Very discouraged... (sorry, long)

[Briar]

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...

Nah... Don't blame yourself - that's never good. {{{virtual hug}}}

I'm curious - what are you using - which pv and which juice?

I intend to keep trying until I exhaust the possibilities. It's too good of an idea not to give it a chance.

Cheers,
Briar.

 

[adopted1962]

I've used both, so I don't think its that. I think I'm trying to inhale it like I smoke. People have suggested not to do that.

 

[Cori]

When I first started I had nothing but coughing fits. Turns out the nic I was using 24mg was just too strong for me. I cut that to 16 and just hit on the 24 once in awhile until I got used to it. Now I'm vaping 11mg. I would try the lower nic juice and see if that helps.

I think our throats too have to adjust to have something foreign in them. My first week I had a sore throat, I'd cough up a lung on almost every inhale. While smoking is more of a dry sensation, vapor is moist. Smoke your ciggies as needed and ease yourself into vaping. It'll work out..best of luck.

 

[Briar]

When I first started I had nothing but coughing fits. Turns out the nic I was using 24mg was just too strong for me. I cut that to 16 and just hit on the 24 once in awhile until I got used to it. Now I'm vaping 11mg. I would try the lower nic juice and see if that helps.

I think our throats too have to adjust to have something foreign in them. My first week I had a sore throat, I'd cough up a lung on almost every inhale. While smoking is more of a dry sensation, vapor is moist. Smoke your ciggies as needed and ease yourself into vaping. It'll work out..best of luck.

Well, that makes me feel a bit better... I am choking on 24 mg liquid, and I ordered 11 mg and 8 mg. Maybe I'll be able to tolerate that better. Also, you are right about the vapor being "wet" - maybe it just takes a bit to get used to it for some of us.

Also, I really think it may be the VG in the liquid that's giving me problems. It just feels kinda greasy in my mouth. I'm hoping PG based liquid won't feel that way.

Briar.

 

[JustJulie]

You've gotten some excellent advice.

I have two thoughts to add to the discussion . . .

I'd go to a craft store or Walmart and pick up a small bottle of glycerine. You can find it in the candy making/cake decorating section. I'd try putting a few drops of glycerine on my atomizer and then vaping with an empty cartridge (just the mouthpiece, no filter material in it). Now, there will be some residual liquid in the atomizer well left over from your previous vaping sessions, but see if you can vape through that to get to the point where you're vaping pure glycerine--you'll probably have to add a couple more drops of glycerin after vaping for a bit. Anyway, that might give you some indication of whether it's the nicotine that's causing the problem or perhaps the flavoring in the liquid you're using.

My second suggestion is that you be patient with yourself when it comes to giving up analogs. While many people find it quite easy to say good-bye to the stinky sticks, the road is a bit rockier for others. Many people cut down their analog intake over time, and find that they do so quite naturally and painlessly. It doesn't have to be an all or nothing proposition . . . just focus on the fact that you're reducing your dependence on tobacco.

 

[Rebecca]

When I started vaping it was with an RN (whatever number) from Smoking Everywhere and it just wasn't quite doing it for me. I moved on to a 901 and felt satisfied with the vapor and throat hit. Then I got "greedy" and ordered a 510. It kills my throat and I eased right back to my 901. My husband, however, loves the 510.

I hate to suggest spending more money on yet another product when you're already feeling discouraged. Hopefully one or more of the other suggestions will work or you'll be fine when your new lower nic juice arrives. Good luck.

 

[TnA]

I'd go to a craft store or Walmart and pick up a small bottle of glycerine. You can find it in the candy making/cake decorating section. I'd try putting a few drops of glycerine on my atomizer and then vaping with an empty cartridge (just the mouthpiece, no filter material in it). Now, there will be some residual liquid in the atomizer well left over from your previous vaping sessions, but see if you can vape through that to get to the point where you're vaping pure glycerine--you'll probably have to add a couple more drops of glycerin after vaping for a bit. Anyway, that might give you some indication of whether it's the nicotine that's causing the problem or perhaps the flavoring in the liquid you're using.

+1 JustJulie As I was reading this thread, I had the exact same thought!

Briar, Walmart has two different areas that sells glycerine (that I've been told). The only place I ever went to was the pharmacy area in the skin care/band-aid aisle where they have bottles of Humco glycerin (labeled as a skin protectant). These bottles only cost you a few bucks (can't remember the exact price) for 6 oz and I've barely made a dent in mine. The other section is supposed to be in their cake/bake aisle(?) but I've never bothered to search there.

