Still smoking support and chat thread

[alisa1970]

I just really would like to attempt to quit. But nothing seems to help me but cold turkey

*my cat has transmited this signal it will now go live* meow meow meooow

This may help you weed out whether this is primarily a vaping or quitting issue for you:

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...hen-quitting-tobacco-changing-ecigarette.html

 

[loxmythe]

Wonder if it could be an allergic reaction to the nickel in the nichrome wire used in most coils? Or maybe the silica wick?

 

[Karen N Daytona]

cut back on the NIC sounds like a little too much with you having a headache, also instead of pepto use Rantadine once a day, that will fix the acid problem fast.

Your throat is raw from the e-liquid, no question. The option to quit a few days is a good one. I do not get sores but I cough all the time. I would rather cough than smoke 4 PAD, so I continue to vape, but your problem sounds much worse and more painful. Try the snus, Only get General brand. get a minty flavor ( the others are yuch) you do not chew it, you shouldn't have to spit it.

 

[DoloresB]

I haven't been on in a few days. But I really need advice! I'm tired of everybody telling me these symptoms will pass and I'm tired of feeling like utter crap!!!!! Sorry I'm ranting but I'm absolutely miserable!!!!

I've thrown over $200 in these ecigs in the last month! Including Dr visits...and everyday seems to get worse!

My throat broke out horrid...I went to Dr and she gave me steroid pills which knocked out the ulcers. Which developed about 2 weeks after switching to vaping. Well there gone but now I have the worst acid reflux I've ever had in my life! I'm nauseous all the time now and my go to drink (coke) kills me. I'm chugging bottles of pepto. I have these migraines I can't stand which isn't helping my stomach. But nothing is taking the pain away. Now my muscles are killing me. No flu. Not pregnant. Drinking 2-3 liters of water plus gatorade a day. The only time I seem to feel decent is when I'm smoking an actual cigarette. Which I've gone to half a pack a day again. I'm to the point I want to drop the ecig a few days and see if that helps symptoms at all. Dr's can't seem to figure out an answer. Doesn't matter if I'm vaping 100% pg or vg or flavored or unflavored. Or nic level I feel the same regardless. Ok....that's a lie...pg breaks me out in hives at 100% lol. But oh my gosh! Sorry this is a long rant. I'm trying to keep my mind off my stomach and my head

*my cat has transmited this signal it will now go live* meow meow meooow

I'm sorry you're feeling so terribly, CB. I know this is not going to be a popular view with most everyone here, but leave the ecigs alone for a while--more than a few days, maybe a week or two. Make sure that you are completely well before starting again.

When you do feel up to giving it another go, try 100% VG juices. Check you nic levels, too, because if your nic's too high, it can make you sick and headachy. Try dropping the level down a bit (for example, if you're using 24 mg, try dropping it down to 18 mg) and see if that helps. Try looking for other meds than Pepto, because it doesn't seem to be working to help your stomach at all.

There's no shame in having to give up ecigs for a while--I've had to do the same because of my COPD. There's a lot of trial and error in this form of harm reduction, and, like you, I've gone through a lot of trials and tribulation, too. (I'm also smoking more than I vape--around 1/2 PAD)

This might not help much, but I hope that it gives you some comfort.

 

[Dave379]

cowbooger88, I've been vaping for over 5 months with minimal side affects but lately I've been experiencing some of the same side affects that you are going through. Namely, the acid reflux. I've had acid reflux for probably 15 years and I've always taken one 20 mg. omeprazole (generic Prilosec) for it and it rarely bothers me but for the last 3-4 weeks I've been waking up on occasion with severe heartburn and I've been getting a lot of chest pain, especially when I lay a certain way and when I exert myself. I'm also getting hearth burn on a regular basis. Its like my medication just stopped working pretty much over night, even though its worked great for the last 15 years. I even doubled my dose and it's still not helping. The other side affects have been the occasional headache (not real bad and not real often) and some gum irritation. The chest pain really had me concerned so I decided to go to the doctor. I had a stress test, blood work as well as an EKG and they monitored my heart patterns. I'm glad to say that all was well with my heart. I'm pretty much convinced that the chest pains are being caused by the constant heartburn. Its kind of a burning irritating type of pain. This all seemed to start about the time that I switched from the cigalikes/Spinner battery to a mod. I'm thinking the increased vapor production that I'm getting from the mod could be the culprit. I'm curious, are you experiencing any chest pains also? Anyway, I hope you get your problem figured out. I know what you're going through. I'm in the process of lowering my nicotine levels and I'm cutting way back on how much I vape. Hopefully this works and if not I might have to consider quitting all together which I'm not looking forward to. After 35 years of smoking 25-30 analogs a day, I haven't had an analog since I started vaping but if I have to give up vaping I'm afraid I'd most likely make a B-line to the smoke shop and that's the last thing I want or need to do.

