My and my family's experiences as new vapers.. Not a short story! :) A health concern, too.

[JME]

I love it. I have an eGo and a 510. I quit smoking analogs completely about 4 days after I started vaping (the 4th day I only took a hit. And it was just yuck), so I've been smoke free about 3 weeks now.. BUT I don't feel as awesome physically as I thought I would.. I am pretty sure I'm anemic, my throat is sore and lips keep getting chapped (I'm drinking tons of water to help), and I'm a little depressed, but I am doing much better mentally than I've ever done on other methods of quitting.

I'm taking iron and my bruises all over are fading but then reappearing and energy is coming back only to sink suddenly again (I've been taking naps in the day-time with my son. To put this in perspective, I could not nap even when I brought him home as a newborn - I'm a chronic insomniac. But I've actually been napping a lot and still tired. I've also been sleeping in and going to bed earlier, and, uh, I don't do that - either) - I'm not sure if it is a coincidence or quitting smoking or I should try VG only, or what.

My last and only truly successful quit attempt I was pregnant - so 2x the blood volume, vitamins, and high protein, high iron, high vitamin K diet I was on would've made anemia very unlikely that time. Not sure about this. I don't think this is an allergy to PG, but I'm thinking of trying out some only VG just in case this anemia isn't just anemia but an allergy with an a-typical presentation.

Anyway, I have found out I prefer 50/50 40/60 PG/VG anyway since a lot of vapor makes me happier than more TH. I also have found out I don't really like most of the cigarette flavored juices by themselves since I like them spiked with caramel and butterscotch, and am looking for sweet stuff and a cinnamon candy flavor (I LOVE cinnamon), since my juice stash is started to run lowish now. I also now know I don't need higher nic content liquid, and I also prefer cartomizers about 10fold over carts and atty's. I think I also want to get away from the polyfill - it seems like an inefficient way to suck up liquid and can burn. I'm thinking I'll do some sort of mod at some point when my energy and focus returns.

That's me so far!

In case no one remembers, my family is supposed to be joining me in this switch.

DH hasn't even taken more than a few hits off of his PV and hates all of the flavors I get him to try saying they are "too sweet" or with coffee it was "burnt coffee". (I'm getting him some nice strong tobacco flavor soon) He says "anyway, I want to wait til you're 100% functional again". I hate the way he smells and the way his mouth tastes, so I hope as soon as I'm 100% better from this, I get a liquid he likes, and he does take up the vaping. I don't think it helps that his co-workers are all smokers and are extremely skeptical. We'll see.

My mom started out good making the switch.. She loved the clove liquid. She likes the 80/20 PG/VG, cause she loves the TH. She was down to 2 packs a day of analogs (she's a 3-4 pack a day smoker) and vaping at work, at the computer, and anytime we came over. But she has actually quit vaping for now. She has a tooth infection that is making her miserable and in pain, and she says "I just want a cigarette. I don't want this.. thing.. I just want a smoke". I hope once she gets this sorted out that she starts back on the trend toward vaping again.

Those are our experiences so far.

 

[The Fool]

Hi JME, I'm glad that you have been so successful at staying of the cigs, that's great. The symptoms that you are describing are not all that uncommon and for most people, myself included, have passed with time. That said, it probably would be a good idea to let your doctor know what you're doing and run a blood panel just to be sure. Also, depression is not common, but not unheard of. You may be reacting to the chemical changes your body is going through or you might be grieving some at letting go of the cigarettes, they were, after all, a bit like our friends for however long we smoked. If you're open to it, your doctor might want to put you on a low level anti-depressant for a while.

Please don't get discouraged, there are many different things that can be tried to find what works for you. Have you tried upping your nic level?

 

[Dee74]

Ditto on getting a blood panel done. Lots of stuff going on when switching over and DH not getting on board yet probably does not help you. Give it time.

 

[TWolf]

Welcome to the forum, JME! Glad you found us.
Might check in the Health section, but I agree with the above that some of the symptoms can be attributed to switching over to vaper. I know when my son was little I couldn't get enough rest and was always tired, but you still should probably get a checkup to make sure there's nothing else going on there.

If you like cinnamon, I'd recommend Tasty Vaper's Atomic Cinnacide. It packs a real whallop of flavor. They also have a great clove and their tobacco comes highly recommended as they use a maccerated tobacco to create it rather then just flavoring.

Don't be discouraged about the others not taking to vaping right off the bat. It's quite a change to get used to after all. I have one co-worker that finally switched but only after there were a couple of us vaping and she saw that none of us had "grown a third arm". Be patient with them.

