Vaping, giving me asthmatic reaction.... Pollen Filter?

[CarolKing]

@TurboVape have you thought it could be the pesticides in the cannabis? I've been getting organically grown cannabis over the past year or so. I haven't had any problems with any lung issues since I started vaporizing over 3 years ago.

 

[MinnBobber]

could someone translate "tights" please, for us yankees. ????

Using degummed hemp fiber (or cotton) as a filter is a step below a carbon filter but works very well.
I also find the hemp effects taste very very little BUT it filters out the "herb dust" very very well.

As @drfe3 said, warm water makes a HUGE difference. It can go from a cold water harshness on your throat and lungs TO a warm water "oh that feels so good and moist and tastey" effect.

 

[Hashtag46&2]

could someone translate "tights" please, for us yankees. ????

Tights...
Fancy Pantyhose.

I.e Robin Hood.

 

[MinnBobber]

Is there a filter I could buy and put over the mouth piece that would be more practical than using an extra layer of tights?

so that's putting fancy pantyhose/tights over the mouthpiece as a filter???
I'm not sure they make an effective particle filter.
Hemp fiber or cotton , in the heating chamber/on top of the herb, seems much more effective IMO
Making a thin "pancake" out of the fiber

 

[shredder]

You may want to Google it, but you can actually be allergic to cannabis. I am myself. And I have asthma. It mainly bothers me at harvest time when terpenes are at their stinkiest. When it gets bad I just eat my cannabis instead of vaping.

And all the suggestions here are valid, but you will have to find what works for each person. Some I've heard some here that would not help me at all.

For me it's seasonal, I harvest four times per year. During these times I'm usually OK, but if vaping becomes an issue, I just stop for a while.

Another option I have not noticed posted in this thread is to water cure your buds. It could help. It won't taste as fresh, but it does smooth out harsh herbs.

 

[TurboVape]

So I've had to stop vaping, at least for now. My breathing got progressively worse, to the point I seriously considered a trip to hospital/ER. Literally every hit sent me gasping for breath for the next 1-2 hrs. It felt like my lungs were coated with something.

I tried hitting my vape through a water pipe, using cold and warm water, using different temperatures, but nothing seemed to make a difference. The only thing that was slightly less irritating was vaping rosin, but I can't do that all the time.

So I switched back to smoking bongs a couple of days ago, and haven't had any problems since. I'm smoking the exact same strains that I used to vape with, so I think that rules out pesticides or an allergy. I can't understand why smoking would be seemingly do less damage to me.

I'm really at a loss as to what to try next. I've invested heavily in vaping, so I'm keen to find a solution to the problem. Also, I know I can't carry on smoking in the long run. Edibles don't seem to affect me at all, and my medical reasons for using the herb pretty much rules out quitting completely.

If anyone has any other suggestions, I would be really grateful. Pretty much out of ideas myself.

 

[shredder]

Turbo, not sure if I can help you, but I can tell you I have not vaped or combusted in over 3 weeks now. No er visits, but I've had four Dr appointments in this time frame.

Medibles and cannacaps have helped me tremendously.

I really really miss vaping, but until I can stop coughing it just isn't in the cards. I originally had the flu, and over time I got pneumonia. I already have asthma and that probably contributed.

My best advice would be to give medibles another try. Giving your lungs a break in the mean time.

Maybe you could look around the net for recipes you can try yourself. Lots of info out there. I have patients that have and use a magic butter machine. Pretty simple.and easy to use.

Good health to you brother!

 

[Nosferatu]

Hi thank you for your concern. I understand the point of view you're explaining and to be fair I'm not asking for medical advice although some people have offered speculation of what could help.
I understand that the people here arn't doctors and I'm not asking for medical advice. I'm asking if anyone here has experienced the same thing and if you had any good ideas on how to filter excess plant materials. I doubt i'll go to my Doctor unless I get this same experience without vaping.

My reasoning. If it was something serious like COPD (which one of my older friends has from smoking since he was 12) I would be in a much worse state. If it was proper full blown Asthma I would experience these symptoms when exercising and would probably have many more triggers. If it was a heart problem, again exercise would trigger a dramatic response or my stats when taken at the Doctors would be unusual. If it was bronchitis I'd know about it because I've had it on more than one occasion in my life and It's certainly not as short lasting as what I experienced.

It's a simple case of breathing in loads of micro particles of herb on a daily basis for over two years has clearly caused my lungs to get a bit pissed off. A natural reaction of the bodys immune system is to recognize a threat and then start to react against it, which is officially called Allergic Asthma. If this gets worse or more often, or if it happens without vaping then I'll be the first to the Doctor and I'll tell him the full truth. However I think the simple solution here is to stop vaping if it continues to trigger this immune response. But I'm here talking to all of you because I'd rather avoid that !

