Concern about toxins and safety ...

[swedishfish]

I feel like I have to say this and don't want to lecture you. If you don't like the doctors that are currently treating you or if you don't agree with their diagnosis, I'd strongly urge you to change doctors. But do follow the doctors advice. Eating healthy is great and supplements are good also, but you really can't treat yourself completely.

 

[sam.8]

I'm just going to add some random comments. I'm an analyst for my day job and a certified nutritionist as a hobby. As many people have stated here (and i think it's pretty much the norm) there is absolutely no way ecigs are worse than normal ones. Not saying they are healthy....but for sure the lesser of two evils. Given the research isn't quite out there yet, but the zillions of stories on here about copd people feeling better, the odd doctor saying it's much better using an ecig than normal smokes, all the tales of less coughing, better lung capacity, less fatigue etc, etc. I don't think I have read a single post where someone has felt much better after returning to cigarettes.

For sure quitting both is likely the best option, but myself like many can't quite seem to get there.

As an aside I have a super rare automimmune disease and the sun is my worst enemy. It's like being the anti-superman....sucks when you're a kayaker! But I make due. I know all about inflammation! It sucks. Given you are a veggie, up the red cabbage. It's a natural antiinflammatory. I eat a lot of it!

You may want to also consult a nutritionist on the side in conjunction with your doc. The average doc isn't all that well versed in nutrition, especially veggie based. With the lack of meat in your diet, making up the iron content is difficult. And even supplemental iron doesn't get absorbed the same way, always better to get it in food. Pairing proper foods in a veggie based diet is difficult in order to get all of the essential amino acids the body needs.

Also for inflammation, ensure you are getting enough omega fatty acids, especially omega 6. I also think everyone over 30 should take glucosamine. It is the one supplement that has zero side effects and can only help. It's fanastic of aging joints, including backs. Can't hurt in any case, but it does take a little while to notice any benefits, so one has to take it for at least a month .

Good luck

 

[Tendril]

I know all about inflammation! It sucks. Given you are a veggie, up the red cabbage. It's a natural antiinflammatory. I eat a lot of it!

Thanks for the tip, Sam.8!

 

[Boodle]

With all of the concerns you have, vaping probably isn't right for you. I'm addicted to nicotine and vaping is my delivery method along with satisfying the hand to mouth habit. I know that I'm healthier and happier not smoking cigarettes. The jury is out on the risks of vaping. I accept that and listen to my body.

BTW: My dad is about your age and was starting to feel a little rickety for lack of a better description. There are some miracle nutritionals available that reduce inflammation naturally. He's back to walking 5 miles a day with no joint pain, swelling or discomfort. Doing homework on whole-food, organic options could make a big difference for you. The cataract surgery rocked his world. The lenses they put in are prescription and he doesn't wear glasses now.

65 is the new 45 Wishing you many years of improved, good health. Suggest you post your health concerns in the health forum here at ECF. The New Members forum is more for noobs to get their equipment straight and such. It's scary to see a post like yours with asbestos and such in the text. If you had done months of research and had proof it would be a different matter. Reading it one time on the Internet with no source doesn't hold water. No sense alarming people. That's why you got picked on. Be well.

 

[lon463]

I would Agree that Ecig is allot safer than Analogs. I would also like to say if your concern is nicotine than you would have to never eat Tomatoes or cauliflower or any night shade plant.

 

[VeggieGirl]

Regarding the asbestos, I remember now that I was having trouble with my CE2's and the plastic melting, so I was researching it and ended up reading something about asbestos braid possibly being used for wicking ... not definite, but that it was the only thing the person knew about that didn't burn. There was also a reference to where to buy replacement braid for wick, but I do not have that link. I'm still going to try to find out more on that but I won't post it here in the New Member Forum. I cannot remember exactly what that material was. Plus, a search on google of "ce2 asbestos wick" turns up this fiberglass thread ...
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/canada-forum/165241-interesting-video-wicking-material.html

I get the point about cigarette filters ... yuck! I still fail to understand why so many feathers were ruffled with my questions about what I'd read in other forums somewhere. I was not accusing anyone of anything. I wasn't attacking anyone. I just wanted hopefully accurate information. My thoughts are that there are a multitude of manufacturers for these cartomizers throughout the world, and I agree that they are trying to make better equipment and am so glad of it but wish they would do it more quickly. I would like to see disclosure in manufacturing materials. As a new poster, I was forced to come to the newbie forum first, and I had written a more lengthy post that got deleted after I had taken my time writing it (I forgot to save it and was logged off, so I had to write another one).

