It just over 8 months since I started my vaping journey and was thinking back on how I became a vaper.
I started smoking when I was 20................I used to hide the fact from my parents, who were both smokers, but they tried to drum into me and my sisters that it was bad for you, one of my sisters tried it much to the dismay of my parents, my baby sis has never smoked in her life (or so she says
). I hid it from them and only smoked when I was out and would always keep a stock of mints & gum as well as deodorant in my bag and that carried on for quite a few years, even living away from home, when I came back I never smoked in front of them.
My dad did give up and was hassing my mum to do the same, he passed away 10yrs later from lung cancer............... that should have been my wake up call, but it wasnt. Mum also carried on smoking, by this time she knew that I did smoke. She got diagnosed 2yrs ago with COPD and had to give up smoking.
From childhood I was prone to unexplained aches, pains and swellings in my joints, consultants at the childrens hospital said to my parents that I may have childhood rhumatisim, but cant remember if I was ever given medication, I was also prone to tonsilitis and off school a lot with it. Anyway........... got to 30, still smoking............... still having pain, but now mainly in my spine and there were times when I couldnt move because of the pain............. investigations by various orthopedic doctors and consultants went on for 8yrs and finally got a diagnosis of having Ankylosing Spodylitis,a form of arthritis which affects the spine & neck. My vertebrae is fusing so it is very difficult to bend. Since then I have been under the care of a rhumatologist. With medication & physiothereapy I am able to live a fairly normal life, although I am prone to flare ups, last one landed me in hospital.
Despite my Doctor & Consultant rhumatologist both urging me to give up smoking, I didnt, oh I tried NRT a few times as well as alternative therapies I carried on smoking knowing full well it was not helping my condition.
Well to cut a long story short............ December last year I came down with severe bronchitis, which didnt help my spine. After that I decided I had to give up and started looking around for a way to give up smoking. In January this year I saw a thread on MSE about e-cigarettes and a link to TECC. I bought a mini titan e cig, also I had an invite to join this forum. The mini titan came and I tried it out.................. it was great, although the battery life was awful, and I had to have a nasty or 2 while the battery was charging. I got a lot of advice from people on here to buy something bigger, I was a bit dubious but ordered from Kev at Freedomevape a Riva kit, so different to the titan, I loved everything about it, the design and the battery life
Since then I have not touched a nasty, what an eye opener the juices were............. who thought that I could vape mint choc chip ice cream flavour or strawberry tart or cherry flavours.......... I've had my tastebuds go on holiday, but have not felt the urge to smoke even through stressful times, I just reached for the e cig and vaped through it.
I was happy with my Riva, but reading other members experiences with atty's I then bought an iMist atty, which I loved, then came the visions and then Vivi's. Then being curious about vv mods I decided to upgrade so firstly bought a Twist battery, again it was different to the Riva,, shortly after I decided to buy one of Perpy's Lava Tubes, again that was so different to the Riva and enjoyed using that, again I thought that was it, I'm set.
I then reached my 6 month mark.............. hearing more and more about the Provari and how good they were I decided to drive in............... oh yes it was all they said and more...........you think I would have been satisfied with a Provari and Vivi......... but no........... the next best thing came to my notice...............Penelope
Of course I just had to have her
She's been a bit of a troublesome minx........... but we understand each other now!
So now we come to present day.................I'm so happy with all I have bought.............. yes its cost me a lot to get where I am today.......... a small price to pay...........and my Rhumey & Doc are happy that I have finally given up the dreaded weed, my chest is clear and my breathing is good, fingers crossed I dont go through last December again. Vaping is not going to cure my AS but its helping where I need it both in purse and health as well as an online community that is so supportive.
Sorry for this long missive but wanted members to know how much they've helped me with their advice and support on my journey............... so thank you and carry on vaping
). I hid it from them and only smoked when I was out and would always keep a stock of mints & gum as well as deodorant in my bag and that carried on for quite a few years, even living away from home, when I came back I never smoked in front of them.
Of course I just had to have her 
Maybe I should take the hint and go for it!