Too much nic, too little, allergy or ?

[chellie]

I cannot figure out what's wrong and could really use some help. For the past 3 weeks or so I feel strange - heart palpitations, pounding in ears, more aggressive than normal (if that's possible). Hoping some of the experienced folks will read through this LONG post and give me some advice.

Background
-Been vaping for a year. I am a chain vaper. Was a 1 1/2 to 2 pack Marlboro red analog smoker. Since the first day that I vaped never had another analog.
- Started with, Vuse (I know - very short lived), then ego type cigs with teeny plastic tanks, then went to an evod glass.
- About 2 months ago got an u20 (istick clone) used evod glass. No issues.
-About a month ago got a subbox nano
- Also got another subtank nano - just the tank - that I use on the u20.
- Now using the subtanks exclusively.
Ejuices-used
- mainly use Vanilla or Vanilla tobacco or tobacco flavored juices.
- was using Johnson Creek juice mainly - only 100% VG - had no issues - 24mg nic, then 18, then would mix juices various down to 12 to 15 nic - zero issues. ALL VG.
- sometimes used juices from Vapor HQ - which is a mix of vg and pg - a few times felt weird - felt like my throat was closing - so I stopped using that and thought maybe it was the PG.
- stopped using Johnson Creek because of concerns of diacetyl and started going to a local vape store - was getting 100VG with Vanilla that I am not sure if it was diacetyl free or not - they told me flavoring had PG init. Got it in 36mg nic and mixed it down with other juices - what I had left from JC or Vapor HQ and had no issues. Stopped going to that vape store because they are jerks and still have a 1/2 bottle left since it was a 90 mg bottle at high nic and I mix down.
- Ordered from Mt Baker Vapor - in 12 mg mostly vanillas, or vanilla tobacco - they all taste horrible and I think all but the vanilla tobacco and coffee flavoring are bothering me.
- Ordered from Red Rock Vapor - Vanillas and Tobacco and other flavors - all VG - no nic to mix down juices. Vanillas and other juices made me feel weird, the tobacco one tastes gross but seems fine with no weird symptoms and I have been using this one to mix with others to try to figure out what's wrong.
- Was so desperate that I purchased tobacco flavored Njoy at Walgreens and although I do not love it it does not appear to bother me. I also ordered their e cigs (2 short cigs and 5 cartridges online for 5.99 shipped and even though they are not menthol they all have a hint of menthol - yuk)
- Ordered a bottle of Vanilla from Mountain Oak Vapor - Gotti - realized it was VG PG Mix and wrote and asked if possible to substitute for the Vanilla that is only VG but they did not answer me and sent the Gotti.
Symptoms, what's happening
- I feel strange - heart pounding in ears - heart palpitation - irritable. Happens mostly, not always, at night. I stay up very late.
- I am using the subtank with 1.2 coils and read that because of the increased vapor I should step down so I had ordered the juices in 12% (1.2) nic mainly and have the tobacco flavor juice that is zero to cut it down with
What I have been doing
- I have been trying to figure out what's wrong and since the tobacco stuff from Red Rock does not bother me and the 36 mg e juice from the local vape store does not bother me - I use those as my baseline to mix.
- Here's the kicker - today after getting a good nights sleep I woke up ready to kill people - very irritable which is very unlike me so I wonder - could it be possible that I am not getting enough nic? I pulled out some Njoy that I had ordered (do not like them) and took a a few puffs (I think it's 15mg) and actually feel somewhat better.

I am pretty analytical and can start keeping logs and stuff if need be but I don't want to go through all that if I don't have to.

I think it has to do with either the subtank nano, PG or nic levels but am not sure and I really like the subtank.

I loved vaping and am really upset at this turn of events - any suggestions/ideas as to what I can do.

 

[Jorge22]

1.2 ohms isn't very subohm. Still, you could have a case of nicotine in excess. Try reducing the nic as the people I know who subohm (alright, I'm speaking of 0.5 ohms or below) vape between 3 and 0 mg.

 

[Hotwire]

Yeah I used to get the same symptoms vaping 11mg. I'm just more sensitive to nicotine than others. I vape 6mg in my 'at work' ego plus evod set up and on my 'at home' sub ohm set up it's .5ohms at betweeen 25-35 watts at zero nic and don't get any of those symptoms any more from either rig. Zero nic at .5ohms and 35 watts, the warmth, density and flavour is really satisfying I don't even need nicotine. Those that vape .5ohm at my local BnM all vape only at 3mg as you get so much more vapour and warmer vapour the nicotine hit is so much stronger.

