I'd get some VG, it will make it milder and, of course cutting 50/50 will lower the nic as well. I too was a 3 PAD smoker, 4 if i got bad insomnia and didn't sleep. I'm fine on 36 nic PG so, it might be the flavoring or a reaction to PG. Do cooking extracts (vanilla, lemon coconut, etcc liquid flavorings) bother you? They also have PG and if you get a reation from a few drops of one of those, it's the PG, just put a few drops on your tongue and see if it's the same as what your PV does - if so, refrain and get 100% VG
juice (StrictlyEJuice sells all levels of nic and flavors in 100% VG)