Just started vaping after 22 yrs of tobacco - harshness issue

[justkay]

You are using the KR808 from V4L? I just got an 808 (different vendor) with V4L cartomizers. I also have a harshness problem. I posted something about it in another post and was told that the 808 is a true 3.7 volt device as opposed to teh 510 which is about 3.2 volts. I have a 510 and have never had a harshness problem. It is a smooth draw and no throat burning. I use straight PG juice. I guess the voltage is too high for us? I also used to smoke Marlboro lights. The 510 got me off regular cigarettes. I am happy with it but decided to try the 808 because the battery life is supposed to be twice as long as the 510. Unfortunately, I don't think I am going to be using it much because my throat feels like I've been drinking bleach.

 

[moze229]

You are using the KR808 from V4L? I just got an 808 (different vendor) with V4L cartomizers. I also have a harshness problem. I posted something about it in another post and was told that the 808 is a true 3.7 volt device as opposed to teh 510 which is about 3.2 volts. I have a 510 and have never had a harshness problem. It is a smooth draw and no throat burning. I use straight PG juice. I guess the voltage is too high for us? I also used to smoke Marlboro lights. The 510 got me off regular cigarettes. I am happy with it but decided to try the 808 because the battery life is supposed to be twice as long as the 510. Unfortunately, I don't think I am going to be using it much because my throat feels like I've been drinking bleach.

That stinks. Well, I think I'd like to try a different battery to see if that makes any difference. If that's the case, it would be a real shame though since I bought a V4L kit with two of these batteries. I'm not sure what to do at this point - still trying to "get used to it". If I could get rid of this harshness I think I could actually enjoy these things and quit smoking regular cigarettes. I want this to work for me!

To the vets - would the 3.2 vs. 3.7 volt batteries make that much difference?

 

[Mudflap]

I hope you guys don't think I was promoting the 510 over the KR808. I definitely wasn't.

I would suggest a different brand of cartomizers and/or some e-juice with more VG before giving up on the KR808's.

 

[Stosh]

Thanks Stosh. Well, if the cartos are coming brand new too dry that could be a possibility. .......... I'd still be interested in trying an atomizer with the drip method to see if that makes any difference, .....

Pre-filled carts that are too dry, filled with a harsh juice, not wicking well enough for your hits....
yup very possible.

Any 901 atty can be used with a 808 battery, but just stay away from anything that says LR or low resistance. LR WILL be harsh, by design??

3.2v vs 3.7v wouldn't make enough difference to make you cough, unless the cartos you received are all LR / low resistance!!! Then the experience would be more like 5v vaping and that could be harsh, I personally don't like it as much as 3.7v for that reason.

 

[moze229]

I should also note that my harshness is not throat related, but lung related. The draw from the PV feels like a draw from a cigarette at first, but once it hits my lungs it's like "whoa". It's like a raspy feeling making me want to cough.

Mudflap - thanks for the advice. I have some 100% VG carts and the effect seems to be less harsh, but it is still there nonetheless. I'll muddle trough it.

 

[moze229]

Pre-filled carts that are too dry, filled with a harsh juice, not wicking well enough for your hits....
yup very possible.

Any 901 atty can be used with a 808 battery, but just stay away from anything that says LR or low resistance. LR WILL be harsh, by design??

3.2v vs 3.7v wouldn't make enough difference to make you cough, unless the cartos you received are all LR / low resistance!!! Then the experience would be more like 5v vaping and that could be harsh, I personally don't like it as much as 3.7v for that reason.

Thanks for the direction on the atty. Maybe I'll order one of those with some juice and take that route. I'm just not ready to give up on this yet. What's a good "non-harsh" juice to go with so that I can remove that from the possible variables.

 

[Bozzlite]

Wow Bozzlite - that's a long time to be smoking. Congrats on the change over (if you've changed over 100%). Even if not, you must feel better now.

I have changed over completely. July 22, 2010 at 3:30 pm was my last cigarette and my first day of vaping. I do feel a bit better, especially in the pocket book, LOL. My signature banner is about $300 to high, but I'm catching up with it.

 

[DonG]

the harshness can have to do with vaping technique too. If you are drawing straight into your lungs, which I find harsh, try drawing into your mouth (like you were going to blow smoke rings) THEN inhaling the vapor. This brings some extra air with the vapor and smooths things out considerably. Works for me YMMV.

 

[moze229]

the harshness can have to do with vaping technique too. If you are drawing straight into your lungs, which I find harsh, try drawing into your mouth (like you were going to blow smoke rings) THEN inhaling the vapor. This brings some extra air with the vapor and smooths things out considerably. Works for me YMMV.

I've always inhaled via the mouth method - I couldn't inhale anything but air straight to the lungs! This has been suggested and I can't see how anyone could inhale anything straight into their lungs. That would probably hurt!

 

[Mudflap]

Also, when you stop smoking analogs, your body can go through some funny phases. It's been only a week for me since I last lite up, but I've had some very strange WTF issues as I tapered down and eventually stopped smoking. Metallic taste in my mouth for no apparent reason, my nostrils drying out completely and severely chapped lips even though I had been drinking lots of water, some ulcers inside my mouth, pimples, etc.

Nothing going on at the moment, but I'm just waiting for the next WTF issue to show up.

