Cigarettes are definitely helping me. Could they help you?

I know this could be controversial, but...

I was a smoker for 40 years. I quit over three years ago. It was soon after I quit that I started to have all kinds of GI problems and was finally diagnosed with UC. After what seemed like a constant flare with all the regular symptoms including the blood, Big D, mucos, pain and constant trips to the bathroom, when I made it there, I ran across some info about middle-aged x-smokers and the onset of UC. So, with reluctance, but the encouragement of my partner, I tried smoking 3 cigarettes a day back in August. Within a few days, I noticed a slight improvement. I stayed at 3 cigarttes for about a month with no further improvement. Around the beginning of September, I increased to 5 cigarettes a day. Within a few days, my symptoms began to decrease rapidly, but did not totally go away. I went up to a 6th cigarette and have stayed there ever since. I have not had any symptoms now in well over a month...no blood, no D, mucos, pain and I am down to 2-4 BMs a day.

I have treated my return to cigarettes like an added medication. I keep them in the cupboard with my medications. I do not carry them with me. I smoke at only certain times during the day and evening, never associated with "the first of the morning", or after a cup of coffee or a meal. I don't crave them or smoke them mindlessly like I did for so many years. Every time I light one up, I tell myself this is not pleasure, it is medicine.

I know there are critics who are very strong about not smoking to help UC, and I'm not wild about smoking again, but in my case it is working, and I feel like I am getting my life back. Yes, I know they are not good for me as far as my lungs and heart go, but active UC also is not good for my large intestine. If given the choice, I would rather smoke and have a life, than not smoke and live the rest of my life in or close to my bathroom. If my symptoms ever come back while I am smoking, I will stop and try something else, but for now it is working, and working better than any medication, diet or routine I have tried up until now.

Post Edited (hineycase) : 10/27/2012 1:12:20 PM (GMT-6)

I have an odd story to tell then. Ive had UC since 16 and been smoking since 17. Usually my UC flares were easily controlled with prednisone. As my signature says Im still flaring mildly and cant get it to go away. When did this flare start? It started about 3-4 months afterI stopped smoking regularly and began casually smoking (ie when with friends). I stopped because I just had the cravings stop I didnt need to smoke regularly its weird. After the flare began about 2 months ago I stopped completely. Could it be smoking may actually have been helping a little? Maybe this flare is my worst because of quitting smoking itself (the extra stress on the body)?

Also when I did smoke on a flare cigarretes would actually induce BMs for me but I guess the fact that they took care of my stress at times it helped.

Im probably not gonna smoke until I have this flare under control but if it goes on long enough Im one if those where Im trying every combination of everything before surgery Im too darn young for that now! Thoughts?

There is a difference between a pack a day and a pack a week is also another note. I was a pack a week never the pack a day type. Which gives me the magical number of around 3 a day! Will definetly have a read about the Dr.

I have crohn's (even though it mainly affects my colon) and generally smoking with crohn's is a big no no cuz it has a negative effect on the small intestine...for me though it helps with my crohn's colitis symptoms and CD has not returned in my small intestines since I first became sick with CD (affected my sm intestines for the first 2 yrs I became sick but stayed constant in my colon).

I smoke 6/day and my doc says that is about as harmful as standing on the street corner everyday waiting for the light to change (exhaust and pollution) and since I'm never out on the street waiting for the lights to change, I can live with that comparisson.

BTW I think remicade is linked to cancer as well...thought I read about it on the CD forum...so I think everything can have pros and cons. I too prefer going to the can less than 30 + times a day...smoking to me is worth it...not pushing the idea on anyone else by any means...and yes, I'm well aware of the risks, afterall, I've been doing it more than not for the last 31 yrs now.

Hi hineycase,

I know there is controversy on whether or not it is the Nicotine or Carbon Monoxide. I know however that there are some on this site that get relief from those things so it may be worth trying. If not, def. no judgement here--- I say do what works...we are all adults and can make our own decisions. I have been tempted myself to try some of these things--I know there are risks w/ these meds that we take too.
B

the link for carbon monoxide soothing inflammation in the colon....

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/01/060103084934.htm

According to my CCFC journal, they were going to try and make a med for IBD based on this theory but without all the harmful side effects from smoking...have not read any updated info on this idea though.

I said that "fool" line with my tongue mostly planted firmly in cheek.

It is a funny irony that I stayed away from smoking for health reasons when it could have helped me all along...

Thanks for that info, hateuc. I'm going to look further into the gum/patches.

pb4...That would be great...a med based on the carbon monoxide theory. I would try it in a second.

I was so proud that I had quit smoking for almost three years. Going back has really helped my UC, but I really am not wild about smoking again. For me quitting for just under 3 years was a major achievement in my life, since I had tried so many times before. I would prefer not to smoke, but not at the cost of all the UC symptoms and camping out in the bathroom most of my life. I now have my life back. (cough, cough)

Post Edited (hineycase) : 10/27/2012 1:12:57 PM (GMT-6)

I'm sure they've done the studies.

q

hekela,

I Googled ecig, and there are a lot. What ecig are you using?

Wow! What a story, Itsalive! Thank you for sharing that.

Thanks, coffeeman!

Thank you too hekela!

For those of you who are ex-smokers, do you know if nicotine replacement therapy with an ecig is more efficacious than using the patch or gum, or does the ecig just have the added "benefit" of allowing you the pleasure/sensation of smoking again?