need advice please

[needtoknow]

I posted a help message on the new members forum under the heading "just got my 808 and really need help"
It was suggested to me that I come here to the experts, the short version of my other post is that I got my pv on satuday and all the carts that I have tried taste nasty, and when I get any in my lungs I am coughing my head off.
Almost all of the carts I have (except the 5 empty ones I have not touched yet) have tried the 18mg camel , 16 mg RY4 and 11mg 555, all of them give me the same effect. I am going to try to get some pg from the store late to night after work, all of the juice I have (or have comming is 18mg or 24mg )
I really want this to work for me so any help would be great.
As I said this is the short version, if you check out the other post there is more history.
Not sure if I need to start over with different types of juice and strengths or what, but I sure cannot afford to throw away the money I am already out.

 

[harpo]

How many analogs did you smoke a day? Are you inhaling directly into your lungs? If so, try drawing into your month first then inhale it worked for me. Take smaller hits.

 

[Belletrist]

the taste could well be something that's not going to change until you've reduced significantly/ stopped altogether with regular cigs for a while. as for the coughing--it may be a PG/VG thing, but it might also just be that you're not used to vaping. i'm not really sure from your post how long this has been going on?

 

[Pawpaw]

You will probably get lots of well-meaning answers, but they're going to be all over the place.

I suggest you call the number on the cards they undoubtedly sent you. Steve, Mark, & Mario are experts on this and can help you out much faster than any of us can.

FWIW, coughing is very common when you first start. Vaping is not the same as smoking, so it may take a day or two for your body to adjust. I'll bet you did the same thing when you started smoking.

 

[needtoknow]

How many analogs did you smoke a day? Are you inhaling directly into your lungs? If so, try drawing into your month first then inhale it worked for me. Take smaller hits.

Yes I did forget to say: I used to smoke camel light 100's for many years, I switched to nasty (what ever is cheapest) brands for the last few years. I currently draw the smoke (from real cigs) into my mouth and then into my lungs.
I am very pleased with the equipment and service I have gotten so far, but I think I made some poor or at least rookie mistakes in juice ordering.
I have to work tonight, but when I get off I am going to walmart to try to get some pg and any other tools you think I might need so that I can try to come up with a solution, as I am off work Tuesday and will have time to experiment.
Any walmart purchase advice would be very helpful too.

 

[pianoguy]

Just make sure you get USP VG - you can add a few drops to your carto (see the stickied threads here about refilling the cartomizer) and it should mellow out the taste and the throat hit. I coughed a little the first day, too, but it stopped pretty quickly. If it persists, then you may have a sensitivity to PG. You might consider ordering a small bottle of VG juice, or one that is a higher mix of VG (like 50/50).

 

[Kimmy]

Here's my advice. With cigs, you are so used to having one "go to brand" With e-cigs, you have the opportunity to 'smoke' things you wish you could have. I mean how often can you say I'm smoking banana creme pie flavored.

The names of flavors you mentioned are extremely hit or miss. Either you love them or hate them. Go with the sampler packs. The fruit and berry flavors are suprisingly awesome. I don't even eat fruits, but really enjoy vaping them. I smoked two packs a day (parliments) and HATED the tobacco like flavors. You think you want tobacco flavors, but honestly, in my opinion they taste like an unlit cigarette.

I also think the way you are inhaling may be too much for you in the beginning. Your lungs still need time to repair themselves. Stay hydrated. Take long, slow drags, but don't inhale it into your lungs, focus on that throat hit and feeling the warmth in the back of your throat. I think your good with 18mgs or 24mg, but that's my preference. I usually reccommend higher mg because that way you know your getting that nic fix.

Because your new I would stick with the cartomizers, in the beginning you don't want all that added stress of perfecting your refilling method. Keep it simple.

This is all a matter of opinion, but hopefully at least something in this post will be helpful to you.

Also, manual batteries, easier to control. autos involving a lot of sucking and that could be causing you to cough

 

[keyzygirl]

You could get a medicine dropper and add vg to the juice you have,then add a few drops into your carto.It will lower the strength of the liquid.Also take smaller drags until you adjust to the vapor.Coughing is not uncommon for a day or 2,but you should adjust after that.Drink plenty of water,vapor is drying.

 

[Taryn]

I don't believe Walmart carries PG, but it does carry VG which is perfect for cutting the strength of your juice. Look for this.

 

[needtoknow]

taryn thank you for the pic of the bottle that will help me be confident in getting the right stuff,,, well got to go to work now ... thank you all for your continued support, I know I will get the right thing going sooner or later and start enjoying vaping as I don't really enjoy smoking now it is just somthing I have to do to get my fix and I am sure once I get the right fit for me juice and nic wise, I will like this much bettter than smoking and just stop at some point.
and Paw paw I think I will call mark tommarrow and get some help from him too

 

[needtoknow]

stopped by walmart and they did not have the VG, talked to the pharmacist at walgreens and he had a bottle that they use and is going to order one for me. He also gave me a ml dropper for free. I think I need to look into different flavors too. I don't think the tobacco flavors are going to be the answer for me either.

 

[Taryn]

Walmart does carry it, I believe by the lotions. I found mine at CVS by the face creams. It's sold as a skin protectant. The bottle looks the same it just has a different label and it's called pure glycerin. Make sure any that you buy has USP marked on it.

 

[Cody M]

I found that the Walmart here in my town carries Humco brand Glycerin(USP) near the band-aids and neosporin stuff, so you may find it there!

