Clean bill of health- Share YOUR story
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Here's my story....I have been vaping about a month. Still smoking 2-3 tobacco cigs per day. I had been fairly sedentary Sunday, relaxing, vaping and enjoying my coffee...all day. Sunday night, I had been in bed about an hour when I began to feel kind of odd. Heart beating a bit harder than normal, restless legs then I had cramping and need to use bathroom. Did that a couple of times, no diarreha, just needed to go. Then I started shaking....not trembling but involuntary, spasmodic movement of legs and arms. FREAKED me out. Woke DH told him I was going to shower and he had to take me to hospital. Got into shower and shaking stopped. Out of shower, shaking started again. Sat down on porch where DH was having a cig waiting for me. He put a blanket over my shoulders (FL about 74-76 degrees outside even at 3 AM), spasms stopped. Called Doctor first thing Tuesday for appt. Really curtailed vaping and smoked cigs for two days, just as few as possible. Just got back! Here is the rest of the story:
Doc said spasms were from either dehydration (possible) or possibly a result of withdrawal from tobacco. He said he could not recommend e-cigs because we don't know enough about them...yada yada yada. Said doesn't know whats in them. I whipped out my unopened, child proof, shrink wrapped bottle of Johnsons Creek and asked him if the ingredients were as specified, did he think there was a problem. He said same thing...didn't think so, but no long term studies so not known, etc. I explained about the nic reduction and that I had never filled the Chantix script he had given me on last visit about 3 months ago. I told him I was afraid of Chantix and he said I should be, it is a poison. He said that while he could not recommend e-cigs, if they were helping me quit smoking he would advise me to do so with a specified quit date in the near future if I was so inclined...yada yada yada. He didn't want me to vape long term just as he wouldn't give me the Chantix long term. He wants me to quit EVERYTHING.
Then he put me on the little exam table and told me to breathe. After checking my breathing, he stepped back and was quiet for a moment (odd for him). He said, "I hear just a tiny bit of wheezing. This is the best I have heard from your lungs in ten (10) years." He then said to just remember that he could not recommend e cigs but to notice that he was NOT NEGATIVE ABOUT THEM EITHER.
I asked if smoking tobacco made my arthritis worse and he laughed and said that he would blame anything he could on my use of tobacco. He said if I were standing in the parking lot and a car ran over my foot, he would blame it on tobacco use because he wants me to STOP USING tobacco. At last...an honest professional! LOL
Anyway, that is my story and a true one. I knew my lungs seemed better to me but this visit to my doctor today sealed the deal for me. I am getting off tobacco...and I will continue to vape as long as the government doesn't screw it up for me.
Doc said spasms were from either dehydration (possible) or possibly a result of withdrawal from tobacco. He said he could not recommend e-cigs because we don't know enough about them...yada yada yada. Said doesn't know whats in them. I whipped out my unopened, child proof, shrink wrapped bottle of Johnsons Creek and asked him if the ingredients were as specified, did he think there was a problem. He said same thing...didn't think so, but no long term studies so not known, etc. I explained about the nic reduction and that I had never filled the Chantix script he had given me on last visit about 3 months ago. I told him I was afraid of Chantix and he said I should be, it is a poison. He said that while he could not recommend e-cigs, if they were helping me quit smoking he would advise me to do so with a specified quit date in the near future if I was so inclined...yada yada yada. He didn't want me to vape long term just as he wouldn't give me the Chantix long term. He wants me to quit EVERYTHING.
Then he put me on the little exam table and told me to breathe. After checking my breathing, he stepped back and was quiet for a moment (odd for him). He said, "I hear just a tiny bit of wheezing. This is the best I have heard from your lungs in ten (10) years." He then said to just remember that he could not recommend e cigs but to notice that he was NOT NEGATIVE ABOUT THEM EITHER.
I asked if smoking tobacco made my arthritis worse and he laughed and said that he would blame anything he could on my use of tobacco. He said if I were standing in the parking lot and a car ran over my foot, he would blame it on tobacco use because he wants me to STOP USING tobacco. At last...an honest professional! LOL
Anyway, that is my story and a true one. I knew my lungs seemed better to me but this visit to my doctor today sealed the deal for me. I am getting off tobacco...and I will continue to vape as long as the government doesn't screw it up for me.
