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Author Topic: Electronic cigarettes and side effects  (Read 12524 times)

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Offline JessieJames

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Electronic cigarettes and side effects
« on: April 05, 2013, 09:44:50 pm »
Has anyone tried these new electric cigarettes with the nicotine oil and the USB battery charger? 

I have used the nicotine patch in the past and it has worked; the last time I quit was for three years.  But now, with the ARVs, the synergism of the two drugs causes me terrible side effects.  I even got a rash all over my body. I couldn't handle it.   

I need to quit smoking.  I live in Cambodia, and my brand cost only US$ 5 for a carton.  Not a box, a full carton.   I literally smoke everywhere except my bedroom. 

I really need to quit.  I have no energy, and just recently, I think I have come down with at least bronchitis, possibly pneumonia.  (I am going to see my doc tonight.  I emailed him when I just began to get ill. I told him that I was going to take a prophylactic antibiotic whether he wanted me to or not, so he put me on Avelox [moxiget]).   

I know I am an infrequent user, but I use the site and read the posts all the time.  I have been HIV+ for 10 years now; am I allowed in this club? 

Offline Jeff G

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Re: Electronic cigarettes and side effects
« Reply #1 on: April 05, 2013, 10:20:15 pm »
I'm happy to tell you that you are not a LTS , so Im going to move your tread to living with HIV . The be a LTS you would of have to been diagnosed before 1996 .

I recently quit smoking after 35 years , lately I literally felt like I was smoking my self to death but still I smoked . Its only been about a month for me so Im not going to be smug or preach ... but I do applaud you for doing what ever it is that can help you stop .

I just went cold turkey , the e-cig just made me cough and I did get a weird rash once while using it .
« Last Edit: April 05, 2013, 11:23:10 pm by Jeff G »
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Offline jkinatl2

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Re: Electronic cigarettes and side effects
« Reply #2 on: April 05, 2013, 10:23:15 pm »
Has anyone tried these new electric cigarettes with the nicotine oil and the USB battery charger? 

I have used the nicotine patch in the past and it has worked; the last time I quit was for three years.  But now, with the ARVs, the synergism of the two drugs causes me terrible side effects.  I even got a rash all over my body. I couldn't handle it.   

I need to quit smoking.  I live in Cambodia, and my brand cost only US$ 5 for a carton.  Not a box, a full carton.   I literally smoke everywhere except my bedroom. 

I really need to quit.  I have no energy, and just recently, I think I have come down with at least bronchitis, possibly pneumonia.  (I am going to see my doc tonight.  I emailed him when I just began to get ill. I told him that I was going to take a prophylactic antibiotic whether he wanted me to or not, so he put me on Avelox [moxiget]).   

I know I am an infrequent user, but I use the site and read the posts all the time.  I have been HIV+ for 10 years now; am I allowed in this club? 

Of course you're allowed here! Goddess knows you paid the dues.

Listen, I have never smoked tobacco, but several friends swear by the E-cigs as a step-down, along with (not sure what the name is there) Welbutrin, which is also an anti-depressant. From what I hear, quitting is very difficult. But you can do it.

Please don't end up like my dad, who was literally attached to an oxygen tank and couldn't walk down his driveway without pausing for breath. Please don't let that happen to you.

"Many people, especially in the gay community, turn to oral sex as a safer alternative in the age of AIDS. And with HIV rates rising, people need to remember that oral sex is safer sex. It's a reasonable alternative."

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Offline scotty54

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Re: Electronic cigarettes and side effects
« Reply #3 on: April 05, 2013, 11:20:08 pm »
Hey Jessie----
Hang in there (easy for me to say, right.)  Quit in 06, and the first month is the worst.  After that your mindset begins to change.  Only 5$ for a carton in Cambodia...incredible.  But thats another thread. 

Thx for info about nicotine oil/charger on the electric cigarettes....wasn't sure about the dynamics. 

Cheers to Jeff G....I know quitting cold turkey is never easy.
I may not agree with you, but will always defend your right to disagree.

Offline bocker3

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Re: Electronic cigarettes and side effects
« Reply #4 on: April 05, 2013, 11:35:37 pm »
I quit smoking in 1993 -- hardest thing I have ever done, but am so glad that I did.
I put on a bit of weight, but my doctor told me that I'd have to gain 100+ lbs to have the same bad health impacts.  Do what you have to do -- and be careful of that voice in your head that will try to convince you that "just one" won't hurt.

Jeff -- woo hoo on a month without them.  Save that money and buy yourself some purdy-like.......

Hugs,
Mike

Offline Jeff G

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Re: Electronic cigarettes and side effects
« Reply #5 on: April 06, 2013, 12:03:51 am »
Smoking has been an odd addiction for me and although smoking was making me sick I still continued to smoke and that says what a powerful addiction it is . On the other hand I never feel desperate for a cigarette or like quitting is all that hard for me .

