Hello everyone! I’m KJ. I quit smoking 3 months ago (a pack a day of Marlboro Menthol 100s) as I went into an autoimmune health flareup and decided it was time to quit. I was worried without the alkaloids in the nic vape if it would be pleasureful for me or not but have found it to be quite relaxing and without the smoke odor all over me. I just feel like I don’t get the “get up and go” energy and anti-ADHD concentration effects I got from smokes. But there are other medications for those symptoms other than self medicating with cigarettes I suppose so know I made the right decision.
Only—2 months into vaping I started to feel like I was getting an ear infection which I haven’t had since a child and never got from my years on and off of smoking since age 18. Went to ENT worried it was related to my autoimmune issues (which it could also be but had never experienced ear symptoms in autoimmune flares in the past which is strange for them to show up now at age 37 when battling autoimmunity since I was 23). They didn’t note any ear infection or visual abnormalities upon exam. Auditory test was normal even though nothing sounds normal. My ears now feel clogged or a “full” feeling with clicking, popping, things nearby sound muffled and sometimes things outdoors further away seem too loud (Eustachian tube irritation perhaps?—I’ve never really had sinus or ear problems so don’t know a whole lot about ENT health). The thing I’m most concerned (actually really scared about) at this point is the SEVERE tinnitus I’ve suddenly started experiencing in the last couple weeks after about 2.5 months vaping. Have never experienced any tinnitus in my life before. Mine is at a pretty constant high pitched almost screeching level that is not tolerable—sounds sometimes like the smoke alarm is going off; sometimes like I’m being attacked by a swarm of cicadas, or other times can hear my heart beat thumping in my ears (this was a new one tonight)—can’t sleep or even sort out thoughts in my own head over the noise and is driving me mad as I take solice in the quiet of the night trying to read and cannot concentrate now because of the tinnitus. I have seen some other posts on here just skimming that voice similar concerns and I’m feeling almost devastated that I may have to quit vaping after feeling so proud of finally making the long awaited switch down from smokes.
First—has anyone had a similar experience that they’d like to share and what the outcome was? Did the tinnitus and other symptoms mentioned ever go away after quitting? (I’m hoping for some positive reassurance here, please) And if so how long to resolve? I’m starting to really panic that I’ve perhaps permanently damaged my hearing by something I thought was a “healthier” choice for a quit smoker.
Second—in hopes that I can find a way to hold off on vaping for a hot minute and wait to see if the ear problems resolve soon, if possible—has anyone had this issue and been able to find an alternate juice or device that didn’t cause this problem to recur? I’ve been using cheap North brand 5% disposables likely with PG I’m assuming just because buying them in bulk is cheap—but not worth the cost of damaging my hearing and sanity. I’ve otherwise found it to actually be an enjoyable brand that gives me a decent throat hit with some great variety of flavors I enjoy in an easy pop it out of the box and go format. If you know of an alternate juice brand and/or device (or preferably a disposable for convenience and expense) that has not caused the same issue for you, PLEASE let me know and I would be so appreciative! Thank you
Only—2 months into vaping I started to feel like I was getting an ear infection which I haven’t had since a child and never got from my years on and off of smoking since age 18. Went to ENT worried it was related to my autoimmune issues (which it could also be but had never experienced ear symptoms in autoimmune flares in the past which is strange for them to show up now at age 37 when battling autoimmunity since I was 23). They didn’t note any ear infection or visual abnormalities upon exam. Auditory test was normal even though nothing sounds normal. My ears now feel clogged or a “full” feeling with clicking, popping, things nearby sound muffled and sometimes things outdoors further away seem too loud (Eustachian tube irritation perhaps?—I’ve never really had sinus or ear problems so don’t know a whole lot about ENT health). The thing I’m most concerned (actually really scared about) at this point is the SEVERE tinnitus I’ve suddenly started experiencing in the last couple weeks after about 2.5 months vaping. Have never experienced any tinnitus in my life before. Mine is at a pretty constant high pitched almost screeching level that is not tolerable—sounds sometimes like the smoke alarm is going off; sometimes like I’m being attacked by a swarm of cicadas, or other times can hear my heart beat thumping in my ears (this was a new one tonight)—can’t sleep or even sort out thoughts in my own head over the noise and is driving me mad as I take solice in the quiet of the night trying to read and cannot concentrate now because of the tinnitus. I have seen some other posts on here just skimming that voice similar concerns and I’m feeling almost devastated that I may have to quit vaping after feeling so proud of finally making the long awaited switch down from smokes.
First—has anyone had a similar experience that they’d like to share and what the outcome was? Did the tinnitus and other symptoms mentioned ever go away after quitting? (I’m hoping for some positive reassurance here, please) And if so how long to resolve? I’m starting to really panic that I’ve perhaps permanently damaged my hearing by something I thought was a “healthier” choice for a quit smoker.
Second—in hopes that I can find a way to hold off on vaping for a hot minute and wait to see if the ear problems resolve soon, if possible—has anyone had this issue and been able to find an alternate juice or device that didn’t cause this problem to recur? I’ve been using cheap North brand 5% disposables likely with PG I’m assuming just because buying them in bulk is cheap—but not worth the cost of damaging my hearing and sanity. I’ve otherwise found it to actually be an enjoyable brand that gives me a decent throat hit with some great variety of flavors I enjoy in an easy pop it out of the box and go format. If you know of an alternate juice brand and/or device (or preferably a disposable for convenience and expense) that has not caused the same issue for you, PLEASE let me know and I would be so appreciative! Thank you
