Vaping doesn't like me, my throat can't handle it, Please help

[manigma77]

Hello, I decided I wanted to start vaping, mainly to get off of cigs. I smoke 2 1/2 packs a day and I run out of breath very easily, which doesn't work very well as an Ironworker because I am required to walk up many flights of steps, when I get to the top It takes me about 10 minutes before I can breathe normally again.

So, I started researching and quickly found that the combinations of ecig supplies are limitless. I finally went with the Kgo 1100 mah with stardust style clearomizer to get started, (which came in the mail yesterday). I am still waiting on my tatroe tank, because I think it can handle going to work with me. I also got in two juices from Johnson Creek. One is strawberry flavor and the other is tobacco. I like them both but they hate me.

I cannot inhale without coughing uncontrollably, It's hard to describe the feeling, I wouldn't quite call it a tickle because it's more painful than that. It just seems like it hits my throat way to hard then It suffocates me a little and I cough cough.

I have done extensive research on "how to vape" etc. I take slow long draws. But it seems like anything over a 2 second draw is way too much, at the same time with a 2 second draw there is hardly any vapor. I feel like I am doing something wrong but I can't pin it down.

I did get the 24 strength e liquid so I wonder if it is too much for my throat, also I wonder if the pg is messing with me in some way. I don't know because I'm new to this but I have been on the computer for 5 days immersed in everything e cig.

I did find that I smoked much less after the kgo came in, And I mean the two packs I would've smoked turned into 1/2 a pack. It was fine, as long as I have something to put in my mouth and draw on I'm fine. The problem is, how can I keep vaping if it is so uncomfortable and painful. I wan't to be one of you who "Love's to Vape" but for now it's not so, It's more like torture.

Edit: I also wanted to add that I don't understand what the hype is about thoat hit and vapor production. I know I shouldn't compare smoking to vaping, but quitting is why I'm starting this in the first place, anyway here it goes. When I smoke, I take a drag, then inhale deeply, so much so that there is hardly any smoke that comes out on the exhale. Also, I smoke marlboro special blend golds, and I don't feel much a "throat hit" from them. So... why would I be looking for this in a vape. I have been watching pbursardo vape in the 100 or so videos I have watched of his, and I see alot of vapor on the exhale, but I can't hardly tell that he is inhaling other than blowing it out of his nose. Is he counting this as the inhale, cause like I said for 15 years I have been inhaling very deeply into my lungs. Is this what vapers do, or is it more of a quick un-noticeable inhale??? Sorry, I'm full of questions.

 

[Spazmelda]

A couple of things, and I'm sure others will come along and say things better than me...

Probably this should be first; vaping technique... Most people find that inhaling vapor is a bit different from smoking. My inhale evolved on its own, and then at came here and read the boards and found that changing the inhale is common. Instead of inhaling directly into the lungs, as many smokers do, many vapers will inhale into the mouth. Longish draws. Let it sit in your mouth for a sec, then draw it into the lungs. For me, this draw into the lungs is nowhere as deep as what I used to do with cigarettes (not sure about other people). This seems to help with the throat irritation. You may already be doing this, but I couldn't tell from your description.

In one particular study, it was found that throat irritation was common when starting to vape, but usually resolves in a week or so. This was the case with me, and I've heard many others say the same.

Lower nic would probably help. There you run the risk of not getting enough nic, but if you can only inhale for 2 sec now, you probably aren't getting much anyway. Maybe try some 18 mg/ml.

Lower PG and higher VG might help too. I don't recall if you stated what percentage you are using now. PG seems to carry a bigger throat hit, while VG seems a bit smoother and produces more vapor.

 

[brock957]

Give it some time. At first I could barely inhale. Now I blow out a cloud that would make a dragon jealous.

 

[retired soldier]

When I first started vaping (while also smoking), I could not inhale the vapor, It felt like it was tearing my lungs out, I kept trying but just couldn't inhale, so I pretty much quit vaping. One day during a coughing fit I just decided to quit smoking, and then suddenly found that I could inhale the vapor very comfortably. That was quite a revelation, and has made all the difference.

I am no expert but have found that a higher proportion of VG to PG gives me more vapor, so I use 50/50 juice and even add more VG sometimes. I have found that plain menthol is my go to juice, no throat irritation, clean taste, and lots of vapor.

Hope this helps.

 

[evan le'garde]

Quit pg !. Get 100% vg instead. Vg is much smoother.