Then I will have a weak moment and have one after many months and then its back on and I will smoke until I'm up to 2 packs a day and can barley breath and telling myself I will quit tomorrow or next week ... then a year goes by .

All my non smoking friends say they have never known anyone better at quitting cigarettes than me , then they add that I'm even better at starting again . I'm gong to do my best this time to not give in to that weak moment .
HIV 101 - Basics
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You can read more about Transmission and Risks here:
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Offline BT65

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Re: Electronic cigarettes and side effects
« Reply #6 on: April 06, 2013, 06:07:45 pm »
I quit smoking 7 months ago and now use the e-cig.  I initially used nicotine gum.  I'm a fiend and cannot stop cold turkey.  I started using the e-cig due to stress of going to school and working.  At least it's stressful for me, I'm not young anymore.

Good luck Jeff!  You're doing a great job.  And good luck to the OP.  You can do it, use whatever it is you need to use to quit.  My dad died from COPD due to smoking, my mom to lung cancer from second hand smoke.  Not a pretty sight.
I've never killed anyone, but I frequently get satisfaction reading the obituary notices.-Clarence Darrow

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Offline tednlou2

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Re: Electronic cigarettes and side effects
« Reply #7 on: April 06, 2013, 11:00:19 pm »
My friend used the the e-cig, and quit for several months.  However, I think peer pressure got him started again.  Most of the people he hangs out with smoke, so I guess he felt he didn't fit in.  I think it does help, if you hang out with non-smokers.  He is in school to become a respiratory therapist.  He wants to quit, because he feels he is a hypocrite.  He interviewed for a job, but didn't get it, despite his very good grades and knowledge.  I asked him if he smoked in the car on the way to the interview.  He said yes.  He doesn't believe people can smell it on him.  Since I quit, I can smell him across the room.  I did wonder whether the interviewer smelled it on him, and judged him. 

I quit in 2008, after getting sick.  I did quit cold turkey, but it was because I couldn't breathe well and couldn't smoke.  After I got better, I figured it would be stupid to start again, after I made it through the worst part.  And, I always said I would quit by age 30.  I quit at 32.  And, prices jumped dramatically at that time.  I guess I now save a couple thousand bucks a year. 

I see older family members, who look much older than they are, due to smoking.  My mom has the bad cough.  I bought her the Blu e-cig.  She claims she is only smoking half what she use to smoke.  I was worried about the cheaper ones that said made in China.  After the dog food and baby formula deaths, I just don't trust anything you put into your body from there.  Yes, I know regular smokes have tons of toxic chemicals.  I just didn't want to give my mom something that may be more immediately toxic.  The Blu brand says it is made in the U.S.  And, my friend had to keep buying the cheaper ones, because they would quit working after a few days.  The charger would no longer work, or the cig device would just stop working. 

All the best on kicking the habit.  It is hard.  For the first year, I was tempted a lot.  I wish they weren't so bad for you, because I really enjoyed smoking. 

Offline Miss Philicia

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Re: Electronic cigarettes and side effects
« Reply #8 on: April 07, 2013, 04:01:37 pm »
I want to be like Catherine Deneuve and still smoke when I am 70, and look fabulous doing so. Must be the La Prairie skin products.

ps: my friend, Radio Bob, chain smokes electronic cigarettes so I'm not sure what the point is. I think he smokes it more than a regular cigarette.

I'm quitting cold turkey seven days after I turn 49. So I have 10 months and six days left to destroy my lungs.
« Last Edit: April 07, 2013, 04:04:21 pm by Miss Philicia »
"I’ve slept with enough men to know that I’m not gay"

Offline mitch777

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Re: Electronic cigarettes and side effects
« Reply #9 on: April 07, 2013, 04:26:26 pm »
I want to be like Catherine Deneuve and still smoke when I am 70, and look fabulous doing so. Must be the La Prairie skin products.

ps: my friend, Radio Bob, chain smokes electronic cigarettes so I'm not sure what the point is. I think he smokes it more than a regular cigarette.

I'm quitting cold turkey seven days after I turn 49. So I have 10 months and six days left to destroy my lungs.

what is the significance of your quit date?
33 years hiv+ with a curtsy.

Offline BT65

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Re: Electronic cigarettes and side effects
« Reply #10 on: April 07, 2013, 04:46:12 pm »
It's much easier to puff on e-cigs more than regular cigs.  I used to make myself go outside to smoke real cigs, due to the nasty smell and yellowing of the walls.  With an e-cig, I don't have to worry about those things.  Thus, smoke more of the e-cig. 

I didn't pick them back up, as I said, until I started having significant stress from school, work, and personal life.  I was using nicotine gum until then.

