Really need help/advice ...
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Rose - when you see your doctor, try to get checked for possible allergens regarding your eliquid - flavorings, pg/vg, etc. When my daughter - now almost 40 - was younger, I tried getting away from sugar-sweetened foods and beverages, thinking that sugar might be making her a little hyper. I went with sodas/soft drinks with aspartame, which was fairly new at the time. Years - and I do mean years - after this, she has problems with artificial sweeteners, a feeling than her throat is closing up, and trouble breathing. Some allergies take quite a while to build up.
If you have recently changed your supplier for nicotine, pg/vg, or flavors, let your doctor know. Ingredients may change from vendor to vendor, and you may have issues with flavorings, for example, from one vendor, whereas similar flavorings from another vendor will not produce any symptoms. Also make a note for your doctor as far as any sweeteners that you are using. Try contacting your nicotine, pg/vg, and flavoring suppliers to see if anything has changed with them.
Have your stress levels changed due to circumstances at work or at home? Have you changed your coil build/coil ohms recently? These may also contribute to physical symptoms.
Please be honest with your doctor. At the same time, be honest with yourself as far as any changes to your vape technique, flavorings, pg/vg, nicotine level and suppliers. One little detail can make a big difference.
If you have recently changed your supplier for nicotine, pg/vg, or flavors, let your doctor know. Ingredients may change from vendor to vendor, and you may have issues with flavorings, for example, from one vendor, whereas similar flavorings from another vendor will not produce any symptoms. Also make a note for your doctor as far as any sweeteners that you are using. Try contacting your nicotine, pg/vg, and flavoring suppliers to see if anything has changed with them.
Have your stress levels changed due to circumstances at work or at home? Have you changed your coil build/coil ohms recently? These may also contribute to physical symptoms.
Please be honest with your doctor. At the same time, be honest with yourself as far as any changes to your vape technique, flavorings, pg/vg, nicotine level and suppliers. One little detail can make a big difference.
Hi all, and apologies for not replying sooner. I still don't have a solution to my problem, but I have a doctor appointment today.
I seriously took into account that there might be a heart issue, because I do/did display many of the symptoms. Until I see the doctor, I made some changes which seemed to help a bit. Mainly its backing off the coffee and vaping, which relieves the symptoms.
The last thing I want to do is to slam vaping, because it's been such a huge positive thing in mine and many people's lives, so understand that I'm not doing that. But without a doubt, the problems occur when I vape, and get worse the longer I vape. So I backed off the vaping hugely, taking only a few puffs two or three times a day.
In addition, my husband made me some 50/50 no-nic juice, which gives me no problems at all. So assuming (for a minute) that it's a vaping issue rather than a medical one, I've either developed a problem with nicotine itself, or I have some bad nicotine. It could also be that I have developed a heart issue that the nicotine is exacerbating.
Right now I'm on hold though, waiting on the doctor appointment, and vaping the no-nic juice. And with vaping the no-nic juice, I'm feeling a lot better.
I'll keep you all informed, and thanks so much for advice and concern! I can't tell you how much I appreciate it.
I seriously took into account that there might be a heart issue, because I do/did display many of the symptoms. Until I see the doctor, I made some changes which seemed to help a bit. Mainly its backing off the coffee and vaping, which relieves the symptoms.
The last thing I want to do is to slam vaping, because it's been such a huge positive thing in mine and many people's lives, so understand that I'm not doing that. But without a doubt, the problems occur when I vape, and get worse the longer I vape. So I backed off the vaping hugely, taking only a few puffs two or three times a day.
In addition, my husband made me some 50/50 no-nic juice, which gives me no problems at all. So assuming (for a minute) that it's a vaping issue rather than a medical one, I've either developed a problem with nicotine itself, or I have some bad nicotine. It could also be that I have developed a heart issue that the nicotine is exacerbating.
Right now I'm on hold though, waiting on the doctor appointment, and vaping the no-nic juice. And with vaping the no-nic juice, I'm feeling a lot better.
I'll keep you all informed, and thanks so much for advice and concern! I can't tell you how much I appreciate it.
Since you're feeling better on the no nic juice and you're symptoms were a sudden onset,I'm wondering if you could have miscalculated/mismeasured your nic when adding it in and have too much in the mix. Hope the Doc clears you of any medical issues today and then you can focus on what's in the mix that caused you issues.
I do too!
I wish it were as simple as miscalculation though. I would consider that, but I did do a fresh test batch with the same problems.
The only change I've made recently is to go from 48mg VG based nic, to 100mg PG based nic. Obviously the calculations changed a lot, but still, I have to wonder ....
I am still conscious of doctors being uninformed. Just as much as I hope that respected medical periodicals present fair or positive articles on vaping, I am sure the other side wishes for negative ones.
