What do you tell your doctors?

[werkkrew]

I suppose the primary motive behind asking this question was to gauge if most people feel its valuable information for their doctors to know, or relatively unimportant to tell them. As an example, if you view ecigs as totally harmless and liken nicotine to caffeine - would you rush to tell your doctor that you had switched from drinking coffee to drinking tea? Is it valuable information for them to know you are using an e-cig, or is saying you quit smoking without explaining that you still use nicotine not a smart decision?

 

[markfm]

My doctor should know that I've stopped smoking, a positive lifestyle choice. Likewise my doctor has a reasonable need to know that I'm still a nicotine user, though over time I've cut the mg/ml in half (and I have a knockon benefit -- since I could vape more places than I could smoke, I decreased coffee consumption). Those are basic factual things.

 

[tumbafox]

Absolutely tell your doctor about your past cigarette use as well as your vaping.

As more and more of the 500,000 plus doctors in the U.S. gain awareness of this issue I believe it will only help our cause.

I have informed several of my doctors about the fact that I vape and they often see my e-cig and ask for a demonstration. I believe that most doctors are very curious about this new alternative. They ask me questions and have even asked for literature I have accumulated.

Where I live, vaping is not banned in public places and I regularly and openly vape in my primary care doctor's office and have never had a complaint or been asked to stop by my doctor, his staff or even other patients in the waiting room. If anything I find people very inquisitive.

During a recent sleep apnea study where I had to stay overnight the respiratory technician who was a smoker actually asked me to help her get a starter kit. We keep in touch and she is now a vaper.

As doctors become aware, more studies will be done and are being done.

I believe medical professionals will eventually be the proponents of the benefits of vaping instead of smoking when total cessation efforts fail.

And that my fellows will generate positive press and change the political agenda of regulatory agencies so that we may finally vape in peace without fear of government sanction and over regulation.

Doctors have a vested interest in helping patients to do anything that may improve their health.

I often mention the Boston Study. Just google search for Boston Study and e-cigs and you will find links to quality research.

A recent visit to my pulmonologist revealed improvement in my lung function as compared to my tests 3 years ago when I stopped smoking and starting vaping.

The doctor expressed interest in learning more about e-cigs and I provided him with information and a demonstration of my e-cig.

 

[36tinybells]

My doctor understood that vaping was instead of smoking and approved of this change. She would prefer I wasn't doing anything, but understands it is an either/or choice and totally finds vaping an acceptable change.
My dentist was excited and asked all sorts of questions- I answered them and encouraged her to send people here, to ECF.

 

[Stevew443]

I told my doctor that I had quit smoking and showed him my PV and he was very interested in it. Even after my recent illness, he is still ok with me using my PV, and he now considers me a non-smoker. In fact he was curious if e-cigs would be useful in weight loss because one of the few things that can cause easy weight loss is smoking. My doctor said that he was going to include information on e-cigs along with the standard methods for people who wish to quit smoking. I love my doctor.

 

[Jammin]

I suppose the primary motive behind asking this question was to gauge if most people feel its valuable information for their doctors to know, or relatively unimportant to tell them. As an example, if you view ecigs as totally harmless and liken nicotine to caffeine - would you rush to tell your doctor that you had switched from drinking coffee to drinking tea? Is it valuable information for them to know you are using an e-cig, or is saying you quit smoking without explaining that you still use nicotine not a smart decision?

I think it is smart to tell your doctor everything, because what you think might not be important, might have a bearing with a health issue later and if they don't know, well they won't know...this is why I think it is important we find doctors we feel comfortable sharing all this with. If I didn't feel my doctor would be open to my switching analogs and vaping, i'd find a doctor who was and who took the time to hear the information about it.

 

[gvegastiger]

I told my Doctor and he was thrilled that I quit smoking. He didn't say one word about using e-cigs.

 

[JenWill]

I had a Dr appointment yesterday and told her.
She told me flat out how proud she is of me (she knew I had previously tried wellbutrin, chantix, patches, lozenges, gum all multiple times without success apparently) and that while she does not know all the ingredients in a PV she knows full well it is better than the 4000 chemicals in a cigarette.

 

[wv2win]

I wouldn't have the balls to just start vaping in a doctors office.

I vape in my doctor's waiting room and in the examination room while he and I talk. Same at my dentist. Both are big supporters after I explained it to them and gave them material from CASAA on vaping. Do not direct them to ECF as they don't have time to wade through all of this stuff on here. I think it is incumbent upon us to help our doctor's understand how vaping works and what are in the eliquid. That's why I printed out material from CASAA and give them the CASAA web site address. My doctor now recommends vaping to his patient's who smoke.

In fact my dentist ask me to help his brother-in-law pick out a PV and instruct him on how to vape.

 

[Jammin]

I vape in my doctor's waiting room and in the examination room while he and I talk. Same at my dentist. Both are big supporters after I explained it to them and gave them material from CASAA on vaping. Do not direct them to ECF as they don't have time to wade through all of this stuff on here. I think it is incumbent upon us to help our doctor's understand how vaping works and what are in the eliquid. That's why I printed out material from CASAA and give them the CASAA web site address. My doctor now recommends vaping to his patient's who smoke.

In fact my dentist ask me to help his brother-in-law pick out a PV and instruct him on how to vape.

Good point; good post. They won't go through all the posts and info here. I think anyone we try to educate we should be as succinct as possible, while still giving very good and relevant information. I would direct a newbie here, but not a healthcare professional whom I was trying to educate.