First post ~ Noobie e-smoker

[Renro]

Hi, so glad to have found this site. Thank you to all who contribute....sorry, but I have a ton of questions.

How can I determine if i have a sensitivity to PG, or experiencing nicotine poisoning, or just withdrawal symptoms?

I haven't smoked a regular cigarette since 1/11/11 (not intentional, it just sort of happened after a week of e-cigarettes) Today is 1/19/11 Yeah Me!

I've quite before, for various lengths of time, so I have some experience with the withdrawal side.

My throat and nose are killing me. Not just dry and cracking, but sore and raw. That never happened from quitting before. I've been using Vasaline which seems to be helping but it's not going away. I've been drinking tons of water which helps alleviate the cotton mouth/sore throat, but doesn't eliminate it.

Twitching! OMG, I can't stop twitching. My leg is going a million miles an hour, every hour, every day. It's not increased energy, just...buggy, I can't stop moving, but not in a good way.

Itchy! Another OMG, not just dry skin but please god make this stop itchy, ESPECIALLY on my hands and fingers. And dry dry dry skin, especially on my elbows and face. I've been washing my hands obsessively and showering multiple times just to get some relief, moisturizers don't seem to help.

Taste. Everything (even water) has a sicky sweetness to it. That seemed to start 3 days ago, before that I was loving the return of my senses.

I use Smoketip 16mg cartridges. I ordered the variety pack (10 different flavors) since it was my first order so unfortunately I couldn't tell you if one particular flavor is a culprit.

I have the USB passhthrough and still find it difficult to know when enough is enough. I found myself feeling queasy and sick to my stomach/head by the end of a weekend day in front of the computer, I believe that was from too much nicotine. (But i don't know for sure :-(

I was reading a thread here about symptoms, but can't find it anymore. I got through about 10 pages before I wandered off and lost it.

SO anyway. The system that I use is a two-piece, prefilled design.
How do I start troubleshooting my symptoms?
If it's the base, what company uses a different base (VG?)?
How do I know if I am getting too much nicotine? (That one I didn't even think was possible considering how much I smoked 2-3 packs/day of full strength for 30+ years)

I know next to nothing about e-cigarettes and am the type that needs to know. The fact that i am not smoking regular cigarettes is nothing short of miraculous - you have no idea what an addict I am. I want to continue with the e-cigarettes but don't know how much longer I can stand the itching, twitching and soreness. PLEASE ADVISE

Thank you

 

[No Brag]

You might try an all pg or all vg based elliquid to see if you are having a reaction to one or the other. I don't think that 16 mg liquid would get you to much nic. Really, if I was having those symptoms I think I would look to help from the family Dr. There is a lot of help on ECF, but not to many of us are Drs.

 

[player30]

For me, when I have quit smoking, about five days afterwards, I get a killer sore throat. And try some Benedryl, and see if that helps the itching. You could be having an alergic reaction the the liquid, I know some people do. Maybe try some flavors that you know exactly what it is made up of, and maybe just try a tobacco or menthol flavor instead of fruity or other flavors.

I hope it gets better and Congratulations!

 

[Disgaea]

I feel your pain. Started off with a 510 in Oct and upgraded to a eGo in Nov. I started with a 18MG 70/30 PG/VG mix and everything was great.

Then I noticed myself itching a lot and my throat was hurting pretty bad. I drank a lot of water each day and nothing helped.

Eventually my throat felt like it was shut tight and I started getting hives on my chest and legs at night.

I thought I was having an reaction to PG and tried switching to a 100% VG mix but it didn't help. Then tried switching to a 100% PG base and lower the nic to 12MG but it didn't fight the cravings.

Went to the doctors and took some antibiotics and antihistamine, 2 weeks later and still have the same problem and am going to make another appointment.

You could try a 100% VG mix to see if that helps, but I would highly recommend seeing a doctor so anymore complications don't arise.

 

[WomanOfHeart]

I have to concur that a trip to the doctor is probably going to be the best thing for you to do at this point. It could be that you're having a reaction, but to what no one here can be sure regardless of whether we're doctors or not. If the juice you're using is 100% PG, it could be that. I have a slight sensitivity to high amounts of PG. I only sneeze, so it's nothing like what you're experiencing, but once I cut down the amount in my juice the sneezing stopped. PG is kind of harsh and it could be causing the sore, raw feeling in your nose and throat.

The queasiness and feeling sick to your stomach and head could be the result of over-vaping and it could also be caused by being dehydrated or not eating.

 

[swedishfish]

You could contact them and ask what the ratio of pg/vg is. Even ask Crissy when you call. It's a very nice company and they are extremely helpful. I agree, I'd see a doctor, it does seem like some sort of allergic reaction to something.

Other cartomizers do fit on the Smoke Tip (My mother has one). Maybe you could use all VG? Someone else here with more experience could tell you if you can use 100% VG in cartomizers. I had a little trouble because it's very thick.

OMG, if feel so bad for you reading this!! Maybe your doctor can give you something!

Are you going through lots of cartomizers a day?

 

[swedishfish]

Sorry for the double post, but I thought I remember someone mentioning they had a reaction to the dark juices. (I read so many posts, it's sort of a blur ). Has anyone heard this? I went to look for the post and couldn't find it.

She has the sample pack of carts and there's a chocolate and a coffee. Could that be it? Maybe I'm completely off of this.

 

[dormouse]

I am not a doctor - just my opinion.

Sore tongue and throat usually caused by juice with too much PG for the amount you vape, especially if it's 100% PG juice. But I imagine even lower percent of PG could be harsh if you are vaping hard most of the time.

Have you been drinking plenty of fluids? Vaping can be drying to the mouth.

If you aren't feeling well - any headache, dizziness or rapid heartbeat? Those can be signs of too much nicotine.
Here is that article of symptoms - that what you were looking for?
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...hen-quitting-tobacco-changing-ecigarette.html

Re itching - nicotine can cause contact itching - did you get it on any of the places that are itching? The vasoconstriction effect of nicotine does cause less blood to get to your extremities but I don't know if that could cause itching. It can cause coldness.

You said passthru - how much are you vaping? And how much and what kind of cigs did you smoke?

Don't let anyone say you can't get too much nicotine on 16mg - you most certainly can. I vape 16-18mg and I actually over-nicotined myself on a 12mg juice I couldn't stop vaping. It was a peach flavor with almost no TH and just never said "you're done now". So it is definitely possible.