Medications, Copd, and Vaping

[Ann48]

Hi again everyone.

I used the Blu today and did pretty well. I only cut reg cigs by about 1/4, but that's big to me. When preparing for bath I usually smoke 2-3 - today I took the Blu disposable in with me instead of cigs. It looks, feels and tastes like a real cig...actually better! I haven't been inhaling into lungs though like I do cigs...just mouth and some through nose. That brings up my next subject.

I have been reading about people with copd vaping. The Dr didn't say stage or anything about how bad...and didn't give me anything for treatment. She has said things like allergies...kicking me into asthma attacks, (I have horrendous allergies and 3 cats!)....and sinus infections on and on. When she got my lung xray she briefly mentioned "some copd" but no pneumonia, no cancer signs...but what I DO have (she said) is arthritis in my spine! She had said earlier that maybe lung xray would motivate me to quit smoking...but then I wonder why she skimmed over that subject. I go back to see her in a couple weeks so I'm going to clarify.

From what I've read on here with copd and vaping, well, to tell the truth it scares me to keep smoking...and scares me vaping will make it worse. Although it hasn't today. I normally cough loads, especially in the morning...wake hard to breath in middle of night...sometimes get short of breath just sitting here out of the blue! So you can see, I have some damage and hoped I could use ecigs and heal lungs some. But then I read the warnings about vaping and copd. Is it ok just as long as you don't take the vapor into your lungs??

Then my next question is about medications: are there any medications you should not take when vaping? I mean like antibiotics...reflux meds...and sometimes at night I use inhaler before I go to sleep. Are there any drug interactions I need to know about before getting even more serious about this? Or should I give up the hope because of copd?

I'm not looking for excuses - actually the opposite. I hope I haven't harmed myself so much that its too late to use ecigs and it could cause me more trouble. I just want to know if other people had a hard time with shortness of breath (even not from activity), wheezing, coughing loads day and night...and still be helped from changing to vaping. Usually when I cough good and hard (about to be sick!!) then I get relief. It's not constant...but when it hits it hits and I have to cough it through. Nice, huh. I don't know how else to describe it. And I would like to know if I can still take my meds and use inhaler at night before going to bed without any problematic interactions.

Again, this is embarrassing to talk to you all about....but it's real, and I'm serious about this last effort to try to quit the cancer sticks. Wish I had woke up earlier in life - but I haven't had much trouble until....well, until they started putting that fire safety crap in the cigs. It's like it sped up my damage 20X!!

 

[PennyLynn]

Ann, can you tell us something more specific about your condition? You made it sound like this was your first visit to a medical professional in years.
I understand about smoking when you shouldn't...although I have no respiratory ailments, my mother has emphysema and uses a nebulizer (smoked for many, many years). Her father, also a smoker, died of lung cancer at age 57. I'm 63, and was able to make the switch to e-cigs 2 months ago. Both my mother and my daughters are very happy about it.

 

[*deleon517*]

As for the vaping and Copd I do know of a few that do so. HOWEVER WE AREN'T DOCTOR AND CANT SAY IF IT WILL BE SAFE FOR YOU. Same goes for medications, and allergic reactions. I personally have a intolerance to higher vg juice and nearly all vg will give me asthma like symptoms. It's more common to be allergic to the pg, some have flavor allergies like those that can't eat cinnamon, can't vape it. Honestly it's best to talk to your doctor and go from there.

 

[Ann48]

Hi PennyLynn,
Well I don't know where to start...

I have gone to physicians when needed - usually from bronchitis and near pneumonia for antibiotics over the last few years. I had an xray about 6 years ago and the Dr said "you have some _____" from smoking. I couldn't remember the name of it. Just wrote off as congestion. Noticed more and more over the years instead of colds...I would go into lung infections...always needing antibiotics. Started with this one Dr since I moved who would tell me vitamins to take etc...but would end it with "but this is all like spitting in the ocean when we talk about you continuing to smoke". He was judgmental acting about it, but I was getting established and going to see him but he left the area. Then started with another who is beginning to get on top of my situation.

