Howdy, newbie here that was happy to find the ECF

[Bearscout]

Howdy,

I am new to the ECF and to vaping after my doctor very recently found that I had a heart arrhythmia. I had to quit smoking ASAP, but haven't fully quit yet......but I'm getting there. I had a very poor experience with my first ever purchase of vaping products from a local vape store where it appears I have purchased a fake Spinner 2 from them. I was clueless to all the copy cat'ing going on between these companies where it's like a sport trying to copy each others products. Thankfully, my initial poor experience and subsequent research online lead me to the ECF forums where I found some great information and was so happy to find such a wealth of forums and active members here. It's become very clear to me that knowledge is power in the vaping world and had no idea you really need to protect/educate yourself for something that I originally viewed as a rather simple product. I'm eager to start reading, learning and engaging in the forums to get myself up to speed on everything and hopefully one day I can help prevent some other newbie from stepping into the same pot hole I did thinking I could trust the people at my local vape store. Again, I'm really great full to have found the ECF and to know I have some really good resources to start making better decisions Thanks !

 

[edyle]

Howdy,

I am new to the ECF and to vaping after my doctor very recently found that I had a heart arrhythmia. I had to quit smoking ASAP, but haven't fully quit yet......but I'm getting there. I had a very poor experience with my first ever purchase of vaping products from a local vape store where it appears I have purchased a fake Spinner 2 from them. I was clueless to all the copy cat'ing going on between these companies where it's like a sport trying to copy each others products. Thankfully, my initial poor experience and subsequent research online lead me to the ECF forums where I found some great information and was so happy to find such a wealth of forums and active members here. It's become very clear to me that knowledge is power in the vaping world and had no idea you really need to protect/educate yourself for something that I originally viewed as a rather simple product. I'm eager to start reading, learning and engaging in the forums to get myself up to speed on everything and hopefully one day I can help prevent some other newbie from stepping into the same pot hole I did thinking I could trust the people at my local vape store. Again, I'm really great full to have found the ECF and to know I have some really good resources to start making better decisions Thanks !

so what did the doctor say about nicotine and your heart arrhythmia

 

[Panorama911]

Welcome in! There are around 13 different types of Arrhythmia, which do you have if you know?.....Yes nicotine can play a role, so I would ask the doctor if you can tolerate it with your type of Arrhythmia, if so, in what amounts....I realize the answer to that is going to be "none" but try to get a general safe level anyway out of the doctor.

If I were your doctor I would suggest none, at least until the irregular heartbeat can be under control.

GL!

 

[NymeriaSand]

Hi from a fellow newbie who unknowingly bought a rather rubbish first vapouriser! It's managed to keep me off the analogs for 3 weeks so can't really be too disappointed with it just now, but know I'll need to upgrade to a real setup as soon as finance allow. It seems we have come to the right place!

Regarding your arrhythmia, I'd be careful about overdoing it on the nic level. I'm not medically trained or an experienced in vaping. Just mentioning as I've have already had my heart racing from using a nic level that was too high and/or chain vaping, I'd imagine that might be uncomfortable (possibly dangerous?) With an arrhythmia. Good luck in your travels through this vaping world!

 

[EBates]

Welcome aboard.

 

[Rat2chat2]

to ecf Bearscout. So glad you are here. So sorry you are having problems but at least you know now that it is time to do something about your smoking. I did both at the beginning and it didn't take long to realize I enjoyed vaping more than smoking. Lots of good and reliable information here within these threads. And there is always someone here that is willing to help you any way the can. I think that is what makes ecf so valuable. Good luck to you and let us know how you are doing or if you have any questions.

 

[Bearscout]

Thanks for all the replies . This will probably sound stupid, but I actually don't know the medical name of the arrhythmia. I'll check the paperwork tomorrow and get the actual name because I should know it....lol. They prescribed Metoprolol, Diltiazem and aspirin. From what I understand, it's never going to beat in a sinus rhythm and probably hadn't in a long time. Honestly, that is probably true because I don't even notice it. I used to smoke about a pack and a half a day and drink tons of coffee and Red Bull every day before I went to the hospital.on 7/10. The first trip to the hospital they knocked me out on that Michael Jackson 'Propofal' stuff that he used to sleep on, zapped me and woke me back up 5 mins later and had a sinus rhythm and went home that night. It was definitely a bucket list moment, so now I can check of getting defibrillated....good times, but I felt great after just a 5 min nap. 3 days later it was right back out of whack and then they kept me there for awhile to put me on meds and see if they were going to work out.

So, now I take the meds, quite caffeine cold turkey and have only had 6 cigarette today (versus a pack and a half a day). I don't drink at all, so that isn't an issue and only partake in herb. I smoked Salem lights which I understand were like 11 mg (?) nicotine and the liquid I am using is 6mg. The goal is understandably to have no nicotine and am gearing down pretty hard without going cold turkey and the scales are definitely starting to tilt toward vaping. I go see my cardiologist again on 8/14 and am going to bring the vaporizer and the liquid and get his spin on it. I know he'll tell me no nicotine and am getting there as fast as I can, it was just too much to quit it cold turkey. I read a ton of information people on here had posted that had heart issues and things their doctors said because it was validating a lot of things for me and was a driving force for me to sign up here.

