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Sticky-Webbed Mucous from My Ear Canal & Hating It !

Discussion in 'Medical Marijuana Usage and Applications' started by Hydra-Glide, Sep 14, 2009.

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  1. #1 Hydra-Glide, Sep 14, 2009
    I'm looking for a cure from having (slightly-soluble) webbed, clingy, (won't expectorate unless I cough silently into a towel and create some slight back pressure so the mucous has a "platform" to launch from) mucous-balls removed. Often they're not even big globs, just rice-shaped, but webbed.
    I'm currently under my 19th week of Hep-C treatment at the VA (veterans) center, but the Feds have no advise for my clingy-mucous problem - as it's weed related. And it is weed related, because when I stopped smoking for a full day, my phlegm problem lessened considerably. ( I smoke 8 small bowls a day in a water bong. I use a tiny tin foil ball as a "screen" in the bowl. One small hit each time. I hold it in for a long time an exhale and re-inhale as I'm emitting smoke, to get "all of the goodness" from my relief of "non-appetite".
    [If I MISS even one small opportunity, to put even A LITTLE food in my system, then nausea will take over very rapidly and Hep-C patients won't eat at all - then what?? - you go to bed with a pool of yellow bile in your stomach, and then throw up later - after you've felt like it for a couple of hours. :) That's the cycle of events with Hep-C interferon treatments.]

    So, I'm on a mission to find something to dissolve the offending hitch-hiking phlegm.
    [I was prescribed Naproxn® at one time (when I had Kaiser health care). I'd keep a bottle of it around and maybe once a month I'd take some for a few days, to make the phlegm go away. The VA won't prescribe me Naproxn® because of the Fed ban on their treatment of weed related issues.]

    I've investigated Musilex® and I'm off to purchase some now - the basic type that doesn't have cold medications within it.

    Any advise would be appreciated. Is there a Dr. in the house! :wave: [I guess I could call my WeedMeds Doctor, Fred Augusta and ask my questions. And I will, but I wanted to hear something from the community, if anyone had any experience with phlegm balls and prolonged use of Musilex®.]

    Is the Musilex® masking an underlying problem? I have a clear chest and get regular VA checkups at least once a month to monitor the Hep-C treatments. The phlegm seems to come from my eustachion ear tubes not from my lungs. If I blow my nose when I'm getting a sticky-mucous attack, it sometime clears it through my nose instead of eventually glob-draining down to the back of my throat.

    I'm healthy, skinny, and highly active (bench pressing about 85 lbs. daily after huffing a tiny pipe-load to help clear my lungs of smoke), considering the poison pills I take daily and once weekly injection of interferon.
     
  2. #2 Poisongage, Sep 14, 2009
    If you believe that it is releated to smoking, either stop smoking, or change method (bong is not the best way of inhaling cannabis smoke). Either smoke joints (less harsh) or vape it.

    Vaporization or eating would be my best guess, if you think it's related to smoking.

    Good luck with the Hep-C treatment.
     
  3. #3 tharedhead, Sep 14, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 14, 2009


    HCV causes an inflamatory response in the airways and mucus membranes. Thus the thick snot. This is a pretty well documented complication with tons of articles. Guaifenesin is not going to mask anything-it just makes the crap easier to cough up. If you have an infection, it will still give you symptoms, even with the Guai. People with Sjogren's syndrome pretty much take gallons of Guai for years with no ill effects, its quite benign.
    Given your current risk of developing lung complications, vaping or eating your medicine would certainly be a good idea.
    COPD and Hepatitis C — CHEST
    However, that said, can you see an ear nose and throat doc to make sure there is not something else going on up there that needs attention? Fungal infections of the sinus are nothing to fool around with, for example. Have they done a sputum culture?
     
  4. #4 Hydra-Glide, Sep 14, 2009
    Thanks for the tips, both.
    I bought a pack of 40 Mucinex® for the immediate relief, but I don't want to live on Mucinex® for the rest of my life either.
    "HCV causes an inflamatory response in the airways and mucus membranes. Thus the thick snot. This is a pretty well documented complication with tons of articles. Guaifenesin is not going to mask anything-it just makes the crap easier to cough up. If you have an infection, it will still give you symptoms, even with the Guai.
    Given your current risk of developing lung complications, vaping or eating your medicine would certainly be a good idea.
    COPD and Hepatitis C â€â€ CHEST
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    I'll go and read about it from your link above.