I go over 6mg and I'm laying in bed at night with throbbing in my neck veins and pounding in my ears.

I have BP type 2 so also makes me more sensitive to stimulants.

on 1.2 ohms you should be vaping around 20 watts I guess, maybe try 6mg and see how you get on. Or buy an 11mg and a 6mg and mix them if 6mg is too low. Just go lower nic and higher watts and lower ohms until you hit the sweet spot for you between low nic and adding watts and less ohms to make up for less throat hit with denser and hotter vapour is my advice.

Never though I'd say the words 'zero nic is saisfying' but zero nic on an ego type and zero nic at .5ohm and 30 watts are two different things entirely.

Good luck finding your sweet spot. Great thing about the gear and options we have now is you can do just that.

Back in the day it was cigalike and cartos, egos with tanks and about 9 watts or dripping or nothing.... (Dripping still rocks, give dripping a go at lower nicotine also and you'll see the extra density, warmth and flavour make up for less nicotine.... nicotine for throat hit is overrated, going higher watts and lower resistance is the way forward, just will go through juice bit more quicker is all)

 

[Rabbit Slayer]

1.2 ohms isn't subohm.

fify

 

[chellie]

Thanks a lot everyone. Seems the general opinion is that it's too much nic - what a kick - I am going to keep mixing down and Hotwire I will follow those steps to the T.

I guess it had to with the charge of equipment and even though it is not subohm - the nano makes a heck of a lot more vapor than the egos and Vea I was using -- plus I sometimes use the .5 coil but stopped until I figure this all out.

Much appreciated.

 

[crxess]

Chain Vaping= and to what consumption level?
NJOY in NOT going to go through the juice a subtank will, even with a 1.2ohm coil.

12mg OR 18mg e-liquids will depend on the accuracy level of the Vendor(36mg included) and mistakes are made.

Ear issues are generally to much Nic
Irritability can be to little nic, or just a bad day.

When in doubt drop by 1/2 - FRESH, not home cross mixing - and see what results are.

 

[wheelie]

Sounds like to much nicotine to me. I would have to lay down for 10 -15 minutes. When I went to smoke machine I dropped from 18mg to 3's and 6's. Even at 1.2 ohms you are getting a lot more vapor that at 1.8ohms. Drop down to .5 and vapor and nicotine doubles again. CHEERS!

 

[chellie]

Its' funny you said the irritability as maybe too little - I am really not sure but I noted it as it crossed my mind. The Njoy liquid was 2 -15ml bottles and I went through 1 plus other stuff in a day. (I did order a kit for 5.99 that was e cig stick types and I know I do not get much nic that way)

Btw - I am 100% healthy as of now - no issues at all. No high BP, heart nothing!

I cut down to 3 which is super low for me and had a little fast heartbeat but no thumping ---I am going to empty and clean both tanks and start keeping track - it's either the nic level or maybe the pg - some of the stuff I have says max VG - not 100%.

Driving me crazy but if I sit here and tack my brain it does mostly correlate to when I got the subtanks. I now have one tank with a 1.2 and one with a .5 that I am using.

Everyone's insight is very helpful - thanks

I love to vape and it has been less than enjoyable lately which is a real downer.

 

[chellie]

In answer to what I go through - before the subtanks about 5 or 6 ml at 15 to 18 nic- after I got the subtanks maybe 9ml on average (or more) and I was at 12mg , then 6 and now trying 3

 

[dc99]

It sounds like nicotine to me also. Some people including me have a reaction to PG. It could be a combination of the two. As far as MtBaker goes, all there juice is made when you order it so most need time to steep. You may love it in a couple of weeks. The max VG thing is because almost all flavorings are PG based so max VG just means the percentage of flavorings are the only PG.

 

[crxess]

Ahmmm........many people THINK they are allergic to or have problems with PG..... Due to early Vaping experiences on CRAP equipment.
Most have moved equally to better equipment and, due to Vendor products 50/50 or higher VG(more vapor) Flavoring actually had to catch up to Vapor as many early customers complained of weak flavoring.

I am Old(62) and Small (128lbs) from health issues and weight loss.
PG is a little more abrasive on the throat but has never had any effect on the body.
VG is much smoother, but is much thicker in Vapor form and often leaves a heavy lung feel.

Quantity more than anything may be your issue. Try cutting back.

