Started vaping yesterday.... Sick as a dog

[Corvus381]

After reading countless success stories from people who have managed to get off cigarettes by vaping I decided to stop by my local vape shop and check it out. Bought a starter kit and tried out a number of juices before settling on one to buy. It is a 70%VG/30%PG blend with 6 mg of nicotine. All was good until yesterday evening. I got a sore throat, stuffy nose, itchy sinuses, sneezing, coughing -- the works. Hydrated the heck out of myself last night and today (I drive a lot during my workday... my bladder hated me today) and have given it a few tries today but I immediately feel worse after just 2 or 3 fairly light hits. I do have seasonal allergies which I am well medicated for (even stepped it up today by going to an antihistamine plus decongestant). I do not have any food allergies. My current symptoms are way worse than my allergies have ever been. I tried switching from .5 ohm to 1 ohm -- after two light hits the sneezing and stuffy nose started all over again. I have smoked less cigarettes than usual yesterday and today but I am not off them yet because I haven't been able to vape with any sort of consistency.

I've googled the heck out of this and read multiple threads on this forum in the past 24 hours. The problem is there is a pretty good split between those who blame PG, those who blame VG, and those who blame quitting smoking (which wouldn't apply here). So I really have absolutely no idea what to do. Part of me wonders whether I simply overdid it yesterday (between all the testing and such) and should just put it away for a day or two until I am feeling better and then start again. For what it is worth, I felt absolutely fine the entire time I was in the store and for a good 4 or 5 hours afterwards. Is there one ingredient that is more likely the culprit given my symptoms? I could really use some advice on how best to proceed from those who are more experienced. I don't want to give up on this because I really need to quit smoking. Thanks in advance for any thoughts or suggestions.

Edited to add: just saw my profile picture next to my thread title -- oddly fitting, lol.

 

[dbrandt01]

Why would not quitting apply? You weren't a smoker before? If not, why vape 6mg? There is no reason to. You're the first I'd heard with that problem, sounds more like allergies like me with pollen than anything,

 

[edyle]

After reading countless success stories from people who have managed to get off cigarettes by vaping I decided to stop by my local vape shop and check it out. Bought a starter kit and tried out a number of juices before settling on one to buy. It is a 70%VG/30%PG blend with 6 mg of nicotine. All was good until yesterday evening. I got a sore throat, stuffy nose, itchy sinuses, sneezing, coughing -- the works. Hydrated the heck out of myself last night and today (I drive a lot during my workday... my bladder hated me today) and have given it a few tries today but I immediately feel worse after just 2 or 3 fairly light hits. I do have seasonal allergies which I am well medicated for (even stepped it up today by going to an antihistamine plus decongestant). I do not have any food allergies. My current symptoms are way worse than my allergies have ever been. I tried switching from .5 ohm to 1 ohm -- after two light hits the sneezing and stuffy nose started all over again. I have smoked less cigarettes than usual yesterday and today but I am not off them yet because I haven't been able to vape with any sort of consistency.

I've googled the heck out of this and read multiple threads on this forum in the past 24 hours. The problem is there is a pretty good split between those who blame PG, those who blame VG, and those who blame quitting smoking (which wouldn't apply here). So I really have absolutely no idea what to do. Part of me wonders whether I simply overdid it yesterday (between all the testing and such) and should just put it away for a day or two until I am feeling better and then start again. For what it is worth, I felt absolutely fine the entire time I was in the store and for a good 4 or 5 hours afterwards. Is there one ingredient that is more likely the culprit given my symptoms? I could really use some advice on how best to proceed from those who are more experienced. I don't want to give up on this because I really need to quit smoking. Thanks in advance for any thoughts or suggestions.

Edited to add: just saw my profile picture next to my thread title -- oddly fitting, lol.

1: Slow down.
2: todays starter kits are pretty good; my worry is you overdid it and getting dry hits and sore throat and don't even know it.

I dunno; but using cigalikes for a few weeks or months, if they work for you, might be a good way to go through the transistion.

How long did you smoke and how much?

 

[jrlakeman]

It is allergy season so could be coincidence it kicked in same time you started vaping. Like you said you were fine at the store i would think any allergic reaction would start to show there. If you have any other juice switch to it see if symptons improve if you believe vaping is the source.

 

[Corvus381]

Why would not quitting apply? You weren't a smoker before? If not, why vape 6mg? There is no reason to. You're the first I'd heard with that problem, sounds more like allergies like me with pollen than anything,

Sorry that was unclear. Quitting doesn't apply because I haven't quit smoking cigarettes yet. I haven't gone long enough without a cigarette to start detoxing. I've had seasonal allergies for more than a decade that are well controlled with the meds I take (which I even stepped up today) and the pollen count the past two days isn't significantly different from what it has been for the past few weeks. Thanks for your taking the time to reply.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Corvus381]

1: Slow down.
2: todays starter kits are pretty good; my worry is you overdid it and getting dry hits and sore throat and don't even know it.