    It only became a problem after about 10 weeks of Hep-C treatment, and that link you posted will probably say that I'm risking infection by smoking with a compromised immune system. I'll read up on it now.
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    I bought a black plastic based vap, with a removable glass globe from Amsterdam years back. It had a 220V converter and would heat the bowl only enough to where you would see (after a period) of sucking on a clear tube, a tiny wisp of smoke. But you know..... you were sucking air out of a 4" glass globe all day, and I never felt like it produced the jolting energy that smoking weed does.
    Are there any primo vaps on the market that are quick to use and deliver the full impact of something like "Grapefruit" (the current, hybrid in stock that smells and taste like grapefruit - from our community San Marcos Non-profit).
    It rubs me the wrong way to pay $380.00 an ounce for weed, and then waste even a whisp of smoke into the thin air. I'm not cheap as much as thrifty you understand.
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    What about those edibles? The last time I had an edible 30 yrs. ago, it wasn't such a pleasant experience - more like I was having to "stay on top" of the growing buzz, and it actually felt more like I was forced to a job, than anything related to relief.
    Has all that changed now? Can you eat an edible without having the walls and floors around you move? - or have to experience that wha-wha hum that the atmosphere makes? That's not fun or medicine ..... is it?
     
  5. #5 WildWill, Sep 14, 2009
    Things have changed quite a bit.

    Edibles these days can come in a variety of forms and strengths. If you have a Medica MJ card you can sample them yourself from virtually any collective in the state.

    Vaporizers have come a LONG way since the old Goldfish bowl/soldering iron element piece of shit. (And don't think I'm coming down on those too hard, my first vape was one of those too). The Volcano by Storz and Bickel is the Ferrari of vaporizers and will provide a most pleasant experience, though it's really pricey.
     
  6. #6 Hydra-Glide, Sep 15, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 15, 2009
    "The Volcano by Storz and Bickel is the Ferrari of vaporizers and will provide a most pleasant experience, though it's really pricey."
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    I'll google them up and see.
    The biggest concern for me now, is how much buzz will I lose from pricey weed by using either of the vaps you mentioned? Any taste loss using a vap?
    Or, is it more of a choice for me of: buzz reduction and length of buzz reduction on a vape vs. my chronic muffled-coughing into a bath towel. It's no buzz life I'm enjoying, but I think the Mucinex® is starting to work. If the snot hangs around like before, then as suggested above, I probably have an infection.
    I guess I could switch between a vape and a bong. Why is a bong bad? Too long of a deep held hit? Goes to the bottom of your lungs and stays there? Can't be good for you.

    Smoking a joint is hideously expensive and wasteful and skunk smelly.

    The VA did tell me that some of my snot problem could be dissolved by drinking at least (but not much more than) a gallon of water a day. I do. It helps.
     
  7. #7 WildWill, Sep 15, 2009
    Vaprorizing in a Volcano is the most EFFICIENT use of MJ there is. Once you're done vaping it, save the leaf and turn it into Cannabutter, it still works. Also, if you're after taste, there is NOTHING better than a Volcano for taste, and it will do wonders for your lungs as well.
     
  8. #8 Hydra-Glide, Sep 15, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 15, 2009
    Cool. I'm checking out the Volcano. Thanks everybody.

    This basic model for $539. is a manual dialer. The $700. digital might be worth the extra bucks, if you know the optimum heat level you want to roast a bowl, then it seems worth it.

    Guess I better read some reviews on them, and read FAQ.
    http://www.volcanovaporizersystem.com/?gclid=CIaj0quq8pwCFR0SagodBgn4kA
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    Thanks for sending me to the right vessel. I'm choosing the digital model and find out what the optimum roast temp is.
    Which valve is best and/or less maintenance? The Easy or Solid? Thanks in advance.

