What Am I Doing Wrong? Please help!

[RobCrusoe]

Quit analogs 5 years ago. I started vaping about a month ago and I use a kangertech Subvod starter kit. From the get go I noticed some shortness of breath developing and after about 2 weeks it got really bad. It was nearly impossible to take a full, let alone satisfying, breath. This was not just right after vaping. This shortness of breath lasted for a week. It was bad enough that I just stopped vaping due to the discomfort. It slowly got better after 4 or 5 days.

I thought it might be the high VG content since I was vaping high VG juice (70% VG) so I switched to 80% PG juice. It's been 7 days on the high PG juice and I'm getting the shortness of breath again. Not as bad as I did before (but then again, since my breathing was bad I have stopped inhaling the vapor as much as possible). I believe if I was inhaling the PG juice as I was the VG juice I'd have the same problem right now.

The frustrating/baffling thing to me is that I go to the vape store and the guy that works there is vaping just as much in the 10 minutes I'm there that I do all day. Yet when I ask him he says he has never experienced any shortness of breath from vaping. If I vaped like him for one day, I'd be in the hospital no doubt. I've also seen other people vape and talked to them and if they admit to having shortness of breath they say it is minor at most and goes away a few minutes after vaping.

So what am I doing wrong?

 

[Huckleberried]

It's possible you have an allergy or sensitivity to one or the other. I can't tolerate high VG juice or I end up feeling like I have a severe chest cold. Higher PG juice doesn't' affect me this way. Aside from being tested for allergies, you could vape plain VG or plain VG and go from there.

Safest bet, is to check with a Dr.

 

[SMOKIE]

Quit analogs 5 years ago. I started vaping about a month ago and I use a kangertech Subvod starter kit. From the get go I noticed some shortness of breath developing and after about 2 weeks it got really bad. It was nearly impossible to take a full, let alone satisfying, breath. This was not just right after vaping. This shortness of breath lasted for a week. It was bad enough that I just stopped vaping due to the discomfort. It slowly got better after 4 or 5 days.

I thought it might be the high VG content since I was vaping high VG juice (70% VG) so I switched to 80% PG juice. It's been 7 days on the high PG juice and I'm getting the shortness of breath again. Not as bad as I did before (but then again, since my breathing was bad I have stopped inhaling the vapor as much as possible). I believe if I was inhaling the PG juice as I was the VG juice I'd have the same problem right now.

The frustrating/baffling thing to me is that I go to the vape store and the guy that works there is vaping just as much in the 10 minutes I'm there that I do all day. Yet when I ask him he says he has never experienced any shortness of breath from vaping. If I vaped like him for one day, I'd be in the hospital no doubt. I've also seen other people vape and talked to them and if they admit to having shortness of breath they say it is minor at most and goes away a few minutes after vaping.

So what am I doing wrong?

Well your most different then others because you quit smoking 5 years ago with your lungs being pretty clean I would say, now you decided to vape. Most vapers go from smoking to vaping without any breaks in between. Maybe your having a allergic reaction to PG or VG. Do your lungs feel heavier at night time when you lay down to sleep?

Must ask why did you want to vape after 5 years being smoke free?

 

[RobCrusoe]

Well your most different then others because you quit smoking 5 years ago with your lungs being pretty clean I would say, now you decided to vape. Most vapers go from smoking to vaping without any breaks in between. Maybe your having a allergic reaction to PG or VG. Do your lungs feel heavier at night time when you lay down to sleep?

Must ask why did you want to vape after 5 years being smoke free?

My lungs don't feel heavier at nightime when I go to sleep. My body feels completely fine except that I have to strain just to try and get a full breath every 15-30 minutes. It's like breathing through a straw.

I decided to vape because I like smoking and nicotine, but don't like the stench, unattractiveness, social stigma, and a few other side effects of being a smoker. If I can't figure out why I get so much shortness of breath with vape, I may just chew nicotine gum.... but I'd really rather vape.

 

[MyMagicMist]

Do you know what PG/VG ratio your juice uses?

For example, I usually use a juice that states it is made with a 50% PG to 50% VG ratio. It is technically closer to 41% PG to 41% VG. I figured this out from looking at sites that sell unflavored nicotine base juice.

Polypropylene Glycol can dry your lungs out, it can in fact dry your whole body out. You need to drink more water, even if you think you're drinking enough. And yes, water not coffee or tea.