Oh...quick not. He did say to push fluids. PG, VG are humectant and dry you out. My blood pressure was back to normal, BTW.
I also learned to really watch my nic intake and not to just mindlessly vape all day long. I treat it more as I would a cig now. Take breaks with it instead of walking around constantly with it in my hand. I also opted for less caffeine and am drinking green tea and water more than coffee and tea, both of which will dehydrate you. Doc ordered more blood work to check for potassium levels. Will let you know if anything comes back off that would be related to use of e cig.
Have a great day!
I also learned to really watch my nic intake and not to just mindlessly vape all day long. I treat it more as I would a cig now. Take breaks with it instead of walking around constantly with it in my hand. I also opted for less caffeine and am drinking green tea and water more than coffee and tea, both of which will dehydrate you. Doc ordered more blood work to check for potassium levels. Will let you know if anything comes back off that would be related to use of e cig.
Have a great day!
Because I am a brit and love my tea ...I have to point out this article about tea and the fact that it 'does'n't' dehydrate you!!
BBC NEWS | Health | Tea 'healthier' drink than water
Thank you so much for sharing your story Frankie.
.... logs have amazing amts of poison in them.
I need to add a link to the webpage referenced below that takes people to the page with a huge list of possible withdrawal symptoms.
I'm glad to hear your report of better sounding lungs and BP!
Thank you for the great tips for taking breaks from 'chain vaping'. I sometimes realize I am doing that and need to slow down too!
Drinking lots of water is really important - both in quitting smoking and when vaping.
Again,
Great suggestions and congrats - glad you're feeling better!
Kathy
30 years of smoking...
Vaporized by my ScrewDriver!
.... logs have amazing amts of poison in them.
I need to add a link to the webpage referenced below that takes people to the page with a huge list of possible withdrawal symptoms.
I'm glad to hear your report of better sounding lungs and BP!
Thank you for the great tips for taking breaks from 'chain vaping'. I sometimes realize I am doing that and need to slow down too!
Drinking lots of water is really important - both in quitting smoking and when vaping.
Again,
Great suggestions and congrats - glad you're feeling better!
Kathy
30 years of smoking...
Vaporized by my ScrewDriver!
Because I am a brit and love my tea ...I have to point out this article about tea and the fact that it 'does'n't' dehydrate you!!
BBC NEWS | Health | Tea 'healthier' drink than water
LOL...Didn't mean to offend you Brits! LOL The tea that I drink is southern, sweet, caffeinated tea, iced! I have been told that caffeinated beverages, coffee, tea and soda, act as diuretics and tend to dehydrate if not enough water is used to flush the body of the caffeine. I could very definitely be wrong, but that is what the ER people told me several years ago when I was in the ER briefly for dehydration. HMMMM tend to have a recurring problem with that LOL but then I have a VERY active bladder!
Thank you guys so much for the well wishes. I was terrified when this happened and sort of backed off the vaping. Funny, but I missed vaping more than I missed cigs I think 8-o! I have feared a heart attack or stroke for so long because of the smoking that I was sure that it was finally happening. I was also concerned that the Doc was gonna tell me to quit vaping....and I know for a fact that I FEEL better! This was wonderful news for me today!
Because I am a brit and love my tea ...I have to point out this article about tea and the fact that it 'does'n't' dehydrate you!!
BBC NEWS | Health | Tea 'healthier' drink than water
HaHa...Thank you! from the BBC:
Tea 'healthier' drink than water
Drinking three or more cups of tea a day is as good for you as drinking plenty of water and may even have extra health benefits, say researchers.
The work in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition dispels the common belief that tea dehydrates.
Tea not only rehydrates as well as water does, but it can also protect against heart disease and some cancers, UK nutritionists found.
Experts believe flavonoids are the key ingredient in tea that promote health.
Healthy cuppa
These polyphenol antioxidants are found in many foods and plants, including tea leaves, and have been shown to help prevent cell damage.
