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E cigarettes versus real cigarettes as a therapy?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 3/11/2014 9:29 AM (GMT 0)
I started smoking as a therapy about two years ago. Because of the health side effects smoking possess I decided to buy my first e cigarette today. I'm concerned though about the nicotine concentration that is considerably low in comparison with the real cigarettes. Has anybody tried them both? If so, which one did you find works best?
Posted 3/11/2014 11:17 AM (GMT 0)
I have been using an ecig since the day I quit smoking in 2009. Developed UC a few months later. The nic alone does not help my UC. I use 3 ml of 24mg/ml liquid daily.

To break my worst-ever flare last year, I had to smoke a few real cigs. It was REALLY NASTY, but it worked. I smoked probably 4 on day one, then 2 for a few days, then 1.
Posted 3/11/2014 11:24 AM (GMT 0)
I should add, that I discontinued smoking within about 3 weeks...my flare subsided within a couple of days, and I was intent on smoking 1 or 2 a day as "maintenance". I just could not keep it up...at least I know now that I found some relief, and can try it again next time (maybe soon, unfortunately)
Posted 3/11/2014 1:32 PM (GMT 0)
If you go to an ecig forum, you can find good equipment and places to buy eliquid in various strengths.

I go here:
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/search.php?searchid=21940236
Posted 3/11/2014 1:38 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the feedback, Geeker. My story is similar. Hope I don't have to smoke again, but nice to know it may work.
I mix my own eliquid and am now going to be trying 18mg/ml- up from 12mg/ml. 6ml daily.
Posted 3/11/2014 4:34 PM (GMT 0)
As soon as I stopped smoking I went straight on to e-cigs, I just buy the screw on filters, but its important for me to get the right "strength" otherwise it doesn't hit the spot, so I tend to use mid range strength, the lights don't cut it for me....you may have to try a few before you find which suits you best.
Posted 3/11/2014 6:51 PM (GMT 0)
I went looking for ecigs or patch to get out of a recent flare....I noticed that e-cigs don't have nicotine in them. I'm wondering if that's the case only in Canada? Anyone know?
Posted 3/12/2014 2:33 AM (GMT 0)
rbartolo you should check out ecigforum, specifically the Canadian section. I don't know what the laws are in Canada, but I'm sure someone on ecigforum can advise you.
Posted 3/12/2014 2:44 AM (GMT 0)
Here's a link to the Canadian forum
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/canada-forum/
Posted 3/15/2014 5:08 AM (GMT 0)
Most countries don't sell liquid nicotine (just the hardware and nic free juice) You need to import it for personal use from US, China, UK. Mixing your own can be tricky, make sure you read up on the ecig forums, along with the right hardware as well. There are plenty of good starter kits around now from reputable sellers.
They are probably the closest thing to real cigarettes, and you can adjust your nicotine level and PG/VG level.
Posted 3/15/2014 6:56 AM (GMT 0)
King, were you previously ever a smoker? Usually when ex-smokers try using nicotine therapy... they require stronger amounts of the nicotine. And usually nicotine alone wont help enough, the actual "smoking" is required.

If you are a non-smoker who has just started smoking as therapy... your options are a little more open. Do some research and find out the nicotine concentrate in your cigarette of choice, say a Marlboro. And then the concentrate in a "high nicotine" cartridge or liquid, and how much you actually get from the ecig. And then the patch.

From what I've seen, the patch seems to be the best way to go. You get a strong amount of nicotine without the smoking side effects. I have a Blu e-cig with high nicotine cartridges (well my husband has it. I don't actually use it.) and I was figuring out that I'd basically have to puff on that thing almost non stop all day to get the same amount as a nicotine patch. And same with cigarettes... would need quite a few to equal the patch... and then you have all the bad side effects.

I am an ex-smoker, diagnosed with UC 3 months after quitting. My only viable option would really be to start smoking some real cigarettes again. And I just have no interest in the side effects of that. Possibly a strong patch might help... but it really looks like ex-smokers need more than just the nicotine.
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