I hope you find a solution!

 

[MrHyde]

I haven't had the want or need to try any of the tobacco flavors being a menthol smoker of 13 years, but I've heard that many past regular tobacco smokers that didnt' like menthol actually love menthol flavors for their e-cigs. Its alot smoother, refreshing, and doesn't have the nasty tobacco flavor. You might try a menthol sample pack from V4L.

Also, I noticed you said that you smoked light 100's. Well, my friend smoked Marlboro Menthol Light 100's and when we both switched to e-cigs, he went with 8mg nicotine levels and he loves it. Something you should know, is that with lower nicotine levels...the flavor is better, or that's what several people have said. I use 18mg, but I also have also smoked very strong menthol full flavor cigs forever...I loved my Kools

Another thing I'm curious about is what brand of KR8 you're using or more specifically, if you're using V4L cartomizers or another brand. I've heard that some distributors just don't taste as good...then again, some might taste better. My first e-cig (unfortunately) was from GreenSmoke and its very similar to the KR8, but by far a much lower quality and horrific flavors...I sent it back with their 30 day money back garentee

One more thing you should consider when testing out different juice flavors is that some juices have a floral / perfume taste to them. Some people rarely notice it, but others (like myself) are very sensitive to it and I've found that I mostly notice it with some of the fruit flavors.

Like some others have mentioned, some people have an allergic reaction to the PG juices and switching to VG (USP Glycerin is the same thing) they have less irritation. V4L now carries 100% VG juices and prefilled cartomizers too. You might not be allergic to the PG...it might just be the transition from tobacco to e-cigs. When I first started, I coughed slightly, but not much. I also got a bad sore throat and heartburn for about a week. It cleared up soon after and I haven't had any problems since.

Hope some of the info I've listed is helpful. I wish you luck and will be keeping an eye out along with many others here to help out where we can

 

[keyzygirl]

I would try a few sampler packs and stay away from the VG unless you have to use it.Maybe try 11 and 18 or lower if you think it will help.If you go too low,it wont kill the cravings.good luck!!

 

[Rotaryfeen]

Try not to cut to much VG into your mix VG does give more vapor but you lose flavor. You also get a slight burnt taste i think on VG. try taking smaller hits and maybe changing flavors or even mg. I think V4L mix is like 80 to 90 % pg and 10 to 20 % VG depending on flavor. Don't quote me I'm not sure . I have a bunch of flavors but out of the flavors I have only 1 makes me kinda cough if i take to big of a hit. Don't ask me why but its coffee and its the low mg coffee 5mL from V4L 8-o. My best flavor so far is Smilin special menthol. Its so smooth . STEVE I NEEDS 100ml please. out of all the menthol flavors i have tried from V4L.

 

[needtoknow]

, but I've heard that many past regular tobacco smokers that didnt' like menthol actually love menthol flavors for their e-cigs. .



Another thing I'm curious about is what brand of KR8 you're using or more specifically, if you're using V4L cartomizers or another brand. I've heard that some distributors just don't taste as good...then again, some might taste better.

I did find VG at another walmart today, it was only $2.98 for a 6oz bottle so that should last me for awhile. I brought it home and put some in my ry4 carto that I had already been puffing on, it seemed to cut down the harshness of it I used the cap fill method. (it was real thick) but it did go in. However I don't think it mixed up very well. I need to find some where that sells empty small dropper bottles so I can mix up some of my own and try it with the empty cartos. Any idea's on this would be helpful. I also tried to fill my other kamel carto that I had been puffing on and think I messed it up. My computer is very old and I can't see the utube videos, I can here what they are saying, but the video part is sketchy at best. (but that is a whole seperate issue) anyway I took off the wrong end (the part that goes to the battery) and I think I messed it up cause it does not work now. I guess that is part of the learning curve.

Mr Hyde thank you for your note I may have to try some menthol too (I do not like them in real cigs) but I have heard that is not the same in vaping.
Also, it is a V4L kr8 that I have and cartos are from there too.

I am still going to probably call Mark and ask if he has any words of wisdom for me, but like most guys I am stubborn and don't stop to ask directions, but at least I have already admitted that I am lost.

Well got to go now, I promised to take the kids bowling as school has been out for 4 days now due to 3 inches of snow. (Only in TN)

 

[henrid84]

I took off the wrong end (the part that goes to the battery) and I think I messed it up cause it does not work now.

i didnt even know you could take that side off.
check out the sticky about how to refill. (i think theres one)

edit, sorry forgot you cant view vids, well i think you understand now that its the mouth piece end that you take off. you need a small tool like a pick or thumb tack (i use the tack) evenly pry off the mouth cap and take out the o-ring inside. put the little rubber carto condom on the batt end, drop maybe 3-4 drops of the VG (more if needed) in the batting (fluffy filler) then use the batt carrying bag to sling it around in circles to help push the juice down and mix a little (centrifugal force) if you dont have the bag there are many ways you could improvise.
try it.

 

[needtoknow]

i didnt even know you could take that side off.
you could improvise.
try it.

Yes you can if you are really determined and stupid LOL, learning curve,
Just tried that carto again and I think I broke it. Oh well I won't do that again.

 

[Adrenalynn]

Well, you "can" take it off, but you don't want to do that. You killed the atomizer.

Warming the VG up in a pan of warm water should make it pour more easily. Warm it for half an hour, 45 mins at 105-120ish deg F, but not much hotter than that.