For the smokers

Sara, I don't know if by quitting smoking caused me to get UC or not but when I was diagnosed I was still smoking. But prior to that I had quit when I found out I was pregnant with my son and after he was born (stupid me!) I started back up. But it wasn't until he was already 1 that I started seeing signs of Uc. Also too, I did quit for 2 years only to be in one massive contious flare so I started back up and it had settled down somewhat. But I didn't wean myself down, I went cold turkey. So I am wondering if that could play a role into triggering a flare? Have you tried weaning yourself off smokes?

Red, I haven't really tried weaning myself off smokes in the past, but that is what I'm trying now. I'm not doing so hot though. I'm down to about 8/day...I was trying to cut it down to 7/day this week but I haven't done it yet.

Unfortunately, I think my doc just isn't very up-to-date on the meds. He tells me I can completely top using Rowasa when I feel better...but every time I go about a month or two without using one, I start bleeding again. I've read studies that say using them as maintenance has shown longer remission rates.

Old Hat - If you come across any good articles that I could bring to my next appt., would you send them my way? Thanks.

This is a tought question.  I quit cold turkey when I had my first flare.  I had quit for a year and a half.  I went back to smoking and I noticed almost immediatley a difference in my stool and less diarrhea.  Well I have been back smoking about a year and a half now and I must say recently when I'm smoking I do find I am starting to have diarrhea usually it is early in the morning.  Although yesterday it even went into the night.  Anyway sorry for being so long winded yes it does affect us. 

I sooooooooo want to try and quit and am fighting as to when to try again.  I have been told by my GI doctor that I will go into a flare and he suggested the patch.  I may ask for a prescription when I go back to the GI. 

Hope this helps in some way.

Stacy

I was also dx'd with UC shortly after quitting smoking, like within months. But, I wouldn't touch them again, they totally gross me out. It took a long time to feel that way about them, never thought I could quit for good, but now I don't know how I could ever stand it. The nasty taste in your mouth, the yucky smell on your clothes and between your fingers. I thought I would be hooked for life. But, I surprised myself. I think you have to really make up your mind, know for sure that you definitely want to quit. Plus, my mother died at 52 years of age from copd. I quit before she died, I didn't want to end up having an oxygen tank attached to me to function normally, like she had to. (and still, she would go into the bathroom, take the oxygen hose away from her nostrils and have a cigarette) I only wish she had the strength to quit, she never got to meet her grandkids. I did find that exercising, chewing sugarless gum, sucking on sugarless candy did help somewhat.