New to vaping after doctor recommended it

[Hendrich]

Well long story here. I was diagnosed with COPD about 5 years ago and since then I have attempted to stop smoking 4 times. I was having issues with breathing when I was out running. I went to the doctor and was diagnosed with COPD and about 50% usage of each lung. I wasnt even 40 yet at that time.


Fast forward to today, I am now 42 and I wanted to start running again as I was missing it, so I went back to the doctor for a checkup and see if it was ok to run again. Well he didn the same breathing tests as before and a new one to see what my oxygen levels was. Well with the breathing tests, they stayed the same pretty much. The oxygen test was another story, after exercising for 2 minutes my oxygen levels was at 81%..... He asked if I wanted to quit smoking, and ofc I do. But I actually enjoyed smoking. Well he recommended an E-cig to me, and being over in Germany for the last 13 years I wasnt familiar with them.

Well I stopped by a local tobacco store over here and asked if they had any, and he showed me about 5 kinds they carry and how they worked. I settled on the eGo-T since it looked better made then the others he had. I also got some fluid I think has 8mg.

Well after my 2nd full day of using the e-cig, it is taking some time to getting use to and I think I need a higher MG then what I got. As I dont have much knowledge on them, it is pretty hard to find out what I need or not.

 

[lithiumdaze]

Welcome!! My second device was an EGO-T and it sealed the deal for me. As for as the nic. level, and I don't recommend it, but I started with 36mg strength fluid and 3 1/2 years later I still vape 36mg. But the average noob I think has great luck quitting analogs with 24mg and that strength is usually the highest strength most shops sell. I got into to Do It Yourself mixing mostly 'cuz a lot of shops didn't sell high enough mg for me. I know your new but do it yourself e-liquid is not as hard as it sounds. Check into it and best of luck to you!!! PS, Give 24mg strength a good shot, it should work and then taper down from there!!!

 

[Hendrich]

Im not sure what the strongest is over here yet. The medium one is only 8mg

 

[pfaber11]

i sometimes use 36mg in stressful situations but most of the time i use 12mg. i don't think 8mg would do it for me. best of luck in finding a stronger liquid.

 

[El_tecolote]

Congrats to you and your doctor too for recommending vaping!

 

[Mountain_Rain96]

Well long story here. I was diagnosed with COPD about 5 years ago and since then I have attempted to stop smoking 4 times. I was having issues with breathing when I was out running. I went to the doctor and was diagnosed with COPD and about 50% usage of each lung. I wasnt even 40 yet at that time.


Fast forward to today, I am now 42 and I wanted to start running again as I was missing it, so I went back to the doctor for a checkup and see if it was ok to run again. Well he didn the same breathing tests as before and a new one to see what my oxygen levels was. Well with the breathing tests, they stayed the same pretty much. The oxygen test was another story, after exercising for 2 minutes my oxygen levels was at 81%..... He asked if I wanted to quit smoking, and ofc I do. But I actually enjoyed smoking. Well he recommended an E-cig to me, and being over in Germany for the last 13 years I wasnt familiar with them.

Well I stopped by a local tobacco store over here and asked if they had any, and he showed me about 5 kinds they carry and how they worked. I settled on the eGo-T since it looked better made then the others he had. I also got some fluid I think has 8mg.

Well after my 2nd full day of using the e-cig, it is taking some time to getting use to and I think I need a higher MG then what I got. As I dont have much knowledge on them, it is pretty hard to find out what I need or not.

If this helps, 18mgs of nic satisfies me, and I smoked Marlboro reds for 31 years. I did start out with 24mg, but that was just a little too much. Could have been that particular flavor, I don't know, but yeah, 18mgs is completely satisfactory for me.

 

[CrazyClown]

I started at 24 just weeks ago and switched to 18 and the change is a bit of a difference I wont lie but I seem okay. Had a dream about dip last night tho... lol

 

[cyberwolf]

Welcome to the ECF! It is wonderful to hear of a doctor recommending ecigs. The biggest question regarding the nicotine level you need is how much you were smoking. 18-24mg is generally a good level for a pack-a-day smoker. That level seems to mimic the feel of a cigarette best. You will probably vape more than you smoked, however, so if you were smoking a lot less than a pack per day, 24mg may give you too much.

 

[Vapoor eyes er]

Hi Hendrich and welcome to ECF. Congrats on your decision.
One bit of advice...hang on to that Dr....he's a keeper

 

[Hendrich]

Considering its a life or death situation with me... I dont really have much choice other then stopping everything.

