Vaping, Week 4

[gpx114]

Hello,

I'm on my forth week vaping, almost as much cigarette free.

I'm not a particularly sensitive person, and often have trouble listening to what my body is trying to tell me. For example, I have no clue what nicotine feels like (other than that 30s buzz on the first cig after 2-3 days) despite being a 15yr smoker. While I was smoking daily, I never felt that buzz, and wouldn't notice anything different about my body even after chain smoking all night. I say this, because, in general my body has to be damn near screaming at me for me to notice.

The last couple of days, I've realized a couple of symptoms that may or may not be related to vaping.

1. I get really hot. Now, I live in Texas in 95F+ weather and I always go outside to vape (to hang out with my analog smoking buddies) so it's damn hot all the time. But, lately I feel hot even after having sat in the office for a while to cool down. I don't think I've quite ever broken a sweat, but it is still uncomfortable even with my car AC blasting at 67F.

2. I feel like I need to burp after vaping. I'm not sure if vaping itself causes me to need to burp, or if it causes an uneasy feeling in the chest that causes me to start swallowing a lot of air. Either way, once I swallow enough air to actually get the burp out, I feel much much better.

3. I notice a nontrivial increase in my heart rate that I don't think I've noticed before when I was on analogs.

I was about 7-8 cigarettes per day smoker. When I first started vaping, I wanted to eliminate nicotine altogether and tried 0mg. I found that I'm very much a TH fan (I couldn't care less about vapor production, and am easily satisfied by most of the flavors I've tried) - so I bumped it up to 16mg.

I'm wondering if I am simply at too high of a nicotine level for the amount of nicotine my body was previously used to? I have no desire to increase my dependence on nicotine, but I'm worried that a 12mg juice would not provide enough TH and I would revert back to analogs.

For reference,I use a Twist at 4.4V with a VMN with the 1.8 ohm head on a liquid that is approximately 50/50.

 

[Kopfstimmen]

Congratulations!
If you're vaping more than you're smoking, my guess is that you're getting more nic than you're used to (I could easily be wrong, though - I'm sure others will chip in). I hear that PG also gives more TH, and since you don't care about vapor, how about trying upping the PG to 100% and cutting the nic to 12 mg?

 

[fourthrok]

Okay..a couple of things.
1. Feeling heat seems a bit different from what I've heard before. But based on some of your other comments, it might make some sense. Apparently your metabolism is revving on high gear, and that might cause the feeling rather warmer than you are used to.

2. I know what you mean about burping. In my case, it's the way I "toke"...I guess I swallow quite a bit of air because I double and triple draw (and can't seem to break my habit of doing that...not that I'm all that interested in trying really. Except for when I'm in a situation where it's not very slick to burp. But whatever....)

3. The heart rate increase is a flag. That tells me you are overloading on the nicotine. At least you are for your particular body. Some people can vape 24 mg. and seem to have no ill effects. Some can't. You say you are vaping around 16mg. While not considered really "high" by any stretch by most people...that may not be the opinion your body has. It's trying to warn you. Listen! When I started vaping I was coming from a 43 year 2-3 PAD habit. I started with 18mg....thinking that is what I needed due to my past. I didn't really notice a problem the first couple of weeks...except some dizziness. I assumed I was just adjusting. Someone told me that more nicotine equals more TH...so I jumped up to 24 mg. I was fine for about 10 days but suddenly developed insomnia and anxiety and had weird dreams. Then, one day...things came crashing down. My heart was racing...I felt panic...there was a sort of weight between my shoulder blades and in my chest. I was dizzy and weak. Disorientated. I didn't connect the e-cigs or nicotine to the symptoms at all....since I had high blood pressure I thought I was having a heart attack. Everyone says women have different symptoms than men. After calling the doctor, hubby ended up calling emergency and and ambulance whisked me off to the emergency room. They ran dozens of tests on me...for 2 days. Finally they concluded that my heart seemed okay and I was sent home. By that time I'd figured it out: Nicotine overdose. I immediately dropped down to 12mg. after that incident. I've worked down gradually ever since (that was last November) and am now happily vaping 5 mg. I get plenty of TH, too.

