Vaping over analogs ..... Something you should know.

[suziewright]

I smoked for 40+ years. Started vaping 15 months ago. I started feeling so much better. Smokers cough was gone, the quality of my voice improved, and haven't had one bout of bronchitis since quitting. I vaped 18-36 mg nic.

Started noticing my skin was mottling. Wasn't too concerned at first. After all I am crowding 60 years old. A couple of months ago, I noticed my fingers and toes were turning blue. Long story short, I have been diagnosed with Buergers disease. I explained to my doctor that I had quit smoking over a year ago and now I vape. He asked how much nicotine.

So dear fellow vapors, I have to cut to 0 mg nic immediately. If doc had told me a year ago I was going to have to quit smoking, I would have been in a panic! Probably wouldn't have and would end up losing a hand or foot. (The usual prognosis for smokers who have Buergers disease). But at least through vaping, the first step is cutting to 0 mg. I can do this. At least I will be vaping because I truly enjoy it, not because I need the nicotine.

i just wanted to share this with you. There isn't enough research on vaping. I will keep you posted as I carry this. Hoping it will help someone else to avoid this disease.

 

[Big Screen D]

Sorry to read of your diagnosis. I had looked up Buerger's disease not long after I switched to vaping because I was amazed that my fingers no longer turned blue when cold. They used to go blue and numb when even slightly cold and stay that way for quite awhile, but since switching to vaping, they no longer do so.

From what I read, this disease is associated with tobacco use of any kind. So yes, vaping nicotine may not be as harmless as we'd like to believe. Might try to cut back from 18mg myself.

Hope you defy the odds and this gets well for you.

 

[Sun Tzu]

What does vaping have to do with vapor use? The nicotine juice is created in a lab and has no connection with tobacco. There is nicotine in eggplant and I don't see that causing issues. Is this disease caused by nicotine or tobacco use?

 

[Nsanejain]

Sorry to hear this. It is really hard to say if vaping has anything to do with it though. 40+ years probably had already taken it's toll. Still safer than smoking in my opinion. Anything smoked way to heavily can lead to the oxygen deprivation that causes it. 40+ years likely took its toll on the arteries and veins, especially as one nears 60 while smoking heavily for that long. Probably should stop vaping period at this point so your body gets more oxygen. It really doesn't have so much with the nicotine but more with smoking/vaping too often therefore not breathing enough oxygen. Good luck. IMHO vaping is better than smoking. Personally I do not inhale into the lungs. Just hold in mouth then slowly exhale through nose like a cigar. Nic will absorb through the mouth. But as with anything too much is not good.

 

[cherrycakes]

Wow. Sorry to hear that and wish you the best of luck cutting down to 0 nic. I plan on doing so but not all at once like that.
How much nic were you vaping??

 

[cocacola31173]

The first thing I noticed after I quit smoking was how much pinker my nail beds were. They used to be pale and now they are a pretty pink . I just assumed its because Im probably getting more oxygen in my blood now.

 

[Baditude]

I have a mild to moderate "intention tremor" in my left thumb. It is only noticable when I hold a tool or instrument such as a pair of tweezers or a screwdriver and attempt a fine motor activity. I am right hand dominant so it doesn't affect me with common everyday tasks. However, I assist surgeons in the operating room, and at times I need both hands to function equally. I have in most cases found a work around to my problem.

Before I quit smoking (one pack a day for 30 years) a year ago, I attended a medical conference and one of the speakers was a neurologist. I was able to speak with him one-on-one after his talk, and showed him my tremor. He instantly recognized the "clubbing" of the ends of my fingers and asked if I was a smoker. He said that the condition I had was hereditary and asked if anyone else in my family had it. He also said that smoking made the condition worse (the tremor and the clubbing). I honestly forget if he said this was Buerger's or something else.

Since I've been vaping for a year, and have reduced my nicotine consumption from 24mg down to 12mg, I've noticed that the tremor has become less severe, but it is still there. Even if I someday am able to get down to 0mg nic it may still be present to some degree.

 

[suziewright]

Wow. Sorry to hear that and wish you the best of luck cutting down to 0 nic. I plan on doing so but not all at once like that.
How much nic were you vaping??

Here lately I have been vaping 24 mg nic.




"What does vaping have to do with vapor use? The nicotine juice is created in a lab and has no connection with tobacco. There is nicotine in eggplant and I don't see that causing issues. Is this disease caused by nicotine or tobacco use?"

The nicotine contributes.

I am not bashing smokers or vapors. I have been both. I just wanted to make others aware of my issue.

 

[suziewright]

@ Baditude.....

I too have slight tremors. Developed those over the last 3 months or so.... Another symptom of Buergers is Raynauds syndrome.

 

[Baditude]

@ Baditude.....

I too have slight tremors. Developed those over the last 3 months or so.... Another symptom of Buergers is Raynauds syndrome.

I know what Raynaud's is, too. Luckily I don't have those symptoms, just the intention tremor in the left thumb and the clubbing of all of my fingers.

The tremor is most noticable when holding an instrument with the ball surface of the thumb (the most natural way to hold an instrument). However, I have learned to compensate for this by holding the instrument with the tip of my thumb and the first joint slightly flexed. Not as natural, but it helps reduce the tremor so that it does not affect the fine motor skills required in surgery.

