anybody smoke?

Hi there! I must confess I do smoke, about a pack a week. Which equals out to 3-4 cigs a day. I've quit over the years, picked it up again, quit, etc. I don't mind smoking so few cigarettes- health wise, I mean! Of course it's bad for you, but only smoking 3 a day is not the worst vice one can have! I figured I'd "quit" while in the hospital after surgery, but at home.... I don't know, I know I'll remember it fondly! Any effect on a stoma or ileo output?

I do smoke, however am on my last quarter packet and due to give up, so someone hand me the nicotine patch now. Smoking doesn't seem to effect my output though. Sure am going to miss it, it has been a constant friend when I have been very ill with the Crohn's, as much as I hate the craving for it an dwill be gald when I kick the habit, it is like an old friend - a comfort blanket when I have had a day from hell.

I quit about three years ago after dx with colorectal cancer and a malignant bladder tumor. That's after almost 50 years of two packs a day. I'm cancer free today but I still miss smoking once in a while. Now I know it was all in my head (after the nicotine was out of my system) and still is. When I tried quitting in the past it was so difficult and, obviously I failed several times. This time I quit out of anger, frustration, depression or whatever else there was consuming me at that time. I couldn't believe how easy it was. I guess the difference was that this time I knew I would never smoke again because I might die before I had a chance or my wife would've killed me; not for smoking but for being so stupid. Please just make up your minds and quit. I think you'll be amazed how successful you'll be.
Mike

Doreen,
I'm so sorry for your loss. I was depressed after my father passed away, too, and told my gynecologist about it. She prescribed a low dose antidepressant that really helped me get through that rough time.
(((Hugs))) to you,
Cecilia

me too, actually- quit smoking when I became pregnant in 2001- had my daughter in the Fall of 2002, was diagnosed in January 2003! I've never been sure if was my innume system raring to go after being suppressed thruout my pregnancy, or the quitting smoking, or the 2 combined that casued UC to flare up & stay that way. Even when I started smoking again, it didn't help with UC- I smoke far less now than I used to though. There are quite a few people on the UC forum who first started having UC symptoms after quitting smoking.

It was rough- there were many times she'd be playing on the floor, & I'd have to run to the bathroom & just leave her there! Or if I was unable to, like if she was on the changing table, I'd just have to stand there & go in my pants. In a weird way, it sort of worked out, as she grew up with me racing to the bathroom, having accidents, etc. So it became commonplace for her, not something to raise an eye at. Just Mom's bathroom issues again! Although I think she'll be glad when I do get surgery, because she's 9 now, & starting to get embarassed with the bathroom issues- we can't even car pool in the mornings, due to my numerous AM accidents! It was hardest on her when I was hospitalized for a week, I think she was around 4???? Ugh, so over it!

I smoked on and off from 13ish to 16 and then became about a pack a day smoker...worse when I was out clubbing...but quit when I got pregnant. Unfortunately, I started up after I went back to work and spent an hour, one way, commuting. When my daughter was a year old I finally quit for good...but unfortunately, that's when I started the worst flare of my life. I had had CD for about 11 years at that point but entered about 7 years of living H@+L

I think that my smoking did something to keep my disease quiet...and sometimes wish I hadn't quit!

Looking back, I'm glad I did and even though it's been a ridiculously hard road, I wouldn't change a thing.

p.s. I still crave a smoke now and again

Equestrian Mom
Your story quitting smoking sounds familiar. I had UC totally in remission for about 30 years. When I was in my late 50s I started with a "belly". My wife read that coffee helped to gain fat in your belly, so I quit coffee. about a month later the UC came raging back, never to be under control again. When I told my Dr that I quit coffee he said that caffein and nicotine are known to help keep colitis in remission. Turns out that my "belly" was my bladder. When I went in for the colectomy the surgeon almost cancelled the surgery because I had this growth in my lower abdomen. The catheter drained out 2300 cc of urine. I had no idea I had a urinary problem. It's been fixed.


Dan

Way to go, Stripey and hubby! For evenings that involve cocktails and brewkies, you should try e-cigarettes.They come in different nicotine levels and you can enjoy the action of smoking (puffing with smoke) without backsliding. Not sure where or if you can purchase them in stores, but I know you can buy them online. The first week is the most difficult, so you guys are doing GREAT!!!