Another word about COPD & Vaping....

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Via!

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Feb 4, 2012
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Jacksonville FL
Greetings and love to everyone!

In this world with tons of information, we never seem to find enough, do we? I wanted to add my vaping/COPD story here as just "general information"....and some notes about "what I believe to be true"....

In 1969, after breathing the secondhand cigarette smoke of two chain-smoking adults (in the TINY house, in EVEN SMALLER the car, over my breakfast...there was NO ESCAPE from those two), for 15 years....I gave up the fight to trust air I couldn't see....and became one of "THEM"....

I smoked everywhere....
I would smoke in the school bathroom, smoke at the beach, smoke on airplanes, in elevators, in clubs....I never went anywhere without my trusty analogs...getting colds, flu, pneumonia, bronchitis, or any other ailment did not deter me....oh, sure, like all of you, I TRIED to give them up...for a day or two anyway...I tried gum, and patches, and Wellbutrin...I even tried snapping a rubber band on my wrist every time the thought crossed. I tried only buying a pack at a time...instead of a carton....that didn't work...I found I was making too many 3:30 am runs to the Stop-n-Rob for a pack of smokes...in retrospect, thankfully, I was never a "heavy smoker--other than the years where I was "smoking at my desk"....where I was more apt to light a cigarette then put it in an ashtray and just let it burn without smoking; but a pack back then was 28 cents on base...not 8 bucks!...I don't ever recall smoking more than just "a little more" than a pack a day...thank goodness...(at least I was never reduced to "smoking old butts" like some of my friends did......)

I was a smoker when I met my ex-husband...and got my nose pretty bent out of joint when he turned out to be such a "cigarette nazi"....and although in real life he really was no big prize (we discovered we were both in love with the same man--HIM!) cigarettes DID play a part in the demise of our marriage. It seemed like the more he nagged me, the more I needed to smoke. For the life of me, I cannot tell you why the aroma of tobacco was so appealing...I just don't know....(the aroma of Old Spice and cigarettes reminds me of sitting on Daddy's lap as a young child)

In 2009, I met my Prince Charming...I had been smoking almost 40 years...I was beginning to despise the burns in my car upholstery, the smell of cigarettes and butts that permeated my handbags, clothing, car, home....but, I couldn't stop....(I "kinda" fibbed...I told him I was an "ex-smoker" when we met...because I was taking Chantax). so, I took to "sneaking"....I should have bought stock in Listerine and Febreeze, because I drenched myself with both after every cigarette....Prince Charming is a non smoker...he MAY have tried it...(an ex-USAF Vietnam Vet pilot)...but, there was no question about the issue...after we "got serious" he flat said "I WILL NOT MARRY A SMOKER!" I got busted a few times...for "sneaking"....he was livid...and I was frightened that I was going to lose the most wonderful man I had ever met...

In 2011, not only did we set a date to marry....but my son (also a smoker, btw) came to tell me his greatest news...he and his girlfriend were "expecting"....BUT..(he said)..that as long as I was a smoker, I wouldn't be able to hold my one and only grand baby....

At about that same point, I began having troubles after climbing stairs....just "getting into bed" caused me some frightening moments of not being able to catch my breath...I was getting colds and keeping them longer....I felt like I was drowning in snot most of the time....

So...my dear son...made the first move to save my life (yes, I believe he did....indeed!) and, as he was telling me all about a new grandbaby...he handed me a "Blu" e-cig...I didn't hold much hope...but, honestly, I believe that e-cig saved my life.

I won't detail all of the batteries, mods, juices, etc, etc, I ever tried...right now, I'm using a ProVape Radius with a House of Hybrids Kabuki P3 (Nautilus) tank and almost exclusively NicoTicket Juices, all made in the good old USA...I actually wait until NicoTicket has one of the great 50% off sales, and I "stock up" on my juice, because I've found NicoTicket stays "good" if left in a cool, dark place, unopened until ready for use.

