Day 5 of Vaping and a question

[rabernet]

Hi great folks for ECF! Got a question for you. LOVE the vaping, and have found a couple really great juice vendors. Because I smoked 1.5 to 2 PAD, I was ordering juices in 24 mg, not really having any reference as to what was a good starting strength. I think perhaps it's too strong, so I did order some more juice at 18, and may even take it a little further down.

My question - I think my technique might be off. I slowly pull in the vapor, like sucking a straw like I've read described, and I sort of let it settle in my mouth some so that I can experience the flavors, and then try to inhale, but I end up choking myself to death on the inhale. Even when I just pull the vape in my mouth, and slowly let it out, that last bit leaving my mouth tickles my throat.

I'm drinking lots of water, so I'm staying hydrated, and I'm not experiencing any of the other symptoms I've read out. No sore throat, no scratchiness in my throat when I'm not vaping - though some of the inhales almost feel like they burn a little bit towards the end - not in heat, but in how it feels on my throat.

I'm using an Ego-C with the tank. Haven't used any mods. I was the lucky recipient of a PIF of a passthough with some carto's, but I want to taste test the new flavors in the tank before committing the carto's to any flavors yet. But they are fully charged up and ready to be used when I do decide on the flavors I want to use.

Next pay check I plan to get some atomizers and a drip tip and some more carto's.

Do you think my burning/coughing is likely from the strength of the nicotine I chose, or my throat healing from smoking, or my technique? Or maybe a combo of all of the above?

 

[vdt]

FWIW, I smoked 1-1.5 PAD of lights, and do 24mg now no sweat, fairly heavy vaping too. I really never experienced any of the symptoms I've read about.

 

[frosting]

Hey there rabernet! What levels of VG/PG? Are you using? In the beginning sometimes a higher VG level is easier untill you've adjusted fully to vaping. The opposite may be true for other people. It can take some time, but you won't( at least shouldn't) be coughing forever whenever you vape. Your lungs are use to the dry cigarette smoke. When you vape you are introducing more moisture into your lungs which can be a little uncomfortable in the beginning for some vaporers. Stick with it and it should get easier!!

 

[doodoogirl]

I first vaped a 24mg 80pg/20vg blend and the throat hit was a bit much for my taste. I you're content with the 18mg, you could try getting your juice with a higher vg content to reduce TH. I'm just trying a 100% vg for the first time and am getting little to no TH but LOADS of vapor.

 

[VapesAlot]

Hi great folks for ECF! Got a question for you. LOVE the vaping, and have found a couple really great juice vendors. Because I smoked 1.5 to 2 PAD, I was ordering juices in 24 mg, not really having any reference as to what was a good starting strength. I think perhaps it's too strong, so I did order some more juice at 18, and may even take it a little further down.

My question - I think my technique might be off. I slowly pull in the vapor, like sucking a straw like I've read described, and I sort of let it settle in my mouth some so that I can experience the flavors, and then try to inhale, but I end up choking myself to death on the inhale. Even when I just pull the vape in my mouth, and slowly let it out, that last bit leaving my mouth tickles my throat.

I'm drinking lots of water, so I'm staying hydrated, and I'm not experiencing any of the other symptoms I've read out. No sore throat, no scratchiness in my throat when I'm not vaping - though some of the inhales almost feel like they burn a little bit towards the end - not in heat, but in how it feels on my throat.

I'm using an Ego-C with the tank. Haven't used any mods. I was the lucky recipient of a PIF of a passthough with some carto's, but I want to taste test the new flavors in the tank before committing the carto's to any flavors yet. But they are fully charged up and ready to be used when I do decide on the flavors I want to use.

Next pay check I plan to get some atomizers and a drip tip and some more carto's.

Do you think my burning/coughing is likely from the strength of the nicotine I chose, or my throat healing from smoking, or my technique? Or maybe a combo of all of the above?

i was like that first too, it lasted for a week or so, just try to take smaller drags until you adjust to vaping, some times i take a double drag, inhale some and while exhaleing through your nose be taking your second drag not so much the one time. also when i inhale i take so much down pause then inhale the rest, dont choke you so much. vaping is a little diffrent that smokeing

 

[908Tracy]

Coughing is a very common symptom when beginning to vape. I coughed so much initially and thought, my goodness, how does anyone enjoy this, let alone stop smoking for it!!!

I can tell you this, the longer you do it the easier it gets, and will really improve after you stop analogs completely. I can vape like a mad chick now with no coughing at all. Hang in there and vape on!!!

Oh let me also add that I switched to mostly VG juices which also cut down on the coughing fits early on. Try some.

 

[Huffelpuff]

What are you using? A cartomizer/atomizer or carto? Sometimes, especially in the beginning for me, I have had a difficult time with new atomizers. It sometimes takes a bit of fiddling to figure how to fill and use everything properly. Atomizers can taste really nasty if they are dry or new (whatever they are lubricated with tastes terrible). I also had a bit of difficulty with the prefilled cartos that I got at first as they were relatively dry.

