Vaping and Heart Problems; Urgent!

[Solrage]

First, a little background: I'm 30. Never smoked. First tried vaping when I was trying to get my mom to switch from regular cigs. Because of chronic pain I take pills that keep me tired, and when I tried vaping I liked the extra energy that the nicotine gave me without the jitters or sweats that too much caffeine or Ritalin does. So I became a "vaper" around August of this year. Really fell in love with the variety of flavors. Got so into it that all I asked anyone for Christmas was new e-liquids from various venders, and I even bought myself a new DNA 200 mod and some new tanks (Uwell Crown, Smok TFV4).

All was good until last week. On Tuesday I'd been vaping normally (about 4-5ml a day, usually 3-12mg depending on the tank), and suddenly I felt my chest tighten with a flood of heat that then shot down my left arm. My heart started pounding and I stopped what I was doing and ran in the kitchen prepared to call 9-1-1 thinking it was a heart-attack. By the time I got in there it had stopped. I quit vaping that night and thought that maybe I'd just overdone it (even though I hadn't). Next day was normal, everything fine.

Thursday it happened again, this time much worse as it happened multiple times, and kept happening even after I stopped vaping. It scared me enough to go to the hospital after midnight. By this point I was a nervous wreck and really wasn't sure how much of my "illness" was the initial "heart attack-like" symptoms and how much was nerves, but I figured better safe than sorry. I was given an EKG and was told it was perfectly normal. Doctor said that the chances of it looking like that if I'd had a heart-attack was 1 in a billion, so I went home and slept sound with that in mind.

Problem is that it happened again on Friday. Today (well, yesterday by now) I barely vaped. I'd just take a puff every couple of hours to see how I felt, and every time I could feel my chest start burning like the other days. Besides heart-attack, I thought it might've been a pinched nerve in my back or neck that actually caused my left-arm to go numb, which made me nervous and made my heart pound, but I spent most of Friday reclining in my chair rather than sitting up and it didn't help. Today, I also found myself belching up a little acid, so I also wondered if maybe it could be a case of bad heartburn or acid reflux that's being exascerbated by the vaping. I also thought that maybe I had a mild flu or virus, as I didn't have a fever (I checked) but I haven't felt great in general, though that might just be because of the stress from all that's happened.

TL;DR

I have a regular doctor's appointment on Monday so I definitely plan to discuss this with him anyway, but I was just wondering if anyone here has any idea what could be happening. How could I go 4 months vaping with no problems and now suddenly it feels like I'm having a heart-attack whenever I do? Has anyone else experienced this or heard of anyone experiencing anything similar? I'd be grateful for any advice.

 

[retired1]

Moved to Health, Safety and Vaping

 

[Katmar]

Have not heard of that happening from vaping. Please keep us posted on what the doctor says. Are you sure you are not having panic attacks? Hope you get it figured out and best of luck to you...

 

[Racehorse]

I'm 30. Never smoked. First tried vaping when I was trying to get my mom to switch from regular cigs. Because of chronic pain I take pills that keep me tired, and when I tried vaping I liked the extra energy that the nicotine gave me without the jitters or sweats that too much caffeine or Ritalin does.

One possibility of course is that it has nothing to do with vaping but "something" in your health profile has changed, and you need a good going over.

As for the vaping, I would discuss with your doctor the possibility of the meds you are taking combining with nicotine, since you say you never smoked. If you never smoked then perhaps the nicotine in combination with your medications is beginning to cause a reaction for some reason.

Have you noticed any difference between vaping 3mg and vaping 12mg? That's a pretty large jump if you ask me. I literally could not vape 12mg.

There is certainly the possibility of reflux, I got that from some eliquids.

Also ask your doctor to see if you are dehydrated. My blood profiles had come back for many months notiing this when I started vaping, and it's a constant problem even though I am hydrating way more than I did before I started vaping.

If they can rule out all *important* medical causes, then when you get the ALL CLEAR you can you try vaping low 3mg UNFLAVORED and see what happens, in the event that you are sensitive to one of the flavors?

Come back and post what the doctor says. Good luck!

 

[Solrage]

Are you sure you are not having panic attacks?

