Intermittent vaping related illness
- Thread starter AnthonyB
- Start date
- th_trl_thread_readers 0
- Status
Agree.
While I was going through a process of elimination tying to find what ingredients in vape juice I was having a problem with I worked with VG, PG, and nic in different ratios until I could be certain what was the cause of my problem, it was PG.
I didnt use flavourings so I could just deal with the core ingredients.
While going through that process I also discovered a brand of VG that I also didnt do well with. I made up one batch with the brand of VG and it made me feel ill. I threw out the batch then made a new batch with the same brand of VG and making sure that proper sterilization procedures were followed for all equipment. The results were the same, the mix made me feel ill.
I cant remember the brand name, dammit, I just dont buy VG from that supplier.
During the process of elimination I became quite partial to the vape experience of unflavoured juice.
That’s a scary thought that there could be some
underlying condition in a precursory stage. No I have not tried to stop vaping entirely. The thought of stopping entirely seems entirely foreign to me.
Perhaps the reason I haven’t even tried to stop vaping is that my illness is intermittent. That is, I will get mild symptoms of illness for a few days and then feel entirely fine for a few days or even a few weeks before something else reacts badly with me.
I’ve thrown out a lot of juice over the years, thousands of dollars worth, because of my perceived toxicity of the juices to my system. Some really good stuff too.
Before I seriously consider taking a hiatus from vaping, I am going to experiment with high VG MTL vaping and see if the problem is, and has always been, PG. I’m also going to drop the nicotine.
Thanks for the advice. It’s definitely thought provoking.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I’m going to get an allergy test done. I like Racehorse’s suggestion.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Your experiences sound similar to my own and the only reason I have always overlooked the possibility of a PG intolerance is because I’ve had some problems with VG juices as well, just not as many. I have also had some PG juices which made me sick and some that didn’t. I’ve also never had a rash or dermatological issues.
Did you get rashes or skin irritations ?
What about your experience with PG heavy liquids? Were you feeling off from the first vape or was it pleasant to vape with a delayed onset of symptoms?
With my experiences I can tell something is not quite right with how my body is responding within a few vapes. Sometimes a juice will catch me off guard initially and I will be hit with the accumulative effects of having vaped a juice for a while.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Last edited:
Try inhaling via one nostril at a time then exhale via one ear hole at a time, then alternate.
But seriously AB, the 'trial & error' self diagnosis could very well be masking something else that may be easily treatable. Run the gamut of medical tests for certain! I find it the same as the reason for giving up the combustibles for, dare I say it, a lot of us ex smokers. More worried about the $USD or $AUD than our flipping health. (Caveat - Higher and ever increasing taxes on smokes in $AUD). Priorities AB! (P.s, I'll PM my details for bequeathing of all vape gear.)
But seriously AB, the 'trial & error' self diagnosis could very well be masking something else that may be easily treatable. Run the gamut of medical tests for certain! I find it the same as the reason for giving up the combustibles for, dare I say it, a lot of us ex smokers. More worried about the $USD or $AUD than our flipping health. (Caveat - Higher and ever increasing taxes on smokes in $AUD). Priorities AB! (P.s, I'll PM my details for bequeathing of all vape gear.)
Alpha Gal allergy is caused by bites from the Lone Star tick, a.k.a. turkey mites. Though i think the adult form of the tick is the culprit and thankfully not the larval form. The larval form have not had their first meal and thus not exposed to whatever the adults carry that causes the allergy. I say thankfully because anyone who has ever gotten into turkey mites knows that you dont just get a few bites but hundreds of the little bastids attack visciously@AnthonyB
If you want to get to the bottom of this, many many people are sensitive OR have a full blown allergy to every day ingredients in personal care products, food, etc.
A trip to UAMS immunology, as well as a combo visit to the allergy department there, as well as complete patch testing from my dermatologist (100+ substances pricked into my back) revealed pretty bad allergies to cocomidapropyl betaine, phenoexethanol, organic lavender, one of the ingredients in the flu shot (I forgot what but there is a workaround from some manufacturers), about 5 different fragrances and other preservatives, several food ingredients (soy bean oil was deathly in terms of numbers). All this stuff is in so many things, I was barely able to even wash my hair anymore.But know that I know what to avoid, life is good.
That is when I also found out I have Alpha Gal Allergy, which I am always trying to spread awareness about, because the numbers are increasing all over the U.S. (as well as the rest of the world) and it really *can* be quite deadly.
At any rate, you can certainly be tested for food additives/flavorings, propylene glycol (which is a very common allergy!), glycerin, etc. (less likely), etc.
Really? I have Celiac disease and it was diagnosed first through a blood test and confirmed via an endoscopy...you know...through the other end. They sedated me and went down my esophagus to take a biopsy of my small intestine.
Never heard of testing for Celiac disease during a colonoscopy. Not saying it can't be done, but the damage done to your digestive tract due to Celiac disease is found in the small intestine, not the large intestine.