Anyway, thanks so much to everyone who took my questions to heart and posted with suggestions. I will read the posts again, thoroughly, and go to the links you suggest. You have helped me feel so much better about vaping. I was happy to meet so many nice, concerned people. Your help is greatly appreciated. Thanks again!

 

[carto-mizer]

Well when I was a kid they said Acid wasn't bad for you. Why's everybody running in place?

 

[swedishfish]

Well, to be honest, it seems sort of odd for a first post. Especially from someone that said they read here a long time before they ever started vaping. Then they vaped for two months then had issues with the products.

It seemed sort of imflammatory at first. People do that here.

You did clear it up after you posted more. I'm glad you came back. Now I can bug you about your health. Have you had a colonoscopy lately? I'm really concerned that you never did any follow-up after your lumpectomy. What does your doctor say about that?

 

[VeggieGirl]

Well, to be honest, it seems sort of odd for a first post. Especially from someone that said they read here a long time before they ever started vaping. Then they vaped for two months then had issues with the products.

It seemed sort of imflammatory at first. People do that here.

You did clear it up after you posted more. I'm glad you came back. Now I can bug you about your health. Have you had a colonoscopy lately? I'm really concerned that you never did any follow-up after your lumpectomy. What does your doctor say about that?

Hahahaha ... thanks for understanding. If my first post had gone through, I think everything would have been more clear, but, after it was deleted, I just wrote a much shorter post. Of course my doctor was against my decision at first, but she finally came around to cheerful acceptance. She says I'm doing fine, but, with the anemia, she was worried about metasteses and is monitoring me fairly well. She was really very alarmed ... just doing her job, but the alarm transferred to me, too. As vaping was the only recent change I had made in my life, I had no doubt it was stopping smoking that caused the anemia and found information to that effect somewhere (I think maybe here, actually) with quotes and a link to the CDC explaining carbon monoxide levels in people who stop smoking.

 

[bruiser]

A couple of things you might consider adding to your supplements, if you don't use them already. They are Grapefruit Seed Extract and Oil of Oregano. The Oil of Oregano is not the spice. In the same family, but not the same although they taste quite a bit alike.

 

[VeggieGirl]

A couple of things you might consider adding to your supplements, if you don't use them already. They are Grapefruit Seed Extract and Oil of Oregano. The Oil of Oregano is not the spice. In the same family, but not the same although they taste quite a bit alike.

Thanks for the tip! That's an excelent idea. I remember reading about the grapefruit seed extract but just actually forgot to get it; I've read great things about it, so, now that you've mentioned it, I think I need to actually get it sooner rather than later. I't's going on my list right now! i was taking oregano oil & olive leaf but have run out of that. I have a lot of powdered herbs (too many to list) that I take too, about every other day. There's a local herb shop close by, and I wanted to try their Bee Pollen granules, too. And there's a Chinese herb shop even closer that I've been meaning to check out. All those searches I do on the web aren't just about e-cigs, but I've also done of lot of reading about herbs and supplements. Astragalus and aloe are just 2 of the powdered herbs I take plus garlic and turmeric. I'd never remember all the herbs, so I keep the bags they came in, so I can just take them with me to the store when i need more. I spend so much time searching for natural solutions for chronic pain, too. D-phenylalanine is supposed to be pretty good, but I haven't tried that yet either, and it seems to be more difficult to find in that form. MSM doesn't seem to work. The last few days, I think I see some improvement with using the inversion table. It doesn't seem to last that long, though, but I just started back using it again. Also, it's only helped me so much in the past, but anything is better than nothing. When I put it all that way (plus the cataracts), it really sounds as though I'm really falling apart at the seems, but I have so much better health than some others I've seen. I'm going to have to get over to the health forums tomorrow and really do some reading. Thanks again, for reminding me about the grape seed extract! Any other suggestions would be helpful, too.