I've never had them before and have no reason to be panicky about anything. I certainly wasn't nervous when the first one happened, was just relaxing and watching TV. There's really nothing stressful in my life right now in general.

One possibility of course is that it has nothing to do with vaping but "something" in your health profile has changed, and you need a good going over.

As for the vaping, I would discuss with your doctor the possibility of the meds you are taking combining with nicotine, since you say you never smoked. If you never smoked then perhaps the nicotine in combination with your medications is beginning to cause a reaction for some reason.

Have you noticed any difference between vaping 3mg and vaping 12mg? That's a pretty large jump if you ask me. I literally could not vape 12mg.

There is certainly the possibility of reflux, I got that from some eliquids.

Also ask your doctor to see if you are dehydrated. My blood profiles had come back for many months notiing this when I started vaping, and it's a constant problem even though I am hydrating way more than I did before I started vaping.

If they can rule out all *important* medical causes, then when you get the ALL CLEAR you can you try vaping low 3mg UNFLAVORED and see what happens, in the event that you are sensitive to one of the flavors?

Come back and post what the doctor says. Good luck!

Thanks for the suggestions.

I haven't noticed any difference in the nic strength. First time it happened it was with 12mg, and Thursday it was with 6. Friday it was 3mg. I don't do 12mg much anymore. I started at 12 as that was supposed to be "light," but I think the flavors are better at 6 on "normal" coils and 3 on sub-ohms. The only time I use 12 anymore is when vaping older liquid I bought in that strength. All my new stuff is 6 or 3.

It's almost certainly not dehydration. I drink more than any person I know as my meds do make my mouth dry. It's not uncommon for me to drink my body weight in liquid ounces per day (usually between 150-180oz), and most of that is water. I actually have a 16oz glass that I fill with water and typically drink one glass per hour, and often combine that with 8oz of another liquid. I've done this for years even before vaping. Having to pee all the time is annoying, but better than dry mouth.

I will try some unflavored, but every time it's happened it's been with different flavors. First time was with VaporFi's Cotton Candy, second time was with Charlie Noble's Blue Bay, third time was with Charlie Noble's PB Cereal, last time was FA-Q's Miss Samoa, etc. These are all different PG/VG combinations too, so I don't see a correlation there either.

Thanks for the well wishes! For some good news, I was feeling better today. Woke up and chewed some tums. Tentatively tried vaping and was fine. After about 1hr taking a puff or two every 10 minutes I only had one moment of starting to feel "hot," but my heart didn't pound and my left arm was OK, so it may very well have something to do with heartburn/acid reflux or some bug that's lodged itself in my chest that's clearing up.

 

[edyle]

bought myself a new DNA 200 mod and some new tanks (Uwell Crown, Smok TFV4).

All was good until last week. On Tuesday I'd been vaping normally (about 4-5ml a day, usually 3-12mg depending on the tank), and suddenly I felt my chest tighten with a flood of heat that then shot down my left arm. My heart started pounding and I stopped what I was doing and ran in the kitchen prepared to call 9-1-1 thinking it was a heart-attack. By the time I got in there it had stopped.


I'd just take a puff every couple of hours to see how I felt, and every time I could feel my chest start burning like the other days.

1: 12mg at 30 watts is a lot.
What wattage do you run?

2: based on this statement that you made:

I'd just take a puff every couple of hours to see how I felt, and every time I could feel my chest start burning like the other days

Sounds like the problem is definitely related to vaping.

When you go to the doc you should definitely tell the doc about the vape.

 

[Solrage]

1: 12mg at 30 watts is a lot.
What wattage do you run?

The 12mg I usually vape between 10-20 watts, but I rarely "chain vape." Usually a puff every 3-5 minutes, and I sometimes take significant periods off if I'm doing certain things like reading or on the computer. My heaviest vaping is usually just while watching TV.

2: based on this statement that you made:

Sounds like the problem is definitely related to vaping.

When you go to the doc you should definitely tell the doc about the vape.

I will definitely mention the vaping.