Tea replaces fluids and contains antioxidants so its got two things going for it
Lead author Dr Ruxton
Sure am glad I was apparently WRONG! I love my iced tea!
The web page you can access by clicking the link at the bottom every post I make has been updated.
Alternative to Smoking?
Both the online page and the .pdf you can print, now include links to
1.Information on possible withdrawal symptoms when quitting smoking. This page talks about 'nicotine' withdrawal. As far as I know there is no information that separates out the possible symptoms associated with quitting all the other poisons in cigs from those which have been attributed to nicotine withdrawal.
2.An article that details medical research on the positive/possible uses for nicotine.
Please feel free to visit the page to explore these and other important resources on 'Vaping'.
You are welcome to print the .pdf for sharing the information with those interested.
Happy Vaping!
Kathy
30 years of smoking.....
Vaporized by my ScrewDriver!
Alternative to Smoking?
Both the online page and the .pdf you can print, now include links to
1.Information on possible withdrawal symptoms when quitting smoking. This page talks about 'nicotine' withdrawal. As far as I know there is no information that separates out the possible symptoms associated with quitting all the other poisons in cigs from those which have been attributed to nicotine withdrawal.
2.An article that details medical research on the positive/possible uses for nicotine.
Please feel free to visit the page to explore these and other important resources on 'Vaping'.
You are welcome to print the .pdf for sharing the information with those interested.
Happy Vaping!
Kathy
30 years of smoking.....
Vaporized by my ScrewDriver!
Souper, just a FYI - several links on your pdf are not active. Specifically, the list of ingredients in a cigarette, the first pointer to this forum, the letter from the AAPHP, and the blue/plain language part of the link to harmreduction.org (although the written out URL to that is active).
Thanks Yvilla
I was just working on the site. I have gone back 'in' and checked all links, refreshed the page and everything that is underlined as a link seems to be working now. You might need to hit 'refresh'.
Yes? I DID find a couple, esp the ECF link are very slow to load.
Again, thank you for the head's up - this is important info and I want it to be easily available.
Blsssngs,
Kathy
I was just working on the site. I have gone back 'in' and checked all links, refreshed the page and everything that is underlined as a link seems to be working now. You might need to hit 'refresh'.
Yes? I DID find a couple, esp the ECF link are very slow to load.
Again, thank you for the head's up - this is important info and I want it to be easily available.
Blsssngs,
Kathy
Another update...Doc called tonight all excited. Blood results were ALL normal. Results 3 months ago were a bit off because of smoking. Can't wait to get the written results for a line item comparison!
YES!!!!
More good news Frankie
Congratulations!
30 years of smoking...
Vaporized by my ScrewDriver!
More good news Frankie
Congratulations!
30 years of smoking...
Vaporized by my ScrewDriver!
I believe I already posted this elsewhere in another thread, but the title of this thread being so specific and to the point, I would like to spread the word as much as possible that vaping has stopped my seizures.
With medication my seizures (I have epilepsy) *nearly* stopped when I was still smoking about 1.5 - 2 packs a day. Once I started vaping, probably about 6 months into it I realized suddenly that I had not had a seizure in some time.
I haven't had a single seizure in the last 1.5 years. So... all I can say about electronic cigarettes, or personal vaporizers, vaping, what have you is... whoever came up with the idea originally to use for a smoking replacement -> thank you. You literally changed my life entirely.
Take care all,
- Hap
With medication my seizures (I have epilepsy) *nearly* stopped when I was still smoking about 1.5 - 2 packs a day. Once I started vaping, probably about 6 months into it I realized suddenly that I had not had a seizure in some time.
I haven't had a single seizure in the last 1.5 years. So... all I can say about electronic cigarettes, or personal vaporizers, vaping, what have you is... whoever came up with the idea originally to use for a smoking replacement -> thank you. You literally changed my life entirely.
Take care all,
- Hap
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Actually I have had 2 appointments ( I have one every 6 months) w/ my neurologist since my seizures have ebbed away, and go in here this week actually for my regular 'neuro checkup'.
