Love vaping but this juice is killing me

[GypsyVisions]

Got my first kit (joye 510 mega) on 8/27 and I really love it. I still smoke a few analogs here and there, usually in the morning with my 1st cup of coffee when I want that instant nicotine rush. Anyway, I had read that somewhere on here that a sore throat/sinus drainage could be common at first but usually goes away. Well, mine hasn't gone away, and my throat is killing me.

I didn't know what was really in the juice I ordered so I emailed the company and found out that it is 100% PG base. Now I know why its killing my throat. I like the flavor, its just too rough of a hit.

So, I'd like some feedback on what I should try as far as a PG/VG blend ratio. I don't care whether or not it produces lots of vapor as long as I get a fairly good TH and can tell I am inhaling something. I am on a very modest fixed income and had read in another forum on here about the great prices at VaporRenu. I checked out the website yesterday and I'd like to place an order for a couple of flavors but have no idea where I should start blend wise and all their juice is custom made to order.

Should I start with 80% PG/20% VG? Or 60/40? They have what they call their custom blend which I think is 55/45.

I just don't know where I should start. I really wanna lay down the analogs all together, but the last 2 days I've been so frustrated with how my throat feels and sick of the constant sinus drainage. Grrr....

 

[DeannaG]

I'm pretty sensitive to PG, and I've been pretty happy with a 60VG/40PG split, but if you're doubtful, you might want to just go ahead and try their custom blend (which I believe is close to 50/50, with a small amount of flavor enhancer). Also, when you order from Vapor Renu, you get the option of what kind of throat hit you want. You might want to try the medium throat hit and go from there. I assume the smooth has little to no hit at all, and the aggressive might be too harsh on your already sensitive throat.

I hope you find something you like!

 

[CaptJay]

Are you drinking enough water?
You have to really drink a LOT more once you start to vape.
It could be a sensitivity too but make sure your water intake is right (if youre not ...... like a proverbial racehorse then you ain't drinking enough lol)

I personally use an 80/20 on all my liquids from pretty much evry vendor I use (where a choice is available) but that suits ME, I can't say that it would suit you too.

 

[Automaton]

Buy one small bottle of 80/20, and one small bottle of 60/40. Try both. Also, make sure you're drinking LOTS of water. LOTS.

 

[librarising]

When I attempted to give up smoking a few times in the 43 years that I smoked, I suffered from sore throats for a few weeks afterward. It seems that cigarettes acted as an anesthetic, masking the severe throat irritation caused by smoking. I'm into my second week now, analogue free, and have a bad sore throat. I expected it to happen.

 

[Mindfield]

I'm kind of curious. Just how much more of a throat hit does PG give compared to VG? Right now I'm vaping pure VG liquids, and it's okay but to get the throat hit I need I have to take in a completely full mouth of vapour. I'm making my shopping list right now to start mixing my own (still trying to source some VG) so I'm curious about how I should start mixing it to get a decent throat hit on less vapour.

 

[scinsc]

Try 100% VG. Works great for me. I get plenty of TH. Most companies sell small sample bottles you can try out.

 

[Twinkie]

Try 100% VG. Works great for me. I get plenty of TH. Most companies sell small sample bottles you can try out.

Seconding this.

With 100% VG, you don't need to keep a bottle of water with you at all times. The tradeoff is that you'll need to maintain or replace attys / cartos more often. Average it out, and the price is negligible, IMHO.

 

[eHuman]

If you are sensitive to PG then VG will solve the sore throat, but VG gives less TH.

Other things that increase TH are higher nic content, some specific types of flavors like menthol, pepper, or cinnamon, and higher voltage increases TH.

 

[Hellen A. Handbasket]

Liquid intake is important. Throat drops can help (or spray).

You might want to purchase a small bottle of USP Veg Glycerin at Walmart or another drug store and add it to your current liquid to see if it helps some (Maybe vape some plain/cut with a few drops of distilled water to make sure you don't have a reaction to it first).

If VG helps, you can always buy some liquid (in the same flavor that you were using) in a VG and mix the two together so you don't have flavor loss or you can DIY up your current liquids with VG and no flavor nic liquid/flavorings (you can figure out what level you'd need to buy by using one of the DIY calculators on line such as ScubaDan's) http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...e-calculator-added-quantity-calculations.html

Two suppliers that come to mind that have good concentrate flavorings are FreedomSmokeUSA or TotallyWicked.

Later when you are ready to buy liquids again, you can check out who has a mix of PG/VG or who has straight VG liquids here Best American e-liquid | USA eliquid manufacturers.

Mindfield - When I craved a smoke and throat hit, I used a bit higher nic level liquid and menthol (I never smoked menthol cigs, but it works and I like the hit from menthol). Later I bought menthol crystals and bumped up the menthol a bit more by making my own menthol liquid drops to add to liquids. Here are the easy basic directions: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/diy-e-liquid/20590-menthol-drops-recipe-menthol-lovers.html

I did end up finding a few liquids (tobacco flavor) that give me enough throat hit and vapor (I've stuck with Halo's Smooth 8 which is a strong ginger flavored tobacco and has really helped to kill off cravings). Bumping up the voltage a bit really helped (first with a 3.7v battery mod and then I purchased a variable voltage unit since I do best with a consistent 4.2-4.7v on most of my atomizers).

