Starting your mixing journey, while you still have a solid supply of vapeable e-liquid, is not a bad thing.It can really help to take the pressure off of "getting it right," right out of the gate. It provides the luxury of "practicing" with simple 1 and 2 flavor mixes, that may not be the most exciting mixes you've ever tasted, but still provide useful feedback... and still have more familiar/satisfying(?) vapes to fall back on.
And, as for the "itchies;" I had a similar challenge.
I have been vaping since December 2012. My vaping journey led from lesser vapor-producing hardware (cigalikes to cartos), to higher cloud-producing set-ups. My personal smoking "trigger"(we are all different) happened to be the need to "feel" the smoke deep down in my lungs. The cloud rigs satisfied this need... I quit smoking, and never looked back. I began DIYing mid-3013, and was able to even begin tapering off the amount of nicotine I required to feel satisfied.
My problem manifested itself a bit differently. I was vaping 13-20mL of liquid a day (4mg/mL, max VG), and I started getting the old smoker's hack... heavy coughing, producing phlem (sorry; I know that's gross). I had a heavy chest throat the day, and I seemed to get winded easily. This seemed to be just as bad as smoking!
I didn't want to stop vaping (and not sure I could; even if I wanted to), but I felt like I needed to cut back my daily consumption. So, I decided to change the way I was vaping. I increased my nicotine level significantly (from 4mg/mL, to 18mg/mL). And, I ditched my cloud-producing DTL (direct-to-lung) setups, for low vapor-producing MTL (mouth-to-lung) setups.
I got my desired results. The high nicotine wouldn't permit me to vape continuously (without feeling queasy). And, the lower vapor-producing hardware, exposed me to less total vapor. All while still satisfying my nicotine needs.
My e-liquid consumption dropped from 15-20mL/day; to less than 3mL/day. The heavy chest, shortness of breath, and the hacks and phlem, all went away.
So... this ended up being the right solution for me.
I have no idea, if any of this, is applicable to your situation. I only share my own journey (so far), to suggest that there a lots of different ways, that an individual can adapt vaping to best suit one's own needs.
Maybe, minimizing exposure to PG (by mixing max VG, or using PG alternatives like distilled water, and/or PEG400), is your answer. Maybe, reducing the volume you vape, can help. Maybe a combination of things, will be your personal ticket to "itch-free" success. Or, it could be something else altogether.
Just, don't give up! Don't get discouraged. Keep plugging away. Keep asking questions. Keep trying new ways. And, you will ultimately find what works best for you.
I'm glad you found this forum, and this thread in particular. There is almost nothing vape related; that can't be discussed here. There is a wealth of experience, along with a diversity of viewpoints; from folks who are eager to share and help. Welcome!
Thank you so much for your post. Yes, unfortunately my journey in vaping came to a halt back late of 2015 after being analog free for 2.5+- years. The itches were a complaint while at a routine doctor exam. He stated the PG was my issue. Well last March I fell sick, thinking a 24 hour virus that ended up being about a 3 week spell. Went to the ER thinking maybe low on fluids, nope a quick transfer to a major facility an hour away. Totally blocked, ruptured, septic etc etc etc. I was near my ending. Woke up in a vent a few days later to half of my tummy left and a BAG!!! Reversed the bag after 5 months and needed to change my eating and basic analog issue.
This year, saw a MyBlu for a $1 said to m myself I'll just taste it. Well here I am now after the end of September, back in the wagon. I had packed up my old gear, moved and had to start over. I found a few of my things after I had ordered new. You were so right about the throat hit, I saw that immediately after I got my cloud mods in. I started this time on a 12mg with a few bottles of 6mg. I vape both actually. The first time around was an 18mg to a 9mg before I went back to analog. I'm thinking I'm your words that maybe I'll boost my nic level a little bit during the day since I am using allot of juice then. This will be after I start the DIY of course. Plus less PG.
Way back when I used one of those pens that turned blue at the end like yourself,then into the eGO and small tanks that held those tiny bits of juice running between 2-3 ohms. Memories,then onto my sub ohm and Hana mods that I still own.Yes,we've been there and seen all the latest gadgets that brought us here today. I was a member of this forum years back and didn't realize I was even a member until I needed wine more help.lol. So glad to be back with everyone here!
You have certainly been a blessing in helping me as well. Thank you so much! I didn't keep some of my knowledge but it's coming back. I've never tried to make my juice and wanted to the last time. I now live in a town with one small vape store and well, they cater to high prices, only their products or get the worst of service if you dare bring in something they didn't sell you nor carry new products....Yada yada. A DIY person would scream in there. No wire but they will still you a tank with prebuilts. They kind of store. :-(
I'm going to make it a New Year's Resolution come January to make my own. So the juice I have at hand will probably be my last, well the backorder ones that will arrive this week. Lol. I have simple taste buds and my flavor profile is really simple. Maybe I won't good up too much at first. I'm thinking of making a few two flavor ones then venture from there using the PE as my blender too...
Thank you again for keeping me going! Glad you mentioned about the cough, I've noticed that on my high usage days as well.