Anyways, just ordered some juice from the US and an eVic. Hope they get here soon

 

[1LastShot]

Im not sure what the strongest is over here yet. The medium one is only 8mg

I definitely agree that 8mg is not high enough- I was only a 15 year pack-a-day Marlboro smoker, but I needed at least 16 mg to make the switch, and I chained-vaped like you wouldn't believe, so in hindsight I probably could have done better with 18mg. I am just now, 9 months later, down to 12mg with no sign of being able to step down any time soon! (Unless I have to).

I don't have any idea what availability is like where you are, but there is maybe the option of DIY e juice if you are interested and able. It's a lot of fun! Check out the DIY board for more info if you'd like.

 

[Hendrich]

yeah I am thinking the 8mg is too low myself since I am getting the headaches and shakes from withdrawel..... but still no smokes

 

[adam7]

well done...

 

[Vapoor eyes er]

Considering its a life or death situation with me... I dont really have much choice other then stopping everything.

Anyways, just ordered some juice from the US and an eVic. Hope they get here soon

Your Evic will give a far superior vape compared to your present PV. The headaches may be from dehydration...
PG and VG are humectants...
A humectant is a substance used primarily in foods and cosmetic products to help retain moisture. These substances are called hygroscopic, which means that they are able to absorb ambient water. These hygroscopic compounds posses a chemical structure that attracts water from the atmosphere and binds it to various sites along the molecule.

When we inhale PG/ VG it "traps" the moisture in our mouth, throat and nasal area and thus the vapor. The real problem arises when the body is dehydrated and begins "stealing" moisture from other parts of the body to keep key organs hydrated. Add to that more than 3 cups of java or caffeine based soda drinks and severe dehydration can occur.
Ask any chemist and they will tell you the same. I drink 2+ liters of water per day and no more than 3 cups Java per day.

 

[Hendrich]

Your Evic will give a far superior vape compared to your present PV. The headaches may be from dehydration...
PG and VG are humectants...
A humectant is a substance used primarily in foods and cosmetic products to help retain moisture. These substances are called hygroscopic, which means that they are able to absorb ambient water. These hygroscopic compounds posses a chemical structure that attracts water from the atmosphere and binds it to various sites along the molecule.

When we inhale PG/ VG it "traps" the moisture in our mouth, throat and nasal area and thus the vapor. The real problem arises when the body is dehydrated and begins "stealing" moisture from other parts of the body to keep key organs hydrated. Add to that more than 3 cups of java or caffeine based soda drinks and severe dehydration can occur.
Ask any chemist and they will tell you the same. I drink 2+ liters of water per day and no more than 3 cups Java per day.

Thanks for that info, didnt even know any of that

 

[Vapoor eyes er]

Thanks for that info, didnt even know any of that

You're welcome. Most 1 pack a day (PAD) smokers begin on 18 or 24 mg. As for dehydration when I first began vaping I knew all about dehydration but wanted to test the "theory". Continued drinking 10 cups java per day and very little water. Itchiness and headaches were the first to hit me. Next the quality of my vape went down drastically. I then drank as if I were a camel prepping to cross the desert and within a few days all was well.

 

[3mg Meniere]

If you want tighter control on your nicotine intake, you could use the patch and vape 0mg.

 

[KerryK]

Considering its a life or death situation with me... I dont really have much choice other then stopping everything.

Anyways, just ordered some juice from the US and an eVic. Hope they get here soon

Thanks for sharing your story...

 

[crxess]

Okay here is my take on this.
People need to take into account that He wants to get back to running. Nicotine is a constrictor. Not a good combo to start with.
Yes some people use unreal high Nic mixes but many are more like 12-18mg users and a lot have worked down to 6 and even less.

I would suggest you pick up your preferred Flavor in no more than 18mg and a second bottle in 6-8mg. Should the 18 be a good starting point, you can enjoy getting used to the switch and eventually start mixing down with the lower nic juice. Adjusting amounts if each will allow you to adapt to each lower step and comfortably ween down the nic requirement.
Your veins will start opening up. Blood flow should increase and more oxygen supply to the muscles should follow.

 

[Smithy963]

I've got a whole range of mgs depending on situations:

10-12mg for chain vaping all day - gotta love it

14-18mg for after meals, just waking up, every ~4hours across the day

18-24mg for when I'm drunk

I would say (as long as you were on around 20 a day) go for a wide range from 10-24mg and see where you settle.

I had a lot of fun messing around with eliquids when I first started, I'm sure the fun of it helped me stay away from the fags.