With my own doctor, I saw that he did not want to say something that could lead to a lawsuit or his being sanctioned by his industry to a "slightly" more open-minded view. As testing showed positive changes, he was easier to say, "whatever you are doing, it seems to have affect".
The bean-counters want doctors to see as many patients as possible. At the end of the day, I don't think doctors want to go into study mode on the very, very latest information. I think I do more consideration of my health than my doctors do, and, sometimes better.
Will be following and having hopeful thoughts.
With my own doctor, I saw that he did not want to say something that could lead to a lawsuit or his being sanctioned by his industry to a "slightly" more open-minded view. As testing showed positive changes, he was easier to say, "whatever you are doing, it seems to have affect".
The bean-counters want doctors to see as many patients as possible. At the end of the day, I don't think doctors want to go into study mode on the very, very latest information. I think I do more consideration of my health than my doctors do, and, sometimes better.
Will be following and having hopeful thoughts.
@RoseJ do you have a nic titration test kit? It is not impossible that your calculations are correct but the nic concentration is higher than labeled or you have a hot spot in the bottle. It's a remote possibility but something to consider. Even better a new supply of nic from a different source.
Have you tried coffee but no nic? These details could help your doc analyze things.
Have you tried coffee but no nic? These details could help your doc analyze things.
I was not aware nic titration test kits were available. Useful info if ever needed.
Here is a good reference and I think the one I follow...
Simple, easy DIY test for mg/mL nicotine. A Follow Up on DVAP's Method
I would strongly encourage anyone doing DIY to put together a test kit (it is easy to assemble one from individual components but there may be some commercial all in one kits around). You want to get comfortable playing chemist with known good nic, or at least nic you believe to be good. You ideally don't want to run out and put together a test kit when you think you have a problem. In this case @RoseJ may need or want to do this now of course.
One thing to be aware of is that flavorings can alter and invalidate the results of the test. The underlying chemistry assumes a flavorless mix (just PG/VG/NIC).
I hope everything works out with the Doc.
On the subject of doctor VS Vaper's advise, I think we are very worried about having whatever we say be taken out of context or being used against us, we are very aware there are ANTZ among us just waiting for somebody to recommend the wrong thing so it can be used against us. I don't want this beautiful place to be another place where we can't talk openly. Lets be careful but don't crucify one way or the other, please.
On the subject of doctor VS Vaper's advise, I think we are very worried about having whatever we say be taken out of context or being used against us, we are very aware there are ANTZ among us just waiting for somebody to recommend the wrong thing so it can be used against us. I don't want this beautiful place to be another place where we can't talk openly. Lets be careful but don't crucify one way or the other, please.
Hello, ECF folks! Reporting back as promised.
I went to the doc, and she was alarmed. She ordered a bunch of tests (EKG, chest x-ray, cat-scan with contrast, and a heap of blood tests. ALL of them came back negative for any problems. (I was particularly interested in the chest x-ray, as it's only 6 months ago since I quit a 40+ year smoking habit, but there was nothing abnormal).
Not satisfied, she's sending me to a cardiologist for further tests (echo-something, and stress tests).
But, you'll all be interested in this. I asked about the vaping, telling her that I feel most of the symptoms after using nicotine and/or caffeine. Her response was to pretty much dismiss it, with a caveat to tell the cardiologist. I was floored ... I thought she'd latch onto that and not let go until she'd mangled it to death. On the other hand, this is the same doctor who has seen all of my amazing health improvements since quitting.
So let's just say for a wild minute that I have no cardio issues. I don't have a history of any heart problems, nor my family. I'm not overweight, I'm very active, no hypertension, and no diabetes. There is the smoking history though. But I asked her, if it's not a cardio issue, what might it be? She mentioned stroke but immediately dismissed that, but then said that dehydration could cause a lot of my symptoms. That set off a little light bulb. You guys are ALWAYS saying to stay hydrated with vaping, and I'm horrible about it. And with this awfully hot weather, it might be making it worse.
So anyway, for now until I see the cardiologist, I'm going to drink a LOT more water. In addition, my husband suggested that we make some juice using the 48mg VG-based nic that I used to use, and cut the nic down even further to 1.5 mg/ml. See how I react to that.
In addition, I want to go over everyone's suggestions in this discussion to see if there's anything else I haven't tried yet that makes sense.
Again, thanks a bunch for your concern, and maybe this whole discussion might help someone else.
I went to the doc, and she was alarmed. She ordered a bunch of tests (EKG, chest x-ray, cat-scan with contrast, and a heap of blood tests. ALL of them came back negative for any problems. (I was particularly interested in the chest x-ray, as it's only 6 months ago since I quit a 40+ year smoking habit, but there was nothing abnormal).
Not satisfied, she's sending me to a cardiologist for further tests (echo-something, and stress tests).
