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2 Weeks using nicotine (e-cig) seems to be helping!

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Posted 1/11/2011 7:54 PM (GMT 0)
So I started flaring a week before Christmas. Had been doing pretty well up until then with maybe an occasional not-so-great morning but nothing that would make me think "flare" until Sat. the 18th.
There was also an awful stomach thing going around and DH had it the week before (with terrible stomach cramping and D). So I waited a few days to see if maybe it was the virus and not a flare.

My symptoms were cramping, tenesmus, very small amounts of stool, a little blood (from a hemmie I think), and the hateful sharts.
Called the GI and he couldn't see me until 1/10/11 so I decided to try the e-cig that I had been planning to do for my next flare. It has been 6 months since my last flare and pred kicked it quickly.

I had to order and wait for the e-cig to come, so I bought a pack of regular cigs to smoke in the mean time ***I'm not recommending this!!!!***

I've never been a smoker, so they took some getting used to and I worked my way up to smoking 3 cigs a day until the e-cig arrived.

2.5 weeks after starting, I was having larger BMs, no cramping, no blood, no tenesmus, the hemmie is healing and no sharts!
I'm still ultra sensitive to food, had a home made burger one night which caused some cramping the next morning.

So now I've been using the nicotine for 3 weeks and I'm definitely better than when I started.

I've never had improvement in a flare without the use of pred, so this is a significant change for me.
Saw the GI yesterday and he wants me to keep using the e-cig for 4-6 weeks and let him know how it goes.

Just wanted to share, I know there have been various threads about this same thing so just wanted to add my experience in.
Posted 1/11/2011 8:18 PM (GMT 0)
I've always wondered about the E-cig. Whether or not if it was as effective as the real thing. I hope you continue to feel better and better.
Posted 1/11/2011 8:35 PM (GMT 0)
Very interesting!
I, too, hope you continue to feel increasingly better.

Keep us posted!
Posted 1/11/2011 9:39 PM (GMT 0)
Congratulations! I guess this shows the value of forums like this one. It is not very likely a medical professional would jeopardize his career by recommending nicotine to his patients, but you could learn about it here.

IMO I am sure that the side effects of ingesting nicotine alone, without inhaling any toxic smoke from cigarettes, are not more harmful than the side effects of using pred to end your flares.
Posted 1/11/2011 9:56 PM (GMT 0)

BabeintheWoods said...
Congratulations! I guess this shows the value of forums like this one. It is not very likely a medical professional would jeopardize his career by recommending nicotine to his patients, but you could learn about it here.

IMO I am sure that the side effects of ingesting nicotine alone, without inhaling any toxic smoke from cigarettes, are not more harmful than the side effects of using pred to end your flares.

I agree with that I do not think the nicotine is what leads to heart attach, stroke and hardening of the arteries but I could be mistaken.

I talked my friend into using this to get off cigs and I wonder if it is something I should try. All I know is that as a kid I tried chewing tobacco and it made me sick to my stomach. Then I tried nicotine gum when I got UC and it made me sick.

What does an e-cig do for you ? Any nausea ? Does it rev you up cognitively and for how long ?
Posted 1/11/2011 10:38 PM (GMT 0)
If you are not a recent smoker, you will have a reaction(negative) to any nicotine. You have to get used to it and work up.

This from wikipedia:

Somebody said...
Nicotine has very powerful effects on arteries throughout the body. Nicotine is a stimulant, it raises blood pressure, and is a vasoconstrictor, making it harder for the heart to pump through the constricted arteries. It causes the body to release its stores of fat and cholesterol into the blood.[55]

It has been speculated[who?] that nicotine increases the risk of blood clots by increasing plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, though this has not been proven. Plasma fibrinogen levels are elevated in smokers and are further elevated during acute COPD exacerbation. Also Factor XIII, which stabilizes fibrin clots, is increased in smokers. But neither of these two effects has been shown to be caused by nicotine [56] as of 2009[update].

Peripheral circulation in arteries going to the extremities is also highly susceptible to the vasoconstrictor effects of nicotine and the increased risk of clots and clogging.

