believe In ourselves because of you.
We found strength where we thought we were weak.
We found friends when we thought we were alone.
We found courage when we were afraid.
We wouldn't be able to do this without you and others like you.
Day q3 for me.
I'm looking now to p l an my weaning soon.
I'm afraid of this. I'll let yh ou k ow.
One forum friend, maybe Robyn, cut her patches in half.
I might try this.
Maybe 1 more week on 15mg patch. That will get me to christmas day. Don't want any stresses this time of year.
Did you smoke last Christmas????
Maybe you were in my shoes then... newly QUIT.
It's going to be very different for us all this year.
Let's embrace our new clean lives. 😍👍🙋‍♀️
Take care

I quit smoking Nov. 8 of last year so was clean for Christmas. Weaning yourself down by cutting the patches seems fine as I have heard many have done it. Why not? As long as you are comfortable with it there should be no problem. Get over the holidays before getting off completely if you have plans....or are concerned. You are doing great! By cutting back gradually, I doubt there will be much difference if any between cravings that you already experience...some of those are withdrawal and most are psychological at this point to my thinking. After three days of no nicotine, you should be over its effects except that the receptors are still active for three weeks. Apparently nicotine does affect the brain for up to three months, but we are retraining the brain so maybe that takes care of that. Not smoking won't activate the dormant receptors....so 72 hrs.

Nicotine produces cotinine which is present up to 10 days in the bloodstream whereas nicotine is 3 days. Some evidence of smoking is left in the hair for months. Even being subjected to second hand smoke can be detected. But if you smoke there is yet another market to confirm. I am writing this for the benefit of Red who dislikes it when i shorten it to Nicotine is gone in 72 hrs.

So even I learn new things all the time Pisces, which releases my domapine. Congratulations on yet another smoke-free day. You've got this girl.

Wow! You're really an EX SMOKER now! Congratulations!
I won't rock the boat over Christmas...
Plenty of ttime. I'll get the same patch and chop it in half. So it will be 7.5mg instead of 15mg.
The lower dose is 10mg.
They say stay on 15mg for 8 weeks. I think that's too long.
I'm good now. I'll dip my toes in the low dose water after Christmas frenzy.
I think you're right. I've got this. Whenever I feel like a cigarette I think "WHY????".
THANKS TO YOU MY LOVELY FRIEND. LOVE YA🙋‍♀️😍