Newbie checking in with thoughts and concerns

[pdxguy]

Hey all,

I'm likely to ramble a bit here, and for that I do apologize in advance... I've been lurking for about a month, vaping about half that time, and just celebrated a week with no analogs.

I got my first real setup about two weeks ago now - an evic. I had attempted vaping 4 years ago and failed because I got a Blu and it was completely incapable of battling my 1-2 PAD habit. I tried cold turkey and tried hypnotherapy. Both had good results, until they didn't. Enter my evic. This thing is great! I found it easy to drop down from ~30 a day (on average) to 3-5 using 18mg juices. Once the cigarettes I had ran out, I stopped. That was a week ago and since I have dropped to 12mg. I'll admit, I've been chain vaping, which may be a result of the drop to 12mg, but considering how much I enjoy vaping, I'm fine with the chain vaping...

Now, here's where I have some questions, ranging from health benefits to equipment:

First: When did you all start experiencing: better circulation? easier breathing?

I've already, obviously, noticed that I smell better and can taste and smell OTHER things better. But I'm yearning for more... And I'm still experiencing a cough, poor circulation, and a bit of tightness in the chest...

Second: Has anyone noticed any major issues? Has breathing gotten worse?

I read the article by the Greek doctors who said that it negatively impacted lung function when tested via spirometer, but I wanted to hear it from those have first hand experience. I'm a bio/psych major at school, so I have faith in scientific inquiry, but I also believe that we know best as vapers and ex-smokers.

Third: An equipment question... I have a SmokTech UDCT, a ViviNova, and a Vapeonly BCC. I love the tank systems and don't intend to change away from them; however, they each seem to have their shortcomings...

I love the BCC b/c of the lack of wicking issues and the slick look with my black battery casing on the evic. But it floods, constantly, especially with thin juices from Mt Baker Vapor. I enjoy the UDCT because it locks (no spills) and it looks pretty good, but worry that I may not be getting adequate eliquid to the coils, thereby burning (and subsequently inhaling) filler. And the vivinova is great, except when it doesn't wick.

Anyone have any suggestions on optimal tank setups?

I know most of this is probably covered elsewhere and I'm pretty convinced that most of you will have decided my post was too long to complete. For those of you have have stuck with me, thanks!

Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

[klynnn]

I have been vaping about 16 mos after smoking for 48yrs. Within a month my coughing had quit and I was feeling much better. My lung capacity compared to before is frankly amazing. I mainly use the vivi nova on vv/vw mods. The genuine vision vivi nova, once you learn to use it well, is probably the most cost efficient piece of equip I've used. I don't care for an airy draw but lots of others prefer that. I do try other things but I always come back to my regular stuff I figure if it ain't broke don't fix it. I used to have major respiratory infections twice a year and I haven't even had a cold since I started vaping.

 

[Deacon Aegis]

Greetings Pdxguy and welcome to the forums. Like you, I am a week into vaping and being smoke free. I am still coughing up the lung cookies (26 year PAD smoker) but I can very much already breath better and taste and smell things better. I am also noticing how very true it is to follow the myriad of people's recommendations to stay hydrated and drink more water than sodas and such. The side effects that have bothered me the most so far are really negligible, mainly chapped lips and the easy ability to over nic myself becaue of chain vaping. Dropped the nic content in a couple of new juices to combat that and working on the habit of putting the dang PV down for a while. As far as tank options, I'll leave that to someone that has played with a larger variety than I have. Right now, I'm using the cartos and tanks that came with my kit, but as a gadget freak, I intend on stepping into a variable voltage mod very soon and playing with both the Kanger Protank and an AGA-T+ tank. I'll probably be acquiring a vivi nova before too long to see what the fuss is about. Anyway, good luck on keeping with it and once again, welcome onboard.

 

[Boiler]

AFAIK - Vaping does cramp capillary function initially, as does smoking or as any stimulant would. It's a natural reaction, and nothing out of the ordinary.

 

[caimen25]

I have only been doing this for 30 days now,and was a pad smoker for 16 yrs,I have noticed my breathing has become alot better as well as circulation.give it awhile the 1st week or 2 was kinda rough because your body is trying to heel itself but at the same time you are going through withdrawl.Drinks lots of water!,as for equipment you have to find what is right for you and what you like.if you can buy a couple different types of delivery systems.I am stuck on carto tanks and my itaste mvp.hope all goes well for you ,good luck!

 

[Littlefeather]

AFAIK - Vaping does cramp capillary function initially, as does smoking or as any stimulant would. It's a natural reaction, and nothing out of the ordinary.

Ditto to that. Stay with it as it smooths out as you go.

 

[Sheila Michele 1971]

Hey all,

Now, here's where I have some questions, ranging from health benefits to equipment:

First: When did you all start experiencing: better circulation? easier breathing?