 

[Solrage]

Brief update: Doctor actually called to reschedule to tomorrow, but I'm starting to think that it's just a severe case of heartburn. Yesterday I didn't hardly vape at all (tried early in the morning and stopped), yet several times I had the same heart tightness/heat -> down arm experience just sitting back in my recliner. I also ate before bed and all night my chest was burning when I laid on my back, which felt more like "traditional" heartburn symptoms. I've just never heard of a heartburn "attack" where your chest tightens with heat that shoots down your arm.

I'll still ask the doctor about it tomorrow, but that's what it's starting to look like.

 

[edyle]

Brief update: Doctor actually called to reschedule to tomorrow, but I'm starting to think that it's just a severe case of heartburn. Yesterday I didn't hardly vape at all (tried early in the morning and stopped), yet several times I had the same heart tightness/heat -> down arm experience just sitting back in my recliner. I also ate before bed and all night my chest was burning when I laid on my back, which felt more like "traditional" heartburn symptoms. I've just never heard of a heartburn "attack" where your chest tightens with heat that shoots down your arm.

I'll still ask the doctor about it tomorrow, but that's what it's starting to look like.

the description of heart plus heat shooting down your arm should mean something to your doctor.

especially the left arm.

 

[Solrage]

I would think so. Can you think of anything besides heart-attack or heartburn?

 

[coilburner]

If its that concerning, which it sounds it is, why haven't you quit vaping and seeing if that helps.

 

[Solrage]

If its that concerning, which it sounds it is, why haven't you quit vaping and seeing if that helps.

I actually have quit the last few days. The symptoms have lessened but not disappeared. Last night I had a dull burning in my chest in bed after eating, and tonight after dinner I felt like I was about to have another episode while sitting in my recliner (I could feel the heat/tightness in my chest and tingling in my arm). Got up, chewed some Tums, felt better.

I'm thinking that it's probably some kind of severe acid reflux that's greatly exascerbated by vaping but not completely caused by it. I'm seeing the doctor tomorrow so I'll talk to him, but right now I'm giving up vaping until I can get this problem completely taken care of.

 

[Steamix]

Maybe set an appoinment with a gastro-enterologist too...

Some meds that need to be taken regularily can be very hard on the stomach lining.
Meanwhile, a spoon of baking soda in of the many glasses of water you're drinking could help with the acidity...

Try vaping unflavoured and/or different ratios of PG/VG. Some flavours contain allergens and - though rare - PG and VG can cause adverse reactions.

But all that AFTER you seen da doc.

 

[stylemessiah]

I smoked for 35 years, a congenital heart defect didnt show up (had no symptoms) till i was 30 and then i started blacking out, at its worst every 15 minutes, fall over blackout.

Spent 4 years and went through 9 doctors (and one visit to emergency) before one finally got it right.. I could let the emergency room doctors know when i was about to blackout so they could watch the monitors. They still said it was stress, like the 9 doctors before had. Luckily a nurse saw how frustarted i was and i told her what id been through. She beleived me, she was the first person to believe me, especially after said being an aspie i dont lie (its irrational to me). She told me she had heard of a visiting Harley St (London) heart specialist who was visiting and working out of a free clinic down the road. That nurse saved my life. I went to see him, he took me on my word, and he was the first person to put a halter monitor on me. I took the monitor back the next day and two weeks later he called me in for the results. "I really believe you, youre not making it up or imagining it, ive found whats wrong". The monitor data showed my heart rate was 300bpm in spurts even when asleep, then dropping to 30bpm...result blackouts.

He was surprised i was still alive. Id lost my job (i couldnt have a conversation longer than 5 minutes max or type an email of any length etc before i was off with the pixies from blood loss to my brain for 4 years (im sure some people on here would prefer me that way ), was unemployed for 4 years, never sure i was going to wake up the next day for 4 years...

Before the blackouts suddenly appeared at 30, i played at least 3 sports, lifted weights and climbed mountains...and was a soldier

Was put on digoxin at that time, about 10/11 years ago and luckily it worked, the other option was heart muscle pathway interruption - put a probe into your femoral artery, go up to the heart and interrupt the electrical pathways and see what happens...while youre awake. I chose plan a..take one digoxin tablet a day for life.

Even with digoxin, i still had the odd episode.