I dunno; but using cigalikes for a few weeks or months, if they work for you, might be a good way to go through the transistion.

How long did you smoke and how much?

I have a feeling you are right and I overdid it. I think I will likely put it aside until I am feeling better and then start slow and see how it goes.

Higher ohms will lead to less intense hits, correct? I'm thinking I will leave the higher one on when I start again and see how that does.

There's also the possibility that I'm just sick -- would be odd timing, though.

I've been smoking 1+ packs a day for the better part of 20 years (I did have 20 months under my belt - ending about 3 years ago- but due to a relatively new medication I am taking, I can't take the bupropion which helped me that time). Thanks for the reply.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[dbrandt01]

Fair enough Corvus and I apologize for my first reply. I would say edlyle is correct in this sense. What started kit did you get? Variable wattage?
If that is the case high ohms doesn't really mean less intense hit. I have 1.2ohm in subtank mini at 25 watts and the hit is great with that.

 

[mcol]

If I had to guess, I'd say it was the higher vg in the juice
(I'd try 50/50 next time) or possibly some of the flavorings
are giving you a hard time.

 

[kaahn]

You mentioned starting out with a .5 ohm coil. If you are new to vaping you shouldnt be subohming quite yet imo. I would suggest starting with a higher ohm coil somewhere around 1.5 to 1.8 ohm coil. Those low ohms could be the culprit. Work your way up to that level. No need to jump out of the gate trying to blow massive clouds. You gotta crawl before you walk.

Also your body does go through changes when you quit smoking and has to adjust not to mention there are underlying health issues that can rear their ugly head when one quits. You are still gonna go through withdrawal symtoms from quiting because not only were you needing that nicotine you were addicted to other chemicals in smokes that you are no longer getting.

Flavorings in the eliquid can be at fault as well. Some people can have reactions to flavoring. Are you using just one kind of juice? Try another brand. You might find out the actual brand of juice might not be meshing with you.

What is your starter setup anyway? We might be able to help you better if we new a little more info. Hope this helps!

 

[Corvus381]

Fair enough Corvus and I apologize for my first reply. I would say edlyle is correct in this sense. What started kit did you get? Variable wattage?
If that is the case high ohms doesn't really mean less intense hit. I have 1.2ohm in subtank mini at 25 watts and the hit is great with that.

I got the eGo One. It has two fuses/coils/whatever they are called -- 0.5 ohm and 1.0 ohm. No adjustable wattage that I know of. No worries about the first reply. Down here in NC we have been in allergy season for over a month but I'm sure most of the country is just getting there now so allergies are sure to be on everyone's mind.

If I had to guess, I'd say it was the higher vg in the juice
(I'd try 50/50 next time) or possibly some of the flavorings
are giving you a hard time.

I figure that if I get back to feeling 100% and revert to symptoms when I start again that I will need to look into a different juice. I'll look for a more even split with a different flavor. Thanks for the suggestion!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[mcol]

Good luck. Simply put, pg sucks the moisture out and vg puts the
moisture in, LOL.

 

[Shai74]

After reading countless success stories from people who have managed to get off cigarettes by vaping I decided to stop by my local vape shop and check it out. Bought a starter kit and tried out a number of juices before settling on one to buy. It is a 70%VG/30%PG blend with 6 mg of nicotine. All was good until yesterday evening. I got a sore throat, stuffy nose, itchy sinuses, sneezing, coughing -- the works. Hydrated the heck out of myself last night and today (I drive a lot during my workday... my bladder hated me today) and have given it a few tries today but I immediately feel worse after just 2 or 3 fairly light hits. I do have seasonal allergies which I am well medicated for (even stepped it up today by going to an antihistamine plus decongestant). I do not have any food allergies. My current symptoms are way worse than my allergies have ever been. I tried switching from .5 ohm to 1 ohm -- after two light hits the sneezing and stuffy nose started all over again. I have smoked less cigarettes than usual yesterday and today but I am not off them yet because I haven't been able to vape with any sort of consistency.

