Newbie here :)

[Catgirl]

Hi Everyone

Long story short; was told the other day that I have moderate COPD and need to quit smoking. Have been asthmatic since I was 12; lung volume output is only 57%.

Pulmonologist suggested the E-cig for me. I'm apparently doing something wrong cause the vapors are way stronger in my lungs that the lower nicotine cigs I smoke.

Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Thanks so much for your help.. I am only 49 and want to be here to watch my grandkids grow:)

Cathy

[fishguy1123]

Hi, welcome! Can you tell us the type or model of e-cig you purchased? Do you know what the nic level is in it?

[Catgirl]

Hi Fishguy.. It's a Incredipen and the guy sold me Voodoo E liquid Tobacco 2.1% Nicotine and Vapor Blen E Juice Menthol 0% Nicotine. I usually smoke Misty Silvers menthol.. so not sure what the heck I am doing here.. Thanks for you help

[fishguy1123]

If I had to guess he told you to mix the 2 juices together, the 2.1% is a high level and the menthol at 0 would drop it down some. I'm not framiliar with the Incredipen but if it's what's reffered to as a cigalike type (looks sorta like the real thing) they don't seem to work well in my opinion. I'm very new to vapeing, but the advice I got here has helped alot. Depending on your budget the joytech ego twist or vision spinner starter kits are good quality and will give you a much better experience to help you convert to vapeing.

If you are mixing the juice then I'd say you would be better off finding one that has the flavor you like but just in a lower nic level. Mixing is hit or miss untill you really know what you're doing I think.

Edited March 8, 2014 by fishguy1123

[bcartervol98]

2.1% or 21mg is not that high of a level that needs to be cut down imo. 24mg or 2.4% is pretty much the standard level most recommend when initially making the switch. I dropped to 18mg after 6 months but my wife is still at 24mg. Neither of us have plans to drop down.

The nicotine is not the harmful, although addictive, chemical in analogs it's all the rest of the crap. Nicotine in and of itself is relatively harmless, on par with caffeine, and is the primary reason e- cigs work so we'll in improving the health of those that make the switch.

I would however try and get a better kit if you plan to stick with it. For well under $100 you can get the best Vision Spinner kit there is. Most paid more than that for their cig alike kits.

[bcartervol98]

If you smoked menthols you may find a good pure Spearmint or Peppermint to be to your liking. I would definitely start with 24 mg in a 50pg 50vg blend and go from there.

[fishguy1123]

Bcart, would the fact that her analog of choice was something like a misty silver (tooth pick)lol have any bearing on the level of nic to start with?

[Catgirl]

Thanks everyone for your replies:)

yes, the Misty Silvers are like smoking a toothpick..lol,, I just dont know why the e-cig is irritating my lungs more so than the reg cig? It's really strong. It's only my second day; and have went back to my cigs this am... really need to get off of them; but not sure why the ecig is so harsh??? it seems to be the vapor itself; even if i take smaller hits ( hope that makes sense)

[Aquatroy]

Might be technique...are you doing lung hits or mouth hits? Try just taking a mouthful, then a light inhale of air to the lungs, then exhale. Not sure of your gear, but im guessing it's a multiuse pen.

What part of Nebraska are you in?

[bcartervol98]

Bcart, would the fact that her analog of choice was something like a misty silver (tooth pick)lol have any bearing on the level of nic to start with?

No not in my book. The body absorbs differently and the old stock guide of "12mg for lights, 18mg for full flavor, 24mg for over a pack a day" to be wayyy too generalized. I smoked Camel :Lights and my wife smoked Ultra Lights and anything under 24mg for her doesn't do the trick and for me, after almost 11 months, I am finally 100% satisfied by 18mg but still occasionally vape 24mg.

The thing to remember is NICOTINE IS NOT THE ENEMY TOBACCO IS. I have had a lot of friends lately get advice from vape shops that 24mg is too much, 12mg is considered "high". I even posted on it in Rants a few days ago. I may never drop to 12mg, and you know what? I don't care lol.

