HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Nicotine

Support Forums
>
Ulcerative Colitis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 7/28/2009 12:41 PM (GMT 0)
This is obviously going to be a controversial topic for some people, but I thought I would share anyway.

I had a pretty bad flare-up requiring hospital admission in May. Earlier this month, I started smoking more frequently than my usual social outings (but no more than 4 on a regular day). In short, all of my symptoms have disappeared in the last fortnight despite ignoring my doctor by weaning off prednisone quickly and without the help of colazal. My bms have firmed themselves up and cramping has been reduced significantly.

Not a healthy solution, I know, and probably not a permanent one either, but just a thought I wanted to share. I'll keep you posted on my health.
Posted 7/28/2009 12:48 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah, it helped me too...I used to smoke for 13 years, then I quite, got pregnant and I got my first flare right after I had my baby. Then I smoked onece inthe while, it improved my symptoms...but this is not solution! Eventhough, I'm may be happy that I smoked these years cos I had full normal life while I was in college.
Posted 7/28/2009 12:52 PM (GMT 0)
    I heard of so many former smokers who developed UC after they quit smoking.  I am one of them.  Although I considered myself just a social smoker...a few cigarettes if I went out to dinner or a drink.  However, about fifteen years ago, I noticed shortness of breath while walking uphill.  I had my heart checked out and the first thing the doctor asked was..."You don't smoke, do you?"  I told him I only smoked a few cigaretttes a day and he said that was a few too many.  So, I quit right then and there.  A few years later was when I developed UC.  I have a friend with COPD and I sure would rather be walking in my shoes than hers.  Her quality of life is terrible.  But with my flares occurring more frequently anymore.....I just might give the cigarettes a small chance.  I mentioned the nicotine patch to my GI doctor and he poo pooed the entire idea.
Posted 7/28/2009 1:25 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, it is a controversial topic and has been discussed many times before on the forum because there's a number of ex-smokers here who were diagnosed with UC soon after quitting smoking. I didn't smoke much, but it was a regular habit for about 10 years.

After reading about the studies that had been done on UC and nicotine I tried the nicotine patch. That didn't help and gave me dizzy spells.

I also tried smoking again and did not see any benefit from it too. In fact, it was extremely difficult to stop smoking again but after a couple of months I stopped.

I definitely won't give it a try again -- but nothing was helping my flares at that time so I figured I'd give it a shot.
Posted 7/28/2009 4:19 PM (GMT 0)
Smoking isnt helping me know allthough I did quit with the help of the patch right before my first flare up and I got so tired and stressed with everything going on, I started smoking again. But it isn't helping to smoke now.
Posted 7/28/2009 6:42 PM (GMT 0)
What about using those electronic cigarette things, gum, or patches? Do you think those would help (I'm willing to try anything).
Posted 7/28/2009 7:15 PM (GMT 0)
Malkavian, I tried the gum and patches before trying smoking again. No luck.

I'm not sure if electronic cigarettes would work, as the studies that have been done on smoking and UC seem to show some sort of correlation with nicotine or carbon monoxide. It seems electronic cigarettes are the latest craze at the moment as all the malls in my area have carts and kiosks selling them.
Posted 7/29/2009 3:45 AM (GMT 0)
The patches have many unwanted and immediate side-effects, while the gum seems like a hassle to take correctly.
Posted 7/29/2009 4:07 AM (GMT 0)
Started smoking this week.   Helps me relax, but will quit once I stop flaring.  darn, I can't cheat on my diet! 
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply