Sorry about the length of this first post by a new member! Feel free to skip it!
Hi, folks! I’m a new member who has been exploring whether vaping can be a useful tool for me in managing significant chronic pain (as a result of advancing age [68], arthritis, fibromyalgia, widespread nerve damage from Guillain-Barre Syndrome, etc.). I used Tramadol for almost 20 years, but my doctor helped me give that up three years ago - when I found that the drug was masking my ability to tell the difference between “phantom” pain and pain that originated from an injury, inflammation, etc. Despite the challenges posed by my situation, I have managed to stay relatively mobile, generally healthy, and happy (hence “Smilin’ Kev” as my nom de plume).
I quit smoking almost 40 years ago, so I was very cautious in my approach to e-juices that contained nicotine. It didn’t take me long to discover that - at least for me - the presence of nicotine in the liquid didn’t make any difference in the levels or types of pain I experienced. I started at 12mg commercially available mixes - and systematically worked all the way down to mixing my own juice with barely a trace of nicotine. There’s almost no definitive scientific evidence to settle the question, “Does nicotine help relieve pain?”, so I opted to be guided by my own experience. Nicotine wasn’t helping me.
However, I’ve been really pleased to discover that I do get some essential pain relief by immersing myself in the rituals and sensations of vaping at low wattages (40W-50W) with smooth flavors of 0mg, 70VG/30PG e-juices. I’m certain that this result has a large “psychosomatic” component: it kindles old memories of the tension relieved by a long overdue cigarette; it diverts my attention from painful stimuli and involves me in enjoying the taste and aroma and dancing clouds (small, but happy!) of vapor I can make; it is something relaxing - with no discernible side effects - that I can do after exercise sessions, before going to sleep, etc.
Am I just completely weird - which is perfectly acceptable to me! - or are there other people here on Vaping Underground who have similar experiences with pain management and vaping? I would like to find a way of connecting with them - and I will also appreciate any other responses y’all have to my “new member introduction.” Again, I apologize for the length of this post.
Stay happy, healthy, safe and sane!
Hi, folks! I’m a new member who has been exploring whether vaping can be a useful tool for me in managing significant chronic pain (as a result of advancing age [68], arthritis, fibromyalgia, widespread nerve damage from Guillain-Barre Syndrome, etc.). I used Tramadol for almost 20 years, but my doctor helped me give that up three years ago - when I found that the drug was masking my ability to tell the difference between “phantom” pain and pain that originated from an injury, inflammation, etc. Despite the challenges posed by my situation, I have managed to stay relatively mobile, generally healthy, and happy (hence “Smilin’ Kev” as my nom de plume).
I quit smoking almost 40 years ago, so I was very cautious in my approach to e-juices that contained nicotine. It didn’t take me long to discover that - at least for me - the presence of nicotine in the liquid didn’t make any difference in the levels or types of pain I experienced. I started at 12mg commercially available mixes - and systematically worked all the way down to mixing my own juice with barely a trace of nicotine. There’s almost no definitive scientific evidence to settle the question, “Does nicotine help relieve pain?”, so I opted to be guided by my own experience. Nicotine wasn’t helping me.
However, I’ve been really pleased to discover that I do get some essential pain relief by immersing myself in the rituals and sensations of vaping at low wattages (40W-50W) with smooth flavors of 0mg, 70VG/30PG e-juices. I’m certain that this result has a large “psychosomatic” component: it kindles old memories of the tension relieved by a long overdue cigarette; it diverts my attention from painful stimuli and involves me in enjoying the taste and aroma and dancing clouds (small, but happy!) of vapor I can make; it is something relaxing - with no discernible side effects - that I can do after exercise sessions, before going to sleep, etc.
Am I just completely weird - which is perfectly acceptable to me! - or are there other people here on Vaping Underground who have similar experiences with pain management and vaping? I would like to find a way of connecting with them - and I will also appreciate any other responses y’all have to my “new member introduction.” Again, I apologize for the length of this post.
Stay happy, healthy, safe and sane!
