For all the wheeze- and cough-prone vaers, seeking juice recommendations.

[Technohydra]

So, I have an issue. And is sucks, really. When I vape, I tend to wheeze. And I have tried it all, 100%pg, 100% vg, 70/30, 50/50, 30/70, 20/80...I have had the same issue at some level with all of these factors. This leads me to one of 2 conclusions: either the nic level is still too high (have tried from 24 down to 12mg, and 12 is easier on me) or it's a function of the flavorings, which I suspect is the case.

So, can anyone out there who has had the same issue recommend a decent juice that doesn't seem to trigger the wheezing hell? I think I may stick to a 30/70, 20/80, or 100%vg, so that may help narrow it down, but I am pretty open to trying stuff out. Re-order day is tomorrow, so I'll be checking back often today.

Thanks everyone!

 

[CommaHolly]

have you thought about unflavored to test your theory out??

 

[CommaHolly]

it might be the nic, though,,,,,,my daughter has problems with anything higher than 8 mg.

she also has huge problems with Coolada,,,,,,,,do you use that??

 

[crxess]

Order a sample size bottle of unflavored 12mg or lower e-liquid and see how that works out.
If no Wheezing, you may be on to something.

 

[Ken_A]

3 drops of koolada per 10 ml should be the max. I ruined some juice by putting in too much. Also, don't direct inhale. Draw into the mouth to get the flavor before "chugging" into the lungs.

 

[Technohydra]

I have cut Johnson Creek Wisconsin Frost down from a 18mg to a 12mg with a USP grade 100% vg 0nic solution, and experienced less side effect that way, but I have not yet tried pure vg with or without nic. That leaves me in no mans land with the nic vs pg/vg ve flavorings issue. Flavors I have tried:
Pure Menthol, 50/50, 24mg (prevalent wheeze and cough, blown out taste buds),
Grape, unkown, 16mg (awful cough and wheeze),
Pineapple, 50/50, 24mg (moderate cough and wheeze),
Gummy Bear, unkown, 18mg (not so much wheeze, but a lot of coughing),
Johnson Creek Wisconsin Frost, 100% vg, 18mg (choking type throat hit, moderate wheeze / cough)
Johnson Creek Wisconsin Frost, 100% vg, 18mg, cut down to 12mg with USP vg (very little coughing or wheezing, but some builds over time)
Hybrid DIY(75% JC WF, 20% Pure Menthol, 5% Gummy Bear) which comes out to about an 18mg 20/80 (not much issue, fun flavor)

I really think this may be a function of flavorings, but i am ordering my next bottle at 12mg as well. What, I have to vape more to get my buzz? What kind of punishment is that supposed to be?

 

[Technohydra]

Order a sample size bottle of unflavored 12mg or lower e-liquid and see how that works out.
If no Wheezing, you may be on to something.

Definitely something I am planning on doing, and it may give me a chance to DIY a little bit as well.

 

[yaypudding]

I find nic level to be the biggest factor in terms of throat hit or "harshness". Also, what device and topper are you using?

I would try some lower nic around 6mg, if you can.

Try some 6-9mg 100% vg unflavored and see how that treats you, maybe it can narrow down the variables.

 

[Technohydra]

I find nic level to be the biggest factor in terms of throat hit or "harshness". Also, what device and topper are you using?

I am currently using a rebuilt Kanger Protank 2 with 4 strand cotton wick plus 2 strand topwick, about 2 ohms (5 wraps of 32 Kanthal) on a Vision Twist at about 3.8 - 4.1 volts (because no two wicks and coils are the same).

I am also willing to look at a new carto / clearo / RDA as a portion of this fix cycle, so anything that could be recommended on that front might be ok too, lol. I am trying to keep costs moderate atm, but rebuilding does not scare me.

 

[burtonsnowww]

ive been using alienvisions 100%vg with great results as i was having trouble on any pg juice, also a great throat hit on their juices.

 

[Micchi]

Nic level is a pretty big part of that harshness that can trigger a coughing attack.

Inhale technique is also a big one - I rarely cough if I just hold it in my mouth a little, then exhale.

I also find more citrus-y flavors tend to be harsher. Mountain Dew flavors especially give me the coughs. On the flip side, vanilla and caramel-based flavors tend to be smoother. RY4 is my general go-to for that reason. Menthol can be soothing, but only if my throat is already irritated.

Other than that...I vape either 60:40 pg:vg, or 50:50, and I tend to vape from 18mg to 36mg of nic.

Edit:
I also find that CE4-style clearos are less harsh than other clearos, but I also get less flavor out of them.

 

[mooreted]

I have had less trouble since I cut down from 24mg to 11mg of nicotine. Nicotine is an irritant. Also, some folks say they have good results with organic e-juice.

 

[Berner]

Did you cough and wheeze before you started vaping? Were you a long term heavy smoker? You may want to check with your doctor to see if you have copd, you might benefit from a bronchodilator medication.

 

[yaypudding]

As far as cost goes, rda's are your best bet. I am currently using a 1.1 micro coil, using 28 gauge kanthal and organic twice boiled cotton.
An RDA will give you the biggest amount of options because you can change nearly every variable to tailor your vape.

