so what do you tell your health care professional about vaping?

[Darkwitless]

I've look and haven't found this question.

I've got a Dr appt this week and have to bring all medication, even OTC, in there original containers.

In the past I have (sheepishly) admitted to being a smoker. It'll be 1 full month since I've had an analog when I got to the doctor.

The doctor is an Endocrinologist for some possible issues and she needs to know everything. How do you explain vaping?

I'm using a 6mg juice with a periodic addition of 24mg. Until 3.75 weeks ago I was a pack +/- day smoker. I'm handling the change well and have no interest in stopping vaping. It's made a very big change manageable and in fact very enjoyable .

So is it safe to refer to this a form of Nicotine replacement therapy? I do know that my e juice is 50/50 but dread going into details. It's been hard enough with my nonsmoking nicotine free DH. He's glad i'm not smoking but keeps asking when I'm ditching the vaping! (grrr)

 

[Bekinder]

I told my MD about it and she had a fit. However, my pulmonologist was tickled pink.
I found out this year I have COPD and for the first visit I had 48% lung capacity.
It was improved the second time; what percentage he did not say. He is the specialist,
young and informed, so needless to say, I'm glad he gave the okay on it. All depends on the Doctor as to their reaction.

 

[StarrzChylde]

That's a REALLY good question! My doctor has been harping on me, understandably so, to quit analogs for ages. He even wrote me a prescription for Chantix, but after reading the possible side effects I told him a resounding "Heck NO!" about taking them.

 

[CaptJay]

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...icles-validate-e-cigs-safer-than-analogs.html You could print some of these off if you want to throw the research at her/him but i just told mine and they were happy that the smoking was now history. They could see my health had improved and even my thyroid condition has benefitted from vaping over smoking.
No doctor is going to be happy that youre using nicotine, in the same way that no doctor would welcome caffiene, saturated fat or high salt in your body as none of those things are good' for you but some things are lower risk and that's really the angle you are coming from. Not risk free but less risk than cigarettes.
Its also easier to manage your nic levels using a PV - many memebrs have decreased their dependence on nic after starting with a PV and some are nic free entirely (if they choose to be).

Edit: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...-e-cig-related-legal-medical-information.html (more links lol)

 

[DragonLord3457]

I told the specialist who treats my diabetes at the VA and she was thrilled. however my Dr at the VA said they were dangerous. I said "GREAT! Now I can tell everyone regular cigarettes are safe!" ....she wasn't happy about that!

 

[Elapid]

Tell your MD what you're doing. Most in the medical profession know what they are and, from my experience, are pro E-cig over smoking.

 

[Poppa D]

I dont have any diagnosed deseases, but I have visited the doctor. Having dealt with other concerns, one must muster up a bit of "cockiness" and spit it out. Its none of their concern, but it is their business, and its information related to your life. So spit it out. Better that they be informed. Unfortunately its unlikely that they will have any reference to nicotene, juices, and vaping. Do your best to explain, maybe find a short bit of information (medical term level) on the web and print it out.

 

[VPDownunder]

I just pulled my PV out and showed my MD, he'd never heard of them before but thought they were a fantastic idea and bought one for his wife who's a smoker and is trying to get the nurses at the hospital to switch as well

 

[jefferybest]

I would tell mine nothing, They said my lungs were clear and my last chest xray was better than ever

 

[Poppa D]

I would tell mine nothing, They said my lungs were clear and my last chest xray was better than ever

That seems like an odd thing to do.

 

[udomchai]

I just went in for my 3 month checkup. I have tried the patch, chantix (2 months) and gum to no avail. Now that I'm vaping, I have no cravings for analogs and that is what I told my DR. She was happy to hear no wheezing in my lungs so she was happy and gave me the go ahead. Little did she know that I was going to continue no matter what...I feel that there are far too many advantages to vaping to give them up...

Good luck with your DR, I would tell him/her the truth...

