New user- negative side effects

Status
Not open for further replies.

mrsflibble

New Member
Jun 24, 2013
4
2
44
UK
Hey folks. Been lurking for a few days so thought it time to introduce myself and ask for some e cig brain power. Apologies for my noobishness but I don't know the technical or abbreviated words for things!

I smoked my last cigarette a week ago and made the switch to an electronic one with e liquid (pretty sure it's called an ego ce4?). I'm still getting used to the best way to use it but am doing fine with it...except I have a couple issues and I don't know if / how much is to do with the switch- any comments or advice appreciated.

Chest pain- last 2 days I have had pains in 1 side of my chest, from just below my shoulder to just under my rib cage.

Shortness of breath- I can't seem to take a satisfying breath, not exactly shallow breathing but can't quite get a deep enough breath.


I also have a sore throat / dry lips etc but from reading the forum it seems pretty normal to have that.

If it helps, I've been a 10-15 a day smoker for 10 years and am currently vaping around 2ml at 16mg.

Thanks for reading.

Becks.
 

Mercurial_One1

Senior Member
ECF Veteran
Jun 22, 2013
163
258
Atlanta, GA
Hi there! I'm also new and tried to get away with vaping without drinking water with disastrous effects so I'd definitely make sure you're doing that. The throat thing is common I guess but I wonder if it isn't worse when you're new because we're trying to "smoke", just like we always did... and probably *more*, to compensate and try to satisfy our urges. To be honest, my Ego is practically superglued to me and I realize at some point I'm going to have to chill out but it won't be today. :)

Anyway, lots of vets here who can offer help. I just wanted to say hi and let you know you're not the only one.
 

DavidOck

ECF Guru
Supporting Member
ECF Veteran
Jan 3, 2013
21,183
178,036
Halfway to Paradise, WA
If the chest pain persists, see a doctor. Not good...

Vaping can be dehydrating, so yes, drink lots of fluids. Just not at the pub :ohmy:

You might want to switch to a lower nic level. 21 for a 10-15 a day habit might be too much nic.

Some coughing, phlegm and such isn't unusual, as your lungs slowly clear out the crud from carbonized plant matter, but unless the pain is from coughing a LOT, get it checked out by someone in the medical profession.
 

peakcomm

Senior Member
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Jan 24, 2013
118
225
Somewhere in the US in my RV
Vapors' throat and dry mouth are one thing, but I wouldn't mess around with chest pain and shortness of breath.

It's totally normal for us humans to attribute any new ache or pain to some new thing we've been doing recently. Unfortunately, doing so can also be totally wrong. The fact that these problems began around the time you began vaping could be pure coincidence. I know nothing of your age, medical history or general health, but I'm sure you're aware that you are describing classic symptoms of serious-right-now heart problems.

Don't want to be an alarmist and I'm not a medical professional. But in your shoes, I'd be on the way to see one.
 

Baditude

ECF Guru
ECF Veteran
Apr 8, 2012
30,394
73,076
71
Ridgeway, Ohio
Honestly, I don't know what to make of your symptoms. Ordinarily I don't understand how the use of e-cigarettes could cause them, but that doesn't mean that they couldn't. Your symptoms could be caused by something totally unrelated to vaping. Should they persist, I'd suggest seeing a health professional for a health evaluation.

I will jump in to agree about the need to consume more water. Pg and Vg in the eliquid both draw fluid from our bodies, so that has to be replaced. Get into the habit of drinking water throughout the day, in particular while vaping.
 

Bawn

Super Member
ECF Veteran
Nov 18, 2011
968
388
boynton beach, FL
i still get chest pain i am 3 years into it. if i over vape (chain vape) the chest pain comes in with a heavy feeling, usually in one side of my chest. the sore throat is usually caused by too high nic level. drop down to 12mg and it will go away. i have the exact same issues you have and as long as i dont go above 12mg and dont chain vape i am fine. the chest thing i believe it to be the PG in the juice. if i vape %100pg the heavy chest feeling comes instantly. i find if i stay at %50 pg or less vaping everytime i feel the need for a nic fix works fine. i havnet tried %100vg in a while but that could help you as well. i also get the heavy chest feeling if i take one too may dry hits from my device.
 

mrsflibble

New Member
Jun 24, 2013
4
2
44
UK
Thanks for taking the time to read and reply. It's reassuring to know others have had similar feelings which have subsided! I'm age 32 in good health overall so trying not to be unduly worried.

I did buy 2 bottles of 11mg and tried that for a day but it didn't seem strong enough- craving cigarettes in a most uncomfortable way and just couldn't get satisfied with it so I switched back to 16mg.

The water thing makes sense, I know the vaping is drying me out. I just don't like water too much...does tea count?!

I don't know what the ratio of ingredients is in the liquid I have, the ingredients are on the box but it doesn't give percentages. (Edit: the liquid I have has a long ingredients list, 2 of which are glycerol 25 W% and propylene glycol >55 W%. Are those the pg / vg or something else?)


What is a dry hit?

Also just curious- why are cigarettes called analogs?
 
Last edited:

mrsflibble

New Member
Jun 24, 2013
4
2
44
UK
I've tried quitting many times, i lost count. I think the only side effect that i can really remember and hate is the headaches. You guys ever get that? I also get really annoyed by everything, which in one of those moments, i just want to step out and have a smoke.

I got headaches when I smoked if I went too long without one so maybe the same thing when you switch and aren't getting enough? I read on here that you get headaches from also having too much. Must be a fine balance! I had an awful headache on my first day but I anticipated that and took tablets. Surprisingly I've not been mood swingy at all, when I've tried before using gum etc my irritability was a breaking point...and also gave me the 'excuse' to start back up.

