Pressure on chest and shortness/ more effort for breathing

Status
Not open for further replies.

kaoticspaz

Full Member
Apr 30, 2018
5
9
25
So recently bought a vape as of three weeks ago, I have the naked go Nanas flavor with no nicotine. In that time I have used about a quarter of the 60ml container. Today I noticed that I felt a little pressure in my chest, no pain though, and was taking much longer breaths, and it took a little bit more effort to do so, I was doing this all naturally. The only time I have noticed similar issues is right after I get allergy shots, but the last time I got those was 4 days ago. Needless to say I am very concerned (especially knowing about popcorn lungs) and I'm curious if anyone has anything to say about this? I was hoping to get some more input from expirienced people. Is this normal? Should i
 
  • Optimistic
Reactions: stols001

bwh79

Vaping Master
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Dec 11, 2014
4,600
6,643
46
Oregon
Needless to say I am very concerned (especially knowing about popcorn lungs) and I'm curious if anyone has anything to say about this?
What all do you know about it? Here’s the story, as I understand it:


Some years ago, several factory workers in the same microwave-popcorn processing facility contracted the devastating lung disease bronchiolitis obliterans. Air quality tests were conducted and the plant was found to have higher levels of a certain substance — diacetyl (DA) a naturally-occurring substance found in some dairy and alcohol, among other foods, and often used as an additive to impart a “buttery” flavor — than other, similar processing facilities.

That’s it. End of investigation. Some people here got sick, we found there’s more of this one thing here than at other places, places where they didn’t get sick. Ergo, the thing caused the sick, and aren’t we brilliant. Because of its association with the workers at the popcorn-processing facility, the condition came to be known as “popcorn-worker’s lung” or, simply, “popcorn lung.”

There are no known reports of consumers contracting the disease from vaping. One consumer successfully sued a popcorn manufacturer claiming he contracted the disease after preparing a bag of popcorn, “standing by the microwave, inhaling and enjoying the aroma” after work, every day, for many years. Since then, most if not all e-liquid and popcorn brands have stopped using it as a flavoring, just in case. There is mild concern over its replacements acetoin and acetyl propionyl (A/AP), since they are similarly-structured molecules which might break down into DA under certain circumstances. Which might be bad, if DA turns out to be bad after all.
 

bwh79

Vaping Master
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Dec 11, 2014
4,600
6,643
46
Oregon
I’ve heard some people experience a “heavy” sensation in their chest if they are sensitive to VG and use a liquid with too high a VG content. “Too high” is different for every person; it may or may not even be your issue, but it might be worth a shot to try a lower-VG/higher-PG blend of liquid. (You may want to drop your nicotine level some, too, as PG doesn’t mute the “throat hit” of the nicotine like VG can.)
 

chellie

Ultra Member
ECF Veteran
Oct 24, 2014
1,264
3,200
USA
I am the type of person that was not really allergic to anything.

First, if you are feeling short of breath or in any pain ---that really should be something for a medical professional to look at.

With that said since I started vaping (6.5 years ago) there have been a few times that I actually felt my throat close. Very VERY frightening.

At first, I thought I was dehydrated. Then I thought it was PG. I vape mainly VG but many flavorings are PG based. After really paying attention - I narrowed it down to some ingredient in the vanilla vape flavors I use. I suspect there is something in the flavoring that some vendors use that I am allergic to.

Interestingly it seems to be the cream and custard flavors.

So maybe you have a sensitivity.

Again, we are not doctors so that should be first.

I would also recommend that you try a totally different flavor from a different manufacturer and see if the same thing happens. If it does not then you may have some type of sensitivity or allergy.
 

Izan

Vaping Master
ECF Veteran
Jul 1, 2012
8,831
15,663
Mallorca, Spain
So recently bought a vape as of three weeks ago, I have the naked go Nanas flavor with no nicotine. In that time I have used about a quarter of the 60ml container. Today I noticed that I felt a little pressure in my chest, no pain though, and was taking much longer breaths, and it took a little bit more effort to do so, I was doing this all naturally. The only time I have noticed similar issues is right after I get allergy shots, but the last time I got those was 4 days ago. Needless to say I am very concerned (especially knowing about popcorn lungs) and I'm curious if anyone has anything to say about this? I was hoping to get some more input from expirienced people. Is this normal? Should i

Hi and welcome,
Which SMOK/vapresso device are you using? At what watts? With which coil?

Tell you mom and doctor that you vape and describe to them the symptoms you are experiencing.

Cheers
I
 

stols001

Moved On
ECF Veteran
May 30, 2017
29,338
108,119
I myself am PG sensitive. However, I figured this out with the help of my doctor. My hunch is it may be an ingredient or flavoring you are sensitive to, and it's a known issue that some folks with lung issues or asthma find too much VG to cause a "heavy" sensation, so it's not unheard of. I'd imagine you'd be able to (via the process of elimination) determine what ingredient(s) may be causing the problem (I also can't vape vanillas, they make me hoarse.)