 

[suziewright]

@ Baditude....
I am a nurse and I haven't seen that many cases of Raynauds, until the recent years. How bout you?



I hope there isn't a lot of controversy over this issue. I wanted to document my journey for other vapors. Thank you all for your responses, and well wishes, it does tell me that folks are reading my posts.

 

[Talyon]

Sorry to hear about your infliction, hope u well be ok.

Is there any scientific or medical evidence connecting your disease with nicotine found in Vapeing, just wondering?

Please provide links if possible tyvm.

Just hate hearing when someone isn't well, we have enough to deal with in life. I truly believe your going to succeed cutting back the nic, it's much easier then if U hadn't ever vaped.

 

[DaveP]

Hope you find the right combination to limit your symptoms. We all should be nicotine free, but the alternative for me has been vaping as opposed to smoking. I wonder sometimes if I could just give up nic and vaping but I don't really want to. I enjoy the act of inhaling and exhaling too much.

Maybe 0 nic will be the answer for you. I was certainly able to quit smoking on the 10% to 30% level of nic that vaping is said to provide compared to cigarettes. Going from 30% nic to 0 shouldn't be as traumatic as going from 100% to 30%.

 

[cherrycakes]

I have a mild to moderate "intention tremor" in my left thumb. It is only noticable when I hold a tool or instrument such as a pair of tweezers or a screwdriver and attempt a fine motor activity. I am right hand dominant so it doesn't affect me with common everyday tasks. However, I assist surgeons in the operating room, and at times I need both hands to function equally. I have in most cases found a work around to my problem.

Before I quit smoking (one pack a day for 30 years) a year ago, I attended a medical conference and one of the speakers was a neurologist. I was able to speak with him one-on-one after his talk, and showed him my tremor. He instantly recognized the "clubbing" of the ends of my fingers and asked if I was a smoker. He said that the condition I had was hereditary and asked if anyone else in my family had it. He also said that smoking made the condition worse (the tremor and the clubbing). I honestly forget if he said this was Buerger's or something else.

Since I've been vaping for a year, and have reduced my nicotine consumption from 24mg down to 12mg, I've noticed that the tremor has become less severe, but it is still there. Even if I someday am able to get down to 0mg nic it may still be present to some degree.

hmmm my grandmother had a tremor like that and I have it too.
I'm at 11 mg but like I said want to cut down.

 

[cherrycakes]

@ Baditude....
I am a nurse and I haven't seen that many cases of Raynauds, until the recent years. How bout you?



I hope there isn't a lot of controversy over this issue. I wanted to document my journey for other vapors. Thank you all for your responses, and well wishes, it does tell me that folks are reading my posts.

I wasn't aware of the name of it but my mother always used to say that smoking would make the circulation to your hands and legs numb. I was aware that this could happen to diabetics but I guess that's what she was always talking about. I normally have cold hands and feet and she would say that I needed to smoke less because it was bad for my circulation. I know nicotine is bad for your heart so it only makes sense that it would restrict blood flow as well.

 

[nomorebutts4me]

@ Baditude....
I am a nurse and I haven't seen that many cases of Raynauds, until the recent years. How bout you?



I hope there isn't a lot of controversy over this issue. I wanted to document my journey for other vapors. Thank you all for your responses, and well wishes, it does tell me that folks are reading my posts.

I am glad you have the strength to post a possible health issue that may cause others to be defensive, your bravery is to be applauded since you may help someone out there that is having the same issue...as I am. I had bluing of the lips and finger tips, I immediately cut down my nicotine and my symptoms have improved.

It scares me to think that if I was still smoking I may have had a full out heart attack or worse, I feel that vaping has saved my life in more ways than one and am going to reduce my nicotine as my dependance on cigarettes for nicotine delivery is reduced.

Your post affirms what I had feared in my heart and cutting the nicotine had improved my situation greatly. Thank you again.

 

[suziewright]

Today was my first full day of zero nic. So far no issues. Even went to a new B&M in my neighborhood. Bought 3 bottles of juice. All zero nic!!..... I CAN DO THIS.....WOOT WOOT!

 

[crxess]

Reading this, I understand it as a Predisposition? i.e. a hereditary condition that can be brought forward under certain conditions?

These things are good to know. Facts on causes allow better understanding.

While Vaping seems to be a very good alternative for most, I can understand why some would be at high risk due to specific personal conditions. No different than being from a family where Diabetes is common. Chances are high and more care must be taken.

 

[bunnomatic]

I wasn't aware of the name of it but my mother always used to say that smoking would make the circulation to your hands and legs numb. I was aware that this could happen to diabetics but I guess that's what she was always talking about. I normally have cold hands and feet and she would say that I needed to smoke less because it was bad for my circulation. I know nicotine is bad for your heart so it only makes sense that it would restrict blood flow as well.

I would be interested in how nicotine in reasonable amounts would cause restricted blood flow and a bad heart.

 

[Un-Loco]

Nicotine Stimulates New Blood Vessel Formation; Also Promotes Tumor Growth And Atherosclerosis

I dont know how reliable the source is as I am not fully smart on determining sources and such... I am just a simple man with google, but it answers your EXACT question.

Nicotine or any chemicals we add to our bodies is not something we should just pass off without proper consideration because we want to support a cause, or its better than smoking.