It was a number of things:
1) My dad was diagnosed with emphysema. That was a huge wake up call and he really, really wanted me to consider quitting. I've smoked on an off for nearly 30 years. However, both parents were heavy 2 pack a day smokers. This was back in the day when people smoked in their houses, their cars, etc. and I grew up in Texas where people could still smoke indoors up unitl the mid-90's. I don't think I've been a non-smoker since i was I was born!
2) The cost. Between me and my husband we were spending at least $500 a month on smoking. American Spirits + Washington state taxes = expensive
3) Someone at work complained I smelled. :+( I was always very careful to keep it away from my clothing; smoked outside, brushed my teeth, exhaled like crazy to get clean air in my lungs and I was still complained about. I work for a fitness related company and I'm pretty sure I was the sole smoker.
4) I have a chronic disease and I knew it was making my symptoms worse. I want to be here to see my eventual grandkids. After waiting till I was 43 to meet the love of my life I want to be here to grow old with him.
The sole motivating factor i had to continue to smoke was crushing, unremitting depression every time I quit. What good is living longer if you don't want to live period? Pretty lousy choice I say!
So, the hubby and I bit the bullet and tried the e-cig. He had tried a year prior so we were able to learn the difference between good equipment and not so great. He went through several Blu's and then got a really good unit. Unfortunately it had something go wrong with it and instead of finding out how to fix it he just started smoking again. I can't beat him up for that because I can understand with a still smoking wife it was just easier.
This time around there were a number of good vape stores with knowledgeable staff that were local. We went in and discussed needs, tried juices and walked out with a full set up.
The first week was a breeze. So much so that I converted two friends to vaping because I was the person in the group no one thought would ever quit. I even had cigarettes at my disposal and didn't want them.
Week 2; I started needing to vape way more than I had ever smoked. I felt jittery, anxious and just plain weird. I'm sure it was too much nicotine but at the same time it never felt like enough. By Friday that week the depression started to show up. I was devastated but not willing to throw in the towel.
I went to a supplement store and got a few things to work as MAOI's. However, seeing as I have have FUBARED dopamine I was hesitant to mess around with it and the supplements worried me. I had read all the threads about WTA and MOAI's many years ago when I wanted to try quitting and I instinctively knew that I was one of those people that smoke to self treat depression. Antidepressants work for me to pull me out of a major depressive episode when I am smoking but don't work for me when I quit smoking and become depressed. At the time WTA wasn't available. I came back here to try to find something, ANYTHING to help me. I did another search and found out that WTA WAS AVAILABLE!
I immediately placed an order and kept vaping; supplementing with smoking when I needed to.
Two weeks after that first shipment; no anxiety, no irritation and NO MAJOR DEPRESSION. I would definitely be experiencing it by now which is a clear sign that WTA works for me. I've had a cigarette here and there but I haven't bought any. The longer the time goes by the less I think about it and the less I am triggered by other people smoking. I see this a a major accomplishment. I can now actually smell cigarette smoke from 2 blocks away. I'm pretty sure the entire city of Seattle smokes given the smell.
Sorry, didn't mean to type a book here. I just want to help others who may be struggling like I did to not get discouraged.