Which brings us to the last issue mentioned. Nicotine does add a sort of peppery-ish taste to e-juice. The more nicotine, the more of the "bite". Or TH. In my case...I vape menthol pretty much exclusively. I've found that by upping the coolness (I use koolada along with menthol) and easing up on the "sweet"....I do fine with TH. Also...PG will give you the TH. VG will not...it will mute it, in fact. VG gives you the vapor. PG gives the flavor and TH. So I now vape a DIY mix I make that is 85pg/15vg. Many commercially sold juices are 80/20...which would be fine. That coupled with a "cool" flavor is going to up your TH. Until you can adjust a bit more...it might pay to work with those facts and see if you can find something that will work. There are an assortment of "ice fruits" and ice flavors in general you can try. You don't HAVE to be locked into menthol. Check it out!

 

[Vapoor eyes er]

A HUGE congrats on 4 weeks...give yourself a pat on the back.

1. I get really hot. Now, I live in Texas in 95F+ weather and I always go outside to vape (to hang out with my analog smoking buddies) so it's damn hot all the time. But, lately I feel hot even after having sat in the office for a while to cool down. I don't think I've quite ever broken a sweat, but it is still uncomfortable even with my car AC blasting at 67F.

I've noticed I can no longer handle the heat either.

2. I feel like I need to burp after vaping. I'm not sure if vaping itself causes me to need to burp, or if it causes an uneasy feeling in the chest that causes me to start swallowing a lot of air. Either way, once I swallow enough air to actually get the burp out, I feel much much better.

Could very well be from swallowing air while vaping. I had "air" problems when I first began but I was chain vaping at the time.

3. I notice a nontrivial increase in my heart rate that I don't think I've noticed before when I was on analogs.

One of the first things I did after starting to vape was go in for a full checkup and reveal to my GP that I was vaping. Nicotine is a stimulant also BUT can also be a relaxant. Your nic level may be too high.

I was about 7-8 cigarettes per day smoker. When I first started vaping, I wanted to eliminate nicotine altogether and tried 0mg. I found that I'm very much a TH fan (I couldn't care less about vapor production, and am easily satisfied by most of the flavors I've tried) - so I bumped it up to 16mg.

...but I'm worried that a 12mg juice would not provide enough TH and I would revert back to analogs....on a liquid that is approximately 50/50.

16 mg may be a little too high for an ex smoker of 7-8 analogs per day. PG enhances TH and lung hit so you may want to up your ratio to the industry standards- 80/ 20 or 70/ 30 PG/ VG. VG= vapor. I was vaping a very low mg at 60/40 PG/ VG and was not getting any TH/ lung hit. I upped my ratio to 80/ 20 PG/ VG and can now feel a TH/ lung hit.
Good Luck and again congrats.

 

[Perpetualsharon]

I'm 4 weeks in, also. I've noticed that I too felt the need to burp a lot in the beginning. I think it was me taking in too much air when vaping. Since I started vaping more like a cigar smoker and not inhaling as much or or as often, the burping has gone away.

As for the heart rate increase(me, too), look at your caffeine consumption. I drink coffee like water and vape like breathing. If I do too much of either, then my heart rate spikes a little and if I do a lot I get nauseated. I have learned to listen to my body and cut back on one or both and I lowered my nicotine level from 24mg down to 16mg. Also, chocolate consumption could be a factor. It has caffeine as well. Over the weekend, I had a Starbucks venti cafe mocha and vaped in the car. Umm, chocolate, caffeine and nicotine, all wrapped into one... It was a good thing my husband was driving. I broke out into sweats with my heart racing. No more Starbucks for me.

 

[darkanjel]

Hi! I smoked about the same amount as you did. When I first started vaping, I opted for the 12mg nic level. It didn't give me any problems with increased heart rate.

I hope that you would find the right nic level for your needs. Good luck on your journey.

 

[Kopfstimmen]

Hmmm... Oddly enough (and not to change the subject), I found myself switching from coffee with milk and sugar to black tea without sugar... There was no conscious decision on my part; it just happened.
I know that tea has caffeine too, of course.