Vegetable Glycerin can have the opposite effect of moisturizing your lungs& body. Do not let that fool you though, in putting moisture in it is technically robbing it from your cells and displacing it within your body. Again drinking more water is helpful.

You will find vapers express two notions commonly. "Backups for my backups." & "Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate." Water regulates so much in our bodies. It is a universal solvent & means to flush out toxins, not that PG/VG are toxins. Still if if one or the other is triggering you, it is an irritant at least.

I'm agreeing too with Smokie. It sounds like one or the other is causing you a sensitivity reaction. Once you understand what ratio your juice is, try a different ratio. If you're currently using a 70% PG to 30% VG ratio, try cutting your PG down first, go to maybe 40% PG to 60% VG juice mix. That may help, or exacerbate. If it does the later, try going to an 80% PG to 20% VG ratio mix.

Most vendors label well and you should find the ratio info on a label. If finessing your ratio mix does not seem to help, please consider consulting a health care professional. It may, or may not be a vaping related issue. You may for example have a pneumonia virus and not be aware of it, or bronchitis of a sort. I could suggest some OTC Tussin cough medicine, and that may break up phlegm but that may not be the problem, or only problem.

Duh, late at night, early morning. I pulled a dummy. Sorry. I read but did not read.

 

[OBDave]

Odd that you're having trouble with both high-PG and high-VG mixes. What nic level are you at?

My best guess would be that, while we all believe inhaling vapor is better for you than inhaling smoke (which most of us were doing when we picked up vaping), it's probably not as good for you as inhaling nothing at all (which is what you were doing before you started vaping). I'm not going to hate on your decision, because even during the handful of cold turkey quits I had while I was smoking I still had cravings, and every time eventually went back to the smokes - I believe vaping is a better choice than that, but if you can stay off it altogether you're probably in the best boat of all.

 

[TygerTyger]

You might try different flavors.... and different producers. I've been diagnosed as an athsmatic, and I find some flavors, as much as I enjoy them, just irritate my lungs, cause them to tighten up instantly and even produce coughing fits.... where other flavors I can chain vape all day. Experiment.....

 

[RobCrusoe]

Polypropylene Glycol can dry your lungs out, it can in fact dry your whole body out. You need to drink more water, even if you think you're drinking enough. And yes, water not coffee or tea.

Vegetable Glycerin can have the opposite effect of moisturizing your lungs& body. Do not let that fool you though, in putting moisture in it is technically robbing it from your cells and displacing it within your body. Again drinking more water is helpful.

I read this advice before in another forum. Since then I've been drinking over a gallon of water a day. 5 years ago I quit drinking everything except water. I enjoy Perrier regularly, but since this breathing issue I've only drinking regular water. While I believe it helps, it has not solved the problem.

 

[RobCrusoe]

Odd that you're having trouble with both high-PG and high-VG mixes. What nic level are you at?

I started at 0mg and I'm now at 3mg. I don't plan to go any higher than that.

I'm not going to hate on your decision

Thank you.

 

[RobCrusoe]

You might try different flavors.... and different producers. I've been diagnosed as an athsmatic, and I find some flavors, as much as I enjoy them, just irritate my lungs, cause them to tighten up instantly and even produce coughing fits.... where other flavors I can chain vape all day. Experiment.....

That's pretty much what I'm doing now. I've tried some unflavored mixes, because I read that some people can be sensitive to some flavors. I've tried some different flavors as well. I've gone to a couple different vape shops around my house to try them all out as well. So far, I think the Unflavored 80PG/20VG 3mg nic juice has been the easiest on my breathing.

 

[Trueman ecig Yilia]

i think you'd better try different flavors from different supplier, and control the nic level step by step

 

[Rabbit Slayer]

So what am I doing wrong?

Not going to see a doctor when you had trouble breathing, for weeks, would be the biggest thing I can see you did wrong.

But if you would rather us speculate...allergy, respiratory infection, pneumonia, low quality fly-by-night juice, Venus is in retrograde

 

[RobCrusoe]

But if you would rather us speculate..

Yes, I'd rather you speculate based on your experience. That's why I came here. If I wanted a doctors opinion, I'd go see my doctor.

 

[Whiskey]

Not going to speculate, just summarize what I just read ......You quit smoking 5 years , then out of the blue decided to vape, doing so makes you short of breath....was given common sense advice, won't see a doctor. Ok Got it.

 

[Rabbit Slayer]

Yes, I'd rather you speculate based on your experience. That's why I came here. If I wanted a doctors opinion, I'd go see my doctor.

