In a bad place right now.

[Kharok]

Hi all,

For some background, I started vaping three weeks ago as a replacement for smoking almost half my life. For two weeks it worked great, I was able to put down the smokes day one with no issues at all. The vaping satisfied all of my cravings, I enjoyed the taste, and I felt no ill effects at all.

About a week ago I started feeling congested, my throat filling up with mucus. For a day or two it was mostly an annoyance, but it kept getting worse. Yesterday it got to the point that I could hardly sleep due to having trouble breathing while lying down and being constantly forced to swallow and clear my throat.

Today I haven't vaped, and I think my throat is getting better, but the soreness from all the clearing and coughing makes it hard to tell. The nicotine withdrawal is making me miserable as well. I'm close to gouging my eyes out from anxiety and I'm experiencing flu-like symptoms.

I have tried having a smoke, but the horrible taste actually made me vomit. Isn't that funny? Fifteen years of a pack a day, then after three weeks without them I can't stand the taste anymore? I would find it hilarious if I didn't just want to kill myself right now.

So, now I have a shelf full of awesome looking and tasting e-liquids. I have two packs of smokes. And I can't touch any of it, even though I'm miserable and craving nicotine.


As a closer, I not really looking for advice, I doubt anyone can help. I read threads from people with similar problems and I will be following some advice I found there. I have ordered some flavourless low nicotine 100% VG and 100% PG liquids to see if I can identify what is making me react this way. Hopefully I will find a way to keep puffing and keep sane.

I just needed to get this of my chest, and would welcome some words of support if any are available.

Oh, and here is a bonus pic of said shelf:

 

[ghola1was]

So sorry you are having such difficulties. Have you seen a doctor yet?

Crazy how you can't stand the taste of cigs anymore, huh?

Just posting to let you know you are not alone. And that I really like your shelf...

 

[Frenchfry1942]

I think your symptoms occur more often. I have to say that i don't specifically recall my own switch. I am the kind of person that doesn't let things get in my way, and I REAALLY wanted to switch. But, I do read here and one of my friends had an issue with phlegm and irritability. In reading, it often is suggested that it is just the body yelling for those cigarette chemicals that it is no longer receiving.

The irritated throat, can be some other things. To much power behind your vape, to much nicotine being inhaled past the throat, an irritation from PG or VG, but I think PG is more often the culprit than VG.

Things that might help:

- Stay at lower watts, maybe 8-13.
- Keep you PG/VG ratio balanced
- Inhale to the mouth and then out the nose. Don't swallow.
- Vape only when you have an urge for nic. 4-5 draws per hour?

Things to consider. Hopefully, someone will chime in

 

[AzPlumber]

A few things to consider, it could be from quitting tobacco (quit flu). Tobacco has more than just nicotine that cause withdrawal symptoms. It could be a bug totally unrelated to vaping. It could be a reaction to a certain flavoring.

 

[Kharok]

So sorry you are having such difficulties. Have you seen a doctor yet?

Crazy how you can't stand the taste of cigs anymore, huh?

Just posting to let you know you are not alone. And that I really like your shelf...

Not sure what a doc could do other than stating the obvious, that it is either a reaction to the vape, or withdrawal. Either way he wont be able to help I don't think :/

I did have my lungs checked a few months ago to look for damage from the smoking, but they were fine.

A few things to consider, it could be from quitting tobacco (quit flu). Tobacco has more than just nicotine that cause withdrawal symptoms. It could be a bug totally unrelated to vaping. It could be a reaction to a certain flavoring.

If it had to do with the tobacco wouldn't the symptoms come earlier? Two weeks feel like a long time for the symptoms to start if it is withdrawal.

I have considered reactions to flavorings and similar, and I can't rule it out of course, not knowing the exact contents of the juiced I've been puffing. But since the problems started I have switched to a few different brands of juices with different content ratios with no improvements, so I just don't know.