I'm still bugged that the vape store I want to the very first time out turned out to be so shady because it was conveniently close and I really liked one of their liquids. So, I am going on a quest tomorrow for something new.....from somewhere else. They sold me a Spinner II that I tried to verify with that scratch off security code, but mine had no sticker at all where it was supposed to be and the markings are different than the ones on the Vision website. From what I could educate myself about, it seems legit that the security codes really do verify it as real ? I emailed pictures of the a Spinner II and the packaging to Vision and they replied and said it was fake and to get a refund. The store said they didn't offer refunds and besides they 'don't have anymore' (but they had lots in every color a few days before). Then they said maybe someone in China forgot to put the sticker on, then their 'main' store in the chain said they buy the best 'version' of the Spinner iI's, so forget the website because I bought a 'superior product' and he only buys from the company that gives him the 'least problems'. Then he went on to blame US customs and rambled about other stuff, but the message was definitely 'we got your money and you got what you got'. Plus, based on prices I see on the internet he way overcharged me.

I am not sure how much to invest in the whole 'security code' thing, but a friend helped me order a Nautilus tank from a reputable website and he said to definitely make sure the security code on it checks out, but I shouldn't expect a problem from this vendor. Anyway.....that whole first purchase thing from that vape store just rubbed me the wrong way and guess I should just be happy it works at all. Now that I know a little more, I am leaning toward getting VG liquid. Hopefully I'll run across something I like. I tried a couple that said they were like Salem Lights, but everything has been too oddly minty. I am however liking me some piña colada. Wow, look at the time.....can you say 'chatty'. So, tomorrow should be an adventure.l.....thanks again for the replies

 

[Bearscout]

I just looked up the type of arrhythmia I have and the paperwork says 'Arrhythmia: Paroxysmal atrial flutter with rapid ventricular rate'. I don't know if that explains it any better and I really don't totally know what words like 'Paroxysmal' mean, but I guess I am inlined to look them up now....lol.

 

[Warpigs]

Welcome to ECF! I have heart problems myself. I had a massive heart attack a bit back. Cardiologist said if you do not quit smoking you are going to die. I was like um ok. Set a date and started vaping on that day and never looked back at a cig.

 

[Panorama911]

Paroxysmal is a sudden occurrence or attack took place or taken place, "become violent in a fit of rage" would be a Paroxysm....This type you have can be but not always related to heart disease. This type is not considered permanent, meaning it is not in a state of constant fibrillation so it comes and goes and can last seconds or longer. The biggest concern is having a stroke as a result of "Thromboembolism" aka "blood clot".

I am certain your physician will get you on some form of medication such as a "Beta Blocker" or maybe even Coumadin, used to thin the blood.

In my opinion, I would cease all use of nicotine as it can cause changes in the heart rate.....at least until the doctor can get you stabilized and get a treatment underway, even if so, I cannot recommend nicotine use.

I wish you the best of luck!

 

[Bearscout]

They prescribed Metoprolol (twice a day), Diltiazem and aspirin. I haven't had a heart attack at this point, but it sounds like the risk is higher now. Every day I am starting to prefer the vapor over the cigs. Honestly the vapor is more satisfying, so at this point it's actually becoming weird as to why I even want to pick up a cigarette and guess it's happening out of habit. Right now I seem to think I need to still have a pack around, but I know in my head that keeping myself in proximity of them is pretty stupid.

The instant lifestyle change to no caffeine and cigarettes is really significant for someone who had both habits integrated into their daily routine so heavily. I made the jump to no caffeine really well, but leaving smoking behind has been more of a challenge, but from a pack and a half a day down to 6 a day seems like a decent start....one day at a time. I see my cardiologist on 8/14 and my goal is to drop cigarettes and nicotine altogether by that time.

Since this will be my first visit since being in the hospital, I have built up quit a list of questions. Thanks again for the responses, the encouragement and advice are great.

 

[Bearscout]

Oh.....and I bought some new liquids today. One is only 3mg (?) of nicotine (down from 6mg) and another has no nicotine . I did buy 2 bottles of the 6mg nicotine in the flavor I currently like, but also wanted to pick up some with less nicotine as well as some with none because that is the direction I am headed in. Hopefully it won't be much if a jump from the 6mg flavor I am using now at which point I can just go completely without nicotine. If you told me I would never have caffeine or cigarettes again just a few short weeks ago, I'd would have said you are nuts. There is no instruction book for when life kicks the door down to say 'Hi', so I'm just trying to get to the next chapter to see what happens next

 

[Panorama911]

Well you have to right mindset going, it is difficult to change ones lifestyle! But when a person is faced with adversity, we have an amazing ability to overcome......Sometimes fear is our hero!