Sinus infection and earache after starting vaping

[slorigan]

An infection of any kind is caused by bacteria. Bacteria can't withstand the temperatures in an atomiser so can't be present in vapour. Therefore vaping did not cause your infection. A little research would have told you this.

Me: Please don't try to sound like an authority. No one knows the consequences of vaping as of yet, especially long term. I've read doctors who say definitely don't vape, that it is dangerous. Are you saying you're smarter than doctors? LOL!

 

[JasonV]

I've been lurking on multiple e-cig forums and have never seens somebody say their sinuses acted up from vaping. So, you are making blanket statements. GO SEE A DOCTOR. They can tell you why you have a sinus infection and earache. I was 25 before I caught the flu and I never had a flu shot. Just because you went 30 yrs without it doesn't mean your body is immune to it. A lot of other stuff can cause symptoms your experiencing, like mold, so again, GO SEE A DOCTOR. Just like you don't want us to say its a coincidence, you can't say it isn't until you GO SEE A DOCTOR. Do you see a common theme here?

 

[mkbilbo]

...and just has ANTZ all over it...

Not even they're this immature surely.

 

[Talyon]

Me: Please don't try to sound like an authority. No one knows the consequences of vaping as of yet, especially long term. I've read doctors who say definitely don't vape, that it is dangerous. Are you saying you're smarter than doctors? LOL!

Yes I'm saying I'm smarter then a doctor, at least I haven't killed anyone like some doctors have. So don't give me that crap about just because a doctor says it or a lawyer or a politician etc being smarter then anyone.

I know lots of things none of them know and visa versa.

If u didn't want our advice then maybe u just of to anothe forum and hate there.

 

[mkbilbo]

Me: Please don't try to sound like an authority. No one knows the consequences of vaping as of yet, especially long term. I've read doctors who say definitely don't vape, that it is dangerous. Are you saying you're smarter than doctors? LOL!

Uh huh. So you read doctors saying don't do it and you believed them but you did it anyway but we're the idiots?

And you're worried about your health but you smoke.

Yeah. Uh huh. Sure. I believe every word.

 

[slorigan]

Good point.

I do understand wanting to blame vaping for a problem but in the end posts like these always sound like they were made by a hypochondriac.

Couple of years back I found a lipoma on my right shoulder.Its a benign fatty growth thats hardly even visible and common in males over forty.

In my nicotine (and who knows what other chemicals) induced delusion I convinced myself that it must be because of vaping since thats the only change I had made recently and I went back to smoking for awhile. Thankfully I didnt post that ZOMG VAPING GAVE ME A TUMOR!!!111!!!!!!

Eventually I confided my fears to my doctor who said "Youre just getting old." Imagine my embarrassment if I had posted something like that and later found this out though.

THINK first, type second wouldnt be a bad idea and the fact thats coming from me should tell everyone something lol.

me: No, I'm not the paranoid hypochondriac that you evidently were. I know that when I was vaping that the liquid that was reaching my lungs was giving me sinus problems and congestion in my chest. Then I got an earache. Then I Googled it and realized I was not alone, that it happens to others. It's not coincidence for me or the others that have gotten earaches right after starting vaping. As far as an allergic reaction, well, I don't know the symptoms of allergies but I would think it would be other than an earache and sinus infection. As others have said, an earache is a problem caused by bacteria. And again, I didn't quit smoking while vaping, I did both.

 

[Dwill4544]

You might be allergic to the propylene glycol in the juice, and that can be taken care of by switching to %100 vegetable glycerin juice.

 

[mkbilbo]

me: No, I'm not the paranoid hypochondriac that you evidently were. I know that when I was vaping that the liquid that was reaching my lungs...

And there it is.

Next time, doing some actual reading will make the lie more convincing. First troll eh? Better luck next time.

 

[xtwosm0kesx]

Seems to me a lot of people have had the same experience from what I've read in forums.

Post links please.

And since you say 'a lot' im going to need at least several.

 

[Talyon]

This is exactly the reply I was expecting. It's the typical denial of vape fans, blaming it on withdrawal from cigarettes. And it doesn't apply to me because I didn't quit smoking! I was smoking and vaping.

