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Quiting Smoking & UC Whats the Connection

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Posted 9/17/2009 7:26 AM (GMT 0)

Does anybody believe quiting smoking has anything to do with UC? One of my doctors suggested going on a nicotine patch to see if my flare up would calm down. What do you think?

Posted 9/17/2009 8:32 AM (GMT 0)

Soliel_a_Nuit,

After reading your other post I feel so badly for you.  Hang in there!

My U.C. was diagnosed shortly after I quit smoking.  I started smoking again, the U.C. was masked and I remained in remission for about three years until I quit smoking again.  There is definately a connection between my smoking and my flares.  I'm currently flaring, I see my GI again tomorrow.  The topic of smoking comes up often on this board and I can tell you that the discussions can become pretty heated.  I had a femoral bypass due to a blockage that was deemed to be a side affect of my smoking.  I choose not to smoke anymore, but I suspect if I started again my U.C. would go back into remission as it has in the past, then again who knows......

Again, hang in there and have faith! cool

Posted 9/17/2009 8:50 AM (GMT 0)
Do you think a nict. patch could work at low doses?

I was very sick when I quit smoking, lost my voice for about 3 months, terrible coughing and hacking, then UC or Proctitis some doctors say other UC and one said Toxic Colitis. It is hard for me to believe who is right.

thank you

Posted 9/17/2009 9:11 AM (GMT 0)
I doubt a patch would help. Years ago my GI told me they were doing some studies relating to the patch. If it was an effective maintainence more of us would know and would be using it. There are others on this board that can better explain how smoking masks our disease. I believe it had something to do with th CO2 in the smoke that affects our cells when we smoke.
Posted 9/17/2009 9:37 AM (GMT 0)
Durango Kid, Thank you so much

You are too right, I went to Search and put in Smoking, very interesting comments for everyone.

I am so tired, need to get some sleep.

Good night and thank you for your time.

Posted 9/17/2009 5:59 PM (GMT 0)
I got UC before I quit smoking. I quit smoking about 4 months ago and my UC is about the same condition it was before I quit. Quitting affects some and not others. My doctor would never recommend that I go back to smoking to treat a flare though.
Posted 9/17/2009 6:47 PM (GMT 0)
     I smoked (but only a few cigarettes a day) years ago and developed UC in 98.  But my GI doctor did say he very rarely has come across a patient who is currently a smoker.  He and his associate both told me they don't recommend the nicotine patch.  I was thinking of going back to smoking too.  I mean, hey, at my age what harm could two cigarettes a day do?  My flares are getting closer and closer together and hit with a vengence.  I am going over to the Univ of PA hosp next week for a consultation with another GI specialist at the recommendation of my GI doctor.  If his suggestions don't help with my next flare, I just may start to smoke a few cigs a day.
Posted 9/17/2009 9:27 PM (GMT 0)
I am almost afraid to respond to this, but....

I had tried the nocotine patch a few years ago,and got short term improvement. After reviewing my meds with DRS at Mt Sainai In NYC, they "quietly" asked me if I had tried smoking a few cigs a day. I was shocked, and asked "Doctor, are you telling me to smoke?!". His response was..." I would never do that, BUT, you are facing surgery and have to make your own decisions. Statistics show...."

So, I stopped at 7-11 and bought a pack and tried 4 a day. I figured that I had to weigh the ramifications  of the meds., surgery, or smoking a few cigs. Well, I did go into remission, weaned off ther smoking, and had perfect remission for almost three years (only 50  to 75 mgs of 6MP for maintenance). I am NOT a smoker, nor would ever become one.

Now, I  again last month went into  in a most disappointing and severe  relapse. I cannot tolerate the prednisone any more , I tried 40 and felt AWFUL> I incresed my 6MP to 100, got rowasa enemas, and YES... am smoking 4 cigs a day. I have to try anything to get under control. I am feeling better and the bleeding is lessening. Is it the cigs, the meds, or just my rcazy immune system... who knows! But, if I weigh my options and the risks, I will gamble on light smoking TEMPORARILY (yuck, yes). There are  no easy answers in this .So, that's my sad story..... good luck and hang in there!

Posted 9/17/2009 9:49 PM (GMT 0)
This article explains the effects of smoking and UC (the benefit)...

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/35173.php

:)

Posted 9/17/2009 10:46 PM (GMT 0)
     VERY INTERESTING article pb4!!!  Hmmmm.....something to ponder that is for certain. 
Posted 9/18/2009 2:57 AM (GMT 0)
Wow...it happened to me. One month after quitig smoking, I came down with m first flare and after a colonoscopy was dxd with UC. My doctor was aware of the relationship woth smoking and UC, but would not recommedn smoking either. I have read about this and some people have used the patch to calm flares. But everyone reacts differently, but I think if I was facing possible surgery, I would try smoking or the patch.
Posted 9/18/2009 5:34 AM (GMT 0)
Nana1947,

Hi I tried a cig 2 days ago and I have had black blood yesterday and today. I am wondering what that means. There is probably no connection. I dont know. It made me feel very sick, vomitty and very dizzy. I couldnt smoke all of it.

Posted 9/18/2009 6:10 AM (GMT 0)
Black (or really dark) blood is generally an indication of bleeding from higher up in the GI tract, I would contact your GI ASAP.

:)
Posted 9/18/2009 8:08 PM (GMT 0)
I quick smoking right before I started seeing symptoms...I'm sooooo tempted to have one!

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