@howie105 Thanks for the link, I didn't realize you could get carbon filters for it. I'll try that next.

@Episode666 I'll keep that in mind, I appreciate the advice.

My advice to anyone who vapes all the time or who wants to take up vaping on regular basis is to filter those plant particles because there is plenty of proof that long term exposure to plant material can cause chronic lung diseases.

If anyone has any idea what one strain might have more smaller particles than another then that would really help with the last part of the puzzle. I'm making the assumption that stuff grown outside has more perhaps?

Some strains would have more particles probably because of the moisture level. For instance, sticky moist bud when ground up wont be too fine and wont really pass through the screen. But bone dry bud will grind to a powder that will fall and get sucked past the screen in the hot air path to your mouth. I think with vapes you really need water filtration. I stopped vaping and now combust through a water pipe because I believe particulate matter(vaped or combusted) is the real lung health culprit.

 

[MinnBobber]

I stopped vaping and now combust through a water pipe because I believe particulate matter(vaped or combusted) is the real lung health culprit.

...................................................
Or you could have the best of both worlds and vape + filter like:

 

[howie105]

So I switched back to smoking bongs a couple of days ago, and haven't had any problems since. I'm smoking the exact same strains that I used to vape with, so I think that rules out pesticides or an allergy. I can't understand why smoking would be seemingly do less damage to me.......It might be that you are burning off some of whatever agent is causing you trouble at the higher combustion temps.


I'm really at a loss as to what to try next. I've invested heavily in vaping, so I'm keen to find a solution to the problem. Also, I know I can't carry on smoking in the long run. Edibles don't seem to affect me at all, and my medical reasons for using the herb pretty much rules out quitting completely......Sadly there are folks who just cant get vapes and/or edibles to work for them. Perhaps looking at managing potential damage from combustion is a way to go. Lots of folks have smoked for decades without problems. Good Luck

 

[TurboVape]

So I thought I owed you guys an update. The symptoms I was experiencing with vaping, gradually started to appear whilst smoking. At first, it only happened with the better quality strains I had available. Eventually, even micro dosing gave a slight irritation.
So I decided to take a full break from cannabis, and bang the symptoms returned and wouldn't go away, 24/7. The clear phlegm I was coughing up turned green, and I knew I had a problem.

I've now been diagnosed with a chest infection, and am taking anti-biotics. The problems have gone, but I'm still taking a break until I finish the course of medicine. I'm hoping to then resume vaping, although probably at a much lower tempreture, and smaller quantites. I guess I had an underlying infection my body just couldn't fight off on it's own. Hopefully the cause wasn't vaping or smoking.

Just wanted to thank everyone for your advice. I'll drop an update in the near future with how my progress is going. Peace!

 

[shredder]

Good deal turbo! Glad to hear your on the mend.

I had the flu that eventually became pneumonia. I stopped vaping for 4 complete weeks. Then restarted gradually with micro loads. I still cough a little, but I'm much better.

And as a side effect, or side benefit of the lay off is I'm vaping 3, .1 gram loads per day. For .3 gram per day total. Well that plus a cannacap at night. When I smoked joints I used 5-7 grams per day.

 

[Sand]

I was looking into this as the herbs are harder on me lately-- not that I mind a good cough, but I doubt it's good for me. I find though, my problem is not being able to breathe IN right after a big hit. Asthma as I understand it has symptoms of inability to breathe OUT which eventually causes the 'wheezing' problem. Just thought I'd point this out if anyone is interested.

 

[flotntoke]

Could be pure bunk, but seems to me that sometimes I cough from vapor because it is loosening things up in my chest. I've read (here and elsewhere) that some actives act as an expectorant and cause you to cough up crud from your lungs. Hard to say whether the crud is there from vaping, or other stuff. But, I do notice this is more of an issue when my allergies are acting up. Maybe because I already have the flem and irritation from the allergies, and the vapor is just breaking it loose and making it want to leave.

In support of this theory, I do notice that when this happens and my allergies are really acting up (like past couple weeks), that I only really cough on my first 4 or 5 hits. After that I don't feel like I might cough until I try to take a lungbuster. Neither smoking or dabs seem to have quite the same effect, though both make me cough my head off when allergies are really bad. Not in a cough, cough and cough some stuff up way like vapor. But, in an any hit is way too much for me to handle like I was inhaling way too much kind of way.

Whatever the case, it works for me. I suffer through the first load or two taking smallish hits and trying to cough the crap up. Chill for a few and have a glass of water. After that, I'm good to go with no cough and no real irritation. Don't suggest this for anyone with an infection in their lungs, though. That's nothing to play with and you should definitely get some antibiotics in you soon as you can.

