Scary anxeity and I don't know why...

[510guy]

I been vaping since 2009 because I would be an off and on smoker due to all the stresses life can bring us. vaping has changed my life for the better and allow me to enjoy life and keep nicotine a part of it (Much like coffee drinkers enjoying their caffeine). Recently however something has reared that's been affecting my life so badly that I can't help but think I am dying or close to death that any day I will pass away and the cause will be unknown. Of course I'm talking about Anxiety. Now it's strange. Mainly people who have anxiety claim their heart beat is what causes them to panic. My situation is far different it's more of a "head" sensation. See what happens when I vape I get a burning sensation on the sides of my head to the dome of it. These issues would happen when I smoked Tobacco cigarettes back when I was 16...it was so bad I had to quit.

I had my heart checked and it appears fine but I haven't had blood test or an MRI done in sometime because don't have the insurance,doctor or money to get those checked out. When having these sensations I feel like I am being sucked out of reality or I am at the brink of oblivion and it's a SCARY sensation. I NEVER had these feelings with E-cigs before. Was at 18 mg and I usually vape about 5 puffs every 20-40 mins Now vaping 12 mg and STILL getting those nasty feelings. I would hate to give up vaping but it looks like it's something I may have to do. what do you guys think...Should I give up nicotine altogether? Withdrawl makes it worse (having quit cigarettes I know all too well about that). As I stated I vaped for years with no problem or issues but now it's affecting me in a way that I can't enjoy E-cigs,life or anything and it's frustrating to feel like this everyday, It's not the attack that's troublesome but the symptoms. Thoughts?

 

[DetraMental]

I'm sorry you're having these problems but none of us here are doctors and it's hard to give non-clinical advice with the security of accuracy for your symptoms. Have you tried reducing your nicotine to see if the symptoms subside? It's just a suggestion. I really don't feel comfortable making guesses as to your dilemma. I wish you the best of luck.

 

[WillyZee]

please find a way to get this checked out ... since you are a long time vaper, my guess is, it is something else.

wishing you well.

 

[510guy]

Thank you. I know no one is a doctor here BUT I was hoping maybe someone has experienced these feelings too and perhaps give advice to alleviate these feelings. Next month when going to the vape juice vendor I will get it knocked down to 6 mg to see if that brings any change. Now if that doesn't work I guess I'll just have to quit .

 

[510guy]

Thanks. Being unemployed with no insurance makes it hard to get health concerns checked.

 

[Rickajho]

Sorry to hear this. I do recall someone expressing some very uncommon symptoms a while ago, including "dread" anxiety alternating with spikes of depression on a daily basis. But he was just recently transitioning from smoking to vaping and a lot of what he was experiencing could have been due to quit smoking withdrawal, too much nic, or "other." I never did see if he came to resolve the problems he was having, or figure out what the source was either.

We aren't blowing you off here, but as DetraMental pointed out we aren't medical people and we can't see what you are going through either. The only thing I can suggest trying is: stop. Put the PV down and see how you feel after two or three hours. If it's something vape related the symptoms should also subside by then.

Things happen that we some times don't notice. If your stress level has been up lately you may be chain vaping a lot more and not even realize it. Any idea if you have been going through more liquid lately than usual?

And you may have plateaued in some way and for whatever reason - metabolic or more vaping - it could just be that 12 mg is now too much for you. Trying a lower nic level never hurt anyone but too miuch nic is never good.

I really don't know what to make of the head sensations you are describing. I have not run across that before in context of vaping. From my experience that sounds like classic panic attack stuff. Is there any history of panic disorder in your family?

Ultimately this has to be turned over to your health care peeps. We can make a few guesses from here, but remember - they are only guesses and can't substitute for appropriate diagnostics or care.

 

[510guy]

Thanks Rickajho.