I converted him on the first go around and we usually have a good vape session in the patient room while we chat. That is usually all it is anymore anyway is a quick checkup, then a good 10 or 20 min of how've you beens and what's the latest news? type of stuff.
I'm really lucky I found my Doctor honestly - it took me nearly 10 years I think? I used to be ...... off about all the years wasted on the wrong meds and butthead stuck up docs, but I am now just uber-thankful of where I am at in this respect.
Oh and as far as what he says about it - he will not say for certain professionally of course, but he attributes my seizures going away to getting rid of the arsenic and another long named toxin out of my system from smoking.
So there you have it. YASES - Yet Another Side-Effect of Smoking - seizure increase
Take care all,
- Hap
I converted him on the first go around and we usually have a good vape session in the patient room while we chat. That is usually all it is anymore anyway is a quick checkup, then a good 10 or 20 min of how've you beens and what's the latest news? type of stuff.
I'm really lucky I found my Doctor honestly - it took me nearly 10 years I think? I used to be ...... off about all the years wasted on the wrong meds and butthead stuck up docs, but I am now just uber-thankful of where I am at in this respect.
Oh and as far as what he says about it - he will not say for certain professionally of course, but he attributes my seizures going away to getting rid of the arsenic and another long named toxin out of my system from smoking.
So there you have it. YASES - Yet Another Side-Effect of Smoking - seizure increase
Take care all,
- Hap
Are people enjoying better health since changing habits...yes. That is expected. My best regards and heartfelt support for symptom removal and better health goes out to each and every person who has benefitted from this alternative. However, there is a term that has permeated this forum that is the latest nonsense term to be bandied about as if it were the Holy Grail of medicine..."bio-cumulative". One has to ask what this term means...and how it applies to the human body. Are there cases where this action is positive rather than negative...well that depends on your point of view.
If it's a toxin...it's bad, if it's a vitamin, it can be good or bad, if it's air pollution...we all are going to DIE because most particulate matter is "bio-cumulative". The term simply means that what the body takes in can be retained for a period of time. If one eats too many calories those extra calories are stored for later use. If one uses nicotine the "storage period" is smaller but there is still a lapse between intake and need to replenish. Hence, some people report the need for controlling their intake of vapor.
I apologize for the rant but words bandied about as if they mean something when they actually don't can result in mass misinformation. I submit the term bio-cumulative is an example of hysterical responses to natural processes. If I'm hungry, I eat, and there is a period of time before I'm hungry again. Hence food/nutrients are bio-cumulative. If I crave leafy green veggies and choose to eat a salad, that is my body craving specific nutrients that may have less of a bio-cumulative nature and simply needs replenished.
Which has greater power? The Homeostasis or Bio-cumulative Process? What isn't bio-cumulative would seem to be the better question...my research yields that everything, even nicotine, is held in the body for a time and to proclaim that vaping isn't "bio-cumulative" defies logic in the mere fact that we are satisfied for a time...and then must replenish.
If one wants to dispute long term effects (or lack there of) due to vaping please recall the studies have not been completed yet...we simply don't know for sure and we have individual's who seem to have "spontaneously" recovered from long term cigarette abuse which defies current medical thinking. If one's lungs develop black tarry substances from years of heavy smoking...and that is an example of bio-cumulation...how does the cumulative effects disappear so quickly? Do the tars cease to exist, or does vaping alter the breakdown of tar in the lungs thereby healing them faster? We simply don't know...but vaping is a panacea to many. Let's not shoot ourselves in the foot by proclaiming this a cure-all for everything.
Just my opinion...what say you?
If it's a toxin...it's bad, if it's a vitamin, it can be good or bad, if it's air pollution...we all are going to DIE because most particulate matter is "bio-cumulative". The term simply means that what the body takes in can be retained for a period of time. If one eats too many calories those extra calories are stored for later use. If one uses nicotine the "storage period" is smaller but there is still a lapse between intake and need to replenish. Hence, some people report the need for controlling their intake of vapor.