I don't know if this is at all relevant but just were the things that troubled me at first.

Juices make a difference for me too. I vape all the time at 24 mg. but find that some strong menthols, tobacco flavors and cinnamons are just too much th.

 

[nosmokie]

I had that same problem. I think it was because I was trying to drag analog-style. I have since modified the way I draw (Thanks to ECF). I found that a shorter 1-3 second, gentle draw, with the vapor passing over my tong, followed by an inhale with my mouth slightly open, gave me the aroma\throat hit combo that I need to discover. Keep in mind that vaping is a lot less like smoking a cigarette and more like smoking a pipe. To get the full experience of vaping, you need to soak up and enjoy the aroma.

Also, I believe that the nicotine level will play a large roll in the throat hit, but that will come down to experimentation on your part.

It is also possible that if your atty is not "broken in", you may be burning some crud off (note my detailed lingo here. I'm just a few weeks in myself). I have learned that if I "burn" any of the filling in my carts, they will do this to me. And they will taste horrible.

 

[rabernet]

They are 35% VG currently. I do have some 50/50 on the way to me, so we'll see how that does for me. I was worried about clogging up my atties, so I didn't want to get too much VG. And if the burn is the throat hit, then I guess I prefer less of a throat hit. I want a good vape, good flavor, with enough nicotine that I'm not an evil person to be around! LOL

 

[nosmokie]

The burn is not the same thing as a throat hit. Some people demand a strong throat hit, others really don't care. It's all about personal preferences. Trust me, once get that first, perfect hit, you're hooked!

 

[Bethany]

I'm also very new to vaping this going on my second week. I also smoked full flavor at the same amount as you. I ordered 12 and 14 mg and I'm not having your problem. However, I'm using mostly vg. I have some 18 and 24 that I bought on here just to try a variety of flavors and they make me cough like you describe.

I'm not sure if this helps you or not, but I haven't had any huge cravings being on the lower nicotine level.

 

[rabernet]

Coughing is a very common symptom when beginning to vape. I coughed so much initially and thought, my goodness, how does anyone enjoy this, let alone stop smoking for it!!!

I can tell you this, the longer you do it the easier it gets, and will really improve after you stop analogs completely. I can vape like a mad chick now with no coughing at all. Hang in there and vape on!!!

Oh let me also add that I switched to mostly VG juices which also cut down on the coughing fits early on. Try some.

I'll experiment with some higher VG levels and see if that helps. I totally get you on your initial thoughts!

What are you using? A cartomizer/atomizer or carto? Sometimes, especially in the beginning for me, I have had a difficult time with new atomizers. It sometimes takes a bit of fiddling to figure how to fill and use everything properly. Atomizers can taste really nasty if they are dry or new (whatever they are lubricated with tastes terrible). I also had a bit of difficulty with the prefilled cartos that I got at first as they were relatively dry.

I don't know if this is at all relevant but just were the things that troubled me at first.

Juices make a difference for me too. I vape all the time at 24 mg. but find that some strong menthols, tobacco flavors and cinnamons are just too much th.

I am using the Ego-C, so an Ego-C atomizer with the tank system (not the tank mods with punch carto combo).

I had that same problem. I think it was because I was trying to drag analog-style. I have since modified the way I draw (Thanks to ECF). I found that a shorter 1-3 second, gentle draw, with the vapor passing over my tong, followed by an inhale with my mouth slightly open, gave me the aroma\throat hit combo that I need to discover. Keep in mind that vaping is a lot less like smoking a cigarette and more like smoking a pipe. To get the full experience of vaping, you need to soak up and enjoy the aroma.

Also, I believe that the nicotine level will play a large roll in the throat hit, but that will come down to experimentation on your part.

It is also possible that if your atty is not "broken in", you may be burning some crud off (note my detailed lingo here. I'm just a few weeks in myself). I have learned that if I "burn" any of the filling in my carts, they will do this to me. And they will taste horrible.

Pretty sure the atty is broken in - I'm on my fifth or sixth tank on this atty. And I'm not using any carto's.

And I "thought" I had the technique down, consciously not "smoking" the PV, but drawing differently.

 

[rabernet]

I'm also very new to vaping this going on my second week. I also smoked full flavor at the same amount as you. I ordered 12 and 14 mg and I'm not having your problem. However, I'm using mostly vg. I have some 18 and 24 that I bought on here just to try a variety of flavors and they make me cough like you describe.

I'm not sure if this helps you or not, but I haven't had any huge cravings being on the lower nicotine level.

Well, the good news is, I now have an excuse to order more juice with different PG/VG ratios and different nic levels! Anything to enable this new and improved habit! LOL

Your feedback does help - thank you!