By the way, when I'm on an antibiotic I do very well...and breath fairly normally. But then when off again, it all starts (the congestion). I was diagnosed with reflux and hyedal (sp) hernia years ago, unmedicated because I just was careful of foods. But lately its worse and needed medicated so Dr gave me Zantac to take at night. They think I need a different antibiotic...and have tried one, but I am very sensitive to meds and tend to have side effects to most of them. Anyway....

hadn't had xray in 6 years. Like I said fairly new Dr said "some copd". Didn't say emphesema....but I definitely have bronchitis a lot. I feel I'm on a downhill slide and hoped that I could use ecigs instead of facing cold turkey. Either way, I have to do something. And like I said she said allergies that kick me into some asthma (but I'm wondering if its copd that's making me so sensitive).

My mom had copd or emphesema too, and lived to 79 (almost 80), but she was miserable. On oxygen for years nighttime...and nebulizer the last few years. She could hardly do anything but sit and smoke and continued and would not admit smoking was her problem. Even when she was in a hospital bed and the Dr said smoking is killing you....he walked out and she said "don't you ever believe that smoking is bothering me!!" I asked her what she would do if a Dr told her that about me...but I told her I wanted to smoke. She said "then I would let you smoke". I was with her until the end and her quality of life for the last 10 years isn't what I want to face. Although I hear sounds coming out of me at times that remind me of her the last few years (esp in the middle of the night), I'm not as bad as she was then so I've hoped I could do something now and it wouldn't be too late.

I talked to a therapist who knows me well and has for years. I work around therapists daily. She said my risk in continuing to smoke is copd, etc...but that if I quit cigs it can get better. Not sure of that, but I want to hang onto some positive and not give up. Positive would equal that I can quit and get better.

 

[Ann48]

Thanks deleon. I do plan to talk to Dr...but wanted to hear what others here might have experienced. I can't get into her until Apr 15 and hoped to start using ecig before that....which I did today. I guess we'll see if it bothers me.

I don't know enough to even know if it could interact with reflux meds, inhaler I use at night, or if they put me on antibiotic again anytime soon.

 

[Ryedan]

Hi Ann. I'm not a doctor and I don't have COPD so I have no experience with that. These are my opinions only.

Having said that, in my opinion even with, or maybe specially with the COPD, vaping is probably better for you than smoking. Vaping without inhaling is even better still. If it were me, I would continue to vape without inhaling if that kept me from cigarettes.

IMO the only thing in vapor that could affect you drug wise is the nicotine. It constricts blood vessels like caffeine so if you have any circulatory issues make sure your doctors know you use nicotine. I smoked for 37 years and cigarettes were never mentioned to me as something I should avoid when I got any antibiotics, or any other drugs, so I think you don't have anything to worry about with drug interactions. I don't think VG or PG are an issue either. I believe some inhalers use PG also.

But talk to your doctor about it all to make sure. If you have a few questions what I do is make a list to take with me so I don't forget anything.

Best of luck with it all!

 

[2naphish]

o. k. you have had the wake up call and decided to do something about it. you have also come to the ECF . that shows you are interested. make the switch and tell yourself "i am going to make this work!". your case is very similar to mine except i truly realized i was going to die if i didn't change that horrible habit...waffled for a couple of weeks and got my starter kit...the rest is history. energy, weight loss,hope...you name it, if its positive i've got it! and i owe it all to the fact i made up my mind to save my own life. because trust me, no one else can do it for you. if you need it all the help in the world is as close as your keyboard. you will be in my prayers. peace

 

[Ann48]

Thank you 2napish and ryedan.

Yeah, can't put this off. One way or the other, and this way seems it might be the most appealing/easiest. I've been checking out other web sites and board for the last few minutes...one about health, copd and ecigs specifically. I thought I might find scary warnings about ecigs, etc but only found good info and positive experience from people!

 

[Spazmelda]

I also don't have COPD, and I'm not a doctor (actually, I am, but not the kind that helps people, lol). I can tell you that I used to get bronchitis every time I got a cold. I dreaded getting the sniffles, because it always ALWAYS turned into a chest infection. Everyone else in my family would be over it in a few days and I'd go on for weeks or even months of recovering from the chest infection. Since I've started vaping (over 2.5 years now) I have not gotten a single chest infection. I still get colds, but they are over and done with in a normal amount of time.