 

[Karen N Daytona]

Dave, sounds like you are on the right track, good luck, let us know later with an update how you did.

cowbooger88, I've been vaping for over 5 months with minimal side affects but lately I've been experiencing some of the same side affects that you are going through. Namely, the acid reflux. I've had acid reflux for probably 15 years and I've always taken one 20 mg. omeprazole (generic Prilosec) for it and it rarely bothers me but for the last 3-4 weeks I've been waking up on occasion with severe heartburn and I've been getting a lot of chest pain, especially when I lay a certain way and when I exert myself. I'm also getting hearth burn on a regular basis. Its like my medication just stopped working pretty much over night, even though its worked great for the last 15 years. I even doubled my dose and it's still not helping. The other side affects have been the occasional headache (not real bad and not real often) and some gum irritation. The chest pain really had me concerned so I decided to go to the doctor. I had a stress test, blood work as well as an EKG and they monitored my heart patterns. I'm glad to say that all was well with my heart. I'm pretty much convinced that the chest pains are being caused by the constant heartburn. Its kind of a burning irritating type of pain. This all seemed to start about the time that I switched from the cigalikes/Spinner battery to a mod. I'm thinking the increased vapor production that I'm getting from the mod could be the culprit. I'm curious, are you experiencing any chest pains also? Anyway, I hope you get your problem figured out. I know what you're going through. I'm in the process of lowering my nicotine levels and I'm cutting way back on how much I vape. Hopefully this works and if not I might have to consider quitting all together which I'm not looking forward to. After 35 years of smoking 25-30 analogs a day, I haven't had an analog since I started vaping but if I have to give up vaping I'm afraid I'd most likely make a v-line to the smoke shop and that's the last thing I want or need to do.

 

[alisa1970]

cowbooger88, I've been vaping for over 5 months with minimal side affects but lately I've been experiencing some of the same side affects that you are going through. Namely, the acid reflux. I've had acid reflux for probably 15 years and I've always taken one 20 mg. omeprazole (generic Prilosec) for it and it rarely bothers me but for the last 3-4 weeks I've been waking up on occasion with severe heartburn and I've been getting a lot of chest pain, especially when I lay a certain way and when I exert myself. I'm also getting hearth burn on a regular basis. Its like my medication just stopped working pretty much over night, even though its worked great for the last 15 years. I even doubled my dose and it's still not helping. The other side affects have been the occasional headache (not real bad and not real often) and some gum irritation. The chest pain really had me concerned so I decided to go to the doctor. I had a stress test, blood work as well as an EKG and they monitored my heart patterns. I'm glad to say that all was well with my heart. I'm pretty much convinced that the chest pains are being caused by the constant heartburn. Its kind of a burning irritating type of pain. This all seemed to start about the time that I switched from the cigalikes/Spinner battery to a mod. I'm thinking the increased vapor production that I'm getting from the mod could be the culprit. I'm curious, are you experiencing any chest pains also? Anyway, I hope you get your problem figured out. I know what you're going through. I'm in the process of lowering my nicotine levels and I'm cutting way back on how much I vape. Hopefully this works and if not I might have to consider quitting all together which I'm not looking forward to. After 35 years of smoking 25-30 analogs a day, I haven't had an analog since I started vaping but if I have to give up vaping I'm afraid I'd most likely make a v-line to the smoke shop and that's the last thing I want or need to do.

Hi Dave! Besides what you just wrote, I hope you're doing well. You might consider ditching the Prilosec (it's not really intended for long-term use). Something I ran across recently had me going..."hmmmm....".

On a side note, bout 8 years ago I had intense upper abdominal pain in the middle of the night that brought me to the ER. It started as what I thought was gas, but it just kept getting worse until I was laying in the fetal position and could barely get out of bed. In the ER, they said it could be either my gallbladder or an ulcer but didn't think it was serious enough to do an MRI since my bloodwork looked OK. So they gave me Rx strength Prilosec for 2 weeks. It helped. I have had ulcers in the past.

As to what I recently discovered, many if not most people who are labeled with GERD actually have a problem with not enough stomach acid, not too much. Same symptoms for both, but if you don't make enough acid, then Prilosec WILL make it worse. It's fairly common with hypothyroidism, and so I take Apple Cider Vinegar tablets 2x a day with a meal. It seems to really settle my stomach (I also sometimes have trouble digesting my food) and I'm finding after doing this for several months most of my stomach trouble and occasional heartburn is relieved. Have a look here and see if this sounds like you.

http://chriskresser.com/the-hidden-causes-of-heartburn-and-gerd

 

[ShariR]

Hi Dave. Welcome to the thread. Sorry to hear you are having trouble too. There were a few juices that gave me bad heartburn. I can not remember if it was a particular vendor's juices or certain flavors. I found a couple of vendors whose juices agree with me and now I just stick with them. I bet if you did a search here on ECF that there are a bunch of threads about this. I remember reading about heartburn and vaping a few times in the past 6 months.

