eGo Leak Solved, Newbie Month Review, & Health Question

[Stevensbox]

This forum has been invaluable in my efforts to quit smoking after a pack a day for over 25 years. I've summarized my experiences below, both positive & negative, to hopefully help those who have helped me, and to get a bit more insight to a lingering health issue.

What I use ...
PV: eGo-T & eGo-C
Juice: Alien Visions "Boda's Bounty", 100% VG (nic content 24mg down to 18 & 12)

I,ve solved the leaking problem with my PVs by using a tip I found on YouTube where you use a 12 gauge blunt tipped needle to pre-punch a hole in the soft rubber tank cap (the hard caps are hit &miss, don't use them). The punched hole is smaller than the atty spike and therefore forms a tight seal when inserted. I've further improved the technique by grinding down the atty's spike tip so that it doesn't tear the pre-punched hole when re-filling and re-inserting the tank. The grinding part is only do-able on the eGo-C since you can remove the atty. On the eGo-C, I place the filled tank on the cone first, gently push in the atty with a pencil's eraser end, screw in the base, and finally screw on the battery. I got the needles on eBay; 10 for $5. I don't think it makes a difference in preventing leaks but I used the soft rubber mouth piece tips all the time. No leaks on either unit so far, even after multiple re-fills and carrying my eGo's in my pocket.

I tried LR atties for the eGo-C but found it gave my juices a metallic & burnt taste when drawing too much. The faster you draw, the lesser the effect but I wish there was a way around this since I now have 5 of them!

I tried Cartomisers and like the ease in taking a puff but don't like re-filling them with a seringe/needle. I even tried the type with no foam (Clearomisers I think). Since the eGo leaking problem is fixed, I don't think I'll be using them anymore.

I've read the Health sections and yes, reducing nic content reduced my headaches, but I still get nasal cold-like symptoms. I'm almost always congested which takes away from the juice flavor, and feel a general tightness in my neck/chin/throat area. Also, my throat is still soar and my chest has sourness as well. I'm thinking the chest sourness .may be getting used to drawing so hard as compared to cigarettes. I've also noticed a light skin redness around my chest just under my chin & neck. Lastly, does anyone else get annoying dampness in your nostrils & on your mustache? Probably from vapor condensing too quickly.

I'm over a month cigarette free and my resolve is strong. Any comments, help, or advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[mikeinbc]

Regarding the congestion, tightness, and pains, I would experiment with a different mix of vg/pg. I started off with the same issues using a higher VG content. I reduced the VG (60/40 pg/vg) and the problems went away almost immediately. Good luck.

[washvap]

You could also get small 3ml bottles of 100%VG and PG. To see which one is giving you problems. People or either allergic to one or the other. Really hope that you get everything figured out soon. Also, don't forget to drink a lot of water.

[Stevensbox]

Thanks washvap, I keep forgetting to drink enough water; it does make a difference. It's ironic because when I smoked real cigarettes, it always made me thirsty and I drank a lot. With vaping, I don't get thirsty at all.

[washvap]

No problem Steve, I had the same problem when I started vaping. But yeah, it always the small things that we seem to forget. I still have that problem sometimes but, I usually keep myself pretty hydrated.