Some stuff is more of a "sensitivity" than an allergy, but since you are under the care of an allergist, I'd suggest discussing the problem with your allergist. As, if you are going to do more experimenting, it's good to have a rescue plan in place, and your allergist may even be able to offer you the option of testing some of your liquids just like regular other allergens (although, if it's more of a sensitivity, I guess that might not be the best route of approach.

I had trouble with large, cloudy setups period, when I got here. My respiratory system was having fits, due to the damage I had done via smoking. I personally did better with small, MTL vapes (and preferred them) so the idea of trying a tank like the Nautilus 2, which can go right on your Vapresso mod, with little cost, might be an idea.

However, everything I've stated kind of hinges on the idea that you see your doctor first. As I'm sure you know, allergies can increase over time and be deadly. It's not popcorn lung though, I very much doubt. I don't think there has been a SINGLE vaper who has been diagnosed with "popcorn lung" and if you are a newish vapor, well, it also doesn't develop over night, but really, vaping doesn't cause popcorn lung, it genuinely doesn't. I'd suggest a visit to your allergist and (if he's willing to provide a rescue plan for you and some thoughts on elimination of variables) just do some experimenting with PG/VG ratios and flavors.

The ideal way to experiment is going to probably require some DIY materials at some point, so I might take a look at that forum, to see where and how you could get the ingredients you need etc.

Best of luck,

Anna
 

Myk

Vaping Master
ECF Veteran
Jan 1, 2009
4,889
10,657
IL, USA
I'm sensitive to PG but I would be feeling it long before 3 weeks, more like 1ml.
But I didn't start out like that so it did seem to be something that built up. It did take me about a month originally before I said it was vaping period (vaping was new, we didn't have all this input) and went back to smoking.
Now I know no more than 10% PG is my limit.

Dr or not you need to rule out changes that could be causing it. Easiest thing is to stop vaping. If it goes away you know what it is and where to look. If it doesn't go away hopefully you've made a Dr's appointment so you don't have to wait to get checked out (if it does go away you can always cancel the appointment).

Our lungs are very good at recovering, it shouldn't take long if it is the vaping to recover if you stop. I once smoked teflon (don't ask) and you want to talk about unable to breath. I was over in 2-3 days.

If it goes away you can try turning down the power, vape less, try other flavors, try other PG/VG amounts, other coil materials, other wick materials.
 

BrotherBob

ECF Guru
ECF Veteran
Dec 24, 2014
14,092
12,433
Sunnyvale,CA,USA
So recently bought a vape as of three weeks ago, I have the naked go Nanas flavor with no nicotine. In that time I have used about a quarter of the 60ml container. Today I noticed that I felt a little pressure in my chest, no pain though, and was taking much longer breaths, and it took a little bit more effort to do so, I was doing this all naturally. The only time I have noticed similar issues is right after I get allergy shots, but the last time I got those was 4 days ago. Needless to say I am very concerned (especially knowing about popcorn lungs) and I'm curious if anyone has anything to say about this? I was hoping to get some more input from expirienced people. Is this normal? Should i
Welcome and glad you joined.
Might want to read through these posts, they may help you decide a course of action.
https://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/f...g-tobacco-and-changing-to-an-ecigarette.3305/
15 Symptoms You May Experience When You Start Vaping
 
  • Useful
Reactions: stols001

kaoticspaz

Full Member
Apr 30, 2018
5
9
25
I am the type of person that was not really allergic to anything.

First, if you are feeling short of breath or in any pain ---that really should be something for a medical professional to look at.

With that said since I started vaping (6.5 years ago) there have been a few times that I actually felt my throat close. Very VERY frightening.

At first, I thought I was dehydrated. Then I thought it was PG. I vape mainly VG but many flavorings are PG based. After really paying attention - I narrowed it down to some ingredient in the vanilla vape flavors I use. I suspect there is something in the flavoring that some vendors use that I am allergic to.

Interestingly it seems to be the cream and custard flavors.

So maybe you have a sensitivity.

Again, we are not doctors so that should be first.

I would also recommend that you try a totally different flavor from a different manufacturer and see if the same thing happens. If it does not then you may have some type of sensitivity or allergy.
Thanks for the response, I have stopped vaping completely and still expirience the same isssues, I am inherently worried and think that seeing a professional is what I have to do. Some people are saying it could also be due to anxiety, which with college going on plus worrying about this it could make my symptoms worse. But I think the only way I will know for sure is seeing a professional, thanks again
 

chellie

Ultra Member
ECF Veteran
Oct 24, 2014
1,264
3,200
USA
Thanks for the response, I have stopped vaping completely and still expirience the same isssues, I am inherently worried and think that seeing a professional is what I have to do. Some people are saying it could also be due to anxiety, which with college going on plus worrying about this it could make my symptoms worse. But I think the only way I will know for sure is seeing a professional, thanks again
You're welcome. It could very well be anxiety. You had mentioned the popcorn lung in your post - which you do not have to worry about but I worried too when I first started so I could sense you are worried and worry can lead to anxiety. Sensing that, I did think that it might be anxiety and now that you mentioned college and stuff - you just may be a bit overloaded.

Still - when you are not feeling right the very best thing is to to get it checked out.