Vegetable glycerin and propylene glycol should not interfere with any medications as far as I know. Nicotine might, to some extent, but you are likely getting more nicotine from cigarettes than you will be from ecigs.

Definitely talk to your doctor, but also be aware that many doctors out there do not really understand ecigs and you might have to educate them a little. It's possible that your doctor will be entirely against the idea and it will be up to you to evaluate their reasons and decide which way you want to go. Some doctors do understand them, so it can go either way. Since it is going to be a while until your next visit, you might just want to continue doing what you have started. Replace a few cigarettes daily with vaping instead and keep a good tab on how your lungs and chest are feeling. Do also be aware that as you smoke less and less combustible cigarettes you might have some of the symptoms of quitting. Many people confuse these with side effects of electronic cigarettes, when they are actually common effects of quitting (more coughing in the early stages, dizziness, insomnia, vivid dreams, headaches, chest discomfort, gastrointestinal discomfort, irritability, fatigue, quit zits, etc...). Some of these things can also indicate nicotine overdose (dizziness, nausea, headache, etc...) so it's important to keep that in mind as well.

I know there are some people on ECF who do have COPD, so I really hope they will respond to your thread and tell you their personal experiences. The only thing I have personal experience with is asthma, and I can tell you that some flavors irritate my asthma more than others. For that reason I vape very light flavored liquids, and some flavors I avoid all together.

 

[WhiteHighlights]

Welcome Ann! I can't give you any specific recommendations as to what is best for you, but I will share my story. I have allergy induced asthma (darn cat!). I have inhalers (Flovent & ProAir as needed), Flonase, Singulair and Claritin as my daily drugs. I was probably on my way to more serious lung problems. I'd noticed more shortness of breath and my allergist thought I had early signs of COPD.

I've been vaping for 6 months. The changes in my breathing & allergies are considerable. I did go through a period of 'smokers cough' as my lungs got rid of all the junk that was in them. I'm breathing much better and have reduced my reliance on the inhalers. Given the components of juice (PG, VG, nicotine and flavoring) I don't think drug interactions are likely. I've been on antibiotics and was recently diagnosed with a chronic pain problem and added another drug to my daily regimen (ugh).

Pay attention to how your body responds to vaping. Drink plenty of water! It is very important to stay hydrated. I tend to draw the vapor into my mouth and hold it there (savor the flavor!) rather than draw it into my lungs. Some people are more sensitive to PG and have said it makes their lungs feel heavy. I haven't had that problem, but it's something to be aware of.

You may want to research on vaping as a tobacco harm reduction so you're prepared to talk to your doctor about it. Some doctors know more about vaping than others. The more you know the better. CASAA is a good resource: Tobacco Harm Reduction

Good luck!

 

[klynnn]

I smoked 48 years was sick twice a year with bronchitis and pneumonia usually out of work for a week or 2. Had the wheezing and coughing and knew where it was headed but overall fairly good health besides those issues. I started ecigs and it made a world of difference haven't had so much as a cold since. It has been an amazing journey for this old lady and I have learned a tremendous amount from this forum. Now I'm building coils in my spare time, making my own eliquids, and experimenting with mech mods. I hope you at least give it a good try with better equipment.

 

[Ann48]

Thank you so much Spazmelda, Whitehighlights and klynnn! I have those same allergy meds WhiteHL, and an inhaler to use as needed. I think I will do that Spazmelda...just continue on as I did today and see how it goes. Funny thing...after using ecig and paying attention to lung vs mouth inhales...most of my reg cig is only being mouth inhaled today! And I found myself not liking the after taste of the reg cig.....missing the taste of the Blu. I actually like the taste of the Blu a lot. It is I think called the classic tobacco...tastes much better than my reg cig after giving it a try today.

 

[WhiteHighlights]

Ann, I started with Blu too and quickly didn't like the taste of a cigarette either. As times goes by, you may want to experiment with other flavors too. One benefit of not smoking is your taste buds and sense of smell come back to life. I tend to vape a different flavors during the day - it could be blueberry crumble with coffee in the morning, tea or fruit in the afternoon, and a dessert type like vanilla custard after dinner. I've managed to drop a few pounds too by vaping dessert instead of eating it! Part of the fun for me is the variety. Congrats to you & happy vaping!

