smoking...

is anyone here a smoker? and can someone tell me the risks of smoking with lupus patients?
i KNOW that smoking is really really bad for you but to be honest there is NOTHING else that helps my diarrhea!!
its insane...everytime i eat...within a half hour or so i have to go to the bathroom..is so uncomfortabe and it seems like the only thing that seemed to help me was when i smoked a clove. I also so an episode of House when he recommended cigarettes for someone suffering from diarrhea. I am obviously not going to turn into a smoker because its a pretty unhealthy habit...but i was wondering if anyone knew the kinds of risks i would be suffering if i smoked a cigarette once in a while...
please dont judge me! i know it is bad but seriously i have been suffering for diarrhea for months and my doctor is still trying to figure it out..so until then i have to live uncomfortable every day! does anyone have any other tips? immodium doesnt seem to work for me but if there are any other suggests i would appreciate it SO much

Hi Cali, Sounds like a possibility of irritable bowel. The cig relaxes you and stops the spasms. (Just guessing) Carol had some good suggestions . . . anxiety can sure mess up your intestines. Its good you are working with the doctor on this. Blessings!

i smoke, even though i know i shouldnt and everyday i kick myself for it, but right now sometimes its like my source of comfort and i know that sounds absolutely awful, but i dont drink and do any illegal drugs (we do enough legal drugs as it is) but i just cant stop right now, i dont want to find another source of comfort and i would rather smoke than eat cuz i already gained enough weight from the last flare. i know that i should quit and if i ever get pregnant i plan to quit for good, but right now i am using it as a stress reliever.

Hi Cali, Most of us have tried several anti-d's to find the one that works best with our own set of symptoms and side affects. For me, I was trying to get the right combination of balancing my mood, sleeping right, avoiding the side affect of sexual disfunction, etc. I tried 4 different ones over the years and landed on lexapro. But, I haven't needed one for about a year. If I was to go back on again, I might try Cymbalata or one of the other newer ones because they are reported to help also with pain. I know the celexa and lexapro (and some of the others) also DO help with pain, because I experienced that too . . . but the newer ones are thought to be even more helpful. I really can't tell you which ones work best with anxiety (which is what would help the IBS). You'd be looking for that benefit to help the IBS. Sometimes self talk is really good. Give yourself enough time in the morning so you aren't rushing around in a dither. Starting your day relaxed can help your overall health and that requires extra time in the morning which is a bummer because we'd rather be sleeping. But for the great start of a great day . . . rushing around ruins the chances of a calmer day. For me, getting things ready as far as possible the night before is a better option . . . as I am always tempted to hit the snooze button . . . BTW . .. I was also a smoker until I was dx'd w/lupus. I quit IMMEDIATELY as I really did have chest pain and pressure and it scared the cr*p out of me. *phewwwwww* It was the easiest time ever that I've quit smoking (had quit for extended periods several times before . . . but this time it stuck. Its been over 5 years for me). Blessings!