My cardiologist asked me, "You've never smoked, right?"

[steven.rn]

Just as a reference point, I'll be turning 61 next month. Had a couple of incidences of passing chest pain last year, but it ultimately turned out to be esophageal spasms, that have since vanished. Regardless, my MD did a cardiac cath at the time that was whistle clean (I'm one lucky duck! - my wife talked me into vegetarian ways shortly after I started vaping- that may have helped.). I haven't had any incidences of arrhythmia (yet).

Smoked (ICK!) for almost 36 years. Took up vaping 5 years ago. X-rays are clean, I can still run 7 miles for my workout. O2 saturation on a pulseoximeter is always 98-100%.

I'm still vaping 18 mg nic, down from 36 at the start of my vaping. I'm experimenting with 11mg now, and I think I'll switch to that soon. The wife's at 6 mg, and even that doesn't seem bad to me.

I was interested in your mentioning about the mental "sharpness" and light fatigue when dropping to zero. It'll be interesting to see how this works as that is our ultimate goal. I'm not in a hurry to get to zero as things are working out well with a slow, slow decline in nic levels. I believe in that old proverb.... "the slower you go, the farther you get"

I wanted to pass my experience to you as we are pretty close in age (well, we grew up watching the same cartoons... so what the heck) and it's helpful, I think, to get some medical feedback from your peers in age.

Congrats on saving your own life! As we chat about this stuff, others will get 'saved' too.

 

[Lurch]

As another 61 year old with history of heart issues, my doctors are also trilled that I quit smoking and started vaping instead. My Primary Care Physician, my Cardiologist and my Electrophysiologist were all trilled.

My favorite, local B&M is actually owned by a Doctor!

I started at 12mg and am now down to 6mg, working my way down.

 

[dshgr]

Great news! From my reading, some nic is good for brain function. I'm dropping very slowly (1 mg drop every few months), easy since I diy, but I don't intend to go below 3mg.

 

[AndriaD]

I don't intend to ever go below 6mg. I have 2 different kinds of dementia in my gene pool, 1 grandmother who lived to 99 but suffered increasing old-age dementia for the last 15 yrs of her life until finally she didn't even know who *she* was, nevermind anyone else, and the other grandmother, who died of Alzheimers.

I really don't get all these people wanting to ditch a drug that could protect them from that sort of nightmare. I guess if you do already have heart/cardiovascular issues, yeah, nicotine might be a problem, but frankly the idea of dropping dead of a heart attack sounds a lot better than spending the last years or decades of one's life completely lost in dementia.

Andria

 

[issy]

What an incredible story, op. Much congratulations to you on saving your life...and kudos to your great doctor as well

I don't plan on quitting nic either because dementia and alzheimer's runs on both sides of my family as well, like AndriaD. But of course, to each their own...that's the beauty of life.

 

[GinnyTx]

It seems that doctors support vaping, even while the FDA, WHO, CDC, and busybody nurses are all poo-pooing it. We really need to get the AMA to come out highly in favor of smokers switching to vaping.

The only [perhaps] heart-related issues I've ever suffered seem to have gone away completely, since I quit smoking and started vaping. I used to get that arrhythmia business, feeling like my heart was skipping a beat, then the central nervous system jumping on it with a real THUD; they did a cardiac ultrasound at one point, but they best they could determine was a perhaps *marginally* weak valve which would show some symptoms if I was highly over-caffeinated and over-stressed. I still get that feeling from time to time, but it seems far less frequent since switching to vaping.

The other thing, I began to notice last year, was this godawful humongous pain just to the left of my breatbone, very fast, breath-taking pain, but it would be gone before I even had time to make a noise about it. THAT worried me. I'm happy to say that since switching to vaping, I haven't had that pain at all.

Andria

hey hey with the busy body nurses bit

(Hi girl! *waves* *lol*) hope you're feeling better!!

