Vaping...More harm then good? For me yes...Im done!!!!!!

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Gulliverfoyle

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Thank you for returning and sharing your experience. IMHO any first hand information is a welcome addition as we really are the beta testers of this ever changing electronic cigarette system.

Hello folks!

On my last post, when i said "Im done" (posting) I meant it. The only reason i am doing an "update" is because of all the emails ive received, from all the good people who were genuinely concerned about my progress.

Its been about four months since quitting vaping. The breathing problems, anxiety, and my face felling "hot", went away almost immediately...and have not returned.

The pain i was having in my "kidney" area, didnt go away, so i went to my doctor (as i said i would if these problems didnt subside) to have him check it out. It turnes out, I had a severley broken rib.

The way I see it, three of the four side effects I had, had everything to do with vaping...one of the side effects, had nothing to do with vaping.

During my doctor visit, I let him know how I had been vaping for about a year, and how it was a concern of mine with these problems I was having. He knew nothing about vaping side effects, nor if it was a safe alternative. In my heart of hearts, i believe it is a "safer" alternative, but far from a "safe" alternative.

Like ive said from the start, I am thankfull for the ecig for the fact I no longer smoke analogs, and without them, I would still be smoking. It will be many years before we know exactly what effect vaping has on our bodies. Until the "truth" of vaping is established, please listen to your bodies, as they dont lie!

I continue to wish everybody the best of luck, on your journeys to stay off analogs. It can be done!
 

skye

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Hey y'all,

I've been vaping for three months. Yay me! I am LOVING it.

With analogs, I had a lot of issues , plus I know with out a doubt they would kill me.

Since vaping, I've had few issues -
hot flashes/night sweats, a few dreams, nothing like what has been described here.

So sorry ecigs didn't work for you, and hope if your condition's persists, you will go to a doctor.

Many Blessings!
 

telsie

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The problem with threads like this is that they're reactionary instead of informative. Why post an announcement about stopping vaping because of medical problems that you think are caused by vaping? How about quitting the ecigs, seeing how you feel and/or what the doctor says and then posting? After going through this whole thread, we find out eventually that the problems were likely caused by a severe broken rib (and possibly panic attacks).

It's important for people to discuss health concerns because without formal testing, we're largely relying on logic and common sense to determine the safety of vaporized flavored nicotine. And while I still firmly believe these are safe in general, they may not be safe for everyone. Peanuts are completely safe to eat, but they can also kill people with peanut allergies.

I think the original post itself was presented in too alarming a manner. It was a premature post and, therefore, inappropriate. I can totally understand the OP wanting to post their personal health concerns as they relate to ecigs, but it should be done more responsibly.
 

DataPhreak

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I haven't read the whole thread here, but would just like to say that chantix has worse side effects. My wife tried it and went through severe mood swings, bouts of nausea, headaches, loss of apetite, bloating, and skin irritation. Again, can't say that all of that was caused by chantix, but she lost the symptoms after she quit. (The rash was the final straw for her. I think i would have stopped with the nausea personally.)

As far as being put on an inhaler, it's not suprising to me at all. Having smoked for as long as you have, you'll likely have done severe damage to your lungs already. And of course, PG is a skin irritant, so it will cause your lungs to respond to it, not to mention the condensation you get on your vaporiser when you use it will also condense in your lungs, further compounding the situation. Obviously, however you have been to the doctor if you have an inhaler, because you have to have a prescription to get them, or did you have a prior prescription due to athsma? Further, 4 inhalers a year isn't bad. Most people with asthma use 1 to 4 a month and often have other meds to help control the symptoms.

That being said, it should be everyones goal to quit all together, unless you just enjoy it too much and are here for the long haul. I send my best wishes to you and yours on your journey away from nicotine all together.
 

MichelleDen

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The problem with threads like this is that they're reactionary instead of informative. Why post an announcement about stopping vaping because of medical problems that you think are caused by vaping? How about quitting the ecigs, seeing how you feel and/or what the doctor says and then posting? After going through this whole thread, we find out eventually that the problems were likely caused by a severe broken rib (and possibly panic attacks).

It's important for people to discuss health concerns because without formal testing, we're largely relying on logic and common sense to determine the safety of vaporized flavored nicotine. And while I still firmly believe these are safe in general, they may not be safe for everyone. Peanuts are completely safe to eat, but they can also kill people with peanut allergies.

I think the original post itself was presented in too alarming a manner. It was a premature post and, therefore, inappropriate. I can totally understand the OP wanting to post their personal health concerns as they relate to ecigs, but it should be done more responsibly.

+ 1.........................
 

DataPhreak

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It sounds to me like you were taking in too much nicotine. By the way, whenever you significantly change your nicotine levels, you will get strange dreams.

