Breathing problems from ecigs?

[RunAway]

Hullo everybody, just joined POTV and wanted to ask advice or any relevant info, thank you. Been a heavy smoker of tobacco all of 37 years and took up ecigs the last 7 days. Well after 7 days of fairly heavy smoking of ecigs I started experiencing a feeling of my lungs and chest being blocked and it was a struggle to breathe easily. My airways and breathing felt restricted. From 37 years of tobacco smoking I have never had this, and so sadly I had to stop on the ecigs and return to tobacco smoking. I was using Nicolite, Skycig, and Ten Motives. I am a total newbie to this. I have been told that those 3 ecig types are higher in PG then in VG and this may be the problem? I have looked at more upgrade tank and mod type vaper systems where you add eliquids but know nothing of which is best for starter as there are thousands to choose from, a bit baffling? I did order a (Forget exact name) Ego mega Dual cartomizor Kit (Think it is the right name?) and received it today with 4 eliquids - from SMOKSHOP in UK. No idea how to use it. Would this type of vapour system have less adverse reactions than the ecigs before? Or was it simply that I was vaping about 4 cartridges a day that caused it? (too much?) Was before on about 45-50 tobacco cigs a day so yes a heavy smoker!! But really would like to quit tobacco, but not keen on the above described breathing problem. Never had this reaction on tobacco ever, in past. What would be the best ecig or vaper system to use for me? Or what am I doing wrong? Would really appreciate some advice as keen on stopping tobacco, but haven't yet!!! Thank you very much in advance. Have a good night. Cheers!!!

 

[u8myufo]

Hi ADAM and welcome to the planet, whilst I had been smoking longer than yourself I was not as heavy. I think there definately is a transition period from changing over and the feeling of vaping is different for a short period. In saying that though the symptoms you describe here are more what I felt for a week prior to my heart attack back in July. Not wanting to put the frightners on you but I always speak the truth and that is how it was. At the same time the breathing and tightness could well be anxiety related after stopping the smoking, it is after all a big step to come down off of smoking that much. You might want to try cutting down the analogues and do a bit of vaping at such times as the evening at home. Other than that I cannot really advise much.

 

[KulrMeStoopid]

Hi ADAM and thanks for coming over to the forum. I will copy n paste the answer I gave you on the facebook page but I am sure members here will give you tons of information.

Also have a look at this thread http://www.planetofthevapes.co.uk/f...Side-effects-of-vaping?highlight=side+effects

http://www.planetofthevapes.co.uk/forums/forumdisplay.php/74-Health-and-Legal-Information

http://www.planetofthevapes.co.uk/forums/forumdisplay.php/367-Studies-and-Press-Releases

Planet of The Vapes UK Vaping Forum There aren't any "nasties" in an ecig mate, The PG is used in asthma inhalers, VG is the main ingredient in cough syrup and the flavours are mixed in PG. All of which are safe for human use. The problem is probably that you were using sub par gear (cigalikes are fine to start, but dont really last) You should come over to the forum, www.planetofthevapes.co.uk and the members can get you some great information and point you to quality gear that WILL keep you off the cigs. Ive been off cigs for two years as it is using my ecig.

I'd also point out, that many "complications" that stem from switching from tobacco to ecigs, are direct results of quitting cigarettes and have nothing to do with electronic cigs at all. It is your body purging itself of the 4,000 chemicals youve been killing yourself with for the last 37 years and your body is reacting to you removing those nasties.

Very few people are allergic to PG, so a higher VG juice would be recommended, if people experience trouble with PG. Those three that you mentioned are use high PG ratios. Once again, come over to the forum so long time users can give you even more information.

We're not doctors so please dont take any information you receive as medical advice, these are just 1st hand user experiences.

 

[mike137]

Congrats on making the change (or at least trying and wanting to try again) and welcome to the forum.

I too suffered with fairly extreme breathlessness when I first started vaping (nicolites) I just powered through it (stupidly) as I didn't really understand what I was doing.

I have since only had 3 or 4 instances of this since vaping 'properly' I usually vape 50:50 vgg. Do you know what ratio you have bought?

On the device I'm afraid I can offer no specific input but usually you remove a cap (top or bottom) and fill the tank with liquid... Avoiding getting anything in the central hole... Hopefully someone can give you more on that...

