smoking

I haven't been on here in awhile...because i have really been feeling much better. But here is my situation....i recently started smoking again. Only a few a day...my symptoms are about the same as they were before i started again. My question...has anyone quit smoking with out going into a flare. Last time i quit (3 years ago) I flared but it was like 3 months after so i don't even know if it was associated with the smoking....if anyone could help i would appreciate it. thanks

I stopped smoking when I was 28-29 (44 now). I was diagnosed with UC in 1999. This past year I started again because of all the testimonies about smoking being a benefit for those who have UC, from those who have went back to smoking. Within 1- 2 days I was already feeling the benefits, and am still in good shape as far as my UC is concerned. I never thought I would be a smoker again, but I never knew that I would be faced with the pain and agony of UC either. It is a personal decision. There are those who like to debate and attempt to sound more intelligent than others, but with all the meds we take (nicotine being one of them) we each have to decide for ourselves what price we want to pay in the process of living in these frail bodies. I would never recommend that someone should start smoking if they never have before. I certainly do wish I was a non-smoker and can quit if I want, but I am so relieved of the agony that I faced before with the UC being as active as it was. I am somewhat afraid of stopping the smoking again, I do not want to go into another flare and experience all of the symptoms that come with a flare. You must decide for yourself in this situation, I hope that your decision is the right one for you. Remember, there is a COST to going either way...