Surprisingly, a cigarette really doesn't give you a throat hit at all (yeah, I've smoked a few after being smoke free for quite a while ). Good vapor and the correct nic level is half the battle. The other is good gear, a liquid flavor (or two) that you love and commitment to quit or only smoke in moderation.

 

[GypsyVisions]

Hellen,

What section or WalMart or the drug store do I find the VG?

 

[eHuman]

Hellen,

What section or WalMart or the drug store do I find the VG?

I found mine in a hobby store (Hobby Lobby) in the cake decorating section.

Labeled "Glycerin" used to help keep frosting colors crisp. $2 for 60ml (2oz)
You may also find LorAnns candy flavor concentrates there. Stay away from flavors that are oils and ones dark in color, (both will clog an atty).

 

[GypsyVisions]

I found mine in a hobby store (Hobby Lobby) in the cake decorating section.

Labeled "Glycerin" used to help keep frosting colors crisp. $2 for 60ml (2oz)
You may also find LorAnns candy flavor concentrates there. Stay away from flavors that are oils and ones dark in color, (both will clog an atty).

Thanks, and thanks for the tips!

 

[Hellen A. Handbasket]

Walmart usually has it near the pharmacy area product shelves. Look for the skin care section. I think it is usually on the bottom shelf. Ask the pharmacy people if you can't find it. They may even have it to sell you (or PG but usually they have to order it in).

If you can't find it, Electronic-Ash sells both PG and VG in nice size bottles.
VG: Search Results : Zen Cart!, The Art of E-commerce

and PG: Search Results : Zen Cart!, The Art of E-commerce

 

[martha1014]

I find that stronger flavors (atomic cinnacide) causes a harsh throat hit. Also the higher nic content the harder the throat hit. Have you tried different flavors and strength.

 

[AtomPunk]

I haven't been able to find VG at my local Walmarts. I did find it at the craft stores in the cake decorating section. Michaels and Hobby Lobby both carry it. And I would agree, go get some VG from one of those places and add it to the juice you already have. Simple way to do some testing without having to order more stuff online.

 

[AmyB66]

Went thru the same thing my first few months of vaping. I don't anymore and I do not know if it is a good or bad thing. I do try to drink more liquid, not near what I should but more than I use to and less coffee.

 

[jimho]

The sore throat and runny nose may have nothing to do with VG/PG- It might just be and most likely is your body adjusting to not smoking- remember that beyond nicotine, there are 4000 other chemicals (many additives to keep you addicted) you are no longer inhaling. I had similar symptoms that hit a week or so after not smoking and lasted a few weeks - at first I thought it was a cold but it didn't go away. They will pass. As already stated, drink lots of water - try keeping a pitcher in the fridge with a few slices of lemon or orange , and take some antioxidant supplements. Another hint that you aren't drinking enough is general achiness. The withdrawal symptoms are similar to allergy symptoms but I believe that a true PV allergy would be more severe and won't go away after a few weeks. If your juice is satisfying your urges stick with it.... Another thing to consider is that smoking actually blocks/masks other alergies that you might have- particularly pollen alergies that you might be experiencing as the summer winds down.

IMHO/FWIW (others may disagree) -now is probably not the best time to tinker around with DIY juice - there are lots of variables with different voltages, mods, dripping and atomizers/cartos fillers etc that you should get the feel for before you go down the road of messing with DIY Juice. Not that it's hard but it's just adding variables as you'll be searching for things without knowing what you are searching for and without any true reference point.... I would suggest if you want to experiment with VG vs PG that you purchase a few pre-mixed samples from a supplier who allows you to vary the ratios i.e. vaporbomb- stick with something close in flavor to what you are already vaping so you can compare. Once you verify your problem is/isn't an allergic reaction, try and find some flavors you like, nic levels that work and voltage/atty combinations that work for you.....

Good luck with quitting and try to not let that one you have in the morning become two or three etc- (which kept happening to me and actually made quitting analogs harder).....

 

[librarising]

The sore throat and runny nose may have nothing to do with VG/PG- It might just be and most likely is your body adjusting to not smoking- remember that beyond nicotine, there are 4000 other chemicals (many additives to keep you addicted) you are no longer inhaling. I had similar symptoms that hit a week or so after not smoking and lasted a few weeks - at first I thought it was a cold but it didn't go away. They will pass. As already stated, drink lots of water - try keeping a pitcher in the fridge with a few slices of lemon or orange , and take some antioxidant supplements. Another hint that you aren't drinking enough is general achiness. .....

I mentioned in my prior post that a sore throat could be just from quitting smoking as I had experienced it in the few times I had quit before. I didn't know about the water and being achy. Thanks for mentioning that because my body is feeling very sore. I'll start drinking more water right now!

 

[jmaul99]

You may want to try organic juice. I got some from vaperite.com, but I know there is at least 1 other vendor that carries organic juice I just can't remember who it is. Since I've been using it I am no longer having any side effects from vapeing. It also provides TH and flavor similar to a 70% PG 30% VG blend eventhough it is 100% VG. The organic is slightly more expensive, I think it's $9.99 for 13ml but it's still cheaper than buying medicine for a sore throat or going to a doctor.