Lungs, Emphysema and breathing.

[samysam1313]

Hi ladyraj. Appreciate your comments. You did not displace my hope. I am not expecting ecigs to heal my emphasema. Even though I do not inhale anymore, I am still getting some smoke. Plus all the second hand smoke. For me, it's more being able to simulate smoking without the 1st or 2nd hand smoke. I am aware that PV is not medicine and that it can be an irritant. I am an educated consumer and have been doing a lot of research on all of this. Continuing to do so. I also have OCD and my smoking is directly connected to this. I am not expecting miracles. I do think though that the ecig route is a much better alternative to smoking real cigs whether directly inhaled or not. I will keep the forum posted on how it goes.

[jj2]

Vaping is better than smoking, but I hate to agree: Emphysema is a whole different problem then what I was having. If you gave up analogs, I'd think long and hard before taking up vaping.

[ladyraj]

Hi ladyraj. Appreciate your comments. You did not displace my hope. I am not expecting ecigs to heal my emphasema. Even though I do not inhale anymore, I am still getting some smoke. Plus all the second hand smoke. For me, it's more being able to simulate smoking without the 1st or 2nd hand smoke. I am aware that PV is not medicine and that it can be an irritant. I am an educated consumer and have been doing a lot of research on all of this. Continuing to do so. I also have OCD and my smoking is directly connected to this. I am not expecting miracles. I do think though that the ecig route is a much better alternative to smoking real cigs whether directly inhaled or not. I will keep the forum posted on how it goes.

I'm relieved that you've researched this avenue thoroughly! OCD therapy typically centers around breaking associations with the target behavior and relieving anxiety versus replacing them with an alternative. But I'm sure you already know this..

I'm left to wonder if we smokers/vaporers tend to rationalize anything that allows us to continue in our behavior patterns that were developed over time. Thus, the psychological addiction is the battlefield versus the physiological hold of nicotine. But eliminating smoke from any source could only be interpreted as a good thing with positive outcomes. Keep us posted, I'd love to see this work out for you!

[Kate51]

I smoked for 44 years 2-3 packs the last few. I do upholstery here at home, and we have pickups and deliveries, anything from foot stools to couches.
For the last 5 years or so, my breathing went into the basement. I was having issues with chronic bronchitis, asthma symptoms, severe bouts of hyperventilation, and the last couch my husband and I delivered in February I thought was going to be the last thing I ever did. I of course kept all this as hidden as I could, but was coughing constantly, short of breath (I probably do have a 'COPD' type of condition going on) but the day it took over an hour for me to stop shaking and trying to suck enough air to keep from fainting. Of course, I never went to the doctor, I knew what they'd tell me right off the bat! Not stupid! right! I'd done pursed-lip breathing, diligently, about 12 times a day, and that did help, but the attacks would come on so fast I knew it was just a matter of time. Then, I'd have to go have a cigarette, you know, that did help. Ya. My fatherinlaw had COPD for years, was a light smoker, but they always called his 'farmer's lung' which of course could have meant almost anything. Could it also be hypertension...nasty stuff, that. I was nearly at the point of being non-functioning, all I wanted to do was sit and smoke. That's about all I had the energy for.
So I told my daughter the nurse, I had ordered an electronic cigarette, and what I hoped it would accomplish. That was end of February. On March 9th, '09, my NPro arrived. The juice tasted awful, I puffed too hard and got it in my mouth, did everything wrong. But I got a few good puffs, enough to know 'hey, this could work!'. After 3 hours, I had to recharge a battery, so went for a RYO. My God, that tasted worse than that stupid e-cig, I took a couple puffs and put it out, that thing STUNK!! It was my last cigarette. That was 6 months+ ago. My coughing stopped, my energy soared, my lungs started clearing, my 'smeller' came back, and my taste buds woke up again. I still have an occasional bout of hyperventilatin, a wake up, 'oh yes, I forget to do my breathing excercise the last couple days..' see, when you're not thinking about your next breath all the time you forget! So DO remember to breath in through the nose, out through pursed lips, several times a day, make it work not wimpy. It will expand your lung capacity, tighten your core muscles, very important, and get that diaphram flexible and useful again.
This summer I was out doing yard work, push mower on a side hill, and enjoying the heck out of that workout every week! More energy than I know what to do with, feeling 1000X BETTER! Broken capillaries in my face are also nearly gone, the "coon" mask. My haggard, gray looking skin looks better, my hair grows fast and healthy again!