But, you'll all be interested in this. I asked about the vaping, telling her that I feel most of the symptoms after using nicotine and/or caffeine. Her response was to pretty much dismiss it, with a caveat to tell the cardiologist. I was floored ... I thought she'd latch onto that and not let go until she'd mangled it to death. On the other hand, this is the same doctor who has seen all of my amazing health improvements since quitting.
So let's just say for a wild minute that I have no cardio issues. I don't have a history of any heart problems, nor my family. I'm not overweight, I'm very active, no hypertension, and no diabetes. There is the smoking history though. But I asked her, if it's not a cardio issue, what might it be? She mentioned stroke but immediately dismissed that, but then said that dehydration could cause a lot of my symptoms. That set off a little light bulb. You guys are ALWAYS saying to stay hydrated with vaping, and I'm horrible about it. And with this awfully hot weather, it might be making it worse.
So anyway, for now until I see the cardiologist, I'm going to drink a LOT more water. In addition, my husband suggested that we make some juice using the 48mg VG-based nic that I used to use, and cut the nic down even further to 1.5 mg/ml. See how I react to that.
In addition, I want to go over everyone's suggestions in this discussion to see if there's anything else I haven't tried yet that makes sense.
Again, thanks a bunch for your concern, and maybe this whole discussion might help someone else.
Rose, you mentioned that they did "a heap of blood tests". Did you get the the results of a Red Blood Cell (RBC) count? You previously mentioned that you had a problem with this.
The reason I ask is because I too had this problem. I went to my Dr. with another problem (blood in my urine) and had a series of blood tests done. The nurse called me and said the Lab screwed up and I had to retake the tests. When the 2nd results came back (the nurse later told me) the Dr. looked and said "RETEST". The nurse told him "that is the retest". The Dr. (not the nurse) then called me and said for me to donate a pint of blood ASAP. My blood was so thick that I would have a heart attack or stroke before he could determine the cause of the blood in my urine (which later turned out to be non-invasive bladder cancer, which was treated, i.e., burned off).
I then saw an Oncologist who regularly took additional pints (he said they no longer use leeches) until my RBC count came down to a somewhat normal level. He was convinced my 50+ years of smoking 1.5 to 2 PAD of Marlboro Reds was the cause. My body's reaction to the lack of O2 (and excess CO) in my blood was to produce more RBC (the O2 carrier).
All 3 Dr. (Primary Care Dr., Blood Dr., and Bladder Dr.) ganged up and convinced me to quit smoking. I'm now close to 2.5 years of vaping (and down to 3mg).
Bottom line: My Blood Dr. (aka Count Dracula) said my RBC count is now normal with no need to see him anymore UNLESS I GO BACK TO SMOKING.
My long winded point is that a high RBC, especially in smokers or recently quit smokers,
is an extremely serious condition that needs to be tested. I'm sure that was one of the first things you asked about, but others might not be aware of how serious it can be.
The reason I ask is because I too had this problem. I went to my Dr. with another problem (blood in my urine) and had a series of blood tests done. The nurse called me and said the Lab screwed up and I had to retake the tests. When the 2nd results came back (the nurse later told me) the Dr. looked and said "RETEST". The nurse told him "that is the retest". The Dr. (not the nurse) then called me and said for me to donate a pint of blood ASAP. My blood was so thick that I would have a heart attack or stroke before he could determine the cause of the blood in my urine (which later turned out to be non-invasive bladder cancer, which was treated, i.e., burned off).
I then saw an Oncologist who regularly took additional pints (he said they no longer use leeches) until my RBC count came down to a somewhat normal level. He was convinced my 50+ years of smoking 1.5 to 2 PAD of Marlboro Reds was the cause. My body's reaction to the lack of O2 (and excess CO) in my blood was to produce more RBC (the O2 carrier).
All 3 Dr. (Primary Care Dr., Blood Dr., and Bladder Dr.) ganged up and convinced me to quit smoking. I'm now close to 2.5 years of vaping (and down to 3mg).
Bottom line: My Blood Dr. (aka Count Dracula) said my RBC count is now normal with no need to see him anymore UNLESS I GO BACK TO SMOKING.
My long winded point is that a high RBC, especially in smokers or recently quit smokers,
is an extremely serious condition that needs to be tested. I'm sure that was one of the first things you asked about, but others might not be aware of how serious it can be.
This absolutely was a problem for me, and the number one reason I finally quit. My doctor discovered the high RBC in November last year, and it was close to being at a dangerous level. She convinced me that I had to quit, and I did a few weeks later, with the help of vaping.
I had another RBC test in May, and I was back to normal, although high-normal range. One of the other factors had come down a lot, but was still higher than normal. Bottom line though was that I had greatly improved, and my doctor was super happy. I was too, because she had scared me silly.
It sounds like you were in bad shape with your RBC count. Congrats on the quitting and the normal count! And yes, more smokers should absolutely be aware of this.
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