Ulcerative colitis and e-cig query.

[Sawyer9]

Hello.

This is a serious question, I've recently been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis and I've seen alot of people discuss nicotine and how it's helped enormously and there is evidence to suggest it helps. A large bulk of these people suggested starting e-cigs or lozenges. However, I'm a non-smoker and always have been. Yesterday I tried two nicotine lozenges, six/seven hours apart at 4mg. It was the worst I've felt in years and I vomited incredibly heavily the after the second one.

My question was, and it may sound like an obvious answer but would an e-cig would have the same effect on me as the lozenges did as I've never smoked? I theorise maybe as you're ingesting the nicotine differently with an e-cig than with the lozenges maybe I wouldn't feel like I did yesterday. I understand people will tell me not to start vaping, but if it works on this debilitating disease then it's worth it.

I appreciate any feedback.

 

[drunkenbatman]

Hey mate, a few notes:

1. Welcome.

2. vaping would be cheaper over time than lozenges, and you might be better able to control how much you're getting and when. However, both vapor and lozenges are generally absorbed via the same way until you get into extreme clouds. Barring an allergic reaction an ingredient in the lozenge not present in ecig vapor, the chance of getting a different result seems slim.

3. We're a forum of generally well-intentioned people of different aptitudes and knowledge in different areas, but we aren't doctors, and this is a question for one where they can walk you through any side-effects and issues so things aren't made worse.

Sorry for what you're going through, I'm aware of it and it's not fun. I hope you're able to find some relief.

 

[Jdurand]

I would go get a cheap disposable ecig and find out. Worst case your out a couple pounds

 

[sparkky1]

Wouldn't you consult with your physician / specialist about that idea first ?

 

[Bunnykiller]

sounds like classical symptoms of being nicsic..... being a non smoker and no previous history of nic use, you got a full blast... if nic is a potential relief method for what you have, and you are aware of what vaping "might" due to your lungs, maybe starting off at a level of 3 nic could be worthwhile. If you find some relief but not enuf, jump up a level ( 6 possibly)... with vaping, you can control the intake easier than with a lozengse .... just be aware of the vaping... its safer than ciggies but not 100% safe...
consider the long term effects before anything else... good luck in the solution to the issue..

 

[AndriaD]

sounds like classical symptoms of being nicsic..... being a non smoker and no previous history of nic use, you got a full blast... if nic is a potential relief method for what you have, and you are aware of what vaping "might" due to your lungs, maybe starting off at a level of 3 nic could be worthwhile. If you find some relief but not enuf, jump up a level ( 6 possibly)... with vaping, you can control the intake easier than with a lozengse .... just be aware of the vaping... its safer than ciggies but not 100% safe...
consider the long term effects before anything else... good luck in the solution to the issue..

Excellent advice, and I agree completely -- many of us probably vomited or at least got nauseous, when we first tried smoking, because nicotine can have that effect when you're not used to it, or even if you are but get too much. 3-6mg would probably be tolerated much more easily than the lozenges, which after all are going directly into your digestive system, and you can puff a lot or a little, depending on your needs.

Also, I have heard that WTA (whole tobacco alkaloids) can be extremely beneficial for ulcerative colitis, and you do have that option with vaping, but not with any other medication. My own experience with using WTA after my appendectomy last summer when my "guts" were just having fits, would tend to bear this out; the WTA got my insides straightened out. So if nicotine alone doesn't provide sufficient relief, you might keep the WTA in mind.

Andria

 

[Steamix]

Worth a try ... but at the lowest nic level you can get your hands on. As a non smoker, your tolerance to nic intake is exactly zilch.
3 mg/ml would hardly register with a vaper just off the tobacco sticks. Lozenge once in the mouth does its thing. Vaping is easier. Take a puff or two and wait a while. Nicotine 'delivery' throgh lozenges or vaping is mostly through the mucus membranes in your mouth, not via the lungs as in smoking. Also might go for a liquid thats 100% VG and no PG.