vaping, for me, is all about "HARM REDUCTION"...I have been diagnosed with COPD...my activities are hindered, my health is fragile. (And, btw, I've lost all my natural teeth) In fact, a quick airline trip to Wyoming just a month ago put me into a tailspin, and I ended up with Community Acquired Pnemonia, and had a few "touch and go" moments! I've discovered that I actually vape less than 40 ml of 18mg juice every month, so, my expenses monthly consist of a bottle of juice and a package of Nautilus coils. I began vaping 36mg or 24mg nicotine. Then went to 18mg. I tried lower concentrations, but found, to my dismay, that it just caused me to vape MORE. My Radius is actually more like a Pacifier....as long as I can hold it, and take a "puff" occasionally, I feel fine! My thinking was: Which us better? 5 "puffs" of 18mg...or 20 puffs of 3mg?? So, I decided to stay with high mg content, and fewer inhalations. There are days where I seem to crave it a bit more....and days when I barely use it at all. I don't try to schedule my vaping.

I DO KNOW THIS: vaping saved my life. IF I had CONTINUED smoking analogs....there is no DOUBT in my own mind that I would not be "here" right this moment. I have not TOUCHED an analog tobacco product since 2011. In addition to smelling better, my clothing lasting longer, my house and car being cleaner, I am thinking that I just might live longer than any other smoker in my family. My parents are gone, both brother and sister gone...and I've lived more years than any of them. (And I have more money...and The tobacco company doesn't!)

When I was 21...and my dad died at 48...I thought "well...that's ok...I mean he is REALLY REALLY OLD..." And when my step brother died at 60....(too much sex, drugs, rock and roll and {other stuff}) ...."well...he was 60 after all..."

Now, coming up on 65...I really don't FEEL I'm all that OLD...65 still FEELS young...oh, sure...I'm a bit slower than I used to be,..but I still gave big plans....my Prince Charming is now mid-70s...and he is slowing...but neither of us are ready for a "dirt nap"...

One day, I am sure...I just won't need to vape anymore...ill just put down the Radius...and not need it...

If you don't smoke...don't start....
If you smoke...either quit, or take action to REDUCE HARM.
IF SOMEONE YOU LOVE SMOKES....help them find an alternative that works for them...
REDUCE HARM.....

I highly recommend ProVape products....
I highly recommend high quality USA juices such as NicoTicket

I wish you a happy, healthy life....
 
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Eskie

ECF Guru
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
May 6, 2016
16,087
77,743
NY
Wonderful description of the path so many of us followed to reach this point. Glad it finally worked out for you.
If you don't smoke...don't start....
If you smoke...either quit, or take action to REDUCE HARM.
IF SOMEONE YOU LOVE SMOKES....help them find an alternative that works for them...
REDUCE HARM.....

And this right here is what it is all about. One thing I'm happy to see is my daughter, who is now 21, and most of her friends never smoked or have a desire to take up smoking. Hopefully her generation will keep up the reductions in cigarette use. The nicest part for me is how supportive she has been about my vaping and is thrilled I finally stopped smoking. She even bought me a new tank for Father's Day.
 

Two_Bears

Vaping Master
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Jul 4, 2015
7,045
16,673
Northern Arizona
Greetings and love to everyone!

In this world with tons of information, we never seem to find enough, do we? I wanted to add my VAPING/COPD story here as just "general information"....and some notes about "what I believe to be true"....

In 1969, after breathing the secondhand cigarette smoke of two chain-smoking adults (in the TINY house, in EVEN SMALLER the car, over my breakfast...there was NO ESCAPE from those two), for 15 years....I gave up the fight to trust air I couldn't see....and became one of "THEM"....

I smoked everywhere....
I would smoke in the school bathroom, smoke at the beach, smoke on airplanes, in elevators, in clubs....I never went anywhere without my trusty analogs...getting colds, flu, pneumonia, bronchitis, or any other ailment did not deter me....oh, sure, like all of you, I TRIED to give them up...for a day or two anyway...I tried gum, and patches, and Wellbutrin...I even tried snapping a rubber band on my wrist every time the thought crossed. I tried only buying a pack at a time...instead of a carton....that didn't work...I found I was making too many 3:30 am runs to the Stop-n-Rob for a pack of smokes...in retrospect, thankfully, I was never a "heavy smoker--other than the years where I was "smoking at my desk"....where I was more apt to light a cigarette then put it in an ashtray and just let it burn without smoking; but a pack back then was 28 cents on base...not 8 bucks!...I don't ever recall smoking more than just "a little more" than a pack a day...thank goodness...(at least I was never reduced to "smoking old butts" like some of my friends did......)

I was a smoker when I met my ex-husband...and got my nose pretty bent out of joint when he turned out to be such a "cigarette nazi"....and although in real life he really was no big prize (we discovered we were both in love with the same man--HIM!) cigarettes DID play a part in the demise of our marriage. It seemed like the more he nagged me, the more I needed to smoke. For the life of me, I cannot tell you why the aroma of tobacco was so appealing...I just don't know....(the aroma of Old Spice and cigarettes reminds me of sitting on Daddy's lap as a young child)

In 2009, I met my Prince Charming...I had been smoking almost 40 years...I was beginning to despise the burns in my car upholstery, the smell of cigarettes and butts that permeated my handbags, clothing, car, home....but, I couldn't stop....(I "kinda" fibbed...I told him I was an "ex-smoker" when we met...because I was taking Chantax). so, I took to "sneaking"....I should have bought stock in Listerine and Febreeze, because I drenched myself with both after every cigarette....Prince Charming is a non smoker...he MAY have tried it...(an ex-USAF Vietnam Vet pilot)...but, there was no question about the issue...after we "got serious" he flat said "I WILL NOT MARRY A SMOKER!" I got busted a few times...for "sneaking"....he was livid...and I was frightened that I was going to lose the most wonderful man I had ever met...

In 2011, not only did we set a date to marry....but my son (also a smoker, btw) came to tell me his greatest news...he and his girlfriend were "expecting"....BUT..(he said)..that as long as I was a smoker, I wouldn't be able to hold my one and only grand baby....

At about that same point, I began having troubles after climbing stairs....just "getting into bed" caused me some frightening moments of not being able to catch my breath...I was getting colds and keeping them longer....I felt like I was drowning in snot most of the time....

So...my dear son...made the first move to save my life (yes, I believe he did....indeed!) and, as he was telling me all about a new grandbaby...he handed me a "Blu" e-cig...I didn't hold much hope...but, honestly, I believe that e-cig saved my life.

I won't detail all of the batteries, mods, juices, etc, etc, I ever tried...right now, I'm using a ProVape Radius with a House of Hybrids Kabuki P3 (Nautilus) tank and almost exclusively NicoTicket Juices, all made in the good old USA...I actually wait until NicoTicket has one of the great 50% off sales, and I "stock up" on my juice, because I've found NicoTicket stays "good" if left in a cool, dark place, unopened until ready for use.

Vaping, for me, is all about "HARM REDUCTION"...I have been diagnosed with COPD...my activities are hindered, my health is fragile. (And, btw, I've lost all my natural teeth) In fact, a quick airline trip to Wyoming just a month ago put me into a tailspin, and I ended up with Community Acquired Pnemonia, and had a few "touch and go" moments! I've discovered that I actually vape less than 40 ml of 18mg juice every month, so, my expenses monthly consist of a bottle of juice and a package of Nautilus coils. I began vaping 36mg or 24mg nicotine. Then went to 18mg. I tried lower concentrations, but found, to my dismay, that it just caused me to vape MORE. My Radius is actually more like a Pacifier....as long as I can hold it, and take a "puff" occasionally, I feel fine! My thinking was: Which us better? 5 "puffs" of 18mg...or 20 puffs of 3mg?? So, I decided to stay with high mg content, and fewer inhalations. There are days where I seem to crave it a bit more....and days when I barely use it at all. I don't try to schedule my vaping.

I DO KNOW THIS: vaping saved my life. IF I had CONTINUED smoking analogs....there is no DOUBT in my own mind that I would not be "here" right this moment. I have not TOUCHED an analog tobacco product since 2011. In addition to smelling better, my clothing lasting longer, my house and car being cleaner, I am thinking that I just might live longer than any other smoker in my family. My parents are gone, both brother and sister gone...and I've lived more years than any of them. (And I have more money...and The tobacco company doesn't!)

When I was 21...and my dad died at 48...I thought "well...that's ok...I mean he is REALLY REALLY OLD..." And when my step brother died at 60....(too much sex, drugs, rock and roll and weed) ...."well...he was 60 after all..."