I've googled the heck out of this and read multiple threads on this forum in the past 24 hours. The problem is there is a pretty good split between those who blame PG, those who blame VG, and those who blame quitting smoking (which wouldn't apply here). So I really have absolutely no idea what to do. Part of me wonders whether I simply overdid it yesterday (between all the testing and such) and should just put it away for a day or two until I am feeling better and then start again. For what it is worth, I felt absolutely fine the entire time I was in the store and for a good 4 or 5 hours afterwards. Is there one ingredient that is more likely the culprit given my symptoms? I could really use some advice on how best to proceed from those who are more experienced. I don't want to give up on this because I really need to quit smoking. Thanks in advance for any thoughts or suggestions.

Edited to add: just saw my profile picture next to my thread title -- oddly fitting, lol.

I went from cigarettes one day to vaping the next with no issues whatsoever. Haven't looked back. I didn't read all of the responses but have you tried another juice? I have about 20 different flavours at home, but one of them (Apple Cinnamon) gives me a sore throat and back of my nose almost immediately. It's the only one that does this.

 

[flaknugget]

I started about a month ago, from a pack a day, and vaping has exceeded my expectations. I haven't had a cig since, but for the first two weeks I did experience many of the symptoms that come with making the switch, mostly the coughing. But I'm over the hump, and am doing ok with some 18mg/ml nic juice.

 

[Corvus381]

You mentioned starting out with a .5 ohm coil. If you are new to vaping you shouldnt be subohming quite yet imo. I would suggest starting with a higher ohm coil somewhere around 1.5 to 1.8 ohm coil. Those low ohms could be the culprit. Work your way up to that level. No need to jump out of the gate trying to blow massive clouds. You gotta crawl before you walk.

Also your body does go through changes when you quit smoking and has to adjust not to mention there are underlying health issues that can rear their ugly head when one quits. You are still gonna go through withdrawal symtoms from quiting because not only were you needing that nicotine you were addicted to other chemicals in smokes that you are no longer getting.

Flavorings in the eliquid can be at fault as well. Some people can have reactions to flavoring. Are you using just one kind of juice? Try another brand. You might find out the actual brand of juice might not be meshing with you.

What is your starter setup anyway? We might be able to help you better if we new a little more info. Hope this helps!

I may have appeared more tolerant to it than I actually am when the guy at the store recommended the lower resistance coil - I tested a LOT of juices and must have looked like a champ, lol. I don't even know if it's possible to use a higher resistance coil with this setup -- I will definitely ask next time I go to the store.

Good luck. Simply put, pg sucks the moisture out and vg puts the
moisture in, LOL.

Good argument for 50/50. Thanks for explaining! Though I did wind up fairly dehydrated last night, but that could have been spurred on by some of the juices I tested.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Corvus381]

I went from cigarettes one day to vaping the next with no issues whatsoever. Haven't looked back. I didn't read all of the responses but have you tried another juice? I have about 20 different flavours at home, but one of them (Apple Cinnamon) gives me a sore throat and back of my nose almost immediately. It's the only one that does this.

That's interesting -- sounds very similar to the flavor I am using. I think I will definitely go a different route flavor-wise for my next juice. Thanks!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Diver9543]

When I started I used unflavored tobacco 6mg. Way too low for me. When I upped the nic level it helped me finally put the cigs down. I am now using vanilla tobacco and really enjoying it. Good luck on finding out what will work.

 

[Bunnykiller]

hmmm sounds like PG issues and too much water....

 

[sucram]

Its possible that you vaped pretty hard and dried out your respiratory tract which will make it sensitive to everything. Pollen, smoke, vape, pollution, everything. If you have a dry throat chances are the mucus is non exsistent and that can cause caughing and sneezing.

I actuaaly have a dry throat/nose and no matter how much i drink my body isnt producing mucus (im sick, it probably all in my sinus)

This all started cos i was dripping high nic since its all i had and just over did it.

As suggested before put the 1 ohm head in and turn down the watts if you can. If its better your on the right track but i doubt it will completely stop you sound like your already provoked your allergies

 

[Corvus381]

hmmm sounds like PG issues and too much water....

Too much water? I know I made the bladder comment earlier, I may have given the wrong impression -- it's more a matter of hours' worth of country driving with few restrooms available. The water I did have was much needed... I was super dried out last night.

This is where things start getting confusing for me. Previous posters have recommended a more even split of PG/VG but if you are right that it's a PG issue, doing so would likely make things worse rather than better. I'm sure this will be great once I get it figured out but it's enough to make a newbie's head spin.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Cacique]

The Ego One can only go up to 1 ohm on the pre-built coils. They have a new rebuildable coil that might let you go higher, but you would have to learn to rebuild. I would stick to the 1 ohm coil for now, and if you wanted to try different juices I would try a higher PG juice and also pick up a 3mg juice in case the nicotine is being too harsh on you as I've read the Ego one gives some nice vapor even with the 1 ohm coil. Good luck!