I was just sitting musing as to why my work has suffered to badly these past 6-8 months. It's as though days slip past, and although I've attempted to make headway with a piece of work, it's never enough, and I find myself wondering where yet another week went ..and why I'm so lethargic and sleepy most of the time. I just can't seem to stay focussed on my work for long, so it's a stop-start affair. It occurred to me that it's almost an ADD type of situation. I can go through a whole day, doing things, yet in an almost soporific manner, knowing I should be panicking over my lost schedule for work, yet feeling little more than regret, and wishing I could find my motivation/concentration levels again.
So, I searched here at ECF for 'attention deficit' - I found enough to convince me that it is indeed a condition that can affect ex-smokers!
I then did some reading at dedicated sites via Google, saw that there are 6 types of ADD, and found this (amongst other info):
The main cure for ulcerative colitis is nicotine, as it is for Crohns Disease. I would up the nic content of your liquids
Inattentive ADD: .....does not manifest high levels of hyperactivity. Rather, people tend to sit about quietly, in a dream-like state, and often appear bored, inattentive or spacey.
Rather than being hyperactive, they often have polar opposite tendencies - inertia, sluggishness or lack of motivation. This makes diagnosis very difficult, as it does not display classic ADD/ADHD behaviour.
Limbic ADD: ... those with Limbic ADD have especially short attention spans, and suffer from persistent negative thoughts or excessive guilt. Often this receives a depressed diagnosis, but antidepressants will actually increase moodiness.
The limbic system normally regulates mood and outlook, as well as controls sleep, appetite, and social interactions. Nutritional intervention helps as well. Healthy fats: Omega 3, will help regulate brain functioning, while L-tyrosine, St. Johns Wort, or SAMe will improve and balance mood; these are possible useful anti ADD supplements in this scenario.
Not unique to children, but mostly affecting younger people, I suspect that the effect on adult ex-smokers is likely to be unchartered territory for many doctors and consultants, especially the non hyperactive type that seems to relate to my problem, and the likely affect of reduced nicotine levels.
Mostly, the problem seems to be handled by basic GP's and psychiatrists ...so what about my particular problem and it's causes - I'm pretty sure that no current GP in my practice will even understand the exact problem, and then wonder what sort of specialist I need to find to get some sort of tablet perhaps to kick-start my brain in it's original mode!
Thinking how hit and miss that could be, and the fact I hate taking drugs, I'm now wondering if I need to increase nicotine strength seeing some people seemed to notice it after cutting down to lower strengths. I don't want to increase it after getting it so low successfully, but the only other alternative other than drugs, is smoking ..and I sure don't want to go down that route, even if only a few a day! I would feel terribly let down by myself!
Perhaps if I get a bottle of 12mg and use it for short spells throughout the day it may help?
The above isn't the only problem I've developed since I stopped smoking either - Although I've never had it before, I've been suffering from Ulcerative Colitis for 6 weeks now, and it turns out that if one has the propensity to get it, stopping smoking can trigger it. Seems smoking tobacco has some protective qualities in that field!
Seeing this is an auto-immune disease, I'm also now linking it to the fact I've had a fairly aggressive and resistant flare-up of psoriasis (also an auto-immune problem) since early this year ..haven't had much of a problem with it for over 30 years!
If I need to, I can see a private Dermatologist that we already trust (I've tried all the usual creams & ointments), and can see a Gastroenterologist through my health insurance.
The ADD is something that may not be so easy to find the right person to understand and treat the problem.
So, I've posted this here partly thinking out loud to better get it into perspective, partly to see if any of you have any particular thoughts about it.
Not keen on putting it in the health section.
Well i don`t think they do any licorice vapes, as for recommendations, most of them are very good, but as everybody tastes things differently, i wouldn`t like to say try this or that. But my personal faves are, Doughnut King...Queen of Puddings...Lews Brew...Fluffy Nuts...PMP I think that one is from Steamgunk, but it`s on Chefs site, and finally Lemon Coconut Creamcake. The only other 3 juices i have on the go are, Nicotickets Band Camp, and Wakonda, and A couple of different custards. 