Cut to last year, when i didnt experience a single episode after i started vaping. Mentioned this to my doctor who supported and approved my change to vaping, asked her if maybe that meant i didnt need the digoxin any longer. Her colleague was about to start a study on people like me where she wanted to find suitable candidates to try probing and interrupting the electrical pathways in the heart. I said to my doctor, i finally get a year free of blackouts for the first time since i was diagnosed and now you want me to explore the plan b now? What? So i went off and had some tests done, had a monitor fitted and returned it a month ago, told id only get a call back if the test and monitor showed any abnormalities. Havent received a callback yet. Im not saying vaping somehow cured my condition, it will always be there, im not saying it alleviated my episodes. But it didnt exacerbate my symptoms...and ive never felt better just generally in 30 years.....properly functioning lungs is always a good thing

I know what heart palpitations feel like, trust me, and if vaping we're going to cause a negative effect, which i was looking out for the past 10 months, id be a perfect candidate for it to happen to.

I think you need to look at other areas. Since you didnt smoke before then you probably shouldnt vape now. Im not a huge fan of people who never smoked embracing vaping, i know its a central viewpoint in amongst activists here that i know, we dont want any new members from the never smoked pool of society. Any chemical you put in your body can have a negative effect. Im glad youre seeking medical help, and if its one thing i can recommend its that your doctor fit you with a halter monitor, i went through 9 doctors who all told me my symptoms were stress...i did point out i had been in the military and got shot at for a living, so i knew what stress was , but none of them listen to me or believed me until the last doctor, and he was amazed that not one of the previous doctors had done the basic thing of fitting me with the halter monitor....

Hearty burn is sometimes a symptom of heart issues, or it can feel like heartburn, ive seen it....about 6 months ago, i got a 3am text from a friend upstairs who was 64 at the time, he never texts at normal hours, so i knew it meant trouble. I raced up there and asked him what was up...ive had heartburn for 2 days....he looked grey and i knew it wasnt heartburn. I knew he had had heart stents put in 4 years previously. His colour made me believe he was not far off having a major heart attack, if he hadnt had a minor one already. I called an ambulance. 3 hours later he went into surgery for quadruple bypass...He's 65 now, but only just and recovering slowly.

Halter monitor, ask for it, thats my straight up advice when you go to your appointment

Lol, if i was American i probably would have sued those 9 doctors for malpractice and be rich

As for any alternate to the heartburn stomach issue, all i can personally tell you for surety if its under your right ribcage, it will be your gall bladder. I have an extremely high pain threshold, things have to get critical before i feel pain (handy when youre in the military, not so great in normal life). Im talking i can cut myself (or be cut lol) and not feel it, i usually notice when people point it out to me, or in the case of years gone by, when the blood pooled in my boots to the point i heard an alarming squelching sound When i started to feel like i was being stabbed 24/7 2 Februaries ago, i knew it was kinda a big deal. Went off to my doctors, told her that i actually felt something, that it wasnt good, and showed her where..."gall bladder" she said "Knowing you, we had better get you off for an ultrasound. 2 days later she was so alarmed she called the professor of the gastro department at the local hospital. Next day i walk in and his first words are "theres no easy way to tell you but untreated you have about 6 weeks to live" If i cant get you in on normal rostering within 2 weeks, the 3rd week youll come in via emergency. Luckily he found me a bed two weeks later and i had the bloody thing ripped out. Day surgery, after the surgery, usually, unless youre me, you get to go home. Me, with no immune system and radical reactions to a lot of common meds, i got to stay overnight to be monitored. 5 hours after i woke up i conned the nurses into letting me go downstairs for a smoke....

Now living a low fat life....

And at this point ill stop telling you the list of things wrong with me, its more things basically

 

[Solrage]

Update: Saw Doctor. He said it was most likely GERD given my descriptions of the symptoms and my EKG test. He prescribed me 150mg of Zantac twice daily for one month. Said the "heart-attack" like episodes were likely esophageal spasms, which can feel just like a heart-attack, and can happen in those with GERD. Said that vaping might have triggered the spasms, but the GERD was probably the underlying cause. Recommended I give up vaping permanently, or at least until the symptoms completely go away.

