Very discouraged... (sorry, long)

[Briar]

Hi, all.

Well, it's my third day of trying to vape, and so far it's been kinda discouraging.

I am still choking on the vapor. If the stuff hits the back of my throat in anything other than miniscule amounts, my breathing apparatus just closes up and I choke, wheeze, etc. Worse than anything I have ever had with analogs.

Even if I manage to get a few vapes in (not inhaling, or just barely inhaling with more air than vapor), I get a tightness in my tubes for a while after - these are all asthmatic symptoms that are not getting any better.

This is not a PG allergy either, I am using a VG based liquid. I suppose it's possible I am allergic to something else in the liquid. I am still waiting for the stuff I ordered to show up.

Then this morning I woke up to find drops of liquid on the outside of my device. I pulled the cart off and found that the stuffing was above the rim of the cart, and wicking liquid over the rim of it. Does this normally happen? Am I supposed to take the cart off if I am not using it for a bit, like overnight? I am not ecstatic about getting this stuff on my lips. The taste is kind of sweet, but it is poisonous, after all...

And now I am being paranoid about dropping something and my dog getting into it. <sigh>

Additionally, the analog cravings are fierce - and that's an understatement. I finally allowed myself a couple of analogs yesterday, and probably will smoke a few today just to keep myself sane. I hate to say this, but so far the vaping just isn't helping...

The isues I am experiencing are not allowing me to relax while I vape, and that's the major problem. The main reason I smoke is to relax, and right now vaping is causing me more anxiety than anything else...

Please, someone, tell me that there is hope this will get better. Right now I am majorly depressed about the whole thing...

Briar.

 

[mnealtx]

In regards to the feeling in your throat...try taking the vapor into your mouth, then inhale it - like you would drink through a straw. That may help.

 

[happily]

have you tried different flavors

 

[maryjo]

Which pv are you using? The problem could be with the primer that comes on the atomizer. That hurts my throat if I don't blow it out. Have you tried PG base? Maybe you are allergic to VG.

I hope we can help.

 

[happily]

high nicotine levels can be very harsh also.........what strength do you have?

 

[rejoice]

What mg of nicotine are you using? Do not smoke like an cigarette.

 

[Briar]

A little more info and clarifications:

I am using a 510 with a manual battery. The device is working fine, I think, other than the cart leaking this morning... I depress the button only for a very short time, to get the minimum amount of vapor at a time.

I use a couple of different tecniques to vape: I pull the vapor into my mouth, then let some air in and inhale just a little bit. Alternatively, I pull vapor into my mouth, then let it out and re-inhale it from the air - again, very carefully. (necessity is a mother of invention). Always a two-stage process. Or, I don't inhale at all, just take it into my mouth and back out. Anything more than this provokes a fierce choking/couphing fit.

The liquid I use is high-nic which came with the kit. I am *still* waiting for the low-nic stuff I ordered (annoyed about it, to be honest). I am hoping the problems have to do with the high nic percentage (26mg, I think), but the way I am inhaling, I am not getting much of it in.

Briar.

 

[Janetda]

Hi Briar,

I'm sorry you're struggling so. I think some of us take to this quickly and others either ease into it slowly or it just doesn't work for them. As mnealtx said, sucking it into your mouth first, then inhaling from there may help. That is the method I've always used...it's just the natural way I do it.

You didn't mention which model you have. I use a J-118 and can't say I've ever had the problem you have with the leakage. But I imagine that taking apart the device before bed, if for no other reason than to drain the atty is a good idea.

You also didn't mention which strength of nic-juice you're using. It's possible that you need to bump it up to help with the cravings. Also, remember that even though nicotine is dangerous in large quantities, a couple of drops of nic-juice on your lips isn't going to poison you. It tastes nasty, but that's about it. Of course you want to keep it from your dogs, I too worry that mine will get hold of a bottle, so I'm careful with it. But I'm careful with all sorts of things I don't want my dogs to get into. This is no different.

At the end of the day, these devices aren't for everyone. I would be sad if that's the case for you, but you sound so miserable that you might want to take a breather...so to speak...and maybe try again at another time.

 

[Janetda]

oops, you posted while I was writing! sorry!

 

[Majestic]

Hi Briar,

Another possibility, are you allergic to nuts by chance? Alot of juice formulas have nut extract in them.

 

[Briar]

Hi Briar,

Another possibility, are you allergic to nuts by chance? Alot of juice formulas have nut extract in them.

I am not allergic to nuts, as far as I know - I eat them rarely, but without any problems.

Has anyone ever reported being allergic to VG?

 

[Robert]

Find the Pyramid Tea Bag thread- Those burning hairs (it is the burning taste your getting from the filler material getting 1 hair sucked to the atty) were my last problem with vaping- the Pyramid Tea Bag method has completely eliminated that problem- it perfet new!

 

[redjazzy1]

Briar, I had some issues on the start up too ( i picked up a smoking everywhere kit at the mall) but once you find your niche with it, it really does help and ROCK!! But it may be just like smoking... not for everyone. Give it a fair shake and wait til your order shows up... the 510 is a big vapor producer too (from what i understand, i use an 801 but will be getting a 510 soon!), it may not be the PV for you! Check the classifieds thread as a last resort to see if you can maybe trade it out with someone if you're still not happy with it. I wish you the best...

