Allergy to Vaping/Possible VG Issue

[BigEgo]

Even 90% PG gives good plumes for ME, a little light perhaps at 2ohms 4volts but now at 0.5 ohm and 25-35 watts...just beautiful clouds.

I'd also like to add one more "variable" that has not yet been taken into account here...

Any best before date on store bought juice may not accurately reflect the BBD on the base liquids.
One will NEVER know how old that PG/VG was that is being used in their juice or how much it had been exposed to the air/possible contaminants.

Aside from price and being able to personally "tailor" my DIY on the fly, one very important aspect for me is ALWAYS knowing my PG is as fresh as possible, uncontaminated and, according to my bottle of PG should be good until April of 2019. And BTW, it ain't never gonna last that long 'round here. Cheers.

Im kinda wanting to get into DIY just to save money. What does USP PG/VG and nic run in bulk? Where's the most reputable place to buy it? Also, can you buy a large container of PG/VG mixed to the ratio you want WITH the ratio of nic you want? I would just prefer to add flavor and go.

 

[Hitmetwice]

Im kinda wanting to get into DIY just to save money. What does USP PG/VG and nic run in bulk? Where's the most reputable place to buy it? Also, can you buy a large container of PG/VG mixed to the ratio you want WITH the ratio of nic you want? I would just prefer to add flavor and go.

I'm from Canada so can't help you much. I grab a liter of Medisca brand PG USP from the pharmacy for 20 dollars, don't use vg but would recommend separate containers of each so you can vary and try diff %'s
There are suppliers that offer PG/VG/NIC premixed but then you've committed yourself to that mixture.

Some folks like mass quantities because they save a few bucks (maybe 5 or 10) but end up with twice the liquid they'll need or use in a timely fashion. A liter makes a whole lot of juice plus I like fresh so that's the largest size I'd ever buy. Also, what if one buys a gallon or 2 of base and finds DIY is not for them?

Buying online or premixed bases is a crapshoot IMO as far as best before dates go. I wanna see the date and know it's gonna be good for 3 years BEFORE dropping even 1 dollar on it.(but that's just me)

RTS Vapes is held in high regard around here (or used to be at least) there's a few others but I don't pay much attention. Cheers

 

[PaulBHC]

More than you ever wanted to know about mixing your own liquid

DIY E-Liquid

I usually buy from Wizard Labs. Free shipping over $65

 

[AndriaD]

I get my PG and VG from amazon -- $3.95/16oz, which is roughly half a liter. Not too bad on the shipping either, considering what heavy liquids they are. Of course if you have Prime, then shipping is free.

For nicotine, you're far better off buying it concentrated, 100mg, and just mixing to the level you like; otherwise you'll be paying TOP dollar for someone else's PG/VG, instead of just nicotine -- 100mg is still just 10% nicotine, so yeah there's still a lot of "base" there, but it's a much better bargain by FAR than buying it weak (vaping strength). And as someone pointed out above, that way you have personal control over how fresh your PG/VG is, instead of trusting that the PG/VG they added the nic to was fresh.

wizardlabs, vaperstek, ecigexpress, bullcityvapor... you can get nicotine at all those places. vaperstek has a "clean" nicotine, no TH I guess that means, but it's very costly. They also have a "throat hit" nicotine, which is very cheap -- I get the latter, both for the price AND the throat hit.

Andria

 

[TheOdessa]

Wow I'm really sorry that happened. He never said anything about a lowest PG they do or anything. I'm really disappointed, sorry about that.

No worries - you tried to help me out and that's always appreciated!

 

[TheOdessa]

I get my PG and VG from amazon -- $3.95/16oz, which is roughly half a liter. Not too bad on the shipping either, considering what heavy liquids they are. Of course if you have Prime, then shipping is free.

For nicotine, you're far better off buying it concentrated, 100mg, and just mixing to the level you like; otherwise you'll be paying TOP dollar for someone else's PG/VG, instead of just nicotine -- 100mg is still just 10% nicotine, so yeah there's still a lot of "base" there, but it's a much better bargain by FAR than buying it weak (vaping strength). And as someone pointed out above, that way you have personal control over how fresh your PG/VG is, instead of trusting that the PG/VG they added the nic to was fresh.

wizardlabs, vaperstek, ecigexpress, bullcityvapor... you can get nicotine at all those places. vaperstek has a "clean" nicotine, no TH I guess that means, but it's very costly. They also have a "throat hit" nicotine, which is very cheap -- I get the latter, both for the price AND the throat hit.