 

[Kharok]

I think your symptoms occur more often. I have to say that i don't specifically recall my own switch. I am the kind of person that doesn't let things get in my way, and I REAALLY wanted to switch. But, I do read here and one of my friends had an issue with phlegm and irritability. In reading, it often is suggested that it is just the body yelling for those cigarette chemicals that it is no longer receiving.

The irritated throat, can be some other things. To much power behind your vape, to much nicotine being inhaled past the throat, an irritation from PG or VG, but I think PG is more often the culprit than VG.

Things that might help:

- Stay at lower watts, maybe 8-13.
- Keep you PG/VG ratio balanced
- Inhale to the mouth and then out the nose. Don't swallow.
- Vape only when you have an urge for nic. 4-5 draws per hour?

Things to consider. Hopefully, someone will chime in

Thanks man, I'll keep this in mind. I don't dare touch the premixed juices but I'll try an even mix of the unflavoured stuff that will arrive in the mail in twelve hours.

 

[sawlight]

Short term you could buy some Snus or nicotene gum to get over the hump. It's not the ideal solution, but will help with the craving!
Another thought is to try smoking again, maybe throwing up again will ingrain that response in your head and trigger it to just want to quit!
Sorry I'm not more help.

 

[bnrkwest]

Short term you could buy some Snus or nicotene gum to get over the hump. It's not the ideal solution, but will help with the craving!
Another thought is to try smoking again, maybe throwing up again will ingrain that response in your head and trigger it to just want to quit!
Sorry I'm not more help.

That's what I was thinking get the patch or gum or lozenge to get over the hump. I have problems with high VG and am better on high PG, you could try vaping some of each and see what works best. Do you do direct lung hits or mouth to lung? Also something I do if I can't handle an inhale is just hold the vape in my mouth and exhale thru mouth, I don't inhale at all, that gives me nic but nothing to hurt my lungs. Best of luck!

 

[AzPlumber]

You may find this thread helpful A list of symptoms when quitting tobacco and changing to an ecigarette

 

[zero7starz]

Honestly, it sounds like bad timing with a cold. It happens. I think while I quit smoking I had a couple sinus infections that blew past.

Try a nasal spray for the congestion. I recommend Zicam extreme congestion relief with aloe. Once you can breath you can Vape.

Stay very hydrated.

Don't get juice on your lips if you do wash it off, yes with water.

That's about my extent of advice atm! Good luck.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[daleron]

I hope you are drinking lots of hydrating liquids and avoiding things like soda's and caffeine fill beverages.

You're certainly not alone and there are all kinds of great folks here ready and willing to help & listen

 

[Zipslack]

Awwwww, man....Pall Mall blue packs....

 

[subwayaznm]

First off congrats on taking the steps to quit. Most of us have gone through issues at the beginning, but hang in there it does get easier. And before you know it you'll find it amusing and just a distant memory. While you enjoy much better health and slinger life.
Keep it rolling and enjoy the journey to better health.
Peace

 

[Maestro]

Don't inhale. You'll still get the nicotine.

 

[Canadian_Vaper]

For some background, I started vaping three weeks ago as a replacement for smoking almost half my life. For two weeks it worked great, I was able to put down the smokes day one with no issues at all. The vaping satisfied all of my cravings, I enjoyed the taste, and I felt no ill effects at all.

About a week ago I started feeling congested, my throat filling up with mucus.

That's actually a symptom of quitting smoking, after you smoke for so long your lungs pretty much give up on healing themselves, it takes a few weeks after quitting for them to say "Hey your not killing me anymore time to clean the house" and kick into overdrive, yeap you'll hock a few loogies for a while, it will slow down eventually it will be every once and a while and in a period of a few years your lungs will clear out all that black goo...

after a year and a half of vaping just the other day I got this weird taste in my mouth, I blew my nose and some came out :X

 

[SupplyDaddy]

Something to consider. You may be allergic to a certain flavor(s), or a certain ingredient in the flavor(s).
Strawberry is one of my favs. Love it, got to have it. But.. If I get the wrong one, I have similar reactions to yours. Basically, add choking and a feeling of my neck swelling (it doesn't, just feels that way..).
Try different flavors, and defiantly try the unflavored.