I actually been vaping less due to the symptoms of anxiety I've been having and the feelings DO settle down after not vaping for a little while. With stress I'm under some. I live with my mother in law for almost 3 years and she hates me and in order to stop confrontations (when angry, I lose self control) but I don't chain vape due to fearing those sensations again I just stay confined in one of two rooms feeling ...... off a little,I try not to get too angry because then later one when anger is non apparent those feelings comeback while vaping again but even when a little ticked I *Don't* chain vape.

My mother used to get dizzy spells in her 40's but never really had panic attacks and my father is hush-hush about his medical history but I am certain ONE of them has had panic issues (my mom,possibly my dad *shrugs*). At 16 I used to get panic attacks so bad that I would feel that the next second was my last at that point I quit smoking to stop those feelings and at that point my life was becoming awesome...Had friends,a girl and family live started improving flash forward 13 years I'm married to my awesome wife but *HATE* living in this house as our freedom is stripped and we live like .......ing animals because neither of us have the money to move out on our own.

The good news in all this though is I been approved disability and now we can make plans to get up on out of here but since my wife and her mom are close I have to yet WAIT it out so her mother gets approved for senior housing assistance. Prior to this I was working at wal-mart as a maintenance associate and the stress levels I received there was borderline snapping. My nerves would cook everyday to the point you could probably fry an egg on my head! I've was diagnosed with depression at age 12 and was thrown in mental home 4 times for attempted suicide... So I do have my mental demons (and it's a bit awkward to share this info but the heck with it). In this house I feel trapped and have no where to really go. so maybe it is anxiety? Since the feeling goes away eventually and isn't consistant. I just get spaced and skitzed out and the sensation puts me into panic mode even when I breathing deep.

For anyone who has read all this I appreciate the open mindedness and understanding. I hope I can get a doctor and some form of insurance soon just to be sure it's nothing serious even though it feels like it otherwise. Don't want to give up vaping as it's saved me from smoking analogs (which are horrible).

 

[SASmith]

Sorry to hear about your problem 510guy, hopefully you can see a doctor soon. One thing that always comes to mind is...........are you drinking water and staying hydrated. Vaping is dehydrating and dehydration can produce some scary symptoms. You could also try vaping some nicotine free juice and if your symptoms disappear, you know it's the nicotine. Hope you are feeling better soon!

 

[510guy]

I was reading that dehydration with vaping CAN cause your head to get hot and tingling... So maybe that's it. I will admit that my hydration hasn't been the best. When typing this thread I felt those symptoms but I was drinking water so I got no clue. When going to the vape shop I'll probably get a some nic free juice in a small bottle just to be sure it's the nicotine and if I still get those feelings then I'll know for sure but I'm also going to lower my nic intake to 6 MG and see if that will alleviate some of the problem too. As I stated I had an EKG done and even though I am obese the doctor stated that my heart is normal and as long as I keep trying to lose the gut all should be fine, I was approved for financial aid to get that done through charity,Now if only something like that existed for blood work AND Cat scan/MRI just to rule out any possibility of any physical illness. Maybe then I can relax and know what I'm feeling isn't going to kill/harm me.

 

[edyle]

See what happens when I vape I get a burning sensation on the sides of my head to the dome of it. These issues would happen when I smoked Tobacco cigarettes back when I was 16...it was so bad I had to quit.

So it is something that used to happen before vaping.

The good thing is with vaping it's easier to cut down on the nicotine, if that's what's causing the problem.

 

[SASmith]

So many possibilities with your symptoms, is it the nicotine or a pg or vg allergy, or are you stressed out to the max.

 

[510guy]

Edyle.

Back then I would have my dad take several trips to the ER because I tried my best to calm down but my body just wouldn't as if my Sympathetic Nervous system was in overdrive and wouldn't stop. I vaped 18 mg for years and never had a problem up until now and i find it odd that's it's affecting me now and didn't when first starting to vape. When February rolls around I'll try to get a lower mg bottle and see if it improves. I hope so as these feelings are VERY uncomfortable and hard to stay calm when these sensations of dread and doom are pounding in my thought process when these sensations occur.