Now, coming up on 65...I really don't FEEL I'm all that OLD...65 still FEELS young...oh, sure...I'm a bit slower than I used to be,..but I still gave big plans....my Prince Charming is now mid-70s...and he is slowing...but neither of us are ready for a "dirt nap"...

One day, I am sure...I just won't need to vape anymore...ill just put down the Radius...and not need it...

If you don't smoke...don't start....
If you smoke...either quit, or take action to REDUCE HARM.
IF SOMEONE YOU LOVE SMOKES....help them find an alternative that works for them...
REDUCE HARM.....

I highly recommend ProVape products....
I highly recommend high quality USA juices such as NicoTicket

I wish you a happy, healthy life....
Congrats!

Yoy should read Brushy Bills COPD thread.
 

Via!

Super Member
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Feb 4, 2012
312
672
70
Jacksonville FL
Thank you for your kudos and comments.....

I have an appointment with my lung specialist today....and a "breathing test"...

One of the "major issues" I deal with...when my smoking parents brought home their bouncing baby in early 1953...if a child acquired "pneumonia"...there just wasn't "that much to be done"...(especially in the little coal mining towns where we lived..."bad lungs" and "colds" and "not breathing" were ways of life!)...during my first year of life, I fought pneumonia twice...and, at one point, my parents were told "we've done everything WE CAN"..."go ahead and take her home and as comfortable as you can and let her die in peace..." My grandparents, both American born children of Swiss/Swedish immigrants, were as hard-headed as the stereotype suggests...and refused to allow the Devil to take their first grandchild. Gramma boiled up a batch of "skunk grease" (yea, go ahead, Google it) and liberally applied it...

For the next week...the majority of family members (9 of 12 children!) took turns holding me to their chests and massaging my back and chest, blowing in my face to force me to keep breathing...like it or not...I was going to breathe, dammit!! (I've often wondered if Gramma took my Daddy's stinky cigarettes away or not!! At one time, cigarettes were "healthy"). And, yes...obviously...I survived the ministrations...and, I have Gramma's skunk grease recipe around here somewhere...

The "good news".....I'm recovering from the bout of pneumonia...I've been told many times over the years that I had "lung damage" from the many bouts of bronchitis and pneumonia I have endured...a 2012 a lung X-Ray revealed "an area" in my right lung which they believed needed "to be watched"...having heard the words "lung damage" before, I wasn't concerned...I just assumed "old damage, no big deal"...SO new lung X-Ray ordered!!

When I went into the doctor 2 weeks ago with less than 75% oxygen saturation, on the edge of congestive heart failure, unable to breathe...he went ballistic that there had been no follow up....more good news...was that new X-Ray reveals NO CHANGE from the 2012 X-Ray!!! Yea!!

I'm a little off balance because THIS bout of pneumonia was so SERIOUS...it's easy to just assume that you will ve "better" next week...just like always...Doctor took special attention to impressing on me that I had been VERY CLOSE to D.E.A.D. Forever if I had continued to "treat myself" and ignored the symptoms of a pneumonia-induced COPD flare. So, word to the wise, especially long term ex-smokers with COPD/and compromised lungs. GO TO THE DOCTOR!!

Bonskibon, congrats on almost 8 months! You are on the way, my friend!
Mattium: congrats on almost 5 years!
Eskie:well done! May you and your daughter share many wonderful, healthy years....
Scandal, JC and Lex...good luck and happy vaping...stay healthy...
And thanks to every one of you for your encouraging comments....

I think it is important that those of us that have COPD and are vaping as a means to reduce harm and stay away from the effects of analog cigarettes need to share our stories...and not be afraid to reveal IF and HOW vaping is HELPING this health crisis. The answers gave been few and far between...and some answers are just "we don't know"...what I DO KNOW....is that VAPING HAS EXTENDED MY LIFE....I'm "reducing harm" to the best I am able....I don't live near a huge city of smog (just as bad as anything else) and getting out of So.California and not living next to a freeway has helped my health as much as quitting tobacco! We MUST share our stories with one another, encourage one another....because "medicine", the FDA OR NO ONE ELSE HAS THE ANSWERS......

May you live long and prosper....
Have a healthy and happy life.....
 

Two_Bears

Vaping Master
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Jul 4, 2015
7,045
16,673
Northern Arizona
Thank you for your kudos and comments.....

