Doctor Recommended

[AndriaD]

I just wish more doctors would speak out about how they really feel. I think the general public would be shocked at how many doctors would tell them point blank that vaping is a safe alternative to combustible smoking. I just think too many doctors worry about the backlash from the brainwashers.

I saw my doc yesterday, and I could tell he was very impressed that I was able to quit a 39 yr habit that he's been nagging me about for 16 yrs, not just once but even twice, when I had that little backslide episode after my appendectomy, and taht both times it took just a month to gradually substitute vaping for smoking before I was entirely smoke-free.

He did ask me if I would eventually quit vaping; I said maybe in a few years, but that quitting a habit that long-standing, I wasn't going to rush it, because that 4 days of not being able to vape in the summer was mainly what sent me back to smoking. And depending on how my asthma does, then in a few years it might be a good idea, if I feel like I can quit vaping without wanting to go back to smoking. But for the moment I'm just enjoying being smoke-free and not only not bothered about not-smoking, but loving it! I feel like I've lost my ball and chain!

Andria

 

[Bikenstein]

1: Do you think she'll be able to refill the t3s with a needle bottle?
2: Dripping is actually the best way for beginners to start.
There is a misperception that the only way to use a dripper is to use high power, just as there used to be (and still is somewhat) the misperception that your eliquid contains nicotine;
You can coil a dripper with the same 34 or 32 gauge wire that are used in the t3s, the protanks, etc, and save a bundle instead of buying replacement coil heads; Plus with the money you save, you buy a few drippers and have them precoiled and ready for use.
3: Yep the cheapest way to vape is with DIY juice, and the cheapest juice is plain PG.

1.That's why all I use is an old school 510 atomizer on a vv3.
2. She is way to shaky to handle dripping.
3. I have a big bottle of pg
4. She needs an easy way to vape as she lives by herself still.
5. Thanks for your efforts to help

 

[Bikenstein]

Way to go Andrea

 

[AndriaD]

Andria, I'll have her ask her Dr. first, thanks.

That's good... I just started thinking about my own mom, who takes those handfuls of pills every day, and she takes that lasix crap, and some other diuretic, AND potassium pills, and her doc stays on her CONSTANTLY about sodium, which needs to be balanced very carefully with potassium -- so, much better to have the doc involved, although my understanding is that *dietary* potassium wouldn't be as potentially destructive to the healthy balance as taking it in concentrated doses in pills. It still might give her issues if she has problems along those lines.

I went back and re-read your earlier post, and you mentioned she drinks water constantly -- that might be a big part of the problem right there; she could be well-hydrated, but with all the water drinking, could be flushing her system of too many electrolytes; I'm pretty sure that was a big part of my problem, since I started drinking a lot more water when I started vaping, because everyone said it was necessary. Goes to show you, even dihydrogen monoxide can be dangerous.

Andria

 

[glointhedark]

Try VapeWild. They are a little over $2 for 10 ml, but they have a good variety of flavors. We are just starting to work on our first order from them, so no real opinions yet except to say that my daughter is really enjoying the Maple Pecan with no steeping. There is a thread in the General ELiquid section.

 

[Kenneth38]

I doubt the doctor's professional ability seriously, what should he do is to tell your MIL the main cause of the swelling of her feet and leg. He didn't give out the professional suggestion in his position.

 

[AndriaD]

I doubt the doctor's professional ability seriously, what should he do is to tell your MIL the main cause of the swelling of her feet and leg. He didn't give out the professional suggestion in his position.

I somewhat agree with this -- *I* would want to know exactly what was causing it, as I had to find out on my own, with my own edema. But, most people neither know, nor care about, all the medical minutiae behind whatever is causing whatever symptom. They'd rather just have a pill, or some other quick 'n easy fix for whatever is wrong with them, even though in a case like this, there may be no quick 'n easy fix; it really might necessitate a lifestyle/habits change, and some folks REALLY aren't up for that at all.

On the other hand, if he saw it as a convenient way to get thru to her about smoking, "just try vaping it'll fix it," I can't really fault that -- but *I* would have wanted something a bit more in-depth, especially considering that vaping does have the potential to bring its own set of medical problems.