Maybe set an appoinment with a gastro-enterologist too...

Some meds that need to be taken regularily can be very hard on the stomach lining.
Meanwhile, a spoon of baking soda in of the many glasses of water you're drinking could help with the acidity...

Try vaping unflavoured and/or different ratios of PG/VG. Some flavours contain allergens and - though rare - PG and VG can cause adverse reactions.

But all that AFTER you seen da doc.

I will look into a gastro-enterologist if things don't get better soon.

Yes, the meds I take regularly are classically hard on the stomach, but I've been on them for nearly 10 years and have been on a fiber (and water) regiment that's seemed to work wonders keeping any stomach issues a way. This has been the only problem I've had.

Thanks for the baking soda rec. I went online today to search for natural "cures" for GERD and got a lot of good recs from DGL licorice to chewing gum after meals to eating several small meals and taking small bites/chewing well. Plan to try them all ASAP.

I will experiment with vaping once I'm feeling better. Right now I don't even want to risk bringing on any more spasms, and I can tell that even without the esophageal spasms I'm not feeling real well.

I smoked for 35 years, a congenital heart defect didnt show up (had no symptoms) till i was 30 and then i started blacking out, at its worst every 15 minutes, fall over blackout.

Spent 4 years and went through 9 doctors (and one visit to emergency) before one finally got it right.. I could let the emergency room doctors know when i was about to blackout so they could watch the monitors. They still said it was stress, like the 9 doctors before had. Luckily a nurse saw how frustarted i was and i told her what id been through. She beleived me, she was the first person to believe me, especially after said being an aspie i dont lie (its irrational to me). She told me she had heard of a visiting Harley St (London) heart specialist who was visiting and working out of a free clinic down the road. That nurse saved my life. I went to see him, he took me on my word, and he was the first person to put a halter monitor on me. I took the monitor back the next day and two weeks later he called me in for the results. "I really believe you, youre not making it up or imagining it, ive found whats wrong". The monitor data showed my heart rate was 300bpm in spurts even when asleep, then dropping to 30bpm...result blackouts.

He was surprised i was still alive. Id lost my job (i couldnt have a conversation longer than 5 minutes max or type an email of any length etc before i was off with the pixies from blood loss to my brain for 4 years (im sure some people on here would prefer me that way ), was unemployed for 4 years, never sure i was going to wake up the next day for 4 years...

Before the blackouts suddenly appeared at 30, i played at least 3 sports, lifted weights and climbed mountains...and was a soldier

Was put on digoxin at that time, about 10/11 years ago and luckily it worked, the other option was heart muscle pathway interruption - put a probe into your femoral artery, go up to the heart and interrupt the electrical pathways and see what happens...while youre awake. I chose plan a..take one digoxin tablet a day for life.

Even with digoxin, i still had the odd episode.

Cut to last year, when i didnt experience a single episode after i started vaping. Mentioned this to my doctor who supported and approved my change to vaping, asked her if maybe that meant i didnt need the digoxin any longer. Her colleague was about to start a study on people like me where she wanted to find suitable candidates to try probing and interrupting the electrical pathways in the heart. I said to my doctor, i finally get a year free of blackouts for the first time since i was diagnosed and now you want me to explore the plan b now? What? So i went off and had some tests done, had a monitor fitted and returned it a month ago, told id only get a call back if the test and monitor showed any abnormalities. Havent received a callback yet. Im not saying vaping somehow cured my condition, it will always be there, im not saying it alleviated my episodes. But it didnt exacerbate my symptoms...and ive never felt better just generally in 30 years.....properly functioning lungs is always a good thing

I know what heart palpitations feel like, trust me, and if vaping we're going to cause a negative effect, which i was looking out for the past 10 months, id be a perfect candidate for it to happen to.

I think you need to look at other areas. Since you didnt smoke before then you probably shouldnt vape now. Im not a huge fan of people who never smoked embracing vaping, i know its a central viewpoint in amongst activists here that i know, we dont want any new members from the never smoked pool of society. Any chemical you put in your body can have a negative effect. Im glad youre seeking medical help, and if its one thing i can recommend its that your doctor fit you with a halter monitor, i went through 9 doctors who all told me my symptoms were stress...i did point out i had been in the military and got shot at for a living, so i knew what stress was , but none of them listen to me or believed me until the last doctor, and he was amazed that not one of the previous doctors had done the basic thing of fitting me with the halter monitor....