 

[mnealtx]

With what Robert said, here's something you can try: Drip 2 drops onto the bridge wick of your atomizer (the arched silver braid). Put on an EMPTY cartridge (no filler) and take several puffs but blow it out - don't inhale it. Long, slow drags, but SOFT - like sipping air through a straw. You should be able to feel the vapor hitting your tongue and palate. When you start getting very little vapor (probably 5-6 good puffs), stop for a couple minutes to let the atomizer cool off.

Repeat this 3-4 times - if the nasty taste goes away, you still had primer on your atomizer. If the nasty taste goes away with the first puffs, your cartridge was probably too dry and you were scorching the filler - and that's going to taste like crap regardless of what filler you use.

One final possibility - you can't smoke these things like a cigarette. It needs time between drags to give the liquid a chance to wick down to the atomizer. Take a drag, then wait 30-60 seconds before your next drag, so you don't dry out the cartridge and get that nasty burnt taste.

 

[Elendil]

I hate to say it because the 510 is a good unit, but you might do better with an 801. The vapor from an 801 tends to be a little cooler than the 510 and you might be able to tolerate it a little better. If the 801 works for you, you can always sell the 510 stuff in the classifieds on this forum and get some of your cash back........................

 

[DonDaBoomVape]

That 24mg nicotine level may be way too strong for you. [As it is for me.]

What kind of analogs (i.e., conventional cigarettes) were/are you smoking? Unfiltered, regular, lite, or ultralite? If lite or ultralite, 24mg is probably much too much for you. [I smoked 15 ultralites per day and now vape 11-12mg.]

Perhaps, the 510 is delivering too strong a throat hit (one of its attributes that most people like about) for *you*.

And do check out other flavors. For example, my wife has a strong negative reaction to mint and menthol.

Best wishes!

 

[snap6cat]

I hate to say it because the 510 is a good unit, but you might do better with an 801. The vapor from an 801 tends to be a little cooler than the 510 and you might be able to tolerate it a little better. If the 801 works for you, you can always sell the 510 stuff in the classifieds on this forum and get some of your cash back........................

Good Idea!
The 801 usually runs much cooler..on mine the atomizer does not seem to heat up to the touch...but remember some people just prefer tobacco, if so there is probably not a lot you can do...
David

 

[TnA]

I hate to say it because the 510 is a good unit, but you might do better with an 801. The vapor from an 801 tends to be a little cooler than the 510 and you might be able to tolerate it a little better. If the 801 works for you, you can always sell the 510 stuff in the classifieds on this forum and get some of your cash back........................

That 24mg nicotine level may be way too strong for you. [As it is for me.]

What kind of analogs (i.e., conventional cigarettes) were/are you smoking? Unfiltered, regular, lite, or ultralite? If lite or ultralite, 24mg is probably much too much for you. [I smoked 15 ultralites per day and now vape 11-12mg.]

Perhaps, the 510 is delivering too strong a throat hit (one of its attributes that most people like about) for *you*.

And do check out other flavors. For example, my wife has a strong negative reaction to mint and menthol.

Best wishes!

+1 My initial thought is that you are finding the vapor too strong/harsh/hot for your throat. Do you know anyone nearby with a different model e-cig to try? I personally find the 510 to be way too hot and harsh on my throat and continue to find the DSE-901 and 801 to provide good flavor, good vapor, good throat hit and not be too harsh on my throat. Different manufacturers, flavors, and nicotine strengths will also definitely affect you differently! Stick with it and don't let this get you down!

 

[Briar]

+1 My initial thought is that you are finding the vapor too strong/harsh/hot for your throat. Do you know anyone nearby with a different model e-cig to try? I personally find the 510 to be way too hot and harsh on my throat and continue to find the DSE-901 and 801 to provide good flavor, good vapor, good throat hit and not be too harsh on my throat. Different manufacturers, flavors, and nicotine strengths will also definitely affect you differently! Stick with it and don't let this get you down!

Thanks so much for the encouragement, TnA - and everyone...

I'd thought I had it figured out yesterday, but not quite, apparently. I've tried every mouth technique suggested (and some I invented), without all that much success. Unless I don't inhale *at all* (which gives me no nic), I get asthma symptoms.

Part of it has to be the liquid. I am using v. high nic content liguid from Innovapor which came with my kit, and obviously it's too much for me. Plus, I am having problems with the fact that it's VG-based. I feel this "filmy" stuff in my mouth and throat, and it's annoying, and, because I am not inhaling all that much of it, the "leftovers" settled on my windows and I've had to clean them twice in as many days... Hmmm... I wonder what it's doing to my 'puter?..

As I understand it, PG is less heavy and, hopefully, less greasy. So...

I am waiting for low-nic stuff, both PG and VG based, just so I can compare.

If that doesn't work, I'll get another model, an 801 or 901, and see if that solves the issue.

I shudder at the expense at this point, but I really need this to work...

However, if that doesn't work, I'll just have to sell the stuff and go back to analogs until I figure out some other way to get off this thrice-damned, pardon my french, habit. Maybe an empty (no smoke) water-pipe with a nic inhaler on the side! 8-o

Right now I'm still trying to get over the asthma attack brought on by my morning attemt to vape... I'm done until I get my new stuff. I even washed the atomizer to get the "evil" stuff off, just in case I am actually allergic to something in there.

I can't believe I have to be a weird person who can't tolerate this - why me??? I actually *like* how this tastes and all - and it seemed like such a *good* idea! Grrrrrr. Just my luck.

Bedraggled cheers,
Briar.

 

[adopted1962]

Your not the only one who can't inhale without coughing! I just posted a thread about feeling like I was the only one not able to use this to quit smoking. I blame myself for not even trying...