Andria

 

[Bikenstein]

I doubt the doctor's professional ability seriously, what should he do is to tell your MIL the main cause of the swelling of her feet and leg. He didn't give out the professional suggestion in his position.

So you are saying that smoking can't be the main cause of the swelling? I wouldn't discredit him without havin more information of his reasons or unless I was a qualified professional with more knowledge than him.

 

[Bikenstein]

Try VapeWild. They are a little over $2 for 10 ml, but they have a good variety of flavors. We are just starting to work on our first order from them, so no real opinions yet except to say that my daughter is really enjoying the Maple Pecan with no steeping. There is a thread in the General ELiquid section.

Thanks I'll check em out

 

[AndriaD]

So you are saying that smoking can't be the main cause of the swelling? I wouldn't discredit him without havin more information of his reasons or unless I was a qualified professional with more knowledge than him.

It could be, if it's contributing to congestive heart failure; maybe he didn't want to alarm her with the words "congestive heart failure." What that basically means is that the heart can't pump hard enough to fully supply all the blood that the extremities need; if she has atherosclerosis, or otherwise compromised arteries, that could be it; in which case, vaping may not "cure" it, because one of the reasons for compromised arteries is if they';re constricted, and nicotine does that. He should have said what the problem actually was, rather than just "smoking caused it." Maybe it did, but IN WHAT WAY DID SMOKING CAUSE IT? That's like saying that someone died because their heart stopped. Yes, but what made it stop?

Doctors NEED to be put on the spot regularly, not treated like latter day Oracles of Delphi -- they're not gods, even if they like to think they are.

Andria

 

[BigEgo]

A vape shop in my area has a list of doctors on their wall who have referred patients. We have one pulmonologist (lung specialist) in my town and he is one of them.

I agree that it might be "dangerous" for their reputation if some huge finding comes out that we are all going to die from e-cigs in a few years, but I think they feel that it is imperative for their patients to stop smoking -- so much so that they are willing to take that risk.

 

[Bikenstein]

IN WHAT WAY DID SMOKING CAUSE IT? That's like saying that someone died because their heart stopped. Yes, but what made it stop?

Doctors NEED to be put on the spot regularly, not treated like latter day Oracles of Delphi -- they're not gods, even if they like to think they are.

Andria

I have met many doctors that refrain from conversation and were very condescending. My opinion is they are being paid big bucks and they should earn them by respectfully answering my questions to my satisfaction. In this case however, the doctor gave a simple diagnosis of what was the cause of the problem and the best possible remedy and then added a possible aid to help reach her goal. Also, if you ever tried havin a conversation with my MIL, you would understand "keepin it short and sweet". It's almost impossible to talk with her because of her bad hearing, so explaining a diagnosis of her problems would be close to impossible.

I'm with Bigego on Doctors taking a risk and recommending vaping. After all, they are just "practicing" medicine and if they didn't take risks and continue to reach out and try new opportunities, where would we be now?

 

[AndriaD]

Man, I totally relate about trying to talk to the hearing-impaired. I told my husband just yesterday that either both of us have to learn ASL, or he's gotta learn to lip-read, or he needs a hearing aid. He's worked in noisy factories all his adult life, and when he was young, he "didn't need no stinkin' OSHA!"

I agree with you, both about condescending doctors and that they ought to make it as clear to their patients as they can; I keep pestering them until they explain things to me!

My own doc was amazed that I FINALLY quit smoking, and really intrigued by my Vamo+cartotank; he had me explain the whole device to him, showed him the big ol 18650 battery and how the whole thing fits together. He asked if it was used like NRT, where you quit it after a while; I explained that it's a direct replacement, and that while I might quit it after a few years, because of my asthma, I was in no hurry about that because of my very lengthy time as a smoker, and he agreed that that was probably wise.

Andria

 

[3mg Meniere]

Here is a 90% resolution for hearing problems:

You would be amazed at how much they help!!!