One other thing.... If you find yourself coughing from vaping (or smoking) when you get a new batch, check it out with a scope. Vaping mold is not good for you!! Over the years I've found a few moldy nugs, and in at least a few cases I don't think "the dude" had any idea it was tainted.

 

[medically420]

If the water piece dosen't work well enough for you you might consider a carbon filter, like these. http://oregonglassblower.com/GLASS-CARBON-FILTERS_c4.htm You trade taste for filtration but that is in part the efficancy of the filter. Good Luck

I'm really interested in trying this carbon filter. Do you think my local head shop would have one of these? I'm a severe asthmatic, and definitely want to try this out for sure.

However, I'm not sure how I feel about vaping in carbon. My smokebuddy has carbon in it, so what's the science behind inhaling the carbon filter?

 

[zor]

I'm really interested in trying this carbon filter. Do you think my local head shop would have one of these? I'm a severe asthmatic, and definitely want to try this out for sure.

However, I'm not sure how I feel about vaping in carbon. My smokebuddy has carbon in it, so what's the science behind inhaling the carbon filter?

Activated charcoal and carbon filters ought to be completely safe for use. My concern would be if the filters are damaged or compromised in any way, that may cause particulates to fly out.

Carbon/activated charcoal can be very effective for mitigating accidental poisoning from ingesting toxins, I forget the mechanism behind it but I think it has to do with ionic charges and porosity. I wonder whether the carbon would absorb the actives produced from vaping, and if so how much.

 

[howie105]

My only actual knowledge of carbon filters and MJ use is limited to a DIY filter and a used commercial model I traded for. Bottom line I don't use them anymore because they just kill the flavor of the bud and that is a deal breaker for me. However if I was suffering from chronic respiratory problems related to vapeing and was on a "filter at all cost" path then I would go with a carbon filter because they worked for me. If you want to take a look at what I consider some of the better commercial models out there check this http://oregonglassblower.com/GLASS-CARBON-FILTERS_c4.htm and what is even better the guy who makes them is on the forum and is really knowledgeable and helpful. Good luck

 

[medically420]

My only actual knowledge of carbon filters and MJ use is limited to a DIY filter and a used commercial model I traded for. Bottom line I don't use them anymore because they just kill the flavor of the bud and that is a deal breaker for me. However if I was suffering from chronic respiratory problems related to vapeing and was on a "filter at all cost" path then I would go with a carbon filter because they worked for me. If you want to take a look at what I consider some of the better commercial models out there check this http://oregonglassblower.com/GLASS-CARBON-FILTERS_c4.htm and what is even better the guy who makes them is on the forum and is really knowledgeable and helpful. Good luck

Thank you so much. What's his username? This looks like the next step, and hopefully it works.

 

[medically420]

Activated charcoal and carbon filters ought to be completely safe for use. My concern would be if the filters are damaged or compromised in any way, that may cause particulates to fly out.

Carbon/activated charcoal can be very effective for mitigating accidental poisoning from ingesting toxins, I forget the mechanism behind it but I think it has to do with ionic charges and porosity. I wonder whether the carbon would absorb the actives produced from vaping, and if so how much.

so at this point, it will prevent all toxins + herb particulates except for the vapor passing through the carbon filter? ^

 

[howie105]

Thank you so much. What's his username? This looks like the next step, and hopefully it works.

His handle is oregonglassblower but his name is Mike, as best as my vaped memory goes.

 

[HippieHitman]

So I've had to stop vaping, at least for now. My breathing got progressively worse, to the point I seriously considered a trip to hospital/ER. Literally every hit sent me gasping for breath for the next 1-2 hrs. It felt like my lungs were coated with something.

I tried hitting my vape through a water pipe, using cold and warm water, using different temperatures, but nothing seemed to make a difference. The only thing that was slightly less irritating was vaping rosin, but I can't do that all the time.

So I switched back to smoking bongs a couple of days ago, and haven't had any problems since. I'm smoking the exact same strains that I used to vape with, so I think that rules out pesticides or an allergy. I can't understand why smoking would be seemingly do less damage to me.

I'm really at a loss as to what to try next. I've invested heavily in vaping, so I'm keen to find a solution to the problem. Also, I know I can't carry on smoking in the long run. Edibles don't seem to affect me at all, and my medical reasons for using the herb pretty much rules out quitting completely.

If anyone has any other suggestions, I would be really grateful. Pretty much out of ideas myself.

Bro I posted a thread about this last week, after year plus of straight vaping I had to go back to combustion and my wheezing went away.