Or you could start a thread about it. That may be the quickest way to get feedback about other people with the same or similar experience. Most people here are pretty good about sharing their experiences, just like you did with us.

 

[Dave379]

Thanks Karen and I'll be sure to update my situation.

Dave, sounds like you are on the right track, good luck, let us know later with an update how you did.

 

[Dave379]

Hi Alisa, I hope you are doing well also. That's an interesting video. It definitely has me considering an alternative to the Prilosec. I've always known that Prilosec isn't really intended for prolonged usage but man, if I stop taking it I get brutal heartburn. I think I'll do some research on the Apple Cider Vinegar tablets though. Believe me, I would love to ditch the Prilosec and replace it with something natural as long as it works. Thanks for once again steering me in the right direction,

Hi Dave! Besides what you just wrote, I hope you're doing well. You might consider ditching the Prilosec (it's not really intended for long-term use). Something I ran across recently had me going..."hmmmm....".

On a side note, bout 8 years ago I had intense upper abdominal pain in the middle of the night that brought me to the ER. It started as what I thought was gas, but it just kept getting worse until I was laying in the fetal position and could barely get out of bed. In the ER, they said it could be either my gallbladder or an ulcer but didn't think it was serious enough to do an MRI since my bloodwork looked OK. So they gave me Rx strength Prilosec for 2 weeks. It helped. I have had ulcers in the past.

As to what I recently discovered, many if not most people who are labeled with GERD actually have a problem with not enough stomach acid, not too much. Same symptoms for both, but if you don't make enough acid, then Prilosec WILL make it worse. It's fairly common with hypothyroidism, and so I take Apple Cider Vinegar tablets 2x a day with a meal. It seems to really settle my stomach (I also sometimes have trouble digesting my food) and I'm finding after doing this for several months most of my stomach trouble and occasional heartburn is relieved. Have a look here and see if this sounds like you.

The hidden causes of heartburn and GERD

 

[alisa1970]

Hi Alisa, I hope you are doing well also. That's an interesting video. It definitely has me considering an alternative to the Prilosec. I've always known that Prilosec isn't really intended for prolonged usage but man, if I stop taking it I get brutal heartburn. I think I'll do some research on the Apple Cider Vinegar tablets though. Believe me, I would love to ditch the Prilosec and replace it with something natural as long as it works. Thanks for once again steering me in the right direction,

I've read that ACV is fairly weak and may not help severe situations...but it certainly won't hurt you. You may need supplemental HCL but you should see a doctor for that first. Good Luck to you!

 

[Dave379]

Yeah, juices have always been rough on me as far as heartburn. I haven't had much time lately due to a hectic work schedule but I will check into some of the related links when I get a chance. Its amazing what you can pull up on ECF. You just have to do a little digging.

Hi Dave. Welcome to the thread. Sorry to hear you are having trouble too. There were a few juices that gave me bad heartburn. I can not remember if it was a particular vendor's juices or certain flavors. I found a couple of vendors whose juices agree with me and now I just stick with them. I bet if you did a search here on ECF that there are a bunch of threads about this. I remember reading about heartburn and vaping a few times in the past 6 months.

Or you could start a thread about it. That may be the quickest way to get feedback about other people with the same or similar experience. Most people here are pretty good about sharing their experiences, just like you did with us.

 

[Karen N Daytona]

Happy Saturday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hope you all have a sunshiny day!!!!!!!!

 

[cowbooger88]

Wow guys! Thanks for all the info! Sorry I didn't get back last night. The migraine was awful....even woke up with one :/ I'm going to step away from ecigs for a bit. None of this started until then. I've been getting chest pains too. But mine will take my breath away like a muscle is cramping wrong or something. I'm wondering if it's possible that the ecigs are combining with something in my work environment and making me so sick. I mean the vapor could pull the chemicals out of the air could it not? Or being dehydrated and breathing in the chemicals is affecting something? I'm not sure I'll keep everyone updated thouvh

*my cat has transmited this signal it will now go live* meow meow meooow

 

[twgbonehead]

Check and see if center pin may have been pushed in and not making contact with atty anymore.

Search ECF for a thread. Maybe your not the only 1?

If you can't get it - send it to me I'll see if I can fix it.

Claudia,

I agree with Lox. The innokins are notorious for having a low center pin, and you might have just bumped it down a bit.

I always use an ego->510 adapter on my V3.0 and my MVP's because they make better contact.
These:
https://www.fasttech.com/p/1473305
I have many many heads that will show NON without the adapter (including just about every CE4). I can send you a few adapters if you'd like (I buy 'em by the pound from fasttech).

