For Those Who Are Having Acid/Reflux !

[ReacT]

I've been vaping over 2 years now and I do make my own liquids for 2 years as well. I had GERD Reflux at least 5-6 years by now however it was not bad as I strated to vape 2 years ago. I have been given those magic stomach pills last year and I continue to took them until last week.

I never tought that vaping can be a reason of this issue, I have even told that it is psychological, many of people think I'm going to crazy lol. Because people who have reflux can understand that when you have that damm problem, it affects your psychology, your life and everything because you cannot be happy when your stomach is upset all the time. I tried almost every way to get rid of, even eaten only vegatable for weeks didnt help. It was always there if I didnt take that magic pills.

I was always vaping %50 PG/VG but recently I started to make %70VG liquids and my reflux recently started to increase. Then last week, I suspect that it can be related to vaping. The moment of my victory actually. I thought it is not vaping but it is one of the ingredients that is causing to reflux and as a DIYER decided to make the following testS;

I prepared the following liquids at 12mg with the same flavors I always vape to make sure and to eliminate nicotin and flavors; I used only one of the following liquids each day fully to make a test.

- %70VG - %30PG:
I vape this one 2 days, the first day my stomach was started to make few problems but on the second day night before I sleep, I was dying, I had heavy nausea, pain in my stomach, couldnt sleep well.

- %50PG/VG:
This is my usual mix for 2 years, I was having reflux attacks and issues in the past as well with this mix but not like %70vg of course.

- %40VG - %60PG:
Just a few discomfort sometimes in my stomach but i can live with it.

- %30VG - %70PG:
No any problem by now

After above tests, I realized that VG was the reason for my all stomach problems. I just wanted to write this thread for people if there are any like me having this issue, so they can get fixed. I have also done the same tests with different VG from a different brand to make sure if it was a bad VG or not, results were the same.

Now I'm happy with %60PG, I dont have clouds as before but I'm not using any stomach pill any more which is more important and since I'm not a lung hit vaper type, so I'm okay I do get amazing flavor on each puff.

Edit: Reflux and stomach issues can be silent without any side effects, so I decided to make more tests at least 30 days to make sure before I say the reason is %100 vg.

The following items will be tested in 30 days to find out the reason %100.
- Ingredients from different brands, such as nic, pg, vg.
- Fruit flavors
- sweeteners
- unflavored liquid tests

I will update with results after 30 days. Right now it is %99 VG is the reason for me according to my tests.

 

[FlamingoTutu]

I've never had stomach/reflux problems, until a while ago. It was excruciating. I blamed it on a medication I was taking that caused other severe problems. Refused to take it any more and the other symptoms went away. Still in horrible pain. Only other thing I could think of was a new juice I'd made and been vaping about a month. Thought it was the best stuff ever. Stopped vaping it and the problem went away steadily of the course of a week or two. Seems it was probably due to a sweetener, or something that made a flavor "juicy," and other people have had similar problems.

Kudos for working your way through the problem and pinning down the culprit. No doubt someone will come through and rudely tell you it's all in your head. Don't listen to them, they can't see beyond their own reality. Then again, sadly, there are those people that blame the ills of the world on vaping.

Anyway, glad you found what works for you, that's all that's important.

 

[malkuth]

I had major problems with GERD. The problem is mainly caused by the other meds I am on, and am taking the "magic pills" you talked about. However, when I started vaping (about 4 years ago), the vaping caused greater problems. My first approach was to lower the nic, which helped with the acid reflux. However, it was still there. I went to other vendors for juice and the problem was not as bad, or even non-existent.

I have a local vendor that I really like his juices. However, after vaping any of them for a day, my acid reflux went nuts. I started making my own NETs, so began to experiment with different ratios, etc. I am now using 100% VG. (Yes, I can say 100%, because I extract my own flavoring in pure VG, and use nic in VG as well. What I found to be the problem was not the ratio of PG/VG, not the % of nic, but the name brand of nic. I now went to the vendor that would set off my acid reflux and got 0 nic juice from him. I then added my own (nude nicotine) to his juice, and do not have a problem at all. So, my problem is caused by the name brand of nic.

Each person is different, and what may be on person's candy is another's poison. The problem becomes one of how to figure out the problem. It can become a long process.

 

[r77r7r]

I then added my own (nude nicotine) to his juice, and do not have a problem at all.

That's how I ended up doing DIY right off. Suppliers' stuff wasn't great then and they weren't disclosing their sources for ingredients,of course. Can't really count on a nic base supplier to stick to a regular source either, I guess.

 

[Robino1]

I'm glad you were able to pinpoint what was causing your issues
Way to go!

 

[classwife]

Glad you found what works for you

Reflux is on the rise mainly due to all the processed foods we eat and is really not something to be lightly passed on.
The sneaky thing about it...it can be "silent" as in without symptoms until you have a problem.

 

[ReacT]

I had major problems with GERD. The problem is mainly caused by the other meds I am on, and am taking the "magic pills" you talked about. However, when I started vaping (about 4 years ago), the vaping caused greater problems. My first approach was to lower the nic, which helped with the acid reflux. However, it was still there. I went to other vendors for juice and the problem was not as bad, or even non-existent.

