Young mum terrified after doctors told her ‘heart attack’ was actually ‘oil filling up her lungs’ from vaping
A woman was left horrified after being told of her lung condition after vaping for almost two years.
The dangers of vaping have been outlined in several new studies and warnings from professionals, while disposable vapes have been banned from the UK altogether.
However, Cloey Eyes, from Florida, US, was told by doctors that she had 'popcorn lung' and a buildup of 'oil' in her organs.
The mum-of-five switched from cigarettes to vaping in August 2023 after three years, claiming that she hated the smell of smoke.
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Fast forward 23 months and Cloey woke up on 12 July this year with sharp pains in her chest and called an ambulance, as she thought she was having a heart attack.
Following a number of medical tests, she was told that she had 'popcorn lung'-related injuries after an 'oily' substance built up.
Cloey, 25, is now looking to warn others of the serious repercussions that vaping could have on their future.
It is believed that vaping can cause lipoid pneumonia, where the oil buildup in the lungs can lead to damage and inflammation.
She recalled waking up at 2:30am with 'bad pains' on that July day, adding: "I couldn't catch my breath and I had to hit myself in the chest multiple times to be able to catch my breath."
Remembering feeling 'terrified', the mother said it felt like she was 'suffocating', before a trip to the hospital revealed that her left lung 'had an oil pocket in it'.
The American went on: "Around both my lungs was oil. It was scary to hear this. It's the oil from the vape and this is thickening up as you hit it [the vape] and attaching itself to your lungs.
"I technically at that point had popcorn lung. That's what they call it here."
Speaking about her old habit, Cloey admitted that it would take her two weeks to get through a 5000-puff disposable vape as it was 'convenient'.
After a night in hospital, she was discharged and prescribed a cough suppressant medication, an inhaler, and antibiotics.
The mum said it'll be a year until her lungs heal, and hopes people become more clued up on the dangers of vaping.
"I would smoke the vape every day non-stop. I used the vape more than when I smoked as it was handy and right there," she admitted.
"I would never pick up a vape again, especially because I'm a mum. I went cold turkey and quit vaping."
She added: "I feel 10 times better now as I have stopped completely. My lungs feel better and I don't feel out of breath all the time."
Cloey has urged others, especially parents, to put the vapes down, saying: "Even if you don't go through the pain, the amount of chemicals going through your lungs is probably knocking about 10 years off your life.
"I turned 25 last Saturday and to think I could have lost my life from vaping is just not worth it."
Joshua Nair