I know quite a few clinicians that are backing the vaping (me being one of them) but to be firm on it the research has to be done, there's a few studies published out there but it's all new, so there'll be more getting on board with it.

it's certainly better than smoking tobacco.


and good for you Mike! I'm looking forward to my check ups being better too. The human body is an amazing thing, I remember some study that showed marked improvement in a smokers lungs 2 years after quitting, so there's hope yet.

while we still do nicotine so some of these are altered, I always like this time table.(by WhyQuit.com) being a nosey nurse and all *lol*

20 minutes

Your blood pressure, pulse rate and the temperature of your hands and feet have returned to normal.
8 hours

Remaining nicotine in your bloodstream has fallen to 6.25% of normal peak daily levels, a 93.75% reduction.
12 hours

Your blood oxygen level has increased to normal. Carbon monoxide levels have dropped to normal.
24 hours

Anxieties have peaked in intensity and within two weeks should return to near pre-cessation levels.
48 hours

Damaged nerve endings have started to regrow and your sense of smell and taste are beginning to return to normal. Cessation anger and irritability will have peaked.
72 hours

Your entire body will test 100% nicotine-free and over 90% of all nicotine metabolites (the chemicals it breaks down into) will now have passed from your body via your urine. Symptoms of chemical withdrawal have peaked in intensity, including restlessness. The number of cue induced crave episodes experienced during any quitting day have peaked for the "average" ex-user. Lung bronchial tubes leading to air sacs (alveoli) are beginning to relax in recovering smokers. Breathing is becoming easier and your lung's functional abilities are starting to increase.
5 - 8 days

The "average" ex-smoker will encounter an "average" of three cue induced crave episodes per day. Although we may not be "average" and although serious cessation time distortion can make minutes feel like hours, it is unlikely that any single episode will last longer than 3 minutes. Keep a clock handy and time them.
10 days

10 days - The "average" ex-user is down to encountering less than two crave episodes per day, each less than 3 minutes.
10 days to 2 weeks

Recovery has likely progressed to the point where your addiction is no longer doing the talking. Blood circulation in your gums and teeth are now similar to that of a non-user.
2 to 4 weeks

Cessation related anger, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, impatience, insomnia, restlessness and depression have ended. If still experiencing any of these symptoms get seen and evaluated by your physician.
21 days

The number of acetylcholine receptors, which were up-regulated in response to nicotine's presence in the frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital, basal ganglia, thalamus, brain stem, and cerebellum regions of the brain, have now substantially down-regulated, and receptor binding has returned to levels seen in the brains of non-smokers (2007 study).
2 weeks to 3 months

Your heart attack risk has started to drop. Your lung function is beginning to improve.
3 weeks to 3 months

Your circulation has substantially improved. Walking has become easier. Your chronic cough, if any, has likely disappeared. If not, get seen by a doctor, and sooner if at all concerned, as a chronic cough can be a sign of lung cancer.
8 weeks

Insulin resistance in smokers has normalized despite average weight gain of 2.7 kg (2010 SGR, page 384).
1 to 9 months

Any smoking related sinus congestion, fatigue or shortness of breath has decreased. Cilia have regrown in your lungs, thereby increasing their ability to handle mucus, keep your lungs clean and reduce infections. Your body's overall energy has increased.
1 year

Your excess risk of coronary heart disease, heart attack and stroke has dropped to less than half that of a smoker.
5 years

Your risk of a subarachnoid haemorrhage has declined to 59% of your risk while still smoking (2012 study). If a female ex-smoker, your risk of developing diabetes is now that of a non-smoker (2001 study).
5 to 15 years

Your risk of stroke has declined to that of a non-smoker.
10 years

Your risk of being diagnosed with lung cancer is between 30% and 50% of that for a continuing smoker (2005 study). Risk of death from lung cancer has declined by almost half if you were an average smoker (one pack per day). Risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus and pancreas have declined. Risk of developing diabetes for both men and women is now similar to that of a never-smoker (2001 study).
13 years

The average smoker who is able to live to age 75 has 5.8 fewer teeth than a non-smoker (1998 study). But by year 13 after quitting, your risk of smoking induced tooth loss has declined to that of a never-smoker (2006 study).
15 years

Your risk of coronary heart disease is now that of a person who has never smoked. Your risk of pancreatic cancer has declined to that of a never-smoker (2011 study - but note 2nd pancreatic study making identical finding at 20 years).
20 years

Female excess risk of death from all smoking related causes, including lung disease and cancer, has now reduced to that of a never-smoker (2008 study). Risk of pancreatic cancer has declined to that of a never-smoker (2011 study).