I use a 1/16th drill bit as a form to wrap the coil on. I don't like sub-ohm vapes because they tend to be really warm and a little too harsh for me. 7-8 wraps will get you around the 1ohm range. Also, the bigger you make the airhole on a RDA, the less harsh it will be, but will also sacrifice a bit of flavor.

This is the cheapest option vs. clearos, cartos and the like, and for me the best quality of vape. There are a lot of tutorials on how to make micro-coils on youtube. It is really easy once you figure out your ohm preference.

 

[Technohydra]

Did you cough and wheeze before you started vaping? Were you a long term heavy smoker? You may want to check with your doctor to see if you have copd, you might benefit from a bronchodilator medication.

I higly doubt the COPD route is an issue. I am 32 and have no other breathing issues other than being mildly asthmatic. I really haven't been a heavy smoker, and certainly not a long-term chain smoker or anything like that. My O2 Sat is always very high 90's when I go to the Dr's office, and I have also had several tests done to check my heart health in the last 2 years (no issues, just a chronic chest muscle issue and anxiety...from worrying about having heart problems, lol).

I have had no issues prior to vaping of this nature. Actually, I have had more asthma-like symptoms in 3 weeks of vaping than in 10 years of smoking, so I know there is a factor here that is causing irritation, which is resulting in mucus thickening and production in the throat. It is definitely a throat issue, not one of the lungs (stethoscopes are handy tools).

 

[Technohydra]

As far as cost goes, rda's are your best bet. I am currently using a 1.1 micro coil, using 28 gauge kanthal and organic twice boiled cotton.
An RDA will give you the biggest amount of options because you can change nearly every variable to tailor your vape.

I use a 1/16th drill bit as a form to wrap the coil on. I don't like sub-ohm vapes because they tend to be really warm and a little too harsh for me. 7-8 wraps will get you around the 1ohm range. Also, the bigger you make the airhole on a RDA, the less harsh it will be, but will also sacrifice a bit of flavor.

This is the cheapest option vs. clearos, cartos and the like, and for me the best quality of vape. There are a lot of tutorials on how to make micro-coils on youtube. It is really easy once you figure out your ohm preference.

Funny you should mention RDA's, because that was my next step to hit. I want to pick up an Asire DBC for a travel tanks, and have my Protank 2 and RDA for at home use. Have a recommendation for a decent yet moderately priced RDA for a starter (but one that can coil like a ......) to get into? Dual coil options would be nice, lol, but having one is more important than having one that has that single feature, ya know?

 

[CaliforniaGirl]

I can't really help with this because the one I found that didn't make me wheeze was some no-name brand from China! "Goat" brand. They don't even have a website, as far as I can tell. Just some totally cheap-o brand I picked up from my vape shop.

I can say that the OTC ready-made carts KILLED me, I didn't think I was going to make it as a vaper for a while.

Unfortunately, you're going to have to experiment to hit that sweet spot. I did lower my nicotine but I know that didn't help with other brands until I found this "Goat" thing.

Good luck in your search, it's out there.

 

[Technohydra]

...but I know that didn't help with other brands until I found this "Goat" thing.

Good luck in your search, it's out there.

Goat juice?? What that taste like, lol??

Seriously, I hear what you're saying, there is a good place for me to be vaping at. I just have to find it, and I am commited to finding it.

 

[Sane Asylum]

I higly doubt the COPD route is an issue. I am 32 and have no other breathing issues other than being mildly asthmatic. I really haven't been a heavy smoker, and certainly not a long-term chain smoker or anything like that. My O2 Sat is always very high 90's when I go to the Dr's office, and I have also had several tests done to check my heart health in the last 2 years (no issues, just a chronic chest muscle issue and anxiety...from worrying about having heart problems, lol).

I have had no issues prior to vaping of this nature. Actually, I have had more asthma-like symptoms in 3 weeks of vaping than in 10 years of smoking, so I know there is a factor here that is causing irritation, which is resulting in mucus thickening and production in the throat. It is definitely a throat issue, not one of the lungs (stethoscopes are handy tools).

Given that you're mildly asthmatic, it seems that it is more of an allergic issue rather than a nicotine issue. People with asthma tend to have more allergies. Nicotine can be irritating and reducing it probably does help but I would suspect it's not your main issue.

As someone else suggested, I would try 100% VG without flavoring to see if there is a difference. If that's the cause, then gradually add flavors. If not, you could also be allergic to VG and not PG. Process of trial and elimination....good luck!

 

[Technohydra]

Agreed. I will be loading up some pure VG 0mg tonight and see what it does to me (fun). I highly suspect it is a flavoring causing an inflammitory process, as I can literally drink VG (I put a drop or two on my tongue every time I work with e juice to give me something to taste while I drip, kinda sweet). Blu menthol cartos have almost 0 flavor, and I never got a bad reaction from them, but any other Blu flavor killed me (and they all use the same Red Oak base). Keep removing variables one at a time, and see where the issue lies.