Getting sick from vaping? Nope. Something far more sinister.

[KPKicker]

I think I hate my brain.

No. Actually, I'm sure I do.

See, I'm one of those people who suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. I wasn't in combat or anything like that. Still, I witnessed a violent death and that messed me up pretty bad. That's not the point though. The point is that my brain has a history of making my sick.

Now, when I first switched completely from analogs to vaping, life was good. I felt good. Lungs were clearning, taste was coming back, the whole nine yards.

But, then I started sneaking analogs. One or two day at most. I did this for about two weeks. Then, yesterday, I completely stopped the analogs again.

And now today, I get sick when I vape.

Hmmm....coincidence? I don't think so. See, I went out and bought a pack of analogs. Smoked one, and then vaped the exact same liquid with the exact same filler in the (almost) exact same amount that I did when I got sick.

And guess what?

I didn't get sick.

So, it appears that my brain has decided it wasn't done with the 4 gazillion poisons in analogs and decided to hold my body hostage until it got some more. Granted, this likely falls under the category of DT's and I will get over it soon enough.

But, it doesn't change the fact that I hate my brain.

 

[Hagbard Jones]

Serves you right for messing with the death sticks.

 

[keyzygirl]

Dont worry about it,Just start over!

 

[juicefreak]

Serves you right for messing with the death sticks.

lol that's why at 10 months cigfree, i'm not taking ANY chances

 

[KPKicker]

Dont worry about it,Just start over!

Oh yeah, please don't anyone get the idea that I'm worried or giving up or anything like that. I've tried to quit smoking at least a dozen times over the last 30 years. I'm not in the least bit concerned that I will be able to do it this time.

I just think the way the brain messes with us is kind of funny.

Sort of.

Ya know, not funny "ha-ha" but funny "weird".

Ok, not really funny.

Alright I admit it! It's a sadistic and cruel three pound lump of hamburger whose only reason for being is to mock me when I do stupid stuff and make me feel guilty when I don't put a dollar bill in the Salvation Army kettles at Christmas.

 

[sanfordf]

Sounds like you need more nicotine than you now vape. It's subtle, but it's why I vape more than I used to smoke. My mind has adjusted my frequency of intake. It did the same thing when I was a .... head.

 

[me who]

I think I hate my brain.

No. Actually, I'm sure I do.
.

I think your brain is getting a little help from the rest of your body.

 

[KPKicker]

Sounds like you need more nicotine than you now vape. It's subtle, but it's why I vape more than I used to smoke. My mind has adjusted my frequency of intake. It did the same thing when I was a .... head.

That was my problem when I first started vaping. I began at 16...then went to 24. I was clear that 24 wasn't going to cut it, so then I went to 36. That was ok for all day vaping, but not enough in the morning. I have a special cartridge made up for mornings I call "Little Boy" (Yes, THAT "Little Boy"..and the batt that it's attached to is called the "Enola Gay"). That generally runs between 38-42. A few hits off that per morning and away I go.

So, I can't really go much higher. I just need to get used to inhaling something that isn't quite so bad for my body.

 

[Kate51]

Yes, I have to agree, sometimes the best thing to do is raise your nic a little...you didn't say what level you used. The only thing is to give yourself a little time, and a little 'comfort' room. You are still withdrawing, no doubt. It took me a couple months before the fluttery feeling levelled off, a feeling of unsatiable hunger would be a good analogy. But stay away from the fridge, that's the trick! Knowing what's happening to your body will solve that. Just something you have to put up with for awhile.
If your nic is high enough, then get supplied well with that, leave the cigs on the shelf...I have some I keep around just to give them a nasty little smile sometimes. They were not my friends, at all, they darned near killed me!
But above all, keep your comfort level high enough to avoid that awful Panic Button! That may be what is happening. Gradually work on expanding your comfort level, have all the back-ups in place at all times, and it will work for you. After that happens, you will find it amazingly easy to cut down on your nic level. But if you're over-doing, that isn't pleasant either, can actually cause nausea, light-headedness, shakes, etc. Doing that too long will cause kind of a reverse revulsion to the vapor. Better to vape more than too high. Another thing to remember is that an e-cig doesn't deliver the MAOI's that combusted tobacco does, that "euphoric" sensation is lost a lot because of that. Doing the following can compensate:
*Do drink LOTS of water. Keep your diet full of high fiber, avoid carbs and sugars, more fruits and fresh veggies, high antioxident juices. That seems to help one feel better all over! I didn't have a hard time leaving the cigs alone, from day one. The smell and taste of them made me sick. I wanted the "clean" feeling of vaping instead.
Maybe you need a different juice as well, some of my first stuff was really not what I liked, a little mediciney, some downright horrible tasting. I found a good 'tobacco' flavored one, now I DIY my own. Very important for you to like the taste/aroma of it. I don't like changing to different flavors all the time. Especially if there's a chance it might not satisfy or not 'set' well. Stick with what works best.
If you feel the need for a cig, have one, keep in mind the bad smell and taste of it. Learn how to get ultimate vapor from your e-cig, loooong gentle draws, learn to relax with them. Not the same as a hard puff from a cigarette, but longer draw time. And, know the effect doesn't hit for a couple minutes. It does take some self discipline. I was a very heavy smoker for a long time, 44 years, but 24mg/ml nic did the trick for me. I now am down to 12mg/ml, still just fine with no further withdrawal after cutting back!
Best of luck. Withdrawal can sometimes display itself in weird ways. It's your body trying to understand why it isn't getting it's 4000 possible Chemical Hits anymore. Nasty stuff in them.

