Vaping and its unintended consequences

[RosaJ]

I don't remember if I was jumpy or jittery, but I do remember realizing that I was vaping a whole lot throughout the day and making the conscious decision to cut down on the nicotine because I was enjoying the vapor production and the flavors. I started at 24mg more than a year ago and am now down to 6mg and sometimes to 0mg.

 

[PDADoc]

After it happened, I actually did some Googling and hit on a number of entries from vapers who had similar experiences with Blu Cig. One theory was the adhesive used on the cartridge wrappers. Some folks remove them and rinse the residue from the cartomizers. I'm not entirely convinced that is the culprit, but it is as good a guess as any, I suppose. I just tossed the Blu Cig kit at the earliest opportunity.

It is interesting, but on the whole, it would still qualify as strictly anecdotal. That isn't to say that there aren't real issues, but as with anything, there will always be a small percentage of people for whom issues will arise.

In medical school, one of the first things you learn is that nothing is 100 percent 100 percent of the time.

The bottom line -- and most important thing-- is that you managed to isolate the thing that was giving you trouble and continue to enjoy vaping!

 

[LuckyCat]

It is interesting, but on the whole, it would still qualify as strictly anecdotal. That isn't to say that there aren't real issues, but as with anything, there will always be a small percentage of people for whom issues will arise.

In medical school, one of the first things you learn is that nothing is 100 percent 100 percent of the time.

The bottom line -- and most important thing-- is that you managed to isolate the thing that was giving you trouble and continue to enjoy vaping!

Formally familiar with anecdotal evidence. Years of experience in the mental health field, here.

But, not to sound trite (or punny), where there is smoke, there is usually fire.

 

[bazmonkey]

I have also not quite felt "right" since switching. It's getting better and better, but at first I think I vaped way too much. Without the natural break in between analogs and without any coughing, gagging reason not to, I just vaped all the time. Inside, outside, almost like I was celebrating the freedom.

But I wasn't sleeping well. I wasn't eating regularly, and I noticed that I was so wired off the nicotine that I barely wanted coffee.

Since then it's better, through a combination of getting used to it and self-restraint. I consciously try to vape less within a couple hours of bed (bad time to make a new coil and go crazy with fresh juice). I also avoid it around mealtime, because it helps my appetite and makes the post-meal vape more satisfying. I've also cut my juice down to the 18mg/mL range (down from 36mg/mL at one point).

I think it also got better once I got used to the feeling of the straight-nicotine buzz from vapor vs. the more elaborate cocktail of chemicals analogs provided. When I started I used to puff and puff and puff expecting that satiated feeling and it took a while to subconsciously understand that wasn't going to happen anymore.

 

[PDADoc]

Formally familiar with anecdotal evidence. Years of experience in the mental health field, here.

But, not to sound trite (or punny), where there is smoke, there is usually fire.

LOL! That's a good one, even if you didn't mean it in that context.

 

[MsComptrtchr]

BTW, there's nothing "wrong" with chain-vaping as long as you don't overnic and stay hydrated. I see so many people "apologizing" for chain-vaping. It's more about the oral fixation for me. I would probably chain-vape 0 nic at this point. The 6 mg. I'm on is a formality at best.

 

[Hippieangst]

Since I left analogs behind for good and completely thrown myself into vaping, I noticed something yesterday:

During the 20+ years that I smoked (I was never a heavy smoker, ~10/day), I'd light up, smoke, and go back to work and not have another one for anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours. And smoking a cigarette took anywhere from 3-5 minutes.

But since I've been vaping, I often find myself puffing away anywhere from 5-15 minutes at a time! I'm starting to notice that I'm jittery or jumpy a lot.

The strongest concentration I've ever used is 18mg (usually 12mg), although with the Blu cartridges I'm smoking now, who knows what the strength really is, regardless of what it says on the carto. I've decided to lower the concentration down to 8mg or less. I really like puffing away, but don't want to overdo it on the nicotine and have the jitters all day.

Has anyone else had this happen to them?

Just curious.

Nicotine is a stimulant for sure. You may want to cut it down to like 6mg or even less. Maybe sneak in some 0mg once in a while.