Of course, e-cigs don't have carbon monoxide and other gases that regular cigarettes have.  I still think about smoking a regular cigarette every single day.  I smoked Newports and they're such a smooth smoke, I miss them.  But, seeing what my parents went through, the cost, and how it's socially stigmatizing now and you can't hardly smoke anywhere-all those and I'm sure more if I thought about it, nudged me toward quitting.

I am not one of those reformed smokers, though, who iron-fist everyone else who smokes regular cigarettes.  I do not tell anyone they need to quit.  I don't agree with some people who act as though smoking=some major moral dilemma.  I believe quitting is a very personal and individual choice and I don't condemn anyone who does it.
I've never killed anyone, but I frequently get satisfaction reading the obituary notices.-Clarence Darrow

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Offline Miss Philicia

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Re: Electronic cigarettes and side effects
« Reply #11 on: April 07, 2013, 04:53:17 pm »
what is the significance of your quit date?

So that I'm not pathetic and smoking past the age of 50. Anyway, I only smoke 1/2 pack/day so it's like I actually quit smoking when I was 35 :) Guilhermina used to consume two packs a day, because she's a sorry excuse for a human being.

ps: I like people who criticize smoking but meanwhile they're 100 lbs overweight. :P ... and drink like a fish.
« Last Edit: April 07, 2013, 04:59:31 pm by Miss Philicia »
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Offline BT65

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Re: Electronic cigarettes and side effects
« Reply #12 on: April 07, 2013, 07:48:41 pm »
ps: I like people who criticize smoking but meanwhile they're 100 lbs overweight. :P ... and drink like a fish.

When I was 19 and working at a fast food restaurant, I'd always smile about people who would order the biggest burger there, with large fries, then get a diet Coke.  What a misnomer.  :P
I've never killed anyone, but I frequently get satisfaction reading the obituary notices.-Clarence Darrow

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Offline mitch777

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Re: Electronic cigarettes and side effects
« Reply #13 on: April 07, 2013, 07:55:59 pm »
When I was 19 and working at a fast food restaurant, I'd always smile about people who would order the biggest burger there, with large fries, then get a diet Coke.  What a misnomer.  :P

 :)

33 years hiv+ with a curtsy.

Offline Miss Philicia

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Re: Electronic cigarettes and side effects
« Reply #14 on: April 07, 2013, 09:05:04 pm »
When I was 19 and working at a fast food restaurant, I'd always smile about people who would order the biggest burger there, with large fries, then get a diet Coke.  What a misnomer.  :P

I do that :)
"I’ve slept with enough men to know that I’m not gay"

Offline BT65

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Re: Electronic cigarettes and side effects
« Reply #15 on: April 08, 2013, 04:54:44 am »
I've never killed anyone, but I frequently get satisfaction reading the obituary notices.-Clarence Darrow

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Offline scotty54

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Re: Electronic cigarettes and side effects
« Reply #16 on: April 08, 2013, 10:32:12 am »
BT65----I used to smoke Salems, I liked the smooth menthol taste too.  Question...since you are now on the e-cigs.....which I know cut out the smoke and most of the toxic chemicals.  If one rated the ill-effects of regular cigarette smoking as a 10.....what rating would you give the e-cigs?  I know you are still getting a hit off the nicotine oil.  Anyways just curious.

Tednlou2-----I used to always say I was a light smoker (and was by most measures), but I also remember having to have that cigarette when I had a terrible cold...and feeling like death.  You gave alot of the same reasons I had for quitting.
The smell/stigma/cost....and so on and so on.

Miss P.......49th cessation-------means you will be pure again for you milestone b-day the following year.
I may not agree with you, but will always defend your right to disagree.

Offline buginme2

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Re: Electronic cigarettes and side effects
« Reply #17 on: April 08, 2013, 12:34:55 pm »
It costs $10 for a pack of cigarettes where I live.  It's too expensive to smoke.

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Offline BT65

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Re: Electronic cigarettes and side effects
« Reply #18 on: April 08, 2013, 06:31:37 pm »
BT65----I used to smoke Salems, I liked the smooth menthol taste too.  Question...since you are now on the e-cigs.....which I know cut out the smoke and most of the toxic chemicals.  If one rated the ill-effects of regular cigarette smoking as a 10.....what rating would you give the e-cigs?  I know you are still getting a hit off the nicotine oil.  Anyways just curious.

Rating the e-cigs?  Well, from what I've read, nicotine is a vaso-constrictor.  That can't be all good.  But I'm not worried about that much really.  So I suppose if cigarettes are a 10, e-cigs would be a 5. Or a bit lower.

I will go back to nicotine gum at some point.  But I really don't want to get off nicotine.  What can I say, I'm a fiend.
I've never killed anyone, but I frequently get satisfaction reading the obituary notices.-Clarence Darrow

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Offline Miss Philicia

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Re: Electronic cigarettes and side effects
« Reply #19 on: April 08, 2013, 08:11:31 pm »
It costs $10 for a pack of cigarettes where I live.  It's too expensive to smoke.