I apologize for the rant but words bandied about as if they mean something when they actually don't can result in mass misinformation. I submit the term bio-cumulative is an example of hysterical responses to natural processes. If I'm hungry, I eat, and there is a period of time before I'm hungry again. Hence food/nutrients are bio-cumulative. If I crave leafy green veggies and choose to eat a salad, that is my body craving specific nutrients that may have less of a bio-cumulative nature and simply needs replenished.
Which has greater power? The Homeostasis or Bio-cumulative Process? What isn't bio-cumulative would seem to be the better question...my research yields that everything, even nicotine, is held in the body for a time and to proclaim that vaping isn't "bio-cumulative" defies logic in the mere fact that we are satisfied for a time...and then must replenish.
If one wants to dispute long term effects (or lack there of) due to vaping please recall the studies have not been completed yet...we simply don't know for sure and we have individual's who seem to have "spontaneously" recovered from long term cigarette abuse which defies current medical thinking. If one's lungs develop black tarry substances from years of heavy smoking...and that is an example of bio-cumulation...how does the cumulative effects disappear so quickly? Do the tars cease to exist, or does vaping alter the breakdown of tar in the lungs thereby healing them faster? We simply don't know...but vaping is a panacea to many. Let's not shoot ourselves in the foot by proclaiming this a cure-all for everything.
Just my opinion...what say you?
Just my opinion...what say you?
First of all, I will agree that terminologies get thrown around on both sides of the fence to reinforce their opinions and cause a desired effect that does so.
However, I think that you are going off on half kilter yourself as a majority of people that I have read up on throughout these forums are not blind to what the possibilities are, nor necessarily ignorant to what any particular verbiage actually means.
I don't think you can vote 'guilty' on a population because of a few posts.
Towards the end of your post you started suddenly referenceing tar and how do we know what may or may not be causing reductions, etc. Well my response to that is in all honesty - leave that to the medical professionals because as long as it is in fact happening (which it most definitely is - see my x-rays and talk to my doc) why have a problem with it?
I don't think anyone here believes that vaping or switching from smoking to a vaproizer is a 'cure all', but it is very obvious that it makes a big difference in your overall health as far as once the toxins you have been taking into your system from smoking for all those years do start to leech out of your body (using a vaporizer to help you or not) - you begin to heal up. Simple as that.
JMHO
Take care,
- Hap
At the risk of sounding a bit 'awed'
I have no doubt what has the greatest power - and it has nothing to do with how long I smoked cigarettes or a choice to switch to vaping.
My personal 'case history' is mine - as is my life path. This thread is for people to share their stories..... with no claim that the results they have experienced are anything more than that - their experience.
Research and long term study is, as you say 'not available'.
And I can continue to choose to ingest the multiple poisons availabe at every retail outlet, fast food restaurant with the FDA's 'blessings'.... the research results showing toxicity seem to mean nothing in the scope of FDA approval.
With 15 years as an alternative energy healing practitioner and teacher
the energy of life (orgone- if one demands science - 'spirit' if one's perspective is so inclined) has the ability to balance and restore health.
This is not a plug for anything - just a commentary on what I have seen take place in my physical health and that of others.
The surgery for a tubal pregnancy... in my Dr's words " you didn't need it"
and yet 'western medicine' claims that surgery was the only way to approach what is 'labelled' life threatening.
The list goes on - and is somewhat off topic.
The key - health is a creative process. Individual results - are what thery are.
No 'sales-pitch', guarantee to anyone else as to what may or could be their own results.
AND not claiming to be.
side note: I find it interesting that the general public somehow goes along with a Dr's prescription and their expectation is it will 'cure' what 'ails' them - while TV ads show us the long list of possible negative and often even lethal side effects which can be associated with using the product the DR recommends...... that is ACCEPTABLE and APPROPRIATE, based on what again?
Blessings in all your choices,
Kathy
30 years of smoking....
Vaporized by my ScrewDriver!
I have no doubt what has the greatest power - and it has nothing to do with how long I smoked cigarettes or a choice to switch to vaping.
My personal 'case history' is mine - as is my life path. This thread is for people to share their stories..... with no claim that the results they have experienced are anything more than that - their experience.