I've already, obviously, noticed that I smell better and can taste and smell OTHER things better. But I'm yearning for more... And I'm still experiencing a cough, poor circulation, and a bit of tightness in the chest...

Second: Has anyone noticed any major issues? Has breathing gotten worse?

I had horrible breathing issues and continued to smoke. I was diagnosed with COPD a year ago. In the little over a month that I havent smoked, and began vaping, I do notice an improvement. I can now walk without gasping for air. I dont wake up gasping for air. I havent been back to my doctors yet to see the 'measured' improvement, but I can tell you that I definitely can inhale ALOT better after giving up the ciggies and vaping.

 

[pdxguy]

Thanks for all of your responses. I've got some vaping friends here in the Portland area who have suggested dripping with a rebuildable atomizer, but it's an intimidating thought, really.

For now, I stick with what's been working. Juices I like on tanks that more or less suit my needs. I'll take the benefits of NOT smoking, even if it includes some tinkering/dealing with issues in terms of vaping. The U-DCT from smoktech seems to be the clear winner thus far... Maybe if I punch larger holes in cartos to prevent dry vapes and burnt taste...

 

[Tanti]

Grats on the switch! There is a adjustment period for sure you will expenence quite a few things, seems like things get worse before they get better, but after a month and half of detoxing you will feel better. Besure you drink plenty of water, take a one a day vitamin, and drink plenty of water. Once your body detoxes you will feel you are coming out of the woods. Things get alot easyer. There will be coughing, you will feel a shortness of breath at times, it takes so much for your lungs to regroup. As far as the good dr in greece, I havent had any of that shortness of breath associated with vaping, I had shortness of breath from smoking. And that to is getting better. Each person is going to be different on how long the body takes to detox, and Im still detoxing im sure. but push threw it, it will get better. Remember you have been dumping 4000+ chemicals into your body. OH yea my circulation did get worse before it got better, now my hands are nice and warm, first time in many many years.

 

[ScottP]

... and the easy ability to over nic myself becaue of chain vaping. Dropped the nic content in a couple of new juices to combat that and working on the habit of putting the dang PV down for a while.

My wife and I initially had that problem. Then we came up with some rules to help us.
#1 Set aside a specific vaping area. Many smokers only smoke outside so we decided to keep that up with vaping. Just make sure it's not somewhere that you are most of the time anyway.
#2 When we do go vape we watch the clock and try to only vape for 6-9 minutes (average time to smoke a short cig)
#3 Try to not go vape more than 1x per hour.

This has really helped us moderate our intake.

These

 

[El_tecolote]

I'm an at-home-only vaper. When I smoked, I would smoke everywhere I could. Seems that with vaping, I don't miss that nic craving when I'm out and about running errands, dinner, a movie, etc. Started vaping at 36mg nic and then went down to 24, and have stayed at my present level of 12mg for the last year. Health is definitely 100% better, no coughing, and waking up is now remarkably pleasant. Wish there were ecigs way back then.

 

[Katya]

First: When did you all start experiencing: better circulation? easier breathing?

I honestly don't remember.

I've already, obviously, noticed that I smell better and can taste and smell OTHER things better. But I'm yearning for more... And I'm still experiencing a cough, poor circulation, and a bit of tightness in the chest...

We're not qualified to give medical advice. Please remember that your lungs have already sustained damage from smoking. If you are concerned, see your doctor.

Second: Has anyone noticed any major issues? Has breathing gotten worse?

I did not.

I read the article by the Greek doctors who said that it negatively impacted lung function when tested via spirometer, but I wanted to hear it from those have first hand experience. I'm a bio/psych major at school, so I have faith in scientific inquiry, but I also believe that we know best as vapers and ex-smokers.

That study was a joke, never been peer reviewed, never been published. If you want to learn more about vaping, join CASAA (you don't have to contribute financially if you don't want to) or just visit their website. You'll find real information there.

Third: An equipment question... I have a SmokTech UDCT, a ViviNova, and a Vapeonly BCC. I love the tank systems and don't intend to change away from them; however, they each seem to have their shortcomings...

I love the BCC b/c of the lack of wicking issues and the slick look with my black battery casing on the evic. But it floods, constantly, especially with thin juices from Mt Baker Vapor. I enjoy the UDCT because it locks (no spills) and it looks pretty good, but worry that I may not be getting adequate eliquid to the coils, thereby burning (and subsequently inhaling) filler. And the vivinova is great, except when it doesn't wick.

Anyone have any suggestions on optimal tank setups?

Like you said, they are all different and they all have some problems. My best advice for you would be to do a google search (or Advanced search on ECF) and read the threads dealing with specific issues concerning those devices. There is plenty of information on this forum--read, read, read!

PBusardo is a great reviewer and has tons of helpful tips about almost anything. You can find his videos on YouTube and throughout this forum. He's a great teacher. I saw his video about SmokTech DCC tank and ViVi Nova.

Welcome to ECF and happy vaping!