Shortness of Breath -- Is this normal?

[Streptile]

Strangely, I am suffering from shortness of breath after vaping for a few days. I didn't have it (like this) on the analogs. I googled "nicotine poisoning" and noticed "difficulty breathing" was a symptom. Now, I don't think I am poisoned... but am I vaping too much? I'm using 16mg nic PG at the moment, which seems appropriate as I was a 1ppd "Mediums" smoker. Today I smoked 2 analogs and vaped about 20 times, maybe 15 inhales each time -- just a 1:1 replacement for a cig, I guess.

Anyone else experience shortness of breath on the vapor? I tried a forum search but I have not yet mastered the search function here.

Thank you for your help. I am trying to get all this correct so I can try to save my own life by quitting cigs.

Should I cut the nic to 8mg?

 

[HazeyPurpleHippy]

Strangely, I am suffering from shortness of breath after vaping for a few days. I didn't have it (like this) on the analogs. I googled "nicotine poisoning" and noticed "difficulty breathing" was a symptom. Now, I don't think I am poisoned... but am I vaping too much? I'm using 16mg nic PG at the moment, which seems appropriate as I was a 1ppd "Mediums" smoker. Today I smoked 2 analogs and vaped about 20 times, maybe 15 inhales each time -- just a 1:1 replacement for a cig, I guess.

Anyone else experience shortness of breath on the vapor? I tried a forum search but I have not yet mastered the search function here.

Thank you for your help. I am trying to get all this correct so I can try to save my own life by quitting cigs.

Should I cut the nic to 8mg?

I'm pretty sure that certain juice flavors give me shortness of breath. Try switching flavors for a week, and see if it continues.

 

[Streptile]

Thanks for the tip. I will give it a shot and let you all know.

 

[Beans]

Some flavors really bother me, Cinammon is a huge no no (for me) I get very weezy and tight around the chest, all PG does the same too. I'm good at 80/20-75/25 PG/VG

I hope you can figure out what's bothering you. I doubt it's the nic.

 

[W Axl Rose]

I alot of difficulty breathing after about my 3rd month on ecigs (never had issues at all on analogs). It was so bad for me that I had to quit ecigs altogether. After I quit the breathing did not get better, but it did not get worse either.

 

[wfx]

i second the flavor switch suggestion. also try some unflavored with different pg/vg ratios.

 

[Running Wolf]

Also could be the 'hairs' in the lungs starting to come back to life. Best to actually see a doctor about it.

 

[denali_41]

darker colored juices do that to me,,,so i stay with the lighter colored juice now

 

[Streptile]

Thank you all. I will update the thread as I try new flavors. For now, my shortness of breath is noticeable. Unfortunately I only have one liquid at the moment, but some more are in the mail to me. Again, I appreciate all the advice.

 

[Poppa D]

Shortness of breath could be serious.

But since your expressing the feeling is only with vaping, not analogs, I suspect the atomizer isn't "hot" enough. If your using 2 ohm atomizers, try 1.7 or 1.5 ohm instead the vapor will be much improved "hotter" and less like sucking through a wet warm rag and irritating. If its to hot it'll be like sucking steam, it burns. Get it just right and its very nice flavor and it'll keep the analogs out of your hands. Its been a good 18 months for me.

Good luck Strep, hang in there.

 

[Streptile]

Thank you; I'll give that a shot. A lot of the lingo is difficult for me to get my mind around at this early stage, but I just ordered some Boge 510 2.0 cartomizers for my eGo setup. I am guessing these may not be "hot" enough, if what you're saying is accurate?

Yes, the shortness of breath seems related to vaping. It goes away about 30 mins after I vape, then comes back very noticeably when I do it again.

 

[Poppa D]

With the eGo a 1.5 ohm cartomizer would be a pretty good match for more heat, and a better vapor.

 

[markfm]

Essentially you have VG, PG, flavorings, nicotine. Since we were smokers, nicotine is an unlikely culprit, though decreasing it slightly is always fine to try. 16 - 18 mg/ml strength is pretty typical for a lights or medium smoker.

I've known people with sensitivities to all 3 of the other factors -- VG, PG, flavorings. Some people need near 0PG, some need near 0VG, some need to avoid certain flavorings or stay with organic flavorings.

Me, I have very slight VG sensitivity, only noticeable when I'm vaping 0PG, and even then I just note it when doing aerobic exercise

 

[Streptile]

Thank you for the reply. I especially appreciate the effort you've made to keep it simple for me -- all the variables can be somewhat bewildering for a newcomer to this "hobby." I guess I just need to experiment with various different combinations. Luckily, with my Boge 510 2.0 cartomizers, I had the foresight (even before I really noticed this breathing problem) to order some 8mg nic liquid, some 100% VG liquid, some more PG liquid, and some various flavors. So I can look forward to a few days of experimentation. I will report back here.

One problem with the entire PV "world" is that it's almost exclusively online. Want to switch from Marlboro Reds to Marlboro Lights? Run to the corner store. Want to switch e-liquid? Get out the credit card, find a site, place your order, and wait the better part of a week for the package slip to show up, then trek to the post office on Saturday to wait in line for an hour to pick it up.

I hope as vaping becomes more widespread we start to see more smoke shops carry a line of gear and liquid.

 

[Streptile]

With the eGo a 1.5 ohm cartomizer would be a pretty good match for more heat, and a better vapor.

Thanks D. I will try those out. Really a lot to experiment with to get it right, isn't there?

 

[Poppa D]

Its a learning curve, hang in there.

My 35 years of smoking 2+ packs a day, quitting was equal to dying. Vaping was a piece of cake, with a learning curve. Once you get over that curve the rest is pretty easy.

 

[Streptile]

Thanks for the support D.

I'm going to give the PV a rest til I can get some new liquid. I feel like I am suffocating for 30+ minutes after I vape -- a very unpleasant feeling.

I just read http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/health-safety-e-smoking/251201-copd-vaping.html, and it seems I am definitely not alone in feeling this; I just hope I can figure out a way to make it work or else it's cold turkey off the cigs for me... not the worst thing in the world, but vaping is so much... nicer.

 

[markfm]

A fairly low cost, quick, try, is to see if you feel okay vaping a little plain VG mixed with distilled water.

In a CVS or Rite Aid pharmacy, look for Glycerin USP Skin Protectant, near the bandaids. It's a short, clear, 6 ounce bottle, ingredients should only be Glycerin 99.5%, possibly followed by the word (anhydrous). Costs about $5.

Distilled water is $1/gallon, standard supermarket item.

In a small clean bottle or beaker mix up a little of the glycerin with about 20% water.

See if that vapes okay for you. No nicotine, no flavorings, lots of vapor, little throat hit. Drink lots of water, and use a long, slow, inhale. Many prefer to just pull the vapor into their mouth first, then take the PV away and finish the inhale into the lungs.

Good luck!

 

[Streptile]

Thanks again Mark.

We'll see... if another liquid doesn't fix the problem, I will try your test before going out and buying new hardware.

Appreciate the tip!

 

[Streptile]

Update on this.

It seems my problem was really two things:

1. It turns out the problem was partly the drug Wellbutrin. I was taking it to aid in my smoking cessation, but shortness of breath (a feeling of being unable to fill one's lungs with air) is a known side-effect of the drug. I stopped taking it and got better almost immediately. But vaping still hit me with a feeling of suffocation, albeit somewhat reduced and of shorter duration.

2. PG. I don't react well to any amount of PG. I got some 100% VG, and I am in vaping heaven.

Thank you all for your help here in this thread.