 

[VeggieGirl]

Just removed a double post.

 

[yagottawanna]

I don't understand why some people feel they have to be insulting in their comments. It just amazes me. You don't know me, and you assume motives and intentions that are simply not there. I made a serious, heartfelt inquiry in this forum and was reminded why I don't usually participate in such things. Thank you everyone who has commented so nicely and alleviated my fears. I really appreciate the help.

After browsing and then joining and then posting on the Forum, it does amaze me how folks can jump in on a health concern post and basically poo poo it, always praising the virtues of the e-cig .. and it happens more often than not ..

This is a relatively new technology and no one can guage the effects of use at this point .. that's not going to stop me from continuing to be a user, however, I don't feel it's unusual to have a concern .. nor am I going to defend the tech to those that have a concern ..

Life is a series of priorities and choices .. after doing my research, I firmly believe the e-cig is less harmful than the analog .. the key word being "believe" .. I cannot completely and without a doubt say it is not harmful at some level and I don't think anyone else can either ...

And, as with smoking an analog, this is a voluntary activity .. not an essential part of life such as eating, etc ..

Regarding the asbestos, I remember now that I was having trouble with my CE2's and the plastic melting, so I was researching it and ended up reading something about asbestos braid possibly being used for wicking ... not definite, but that it was the only thing the person knew about that didn't burn. There was also a reference to where to buy replacement braid for wick, but I do not have that link. I'm still going to try to find out more on that but I won't post it here in the New Member Forum. I cannot remember exactly what that material was. Plus, a search on google of "ce2 asbestos wick" turns up this fiberglass thread ...
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/canada-forum/165241-interesting-video-wicking-material.html

I get the point about cigarette filters ... yuck! I still fail to understand why so many feathers were ruffled with my questions about what I'd read in other forums somewhere. I was not accusing anyone of anything. I wasn't attacking anyone. I just wanted hopefully accurate information. My thoughts are that there are a multitude of manufacturers for these cartomizers throughout the world, and I agree that they are trying to make better equipment and am so glad of it but wish they would do it more quickly. I would like to see disclosure in manufacturing materials. As a new poster, I was forced to come to the newbie forum first, and I had written a more lengthy post that got deleted after I had taken my time writing it (I forgot to save it and was logged off, so I had to write another one).

Anyway, thanks so much to everyone who took my questions to heart and posted with suggestions. I will read the posts again, thoroughly, and go to the links you suggest. You have helped me feel so much better about vaping. I was happy to meet so many nice, concerned people. Your help is greatly appreciated. Thanks again!

I am sorry that some people here chose to jump all over you for asking a legitimate question. I'm a newbie myself - read for awhile - ordered my first eGo kit - and joined the forum after the kit was on the way.

These is so much information on this forum - in so many different sections (with so many links to follow here, there, and everywhere), no one could possibly have the time to read all of them unless they read 24/7 for the next 10 years or so. Yes - there's a search function here - which also leads you in 399 different directions.

None of us really know how safe e-cigs are; the parts; the batteries; the portions that we wrap our lips around; the e-juices were sucking in; etc. We are the experimental rats and only time will tell. If there were no side effects, there would be no need for a forum to list and discuss them - right?

Asbestos can be scary. Even scarier when you have a brother (like I do) who has asbestosis (for all the years he worked with it - when it was kept a "deep dark secret" even after the dangers were known); an uncle who died from it; and there's good reason to suspect it may have been the cause of the cancer that killed my father. So would seeing the word "asbestos" send me into a tither? You bet your bippy it would. I think your question was valid and I think your concerns in general are valid because none of us know what the "real deal" is when it comes to e-cigs and the juices. Pretending we do is just as silly as implying that your question was silly.

