Heya!

[Territoo]

You say you've had 2 x-rays that have been clear, is this since you started vaping? Is this cough the same cough that you had as a smoker that just didn't go away with your switch to vaping or is it different? Do you only cough when you vape? Have you had pulmonary function tests done? Have you recently been tried on antibiotics for bronchitis?

I actually am a doctor, but you have to keep in mind I'm not your doctor, or anyone else's on the forum. A few possibilities come to mind, but keep in mind that you need to see your own doctor for a diagnosis. I'm thinking maybe acute or chronic bronchitis, PG allergy, or most probably COPD. I'm sure you'd be advised to quit vaping and not to start smoking. I'd definitely agree with the not smoking, but as to quitting vaping, that's going to be up to you and your doctor. Quitting vaping is easier than quitting smoking. Just gradually lower your nicotine level until you reach 0mg, then see if you can quit. Some people do find it possible to lower the nicotine level, but can't get to 0mg. Nicotine replacement products or snus would help in that circumstance.

 

[Z-Lee]

This:

So I've been vaping for almost 2 months. When I hit the vape, pretty often I get the same feeling I did when I smoked too much. A burn in my lungs, followed by a coughing fit. I've changed wattage, how I inhale, airflow, etc. and nothing is working. Should I still be coughing like this 2 months in? The irritation concerns me as well. When I cough I do produce some phlegm. It's literally identical almost to when I smoked almost 2 packs a day.

If you've been smoking for 22 years and are on 2 months of no smoking, it's definitely not uncommon to still be experiencing phlegm and coughing fits. Vaping in itself can induce coughing fits, but I'm highly doubtful that the burning in your chest and coughing is from vaping. It's more likely from your lungs expelling all the crap it's accumulated over the past 22 years. The burning in your chest could be from using too much Wattage/Voltage?

 

[Redsonja84]

You say you've had 2 x-rays that have been clear, is this since you started vaping? Is this cough the same cough that you had as a smoker that just didn't go away with your switch to vaping or is it different? Do you only cough when you vape? Have you had pulmonary function tests done? Have you recently been tried on antibiotics for bronchitis?

I actually am a doctor, but you have to keep in mind I'm not your doctor, or anyone else's on the forum. A few possibilities come to mind, but keep in mind that you need to see your own doctor for a diagnosis. I'm thinking maybe acute or chronic bronchitis, PG allergy, or most probably COPD. I'm sure you'd be advised to quit vaping and not to start smoking. I'd definitely agree with the not smoking, but as to quitting vaping, that's going to be up to you and your doctor. Quitting vaping is easier than quitting smoking. Just gradually lower your nicotine level until you reach 0mg, then see if you can quit. Some people do find it possible to lower the nicotine level, but can't get to 0mg. Nicotine replacement products or snus would help in that circumstance.

I just got over "walking" pneumonia that I apparently got back in May. I had it two months, during that time started vaping, then went to Dr, got meds, and had a follow up blood test and x-ray to make sure it's gone.
I cough mostly when I vape (it sounds/feels just like my smoker's cough when it's bad), I do the occasional "cough cough" ew phlegm cough that I've been doing for years, like cough you don't even realize you have because you've been doing it so long. No pulmonary tests done recently. I do have a nickel allergy, so I don't use most smok coils, no nichrome, ss, or titanium. I use kanthal. (This is the reason I went to an RDA, it's the only way I can be sure that the coil doesn't have nickel.)

Wouldn't COPD show up on x-rays in some way? I've had the same dr for about 15 years. I would hope he would tell me, "Hey, looks like you should see a pulmonary dr, my guy."

I usually run anywhere between 65-90 watts on a .37ish coil build. I was using Jam Monster Peach in 6mg, and now I'm using sour watermelon strawberry in 6mg.

 

[Z-Lee]

I usually run anywhere between 65-90 watts on a .37ish coil build. I was using Jam Monster Peach in 6mg, and now I'm using sour watermelon strawberry in 6mg.