 

[twgbonehead]

If anyone's needing things like needle nose pliers, etc. Harbor Frieght is having a huge sale this weekend. Looks like 2 pages of $0.99 items and coupons incl. 20% off everything (they have that 5 drawer oak chest that I've been coveting). I think they have those "3rd hands" w/ magnifying glass for <$7 reg price. I think you can go to the website for coupons and ordering, I'm not sure. Some of their stuff is cheap, but most is good.

​

Dang, I was just at HF 2 days ago!!! I've seen that oak chest, it's very nice!

Gotta find those coupons..... I forgot to get a new multimeter anyways.....

 

[mountainbikermark]

I haven't been on in a few days. But I really need advice! I'm tired of everybody telling me these symptoms will pass and I'm tired of feeling like utter crap!!!!! Sorry I'm ranting but I'm absolutely miserable!!!!

I've thrown over $200 in these ecigs in the last month! Including Dr visits...and everyday seems to get worse!

My throat broke out horrid...I went to Dr and she gave me steroid pills which knocked out the ulcers. Which developed about 2 weeks after switching to vaping. Well there gone but now I have the worst acid reflux I've ever had in my life! I'm nauseous all the time now and my go to drink (coke) kills me. I'm chugging bottles of pepto. I have these migraines I can't stand which isn't helping my stomach. But nothing is taking the pain away. Now my muscles are killing me. No flu. Not pregnant. Drinking 2-3 liters of water plus gatorade a day. The only time I seem to feel decent is when I'm smoking an actual cigarette. Which I've gone to half a pack a day again. I'm to the point I want to drop the ecig a few days and see if that helps symptoms at all. Dr's can't seem to figure out an answer. Doesn't matter if I'm vaping 100% pg or vg or flavored or unflavored. Or nic level I feel the same regardless. Ok....that's a lie...pg breaks me out in hives at 100% lol. But oh my gosh! Sorry this is a long rant. I'm trying to keep my mind off my stomach and my head

*my cat has transmited this signal it will now go live* meow meow meooow

Honestly that sounds like nicotine od to me. When you vape do you chain vape? What is your vape method, meaning do you slowly draw the vapor into your mouth, hold, then inhale or do you vape like a cigarette? When I tried the mints to quit I had sores all over my mouth and throat and had to eat Tums like candy. From reading on the internet about stuff that had nothing to do with smoking I found my body was too acidic from the nicotine. I was able to change my chemistry back by eating more alkaline foods, cutting back on the acidic things (coffee, Gatorade, tomatoes, sodas,orange juice, etc) and things got much better. I was also swelling up like a balloon even though I was eating healthier and exercising like a mad man. Probably the biggest ph changer in 1 food was asparagus. I ate something green with every meal or snack and/or a non acidic fruit.
I had the heartburn and indigestion with the patch but I gave up on the patch before finding out it was the culprit. I'd just figured it to be stress from wanting to smoke so bad back then.
If I chain vape while reading or watching tv I get the indigestion now and my tongue feels like it used to when I used the mints. I've cut back my nicotine and can chain vape a lot more without the side effects.
Hope that helps

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s pen aholic in Beast Mode (Notetoo)

 

[twgbonehead]

Harbor Freight is great for what I refer to as "sacrificial tools". If it's something I'm confident I'm going to break when working on the Jeep, it comes from there...costs less than the good stuff

I'll have to pick up one of the 3rd hand devices. I'm thinking it'll come in really handy when I start making coils for my Octopus, and I can see them being helpful soldering LED strip lights.

I'm still on the hunt for my ADV as well. I've only been buying from the B&Ms, so my brand selection isn't too broad, but it's growing.

HF has 2 different "Helping Hands" - one for like $3 and one for $7 (with the illuminated magnifier). Don't bother with the cheap one, it's pretty much worthless. Get the $7 one (hopefully on sale!)

 

[mountainbikermark]

Claudia,

I agree with Lox. The innokins are notorious for having a low center pin, and you might have just bumped it down a bit.

I always use an ego->510 adapter on my V3.0 and my MVP's because they make better contact.
These:
https://www.fasttech.com/p/1473305
I have many many heads that will show NON without the adapter (including just about every CE4). I can send you a few adapters if you'd like (I buy 'em by the pound from fasttech).

The guy at my local vape store said 510s make better battery contact than eGo threads but didn't suggest the adaptor . I'm thinking it might've been they don't carry it so he either didn't think of it or it'd be a waste of time to suggest something they don't carry.
Thank you for confirming what I was thinking could be the 1 stop solution for my occasional NON issues. I've been messing with the battery or coil to fix it until I could figure out a way to prevent it.
I subscribe to "the best way to put out a fire is don't let it start" as a mantra for problem solving.

Support Our Troops!!!
<><
s pen aholic in Beast Mode (Notetoo)

 

[JJ1977]

good morning