Question on my father's behalf

[squirrel64]

Hey guys, I had recently converted my father over to vaping and he's been doing great !! I built a mod for him and got him all set up with a bunch of carts and different juices. He smoked for close to 45 years and right around 1 1/2 pad. He dropped back to 3-4 cigs a day and vaping the rest. He suffered a stroke about 7 years ago and had tried to quit smoking but because of some very slight paralysis he could not feel the mucous in his throat unless he smoked. This was a nightmare for him because when he quit he could not even lay down to sleep without a feeling that he was choking. So to make long story short, the only way he could overcome this was to keep smoking (this was advised by 2 doctors) because they had no remedy.

About a week ago he told me he was having stool troubles. Mainly constipation. And asked if I had heard or read of anything pertaining to vaping that would cause this problem. Now I've searched through prior threads and the one biggest common I could find would be dehydration. I've asked many times to drink plenty while vaping but I"m not sure he is. He's even having problems with taking laxatives which I know can dehydrate you further. Would upping the VG level help ?? Ratio now is 70pg/30vg. Has anyone else had similar experience.

I've read many posts that claimed this problem will pass in time, but he's worried about it. BUT the sad part is he went on vacation for a week and told me he wasn't taking his vaping stuff for for fear of this problem. He will be visiting a doctor after he returns but I felt bad when he told me that. This is the only side effect he has suffered but I know it has to be miserable. Any ideas ??? Thanks

 

[scrapperdog]

If it was my dad I would just tell him in no possible way is vaping causing his constipation. Im not saying temporary constipation is not a legitimate problem, but the guy has already had a stroke... and I would do anything, including lie, if it helps him lay off the analog killers. Even more true if he does actually enjoy the vaping and it is a legitimate alternative for him. Sorry for not answering your exact question.

 

[oldsoldier]

Water, fiber, and stool softeners are my only suggestions. People don't like to admit it but constipation is indeed one of the unfortunate side effects of vaping, some people are more prone to it than others.

 

[squirrel64]

I know what you're saying scrapper, but he's a stubborn ole fart (saying that lovingly!). So I think I'm just going to let him talk to his doctor first and and see what his diagnosis is. Hopefully he's an open minded MD and will encourage him in a positive way. Encouragement from him will probably go a little further than it will from me. My father is a strict routine kind of guy and he's looking at this as vaping is really the only thing it could be. Hopefully doctor can reassure him that this may be one of the side effects from quitting smoking. I hope that's all it is

 

[squirrel64]

Thanks oldsoldier. I will certainly relay all this to him. And my apologies to you for my rant a while back. Out of character for me

 

[Tracy68]

You get far less nicotine when vaping and this can cause constipation.
More fibre, more water, more exercise (walking?). Honey and lemon in warm water first thing in the morning, prunes, dates, olive oil...
It's a pain in the proverbial......you know what, but I reckon it's a matter of time and adjusting lifestyle and diet for this annoying symptom to resolve itself.
I hope he doesn't give up on vaping because of it.

 

[squirrel64]

Hi Tracy, thanks for replying ! Believe me, I hope his doctor throws him on the right track. I'm going to print all this out and show him these replies. As far as exercise, he lost his leg when he was 17, spent most of his life on crutches or prosthetic leg, and now is on a scooter when access allows. I'm trying everything I know to do. And the one thing that really surprised me is that he prefers sweet vapes as opposed to the tobaccos. I'm just the opposite. Thanks for your help !

 

[illillillillilli]

Makes sense though. For constipation to be an effect. PG is dehydrating. I better go get me a glass of water.

 

[zoiDman]

Vaping will Dehydrate you.

And most people don't drink enough water anyway. I would suggest that he try drinking some Extra water and see if things improve.

 

[squirrel64]

I've already tried to beat that into his head zoiDman !! I'm sure that's part of the problem. But if he gives up, I can't say I didn't try. But he really seems to enjoy it, so I'll post more when he finds out more. But thanks for your help !

 

[zoiDman]

I've already tried to beat that into his head zoiDman !! I'm sure that's part of the problem. But if he gives up, I can't say I didn't try. But he really seems to enjoy it, so I'll post more when he finds out more. But thanks for your help !

Don't feel bad. It only took me 5 years to get my Mom to buy a Bottled Water. Now she won't drink tap water. Go figure.

 

[bmwjen]

It is no mystery to me why 2 doctors recommend that he continue smoking. After smoking for 45 years chances are that your dad is a CO2 retainer. CO2 instead of oxygen IS his drive to breathe.

You give him too much oxygen & he simply can't breathe..........CO2 is his drive to take a breath. That is why he is more comfortable smoking a cigarette. This increases his CO2, thus making him feel like he is breathing better.

(yes, i've seen in person this too many times to count)

 

[squirrel64]

Thanks bmwjen, but it's a little more complicated than that. The stroke left some of the muscles and nerves in his throat paralyzed. What happens is the mucous builds up in part of his throat. He can't tell when he needs to clear this mucous out because of the paralysis. When he smokes he coughs which clears this mucous out. But when he tried to quit smiking he quit coughing which would cause buildup of this mucous and cause extreme breathing difficulties when he laid down and tried to sleep, almost to the point he didn't feel he could breathe.

We were just hoping that quitting this time may be different, or at least cutting back and still retain the ability to cough enough to keep the mucous cleared out. So there are quite a few variables working here and hopefully his doctor will understand and point him in a good direction

 

[bmwjen]

yes, coughing would be a good thing in your dad's case.

Does he have a g-tube. Most CVA patients that I know that have failed a "swallow test" , or don't maintain a gag reflex take nothing by mouth.

This is actually pretty scarey.........if he is eating anything at all, he could aspirate then develop pneumonia. If he was at my home i'd keep a portable suction tank, along with yanker handy & just hand him the yanker. This would take care of any secretions that he feels he cannot clear without a cough.

Coughing is a good thing.....that's why after any surgery they tell you to turn, cough and deep breathe. If you aren't walking, and are bedridden, aren't coughing & deep breathing, the lungs develop atelectasis, and decrease in expansion. Therefore making you susceptible to all sorts of yucky organisms that like to live in the large vascular area of the lungs.

I wish you and your dad the best of luck.