 

[Stosh]

Thanks for the direction on the atty. Maybe I'll order one of those with some juice and take that route. I'm just not ready to give up on this yet. What's a good "non-harsh" juice to go with so that I can remove that from the possible variables.

I've found flavors like Cream Soda, Anise, Key Lime Freeze, (various vendors, no easy answer there) with a lot of VG% to be the mildest.
Just adding some 100% VG (glycerin), no flavor, no nic will also make for milder vaping.

Hang in there, it's worth it in the long run!!

 

[DropbeatsNotBombs]

I'm also using a V4L kit. I think the harshness will go away and also varies from flavor to flavor. I've noticed no matter what strength the nicotine is, I get used to it. Initially I started out with 36mg and now I'm gradually working down.

 

[WomanOfHeart]

This might help some of the new people with how to properly inhale when vaping:

Proper Inhalation Technique

Other things to consider: (I'm sure this has already been said, but bears repeating.)

PG can be very harsh, so if your juice is 100% PG that could very well be the problem. VG will help smooth out the juice and decrease the harshness. It will also create more vapor and add a bit of sweetness to your juice! Many vendors offer varying mixes of PG/VG to suit everyone's tastes. I usually vape 50/50 or 60PG/40VG mixes because I'm not a big fan of harshness or throat hit.

Dropbeats is correct. Some flavors can be a little harsher than others. I have a Peach flavor that has a little more kick than my Chocolate Eclair flavor even though they're both 50/50 mixes.

Nicotine levels and the voltage of your PV can also add to the amount of harshness or throat hit in your vape. Yes, there is a big difference between vaping at 3.4V and 3.7V, especially if you're using LR attys or LR cartos.

When you first start vaping you have to do a lot of experimentation to find what will work best for you. It's really not anything like smoking. Just be patient, try new things and you'll find that "sweet spot" with PG/VG mixes and flavors that you really like.

 

[toriL]

are you still smoking as well as vaping? I had this problem at times while still smoking a couple analogs a day. Since stopping analogs completely - I haven't had this problem. Can't say this is the cause to your coughing but it was my experience. Not sure why it happened like that either.

 

[Vtwin]

I have been vaping for less than a month and I too was having a problem with coughing. Like dormouse stated, I found when I increased my VG ratio my coughing got much less frequent. I am now at a 70/30 PG/VG and it is much smoother that when I stated with 100% PG.

 

[WomanOfHeart]

are you still smoking as well as vaping? I had this problem at times while still smoking a couple analogs a day. Since stopping analogs completely - I haven't had this problem. Can't say this is the cause to your coughing but it was my experience. Not sure why it happened like that either.

It could be a cause and you're correct for pointing it out. The reason it happens like that is because there are cilia lining your lungs. They're kind of like little hairs that wave back and forth to help keep your lungs clear. When you smoke they become paralyzed and stop working like they should. When you quit smoking, they start working again and you pay the price by coughing.

This little biology lesson was brought to you by WoH...former paramedic and respiratory therapy tech.

 

[mano932]

Yeah i would also start with experimenting with different juice vendors and pg/vg mixes. Every juice is different. Ive had light fruity flavors with little nic give me that same feeling your talking about. While other robust flavors with high nic be smooth. Its trial and error. ALSO i really think smoking analogs with the vap is bad. Stick with one or the other. The second you stop smoking analogs, your lungs start to clear themselves out. Then you have a cigarette and you reverse the process. When i first got my ecig i was doing what you are and experiencing the same effects. After a week or so of just vaping and disgusting lung discharge i was good to go. Dont confuse the lungs go straight vape!!

 

[PaulB]

It is kinda harsh at first. You kinda just get used to it....

THAT more than anything else, imo. I remember my lungs really seemed to dislike my early morning vape. Switched briefly to VG on that account, but switched back before too long. By then the problem had gone away entirely and I don't think it had to do with the VG stint. My body just got used to it.

 

[Kate51]

I primarily use VG, which is not as harsh to me as PG ~ I can't tolerate PG at all.
...sometimes though even the wicking material used can be irritating in the throat, don't ask me why. The cartomizers I use now are good, but occasionally one will cause a dry cough. I have to throw it away, no other remedy I've ever found.
But if you have a problem with harshness, I want to remind everyone to be sure to drink LOTS of H20, keeping those tissues hydrated is very very important, and you need extra fluid if your lungs are trying to cleanse themselves. VG and PG are both humectants, and so do make tissues in the mouth throat and nose feel dry.

 

[moze229]

Thanks for all of the suggestions and comments.

Today I've managed to only smoke 4 cigs down from a pack a day. Smoking in the morning and after meals is going to be the hardest for me to break. I did have one of my smokes in the morning and that will likely go on for some time. I did manage to skip the after meal smoke today though. This e-cig is an awesome idea! Quitting still isn't going to be easy, but the PV sure the hell does make it seem like it's going to be a lot easier.

I'm not having problems with harshness today. Recently due to the harshness, I'd just set the PV down and go have a smoke instead. Today, I made myself resist the urge and kept going to the PV. After a while, the harshness seemed to fade a bit as the day went on. I've been sticking with my 100% VG also for now. I'll get back into the flavor testing all all of that later. Right now I just want to find my comfortable spot with something that works and then reach out from there.

I'm also thinking that dry air has a lot to do with it. Along with hydration, being the time of year that it is and the air having no moisture in it likely didn't help matters any.