100% vg side effects

[Rymarski]

Hello Everyone,

So first off, I have read countless threads, done multiple searches, and so on. I have a decent amount of insight on common occurrences with PG vs VG liquids. I would say I have quit smoking since January 2012, and have been vaping on a consistent basis ever since.

My main question here is to inquire to more veteran vapors, even individuals who have used 100% VG liquid over 6+ months.

I originally started vaping an 80/20 pg/vg liquid for a good 6 months now and the only real side effect I had was dryness of the throat and nasal passages. This was relieved with a high intake of water on a daily basis.

Recently I have have purchased a 100% VG liquid which I am in love with. I did try a 100% VG liquid about 3-4 months ago but my breathing was heavily affected by this (wheezing, chest congestion, etc.) And trust me I have tried this liquid again recently, and I get the same effects. Honestly, I don't know if it was the supplier, but this liquid did give me issues vs my 80/20 mixes.

Back on topic, I bought a more popular liquid, which was 100% VG. I love the liquid, as much so that it has become my all day vape. Compared to my previous VG liquid, I have not had the same issues (chest congestion, wheezing, etc.) The major issue I am having is a constant build up of mucus. Now I am not talking about minimal amounts, I mean I am going through about a box of kleenex every couple days. A co-worker of mine also uses high VG % liquids and he too says he has higher mucus build up. I have even noticed my skin becoming more oily as well. There were a few threads on this forum that I read condemning 100% based VG liquids, even someone saying there doctor said to stay away from it. I tried to find this thread, but had no luck. Again, this was just something I remember reading a while back on the forum. In no way am I saying or agree with this occurence.

Again, not to start freaking out, I realize that I might be having a sinus infection, but my nose has been stuffed ever since I have started vaping 100% VG. The stuffy nose is not that big of an issue, but more of the high level of mucus build up. I play alot of sports, and I notice when I play my saliva is extremely thick lately, along with me constantly having to clear out my nose.

I'm not here to bash VG liquids, cause I will probably stick to vaping 100% VG along with my 80/20 PG/VG mixes. But my main inquiry is to see how other users have been effected by high % VG liquids. Again, all I am looking for here is to get some feedback and results.

I will continue to vape my 100% VG liquid, and see how it affects me over time and will update this thread as well. But please feel free to leave some info and insight.

 

[~Sue~Feb2012]

Do you get the same symptoms when you vape just 100% vg or are you using "flavored" vg nicotine juices? Just wondering because I know there are suppliers that use 100% vg nicotine base, but they use flavoring that are PG based/alcohol based or whatever.
Yes I use mostly VG eliquids and get some congestion but almost all the flavors are pg based. I haven't tried vaping just vg without flavors for an all day vape though. I occasionally vape straight vg without flavor just for a change of pace, but not long enough to see if my congestion goes away LOL. I have general sinus issues and congestion when I'm near fragrances, colognes & perfumes, blooming flowers, you name it
I'll usually blame my sinus and congestion issues on anything BUT my vaping LOL

 

[Rymarski]

Do you get the same symptoms when you vape just 100% vg or are you using "flavored" vg nicotine juices? Just wondering because I know there are suppliers that use 100% vg nicotine base, but they use flavoring that are PG based/alcohol based or whatever.
Yes I use mostly VG eliquids and get some congestion but almost all the flavors are pg based. I haven't tried vaping just vg without flavors for an all day vape though. I occasionally vape straight vg without flavor just for a change of pace, but not long enough to see if my congestion goes away LOL. I have general sinus issues and congestion when I'm near fragrances, colognes & perfumes, blooming flowers, you name it
I'll usually blame my sinus and congestion issues on anything BUT my vaping LOL

See now that you mention your sinus issues I might go see an allergist lol. The liquid I use though is not pg based. I'm pretty sure because the supplier himself is allergic to PG. Thank you for the input.

 

[zoiDman]

Seems like you went from High PG to High VG. Have you thought about maybe trying 50:50?

 

[Rymarski]

Seems like you went from High PG to High VG. Have you thought about maybe trying 50:50?

I would. But the 100% VG liquid is just to good to pass up. I have since my post not had much 100% VG and the sinus issues and congestion have subsided. But, I will continue to vape 100% VG and see how my symptoms are. I will also visit a allergist soon to see if it can be something other than vaping.