 

[2naphish]

Thank you 2napish and ryedan.

Yeah, can't put this off. One way or the other, and this way seems it might be the most appealing/easiest. I've been checking out other web sites and board for the last few minutes...one about health, copd and ecigs specifically. I thought I might find scary warnings about ecigs, etc but only found good info and positive experience from people!

you are more than welcome...vaping is in fact a reduced harm alternative. everyone knows the harm of cigs. sadly most have to experience the downside for themselves before they make the choice. you CAN do this. its a question of taking charge of your own life and not letting this horrible addiction win...after that its all down hill. nothing like walking outside and actually smelling spring in the air, and having the energy to go out and enjoy it. hope springs eternal. run with it...

 

[PaulBHC]

The best thing to do is quit cold turkey. I've done it plenty of times. Last time was giving up on vaping and lasted 6 months then back to 2 packs a day. My wife and I both smoked for over 40 years. Her grandfather and father both had emphysema. In December she started having breathing problems. She has RSD, a chronic pain syndrome that could have cause it but we tried vaping again. A month later we were cig free. She went to the doctor and he said COPD. She uses a nebulizer 3 time a day but is doing better on vape than cigs. Vape doesn't seem to have an effect one way or the other.

You can always slowly lower the amount of nicotine in your liquid.

I deliver home oxygen and when asked about vaping and oxygen, I advise that I am not a doctor. I can't tell them yes. One in a billion batteries blow up and you don't want that around oxygen. Remove your oxygen if you vape.

 

[PeppermintPatty]

Hi Ann, I am not a doctor but I am an RN and spend a lot of time working with patients who have COPD and other respiratory problems. What we are looking at with any smoker switching to vaping or any other alternative nicotine delivery system is harm *reduction*. Few activities are going to ever be deemed completely safe, but some are apparently more safe than others. Also, I am kind of confused by your post because if I am understanding correctly you are just mouth and nose vaping. If that is true then you have seemingly eliminated concerns of the e juice ingredients damaging your lungs, though there would be some vapor inhaling via "secondhand vapor" that you exhale from your mouth, but I suspect it is fairly minimal. If you are wondering how pg/vg interacts with inhaled meds or other meds like antibiotics etc. the answer is, nobody knows. However, there are many chemicals/drugs/supplements that people use that are untested together. It would be impossible to test everything in that respect. Again, however, if you are mouth vaping only, much less concern over it interacting with inhaled meds.

The use of inhaled pg/vg has not been extensively tested. The few chest x rays we have seen from folks who have switched show definite improvment in lung function, and the pg/vg is "generally recognized as safe" by the FDA, but not specifically tested for inhalation into the mouth and or lungs on a long term basis. There is always the possibility that long term effects could be problematic, but at this stage in the game, most smokers would be willing to take that unknown risk vs the known risks of smoking cigarettes. By mouth vaping only, you minimize the risk even further by simply reducing the amount of your body exposed to the substances. There are also still potential negative effects of nicotine itself, primarily on the cardiovascular system. If you can reduce your nicotine intake gradually, you will continue to minimize your health risks.

So in summary if we are talking risk reduction, switching from ciggies to vaping, especially if you mouth vape, and even more if you decrease your nicotine intake, you cannot get much better....unles you quit everything.

 

[FireDragon1138]

If you aren't inhaling the e-cigs, then it's not going to be a problem for COPD.

The nicotine in an e-cig is completely freebased, unlike a cigarette, so you can absorb a great deal without having to inhale it.

Vegetable glycerine-based e-liquid sometimes gives me phlegm and mild shortness of breath. But this is not true of everyone.

 

[piercetc]

i may be wrong but i thought there were more threads here about copd and ecigs? i have copd too- was just diagnosed early feb- i still dont know yet if i am stage 2 or 3- in process of getting an appt with a pulmonologist ( was diagnosed by allergist/ asthma doc i was referred to early feb) i quit smoking a week before my diagnosis- have had a couple exaserbations (spelling badly lol)- prayers for you and all diagnosed with this and other terminal illnesses!