 

[TraceyS]

I also had throat irritation for a while when I first started and then it went away, happily 8 months ago

Tracey

 

[ClaireW]

Congrats! Im new and a few days ago I got a scratchy throat. I realized the disposable clearomizer I had burnt out. So for a good part of that evening I was getting a burnt strong hit to my throat. When I switched to a new clearomizer there was a wonderful whole new flavor.

Also finding myself having to drink more water.

Good luck!

 

[Spazmelda]

Congrats! Im new and a few days ago I got a scratchy throat. I realized the disposable clearomizer I had burnt out. So for a good part of that evening I was getting a burnt strong hit to my throat. When I switched to a new clearomizer there was a wonderful whole new flavor.

Also finding myself having to drink more water.

Good luck!

This is a good point. When I first started I didn't know what a burnt cartomizer tasted like. I chalk this up to lack of taste sensitivity from smoking and inexperience. A burnt cartomizer can irritate your throat.

My neighbor, who introduced me to ecigs, also ran into this (although I don't think she ever realized it). She was using a cheap drug store thing. She told me that she could smoke the tiny little cartos for days (these were not refillable). As I got more informed about ecigs I asked her a out this again, because I had become skeptical that these would last for days and had learned what burned carto/juice tasted like. She insisted that she used them for days. I took a puff off of one and ERK! it was nothing but burned. I told her, but by that time she had kind of given up and gone back to smoking most of the time.

Oh, and here's one thing you can do right away if you want to test out some variables without waiting for a shipment of supplies. Go to walmart and get some HUMCO VG. TaKe some of your juice and dilute it 3 parts juice with 1 part VG. You might need to add a drop of water of vodka to thin it some. This will reduce your nicotine by 1/4 (down to 18 mg/ml) and increase the proportion of VG. Unfortunately, it will also dilute your flavors, but it might let you see of higher VG lower nic would help your throat irritation.

 

[TinaHelgen]

I also had some throat irritation when I started, I would cough every time I inhaled. Mine went away after about a week, I guess it just takes some getting used to. I also agree with the above and think you should give 100% vg a try, there is much less throat hit and it is a lot smoother.

 

[markodes]

I've had similar problems. The ecig irritated my throat and it even caused me something like heartburn in the stomach. But luckily this was due to the ecigs I was using (were ordered directly from a factory in China). With other ecigs like v2 and green smoke I have NOT had these problems.

 

[Crash Moses]

Edit: I also wanted to add that I don't understand what the hype is about thoat hit and vapor production. I know I shouldn't compare smoking to vaping, but quitting is why I'm starting this in the first place, anyway here it goes. When I smoke, I take a drag, then inhale deeply, so much so that there is hardly any smoke that comes out on the exhale. Also, I smoke marlboro special blend golds, and I don't feel much a "throat hit" from them. So... why would I be looking for this in a vape. I have been watching pbursardo vape in the 100 or so videos I have watched of his, and I see alot of vapor on the exhale, but I can't hardly tell that he is inhaling other than blowing it out of his nose. Is he counting this as the inhale, cause like I said for 15 years I have been inhaling very deeply into my lungs. Is this what vapers do, or is it more of a quick un-noticeable inhale??? Sorry, I'm full of questions.

I think most people, when they start, want to replicate the act of smoking as much as possible. This is what makes it easier to quit smoking than other methods such as nicotine gum or the patch. As a 2 1/2 pack a day smoker you may not have noticed TH as much as someone who only smoked a pack a day. I smoked 2 PAD and remember the throat hit quite well.

That said, I prefer a less intense throat hit and would be happy with no throat hit at all (I do prefer menthol flavors however) and most of my device and juice choices reflect that. Everyone is different. No need to equate throat hit with a better quality vape.

As for inhale technique...again...everyone is different. The general consensus is either to inhale into the mouth, hold a few seconds, and then inhale into the lungs or inhale into the mouth and then out through the nose with a full lung hit as a third, less common, method. I prefer the first method but will often inhale directly into my lungs using rebuildable atomizers. Experiment and find out which one works best for you.

Which brings us to vapor production. Again, this is personal preference. Other than as an indication that your device is working correctly blowing huge clouds can be fun. I also believe that most people feel that vapor production is indicative of the amount of nicotine they may be getting. Vapor production = more throat hit = more nicotine. This is subjective and you should be no means feel the need to follow the status quo.

Phil Busardo had an interesting rant lately that addresses the issue of vapor production. You may find it relevant.