Hearty burn is sometimes a symptom of heart issues, or it can feel like heartburn, ive seen it....about 6 months ago, i got a 3am text from a friend upstairs who was 64 at the time, he never texts at normal hours, so i knew it meant trouble. I raced up there and asked him what was up...ive had heartburn for 2 days....he looked grey and i knew it wasnt heartburn. I knew he had had heart stents put in 4 years previously. His colour made me believe he was not far off having a major heart attack, if he hadnt had a minor one already. I called an ambulance. 3 hours later he went into surgery for quadruple bypass...He's 65 now, but only just and recovering slowly.

Halter monitor, ask for it, thats my straight up advice when you go to your appointment

Lol, if i was American i probably would have sued those 9 doctors for malpractice and be rich

As for any alternate to the heartburn stomach issue, all i can personally tell you for surety if its under your right ribcage, it will be your gall bladder. I have an extremely high pain threshold, things have to get critical before i feel pain (handy when youre in the military, not so great in normal life). Im talking i can cut myself (or be cut lol) and not feel it, i usually notice when people point it out to me, or in the case of years gone by, when the blood pooled in my boots to the point i heard an alarming squelching sound When i started to feel like i was being stabbed 24/7 2 Februaries ago, i knew it was kinda a big deal. Went off to my doctors, told her that i actually felt something, that it wasnt good, and showed her where..."gall bladder" she said "Knowing you, we had better get you off for an ultrasound. 2 days later she was so alarmed she called the professor of the gastro department at the local hospital. Next day i walk in and his first words are "theres no easy way to tell you but untreated you have about 6 weeks to live" If i cant get you in on normal rostering within 2 weeks, the 3rd week youll come in via emergency. Luckily he found me a bed two weeks later and i had the bloody thing ripped out. Day surgery, after the surgery, usually, unless youre me, you get to go home. Me, with no immune system and radical reactions to a lot of common meds, i got to stay overnight to be monitored. 5 hours after i woke up i conned the nurses into letting me go downstairs for a smoke....

Now living a low fat life....

And at this point ill stop telling you the list of things wrong with me, its more things basically

Wow! Thanks for sharing your story, stylemessiah! Sounds like you've been through a lot. I know what it's like going from Doctor to Doctor with few of them believing you and none of them willing/able to help. I did this in my teens with my health problem (chronic migraines) and didn't get any help until I was in my early 20s.

I know getting into vaping probably wasn't the smartest idea, but I figured that, hell, I literally have no other vices in my life and live as healthily as possible given my chronic problem that if I enjoy vaping and the extra energy it probably wouldn't be any worse than caffeine (which I used to drink a lot of just to stay away) or Ritalin (which gave me jitters, hot flashes, and kept me awake at night).

As for the halter monitor, that will be among my list of requests if the combination of Zantac and natural remedies don't alleviate my problem, but right now both the ER and my regular doctor seem convinced it's not heart problems given my EKG.

 

[Plumes.91]

yikes. this scares me, OP. I really don't know what to tell you, other than if you must, continue to experiment with ONLY taking 1-2 puffs. Stay at the low MG nicotines for these 1-2 puffs per hour. Take it as slow as you possibly can. Idk, my friend. I can't see WHY vaping would cause heart attack, esp at the measly 12mg you were vaping.. esp if you were vaping normally. (hell, i regularly chain-vaped 18mg on a 1ohm RDA for many years) I just hope you get this sorted...... keep asprin near-by, as asprin can STOP a heart-attack in it's tracks (chew it and swallow it. you can get a box of childrens asprin so-that chewing it doesn't taste terrible. you'll just have-to figure-out an adult dosage. (or over an adult dosage, in the event of a true heart attack- although, i am not a DR so please, ask your DR about asprin for preventing heart attacks) Good luck buddy. I know everything will work-out & you'll be able to enjoy your vape journey again in no-time flat... much <3 and a prayer, headed your way right now.