I'm using 18 mg/ml juice, down from 24mg, and vaping less, so am really getting a handle on this vaping thing, loving it!! It saved my life.
And Ladyraj is exactly right about liquid ingredients, I do a "DIY" with Vegetable Glycerin, PG too harsh, and a very light, mild, sweet VG with just a hint of real tobacco, nutty caramel, and that's it! There are four ingredients in my juice. If one happens to irritate, I can leave it out if needed. Don't try to see how many flavors you can find, my theory is KISS!! Keep it Simple Stupid. Throat hit? I don't see the benefit to irritating my throat, I want mild. I just need to feel I'm doing no further harm, but yes, damage does not go away. But you can sure improve what you have left!! BEST OF LUCK!!

[ladyraj]

Hey Kate, Love the hint about deep breathing exercises, as this technique works for everyone not just people with respiratory disorders. It keeps the diaphragm and chest muscles loose and strong.

[Adik Ted]

I've got copd. I chain vape and don't feel it does me any harm at all. That wasn't the case when I first started but changing to vg (ecopure) made a difference. If you really need the e-cig to keep you off the cigarettes I'd stick with it. You'll soon know if it's making you worse.

[Kate51]

I've got copd. I chain vape and don't feel it does me any harm at all. That wasn't the case when I first started but changing to vg (ecopure) made a difference. If you really need the e-cig to keep you off the cigarettes I'd stick with it. You'll soon know if it's making you worse.

AdikTed, that's a good point...I'm using ECOpure as well, the Krystal or K36mg/ml, for mixing my own nic liquids...it's very clean vaping and I really like it way more than the generic nic VG...some "Glycerins" are really petro products, or what they term as 'synthetic', others are made with animal fats, so was really glad when this came out. Just what the Doc ordered, a reliable source of good true Vegetable Glycerin, and lab tested batches. They do sell more flavors now, also, but I still like my recipe for the "old" Johnson Creek Original. Which is no longer made in VG and 'real' tobacco flavor. Loved that stuff!

[ladyraj]

I've never tried any juice other than Janty's and I've never attempted DIY yet. This ecopure sounds interesting...I believe the Krystal is the unflavored type isn't it? And then one would add flavors...but from where? Can you provide me some links so that I may venture into the "mixing" world? I'm a believer in KISS as well and love flavors over throat hit.

Sorry to be off-topic but this may aid the OP as well.

[damunster]

I also had all the above mentioned problems. I started vaping in June, about 3 months ago. I went to the Dr last week and he told me my lungs sounded better than the have in years. No wheezing, rumbling and grinding to be heard. I had not told him I was vaping until after the check up. He was amazed with the E cig. I use the 901. He said he was going to get info for all his other smokers. I had tried everything to quit. Chantix worked the best before the e cig. I quit for 9 monthe with the chantix but really missed smoking. I have no desire for an analog any more. I did vape more than I smoked in the begining but have leveled off now and am vaping less and less. I also started with the 36mg but now I use anything from 36mg to 0mg, depending on what I am doing. When sitting at my comp I use 0 nic and don't seem to the nic.

[Kate51]

Ladyraj it's posted on DIY Go to post #9, that's the whole recipe with all the components spelled out. Was HELL to do, but I think I nailed it pretty good.
All the links for supplies are there as well. Get your HAZMAT flags out! I think my first GOOD 10ml bottle cost me somewhere around $300. BUT, will now have a lifetime supply of my favorite VG for about $6 per a 30ml bottle.

Johnson creek original, anyone??

I have cut my 24mg nic down to 18mg/ml. Was Unbelievably Easy. Will someday go to 12mg, for me would be ideal.

And Damunster, love your avatar, good news from you, you have a good Dr. there, I'd say.