In my opinion ALL regular smokers should start with 24mg nic to get a good dose of nicotine while their body rids itself of the rest of the chemicals, additives, and carcinogens from smoking for however many years. When appropriate, drop down. This is the advice I have given to dozens of friends, employees, and customers and almost no one went back to analogs.

Thats my 2 cents. Like I said my wife vapes 4ml+ of 24mg every day of the week and has no issue at all. I vape 3-4ml of 18mg with an occasional pull of a 24mg. Almost a year in 12mg just pisses me off. I even tried doing it blind, thinking it was mental because I knew it was 12mg so I filled 4 tanks with 18mg and one with 12mg. I knew IMMEDIATELY when I had taken a few pulls off the 12mg.

Edited March 8, 2014 by bcartervol98

[Aquatroy]

Agree with B, but adding the following, nic strength needs to be advised along with body type...if your petite in stature, then that 24 will be too strong, and 18 will suffice. Nic is a drug and body weight has some to do with it. I use this method in the store along with number of cigs smoked a day, along with brand and type. As I convert noobs on a daily basis, I find this method works best, along with a short discussion with the customer, as to what to expect if they are getting to little or too much nic, and what to do about it.

Others like I started on 24 for several months, then dropped to 18 for a few months, now after 11 months I'm on 12, and I do vape a lot more but that will slow down after a few weeks. I'm not in any hurry to drop again, as that would a near 50% drop.

[Bebop]

Catgirl

One thing to remember is that with an e-cig you are inhaling water vapor.

The harshness you are experiencing may not be coming from the nicotine itself. You would probably do better to switch to a better delivery device where you can customize your juice. I agree with bcarter that 50/50 would be a good place to start since you want to try and smooth it out as much as possible.

Im only basing this on my experience with helping others who find vapor harsh to inhale.

Def take a small inhale of air before inhaling the vapor. See if that helps.

[bcartervol98]

Agree with B, but adding the following, nic strength needs to be advised along with body type...if your petite in stature, then that 24 will be too strong, and 18 will suffice. Nic is a drug and body weight has some to do with it. I use this method in the store along with number of cigs smoked a day, along with brand and type. As I convert noobs on a daily basis, I find this method works best, along with a short discussion with the customer, as to what to expect if they are getting to little or too much nic, and what to do about it.

Others like I started on 24 for several months, then dropped to 18 for a few months, now after 11 months I'm on 12, and I do vape a lot more but that will slow down after a few weeks. I'm not in any hurry to drop again, as that would a near 50% drop.

And others started on 24 and years later are still on 24. I would bet $100 that a year from now my wife will still be using 24mg. She is not "petite" but is 6' tall and weighs about 135lbs. I am not sure body mass is that big of a consideration. I digress though, and trust what Troy has to say, but I am not so sure about that.

[Catgirl]

Might be technique...are you doing lung hits or mouth hits? Try just taking a mouthful, then a light inhale of air to the lungs, then exhale. Not sure of your gear, but im guessing it's a multiuse pen.

What part of Nebraska are you in?

Aquatroy.. kearney.. unfortunately..lol/ I have NO idea how these things are supposed to work. Where I purchased was not much help at all. I try to inhale in my mouth small amounts then into lungs but the vapor is waaaayyy too strong for me. Hope that made sense

[Compenstine]

I can't say much more than was already said except high PG can be very harsh and will burn your nose. High PG coupled with 21 mg is going to equal harsh and or heavy throat hit. The place you bought your unit from may not be helpful but you came to the right place for help. The advice to upgrade to a better unit will make your experience better and what was already suggested would also be what I would suggest. Welcome to VT.

[Bebop]

Just want to clarify because i know this method works for others:

Draw vapor in to mouth. Start inhale with fresh air through nose then chase it quickly with vapor from mouth.

Make sense?

[Vapeorvape]

Hi Fishguy.. It's a Incredipen and the guy sold me Voodoo E liquid Tobacco 2.1% Nicotine and Vapor Blen E Juice Menthol 0% Nicotine. I usually smoke Misty Silvers menthol.. so not sure what the heck I am doing here.. Thanks for you help

I love my incrediPen. All other vaper pens i have tried produce a ridiculous amount of vapor and or have too many parts. Have you tried juicy e juice?