From what i've seen in research reports, it's going to be incredibly hard to get your nicotine levels higher than using anologs. Possible, but difficult. More likely the culprit is constantly elevated nicotine levels. Where cigarettes cause nicotine levels to spike then slowly fade off. Ecigs, generally will cause a constant elevation level with regular use.
 

mel_vin

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Hi Everyone,

This is an interesting thread, and truth be told, I think every smoker or now vaper, really really hopes that vaping truly is safe. Whats funny is, we know smoking is not safe at all and it will catch up to you eventually, and yet we still do it...but we always question vaping. But one thing I also think that is worth mentioning is just how much people vape in compared to smoking, plus all these "mods". This cant be good either. I kind of equate that to like smoking 4 cigs taped together at once...but anyway, let me share my story:

I joined ECF a year ago. I was quitting smoking, and was about 3 weeks in. When I think back to it, I cant even remember how I even came across ECF or E-cigs for that matter. I did my research and ask my questions here on the forum. I ordered a KR808 kit from V4L with Zero NIC, as I didnt want to feed the nicotine addiction already being 3 weeks into quitting. I just wanted to deal with the hand to mouth oral fixation was my thinking. I can tell you I first started with PG, and I felt like crap every time I vaped it. Just an "odd" heavy feeling in my head for lack of a better way to explain. I got canker sores, and suffered some panic attacks (which I have had in the past but found the timing was interesting). Someone can tell me till their blue in the face that these all sound like "quitting symptoms" but I have "quit" smoking in the past before (twice) and each time I never felt like that. No cankers, no weird heavy head feeling, and no panic attacks...just miserable and irritable.

I stopped for a while, did more research here on ECF, and then decided to try some VG cartomizers and was happy with the results. No cankers. Panic attacks were hit and miss and was unsure if it was related or not (besides how can you really prove that?) Anyway at that time already being like 3 months in at no smoking, I decided I could take or leave vaping, but would fall back on it should I ever desired to have a cigarette, but stuck with VG. When I would have a couple of drinks, I would pull it out and vape away, and must say loving it! Blowing smoke rings, the flavor (green tea VG). I even decided to order a 510 to see if that was better (pre cartomiser time for the 510s). I did not like the 510. Felt and tasted "chemically" to me, even with VG and would get the heavy head feeling and I didnt like the dripping and filling of it either...I just felt like a chronic lol. Ended up Giving the 510 away but kept my 808s for the once in a whiles... During these times, I went to the DR and had blood work done and stuff and mentioned my experience and he just said forget those e cigs, you are doing great. So I did and hadn't touched them for a long time. I would come on ECF and read through the health and safety board and see what people were saying, hoping for more positive story's from peoples DR and such...still hoping that vaping isn't really gonna screw me up, I only do it occasionally for the oral and social habit of it...

Now here we are present day still analog free almost 14 months! A friend of mine is quitting smoking at work. We talked about home much we loved to smoke and how hard it is. I told her about ecigs, she said she heard about them, and would love to see it in action. I pulled out my old 808s and still had a few cartos (and wasnt sure they were dry or not). Charged it up and brought it to work. Showed her how it worked (and remember how much I loved V4L's Green Tea VG flavor) and I was digging the oral fixation of it all again, blowing my "o" rings LOL. I get inspired and in span of a few hours, come on here do some reading and I even go and order an M602 (as that was going to be the next model I wanted to try and thought screw it, lets try it!). The M602 now comes in cartos now (im all about the ease of use), and ordered up some VG Zero NIC juice...I vape through out the rest of the day...well guess what? I start feeling that weird heavy headed feeling again, and started to feel all twitchy and jittery....And today, I had a mini panic attack. go figure! This just blows, I just dropped 100 bucks on a new started kit, juices and cartos!

Is it related? I have no idea and not sure if I could even prove it, but I was feeling alright before all this. I haven't taken a drag from my ecig since yesterday...Ive been panicky all day, (and I know some of that is panic to have another panic attack, a cycle I typically deal with when I get the initial attack). This would really suck if this is screwing me up some how. I love the idea of a "safer" way to "smoke" if such thing were to exist...for me its not even about the nicotine anymore, its still very much habitual...now we are seeing ecigs everywhere. In the movies (Johnny Depp), the celebrities: that chick on Letterman who's name escapes me now, Leo DeCaprio...Plus the mention on that show: The Doctors, woohoo, some recognition!...I dunno, maybe my cartos were dry and I was inhaling some burnt filler and got a reaction from it, I will dissect my carton when I got back to work on Monday...