 

[kiwivap]

Hiya - a few thoughts. I agree with the other comments here.
The heat can be from dehydration - you can feel hotter because you've lost some fluid. Drink lots of water when vaping.
Sounds like your nic is too high - especially if you smoked 7-8 cigs a day. I smoked a lot more than that started on 24 and 18 mg. I have my nic currently at 12mg. I get good throat hit from that. I'd suggest trying 12 or even 6 mg.
Slightly increase heart rate - I had that when I'd vaped too much nicotine. A lower nic mg should help.

 

[gpx114]

Great. It sounds as I suspected. Too much nicotine.

I will probably toss my current juices (a shame, as they are nearly full) and get some 8mg or 12mg, with a higher PG. I hope that I can still get the TH that I'm looking for out of them. I was worried that these were signs of PG sensitivity, and that I'd have to try to move over to 100% VG.

I'm pretty good about coffee, I stick to about 1 cup per day (sometimes two in the winter); and that last analog I smoked was purely to compare the experience to the ecig (analogs now taste awful!). As for hydration, I know I am constantly dehydrated. I absolutely hate the taste of water (it always tastes stale to me, like that girl from Signs). But, I guess I'll have to learn to adjust. Smoking, vaping, or not -- I really should start drinking more water.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[Vapoor eyes er]

No need to dump your 16 mg juice. If you like your present juices just buy equal quantities in the same flavor and mix- example if you want 12 mg- buy equal ml of 8 mg juice in the same flavor and mix with your existing 16 mg= 12 mg juice

Great. It sounds as I suspected. Too much nicotine.

I will probably toss my current juices (a shame, as they are nearly full) and get some 8mg or 12mg, with a higher PG. I hope that I can still get the TH that I'm looking for out of them. I was worried that these were signs of PG sensitivity, and that I'd have to try to move over to 100% VG.

I'm pretty good about coffee, I stick to about 1 cup per day (sometimes two in the winter); and that last analog I smoked was purely to compare the experience to the ecig (analogs now taste awful!). As for hydration, I know I am constantly dehydrated. I absolutely hate the taste of water (it always tastes stale to me, like that girl from Signs). But, I guess I'll have to learn to adjust. Smoking, vaping, or not -- I really should start drinking more water.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[Bradan]

how do you distinguish too much nic from pg sensitivity? I have 24mg 80pg/20vg and my throat gets rough after half a day of vaping.

 

[Vapoor eyes er]

how do you distinguish too much nic from pg sensitivity? I have 24mg 80pg/20vg and my throat gets rough after half a day of vaping.

I was vaping 60/ 40 and the only reason I went to a higher PG ( 80/ 20 PG/VG) is because it is known as a throat irritant. Unless you're getting dizzy, having headaches or having heart palpitations the 24 mg should be ok. VERY important to drink lots of water...dehydration can quickly ruin the vape experience.

 

[wrenfisher]

I absolutely hate the taste of water (it always tastes stale to me, like that girl from Signs). But, I guess I'll have to learn to adjust. Smoking, vaping, or not -- I really should start drinking more water.

Non vaping-related tip: Put two or three tea bags in a pitcher of water each morning. I usually use fruit teas combined with a bit of decaf green. This gives the water a more pleasant flavour without going overboard. It's way more refreshing than sugared beverages on a hot day, too.

 

[fourthrok]

If you can gpx114 you can get your same flavors you now have in a lower nic (like Vapoor was saying) AND...depending on the vendor...ask for pure PG. Then mix you juices together for a lower nic and higher PG level. That would work!! You may need to contact the vendor to see if they can mix a pure PG version for you...or just choose in the highest % PG in the flavor you want as they supply. Good luck!

 

[jackrussel]

"Great. It sounds as I suspected. Too much nicotine.

I will probably toss my current juices (a shame, as they are nearly full) and get some 8mg or 12mg, with a higher PG."

Why not buy the same juice nic free and mix it together to get the nic content you want?

 

[Buggs5347]

You don't have to drink plain water. Lemonade, flavored water, and other liquid beverages - preferably not caffeinated - will all help.