I have an appointment with my lung specialist today....and a "breathing test"...

One of the "major issues" I deal with...when my smoking parents brought home their bouncing baby in early 1953...if a child acquired "pneumonia"...there just wasn't "that much to be done"...(especially in the little coal mining towns where we lived..."bad lungs" and "colds" and "not breathing" were ways of life!)...during my first year of life, I fought pneumonia twice...and, at one point, my parents were told "we've done everything WE CAN"..."go ahead and take her home and as comfortable as you can and let her die in peace..." My grandparents, both American born children of Swiss/Swedish immigrants, were as hard-headed as the stereotype suggests...and refused to allow the Devil to take their first grandchild. Gramma boiled up a batch of "skunk grease" (yea, go ahead, Google it) and liberally applied it...

For the next week...the majority of family members (9 of 12 children!) took turns holding me to their chests and massaging my back and chest, blowing in my face to force me to keep breathing...like it or not...I was going to breathe, dammit!! (I've often wondered if Gramma took my Daddy's stinky cigarettes away or not!! At one time, cigarettes were "healthy"). And, yes...obviously...I survived the ministrations...and, I have Gramma's skunk grease recipe around here somewhere...

The "good news".....I'm recovering from the bout of pneumonia...I've been told many times over the years that I had "lung damage" from the many bouts of bronchitis and pneumonia I have endured...a 2012 a lung X-Ray revealed "an area" in my right lung which they believed needed "to be watched"...having heard the words "lung damage" before, I wasn't concerned...I just assumed "old damage, no big deal"...SO new lung X-Ray ordered!!

When I went into the doctor 2 weeks ago with less than 75% oxygen saturation, on the edge of congestive heart failure, unable to breathe...he went ballistic that there had been no follow up....more good news...was that new X-Ray reveals NO CHANGE from the 2012 X-Ray!!! Yea!!

I'm a little off balance because THIS bout of pneumonia was so SERIOUS...it's easy to just assume that you will ve "better" next week...just like always...Doctor took special attention to impressing on me that I had been VERY CLOSE to D.E.A.D. Forever if I had continued to "treat myself" and ignored the symptoms of a pneumonia-induced COPD flare. So, word to the wise, especially long term ex-smokers with COPD/and compromised lungs. GO TO THE DOCTOR!!

Bonskibon, congrats on almost 8 months! You are on the way, my friend!
Mattium: congrats on almost 5 years!
Eskie:well done! May you and your daughter share many wonderful, healthy years....
Scandal, JC and Lex...good luck and happy vaping...stay healthy...
And thanks to every one of you for your encouraging comments....

I think it is important that those of us that have COPD and are vaping as a means to reduce harm and stay away from the effects of analog cigarettes need to share our stories...and not be afraid to reveal IF and HOW vaping is HELPING this health crisis. The answers gave been few and far between...and some answers are just "we don't know"...what I DO KNOW....is that VAPING HAS EXTENDED MY LIFE....I'm "reducing harm" to the best I am able....I don't live near a huge city of smog (just as bad as anything else) and getting out of So.California and not living next to a freeway has helped my health as much as quitting tobacco! We MUST share our stories with one another, encourage one another....because "medicine", the FDA OR NO ONE ELSE HAS THE ANSWERS......

May you live long and prosper....
Have a healthy and happy life.....
We share much in common.

I'm 61 (1955). Grew up in Kentucky between London, and Mt. Vernon.

Strip mining was big where i lived.

Bout after bout of bronchitis every winter, and ear infection.

Four years ago diagnosed with seasonal Asthma.
 
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Ibitz

Senior Member
ECF Veteran
Apr 14, 2015
77
166
Johnson City, TN, USA
Via..Yours is the best vaping testimonial I have ever read. I too believe vaping has saved my life! My son also introduced me to vaping...in a round about way. He ordered a starter kit on line to cut down on his own cigarette habit. When it came in, there were two starter kits and 2 bottles of juice. The company told him he was a "winner" and doubled his order. I knew nothing about e-cigs, had never even heard the world. I said to my son: What's this?
He explained and I said: Let me have one...please!!! 2 days later we stopped cigarettes all together. We have been smoke free for 3 1/2 years. Vape and live well!
 
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