Andria

Thanks Andria! I never thought of going to Amazon for my pg/vg needs. They have 2 warehouses close to my house so shipping is extremely fast from them.

Where do you get your flavors from? I found MBV to have good prices on their flavors.

 

[AndriaD]

Thanks Andria! I never thought of going to Amazon for my pg/vg needs. They have 2 warehouses close to my house so shipping is extremely fast from them.

Where do you get your flavors from? I found MBV to have good prices on their flavors.

My favorite place is bullcityvapor.com, because they make such an effort to identify the flavors that contain any diketones, because they have excellent prices on most stuff*, they have a great selection*, and because they're in NC, quite close to N Ga, so the shipping is fast.

My other favorite is ecigexpress.com, and that's where the * comes in -- their price on Inawera flavors is much better. They're a lot further from me, in WA state, so the shipping takes longer, but they have a few flavors that BCV doesn't carry -- such as the entire Lorann line! BCV doesn't carry those.

wizardlabs also has a good selection of flavors, but they're only in 8ml vials; if you're ordering other stuff from them and just want to try out some flavors, that's a good option. Vaperstek has the Inawera flavors, but their prices on those aren't that great; I've ordered some Inawera shisha strawberry from them just because I was ordering some of their Throat Hit Nicotine, to save on shipping costs.

Andria

 

[TheOdessa]

My favorite place is bullcityvapor.com, because they make such an effort to identify the flavors that contain any diketones, because they have excellent prices on most stuff*, they have a great selection*, and because they're in NC, quite close to N Ga, so the shipping is fast.

My other favorite is ecigexpress.com, and that's where the * comes in -- their price on Inawera flavors is much better. They're a lot further from me, in WA state, so the shipping takes longer, but they have a few flavors that BCV doesn't carry -- such as the entire Lorann line! BCV doesn't carry those.

wizardlabs also has a good selection of flavors, but they're only in 8ml vials; if you're ordering other stuff from them and just want to try out some flavors, that's a good option. Vaperstek has the Inawera flavors, but their prices on those aren't that great; I've ordered some Inawera shisha strawberry from them just because I was ordering some of their Throat Hit Nicotine, to save on shipping costs.

Andria

Fantastic post as always. Thanks Andria!! Just curious - what's the issue with diketones?

 

[AndriaD]

Fantastic post as always. Thanks Andria!! Just curious - what's the issue with diketones?

Heh... that's a whole thread -- series of threads! -- unto itself. It has to do with that "popcorn lung" problem -- diacetyl, and similar flavor-ingredients, that have the *potential* -- not certainty -- of causing complete lung destruction. There is a lot of back and forth, yes-it-does-no-it-doesn't on that subject around here, you'll see a lot of threads about it. My own personal choice is to avoid them; I have asthma, so I'm already at a serious disadvantage with my lungs, and I judge it better to avoid anything that has that sort of potential.

No I don't think it needs to be "regulated" -- inviting the gov't into anything is a sure path to disaster -- but I appreciate BCV because they have a "caution" background on any flavors *they know of* that contain diacetyl, acetoin, or acetyl propionyl. In general those tend to be custard/cream/bakery type flavors, but diketones can be found in other flavors that wouldn't seem to require them -- which is why it's great that BCV makes the effort; TPA/TFA is releasing "DX" (diketone-free) flavors, and some of their other flavors are diketone-free copies of diketone-containing flavors (Vanilla Swirl being an excellent example -- it's vanilla custard, but without the diketones). Also Capella is releasing some "v2" flavors for the same reason, though some of them aren't great -- their Vanilla Custard v2 just screams "artificial flavor!" in neon letters.

Andria

 

[TheOdessa]

Quick update for anyone following along:

- I went to my doctor and he diagnosed my eye condition as something that starts with an E. He says its caused by allergic reactions and is bacterial. I was given a 5-day dose of anti-biotics. This was also followed by steriod-based cream for 3 different rashes on my body that started the same time my eye thing started. I was given an allergy test for Florida and found I was allerigic to cats, cockroaches, dust mites, and ragweed. Great. I was told a warm compress on my eyes were in order as well.
-Today I start day 1 of using my juice shipment of 20%VG, 80%PG juice. While waiting for this shipment to come in, I've been vaping Halo Cigs samples I have from a vape show. My eyes have been MUCH better. Time will tell if this will make a difference, but the verdict can also be based off the use of antibiotics. While I can say my eyes are 80% better, I cannot attest to this using mostly PG juices or the meds. Only time will tell while still vaping weeks after the antibiotics have stopped.

