This past April, I cut the nic from 6mg to 0mg, just to see if I could do it. Surprise, surprise...it was no problem at all. I couldn't tell a difference...except that I felt a bit more tired than normal. The tiredness soon passed, but business and personal stress over the following month required many late hours, and time for rest was cut to about 4 hours per night.
As a result, in the middle of May I began experiencing some chest discomfort. It didn't feel like an 'attack', but it was definitely something. I wasn't worried, but made myself a promise that IF my symptoms changed, I would take myself to the emergency room. Two days later, I took myself to the emergency room. (I've never been sick before, so this was a spooky experience for me.)
My heart was out of rhythm...beats were bouncing all over the place; 126/81 to 65/72 within the same 60 seconds. A few times it felt as if my chest was being crushed, but mostly it was a nagging pain (more like a strain). At 3:00am the next morning, the pain suddenly STOPPED...but the hospital testing continued. After a couple of days in the hospital, dozens of tests and a heart cath, the best guess diagnosis was Atrial Fibrillation, most likely caused by high stress and lack of rest.
After being released from the hospital, my follow-up visit to the cardiologist was most interesting. He's the head of cardiology over the ICU of the hospital. He came in, checked me out, looked at my records and said, "Everything looks completely normal. You've never smoked, right?"
I said, "WRONG! I smoked nearly 2 packs a day for 32+ years, but QUIT almost 3 years ago, thanks to vaping." I pulled a handful of vaporizers out of my satchel to show him.
Doc said, "That's GREAT, man! I don't care how you quit smoking...just that you DID quit! All my tests indicate you're a non-smoker, and I see no signs of damage normally seen in long term smokers. Whatever you're doing, keep on doing it!"
BTW - the heart cath revealed about 30% arterial blockage in one location, but not enough to address with a procedure, and totally normal for anyone my age (I'm 62).
In the end, he saw no need for any continuing meds, and said to come back in a year, unless I feel a need to come back sooner. The only requests he did make is for me to take a daily 81mg aspirin (because it lowers the risk of A-Fib related stroke by 15 to 20%) and to increase my Omega 3's (oily fish 2 or 3 times per week/moreOlive Oil/fish oil capsules).
I've read such stories on ECF in the past, and found them comforting. I never expected to have my own story to contribute...but now I do, so I'm contributing.
I had wondered if going to 0mg had any effect leading toward the Atrial Fib event, but doc didn't think so. (He also has no problem with me vaping nic, as long as I don't take it to ridiculously high levels. I'm happy with 0mg most of the time, but have 6mg and 12 mg steeped and ready for when I want it.)
I'm kinda shocked that 'an esteemed cardiologist' was so pleased and encouraging for me. (I feel quite sure the story would have been much different, if I had not made the switch to vaping almost 3 years ago.)
Just curious, but has anyone else had any experience with A-Fib - or other issues - after dropping nic levels to 0mg??? Maybe it's just coincidence. Even so, I do feel a bit 'sharper' with a small amount of nic in my vape.
As my 'new' doc said, "Whatever you're doing, keep on doing it."
I assured him, "I most certainly WILL."
I had good news and wanted to let y'all know! THANK YOU for all the support you've been to ME through the years!
As a result, in the middle of May I began experiencing some chest discomfort. It didn't feel like an 'attack', but it was definitely something. I wasn't worried, but made myself a promise that IF my symptoms changed, I would take myself to the emergency room. Two days later, I took myself to the emergency room. (I've never been sick before, so this was a spooky experience for me.)
My heart was out of rhythm...beats were bouncing all over the place; 126/81 to 65/72 within the same 60 seconds. A few times it felt as if my chest was being crushed, but mostly it was a nagging pain (more like a strain). At 3:00am the next morning, the pain suddenly STOPPED...but the hospital testing continued. After a couple of days in the hospital, dozens of tests and a heart cath, the best guess diagnosis was Atrial Fibrillation, most likely caused by high stress and lack of rest.
After being released from the hospital, my follow-up visit to the cardiologist was most interesting. He's the head of cardiology over the ICU of the hospital. He came in, checked me out, looked at my records and said, "Everything looks completely normal. You've never smoked, right?"
I said, "WRONG! I smoked nearly 2 packs a day for 32+ years, but QUIT almost 3 years ago, thanks to vaping." I pulled a handful of vaporizers out of my satchel to show him.
Doc said, "That's GREAT, man! I don't care how you quit smoking...just that you DID quit! All my tests indicate you're a non-smoker, and I see no signs of damage normally seen in long term smokers. Whatever you're doing, keep on doing it!"
BTW - the heart cath revealed about 30% arterial blockage in one location, but not enough to address with a procedure, and totally normal for anyone my age (I'm 62).
In the end, he saw no need for any continuing meds, and said to come back in a year, unless I feel a need to come back sooner. The only requests he did make is for me to take a daily 81mg aspirin (because it lowers the risk of A-Fib related stroke by 15 to 20%) and to increase my Omega 3's (oily fish 2 or 3 times per week/moreOlive Oil/fish oil capsules).
I've read such stories on ECF in the past, and found them comforting. I never expected to have my own story to contribute...but now I do, so I'm contributing.
I had wondered if going to 0mg had any effect leading toward the Atrial Fib event, but doc didn't think so. (He also has no problem with me vaping nic, as long as I don't take it to ridiculously high levels. I'm happy with 0mg most of the time, but have 6mg and 12 mg steeped and ready for when I want it.)
I'm kinda shocked that 'an esteemed cardiologist' was so pleased and encouraging for me. (I feel quite sure the story would have been much different, if I had not made the switch to vaping almost 3 years ago.)
Just curious, but has anyone else had any experience with A-Fib - or other issues - after dropping nic levels to 0mg??? Maybe it's just coincidence. Even so, I do feel a bit 'sharper' with a small amount of nic in my vape.
As my 'new' doc said, "Whatever you're doing, keep on doing it."
I assured him, "I most certainly WILL."
I had good news and wanted to let y'all know! THANK YOU for all the support you've been to ME through the years!
)