 

[510guy]

SASmith. I've vaped 50 pg/50 vg mix from "[edited]"(forum wouldn't let me put the proper name,censored it?) for years. 2 months ago we started to go to a local shop but I don't know what kind of mix they use but when I go I'll ask them. My wife says I am stressed out but I don't feel stressed but don't feel safe either. The wife keeps saying "you're safe,You're fine,nothing is going to happen" and then I would snap and say "TELL MY BRAIN THAT".. Don't like snapping at anyone but when I'm feeling so much going on it's hard to give a simple answer without snapping.

 

[mmsjs5]

I'm sorry to hear of your troubles, and I don't really have anything different to tell you than all the other posters. I do have a suggestion that's better than cold turkey, if that's what you think ends up being your only option.

Maybe during your experimentation with things, you could try snus? Here's is a search tool for General snus. Log On (scroll down past the log on)

I use General Dry Mini Mint, occasionally. There are quite a few places selling it now. Even if you can't find 'the good stuff', there's Camel Snus and I think Marlboro has a snus. There are also Stonewall dissolvables, and probably others, but they are harder to find.

I hope you get it figured out and want you to know there are other options than suffering through without anything.

 

[CES]

It sounds like you're going through a difficult time, and i echo the suggestions that you get checked by a doctor.

I know for me that anxiety is my cue to drop my nicotine levels. I'd been vaping for about 9 months the first time it started ...it took me awhile to catch on, since smoking used to calm anxiety (and asking myself 'am i still anxious' is it going away yet' didn't really help). I finally figured it out and dropped to 18 mgs/ml Then several months later, it started again and dropping nic levels again helped. And so on. I'm at 4 mgs/ml now. My nicotine tolerance dropped and i had to learn that it is one of my body's cues and that the feeling does pass.

I hope that it turns out to be that simple for you. It's worth trying a lower level to see if it helps

 

[minimeatball]

A few times when I smoked, and a few times when I vaped, I've had a very similar and very scary feeling.

My conclusion was this: I suspect that a specific combination of factors (increased nicotine intake, blood sugar level, level of hydration, level of stress.. who knows!) led to the FIRST instance. After this, I believe my brain did what it does best and scared me into having even more or these terrifying events.

So, I decreased my nicotine intake (from vaping 24mg to 12mg) and have not had any since then. I addressed what I thought to be the problem and this allowed me to stop convincing myself into having them.

I hope my experience will help and, obviously, please see a doctor if these don't stop!

 

[pt91]

Sorry anxiety has popped up. It may be completely separate from nicotine
And any medical issues. Typically it it is a psychological issue but it can be dealt with.
Stimulates can trigger it without being the cause.
Good to hv any physical issues ruled out. Lowering nic and seeing a doc
Is a good path. Try not to worry.

 

[510guy]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. I will do my best to get to a doctor. I am just glad my heart is ok but I still worry about the feelings in my head I get when vaping BUT upon research and pondering it would appear stimulants increases the stresses,depression and other mental problems tremendously! as stated I do suffer depression and my living situation is filled with tension. Hard to live in a house where the owner of it hates you. I used to be able to brush it off but I guess even mental tolerance only goes so far before it breaks down I guess.

 

[Mrs C]

You might check and see if there are any stress or anxiety support groups that meet in your community. They can give you a chance to get out of house for a bit, talk with others who understand, pick up some new coping strategies, and possibly provide some info on low or no cost programs for treatment should you need to go that route.

 

[RoseB]

510guy: Sorry you're having anxiety issues that's no fun at all Trying alternating 0 nicotine with your regular. Nicotine and caffeine make anxiety worse. I am not a doctor, but that's some advice I got from mine. Maybe look into a sliding scale low income clinic in your area. Hope you feel better soon.