    They don't carry a Volcano® here locally, and they said it would be awhile before they did.
     
  9. #9 WildWill, Sep 15, 2009
    I like the easy valve, and I've used both. The Easy Valve system is really easy to use, lightweight and really easy to clean. The only drawback is that you have to use their pre-made bags instead of make your own - though you can make your own too, it's just a bit harder. The solid valve is nice because again, you can make your own size bag, and it's very sturdy.

    However, with the easy valve you can blow multiple bags at once because each bag has it's own mouthpiece, where the solid valve you get one mouthpiece.
     
  10. #10 tharedhead, Sep 15, 2009
    Watch your electrolyte levels doing that! I'm supposed to drink a whole lot of water due to my pancreas issues (a dehydrated pancreas is a pissed off pancreas) and have to be careful of my sodium levels dropping.
    Glad the guai is working.:)
     
  11. #11 Hydra-Glide, Sep 15, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 15, 2009
    Yep, it seems that guai is doing the job as advertised, but I'm on a Volcano mission now.
    They told me for hep-c not to drink much more than 1 gallon, probably because of the salt-wash you mentioned. Electrolytes are improtant, but they told me not too much Gatorade (sugar's in it).
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    I downloaded the Volcano bag install-instructions, and I like the idea of being able to use a Reynolds oven bag with the basic $539.00 version.
    I also downed the temp. gauge diagram and can see that 352-degrees and 374-degrees marks, so I guess you find a mid-range and watch the color of the bag to make sure the smoke doesn't get too dark.
    Can you see through those Reynolds® oven bags well enough ?
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    "I like the easy valve, and I've used both. The Easy Valve system is really easy to use, lightweight and really easy to clean. The only drawback is that you have to use their pre-made bags instead of make your own - though you can make your own too, it's just a bit harder. The solid valve is nice because again, you can make your own size bag, and it's very sturdy.

    However, with the easy valve you can blow multiple bags at once because each bag has it's own mouthpiece, where the solid valve you get one mouthpiece."
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    I'm reading your info and making an informed choice. I don't know if blowing multiple bags would be of benefit for just me using it. I guess the smoke only hangs in the bag for 5 -10 minutes.
    Will one vapor toke give you the same buzz as a tiny bong load?
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    9-15-09 From the Quick-Start pdf manual for a Solid Valve Volcano, I had a fill depth question.
    I emailed Storz in Oakland to inquire about the 1/16" minimum level of mj in their bowl. I don't know the i.d of the Volcano bowl, but....wow....1/16 of an inch of loose-fill would be a lot of mj. Compound that amount if you are required to grind your tight buds to powder. Seems like a lot of cannab resin lost along the way (left on your fingertips, the screen of the grinder, etc.).
    Not being a "doubting thomas" here, just investigative, thrifty and non-wasteful.
    I'll report back any info from Storz® if they respond.
     
  12. #12 hydrosRheaven, Sep 15, 2009
    I don't know if you mean something like Reynolds wrap, but if so i would discontinue that practice.You can get glass screens at head shops for 99 cents.

    I also wanted to say i completely agree with the Vape being your savior. I know my throat feels a lot better when i use it instead.

    Good luck man
     
  13. #13 Hydra-Glide, Sep 15, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 15, 2009
    Thanks. Yes, small ball of Reynolds wrap. But I just quit using it :). I'm going to get the glass screen like you suggested.
    Still don't don't have a word from stortz about the 1/16" of mj needed to make one bag of vapor that I probably won't or need to consume with 10 minutes. That's troublesome. A reviewer (pokerJoe) on amazon, reviewed the Volcano Classic™ and said the hit was as powerful as a bong load. Quite a good review from PokerJoe actually, but I don't think amazon won't print my reply to his review.
    I asked him the same questions I'm asking now:
    Great amount of herb (min. 1/16" depth of bowl of powdered herb)? How much herb (partial gram weight) is that per vape bag fill-up? Enquiring minds want to know. :)
     
  14. #14 Shivian, Sep 15, 2009
    I'm not sure on the exact amount you need to fill the bowl, but it is quite easy to just saved any unused vaped weed and vape it again later. Also the weed does NOT need to be 'powdered' to vape it. A grinder from any headshop will do the trick just fine.
     