So u focused only on part of my suggestions as to what MIGHT be causing your irritations, and not the other suggestion of possibly PG allergy, yes typical of a troll type post to do just that. Bring it on!

Perhaps u can find a non pro Vapeing forum u can throw hate at.

I'll also let u know, try visiting CASAA website and actually read some of the studies already done instead of coming hear and using Making absurd allegations.

 

[slorigan]

I've only been reading post here for a few years but I can't say I've read many with what your experiencing. I hope that all works out for you. Well some people are allergic to peanuts and shellfish.... so you should try the patch or gum

me: I've tried the patch with no problems. I would like to see vaping be found to be safe, I really would. I just want others to know they could have an experience like I had, and that others have had and had to go on antibiotics to get rid of an infection.

 

[mkbilbo]

me: I've tried the patch with no problems. I would like to see vaping be found to be safe, I really would. I just want others to know they could have an experience like I had, and that others have had and had to go on antibiotics to get rid of an infection.

Uh huh. No problems with patch except you say you still smoke.

And you're worried about an ear infection but you're okay with lung cancer?

Sure. Makes sense.

 

[Talyon]

me: I've tried the patch with no problems. I would like to see vaping be found to be safe, I really would. I just want others to know they could have an experience like I had, and that others have had and had to go on antibiotics to get rid of an infection.

Define safe????

Vapeing is a safer alternative to smoking, no one is saying anything other.

You also mention u still smoke while Vapeing but want to be safe? This doesn't make sense.

 

[JTrain23]

Sounds to me like an allergic reaction to PG. Go higher on the VG side (maybe even 100%VG) and I'd be willing to bet you clear up. I have had horrible sinus problems for about the last 15 years (smoked for 22). I've been vaping almost 2 months and I haven't had a single sinus problem.


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[slorigan]

FYI: OP is a troll. Just trying to get you worked up. Chances if it is legit, allergic reaction or COINCIDENCE. Whenever I started vaping, my allergies started acting up, because it was early June when I start getting allergies and not because of vaping. Just bad timing if I had been paranoid like OP.

me: THIS is what bothers me!!! I'm not a troll. A troll just tries to stir the pot, even going as far as lying in his post. I really wanted to like vaping, but I got an ear infection. Bottom line. And what I hate most of all are people who blow it off as caused by cigarette cesation ( I didn't quit smoking). And it's not coincidence, for I haven't had an earache in 30 years. I know that vaping messed up my sinuses, I could feel it as I started vaping, and I know that sinus infections can go to ear infections.

 

[mkbilbo]

me: THIS is what bothers me!!! I'm not a troll. A troll just tries to stir the pot, even going as far as lying in his post.

Yes. That is indeed what you're doing.

 

[Talyon]

me: I've tried the patch with no problems. I would like to see vaping be found to be safe, I really would. I just want others to know they could have an experience like I had, and that others have had and had to go on antibiotics to get rid of an infection.

If your suggesting that other Vapers have had ear infections due to vapeing and had to take antibiotics prescribed by a doctor then please post links of the proof of this diagnosis.

I'm listening.

 

[slorigan]

While I think the OP is jumping to conclusions, I also think the other posters are too quick to dismiss his/her valid concerns. The truth is none of you are doctors and have no business "diagnosing" this guy's condition.

I tend to agree it is probably a coincidence or an allergy to PG, but it might not be. I will always be the first to say to go see a doctor if you are concerned. However, the only problem with seeing a doctor is most of them have NO CLUE about vaping. If you tell them you are vaping they will look at you like you have two heads (I know I have already ran it past my doctor).

Which brings me in agreement with the OP: we simply do not know the extent of how safe or unsafe vaping is. If doctors have no clue, then message board posters have less of a clue. I agree there needs to be some regulation of some sort, mainly because, I as a consumer, am worried about mom and pop shops not knowing WTH they are doing when it comes to mixing e-liquid. That's why I will recommend you only stick to "big vendors" like HALO who are known for strict quality controls and who ship out tons of e-liquid.