As for a medication for my allergics, I am taking OTC Allegra (well, Walmart alternative as it's much cheaper). It's spring here in Florida and all the cars here are covered in pollen and ragweed "death" I now call it. Looks like I am order more air purifiers for my place.

*Side thought - it's crazy what these air purifiers catch. Between the air purifier and the allergy-based filter I use on my AC, I cannot believe what is in the air in my place alone. I can only imagine what I'm inhaling when I go outside. Oh well - life in Florida.

For anyone wondering, I ordered my 20%VG, 80% PG from a high quality vendor here in Florida called Zues E-Juice.

I am now building a "lab" so to say for DIY making. I feel like Walter White in Breaking Bad. My friends think I'm silly for it, but my pocket book will thank me - and my eyes.

 

[AndriaD]

Quick update for anyone following along:

- I went to my doctor and he diagnosed my eye condition as something that starts with an E. He says its caused by allergic reactions and is bacterial. I was given a 5-day dose of anti-biotics. This was also followed by steriod-based cream for 3 different rashes on my body that started the same time my eye thing started. I was given an allergy test for Florida and found I was allerigic to cats, cockroaches, dust mites, and ragweed. Great. I was told a warm compress on my eyes were in order as well.
-Today I start day 1 of using my juice shipment of 20%VG, 80%PG juice. While waiting for this shipment to come in, I've been vaping Halo Cigs samples I have from a vape show. My eyes have been MUCH better. Time will tell if this will make a difference, but the verdict can also be based off the use of antibiotics. While I can say my eyes are 80% better, I cannot attest to this using mostly PG juices or the meds. Only time will tell while still vaping weeks after the antibiotics have stopped.

As for a medication for my allergics, I am taking OTC Allegra (well, Walmart alternative as it's much cheaper). It's spring here in Florida and all the cars here are covered in pollen and ragweed "death" I now call it. Looks like I am order more air purifiers for my place.

*Side thought - it's crazy what these air purifiers catch. Between the air purifier and the allergy-based filter I use on my AC, I cannot believe what is in the air in my place alone. I can only imagine what I'm inhaling when I go outside. Oh well - life in Florida.

For anyone wondering, I ordered my 20%VG, 80% PG from a high quality vendor here in Florida called Zues E-Juice.

I am now building a "lab" so to say for DIY making. I feel like Walter White in Breaking Bad. My friends think I'm silly for it, but my pocket book will thank me - and my eyes.

I have several different reasons for DIYing, but needing a very high level of PG is one of the most important; even 80% PG isn't quite enough for my breathing, but as I said, I found 90% a bit irritating; for my own best results, I stay in the 83%-84% range. I use this calculator for DIY, because it allows you to use pre-made ejuice as a flavor, and takes account both of the nic level and the PG/VG levels of anything you add -- when I first started DIY, I generally mixed pre-made ejuices with other stuff (my own DIY juice, along with regular flavorings/nicotine/PG).

Great that you discovered your allergy problems though, and got some medication; that should take some of the pressure off. I really don't get any relief at all from Allegra, but have fantastic success with OTC-generic Zyrtec -- I get them at Dollar Tree, best price in town. They work great for my severe cat allergy -- I had to acquiesce to all the begging and pleading and puppy-dog eyes when a scruffy starving little Tuxedo kitten showed up on our carport 3 yrs ago, and I'm really glad I did; getting a cat has been entertaining and edifying on so many levels! Now she's a beloved family member.

Andria

 

[TheOdessa]

I hate to leave threads unanswered once I find an answer so I wanted to update this thread and update everyone. Hopefully this helps.

Vaping 100% VG juices tend to dry the crap out of my throat and cause irritation. I found switching to 30PG/70VG juices to be much more enjoyable plus keep the clouds I crave. To battle the allergies (not to mention I live in Florida and it's spring. Pollen EVERYWHERE) all my symtoms have gone away by taking

-Flonase in the morning
-Allergy Eye Drops in the morning
-Zyrtec prior to going to bed
-Putting a heavy moisturizing cream on my eye lids and below my eye prior to going to bed
-Putting in artificial tears in my eyes throughout the day
-Upping my water intake

Am I allergic to VG? Not sure, but the medications above alleviated all my issues. I know this didn't my core issue, but it's gotten rid of the issues I had and that's good enough for me.

 

[Cacique]

I'm glad you found a solution! I have allergies myself and funny that I started using Flonase too not that long ago. Great stuff. Hope your allergies stay under control!