Many people have noted that the VG does cause some noticeable affect to their throats, but the benefits of quitting/cutting down on analogs overcomes any of those. So, it is very likely that you will just need a little bit of time to adjust.

To test if the VG is the biggest issue for you, here's what I would suggest. Take the atomizer you have been using and rinse it thoroughly with hot running tap water (let the water run right into the atomizer from the cartridge end). Then, blow out the excess water by blowing into the battery connector end of the atomizer. Place the atomizer (cartridge side) face down on a towel and let dry a few hours or overnight. This should remove 99% of any liquid you had in there. Once dry, connect the atomizer back to your battery, and place 3 drops of glycerin (presuming you picked up a bottle somewhere) directly onto the atomizer. Place an empty cartridge (no filler/no juice) onto the atomizer and give it a couple of puffs (not inhales) until you start producing vapor. Then try inhaling a few of the puffs and see how that affects you. At that point, you will be inhaling pure glycerin and this will hopefully help you determine if glycerin is the cause.

If this doesn't cause issues, then glycerin should be fine with you. If so, you can also weaken the nicotine mg strength of your current carts by adding a few drops of glycerin onto your carts, if there is room. If not, just drip a couple of drops on the atomizer and then place your cart back on. A 50/50 mix of glycerin w/ your current carts would lower the nicotine strength down to 12mg.

 

[Briar]

That's a great idea re trying pure glycerin - I'd try it too, but I got my Vermont Vapor 10 mg stuff in the mail this morning, so I decided to try that first, since it's light and VG based. I might still try it if this liquid doesn't work out, just to make sure.

BTW, great delivery time on VV - got my stuff in two days. As opposed to JC stuff, which I ordered from electronic-cigz more than a week ago, I think, and I am still waiting for it.

Anyway, being an impatient critter that I am, rather than potsing with a cart, I dripped it on the atomizer, got a couple of very weak puffs, and the battery died. How frustrating can it get??? Anyway, it's my own fault, I ruined this battery by not charging it long enough when I first got it (still waiting for the spares), so... Plug it in, and wait.

The impression I got from the two weak puffs was, still a bit choky, but less so than the previous stuff. But the maple liquid seems to taste great! lol

Anyhow, while the battery is charging, I refilled a cart, and am now sitting impatiently twiddling my thumbs (and toes).

Wish me luck.

Cheers,
Briar.

 

[SudokuGal]

Here's to wishing you luck! Being impatient is a b*tch, isn't it???

Anyhow, while the battery is charging, I refilled a cart, and am now sitting impatiently twiddling my thumbs (and toes).

Wish me luck.

 

[TnA]

LOL....well congrats on receiving your liquid! Sorry to hear about the untimely battery.....you've only got one battery? If you decide the 510 is the right e-cig model for you, you will definitely want to invest in a PCC (plus extra batteries). The 510 works very well, but the battery life is the shortest I've experienced.

Good luck and let us know how the new liquid works out for you!

 

[Briar]

It was the liquid that was making me choke!

I barely waited long enough for the battery to charge up (what does it mean when both the red and the blue LEDs are lit up at the same time, anyway?..), slapped on the cart with about 4 drops of Vermont Vapor's 10mg Maple, and had at it.

And it worked! No choking or coughing *at all*, and I tried all different methods of "inhaling"! There is still a bit of tightening in my bronchial tubes, like a hint of asthma, but that's to be expected from an asthmatic inhaling something new, frankly. I get that from analogs too, and they have dilators in them to counterract that. Juice doesn't.

I can live with this. I really, really can! I noticed that this liquid produces noticeably less vapor than the ecopure did (or maybe it's because the cart is not a full as before, I don't know), and I feel nothing in my throat at all (no "throat hit"?), but I'm *happy* this way!

I'm wondering if 10mg maybe too low for me tho. We'll see.

Oh, and the flavor (maple) is wonderful. It's a mix of real (honestly) tobacco taste and maple syrup. I just wish I could get more intense flavor, but maybe that's the 510? I've read that it doesn't shine in the flavor department?

Anyway, I'm *much* happier now. Thanks for the advice, everyone, I think I'm on my way.