Let us know how it turns out.
 

LynO

New Member
May 1, 2018
1
1
Yes, go get it checked out. I had some of that when I started vaping. I also have had some ringing in the ears, but it either went away or I got used to it, not sure which. Do you have any pain anywhere else? I saw a post on here about a guy whose girlfriend had a long-standing kidney problem, glomerulonephritis, and was told by her doctor not to vape after she developed some reaction in her kidney to switching from analogs to vaping. I don't mean to make you concerned about something else, its just if there is anything else the doctor could use to narrow it down it might be helpful. Lungs and kidneys affect each other somehow, they buffer something... The other thought I have is about allergies. Smoking increases inflammatory reactions (read that somewhere), don't know if vaping does, but if you suffer from allergies you might be sensitive to something and your inflammation markers might be elevated and they can check for that. I am course, am not a doctor. (FYI: I have nothing against vaping, so don't anyone yell at me, please. If you haven't noticed, this forum, and vapers, in general, seem to have a tendency to jump all over people who post anything that might be remotely linking vaping with anything problematic. But since we won't know the physical reality of long-term effects of vaping for probably 50 years, we should just keep our eyes and ears open. It's sure not as bad as smoking, but I doubt we going to get off scot-free.)
 
  • Agree
Reactions: stols001

Myk

Vaping Master
ECF Veteran
Jan 1, 2009
4,889
10,657
IL, USA
Smoking increases inflammatory reactions (read that somewhere), don't know if vaping does, but if you suffer from allergies you might be sensitive to something and your inflammation markers might be elevated and they can check for that.

It is said that vaping does cause inflammation but who knows what science you can really trust from Tobacco Control. They sure aren't willing to tell people about smoking and Ulcerative Colitis.
The smoking and UC study is paywalled now but there's this, Nicotine treatment for ulcerative colitis
I have Crohn's which is said to be made worse by smoking but mine reacts to nicotine like UC, and I assume since I got worse when I quit smoking smoking helps mine too (not willing to put smoking to the test).
Inflammatory markers are a joke for me (actually bloodwork has been useless). A week before the scope couldn't get through my cecum because it was inflammed almost shut all blood work was fine. In the ER with pneumonia white count was only slightly elevated. Not all inflammation is the same and not all people are the same.

That's why I lean towards getting a head start on figuring it out yourself. Dr's give by the book answers until the book is proven to not apply. The by the book answer for labored breathing and vaping is to not vape. The Dr may not even know about PG/VG sensitivities, the different metals used, different wicks, or care. Surely they would know about flavorings but to some Dr's minds the answer is simple, quit vaping, that'll be $200. Then when it doesn't clear up they'll look deeper for $200 more plus testing.
I had one Dr who would literally blame every problem I went to him with on smoking. Everyone else who drank off the champagne bottle had the flu, I needed to quit smoking.

So go with the answer everyone knows, don't vape. $200 saved. If it clears up you know it's something in the vaping and you can look deeper if you want. If it doesn't my next assumption would be the shot a few days ago that causes labored breathing sticking around extra long this time. Perhaps the shot is interacting with something in vaping, perhaps it's time to adjust the shot.

Seriously, 15ml of 0mg over 3 weeks, it's probably not a reaction to the vaping unless the power is up too high.
 

Myk

Vaping Master
ECF Veteran
Jan 1, 2009
4,889
10,657
IL, USA
Before I started vaping I have smoked three cigarettes and a half a cigar

Maybe your lungs don't like crap put into them.
Vaping does often restrict breathing, restriction is relative. The difference is many of us are former smokers so to us, wow, I haven't breathed this good in years. You don't have that.

But if you're not vaping and haven't got better I'd be looking elsewhere. When I've had problems from too much power it's better in a day just turning down the power while still vaping.
 
  • Agree
Reactions: stols001

Rangertrix

Vaping Master
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Dec 5, 2013
3,873
15,454
Collinsville, OK
Keep us informed. Go see your allergist!
On a side note, I experienced the same thing anytime I vape pomegranate flavors.
You've never really said if you were a regular smoker. If you were and tried to go straight to 0mg, then anxiety could definitely play a part.
I certainly wouldn't dare to tell an adult what they should do with their life, but if you weren't a smoker and don't need nicotine cessation, maybe vaping isn't for you.
 

kaoticspaz

Full Member
Apr 30, 2018
5
9
25
Keep us informed. Go see your allergist!
On a side note, I experienced the same thing anytime I vape pomegranate flavors.
You've never really said if you were a regular smoker. If you were and tried to go straight to 0mg, then anxiety could definitely play a part.
I certainly wouldn't dare to tell an adult what they should do with their life, but if you weren't a smoker and don't need nicotine cessation, maybe vaping isn't for you.
Yeah I think you are right about it not being for me. I have stopped on a Sunday and on Tuesday I'm still feeling some breathing issues. What is frustrating is that now that I'm all worried about it I can't tell what I'm making myself believe vs what is actually happening. I'm going to visit my allergist on Thursday and a Doctor after that, but I do hope I feel better by then, thank you for the response
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Users who are viewing this thread