... so long as we stop our self-destruction in time!

 

[AndriaD]

hey hey with the busy body nurses bit

(Hi girl! *waves* *lol*) hope you're feeling better!!

I know quite a few clinicians that are backing the vaping (me being one of them) but to be firm on it the research has to be done, there's a few studies published out there but it's all new, so there'll be more getting on board with it.

it's certainly better than smoking tobacco.

I think it is too! And my own doctor was extremely encouraging when I told him in January that I was about to give e-cigs a serious try to get off cigarettes. But, with all my mom's various hospital stays, I have encountered so many nurses just CERTAIN that they know more than ANYBODY! that everybody ought to get off cigarettes RIGHT NOW, nevermind the withdrawal, and no NRT is allowed because nicotine is just poison you know. I encountered one like that back in June, at St Joseph's hospital in Atlanta, who, when I told her I quit smoking using e-cigs, you could just TELL she was biting her tongue as hard as she could to keep from going off on an anti-e-cig tirade, and finally she very grudgingly offered 'well it's good that you quit'. Those are the ones I call "smoke nazis" or at least I did call them that, till someone around here called me something or other for using the "n" word.

Andria

 

[GinnyTx]

*LOL* yeah I'm a little bit overboard with helping the friends quit, I've got one more set of evod "beginner" ones and those folks are going to have to start buying their own. I keep the 24mg blueberry ice cream in the 'fridge for "starter bottles" but only if they show interest of course *lol* *rolly eyes*

I found that the more I learn the more I learn I don't know. *lol* or certainly walked a mile in their shoes yah know? as I've aged and had more medical crap happen to me personally, it's sure made me more compassionate with my patients that's for sure.

hey at least I'd slap a patch on someone before d/cing the ciggies in a hospital setting, when they didn't have patches, I was guilty of taking them out to smoke if they could at least.

 

[WillyZee]

Great read OP ... I have a feeling we are looking at the tip of the iceberg here.

Vaping is the real cigarette killer I know it to be ... soon, even the general public will find out.

 

[MikenGA]

...I haven't had any incidences of arrhythmia (yet).

No reason to expect them, either! No 'copycats' allowed...except when it comes to vaping gear.

... X-rays are clean, I can still run 7 miles for my workout. O2 saturation on a pulseoximeter is always 98-100%.

Great report!
Still, at our age, please do be conscious of overdoing it on the workout run. 14 years ago, my fav uncle kicked the bucket at 60, with an aortic blowout while running in Central Park New York. He was ex-Army, and never let up...always went all out. His doctor had just given him a clean bill of health 3 days earlier...but he should have paced himself.

I can still ride my bike 20 miles, but chugging up inclines is more difficult at this age.

I was interested in your mentioning about the mental "sharpness" and light fatigue when dropping to zero. It'll be interesting to see how this works as that is our ultimate goal. I'm not in a hurry to get to zero as things are working out well with a slow, slow decline in nic levels. I believe in that old proverb.... "the slower you go, the farther you get".

I've seen some studies that a bit of nic is good for concentration, even among non-smokers. I probably sleep better with 0mg nic, but I also feel 'a cloud' over my state of mind. I don't know if that will go away in time or not, but my 6mg vape in the morning brings out the sunshine again.

I was also given a prescription for Xanax while using 0mg, but don't seem to need it with a bit of nic in my vape. Right now, I'm in that state of limbo where I don't know which is better...a little Xanax or a little nic; xanax or nic...I like nic better (I think).