I have been craving cigarettes still though, it's really not easy! The urge hasn't lasted long and I told myself if after a vape I still wanted one, I would have it. Haven't had to (yet?!) I wasn't even planning to stop smoking- I just wanted to see if I could replace a few. I feel proud that it's been a week and I don't want to turn back.
 

mkbilbo

Ultra Member
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Mar 4, 2013
2,294
2,874
Austin, TX
www.thesmilingwolf.com
Hey folks. Been lurking for a few days so thought it time to introduce myself and ask for some e cig brain power. Apologies for my noobishness but I don't know the technical or abbreviated words for things!

I smoked my last cigarette a week ago and made the switch to an electronic one with e liquid (pretty sure it's called an ego ce4?). I'm still getting used to the best way to use it but am doing fine with it...except I have a couple issues and I don't know if / how much is to do with the switch- any comments or advice appreciated.

Chest pain- last 2 days I have had pains in 1 side of my chest, from just below my shoulder to just under my rib cage.

Shortness of breath- I can't seem to take a satisfying breath, not exactly shallow breathing but can't quite get a deep enough breath.

I also have a sore throat / dry lips etc but from reading the forum it seems pretty normal to have that.

If it helps, I've been a 10-15 a day smoker for 10 years and am currently vaping around 2ml at 16mg.


First, chest pains? Don't take any chances. See a doctor. Just because they happened about the same time as you started vaping, doesn't mean they're related. They could be something that was going to happen regardless.

But given you were a fairly light smoker (as, say, compared to my two packs a day which was about 40 cigs per day), 16mg could easily be too high a nicotine level. Difficulty breathing is a sign of "nicotine overdose". Among others such as listed here: Nicotine poisoning: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia.

If you have a local vape shop, I would immediately get some much lower nicotine liquid. Around a 6 maybe. You could also get a 0 nic version of the one (or ones) you have and mix them to dilute the nicotine content.

I had a two pack a day habit and don't go over 12mg very often myself. I stay between 6mg and 12mg most times.

There's also the possibility of a reaction to the base liquid. Most often used are PG and VG (though there's a PEG out there I know nothing about myself). Most people who have an allergic reaction, it's VG. But a reaction to PG is possible. You might want to try some small samples of 100% PG and 100% VG and see if one is better than the other or one causes the reaction. A lot of liquids are a blend of PG and VG (check the bottle label, see what it says).
 

Bawn

Super Member
ECF Veteran
Nov 18, 2011
968
388
boynton beach, FL
Thanks for taking the time to read and reply. It's reassuring to know others have had similar feelings which have subsided! I'm age 32 in good health overall so trying not to be unduly worried.

I did buy 2 bottles of 11mg and tried that for a day but it didn't seem strong enough- craving cigarettes in a most uncomfortable way and just couldn't get satisfied with it so I switched back to 16mg.

The water thing makes sense, I know the vaping is drying me out. I just don't like water too much...does tea count?!

I don't know what the ratio of ingredients is in the liquid I have, the ingredients are on the box but it doesn't give percentages. (Edit: the liquid I have has a long ingredients list, 2 of which are glycerol 25 W% and propylene glycol >55 W%. Are those the pg / vg or something else?)


What is a dry hit?

Also just curious- why are cigarettes called analogs?

a dry hit is when you take a draw and the coil isnt getting any juice because the wick/s arent wet enough. i think these could seriously cause some issues because the wicks are silica which i believe is fiberglass (please correct me if i am wrong). burning fiberglass then inhaling it CANNOT be good for your lungs which is why i think i get the chest pain if i forget to top off my rba or something.

we call ciggs analogs because its the analog equivalent of a electronic "digital" cigarette.

since your new to ecigs this video might help you out.
A PBusardo Video - Beginners Guide to E-Cigs and E-Cig Tech - YouTube
 

DavidOck

ECF Guru
Supporting Member
ECF Veteran
Jan 3, 2013
21,183
178,036
Halfway to Paradise, WA
Thanks for taking the time to read and reply. It's reassuring to know others have had similar feelings which have subsided! I'm age 32 in good health overall so trying not to be unduly worried.

I did buy 2 bottles of 11mg and tried that for a day but it didn't seem strong enough- craving cigarettes in a most uncomfortable way and just couldn't get satisfied with it so I switched back to 16mg.

The water thing makes sense, I know the vaping is drying me out. I just don't like water too much...does tea count?!

I don't know what the ratio of ingredients is in the liquid I have, the ingredients are on the box but it doesn't give percentages. (Edit: the liquid I have has a long ingredients list, 2 of which are glycerol 25 W% and propylene glycol >55 W%. Are those the pg / vg or something else?)

You could mix equal amount of the 16 and 11, giving you some 13.5, but they'd have to be either the same flavor or two you'd like to mix...

Water is best, but if you're already a tea drinker it's better than nothing.

PG is propylene glycol, and the "glycerol" is the VG, so it sounds like 55 - 25... which makes me wonder what the other 20% is...
 

mrsflibble

New Member
Jun 24, 2013
4
2
44
UK
Yes, that's a good idea to try mixing them...luckily the flavours I picked are fairly similar so would mix well.

As for the remainder of the bottle- 11% of it is oils like orange, nutmeg, tobacco absolute, ginger. 4% is alkaloid, 0.5 is trymethylpyrazine, 0.5 is acetylpyrazine, 1 is methyl cyclopentenolene hydrate, 1 is ethyl maltol, 1 menthol. Other than the oils I don't really know what they are or what their purpose is. Does it sound like it's bad liquid?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Users who are viewing this thread