 

[VapnNow]

I had a rash caused by chantix. I had already ordered an eGo before the rash since after 3 weeks on it I had a good idea I wasn't going to quit and thought I could switch easier than quitting. My eGo showed up the day after my horrible night of nightmares and then waking up with a rash. I stopped taking the pills and started using the eGo a day later. I immediately liked vaping. Also keep me busy reading this forum and trying to figure out everything. After over a week and still had the rash I went to the doctor. Since he knew it was from the Chantix he asked if I was smoking again and I said no that I was using the electronic cigarette. He was immediately interested and asked a lot of questions and then wanted to see it and how it worked. He said he had read a little about them but had never seen one. I think his opinion was anything was better than smoking.

 

[smitti1]

In a couple of months I have an appt. I'm on the fence as to whether to tell him. If I knew he'd approve I'd jump on it. Right now, I'm thinking of just saying, "no cigarettes" and leave it at that. That part would be true. I might change my mind before then, but that's what I'm thinking at the moment.

 

[PaulCincy]

For me in May I went for my checkup and told my doc that I quit smoking and now I am vaping instead...Told him a little about it....He didn't know about PVs and really didn't have much to say about it...So, I don't worry about him anymore....

 

[Poppa D]

goodness, its at least one bad habit kicked. So give your self a pat on the back.
I broke my foot trying to kick my habit.

 

[texastumbleweed]

as a health care professional myself, i encourage yall to disclose this to your health care providers. nicotine does affect blood pressure and heart rate and causes vasoconstriction, so if you have any cardiac disease or peripheral artery disease, he/she needs to know.
also, if you are having surgery, your anesthesia provider needs to know this.
if you are having surgery, please try to refrain from using any nicotine a few weeks preop and as long as possible postop, as the vasoconstrictive properties of nicotine will impede healing of surgical wounds. ESPECIALLY important if it is cosmetic surgery and a good aesthetic outcome is important.
i have always been completely honest with all my providers, and have found that most are receptive to vaping (but then again, it's how you present it to them, if you present it to them in an educated fashion, your success at having them accept it is much higher)

 

[KayleePup]

I just pulled my PV out and showed my MD, he'd never heard of them before but thought they were a fantastic idea and bought one for his wife who's a smoker and is trying to get the nurses at the hospital to switch as well

I did the same thing to my DR. She said go ahead and give it a try. And she was going to look at it for her husband.

KayleePup

 

[Springbird]

The one concern that physicians might have concerns the effects of nicotine. Nicotine is a vasoconstrictor, which means that it makes your arteries more narrow. If you have coronary artery disease, high blood pressure or peripheral artery disease nicotine is going to aggravate these conditions. So the ecigs aren't going to help with these conditions. That being said, if you can't quit smoking no matter what, E-cigs might prevent you from having the above conditions plus COPD or cancer. Another point is that the ecigs might let you gradually reduce the amount of nicotine you are getting and some reduction is always better than none, the more reduction the better (in terms of the above conditions). A good physician is looking to help you to be a healthy person. The relationship should not be a contest of wills.

Opps didn't see texastumbleweed's post above. I've just repeated a lot of what she said.

 

[satoshi]

If you're seeing an endocrinologist and this office visit somehow involves blood sugar, it's important to be honest. Nicotine, not just with smoking, but nicotine itself does affect blood sugar and causes varying amounts of insulin resistance.

You don't want them misunderstanding a test, or thinking something else is going on when it may not be. I would just say you were able to quit smoking, and for the time being you're on an e-cigarette. Could even bring it in and show him. Make it clear this is what keeps you off analogs and stick to that.

 

[texastumbleweed]

ah springbird, but ya said it better!

The one concern that physicians might have concerns the effects of nicotine. Nicotine is a vasoconstrictor, which means that it makes your arteries more narrow. If you have coronary artery disease, high blood pressure or peripheral artery disease nicotine is going to aggravate these conditions. So the ecigs aren't going to help with these conditions. That being said, if you can't quit smoking no matter what, E-cigs might prevent you from having the above conditions plus COPD or cancer. Another point is that the ecigs might let you gradually reduce the amount of nicotine you are getting and some reduction is always better than none, the more reduction the better (in terms of the above conditions). A good physician is looking to help you to be a healthy person. The relationship should not be a contest of wills.

Opps didn't see texastumbleweed's post above. I've just repeated a lot of what she said.