65-90W for a 0.37 Ohm coil seems very high to me, especially 90W. If I pop a coil in and it reads 0.37 Ohms, I'd probably start my Wattage at around 40. And with a 6 mg/mL juice - I feel like that would obliterate my throat. I vape 3 mg/mL, and I have to dilute the 6 mg/mL juices I have because they're much too harsh. You may want to try a low level salt nic to reduce the harshness, or maybe try 3 mg/mL.

 

[Bliss Doubt]

If I'm saying things that have been said already, apologies to the other commenters. I did try to read through briefly.

When you stop smoking, whether cold turkey or by vaping, your lungs begin giving up junk. It can feel like being sick, but your lungs are coming alive, and after some time the purge will decrease and subside. It happened to me at first. Intuitively I felt it was a natural occurrence, but I read the forums and saw other people saying the same thing. My years of chronic bronchitis cleared within just a few weeks.

Some people are very allergic to PG, in which case you may need to try a 100 percent VG liquid, and you can ask others how to thin it a bit with distilled water. I would first give some time to allow your lungs to clear themselves out from all those years of smoking two packs a day. With all of the toxic cigarette additives your body has defended you against for so long, once you are completely free of cigarettes for a long time, some of your other allergies may decrease in severity.

Consider vaping unflavored until you are feeling better, just to eliminate all potential irritants until you are free, clear, healthy and happy.

Anything is better than going back to cigarettes. IMO it would be a fool, not a doctor, who would advise you to resume smoking after having quit.

 

[Territoo]

I just got over "walking" pneumonia that I apparently got back in May. I had it two months, during that time started vaping, then went to Dr, got meds, and had a follow up blood test and x-ray to make sure it's gone.
I cough mostly when I vape (it sounds/feels just like my smoker's cough when it's bad), I do the occasional "cough cough" ew phlegm cough that I've been doing for years, like cough you don't even realize you have because you've been doing it so long. No pulmonary tests done recently. I do have a nickel allergy, so I don't use most smok coils, no nichrome, ss, or titanium. I use kanthal. (This is the reason I went to an RDA, it's the only way I can be sure that the coil doesn't have nickel.)

Wouldn't COPD show up on x-rays in some way? I've had the same dr for about 15 years. I would hope he would tell me, "Hey, looks like you should see a pulmonary dr, my guy."

I usually run anywhere between 65-90 watts on a .37ish coil build. I was using Jam Monster Peach in 6mg, and now I'm using sour watermelon strawberry in 6mg.

COPD changes can sometimes be seen in an chest xray, particularly in the latter phases, but to really diagnose it, you need pulmonary function tests. Your primary doctor can order this or refer you to a specialist, depending upon his preferences. @Z-Lee may bee right that this is just the initial phases of quitting smoking, where the cilia, damaged by years of 2ppd smoking, are being regenerated and are working to clear the lungs. Another thing to try, although I don't think it will make a difference based on the description of your cough, is 100% VG juice, in case you have a PG allergy.

 

[Redsonja84]

COPD changes can sometimes be seen in an chest xray, particularly in the latter phases, but to really diagnose it, you need pulmonary function tests. Your primary doctor can order this or refer you to a specialist, depending upon his preferences. @Z-Lee may bee right that this is just the initial phases of quitting smoking, where the cilia, damaged by years of 2ppd smoking, are being regenerated and are working to clear the lungs. Another thing to try, although I don't think it will make a difference based on the description of your cough, is 100% VG juice, in case you have a PG allergy.

Heya. Idk what's different today, maybe it will change again, IDK. I'm coughing a lot less. I changed out my coils from a single round A1, to a flat clapton A1. Maybe it was the coil job I did before? (I have a thread about that adventure on here, too LOL).

I'll still make an appointment with my Dr, and let him know my concerns and what you said. I need a physical anyway. I will say two things, I did walk over 2 miles home from work and didn't have any shortness of breath, and there IS a strong history of COPD and lung cancer in my family. On my paternal side both my father and grandmother had/have COPD. On my mother's both her and her father died from lung cancer. I've actually outlived my mom. Having said that, this is one of my biggest reasons to vape. I'm trying to mitigate these issues, while not killing anyone LOL. Thanks to everyone here for your help, it was much clearer and better suggestions/advice than I ever got on Reddit.