 

[Heavyrocker]

Since I left analogs behind for good and completely thrown myself into vaping, I noticed something yesterday:

During the 20+ years that I smoked (I was never a heavy smoker, ~10/day), I'd light up, smoke, and go back to work and not have another one for anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours. And smoking a cigarette took anywhere from 3-5 minutes.

But since I've been vaping, I often find myself puffing away anywhere from 5-15 minutes at a time! I'm starting to notice that I'm jittery or jumpy a lot.

The strongest concentration I've ever used is 18mg (usually 12mg), although with the Blu cartridges I'm smoking now, who knows what the strength really is, regardless of what it says on the carto. I've decided to lower the concentration down to 8mg or less. I really like puffing away, but don't want to overdo it on the nicotine and have the jitters all day.

Has anyone else had this happen to them?

Just curious.

Isnt the BLU ecig govt owned,maybe your vaping toxic chemicals as well,do you trust the govt?

 

[Train2]

Jumpy could be too much nic. Jumpy could be not enough nic, or withdrawal from other cigarette chemicals, if you just stopped smoking - I don't think you said how long it's been!

Anyway - it IS common to vape more continuously than you'd smoke - in my case, I'll vape at my desk, rather than having to go outside as I used to for a cigarette, so it's a lot more puffs!
FORTUNATELY, you've got the option to change your nicotine level so that you end up with something that's right for whatever volume of vaping you settle on.

 

[MsComptrtchr]

But I wasn't sleeping well. I wasn't eating regularly, and I noticed that I was so wired off the nicotine that I barely wanted coffee.

Since then it's better, through a combination of getting used to it and self-restraint.

I agree - I lost 13-15 lbs. the first month - no appetite. Since then, the eagerness has worn off. My appetite is back (is that good though?) and I am so happy with myself. I also cut down my nic at night. It's all getting so much better. I think this new hobby/obsession is a keeper. Now my pocketbook, 'nother story. But you know what, I never did this for the savings. If I am happy with myself, then it's priceless.

 

[stormwench]

I 'overdid' many times during my first month of vaping. This was partly due, I am sure, to the fact that many times I simply did not have to find a place to vape like I did when I smoked. SO instead of having to go outside I could just vape away at my desk, etc.

Now knowing that what was the satisfying part of the nicotine was the feel from the spike I realized that what I had been doing by almost chain vaping (probably like the other poster to assure myself I was replacing the analog) was adjusting my body to a high base level of nicotine and then when I would vape a bit more for a spike feeling - then I got jittery or even nauseated.

My final adjustment, since I happened to like vaping away was to use a nic juice with a low level of nicotine in it and then when I had a urge, vape a bit of nic juice at a much higher level. I actually have started to chain vape 0 nic juice, and when I get a nic jag using the mod with the 24mg juice in it. That way I get the same spikes that satisfied with analogs without keeping a higher level in my blood so that when I 'spiked' it up I was getting too much nic.

It is really a guestimate when you switch from analogs to vaping as to what nic mgs will be right for you. The idea that a heavy smoker needs the higher level nic juice and the moderate of light smokers needs less is just a starting point. A heavy smoker, for example, could run the gamut of puffing the whole analog up to allowing most to burn up and only taking a few hits - and so the level they have is vastly different.

The real 'meter' for what nic mgs you need is you and what your body tells you. If your vaping a lot because you enjoy seeing the vapor but are getting jittery or feeling green then you probably do want to lower your nic level, or learn to put down the PV after a few minutes instead of 15, so you mimic your smoking intake.

You will get a handle on what works for you and what feels right for you. As an analog smoker your body adjusted to cigarettes and learned to signal when you needed one and when you had too much, when you needed to only hit the stick a few times, or puff away down to the filter. Your body knew when it wanted you to inhale very deeply, create a great TH or just inhale shallowly and limit or avoid a TH. Your body did not learn this overnight but came about with smoking over a period of time and it will take some time - and everyone's adjustment/re-learning time differs - for your body to start getting signals straight.

 

[JR 137]

Isnt the BLU ecig govt owned,maybe your vaping toxic chemicals as well,do you trust the govt?

Blu is owned by Lorrillard, aka Newport cigarettes. Government may be in their back pocket, but they're not owned by the government.

 

[vang0gh]

Doesn't hurt to try a lower nic level to see if it helps. In my case, when I tried that just I ended up vaping more. Like MsComptrtchr, I did find that I naturally cut back on the chain vaping once the novelty wore off.