 

[KulrMeStoopid]

Also, if you like to read http://wiki.planetofthevapes.co.uk/wiki/Main_Page we've done up a pretty comprehensive Wiki stuffed full of information.


I believe the ecigs you mentioned carry at least a 60% PG ratio, some as high as 70-80% so I would strong recommend getting onto a better kit (Kanger EVOD or Protank kit would be ideal in your case) probably a higher nicotine e-liquid, like 24 or 36mg and try to go for a VG heavy e-liquid versus a PG heavy e-liquid.

Also keep in mind to stay hydrated, loads more water intake as PG can be drying and cause sore throats.


There are loads of studies on the safety of inhaling PG and VG and to date, there has not been any study that shows this to be more harmful than smoking, and in most cases up to 99% safer than smoking.

 

[Citrus]

Without wishing to come over all mumsy, if you're experiencing tightness in your chest and shortness of breath, you really ought to see your doctor to rule out anything sinister unrelated to the e-cigs. Most likely you're not getting on with the PG or clearing out decades worth of gunk, but it's better to be safe than sorry. Never get your medical advice off the internet ;-)

 

[RunAway]

Thank you everybody who replied to my message. For a high VG and a lower PG level, is the Ego Mega Dual Cartomizor I got today from SmokShop any better than the Nicolite, Skycig and Ten Motive ecigs I was using before? Thanks again to all for quick feedback.

 

[Blossom]

Hello and welcome ADAM!

2 thoughts come to mind.

Firstly, what level of nicotine are you using? When I started on the nicolites, I went for High, because I'd smoked rollies unfiltered for over 30 years. This was too high for me, although I didn't realise it at the time!

Secondly, do you use the e-cigs exactly like you did the fags? I.E. when you smoked a fag it might take you say 10 drags to smoke it from start to stub out. Did you then use you e-cig in the same way, 10 drags in a row till you stopped? I ask this, because this is what I did. I'd think time for a fag and treat my e-cig exactly the same, especially if I was on a break at work!!

With vaping, you take slower drags and don't need so many. I'm thinking 4 cartridges a day is too much for you.

Whereabouts are you in the UK? It'd be nice if you could meet up with a more experienced vapour, they could help you get set up!

Finally, some people find they can switch from smoking to vaping in one go. Many other people use a transition system, replacing some fags with a vape and over time altering to more vaping than smoking. This method may suit you as it takes the stress out of "giving up" overnight and you can judge how long a few vapes will last you nicotine wise, without overdoing it! Remember, it's the cigarettes you don't have that count!

Just my thoughts based on my experience, everyone is different, you just need to find what suits you.

 

[RunAway]

Thank you for reply Blossom. The Nicolites are high strength nicotine, think it is 18mg. And yes I smoked the ecigs about as fast as the fags. But I have now slowed down and taken your advice and am doing the switch over more slowly, trying not to do it all at once. Trying now in the next few days to moderate the ecig intake a little, think I was at it too fast. Hopefully less as well, 4 cartridges probably way too much. Thanks again.

 

[Blossom]

Thank you for reply Blossom. The Nicolites are high strength nicotine, think it is 18mg. And yes I smoked the ecigs about as fast as the fags. But I have now slowed down and taken your advice and am doing the switch over more slowly, trying not to do it all at once. Trying now in the next few days to moderate the ecig intake a little, think I was at it too fast. Hopefully less as well, 4 cartridges probably way too much. Thanks again.

It's definitely worth a try and don't feel bad that you're not giving up in one go. After 30 plus years of smoking, your body will take a while to adjust. You will find your taste buds change and your sense of smell alters, all normal, but can seem odd when you go through the changes.

You may find that flavours you like now, you won't like later. Many people use tobacco flavours to start with, as they feel that will help the switch. After a while, you may start to prefer fruit and other flavours. Also bear in mind, some flavours others love, you might hate! It'd be a boring world if we all liked the same things

Hopefully in time, you will gradually find you are reaching for your vaping device rather than the fags, and change over without really realising it!

In the meantime, if your breathing symptoms do get any worse, get yourself checked by a doctor, just in case.