Im still on the fence about it. This is all still very new. Whats the longest people have been vaping for? Are they PG or PG/VG blend or VG? Why the heck did I feel like that after all this time? As an ex smoker, I know I am always gonna be tempted to go back every now and again...the crappy thing is, Im soo jealous of those people who can like bum a smoke or 2 of someone and then go without for like months! I tried that, and have always ended back up a smoker, and this is why I think that ecigs are fantastic, ad I can get them in fun flavors and no nicotine...anyways I digress, sorry for rambling ,I cant sleep :oops:
 

MichelleDen

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Hey Mel, i havent had any of my friends, who quit, have these sideeffects either..

But i think that a nonsmoker, starting vaping would have the same experiences... heavy head, feling bad.. The reason most of us dont feel we get that vith vaping is that we came from analogs.. and continue to feed the nic habit..Vaping gives alot less bad feeling in the head.. boy the last time i tried to smoke, i got so sick i wanted to puke.. going on 6 months with only the kr8. When i smoked i was panicking over smoking all the time... as soon as i opened my eyes in the morning, i would get up to smoke.. no linguring in bed.. Now i never get that panacky feeling...
Remember vividly when i started to smoke.. you sorta had to get over the feeling sick point for a while.... I think your no nic and only vaping once in a while is what makes you notice it more.. I think we all get a bit drowsy and heavy headed, when vaping. We just dont really notice it cus most do it all the time... An compared to analogs its next to nothing.. Just my thoughts when reading your post..
 

mel_vin

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Hey Mich,

You bring up some good points there, the only thing I question there is the "heavy head" thing. Most of what Ive read in here about a similar symptom is that the person may be vaping to high of a nicotine level and I was only ever Zero, but hey who knows.

I'll try when I get my 602 and see what its like...

thanks for the reply!
 

DataPhreak

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Mel, with the cankers, it sounds more like an alergic reaction. The heavy head and panic attacks are likely due to decreased oxygen intake due to inflamation or swelling in the lungs, again for an alergic reaction. Again, can't really prove or disprove anything, but if switching to VG helped, that's likely the cause. If you can put the vape down, though, by all means do it, and I'm glad that ecigs were there to help when you needed!
 

MikeDeason

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I been vaping HARDCORE for over a year.

Over 35ml of juice per week.

My lungs have cleared up, I no longer have shortness of breath, my energy level is up and my sense of taste has improved.

People who have ill effects are allergic to the PG or flavoring.

Its a no brainer that e cigs are better for you than real cigs.

Duh.
 

DataPhreak

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Mike, it may not necessarily be an alergy thing. You also have to consider a lot of other potential reaction types. And noone is saying that it's worse. They're just sharing their own personal experience. Further both have freely said that ecigs have helped them kick the analog habit. Now they're just kicking the digital one. They deserve our support, not sarcasm.
 

bmwjen

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I know this is an old thread, but it popped up on my "recent posts". I hope you've had your symptoms checked out by a physician. I've only been vaping just over a month, so I haven't felt any of the side effects that some vapors have reported. I honestly hope that I never have them. Just like you though, I do feel better since i've stopped smoking.
Best of luck to you & keep us updated please.
 

Majestic

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Mike, it may not necessarily be an alergy thing. You also have to consider a lot of other potential reaction types. And noone is saying that it's worse. They're just sharing their own personal experience. Further both have freely said that ecigs have helped them kick the analog habit. Now they're just kicking the digital one. They deserve our support, not sarcasm.

+1 :thumbs:
 

the_antisheep

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@mel - Actually, I have found that certain popular vaping liquids have made me down right sick (nauseous) as a constant vape. I'm not going to list them as I don't want to hurt their reputation, but I currently use a 24mg VG vape liquid with very little flavor that does not seem to have bad side effects, and that seems to be key for me. I do notice occasionally if I get crazy with it I will develop a bad sore throat, and I have noticed that I get sick more often than when I was smoking... The latter being a coincidence? Probably.

I have also noticed a decrease in the overall "drive" to be active that I had when I was smoking. That could likely be blamed on the previous addiction as well. I often notice testimonials start with: "I have so much energy!" I found exactly the opposite. I was avidly riding my bike and being way more aggressive in exercise, whereas now I just feel "eh," and some of that has to do with the wild sleeping schedule changes I went through over the past year since I quit as well, I'm sure. I figure most of the testimonials that start off that way are based on psychological preconditioning. We are taught to have that expectation, and when you quit, yes, your lungs feel better, but do you really feel better as a person? I'd say from a pride aspect, yes, from a day to day psychological and physical aspect, at least for me? No.

All that being said, I would never go back, nor do I have the urge to go back.

I have been enjoying vaping for maybe a year or more, and I don't have a solid reason to quit, other than it would probably be better for me and the previous things I have mentioned. Vaping really should be a gateway to QUITTING, but I still enjoy the lung hit, and like having something to do when I'm bored (there's still and addiction factor there).
 
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