 

[NetteG]

Rymarski - Though I'm fairly new to vaping (no where near 6 months), I have been reading quite a bit on the differences between PG and VG. I know that the plant base of VG is generally coconut or palm oil ... is it possible you could be having problems with one of those two oils? Maybe the vendor you used extracts the flavors using a form of alcohol you are sensitive to. Have you tried steeping your juice for a couple days to let any possible alcohol evaporate?

I'm wondering is it also possible that your body is going through a stage of getting rid of the rest of the toxins you took in while smoking analogs ... I know everyone is different in that aspect too. Only a week after I started vaping, I came down with a horrible head cold / sinus infection and I can't help but to believe my body was just getting rid of some of the bad. I expect this will happen again as my lungs and sinuses heal. Personally, I can't vape PG due to it feels like an elephant is sitting on my chest and my breathing was much more shallow than that of smoking an analog. Sounds like a trip to your family physician might be the first stop and possibly an allergist from there???

Good luck and keep us posted, I would be interested to hear what is said.

NetteG

 

[Edstasic]

I think he may not be vaping 100% (99%) VG, real pure VG is syntetic, laboratory made (theres a thread around here stating that its not even Vegetable, so its not even "VG" per se, its just Glycerol), and even his VG might have some other impurities, try different brands of VG, search around in the forum, im sure youll find a post about a very clean brand of VG in amazon, good luck.

 

[doots]

Hi Ry

My breathing is affected by VG 100% , I have wheezing, The VG Coats my throat. Lots of mucous from using it..
I like a mix of like 50/50 for this reason..

 

[Bunglega]

I have the same problem with 100% VG ... It's a very popular juice (really all the 100%) from this particular vendor gives me the crazy mucus buildup. I tried 100% VG from another vendor and it's much thinner, but I still had issues with mucus. 50pg/50vg seems to be ok for me.

Glad to hear I'm not alone. Seems like everyone has issues with PG but I'm the opposite.

Bungle

 

[Cyrus Vap]

I'd try vaping unflavored zero nic VG for a bit before you conclude its the VG, just my pennies

IMO, if anything in e juice is likely to trigger an inflammatory response (e.g. increased secretions, bronchoconstriction, etc) its the great unknown, the flavorings

Could it be the VG? Sure. But there's only one way to find out for you. Yes its thick stuff and say it condenses in your airways. Maybe you get some goop.

I DIY and use 100% VG (sometimes thinned).

I notice no one is naming names, but I'll name some names just in case

I've found that Gorilla Juice and Bobas Bounty are extremely caustic on my throat and airways.

Yet my own DIY is not.

My conclusion? Its the flavoring (likely 20-40% in those two juices, way over done)

when I cut them in half or less, problems go away.

Not to beat a dead horse, but think about it. Too many threads on this forum about PG and VG "allergies" skirt over the fact that e juice has quite a bit of unknown and untested compounds (flavorings) which most likely don't play very nice with the pharyngeal and respiratory mucosa (why would they?), whether we're aware of it or not.

And of course all of it is ultimately untested and unknown (kind of), but my gut feeling is the flavors are more likely to blame

 

[damthisisfun]

I vape 100% VG as well and I thought the reason I had heavy breathing at times was cause I was vaping too much.....maybe I need to try some PG myself.....

 

[rolygate]

There are many ways of manufacturing VG, and many types of flavorings. This means the only way to know what substances are causing an issue is try out a wide range of them. There are at least five ways of producing glycerine, and it is likely that some types or grades will contain vegetable compounds or contaminants that could be problematic for some individuals. To test VG/glycerine with the aim of finding a brand that has no issues for any given individual, it would be necessary to try several unflavored base liquids (glycerine with only nicotine added), or at least with minimal flavoring, and to include at least one that is known to be produced for pharmaceutical inhalation use.

Some people are abnormally sensitive and need to take more trouble over this. The route to finding an acceptable solution is:

- Test several unflavored glycerine base liquids: glycerine plus nicotine. One or more need to be known good pharma grade products. Use one alone for four days. Don't use anything other than that single product during this time. If a product does not produce symptoms of intolerance in four days then it probably won't over a longer period [1]. It may be easier to find a product with minimal flavoring, in sample size.

- When a 'VG' base is found that produces no issues, add one simple flavor at the lowest acceptable percentage. Menthol, peppermint, caramel are unlikely to be problematic.

- Add more flavors to get a wider variety of acceptable results.


[1] From personal experience; though your experience may vary.

 

[cigarbabe]

Good sound advice rolygate!
Always see your doctor before jumping to conclusions about what you may or may not be "allergic" to.
C.B.