They're $7-$7.50 here. Unless you go to Maggie's Puff-N-Stuff which, naturally, is mere blocks away...

"I’ve slept with enough men to know that I’m not gay"

Offline mitch777

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Re: Electronic cigarettes and side effects
« Reply #20 on: April 08, 2013, 08:20:50 pm »
I may be dating myself by saying this but is the owner of that ^ place named H.R.? :)
33 years hiv+ with a curtsy.

Offline Miss Philicia

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Re: Electronic cigarettes and side effects
« Reply #21 on: April 08, 2013, 08:40:03 pm »
I'm afraid to go in there. It's across from the supermarket I go to and it's always full of old-timers buying lottery tickets. I only went in once I think. Maybe I'll go this week and take some pictures of the interior and see if it's changed any. It's really, really old skool. There are a lot of weird places like this in the neighborhood, even though it's mostly gentrified with hipsters and creative types now.
"I’ve slept with enough men to know that I’m not gay"

Offline scotty54

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Re: Electronic cigarettes and side effects
« Reply #22 on: April 09, 2013, 10:03:11 am »
Top of the morning BT65.  Thanks for the rating, helps me understand the e-cigs/potency and all. 

So right about the vaso-constriction.  As someone with heart disease, I used to get heavy-duty sermons from my cardiologist before I quit. His orations helped tip the scale for me.

Certainly understood being a fiend.  My first year smoke-free substitutions were chocolate, gin and red wine.




I may not agree with you, but will always defend your right to disagree.

Offline BT65

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Re: Electronic cigarettes and side effects
« Reply #23 on: April 09, 2013, 06:22:23 pm »
Certainly understood being a fiend.  My first year smoke-free substitutions were chocolate, gin and red wine.

Since it's only been 7 months for me (quitting), maybe when I reach the year mark I will put down the e-cigs.  I've already been using chocolate.  I just read an article that talked about chocolate being the #1 food most women crave.  Especially when going through menopause. :P

I've never killed anyone, but I frequently get satisfaction reading the obituary notices.-Clarence Darrow

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Offline scotty54

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Re: Electronic cigarettes and side effects
« Reply #24 on: April 10, 2013, 09:26:54 am »
Nothing like a little chocolate buzz.  I have periods where I hit those little Dove-minis pretty hard.  Always read the darker varieties are good for you (in moderation lol.)

May sound silly to some, but those anti-smoking clinics sometimes recommend keeping those little plastic stir straws around the house.  When you desire a smoke or e-cig you chew them and roll-em in the mouth.  Keeps your mouth/hands occupied.  Helped me a bit during the first month.

You are on your way....hope to hear updates.   Good luck

I may not agree with you, but will always defend your right to disagree.

Offline JessieJames

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Re: Electronic cigarettes and side effects
« Reply #25 on: May 13, 2013, 03:22:00 am »
I started this post a while ago.  thanks for all the replies.

The e-cigs are real popular in Asia, mostly because of the price.  (The Chinese e-cigs cost $30. 

I haven't tried it, but I have seen lots of people using them. And they are still smoking cigarettes, too.  If they forget their e-cig at home or the battery dies, they blow a pack. 

I am going to be visiting New York for a while; I will fill my suitcase with my $5 a carton LMs, but then I have to quit.  I am not paying 10-14 bucks a pack---not with my habit.

Cigarettes are so cheap here...sometimes I light one, take a puff or two, and toss it.  Actually, I do it often. 

So, the outcome on the e-cigs does not look good.  The nicotene patch seems to have a much better effect.  I think the oral fixation and hit having something to do with it.  The patch takes the edge off, but it still hurts.  But you lose the whole oral thing and the hit=relief action, which I think is integral to addiction.   

Good luck to all you smokers.  I will be home by July 4th; I need a plan in place by then! 

Offline weasel

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Re: Electronic cigarettes and side effects
« Reply #26 on: May 13, 2013, 08:13:40 am »

    Hi  JessieJames  ,

                               I quit smoking   almost 30 years ago ?  , A very long time .

     I had tried patches , made my skin get a rash !!!

     I HATE ELECTRIC  CIGARETTES  >:(

     They should be banned !   I do not allow people to use them in my home  >:(

     Everyone that I know that have used these absurd glowing , breath showing pieces of crap have gone back to smoking .

   The T.V. ads. showing these E-Cigs are nothing more than smoking ads. I am glad most networks have banned them now   ;)

   If you want to quit   JUST QUIT AND MOVE ON !   
       
                                                         Weasel

    P.s.  Smoking will kill you ! 
 
" Live and let Live "

 


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