  15. #15 HCL, Sep 15, 2009
    Before spending the money on the Volcano, I would suggest the V-Tower as it is virtually the same thing for half the price. It can be used with a clear hose or a bag like the Volcano.

    Hope this helps.
     
  16. #16 Hydra-Glide, Sep 15, 2009
    Oh goody. This is the nuts and bolts grit I need to hear.
    I'm a technical writer of early H-D service manuals. I like to know dimensions and the stuff left out of Stortz advertisements. They act like it's against the law or something to sell the Volcano.
    I want some more field grit. I'd like to know bowl depth and how much it takes (gram weight) to make one bag.
    I trust what you say about saving leftover herb, though I can't grasp the concept of how your going to save vapor in a bag and not have the vapor contents stick to the inside of the bag, your balloon deflates, then what?????.....fill it up again?
    Has anybody timed how long it takes to wake up, start-up the volcano, do the inhale thing and hit the door to the outside world that waits?
    Man......I'd like to see a U-tube® demo. Where's that at??
     
  17. #17 Hydra-Glide, Sep 15, 2009
    [ame="http://www.amazon.com/New-Extreme-Vaporizer-Arizer/dp/B0018Q1INI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=hpc&qid=1253048910&sr=8-1"]Amazon.com: The New Extreme Vaporizer by Arizer: Health & Personal Care[/ame]

    Thanks for the info HCL. The ratings look good. Can anyone say anything bad about this X-Vape?
    If this was an antique Harley site you'd have plenty of opinions. :)
     
  18. #18 HCL, Sep 15, 2009
    No problem man. Everything I've read about the V-Tower has been a positive review and from the video I watched, you need no more than .5 grams of ground herb to get a great vape high. Good luck!
     
  19. #19 WildWill, Sep 16, 2009
    In some places it IS against the law to sell a Volcano, and they got in deep doo-doo with the Government over customs at one point, which is why they went from being $300-$500 to being $500 - $700 a couple years ago. They also protect their engineering information because they've already been knocked off by other companies. I'm not surprised that they wouldn't send you more technical information.

    The solid valve chamber is freaking huge. You could easily put in an entire 8th of material if you wanted, but that would be overkill. One of the clubs I go to figured out the exact amount of material you need for several bag fills, it's just less than .5 grams. They have these little caps that you can buy pre-filled for $6 - $8. I keep my caps and refill them with my own material pre-measured in advance. It's the perfect amount, you can get anywhere from 4 to 8 bag fills from one cap, and that's more than enough for one person. If i had to compare, I'd say that 2-3 bag fills is equivilent to a bong-load.
     
  20. #20 Hydra-Glide, Sep 16, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 16, 2009
    " If i had to compare, I'd say that 2-3 bag fills is equivilent to a bong-load."
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    wow. Isn't that alot of huffing? How many hits can you pull off one volcano bag? This is valuable info we're sharing with the community. Thanks again.

    Please correct my following example, where I may have gone wrong in my thinking:

    So, you take one hit....then cap the bag.....exhale, then go out and do some strenuous yard work and pop some real beads of sweat. Then, you take a break 30 minutes later and have some re-charge fruit for a snack. Before you go back to yard work, you go out to the bag and inhale what's left of the capped vapor.
    Will there be any vapor left in the bag after 30 minutes?
    I need to go find that V-Tower video. Any link to that?? :wave:
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    I need to weigh-out .5 grams on my triple-beam and see how much that is. It sounds like a lot. That's going to quash it for me. If I weigh out .5 grams of my sticky, tight, white skunk and it looks like a lot of herb, and I can't rationalize the fact that I'm vaporizing .5 grams of $380 weed, that i can unhurriedly use at will thoughout the day, then the thrifty part of me is going to stop me from getting a V-Tower. But, I'm leaning more towards the Tower at this point, only because of your recommendation and the amazon.com V-Tower reviews.
     
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