I'll get back to you on that...

I wanted to pass my experience to you as we are pretty close in age (well, we grew up watching the same cartoons... so what the heck) and it's helpful, I think, to get some medical feedback from your peers in age.

I sincerely appreciate it! (Huckleberry Hound, Yogi and BooBoo, Bullwinkle...and my favorite toys - Lincoln Logs, Crash Mobiles, Fort Apache and Ricochet Pistols complete with stick-on caps for my 'bullets'. )

Congrats on saving your own life! As we chat about this stuff, others will get 'saved' too.

I HOPE so!

Thanks for good wishes AND 'the memories'.

 

[MikenGA]

Great news! From my reading, some nic is good for brain function. I'm dropping very slowly (1 mg drop every few months), easy since I diy, but I don't intend to go below 3mg.

Thanks for reminding me. I DIY, so will make up some 3mg to see how that works for me...and I'll do it today.

 

[MikenGA]

...frankly the idea of dropping dead of a heart attack sounds a lot better than spending the last years or decades of one's life completely lost in dementia

Agreed! Plus, just keeping up with the latest trends in hardware should keep our minds active and agile well into our 2nd or 3rd century!

 

[MikenGA]

I always like this time table.(by WhyQuit.com)

Thanks for the chart! I printed it out.

 

[MikenGA]

...till someone around here called me something or other for using the "n" word.

I just call'em "Nanny wannabes."

You mentioned St. Joseph hospital in Atlanta, so we're close. I just remembered...when I was in the hospital this past May, it NEVER OCCURRED to me that I wanted or needed 'a vape'...cuz I did NOT need it. WHOA!!! That's BIG!

Never could have said THAT if I were still smokin'.

 

[MikenGA]

...I'd slap a patch on someone before d/cing the ciggies in a hospital setting, when they didn't have patches, I was guilty of taking them out to smoke if they could at least.

NURSES were the very BEST to make me feel 'taken care of' when I was in the hospital...and when my roomie was there for 3 months last year. (He's still recovering from 27 days in ICU. Progress is slow, but it's still happening. Nurses took care of not only the patient, but also ME when I was feeling completely down and depressed over the situation.

NURSES = my HIGHEST respect and gratitude!

Thank you for what YOU do!

 

[MikenGA]

Great read OP ... I have a feeling we are looking at the tip of the iceberg here.

Vaping is the real cigarette killer I know it to be ... soon, even the general public will find out.

Agreed. Hopefully, the FDA will also "find out" soon enough!

 

[readeuler]

Congrats on the awesome health report, very cool!

As far as Xanax v. Nic, I'd cast my vote for nic, any day. I have no idea why it was prescribed, and I know you're not "messing with" Xanax, but it really is nothing to mess with, IMO.

My main experience was a friend given a prescription to take an absurdly large number of Xanax for anxiety. Unsurprisingly, they are currently dealing with some very serious opiate dependence issues. Certainly an apples and oranges comparison, but still not a drug I view very favorably.

But that's just me. I drink gallons of coffee, so I clearly have a preference for stimulants anyway Either way, awesome news!

 

[MikenGA]

Xanax was suggested for the times when 'the stress' of being self-employed combined with 'the stress' of being a caretaker for a very, very sick friend make me crazy. I only take between .25 to .50 every few days...as needed. I'm generally sensitive to most drugs (including aspirin), so 'a little dab will do ya'.

Good coffee is also a passion. I have a Keurig machine...and several Starbucks gift cards (from my piano students every Xmas).

I think a 'BEER NIGHT' once a month could be fun...but I don't know any beer drinking friends anymore. (Old farts...)

 

[MacTechVpr]

Yep. Cardiologists seem to have a good understanding about the benefits of vaping over 'the alternative'. I don't know why that surprises me so much, but it does.

Simple mike…they understand "airflow".



Good luck.

 

[readeuler]

OK, stressful stuff! One would assume at minuscule amounts like that, no harm no foul.

But if your alternative is "a dab" of nicotine...