The days I vape heaviest - often 18hrs. Chain Vaping - are the days I have the most problems.
Days fulled with activity while Vaping are pretty much normal days.

Good luck

 

[chellie]

Thanks all.

The Mt Bakers seems to be getting better. I never had to do anything like this before but I just started a log. Took Mt Baker Ruyan 4 with 12mg nic and mixed it with vanilla ice cream 0 nic to 4mg nic and so far so good.

I am going to keep track

I know the Max VG means the flavorings are from PG - I think some more than others and I still think in high percentages I may have a PG sensitivity.

Been vaping for over a year and I was just used to vaping and not worrying about - new game I guess.

 

[Racehorse]

had a little fast heartbeat but no thumping --.

You might want to try the COA Heartrate monitoring program to help you narrow down if you have allergy to PG:
Food Allergy Detective: How to Find a Food Sensitivity or Food Allergy: Part 3 « Nourish Restaurant & Nutrition Center

Had a friend who got thumping when she went to work everyday, of course all the docs thought she hated her job or something and it was anxiety.

No. It was that she had developed an allergy to the mint in her toothpaste (she brushed teeth right before going to work every day.) when they tested her VOILA

 

[FlamingoTutu]

I had the same problems as you for about the first year. I needed to go high nic to get over the hump of quitting cigs completely. A motnth later it was too much and cut back. A while later, has the same symptoms and cut back again. Repeat, repeat... Listen to your body. It takes some getting used to but you will catch on. I did not have the morning problems you describe. Perhaps too much nic at night is not letting you sleep well? I don't know. For a long time I vaped a lower nic at night to help me sleep. Only you experimenting with it can really answer that question.

You might want to try the COA Heartrate monitoring program to help you narrow down if you have allergy to PG:
Food Allergy Detective: How to Find a Food Sensitivity or Food Allergy: Part 3 « Nourish Restaurant & Nutrition Center

Had a friend who got thumping when she went to work everyday, of course all the docs thought she hated her job or something and it was anxiety.

No. It was that she had developed an allergy to the mint in her toothpaste (she brushed teeth right before going to work every day.) when they tested her VOILA

Interesting. I thought I'd gotten head lice from a hotel but there was no physical evidence of lice. Discomfort was sure as hell there. After months of "agony," I figured out they'd changed the formula of the shampoo we used. Switched, problem gone. It's really disconcerting how these "sensitives" come around more often but then with all the crap you are exposed to everyday without warning it's no surprise. Thank the heavens they want to regulate vape because who knows what's what's in my DIY juice.

 

[chellie]

You might want to try the COA Heartrate monitoring program to help you narrow down if you have allergy to PG:
Food Allergy Detective: How to Find a Food Sensitivity or Food Allergy: Part 3 « Nourish Restaurant & Nutrition Center

Had a friend who got thumping when she went to work everyday, of course all the docs thought she hated her job or something and it was anxiety.

No. It was that she had developed an allergy to the mint in her toothpaste (she brushed teeth right before going to work every day.) when they tested her VOILA

That's interesting and a great link - I started keeping a log and will read all that info and incorporate it. I must say I started mixing mostly VG now down to 4% and for a day and a half no thumping.

 

[chellie]

I had the same problems as you for about the first year. I needed to go high nic to get over the hump of quitting cigs completely. A motnth later it was too much and cut back. A while later, has the same symptoms and cut back again. Repeat, repeat... Listen to your body. It takes some getting used to but you will catch on. I did not have the morning problems you describe. Perhaps too much nic at night is not letting you sleep well? I don't know. For a long time I vaped a lower nic at night to help me sleep. Only you experimenting with it can really answer that question.

Interesting. I thought I'd gotten head lice from a hotel but there was no physical evidence of lice. Discomfort was sure as hell there. After months of "agony," I figured out they'd changed the formula of the shampoo we used. Switched, problem gone. It's really disconcerting how these "sensitives" come around more often but then with all the crap you are exposed to everyday without warning it's no surprise. Thank the heavens they want to regulate vape because who knows what's what's in my DIY juice.

I have heard that from others too - all of a sudden being sensitive to something. I am now vaping super low nic - higher wattage - and keeping track what I am vaping - have had a like a day and a half of no thumping--yay.

 

[chellie]

Looks like it was the nic - I had lowered it some when I switched to the Nano tank but I guess not low enough. I chain vape and am now at 4 mg and have not had any issues. I've been vaping VG or mainly VG and once I add some PG I will be able to easily see if that is bothering me as well. Thanks everyone!