 

[KPKicker]

Another thing to remember is that an e-cig doesn't deliver the MAOI's that combusted tobacco does, that "euphoric" sensation is lost a lot because of that.

AHA!!!

That's what's missing!! I knew there was something that I wasn't getting that I was craving. Now this makes a whole bunch of sense on many different levels.

Ok, so basically...I need to go through the same steps that I normally would when I quit smoking. Do the same stuff that I've done in the past to try and kill the cravings and mitigate the hell from withdrawing. But, at the same time enjoy the fact that I am able to mimic about 90% of the smoking experience which will in turn makes this the easiest (and probably most successful) quit ever.

Thank you very much.

Oh, and by the way...in case you missed in the post above you here are my nic levels...

38-42mg in the morning
36mg during the day
24mg before bed

Although I will probably kick it up to 36mg before bed now since I seem to be needing a little more.

Oh yeah, and one other thing. I love my juices. It took awhile, but I have found some stuff that goes beyond yummy. I've even found my dream "cigar" flavor juice as well as a close copy of Marlboro Special Blend. I have 100mg unflavored to make sure the nic is high enough no matter what juice I'm using. So, I'm all set.

 

[Bill Godshall]

Please remember that e-cigarette prohibitionists are monitoring this website (and others) and could be cherry picking statements (e.g. vaping made me sick), intentionally take them out of context, and then widely publicize them as proof that e-cigarettes are hazardous and should be banned.

 

[KPKicker]

Please remember that e-cigarette prohibitionists are monitoring this website (and others) and could be cherry picking statements (e.g. vaping made me sick), intentionally take them out of context, and then widely publicize them as proof that e-cigarettes are hazardous and should be banned.

Yes, I know. That's why I worded the subject they way I did. I wanted to make it clear that I was NOT getting sick from vaping.

 

[CJsKee]

Originally Posted by Kate51
Another thing to remember is that an e-cig doesn't deliver the MAOI's that combusted tobacco does, that "euphoric" sensation is lost a lot because of that.


Kicker...re: MAOIs...You might want to check out the smokeless tobacco section of the forum. Lots of folks use snus, dissolveables, etc. for the very reason they are missing "something" (MAOIs) from just vaping.

 

[CaptJay]

Snus (not chew or dip, no spitting involved) are sposed to be very useful for obtaining MAOIs in a less hazardous way - the SWEDISH kind not any other kind btw; those are proven most safe. Off to the smokeless tobacco forums with you!

 

[shatner]

Please remember that e-cigarette prohibitionists are monitoring this website (and others) and could be cherry picking statements (e.g. vaping made me sick), intentionally take them out of context, and then widely publicize them as proof that e-cigarettes are hazardous and should be banned.

Tinfoil hat time. But I agree.

And to the op, you're going through withdrawal. We all do. Some notice more than others.

Here's how severe it was for me.
I quit smoking cold turkey a year before I started vaping. It made my year HORRIBLE. I was miserably depressed. Suicidal at points-and I'm not that type of person. I was depressed because I lost the MAOI caused by the action of combustion of tobacco. Anyway, I ended up having to go to a psychiatrist because of it. He ended up putting my on Cymbalta, which also helps with my chronic pain.

 

[Jules22871]

I've been diagnosed with PTSD also. 2004 was a crappy year. Right now, if having a cig or two helps you, then go for it. There are no rules of vaping set in stone that say you can't do both as long as you need to. If your brain tells you that you need a cig, have a cig. Your brain will come around sooner or later, mine did. I admire you for coming on here and sharing your experiences with us. Thanks for that!

 

[Kate51]

We love AHA moments! You sound like you're ready to go, stay off the Panic Button!

 

[Katya]

What works for me is a combination of Swedish snus and dissolvables (Stonewall or/and Arriva). Just a tiny amount when I think I'm going to lose my sanity. Some people are more sensitive to those tobacco alkaloids and seem to crave them desperately. Whatever it takes to take a break from burning tobacco! I vape lower strenghts because I don't want to OD on nic; 18 mg makes me shaky and sick. When I feel a bad craving coming, one mini white General Mint takes care of it with aplomb. You may want to give it a try. Whatever works. Your first goal is to free yourself from analogs. And work from there.

 

[KPKicker]

Wow! So much great information. A big thanks to everyone who has posted on this thread. I've learned so much today. Heck, I learned stuff I didn't know I hadn't learned.

Which I suppose makes sense.

At any rate, I'm just going to keep chipping away at the hook the analogs have in me. I know that eventually I will free myself. It's just a matter of time...and education.

The education part is where ECF is saving my .... (and I ain't talking the hind end of a cancer stick either).

 

[Mister]

Your symptoms and behaviour sound very much like those of us who have discovered that we have an addiction to other elements in tobacco, probably to one or more of the alkaloids other than nicotine. If you can't beat it without having a few cigarettes then I strongly recommend trying adding a few snus to your daily routine. Use a snus at the times when you would otherwise sneak a cigarette. Fast way to get started: go to Northerner. Buy Swedish Snus & Snuff Online. The Healthy Smokeless Tobacco Alternative and order a sampler pack.