 

[quasimod]

Of the half-dozen people I have helped start vaping, the 3 that did the best were the ones I helped the least. My wife is still a smoker, and I did just about everything for her except push on her chest to help her vape. She had zero "skin in the game", because she hadn't invested any time or effort into it.

Her smoking doesn't really bother me other than my concern for her health. The smell and mess is just a minor annoyance compared to that.

It sounds to me like your husband isn't actually giving it a chance. I can't imagine anything you can do about it that will make a real difference. You can't quit for him, and trying will only make you both unhappy.

 

[salemgold]

well said, quasimod. Take care of yourself first and the rest will all fall into place. I am the same way as far as putting others health and needs before my own. Believe me it is a case of practice what you preach with me.

 

[JME]

Of the half-dozen people I have helped start vaping, the 3 that did the best were the ones I helped the least. My wife is still a smoker, and I did just about everything for her except push on her chest to help her vape. She had zero "skin in the game", because she hadn't invested any time or effort into it.

Her smoking doesn't really bother me other than my concern for her health. The smell and mess is just a minor annoyance compared to that.

It sounds to me like your husband isn't actually giving it a chance. I can't imagine anything you can do about it that will make a real difference. You can't quit for him, and trying will only make you both unhappy.

Thanks

I agree with ya, I've been a little too pushy with DH and should back off. He has horrible apnea, headaches constantly, he sounds awful (breathing/coughing).. Him being stinky is just what I gripe about cause it won't upset him as much as talking about fears (he takes it wrong, gets passive aggressive) I just want him around longer ye'know? I'll try to give him more space.

My mom, I have told her to just play with it and use it when she wants - no pressure - and told my dad (ex-smoker, 3 years) to give her A LOT more space. He'd been annoying her daily about smoking - because it IS killing her - but I don't think that helps.. I'm disappointed she's not vaping right now but I have hope after she is out of pain she'll pick it back up and eventually switch.

 

[zbasspro]

I know it seems I've been posting this a lot, but I couldn't pass up this thread because you said

"and I also prefer cartomizers about 10fold over carts and atty's. I think I also want to get away from the polyfill - it seems like an inefficient way to suck up liquid and can burn"

The polyfill in a cart will not burn, as it does not come in direct contact with the heating element, it sits on top of the metal bridge. Whereas it is a pretty well known fact that the material in cartos does burn. It may be something you want to look into, search the forums, and reconsider. They are currently releasing another edition of cartos without the filler. As of right now you have to order from China, but should be readily available soon. A few people have received them already and they look promising.

I hope your other issues are only temporary and come to pass.

 

[JME]

I know it seems I've been posting this a lot, but I couldn't pass up this thread because you said

"and I also prefer cartomizers about 10fold over carts and atty's. I think I also want to get away from the polyfill - it seems like an inefficient way to suck up liquid and can burn"

The polyfill in a cart will not burn, as it does not come in direct contact with the heating element, it sits on top of the metal bridge. Whereas it is a pretty well known fact that the material in cartos does burn. It may be something you want to look into, search the forums, and reconsider. They are currently releasing another edition of cartos without the filler. As of right now you have to order from China, but should be readily available soon. A few people have received them already and they look promising.

I hope your other issues are only temporary and come to pass.

Ohh. Thank you for correcting me. I am new to all of this.

I think I still will stick to cartos and do a mod or switch to the new non-poly cartos soon (thanks for making me aware of them, too). The cartos, for me, are just.. better better better. More vapor, flavor, feels warmer, lasts longer, gives me a feeling I do not get with carts, makes my vaping experience ssoo much better. A few poly-burns breathed in for a couple weeks isn't going to hurt me in comparison to smoking analogs. I can see how long term it would be harmful which is why I'm going to mod/switch.

I was NOT aware carts could not burn as well, tho. I will keep that in mind in the future.

 

[zbasspro]

Yeah we get all paranoid all the sudden =). Hang in there with the cartos if you like them because it looks like help is on the way! In the limited reviews one says that the vapor is warmer than the current cartos. They also said they are vaping 2 of the new ones compared to 4 of the current ones. I don't know if it's that they hold more liquid or you can vape them closer to dry, or I've found that it seems like the liquid evaporates from them. Maybe the last one was just me vaping too much =). I should have the new ones within a week and will do a review.


Edit:

I was referring to the C-E2s that are available from china currently, and should be in the US soon