Research and long term study is, as you say 'not available'.
And I can continue to choose to ingest the multiple poisons availabe at every retail outlet, fast food restaurant with the FDA's 'blessings'.... the research results showing toxicity seem to mean nothing in the scope of FDA approval.
With 15 years as an alternative energy healing practitioner and teacher
the energy of life (orgone- if one demands science - 'spirit' if one's perspective is so inclined) has the ability to balance and restore health.
This is not a plug for anything - just a commentary on what I have seen take place in my physical health and that of others.
The surgery for a tubal pregnancy... in my Dr's words " you didn't need it"
and yet 'western medicine' claims that surgery was the only way to approach what is 'labelled' life threatening.
The list goes on - and is somewhat off topic.
The key - health is a creative process. Individual results - are what thery are.
No 'sales-pitch', guarantee to anyone else as to what may or could be their own results.
AND not claiming to be.
side note: I find it interesting that the general public somehow goes along with a Dr's prescription and their expectation is it will 'cure' what 'ails' them - while TV ads show us the long list of possible negative and often even lethal side effects which can be associated with using the product the DR recommends...... that is ACCEPTABLE and APPROPRIATE, based on what again?
Blessings in all your choices,
Kathy
30 years of smoking....
Vaporized by my ScrewDriver!
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I haven't voted "guilty" about anything...did I miss the ballot issue? I was referring to the current use of seemingly medical terminology that in reality transfers little knowledge..."bio-cumulative". I conceded the fact that many viewed this alternative to smoking as the source of healing their symptoms, that aspect can not be denied. But there is danger in "associating" effects whether positive or negative. We have seen that with the efforts of ASH and their allegations of 2nd hand vapor. If one allows only positive "associations" versus ones that we don't like...with out proper research, we are guilty of using the same methodology of those at ASH.
I don't need you to prove your positive outcomes to me, I know the benefits...I need your physician to do a case study on your success and post it in a medical forum. That may go far to help us keep this technology that has helped so many.
I apologize if I upset you but I suspect that unless our medical care providers back up our claims via our request in appropriate forums all the success stories in the world are worth exactly what? It may feel good to share but going that extra step to prod our providers in to action would feel even better. I'm ready for some positive articles via studies and case histories. I've haven't seen ONE case be printed/posted in any medical outlet that attributes health outcomes via objective tests in regards to the e-cig. This is what is lacking.
I don't mean to rain on your parade or be a downer, I am merely frustrated with the politics behind the e-cig. Again...Sorry!
8-o
Hi LadyRaj
Living in Washington....
one learns to keep an umbrella handy
Thank you for your great input. I 'wish' I had a regular/ongoing DR who would chronicle my 'case'. The exam referenced in my original post was by a Dr. who had not 'seen' me before.
For those of us living w/o health insurance... the lack of Dr. input/advice/prescription can be both a curse and (often for me personally, due to sensitivity to meds) a blessing.
The cardiac/respiratory specialist I saw was immediately enthused with the option to vaporize nicotine rather than 'smoke'. Somehow in the overall scheme of things I am thankful that the visit was necessary - and the opportunity for that Dr. to begin his own research and wonder how what he discovers 'may/could' affect the lives of others.
Blessings in all your choices,
Kathy
30 years of smoking....
Vaporized by my ScrewDriver!
Living in Washington....
one learns to keep an umbrella handy
Thank you for your great input. I 'wish' I had a regular/ongoing DR who would chronicle my 'case'. The exam referenced in my original post was by a Dr. who had not 'seen' me before.
For those of us living w/o health insurance... the lack of Dr. input/advice/prescription can be both a curse and (often for me personally, due to sensitivity to meds) a blessing.
The cardiac/respiratory specialist I saw was immediately enthused with the option to vaporize nicotine rather than 'smoke'. Somehow in the overall scheme of things I am thankful that the visit was necessary - and the opportunity for that Dr. to begin his own research and wonder how what he discovers 'may/could' affect the lives of others.
Blessings in all your choices,
Kathy
30 years of smoking....
Vaporized by my ScrewDriver!
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