Yep your right, there both similar procedures though just different ends hey. Colonoscopy for crohns disease and UC and the other terrible thing. #crohnscured2015
You know, for the first years I vaped I was both smoking and vaping (albeit smoking much less) and when I got ill from vaping I would revert back to smoking full time for a few days and feel much better. It was a psychological aversion that was almost sub-conscious to me that, on the surface, appeared to be a lack of willpower to give up the smokes and stick to vaping.
That wasn’t the case. In the short term, vaping made me feel more ill than smoking cigarettes.
I would say it could be a nice 10th vaping anniversary if I can find out what the problem is that is affecting my ability to enjoy vaping all the time.
I’ve always been a slow learner and late bloomer.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Fascinating allergy and critter. I wikied it after Racehorse’s post.
I’m not sure we have the lone star tick in Australia but even if we do, I am not one for bushwalking, hiking or mating with anything that is less than 3 feet tall.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I’ve considered that except I drink so much water I am more at risk of dispersing my brain cells than dehydrating.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Brain cells ?.........in Sydney!? You heard it here first folks!
You must be from Victoria AB!
Now we are going to have to build a wall! Hmmmm, concrete, white picket or steel? Another dang referendum!
Another mystery solved on ECF.
Here in south eastern Kentucky, we have these. The larval form of these hatch and cluster by the hundreds on underbrush, waiting for something to brush by, such as an animal or human. They attack by the hundreds. Ive had this happen several times to me. This past summer being most recent. They are extremely tiny, can go through your clothes, and cause a horrible rash that is excruciatingly miserable. Itch does not even begin to describe it, lol.
I learn something new on this site daily, sometimes hourly.
Before today, I'd have thought Alpha Gal allergy was the need to be dominant in a relationship.
JK- hope you do the immunology tests and figure it out, Anthony. Sounds like a good path to take.
Before today, I'd have thought Alpha Gal allergy was the need to be dominant in a relationship.
JK- hope you do the immunology tests and figure it out, Anthony. Sounds like a good path to take.
Hi,
I’m ‘allergic’ to most of the e-juices I’ve tried so far; out of about 20 I’ve tested, only 2 didn’t leave me with bad headaches and hay fever like symptoms immediately after the first few puffs. Pure VG also works fine. Can you also pinpoint your problems to the use of certain juices?
I’m ‘allergic’ to most of the e-juices I’ve tried so far; out of about 20 I’ve tested, only 2 didn’t leave me with bad headaches and hay fever like symptoms immediately after the first few puffs. Pure VG also works fine. Can you also pinpoint your problems to the use of certain juices?
Mate you are actually in South Australia. Victoria just stole your area by moving the border line eastward in the 1800s
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
@AnthonyB - I don't get nearly the symptoms you get. However, within a few puffs...I do get an immediate headache at the back base of my head, a tingling sensation in my tongue, and a not quite right feeling...if/when a flavoring I've used for DIY eliquids contains ethyl alcohol in its base and sometimes if 1 contains quite a bit of ethanol. I've learned to let those eliquids "breathe" for a day or so (with the cap and dropper tip removed) before I vape them. The ethyl alcohol will evaporate off and then it's fine = none of the symptoms at all then.
I know you don't DIY your eliquids, but the presence of EA or ethanol in some of the flavorings the vendors or manufacturers used to make the eliquids that you react to...might be something to consider. I especially wonder about the banana and cigar flavored eliquid you mentioned, as banana flavoring is one of them that sometimes has ethyl alcohol in it. In fact, there are quite a few fruit flavorings and other types that do contain it. I can usually tell if I take a small sniff of the flavoring, because it'll have a sharp sort of harshness to it that kind of "zings" my nose.
If you've been able to make note of some of the specific eliquids that result in your symptoms appearing right away within a few puffs...maybe you could contact the vendor/manufacturer and simply ask if either ethyl alcohol and/or ethanol are in any of the flavorings used to make them. They should be able to tell you that for sure, though it may take them some time to check the ingredients list of each flavoring in those particular eliquids.
I know you don't DIY your eliquids, but the presence of EA or ethanol in some of the flavorings the vendors or manufacturers used to make the eliquids that you react to...might be something to consider. I especially wonder about the banana and cigar flavored eliquid you mentioned, as banana flavoring is one of them that sometimes has ethyl alcohol in it. In fact, there are quite a few fruit flavorings and other types that do contain it. I can usually tell if I take a small sniff of the flavoring, because it'll have a sharp sort of harshness to it that kind of "zings" my nose.
If you've been able to make note of some of the specific eliquids that result in your symptoms appearing right away within a few puffs...maybe you could contact the vendor/manufacturer and simply ask if either ethyl alcohol and/or ethanol are in any of the flavorings used to make them. They should be able to tell you that for sure, though it may take them some time to check the ingredients list of each flavoring in those particular eliquids.
Last edited:
- Status
Similar threads