What do we know about vaping so far? We know that no one has ever died (to our knowledge) from vaping. Some people have went to the ER for problems, but most of the time it had nothing to do with vaping or was a result of an allergy from the e-liquid. These people fully recovered. (Keep in mind that anyone can have an allergy to almost anything. Some people can die from eating peanuts, but it doesn't mean peanuts are inherently unsafe for most people). I have heard of people having PG allergies and even some having to seek medical treatment from vaping due to this allergy. I have never heard of the allergy being bad enough that the patient died, however. Doesn't mean it hasn't happened, but I am sure it would have made the news if it had.

We also have two reports of lipoid pneumonia from e-cigs. One of them was in the U.S. and one was from the UK. However, medical experts have said it is impossible to get lipoid pneumonia from e-liquid because glycerin is not oil based (it is an alcohol). In the case of the U.S. woman (who survived) the doctors said in their report that it was a result of her e-liquid. I see two possibilities:

1) Vaping was a coincidence and the patient inhaled oils from some other source (you have to inhale oils to get lipoid pneumonia). The doctors knew that glycerin was an ingredient in the e-liquid (and said so in their report) and they said it was the cause of the pneumonia. So either these doctors are ignorant of glycerin not being an oil or they know something the rest of us don't.

2) If it was the e-liquid, it most certainly was very bad quality liquid or a DIY project gone bad.

If lipoid pneumonia were a real problem with vapers, we would have heard about more than two cases. Two cases is statistically insignificant. Millions of people vape now, and I am sure we would have heard about more than two cases if lipoid pneumonia were a real threat.

We know that PG and VG are both safe for human consumption and for use on the skin. Both have been studied for decades and were long ago deemed GRAS (generally recognized as safe). However, PG can be toxic at high levels, especially if taken intravenously. This can happen with benzodiazepine injections (Benzodiazepines include drugs like Xanax, Ativan, Valium, etc). The drugs use PG as a dilutant. These are sometimes given through an IV to calm people during surgery or to treat certain illnesses. There have been documented cases in the literature of the PG in these drugs causing death, usually through something called lactic acidosis. PG results in an increase in lactic acid. The body typically converts lactate to pyruvate and metabolizes pyruvate through the Krebs cycle. However, if there is too much for too long of a period, you can go into lactic acidosis, which can result in death. See this case report: Severe lactic acidosis after an iatrogenic p... [Pharmacotherapy. 2010] - PubMed - NCBI

So the obvious question is: Is it possible to get lactic acidosis from inhaling PG? If so, how much does it take? We don't know. However, if it were possible, I am sure we would have heard about it by now. All indications are that it would take an inhalation of much more PG than any human could reasonably vape in a short period. Some people do report joint pain after having started vaping, and this makes sense if you recognize that PG breaks down into lactic acid in the body. Lactic acid is known to cause joint stiffness or pain. The best way to avoid this is to vape a mostly VG juice. Say 70VG or even 100 VG.

And finally, in my area, the pulmonologist (lung specialist) has actually recommended people vape instead of smoke. My vape shop has a list of doctors on their wall who have told their patients to go there to buy a kit. I am assuming this pulmonologist (and the other general practitioners) have at least done a modicum of research into the issue. And I am sure they came to the conclusion that vaping, while maybe still new and not well researched, has to be safer than smoking.

I suspect there will be findings in the future that vaping might cause this issue or that issue in some people or that it isn't as safe as some proponents think. However, I never think any serious research will show it to be anywhere as dangerous as smoking cigs.

me: Excellent post! I have a question, will my symptoms go away in time, or when should I contact a doctor? My earache seems to be going away but I still feel congestion and tightness in my lungs.

 

[AmandaD]

me: Excellent post! I have a question, will my symptoms go away in time, or when should I contact a doctor? My earache seems to be going away but I still feel congestion and tightness in my lungs.

GO AND SEE A DOCTOR - we are not doctors, we cannot diagnose you over the internet.

 

[xtwosm0kesx]

me: Well, why would I vape when I get ear infections? And no, correlation is not causality but when many vapers have experienced these same problems as I did you have to take it into consideration that it's not just coincidence.

Post.....the....friggin....links....

I can find about 4 threads total (over the course of 4 years) that mention what youre talking about, and most of those are talking about tinnitus (which is almost always associated with nic/over-nic'd).