I quit smoking in 1994. I have recent problems with circulation in extremities and high blood pressure that I think is definitely from years of smoking. No idea if it was smoke or nicotine. I would avoid smoke though and make sure to weigh the risks of nicotine against the alternative. Once you get beyond 5ASAs and topical steriods the other drugs are pretty harsh stuff. Maybe cholestral monotoring and BP checks are a good idea?
Posted 1/11/2011 10:58 PM (GMT 0)
Nicotine can definitely make you feel icky if your system is not used to it. My system was not used to it so I just eased into it pretty slowly.

The nice thing about the liquids is that they make them in different strengths, so you can start really low (and even mix a low-nic with a no-nic fluid) and increase if you're tolerating it. This will also be an advantage to weaning off, as you can lower your dose to quit.

I've had no nausea. I have lost weight (due to nicotine or flare? I don't know), maybe about 5 lbs which puts me at only 100lbs now. I always lose weight while flaring, so that's very likely the cause.

I didn't notice any cognitive difference, though I did have some vivid dreams for a few nights.

The e-cig itself doesn't seem to do anything to me, I don't feel more or less calm, it doesn't make me have a BM nor prevent me from having one, it doesn't seem to affect my appetite.
When I first started (with regular cigs) I did notice more energy for about an hour after, so I'd get a bunch of stuff done and wouldn't smoke at night. I don't notice that now at all (maybe I'm not getting as much nicotine? maybe I'm just used to it now? not sure).

The effects I notice in regards to UC took weeks to happen, but WORTH IT for me.

There are multiple devices out there, some are much cheaper than others and some are much better quality than others. I went with a USA made stainless device so I can count on it lasting me a long time and being dependable.
Posted 1/11/2011 11:58 PM (GMT 0)
Very interesting. Another reason I love this forum....we talk about any and all possible treatments.(even if they are not PC)
B
Posted 1/12/2011 12:22 AM (GMT 0)
(Well, except for that herb which shall not be named, despite its legality in several states.)

Interesting! Glad you found something that worked. I've always wondered how the e-cigs work?
Posted 1/12/2011 1:21 AM (GMT 0)
some work differently than others, but I *think* they all do basically the same thing. There is a battery inside, an atomizer (which has a life span and needs to be replaced every so often. Heavier "smokers" will go thru these quicker) which heats up the liquid and turns it into vapor and a mouth piece on the end of the atomizer. Mine has a button which completes the circuit with the battery so you push the button for a couple seconds while sucking in the vapor. That's about it.
I know some function without a button (it goes on when you inhale) but I had a friend who used one of those and wasn't super happy with it.
Posted 1/12/2011 1:25 AM (GMT 0)

mkl11 said...
(Well, except for that herb which shall not be named, despite its legality in several states.)

Interesting! Glad you found something that worked. I've always wondered how the e-cigs work?

Yeah it is legal here and just got off phone with friend who is airline captain and going to take a shot at opening a store in arizona for it.

OP,

So it sounds like the e-cig does AMP you up and give you energy to get things done. That is what I meant about 'cognitive' impact. Any stimulants I use typically accelerate my GI tract which is a bad thing for me so this sounds encouraging and glad you mentioned it only lasts for one hour.
Posted 1/12/2011 3:07 AM (GMT 0)
Nicotine will increase your heart rate, I got too high of a nic liquid & felt awful..and I was a smoker who had quit but was still on nicotrol inhalers..so used to nicotine. Once i diluted it, all was well. My absolute favorite place to buy e liquids is tasty vapor, they are awesome & have excellent reviews. pina colata, tasty finger (like butterfinger) & classic tobacco are my fav. I get the 48 MG 1 oz, a doubler of no nicotine & an extra bottle to mix my own & make it less expensive. I do 4/1 ratio. I have a shipment on it's way no..can't wait!
Posted 1/12/2011 3:44 AM (GMT 0)
Oh, hmm interesting! Thanks, hekela.
Posted 1/12/2011 11:12 PM (GMT 0)
oh gosh, Meemers, that site has some great flavors! I'll have to check them out sometime soon.
Posted 1/12/2011 11:55 PM (GMT 0)
e-cigs..who knew! This thread is very informative.
Posted 1/13/2011 12:34 AM (GMT 0)

hekela said...
oh gosh, Meemers, that site has some great flavors! I'll have to check them out sometime soon.

 

Geoff that runs it is great too...I have like 7 different bottles on my desk now, lol..cafe mocha is good..choc cherry..heard waffle was very popular too. Smoking never tasted so good!

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