Now, if only my spare parts and the PCC would show up already! My current battery is doing more dying than living!8-o

Sitting here, taking a nice long good-tasting drag on my 510 and dreaming of all the flavor possibilities...

Cheers,
Briar.

 

[TnA]

LOL....glad to hear of your success Briar. You are correct about the 510 producing less flavor (IMO) than other models (my personal fav being the DSE-901) due to the atomizer running significantly hotter in the 510. I'm surprised to hear about the less vapor, though...since the 510 should produce good vapor. This could mean not enough juice.....and if so, a good test would be to drip directly onto the atomizer to see if that increases your vapor production. The throat hit should also exist since the 510 tends to give a more solid throat. If you find that the liquid you are vaping is the culprit for the lack of vapor, you can add the glycerin to it to create more vapor (which I tend to do because vapor is very important to me). However, keep in mind that if you use too much (more than 50/50 of the glycerin, you run the danger of watering out the taste of the liquid. As for throat hit, the glycerin will do nothing for that, I'm sorry to say.

 

[thePOXcrew]

consult your doctor before trying any type of chemical inhalers.

possibilitys:
allergic to something in the nicquid, try another company.
try another atty,
clean ur atty,
try unflavored 0mg nicquid,
drink lots of water before vaping and after,
a bad reation to the polyfil in the cart,
try straight dripping.

thats all i can think of for now.
if its really that bad, than i reccomend you stay away from PV's.

 

[Briar]

LOL....glad to hear of your success Briar. You are correct about the 510 producing less flavor (IMO) than other models (my personal fav being the DSE-901) due to the atomizer running significantly hotter in the 510. I'm surprised to hear about the less vapor, though...since the 510 should produce good vapor. This could mean not enough juice.....and if so, a good test would be to drip directly onto the atomizer to see if that increases your vapor production. The throat hit should also exist since the 510 tends to give a more solid throat. If you find that the liquid you are vaping is the culprit for the lack of vapor, you can add the glycerin to it to create more vapor (which I tend to do because vapor is very important to me). However, keep in mind that if you use too much (more than 50/50 of the glycerin, you run the danger of watering out the taste of the liquid. As for throat hit, the glycerin will do nothing for that, I'm sorry to say.

To be honest, I've come to the sheepish conclusion that I've bought the wrong PV for myself... I understand why folks really love the 510, but I'm like a VW Bug driver with a Ferrari. Most folks want lots and lots of vapor and a good throat hit, and I want at most moderate vapor and relatively little throat hit - but lots and lots of flavor. So I'm trying to figure out what unit I should be looking at for my next try.

Meanwhile I think I figured out how to get the 510 to do what I want. My current liquid does produce a little less vapor than what I had before, but I also chronically underfill the carts, and press the button for a very short time. So, judging from my very limited experience, lack of "big vapor" (which is good for me) is the product of how I am using the thing, mostly.
I think I would also be happier with cooler vapor. I noticed that the first puff in a "session" is the coolest, and that's the one I like best.

So - the search for that perfect toy is on again. Which is ok, I like doing research and shopping. And any advice is hugely appreciated.

Meanwhile, I'm still enjoying vaping way better than smoking. I don't even want a cigarette if I have access to my PV - which is a miracle in and of itself. I haven't "not wanted a cigarette" in 30 years!

Cheers,
Briar.

 

[yknotagain]

Glad you found a liquid that is working for you Briar. As for the PV, I have both the 510 and the M401/402. The M series is just slightly lower on vapor, tends to run a lot cooler and gives much much more flavor. As I have also mentioned in the past, as someone who likes to vape while working on projects it's nice to be able to vape and still use both hands while working. The much longer battery life is a real plus as well.

 

[SharonLM]

Great thread! I started with the 4081 and 24mg. and did fine. Then switched to the 901 and 510, did fine.

Then I got the SD. I swore it was the SD, not me. I got the SAME closing feeling of the throat, not just a feeling, I couldn't even talk until I got some water or liquid down me. Then, I switched to the Prodigy and have the AdapteR same thing happened, throat closing up. But it only happens occasionally.

For me, it's the bigger throat hit I get I think with the more powerful e-cigs. But I just keep a big bottle of water next to me and I'm fine.

So now, I am totally off analogs and I drink more water than I ever have in my entire life which is also good for me...LOL. But I do have to keep liquid with me at all times.

Strange how many of us react differently!