POISaffected checking in

[demografx]

Hello and I wish everyone a happy new year. I haven't been in the forum for 6 years, just checking a bit from time to time but not everyday interference like I used to. I just want to say a big thanks to all the people who put real effort and actions on trying to make this disorder more publicly know and understood from the medical community and hopefully finding a way of relieving our symptoms. So thank you for the commitment! As far as concerning me I can gladly say that I am in far better condition than I used to be 5 years ago. How? Just observing your reactions in your body. No medications at all. Just conquering and controlling this devastating disease. It's still there, it's not cured. Just much better. Enjoying life a bit more. What the hell I am 25, maybe someday I'll live a POIS free life. This is my wish for the new year and may this come true. Peace out.

[demografx]

Hello Disaster and POIS fellows,
I am writing this in regard to the smoking habit that apparently affects our hormones and the state of our symptoms. I want to report, that the time I felt for the first time extreme POIS episode, was after I quit smoking around 17. I am certain that the disorder existed before, but after quitting smoking I had a massive change of mood and that was the time that POIS started for me officially. Perhaps smoking does conceal the true extension of this syndrome. However, I wouldn't be starting smoking again because I think that the damage has already be made.