 

[Iffy]

OK, I'm gonna 'swim' against da 'tide' here.

Jumpy/jittery can also indicate that you're not vaping a high enough nic level! Da J/Js is also a 'bakky withdrawal symptom.

Have ya ever gone 'cold turkey'? I have! It ain't 'pretty'...

So before ya'll blame too much nic, consider upping your nic level just a mg or two, or three...

If ya want to quit da 'bakky, ya may have to 'swing' back n' forth in your nic level to find your 'sweet spot'.

OK, flame suit on...

 

[volume control]

I use 24 mg and literally for the great throat hit if I wana chain vape , and the fact that 5-10 puffs will give me enough fix to go an hour or two when I need. Also its been a long time for me, I feel like when those times come and I can't vape for hours on end I'm ok

 

[classwife]

I am going to lean towards still withdrawing from all the other crap in cigarettes...I think you'd get nauseaous before you'd get jittery from too much nic.

 

[Heavyrocker]

Blu is owned by Lorrillard, aka Newport cigarettes. Government may be in their back pocket, but they're not owned by the government.

The govt may in their back pocket as well as the toxic additives.

 

[Exhaler]

My first month I over vaped and after reading bunches of posts I learned that 1. My inhales were like I was smoking, short, fast and shallow. I started inhaling like I was "slowly sucking on a thick milk shake through a straw for 3-5 seconds" and then took the vapor in. That helped getting better TH and the vaping became more satisfying. 2. After I got the inhales down correctly, I slowed down also because my intake of nic increased and it began upsetting my stomach. So now I vape about as often as I smoked analogs, around 25 times a day and like I said, find it more a satisfying experience.

 

[PDADoc]

My first month I over vaped and after reading bunches of posts I learned that 1. My inhales were like I was smoking, short, fast and shallow. I started inhaling like I was "slowly sucking on a thick milk shake through a straw for 3-5 seconds" and then took the vapor in. That helped getting better TH and the vaping became more satisfying. 2. After I got the inhales down correctly, I slowed down also because my intake of nic increased and it began upsetting my stomach. So now I vape about as often as I smoked analogs, around 25 times a day and like I said, find it more a satisfying experience.

What I've learned from this is that everyone approaches this in a different way that may or may not be commensurate with how they consumed analogs.

Your experiences sound almost exactly like mine. While many helpful people offered their input on why they thought the physiological effects where there, I already knew about this component. I was more curious to hear about people's actual experiences more than anything. Still, I am grateful to everyone who took the time to do this for me, thank you.

This is why I love this place, and why I'm glad to be here!

 

[TyPie]

I have been vaping for a couple of years without ever trying a drugstore device UNTIL a few weeks ago. I was in a jam and days away from receiving my vaping supplies, so I picked up a Blu Cig kit. I do not know what exactly is in those cartridges, or if it is the adhesive used to wrap them, but I experienced a head rush, the jitters, and just generally felt....weird. And I usually vape anywhere between 18mg and 24mg. I've even vaped 36mg without any similar side effects. The Blu Cig cartridges have some additive that makes me feel lightheaded and off in a way I've never known with other devices and liquids. My roommate, who has vaped with my pvs in the past, also tried the Blu Cig and had the same experience.

Agree 100% - Besides being jittery in general over quitting / switching to vaping, I also got a tremendous head rush, dizziness, and a high nic hit from Blu-Cigs, which I started on. I found the high-nic Blu-Cig cartos PLENTY strong (for me) to get off analogs. (I wonder......now that they are owned by BT / Lorillard, if they are toying with the recipe?.......nahhhhhhhh.....silly me.......perish the thought.....)

I have a multi-pronged approach now with juices and nic levels, as others have suggested here many times. I have stronger, higher-nic and strong tobacco flavors for stressful situations or times I'll be around alcohol and other smokers, and lower-nic flavors for all day situations trapped at home ar at the office.

A bit of jitters, light-headedness and all around wierdness can also often be attributed to just quitting cigarettes, and goes with the territory when removing all those chemicals from your system. FYI....Things have appeared to 'level off' a bit / stabilized comfortably, over the last several weeks or so. Keep at it....