 

[madjack]

...my first hit on a PV caused me to havvta scrape my lungs(and eyeballs) off the far wall...this was with an all PG juice at 12mg...it took me about a week worth of experimenting with different methods of tokeing to finally get it down(or I just got used to it)...I finally settled in at 16mg and can now take those long slow drags...try shorter drags and try just kinda puffing like a cee-gar and inhaling just a little at a time at the end............
madjack

p.s. FYI, I was a 3ppd lights smoker.....................mj

 

[BluSwatch]

I agree with Justin and madjack -
I am just starting too, and hack a lung if I inhale too deeeply on long slow drags. I was trying to get mad vapor like in the pics and vids, but now just puff a couple of times and I am happy (and feel better) if just a small amount of vapor is exhaled.
Oh - and I have 100%PG, 100%VG, and mixes but it still seems all the same.

 

[bnrkwest]

It could be the higher nic at 24. I always have some 24 around if a get some real strong cravings, but usually vape around 11-12 nic and many times 6 nic. I get much less TH at 6 with the same 80/20 PG/VG mix, so the nic does make a difference on TH.
I also try to vape like enjoying a cigar or pipe style, not that I ever smoked either! ha ha But just that relaxed easy draw, bring in air with the inhale. Sort of a luxurious vape. So maybe try more air intake. But i have to admit I coughed my brains out for a week getting used to vaping, I started drawing easier and it helped. bnrk

 

[mariahpoo]

I was just like you went I started just around 3 weeks ago. I never found a how to on vap inhaling, kinda just taught myself. But when DH had problems inhaling properly I looked up how to's here and on youtube. And it is what I did and other described to you.

1. Take a vap into mouth only
2. I let is cool for a second or 2
3. slowly inhale over tongue into just the top part of lungs (I never inhale it deep) and it can help a lot if you take in some air with your vap.

Now I started with 18mg. I averaged 1/2 PAD however I smoke almost only at night. This varied from day to day. Some days I would smoke 1-2 pad and then not smoke for 1-2 days. It just depended on social situation and drinking. I really overdid my smoking when drinking. Almost always chain smoked. So I figured the 18mg being high to medium would be just right for me. Wrong. WAY to strong for me, even if I drink. I am just like you in that I don't care for TH at all. 3 weeks into it I still don't like the th and think its way harsher then smoking ever was. So I went down to 12mg and 100%vg. To me there is still just a little more th then I would like. As for DH who was struggling at first, he wants a little more th. I plan to keep him at the 12mg and move to a 90vg/10pg for him. As for me I am moving down to about 10mg (staying with the 100%vg) and I might go even lower very soon. I vap way more then I smoked, but that is simple because I love the flavor, can do it anywhere/ anytime (I don't have to go out in the cold), its fun and I don't feel a need to "rest my lungs" because I can breath now. I don't feel any adverse affects from the nic level accept for th. Moving down to 12mg did not make me want or crave more. However honestly I have quit smoking more then once for over 1-3 months at a time. And in the end it was just the hand to mouth habit that brought me back. Others would be going to smoke, and I didn't want to be left out. Or talking on the phone (this is a big one for me) I NEED that hand to mouth fiddle. So I see myself even going down to 0 nic soon without a problem.

I hope you find your "sweet spot" soon! Vap on!

 

[robblundberg]

i dunno, i guess i'll just relate how i started and how i have most of my 1 pad smokers start.

The "company i work for" sells 100% PG juice btw.

Since i was a 1 pad smoker i was instructed to try the 24mg tobacco flavor first. Tried it, loved it, didn't cough at all. Took about a month on that, then about 4 months on 16mg and now i've finally dropped down to the 11mg caring less and less about the th as i've gone along.

Usually when i let people demo our product (808's with carto's and either a tobacco or menthol flavor in 16mg) they hack a lung up for the first 4 or 5 hits. After that they figure out how to comfortably hit it and they're good from there. Like i said though that's usually, some people don't stop coughing regardless of how many times they hit it throughout the whole demo and i have to let them try an 11mg and that usually solves the issue. Others don't cough at all (like myself). I've really never heard of people having many issues with coughing after the first 4 or 5 hits as long as it's a good quality juice.

All that being said, my recommendation would be to start out at the highest mg nic juice you can handle. I think one of the biggest reasons people end up feeling not satisfied from vaping after the first couple days is because they cut themselves short on the mg amount and end up feeling like they're not getting what they were from analogs. That's why for any heavy smoker i always recommend at least starting at 24mg nic juice. If you start at 16mg there's a danger of not feeling satisfied after the first day or two and just saying "eff it" and going back to analogs. If you start out at 24mg at least you can pretty much top your carto off every other hit and know your'e getting fresh nic and flavor pretty much each hit and fight your way through the "not feeling satisfied" stage that pretty much everyone goes through for a few days.

just my .02 x 1,000,000 lol

 

[mariahpoo]

Also some vendors will thin vg for you, or you can diy with at home with the pre mixed juice you buy. Virgin vapors vg juice it thinner then the 60pg/40vg juice that I had. SO you might want to give vv a whirl. Her juice is sooooooo YUMMY! I am addicted to her flavor.

 

[inksane]

i have been vaping for about a year now, and i remember the coughing and burning when i started, i use the 36mg of nicotine though.