 

[RosaJ]

It could be, if it's contributing to congestive heart failure; maybe he didn't want to alarm her with the words "congestive heart failure." What that basically means is that the heart can't pump hard enough to fully supply all the blood that the extremities need; if she has atherosclerosis, or otherwise compromised arteries, that could be it; in which case, vaping may not "cure" it, because one of the reasons for compromised arteries is if they';re constricted, and nicotine does that. He should have said what the problem actually was, rather than just "smoking caused it." Maybe it did, but IN WHAT WAY DID SMOKING CAUSE IT? That's like saying that someone died because their heart stopped. Yes, but what made it stop?

Doctors NEED to be put on the spot regularly, not treated like latter day Oracles of Delphi -- they're not gods, even if they like to think they are.

Andria

I'm with you on this! The lady has made it to 84 years as a smoker too. First thing that came into my mind when I read the OP was maybe the doctor was using smoking as the catch-all cause of anything that could be wrong. I know I've taken medication for high blood pressure that caused swollen feet and heart flutters. I'm so glad I finally found a doctor who was not trying to get rid of me after the allotted 15 minutes in the office and asked me to monitor my blood pressure for a period of time and decided my blood pressure did not warrant medication. The swelling of my feet and stomach and the heart flutters went away after a week of not taking it.

I'm glad that the doctor has recommended ecigs, it's a lot better than recommending patches, and (heaven forbid) Chantix.

 

[AndriaD]

I'm with you on this! The lady has made it to 84 years as a smoker too. First thing that came into my mind when I read the OP was maybe the doctor was using smoking as the catch-all cause of anything that could be wrong. I know I've taken medication for high blood pressure that caused swollen feet and heart flutters. I'm so glad I finally found a doctor who was not trying to get rid of me after the allotted 15 minutes in the office and asked me to monitor my blood pressure for a period of time and decided my blood pressure did not warrant medication. The swelling of my feet and stomach and the heart flutters went away after a week of not taking it.

I'm glad that the doctor has recommended ecigs, it's a lot better than recommending patches, and (heaven forbid) Chantix.

In the absence of any detail about how smoking "caused" the swelling, that was exactly what I thought -- a convenient hook to hang his argument on. It's true that smoking can cause many terrible things and symptoms, but saying that "smoking caused it," without providing any details, just seems... disingenuous?

But, with a patient who doesn't hear well, medical details might be very difficult to relate -- maybe someone with her to "translate" would be a good idea. My grandfather needed that -- someone would tell the companion something, and the companion would then bellow it at my grandfather -- he was extremely deaf for the last 25 yrs of his life, from a long career as a mechanic in a cotton mill -- very loud places! He could read lips very well, if a person spoke slowly and clearly, but it usually needed to be someone he knew well.

Andria

 

[Bikenstein]

In the absence of any detail about how smoking "caused" the swelling, that was exactly what I thought -- a convenient hook to hang his argument on. It's true that smoking can cause many terrible things and symptoms, but saying that "smoking caused it," without providing any details, just seems... disingenuous?

But, with a patient who doesn't hear well, medical details might be very difficult to relate -- maybe someone with her to "translate" would be a good idea. My grandfather needed that -- someone would tell the companion something, and the companion would then bellow it at my grandfather -- he was extremely deaf for the last 25 yrs of his life, from a long career as a mechanic in a cotton mill -- very loud places! He could read lips very well, if a person spoke slowly and clearly, but it usually needed to be someone he knew well.

Andria

Bride of Bikenstein, her daughter, goes with her on every doctors appointment ( 2 -3 per week)hypochondriac The translation by yelling thing doesn't work well. Back 30 years ago when she still drove, we were about to cross a railroad track. I was yelling TRAIN, TRAIN, TRAIN. As it was bearing down on us with her creeping across the tracks, she replied "Yeah, it does look like it's gonna RAIN doesn't it?"

 

[Bikenstein]

Here is a 90% resolution for hearing problems:

You would be amazed at how much they help!!!

She's in the other 10%

 

[3mg Meniere]

She's in the other 10%

You would be amazed at what modern technology can do.

And keyboard communication is also an option if it is really that bad.

Good that your wife can go with her to appointments.

 

[AndriaD]

Yeah, or even writing notes on a pad; I did that with my grandfather a lot when I was a kid, which is how I knew he wasn't dumb or stupid, he was VERY quick, but with only about 10% hearing in each ear. It was why I cared about spelling and such, so he'd be proud of me.

Andria