I have a local vendor that I really like his juices. However, after vaping any of them for a day, my acid reflux went nuts. I started making my own NETs, so began to experiment with different ratios, etc. I am now using 100% VG. (Yes, I can say 100%, because I extract my own flavoring in pure VG, and use nic in VG as well. What I found to be the problem was not the ratio of PG/VG, not the % of nic, but the name brand of nic. I now went to the vendor that would set off my acid reflux and got 0 nic juice from him. I then added my own (nude nicotine) to his juice, and do not have a problem at all. So, my problem is caused by the name brand of nic.

Each person is different, and what may be on person's candy is another's poison. The problem becomes one of how to figure out the problem. It can become a long process.

Well, thats right. I will continue to vape my %60pg but in the meanwhile I will buy a liquid that is created by some company at %70vg to test the "brand name issue you mention". Right now, after your reply i can say it is %99.9 VG for me. But you just put a %0.1 possibility in my mind, actually a good point!. As @classwife also said it can be silent, so I need to make more tests at least 30 days. Since my all stuff is Merck which is the king of chemicals. The only difference in my latest nbase is the PG brand within the 2 years it was always merck. It is from BASF company. I do always work with 100mg so I use it a bit amount while making 30ml 12mg batches which also makes me think that BASF PG in the nbase cannot cause that much stomach issues if we consider that they are chemical king too. I will get that 70vg MM liquid and will vape it for few days to see, I will update with the results, after 20-30 days to make sure and eliminate reflux being silent possibility.

 

[roxynoodle]

I have severe GERD. I need to avoid strong fruits as far as vaping goes or it will get aggravated. I was surprised, too, that my stomach could be affected. VG and PG ratios don't seem to matter for me, just the flavors.

 

[ReacT]

I have severe GERD. I need to avoid strong fruits as far as vaping goes or it will get aggravated. I was surprised, too, that my stomach could be affected. VG and PG ratios don't seem to matter for me, just the flavors.

It is very interesting as the fruits you vape all are artificial chemicals just deceiving your tongue, they dont have acid like natural and I dont know how they are causing. But I do believe it could be due to butyric acid currently in use to manufacture a lot of flavors, especially v2 and dx series of food flavors have butyric acid which can cause stomach to produce acid more than usual if the vape steam goes into stomach(I guess it does), it could be also a kind of common acid that is used in fruit flavors. A single flavor for example strawberry contains 8 different chemicals to produce strawberry taste and it is hard to find out which chemical is the culprit. On the other hand, if we take a liquid made of 4-5 different flavors, it makes 4x8 = 32 different chemicals in a final eliquid product which leads to dead end to find the gerd trigger. I usually vape 2-3 different liquids per day, one of them has strawberry and after your reply I'm gonna make some tests on strawberry as well.

 

[roxynoodle]

It is very interesting as the fruits you vape all are artificial chemicals just deceiving your tongue, they dont have acid like natural and I dont know how they are causing. But I do believe it could be due to butyric acid currently in use to manufacture a lot of flavors, especially v2 and dx series of food flavors have butyric acid which can cause stomach to produce acid more than usual if the vape steam goes into stomach(I guess it does), it could be also a kind of common acid that is used in fruit flavors. A single flavor for example strawberry contains 8 different chemicals to produce strawberry taste and it is hard to find out which chemical is the culprit. On the other hand, if we take a liquid made of 4-5 different flavors, it makes 4x8 = 32 different chemicals in a final eliquid product which leads to dead end to find the gerd trigger. I usually vape 2-3 different liquids per day, one of them has strawberry and after your reply I'm gonna make some tests on strawberry as well.

I know. I have no explanation that is sensible. Strawberry is one I do ok with. Pineapple has been a problem. Orange not as much as I expected. And I do better if its a fruit with cream or custard than stand alone fruit.

I've been using the diketone free custards, etc, in my diy, and I'm doing fine with them. So that allow me to continue using the creamy type flavors I like and do well with without loading my juice full of diketones (just in case although I'm skeptical of how much risk there really is).

 

[ReacT]

I know. I have no explanation that is sensible. Strawberry is one I do ok with. Pineapple has been a problem. Orange not as much as I expected. And I do better if its a fruit with cream or custard than stand alone fruit.

I've been using the diketone free custards, etc, in my diy, and I'm doing fine with them. So that allow me to continue using the creamy type flavors I like and do well with without loading my juice full of diketones (just in case although I'm skeptical of how much risk there really is).

I have just checked ingredients of pineapple and strawberry. It is interesting, pineapple has made of 12 different chemicals and 3 of them are acid. On the other hand strawberry has only one acid and looks like it doesnt trigger GERD. But surely one of those 3 acids in pineapple triggers your issue. Flavors are all have smilar formulas so it doesnt matter what brand is. What I'm going to do is, I will make %70vg unflavored liquid to see how it goes with me for at least 20 days. I will vape it time to time. Right now %99 VG is the reason of my problem according to my tests as I did make those tests with the same flavors and same formulas only different pg/vg ratios. I will be sure after 30 days.