You asked what you are doing wrong...If you can't see that going to a doctor when you are experiencing shortness of breathe is a good idea I'm afraid you are beyond help.

Good luck to you

 

[RobCrusoe]

Not going to speculate, just summarize what I just read ......You quit smoking 5 years , then out of the blue decided to vape, doing so makes you short of breath....was given common sense advice, won't see a doctor. Ok Got it.

This is an accurate summary except for the assumption that I "won't see a doctor". I'm not sure why you assumed that.

 

[RobCrusoe]

You asked what you are doing wrong...If you can't see that going to a doctor when you are experiencing shortness of breathe is a good idea I'm afraid you are beyond help.

Good luck to you

I agree that seeing my doctor is a good idea if I am experiencing shortness of breath. I'm not sure why you assumed that I did not think it was a good idea. I did say "If I wanted a doctors opinion, I'd go see my doctor." Perhaps you assumed that statement meant I did not want to see my doctor or something. I'm not sure. To clarify, the point of my statement was that if I wanted my doctors opinion, I'd go see my doctor. Not come to an internet message board. My intention for coming here was definitely not to get faux medical advice from a random person on the internet.

Anyway, thank you for the advice about me going to see my doctor. I appreciate it, but I already got that covered and my intention for starting the thread was not to seek advice per se, but more to hear if anyone else had experienced what I am experiencing and if/how they were able to vape without experiencing these symptoms. Perhaps there would be some speculation as well such as "well, your symptoms sound very common to symptoms I experienced due to ______. Perhaps you have the same thing going on". I should have made that more clear.

 

[BoomStick]

It's something in your juice. Figuring out which something it is isn't something we can help you with.

Also, most of us vape because it keeps us from smoking. You quit smoking without it, but then started years later. Personally, I think you're a dumbass. Good luck.

 

[pulsevape]

It's a matter of trial and error...you're going to have to play with PG/VG ratios, play with organic and unatural flavorings, what your VG is made from soy or coconut or palm...you may even have to play with wicking materials,but eventually you'll track it down to what is causing the problem...I vaped for over a year before I realized I just couldn't comfortablly vape above say 25% PG...

 

[Doots]

Always Assume There could be a flavoring allergy as well.. Most people do not assume that it could be flavorings.. It can be,

Try going to just full Pg and/or VG and see if the problem remains. If so, you might need to quit vaping..

Hope it gets better for you!!!

 

[SteveS45]

Question for the OP in terms of what actual flavor or flavors your vaping? I switch flavors multiple times a day and only recently started enjoying deserts and bakery flavors. I find that those tend to be harder on my throat and even though I am enjoying the flavor and cloud production I can't vape them for extended periods of time.

 

[pulsevape]

I'll recommend a juice company called ..Dripezz...they use organic natural flavorings..there extracts are CO2 extracted from actuall food. good people

 

[RobCrusoe]

It's something in your juice. Figuring out which something it is isn't something we can help you with.

Also, most of us vape because it keeps us from smoking. You quit smoking without it, but then started years later. Personally, I think you're a dumbass. Good luck.

I'm convinced it has something to do with the juice as well.

It's interesting, I would say the same thing as you that I vape to keep me from smoking. I did quit smoking without it, but would I stay quit without it? I'm not sure. Since I am educated in the nature of addiction and familiar with my body, I would say that I would most likely not stay quit without it. If you think I am a dumbass, I can only imagine you think you are a dumbass as well. I think more highly of you than that : )

 

[RobCrusoe]

It's a matter of trial and error...you're going to have to play with PG/VG ratios, play with organic and unatural flavorings, what your VG is made from soy or coconut or palm...you may even have to play with wicking materials,but eventually you'll track it down to what is causing the problem...I vaped for over a year before I realized I just couldn't comfortablly vape above say 25% PG...

Thanks for your post. I am currently working on that process of trial and error. I have not vaped in 5 days. My lungs have returned to about 95% or so in these 5 days. I'm prolly going to vape again in the next couple days. This time I believe I will try my high PG mix (perhaps unflavored) and see how it goes.

 

[RobCrusoe]

Question for the OP in terms of what actual flavor or flavors you vaping? I switch flavors multiple times a day and only recently started enjoying deserts and bakery flavors. I find that those tend to be harder on my throat and even though I am enjoying the flavor and cloud production I can't vape them for extended periods of time.

