So I quit. And started. And quit. And started. And I'm back smoking again.
October was probably the worst month to attempt this. Due to work stresses, and personal situations, I was averaging about a pack and a half per day by October 15th. I was starting wake up in the morning just hacking, ripping up my throat with coughs every morning. My father crashed his truck on October 18th, and I remember driving out to Norwood, burning through half a pack of Camel Blue's in 3 hours. On October 25th, I decided it was time to get serious about it.
I purchased my first electronic cigarette that day at a South Shore plaza kiosk. At $19.95 for a "starter pack"(2 e-cigarettes, a charger, and 10 nicotine cartridges), it seemed like a deal compared to the $8.59 I am currently paying for a pack of cigarettes. After a 4 days of use, I couldn't stand the electronic cigarettes. It felt like I was inhaling tainted air, and always needed a real cigarette right after using it. After researching reviews on Amazon and various other websites, there really is no "good" electronic cigarette. Reviews were posted for the $20 e-cigarettes through the $120 e-cigarettes, with most reviewers finding the electronic cigarettes to be pointless.
I have an appointment with my physician at the beginning of next week for an annual check-up, but my health insurance does cover nicotine patches. I plan to start using the patches next week, and ask my doctor to evaluate my lungs/breath control, and ask his opinion on how smoking has affected my health.
After being awake 12 hours today, I've only smoke six cigarettes as well. At this pace of cutting down, I'm doing great.