 

[Racehorse]

Thanks for the baking soda rec. I went online today to search for natural "cures" for GERD and got a lot of good recs from DGL licorice to chewing gum after meals to eating several small meals and taking small bites/chewing well. Plan to try them all ASAP.

Baking soda is not to be used in quantity or long term. It can relieve acute heartburn but should not be used for chronic case.

IMHO you REALLy need a followup with a gastroenterologist....see if the Zantac works but there are much stronger meds (PPIs, or proton pump inhibitors) like Nexium, Protonix, etc.
Zantac is a histamine-2 blocker. Not the same thing.

You should probably get scoped (upper endoscopy) to see what damage there is to the esophagus. very important. Okay?

Next stop: gastroenterologist. It will probably take you a few weeks to get appt. meanwhile you can see if the zantac does anything (usually takes about 4-6 weeks using steadily)

Good luck.

and probably should not be vaping, as you already figured out, until you get sorted.

 

[Solrage]

Baking soda is not to be used in quantity or long term. It can relieve acute heartburn but should not be used for chronic case.

IMHO you REALLy need a followup with a gastroenterologist....see if the Zantac works but there are much stronger meds (PPIs, or proton pump inhibitors) like Nexium, Protonix, etc.
Zantac is a histamine-2 blocker. Not the same thing.

You should probably get scoped (upper endoscopy) to see what damage there is to the esophagus. very important. Okay?

Next stop: gastroenterologist. It will probably take you a few weeks to get appt. meanwhile you can see if the zantac does anything (usually takes about 4-6 weeks using steadily)

Good luck.

and probably should not be vaping, as you already figured out, until you get sorted.

Thanks again. Will look up and see what gastroenterologists are covered by my insurance and see how long it would take to get an appointment. Some of my reading on the issue yesterday suggested that the problem may be with too little stomach acid rather than too much. Don't know how much merit there is to it, but wouldn't shock me in the least if the drug companies are pushing the "too much" in order to sell their products.

yikes. this scares me, OP. I really don't know what to tell you, other than if you must, continue to experiment with ONLY taking 1-2 puffs. Stay at the low MG nicotines for these 1-2 puffs per hour. Take it as slow as you possibly can. Idk, my friend. I can't see WHY vaping would cause heart attack, esp at the measly 12mg you were vaping.. esp if you were vaping normally. (hell, i regularly chain-vaped 18mg on a 1ohm RDA for many years) I just hope you get this sorted...... keep asprin near-by, as asprin can STOP a heart-attack in it's tracks (chew it and swallow it. you can get a box of childrens asprin so-that chewing it doesn't taste terrible. you'll just have-to figure-out an adult dosage. (or over an adult dosage, in the event of a true heart attack- although, i am not a DR so please, ask your DR about asprin for preventing heart attacks) Good luck buddy. I know everything will work-out & you'll be able to enjoy your vape journey again in no-time flat... much <3 and a prayer, headed your way right now.

Thanks for the well wishes, Plumes!

 

[Gazoo2You]

Update: Saw Doctor. He said it was most likely GERD

Never had GERD myself but know many with Sleep Apnea that do. I have read many times that they all lift up the head of their beds with books, bricks, etc; so as to keep on an incline comfortably keeping their stomach contents, I assume it is, where it belongs, down below. If not aware of that hint, you might want to look around the net for further explanation or even Sleep Apnea forums if all else fails.

 

[jensy]

Oh the syptoms you discribed sounded just like me, and the pain in my chest was incredible. I was born with a hole in my heart and a murmur so I know about heart issues. However I thought I was going to die one night when I woke up to this massive pain and I couldn't even get up to call an ambulance. So in on my night stand I took more of my meds and finally passed out. Next day I was fine and amazed I woke up so went to see my doctor and yes it is Gerd.

So I took the meds he gave me and they work like a charm. Sometimes I forgot to take them and the pain would come back. It was something in the eliquid causing the gerd because now I make all my own eliquid and thought I would try without the gerd meds and I have no probems at all. I make sure the flavoring I use have no diketones,acetonin and I make 50/50 and everything has been good for over a year.

I hope everything works out for you!