Do I think it's "probably" safer than cigarettes? Yes. Based on solid evidence? No. I just want it to be - and I'm so old now it doesn't really matter anymore.

People have had problems with e-cigs. I'm one of those people who are struggling right now. I don't know what the "cause" is and neither does anyone else here. Just "ideas".

This is what makes me wonder why people felt the need to jump down your throat for voicing your concerns and asking a few simple questions. It really makes me sad - because for the most part, people here have been very helpful when I've asked questions - even really stupid ones.

Until someone is able to say with 100% certainty that e-cigs, e-juices, and everything else associated with them has been proven to cause no harmful effects - and can provide the concrete data to back it up - how about we answer questions in a respectful manner? Is that really too much to ask?

I hope you received the answers you were looking for - from those who replied in a helpful manner -minus the sarcasm and attacks.

Best of luck to you (and ME too!).

 

[CCarolina]

I am sorry that some people here chose to jump all over you for asking a legitimate question. I'm a newbie myself - read for awhile - ordered my first eGo kit - and joined the forum after the kit was on the way.

These is so much information on this forum - in so many different sections (with so many links to follow here, there, and everywhere), no one could possibly have the time to read all of them unless they read 24/7 for the next 10 years or so. Yes - there's a search function here - which also leads you in 399 different directions.

None of us really know how safe e-cigs are; the parts; the batteries; the portions that we wrap our lips around; the e-juices were sucking in; etc. We are the experimental rats and only time will tell. If there were no side effects, there would be no need for a forum to list and discuss them - right?

Asbestos can be scary. Even scarier when you have a brother (like I do) who has asbestosis (for all the years he worked with it - when it was kept a "deep dark secret" even after the dangers were known); an uncle who died from it; and there's good reason to suspect it may have been the cause of the cancer that killed my father. So would seeing the word "asbestos" send me into a tither? You bet your bippy it would. I think your question was valid and I think your concerns in general are valid because none of us know what the "real deal" is when it comes to e-cigs and the juices. Pretending we do is just as silly as implying that your question was silly.

Do I think it's "probably" safer than cigarettes? Yes. Based on solid evidence? No. I just want it to be - and I'm so old now it doesn't really matter anymore.

People have had problems with e-cigs. I'm one of those people who are struggling right now. I don't know what the "cause" is and neither does anyone else here. Just "ideas".

This is what makes me wonder why people felt the need to jump down your throat for voicing your concerns and asking a few simple questions. It really makes me sad - because for the most part, people here have been very helpful when I've asked questions - even really stupid ones.

Until someone is able to say with 100% certainty that e-cigs, e-juices, and everything else associated with them has been proven to cause no harmful effects - and can provide the concrete data to back it up - how about we answer questions in a respectful manner? Is that really too much to ask?

I hope you received the answers you were looking for - from those who replied in a helpful manner -minus the sarcasm and attacks.

Best of luck to you (and ME too!).