 

[mattiem]

It was a real pleasure to read the steps you took to find what was causing your discomfort. I am sure it will be a great help to others that are experiencing discomfort from their vape. Thank you

 

[crxess]

Sorry to be in Disagreement, but you leave to much detail out.
Daily Diet - Critical - All testing should be done under an exact diet routine.
Actual e-liquid consumption at each level.
Rest and activity cycles.

I am not claiming your not on to something, But as a sufferer that has had (2) operations due to the condition, I understand the various triggers and the reason the little Magic pill is a Life Long thing.

Stress, as well as Diet effects Acid Reflux. So yes, Psychological. Perhaps, the thinner e-liquid, putting less pressure on your respiratory system, relaxes you and lowers your stress level. This would be both Physical and Physiological.

The important thing is you have found something that makes you feel better, not so much that the things you used are an issue in general application.


I also DIY and found I am less reactive to Lower Flavor %. Most of my mixes are under 20% with my ADV's being 16% and 10% total flavoring. Always 50/50 with one 70/30 exception.

 

[r77r7r]

OK, whats the name of the little magic pill? Omeprozole?

 

[ReacT]

Sorry to be in Disagreement, but you leave to much detail out.
Daily Diet - Critical - All testing should be done under an exact diet routine.
Actual e-liquid consumption at each level.
Rest and activity cycles.

I am not claiming your not on to something, But as a sufferer that has had (2) operations due to the condition, I understand the various triggers and the reason the little Magic pill is a Life Long thing.

Stress, as well as Diet effects Acid Reflux. So yes, Psychological. Perhaps, the thinner e-liquid, putting less pressure on your respiratory system, relaxes you and lowers your stress level. This would be both Physical and Physiological.

The important thing is you have found something that makes you feel better, not so much that the things you used are an issue in general application.


I also DIY and found I an less reactive to Lower Flavor %. Most of my mixes are under 20% with my ADV's being 16% and 10% total flavoring. Always 50/50 with one 70/30 exception.

That is right. There are many other triggers and conditions that can mislead on this subject. All I know is; It is triggered when I vape %70vg. It is not happening if i prepare the same formula at %60PG. I would like to say, it is almost instant, not like I vape %70vg 3 days okay and then i eat heavy and get reflux because of diet routine which can mislead. It starts after 15 minutes of vaping that 70vg and raises all day long and gets worst at night if i continue to vape 70vg. No single issue by now and almost 4 days passed with %60pg. So I cannot belive that i found something makes me feel better and because of this I'm not having reflux, not everything is physiological in my book when it comes to vaping chemical and when I found some other people are having the same issue with VG on reddit, I believe we are all not found something to make us feel better. Such as this guy Vaping and Acid Reflux [Update] • /r/electronic_cigarette I do believe stress is the main factor for gerd issues but I really think not that much as you eat. To me, it is %95 related to what you eat and drink and then psychology is a bonus as %5 to it. Just my opinion.

 

[crxess]

Vaping and Acid Reflux [Update] • /r/electronic_cigarette

This article is all over the place, similar but then he is back to 60/40

The point is - VG is Denser than PG -i.e. Less Cloud effect. Less Lung effect.
Less Heavy Vapor to enter intestinal tract.
Less Stress on the Lungs and therefor the Mind, Nerves, Stomach.

It is obvious 40/60 is least irritating for you, so that is where you should be.
50/50 works for me so that is where I Vape.

I got off the magic pills, due to insurance hassles and cost of Prilosec(alternative), but keep a bottle around for those times I cannot control AR. Holidays are included in those times, yet my vaping does not change.

I have vaped High VG, to 90%, however I do not do this as a Routine activity so it does not bother me at all. Even my 70/30 is used at lower power and not for Lung filling, Cloud Chucking pleasure. Rather for an excellent blended flavor that is smooth and enjoyable.(Not an ADV - A after sinner treat)

Like you, I have had my condition since Long before I started Vaping. It is known to be a Life Long condition with Recommended daily treatment to minimize risk of triggered events.

***VG is made from, Get this,...... FATTY ACIDS***

* Warning - over indulging in M&M's is a risky venture

Side Effects of Vegetable Glycerin | LIVESTRONG.COM

 

[ReacT]

The point is - VG is Denser than PG -i.e. Less Cloud effect. Less Lung effect.
Less Heavy Vapor to enter intestinal tract.
Less Stress on the Lungs and therefor the Mind, Nerves, Stomach.

It's an awesome point!. I never look from that perspective. Well, I'm happy with high PG and will stick to it. As the page "Side Effects of Vegetable Glycerin" explains perfectly, that means people like me who is sensitive, can have those side effects even at small amounts from vaping and can trigger reflux too. This is what I think. So it is not directly VG but the sensitivity + above steps as you said. When they are all together, results awesome things on sensitive people lol.