Educating my GP.

[Hanow]

Hi all, have just returned from a visit to my GP, and during the course of chatting he asked if I was still smoking. 6 months ago I would have taken a deep emabarrassed breath and said yes, then waited for the lecture.

However, I was so thrilled today to be able to say 'No, gave up a few months ago - now I vape.' A questioning frown immediately appeared on his face with a: 'You do what?'

Thus I got out my gizmo (Tornado) and gave him a demonstration. He had never seen nor heard of e-cigs before, and was intrigued. With my limited knowledge I gave him a bit of background as to what I had vaped (it was James's cappucino vape at the time), but he wanted to know more. His comment was that whilst it wasn't tobacco etc. I was still 'inhaling' something - how safe was that? Thus I said I would provide him with further info to enlighten him.

So, fellow vapers, which articles etc. would you suggest would be best for me to print out in order to make a little pack of info to give to him? I know that I have read loads from all different sources, but can Chrissie and the experts please point me to a succinct overall explanation that covers as much as possible?

[Chrissie]

Hanow, I wonder if some of the lab reports would be a good start?

TW's lab reports : -
www.totallywicked-eliquid.co.uk/about-the-fluid/lab-reports.html

[Chrissie]

Dr. Murray Laugesen report may also be of interest to your GP : -

www.ecigarettedirect.co.uk/extra%20info/e-cigarette-safety-report.pdf

Then there is e-cig wiki, especially some of the FAQ's
www.e-cigarette-wiki.com/index.php?title=Main_Page

[ken]

Sept 23, 2010 13:37:51 GMT Chrissie said:

Hanow, I wonder if some of the lab reports would be a good start?

TW's lab reports : -
www.totallywicked-eliquid.co.uk/about-the-fluid/lab-reports.html

I think Foxy put a New Zealand report on the forum a while back and it was excellent.

Can't find it though.

Ken.

[Scylla]

That's the Dr Murray Thingy one, Ken. I don't think it's been beaten yet for impartiality and favourability, IYKWIM

scylla

[ken]

Sept 23, 2010 13:56:17 GMT Scylla said:

That's the Dr Murray Thingy one, Ken. I don't think it's been beaten yet for impartiality and favourability, IYKWIM

scylla

Yep Scylla, that the one.

I see now that Chrissie had linked it when I was still typing lol.

Hanow,

Let us know what your Doc thinks about this when you make him up his reading pack as it may be interesting.

Ken.

[Hanow]

Hi Folks - sorry it has taken me a while to get back - but now I have, brilliant, thanks for those links. I shall print it all out and drop it into him.

Kenny, I agree, I too am going to be very interested in what he may say. He had clearly no idea that such a thing existed, and was fascinated by the vapour that I produced by vaping in his office! Thankfully my Tornado had been newly filled, with a fresh battery, so I managed a very good example of a good puff for him to see.

I imagine though that because it has not been officially tested and approved, that doctors would be reluctant to promote it as an alternative to real smoking at this stage.

Thanks again all - and Chrissie for picking out the best ones.

[Chrissie]

Hanow, you got such a different reaction from your GP than I did with mine.

I very hesitantly demonstrated my e-cig to her 2 years ago & as good as apologised for the fact it contained nicotine. However, her only concern was that I was going to set off the smoke alarms & when I didn't she was amazed & thrilled for me She said she wasn't concerned that it contained nicotine as that wasn't a known carcinogenic.

[Hanow]

Chrissie - I think my doctor's concern/query related to the fact that I was still inhaling something - which had not been officially tested - thus potentially leading to problems which as yet haven't been identified. He wasn't being at all negative, more curious I think. That's why I wanted to get the best possible information to him so as to give him a better overall picture.

[Chrissie]

Ah, I can understand that Hanow. One other thing that may be worth mentioning to him is the fact that most asthma inhalers also contain PG.

[lisaf01]

Worth checking out the resources available at:
www.ecita.org.uk

[Hanow]

Thanks again everyone. I shall have quite a stack of bedtime reading for him.

My GP practice is a large one which services the whole population here. A few years ago all of the GP practices amalgamated into one - utilising my old Victorian primary school. The waiting room, which seats around 80 people - is my old school hall. It has been very tastefully restored and decorated by local artists: the windows with stained glass designs, wall hangings from the patchwork society etc.

As this GP showed such interest in 'vaping' - I don't want to blow the opportunity to spread the word - which is why I need to be sure that I present him with the best possible info. Of course, I have no idea what he may choose to do with it, but as Kenny says, it will be of interest to know what he thinks.

So thanks again everyone - I shall kick-start the printer and put something together for him.

[Chrissie]

Keep us updated Hanow