I read all posts, and I don't feel anybody was jumping on the OP's throat... Maybe I am missing something here... I do think that there are studies out there, and links were given. Toxicity studies proving that e-gigs are safer than cigarettes. Here is an example: http://www.healthnz.co.nz/DublinEcigBenchtopHandout.pdf
Want to know what is inside of your e-juice? Here is the lab report for Johnson Creek: http://cdn.johnsoncreeksmokejuice.com/downloads/JCE_GCMS_Report.pdf. Three ingredients were found: PG, Glyceryn and Nicotine. Compare that with a cigarette....
Here is my honest opinion though: Like with anything, you should have common sense... If I am inhaling something into my lungs, I want to make darn sure I know what is inside. I am not getting something unlabelled from a country God Knows where, sent to me God knows how just to save a buck or two. IMHO, it is not because it is an e-cig, it is safe. In general, yes, MUCH safer - provided you are getting your supplies from a good place.
Hey, I am from Brazil - Water is safe, right? I travel a LOT. Here in the US I drink tap water from any hotel, anywhere in the country..... Ask if I will do that in my own country of origin? Are you kidding me? And that is with WATER!!!
IMHO, same thing applies to e-cigs. As long as you do some research and get your e-juice and supplies from good and reliable vendors, I'd say yes, totally, you are dealing with something much safer than cigarettes.
If you don't do that... well, anyone can put anything inside that bottle and call it e-juice. I am not sure if something can be used instead of PG to dilute it a bit in order to reduce production costs.
I deal with overseas factories for a living, and I a tired of seeing them "forgetting" a screw or two every so often to save a penny. Sorry, but I am not risking my lungs for their penny.
So, in my opinion, and it might not mean anything since I am a brand new vaper, common sense has to apply to e-cigs too

 

[rainkeltoia]

You know a lot of us have had gum bleeding after quitting analogs, it is a possibility that the smoking was hiding an underlying condition. Located here: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...g-my-first-negative-health-effect-vaping.html the 9th post says something of interest:

As someone who has lost teeth to gum disease due to smoking over the years i was also told by the periodontist that the smoking habit was masking the bleeding problem.

 

[hippiebrian]

As far as the asbestos goes, I highly doubt anyone would use it for wicking. Asbestos is a naturally occuring mineral which doesn't really wick well. It will eventually, but would not wick well enough to consider it's use based on cost alone, as it would cost as much or more than another material which would do a better job.

 

[VeggieGirl]

Update: i've been posting on another thread, getting my feet wet slowly here in the forum. regardless of what some think about my alterior motives, and the fact that they find it difficult to believe that i had the questions i had as a new poster, those are the facts. i had an honest question and received a lot of very nice, intelligent answers. i've not gotten the rude, accusatory response in the other thread that some of you felt you had to deal out in this thread. i realize, now, that this is a very controversial subject for some of you who seem to defend the safety of your vaping a little too vigoriously. and, yes, i realize that it's supposed to be safer than cigarettes.

right now, i'm getting into making my own e-juices, and, as i mentioned, i found the perfect cartomizer, so i've been very busy with other aspects of vaping and letting "safety issues" go for now ... just trying to make my own vaping as safe as possible. also, i've almost lowered my inhalation of nicotine to practically nothing.

anyway, i'm still not totally convinced about the asbestos. i just received an email from alibaba concerning sale of asbestos twine on mainland china ... that still leaves a question in my mind about the whole thing ... even more than ever now.
Asbestos Rope products, buy Asbestos Rope products from alibaba.com
this is just an example of twine/rope/yarn. i haven't searched thru all of them. since i no longer even use the ce2 (tossed them because of burning plastic), so i really don't care. my friend who came back from china a couple of months ago, after being there for 10 years, says the chinese waste nothing and didn't raise an eyebrow when i mentioned all this to him. this is all just food for thought to me and the question still remains as to what the chinese, or any country, including the u.s. will do regarding manufacturing (when no one is looking?). where money is concerned, there is always some form of cheating and corruption ... just another fact (no matter what country we are talking about). i do know that most things are very, very inexpensive in china (cigarettes are about 50 cents per pack!!!). just look at what happened with the poisoning of our little cats and dogs from the pet foods (ingredients from china mostly) a few years back.

that said ... thanks to practically all of you for your input. i still have not read all the posts in this thread ... partly because of my eyes and partly because of accusations to a newbie poster who just wasn't expecting such controversy, but i read some posts that were just brilliant ... and thank you for the supplement suggestions. as i think there are some very helpful ideas and suggestions for me here, i'll eventually get them all read. i just wish i were capable of reading lots more and being more involved in the forum here, but until my cataracts are removed or improved that's just not possible, so i'm just taking it slow. anyway, i didn't want to get into my own "other" health concerns as much as i ended up doing ... it's not why i started the thread in the first place. thank you so much.