A PBusardo Rant & Review - The NZonic V3 - YouTube

 

[Vwls]

I also had a negative reaction when I tried my first e-cig about three years ago. It made the inside of my mouth raw. I disliked it so much, I sent the e-cig back and went back to smoking. But I'm here to look into trying again - there's got to be a juice/set up that doesn't affect my mouth like that!

Oh, hi everyone - my name's Vwls. I'm a newbie - nice to meet you all.

 

[markodes]

Hi Vwls, welcome a board. It has to be the E-liquid. I've read somewhere that PG can cause irritation.

 

[onion456]

i seem to have times where my lungs can get a little '...... off' from me abusing them... yet i still want to vape (or smoke, in the past).... ive learned when that happens, to just go slow. only inhale a tiny bit. or just a tiny puff off the device and chase it with lots of air. or dont even inhale at all, keep it in your mouth, enjoy the flavor, puff it out. just like a cigar. you still get the nic. eventually my lungs calm down and i can enjoy it fully again. did you say 2.5PAD? id imagine your lungs are quite ...... at you. give them time to recoup.

hope it works out soon for you =)

 

[Vapoor eyes er]

It could be 24 mg is too high. Most new vapers begin @ 18 or 24. I began @ 36 mg. Some have also experienced a sensitivity to PG.
What is the PG/ VG ratio of your juice?
Juice Components
Flavoring usually about 15%- could be higher or lower depending on the flavor used.
PG enhances flavor, TH and lung hit- water like - many of us believe PG to be a throat irritant.
VG= vapor and can mute flavor- thick
Nicotine- TH, lung hit and our need for nicotine. The MOST important ingredient in regards to TH and lung hit.
Standards in the industry are 80/ 20 or 70/ 30 PG/ VG.
Although the flavor would suffer you could always buy a bottle of VG/ USP at Walmart or the Pharmacy and add a little to your juice- would cut down the nic level AND the PG level. 20 drops = equals approx 1 ml.
Best of Luck.

 

[Vwls]

Hi Vwls, welcome a board. It has to be the E-liquid. I've read somewhere that PG can cause irritation.

Thanks for the welcome.

Yeah I had ordered a starter e-cig after seeing an ad online I think - I didn't put any research into it. So it sounds like some liquids are far superior to others. Is it just a matter of trial and error? Seems like you could spend a lot of money figuring out what is good...

 

[Maylar]

I'm in the same boat. Been vaping part time for about a month but I keep going back to the tobacco (pipe). Can't inhale without coughing up a lung. Oddly, my brother who hasn't smoked in 17 years can inhale any of my juices without coughing at all. I has to be something about my lungs being accustomed to the old smoke.

Over the past few weeks I've tried to change my inhale habit to just taking in a little puff at a time and slowly inhaling a full breath. not really satisfying, but at least I can keep the vapor down. The less I smoke, the easier it's becomming to inhale the vape.

Juices make a difference, as does the amount of "heat" in your atomizer. Lower voltage or gigher resistance coils make cooler vapor that's easier to get down.

Keep experimenting... it'll come to you.

 

[XeniaMike]

Like others have said, it's more like smoking a fine cigar. Taking a long, slow drag into your mouth (I do at least 5 sec. drag slowly and low voltage - just personal preference) then inhale slightly but exhaling through my nose. This helps the nic get absorbed from vapor much more efficiently. For me, I'm finding I don't need to inhale so much into my lungs, as the nic can be absorbed other ways.

Tried to get my mom started on vaping, and she had a severe reaction the first drag. It was 100% VG juice too, so PG wasn't an issue. It's technique most of all. I had a couple juices early on that would make me cough and sneeze. I think I was allergic to one of the ingredients. Changing juices stopped that.

Early on I started on Blu cigs. The cartos would give me a sore throat, but once I switched to carto tanks and a mod, it was all good. It can be aggravating at first, finding what works for you. In the end it is worth it. I smoked a regular cigarette a couple weeks ago, and it was so harsh and burning it hurt me. I wondered how I'd smoked them for 25 years.

 

[bnrkwest]

Drink before you vape, during vaping and after vaping. It will help in keeping your vapor moist and less irritating. Inhaling like smoking just doesn't get it with vaping, you have to mix the inhale with air or it will give you coughing fits. bnrk

 

[Vwls]

Drink before you vape, during vaping and after vaping. It will help in keeping your vapor moist and less irritating. Inhaling like smoking just doesn't get it with vaping, you have to mix the inhale with air or it will give you coughing fits. bnrk

Makes sense. I actually can't even smoke regular cigs without either having mints in my mouth or drinking something. LOL I only drink when I smoke ;o)