What's That Noise?

[SnakeFarm]

After a little over two months of heavy vapeing, I've noticed a kind of raspy whistling noise that seems to be coming from an area directly under my sternum. I only notice it in bed when going to sleep. I'm careful not to attribute every little health issue to vapeing, but so far, it is the only thing that seems even loosely associated. I'm just wondering if anyone else has noticed anything similar.

Me? 49 yo WM, Smoking 30+ yrs. @ 1 PAD+, 30 lbs OW. No symptoms of dehydration. Since switching to vaping Aug 16, I feel MUCH better, more relaxed... able to concentrate, but episodes of profound lethargy. The latter I attribute to the normal effects of quitting smoking and mild sleep apnea. I started with PG, but have switched to 75/25, all at 24 mg Nic, but I didn't notice the whistle until after the switch.

 

[G9K]

Could be anything. Ever had a chest x-ray? Had one recently? Might be a good idea, being who you are - stuff happens after a half-century. Use the excuse that you probably need to have a physical after this long anyway.

 

[telsie]

After a little over two months of heavy vapeing, I've noticed a kind of raspy whistling noise that seems to be coming from an area directly under my sternum. I only notice it in bed when going to sleep. I'm careful not to attribute every little health issue to vapeing, but so far, it is the only thing that seems even loosely associated. I'm just wondering if anyone else has noticed anything similar.

Me? 49 yo WM, Smoking 30+ yrs. @ 1 PAD+, 30 lbs OW. No symptoms of dehydration. Since switching to vaping Aug 16, I feel MUCH better, more relaxed... able to concentrate, but episodes of profound lethargy. The latter I attribute to the normal effects of quitting smoking and mild sleep apnea. I started with PG, but have switched to 75/25, all at 24 mg Nic, but I didn't notice the whistle until after the switch.

A couple things come to mind:

- You said you didn't notice the whistle until after the switch. You mean the switch from 100% PG to 75/25 PG/VG? If so, switch back and see if the whistle goes away within a few days. VG produces a thicker vapor and could be the culprit.

- Since this happens when you're laying down, it could be the result of acid reflux (it's possible to have that without knowing it — not everyone gets obvious heartburn kind of symptoms). Acid reflux tends to be worse when laying down and can cause wheezing. It's also worth noting that any acid reflux you might have already had can get a lot worse for a few months after you quit smoking.

- Many people go through a period of coughing after quitting smoking (coughing up the funk in the lungs from years of smoking) and you're still within a common range for that to happen. I know you're talking about a whistley wheezy sound, not coughing, but it could be things starting to loosen up in your chest and a precursor to "the cough".


You should definitely see a doctor for a checkup.

 

[Longhorn RN]

I would suggest going to your primary care physician. This is not to scare you but some people "develop" a whistling noise that is not due to vaping but atherosclerosis (cholesterol building up) and this can start clogging arteries. I am a cardiac ICU nurse and case in point, my neighbor developed a whistling noise and it was CAD (coronary artery disease), luckily it was not advanced but he did need a stent placed.

Again, I don't want to scare you or get you upset but as a nurse...I am just wanting to make sure you get yourself checked out!