Originally when I first started I was vaping a blueberry Omg 20PG/80VG juice that was mixed at a local vape shop. Then I tried #ThatThaiTeTho 0mg 30PG/70VG. Then I moved to Cuttwood's Mega Melons 3mg 30PG/70VG and that's when my breathing got really bad. At that point everyday I was trying something a little different like a 100PG 3mg unflavored mix, a 50/50 3mg unflavored mix. I did not use any of these with any regularity because my breathing was soo bad. I then quit for a few days and switched to a 80PG/20VG 3mg unflavored mix and a 80PG/20VG 3mg grape mix. My breathing wasn't improving so I have not vaped in 5 days. During the 5 days my breathing has returned to about 95%.

I plan to vape again in the next few days and when I do it will either be the 80PG/20VG 3mg unflavored mix or the 80PG/20VG 3mg grape mix.

 

[BoomStick]

I'm convinced it has something to do with the juice as well.

It's interesting, I would say the same thing as you that I vape to keep me from smoking. I did quit smoking without it, but would I stay quit without it? I'm not sure. Since I am educated in the nature of addiction and familiar with my body, I would say that I would most likely not stay quit without it. If you think I am a dumbass, I can only imagine you think you are a dumbass as well. I think more highly of you than that : )

You already said you were quit for five years, but you're not sure if you could stay quit without vaping? Bullshit. Have a nice day.

 

[AmandaD]

I've known plenty of smokers who quit for years and then went back to smoking!

 

[Huckleberried]

Ditto. I'd rather see someone vape.

 

[Markw4mms]

I've known plenty of smokers who quit for years and then went back to smoking!

Me too, I'm one of them! I had quit for over 5 years once, and then in a moment of weakness while very angry, I started back. It happens to the best of us at times.

 

[f1r3b1rd]

I wuit cigs 2 years ago through vaping, and back in October got a wicked case of the flu, It hurt to cough, and breathe. It had me a little alarmed so I went to the doctor. Doc, said a lung xray and said it looked like I had never even smoked.
in the end I drastically slowed down my vaping for a few months, because, i love the hobby side. The coil building, the math, the little nerd things of this hobby that some find annoying when trying to make the switch from cigs, I find strangely fun. I still vape, but I vape 0nic juice, at 60vg/40pg. te vg being so viscouse I found to cause a slight heavy fealing.


I guess the point is. if you are going to pick up a habbit between smoking and vaping, than vaping being a smoking cessation activity,by all means take part in that if you are of leal age. And keep in mind, zero nic juice is available, if its the hand to mouth activity.

 

[RobCrusoe]

You already said you were quit for five years, but you're not sure if you could stay quit without vaping? Bullshit. Have a nice day.

You're clearly ignorant. Please stay out of my thread.

 

[RobCrusoe]

I've known plenty of smokers who quit for years and then went back to smoking!

So do I. This idea that if you abstain for a certain length of time then you are suddenly immune to the addiction has proven false over and over and over again. I'm shocked that some people still believe it to be true.

 

[RobCrusoe]

Ditto. I'd rather see someone vape.

I would as well. Either vape or use nicotine gum recreationally.

 

[RobCrusoe]

Me too, I'm one of them! I had quit for over 5 years once, and then in a moment of weakness while very angry, I started back. It happens to the best of us at times.

Yeah, my old boss quit for 10 years and then started again. If only she had the option to vape or chew the gum, it could her saved her from dozens of more years of cigarettes.

 

[AmandaD]

So do I. This idea that if you abstain for a certain length of time then you are suddenly immune to the addiction has proven false over and over and over again. I'm shocked that some people still believe it to be true.

I think we were as addicted to cigarettes as alcoholics to alcohol. Sooner or later a temptation will arise that you either resist or give in to! My father gave up a chain smoking, 55 year habit at 70 years old and said that for the next 10 years (until he died) he always wanted a cigarette.

 

[Whiskey]

Yes, I'd rather you speculate based on your experience. That's why I came here. If I wanted a doctors opinion, I'd go see my doctor.

This is an accurate summary except for the assumption that I "won't see a doctor". I'm not sure why you assumed that.

 

[RobCrusoe]

Saying if I wanted a doctors opinion, I'd go see my doctor does indicate wether I do or do not want to see a doctor. It seems you assumed I did not.

 

[kevin littell]

I get that when I get wattage happy or use a dirty set of coils.


Cleaned the tank and coils lately?