And the drunkenbatman's caveat IS important. We aren't of the medical profession.
But when/if consulting a doc, try for one who knows about vaping and doesn't parrott the junk science that is making the rounds...

 

[Bunnykiller]

something else to consider.... you can put a drop of juice on your finger and lick it up... and get the same nic blast as vaping without vaping.. but be sure to make it a small drop... maybe even just a smear... I use the drop on the finger method when I cant vape due to areas of no smoking/no vaping, like in airplanes hospitals movies...

 

[Rat2chat2]

I know this probably doesn't help much but when I tried the nicotine gum a long time ago. . . it made me sick. Doctors are not always the ones that can help us with out dilemmas. All depends on the type doctor you have currently. Many are not open to alternative methods of helping our illnesses. I imagine you have done extensive research on this and I would suggest starting out with a very low percentage of nicotine. You may not have the same reaction as with the gum. You are just going to have to experiment a little and see if this is something that can work for you. I wish you all the luck in the world and hope that you will let us know how it is going for you. ecf is full of reliable information regarding vaping but it is also full of people that really care.

 

[Rickajho]

This big problem I have with both the lozenges and the gum is you aren't supposed to do what comes naturally - do not chew it or eat it. It's really hard to fight that reflex and just leave the lozenge "parked" between your cheek and gum to dissolve slowly. So if you "ate" it too fast by sucking on it like candy the rapid ingestion of nicotine could make you nauseous or give you hiccups too. You will have much better control over things if you tried using e-cigs instead.

 

[Rsunderl]

something else to consider.... you can put a drop of juice on your finger and lick it up... and get the same nic blast as vaping without vaping.. but be sure to make it a small drop... maybe even just a smear... I use the drop on the finger method when I cant vape due to areas of no smoking/no vaping, like in airplanes hospitals movies...

You know, BK's comments made me wonder. I once in here joked about putting eliquid on the back of my hand like a patch. I wonder if that might actually work for you. It may be a slower way of getting the nicotine into your system.

Just a thought.

 

[Charming]

As several others have already stated, I would first check with my physician, especially your Gastroenterologist. Vaping may or may not be the best way for you to receive nicotine and obviously the lozenges weren't either. If vaping doesn't help perhaps the patch would? I'd certainly inquire. Best of luck!

 

[mcclintock]

I'm not sure about a "lozenge" but with nic gum you could leave it in your mouth a very short length of time, until you just start to feel something, or at first maybe until just before you start to feel something . The 4 mg strength is for heavy smokers when normally used. When I tried gum, I always reused it some, because I didn't like having it in my mouth for extended periods.

Only go for vaping if it seems more appealing. Smoking is probably the most pleasing way to enjoy a strong nicotine effect, it dazes you but goes away fastest.

 

[Jaiden Lee]

I never tried the lozenges, but I have tried the gum. The problem with those kinds of methods is like everyone said, your at the mercy of the manufacturer. With vaping, as long as you have a variable wattage setup, and a decent level nic juice, you pretty much have full control. Best of luck to you.

 

[Sawyer9]

Thanks for all the replies. I've decided to go for the e-cig, I may try the suggestions of putting a small amount on my hand and see how it goes. I'm going for 3mg, even though it says on the site 50% VG or higher and a CE4 clearomizer wouldn't do well with it, should I go for it anyway do you guys think? Thanks again.

 

[AndriaD]

Thanks for all the replies. I've decided to go for the e-cig, I may try the suggestions of putting a small amount on my hand and see how it goes. I'm going for 3mg, even though it says on the site 50% VG or higher and a CE4 clearomizer wouldn't do well with it, should I go for it anyway do you guys think? Thanks again.

Yes, because they're talking about nic delivery to someone who's trying to quit or avoid smoking -- someone who already has a nicotine tolerance. For someone without that tolerance, I'd imagine 3mg would be quite perceptible.

Andria