 

[Redsonja84]

I also want to make myself clearer on the "burning." It's on the inhale, and feels almost like what you'd feel if you breath in super cold air deeply. It's a crappy description but the best I have. Also, my mouth gets an almost "spicy" burn to it when I vape. This to me is my most concerning issue. I've heard stories about people being allergic to things who think that a food item is supposed to be spicy (peanut butter, watermelon, etc.) when it's NOT.

 

[puffon]

I changed out my coils from a single round A1

65-90 watts on a single round wire build is probably too much.
I vape a single round wire build around .5 ohms at 30 watts. Plenty for me with 6mg.

 

[Redsonja84]

65-90 watts on a single round wire build is probably too much.
I vape a single round wire build around .5 ohms at 30 watts. Plenty for me with 6mg.

I actually used Vape Tool to see what I "should" be vaping at. I know 90W was a very warm vape.

 

[Territoo]

Heya. Idk what's different today, maybe it will change again, IDK. I'm coughing a lot less. I changed out my coils from a single round A1, to a flat clapton A1. Maybe it was the coil job I did before? (I have a thread about that adventure on here, too LOL).

Maybe the single round A1 isn't a pure Kanthal, but has some nickel in it? My mother is allergic to nickel and the slightest bit makes her break out in a rash. These days you are hard pressed to find anything without nickel in it.

 

[Redsonja84]

Maybe the single round A1 isn't a pure Kanthal, but has some nickel in it? My mother is allergic to nickel and the slightest bit makes her break out in a rash. These days you are hard pressed to find anything without nickel in it.

It's labelled a1 kanthal. I triple checked. I wracked my brain trying to figure out why my throat was so sore and why my entire mouth (waiting on dentures) felt like it was ulcerated, then a random google hit mentioned nickel. Was using Smok coils... They're Nichrome. Wellllllll damn. LOL Gave away my tank and switched to the Freemax I had as an extra. Said screw this and decided to go RDA. Also, even stainless steel has nickel in it. Titanium too. Seems like for us the only option is kanthal.

 

[Z-Lee]

It's labelled a1 kanthal. I triple checked. I wracked my brain trying to figure out why my throat was so sore and why my entire mouth (waiting on dentures) felt like it was ulcerated, then a random google hit mentioned nickel. Was using Smok coils... They're Nichrome. Wellllllll damn. LOL Gave away my tank and switched to the Freemax I had as an extra. Said screw this and decided to go RDA. Also, even stainless steel has nickel in it. Titanium too. Seems like for us the only option is kanthal.

Depending on the Freemax tank, you may have been fine. Freemax's M Pro line of tanks can use the older Mesh Pro coils which are kanthal; their Fireluke series tanks use SS.

Have you tried any RTAs?

 

[Redsonja84]

Depending on the Freemax tank, you may have been fine. Freemax's M Pro line of tanks can use the older Mesh Pro coils which are kanthal; their Fireluke series tanks use SS.

Have you tried any RTAs?

That's exactly the tank I have. And the coils I used. I keep it for travel now.

 

[Territoo]

Your A1 kanthal was probably made in China, just like almost everything else we use. I wouldn't put it past some manufacturers to add a bit of cheap nickel to stretch the costs a bit. Probably not enough to have much effect on the performance, but enough to trigger an allergy. Whatever the reason, I'm just glad you figured out the source of your cough.

 

[Bliss Doubt]

I forgot to add: You don't have to inhale the vapor to get your nic. It's easy to master if you vape mouth-to-lung. You just stop at mouth-to-exit, and you get used to it. When the vapor hits your throat, just release it through your mouth and nose. That gives you lots of tissue areas for absorbing the nic. Many vapers report they drifted toward this method naturally. That's how it happened for me too, and I never even notice I'm not taking it into my lungs. There is no lack of "nic fix" satisfaction.

 

[Rat2chat2]

to ECF Redsonja84. So glad you are here but so sorry you are having issues. I hate you are discouraged but I hope you will not give up. Anything new takes time and patience. Smoking is such a hard habit to give up but I feel the benefits are worth it. You definitely found the right place for good information and advice. Lots of support here for you too so make yourself at home.