OK, I already know it's a dirty nasty habit & it's bad for your health.
That being said, I'll admit, I am a smoker *hangs head in shame*
Now that Ive been diagnosed with Lupus, I keep hearing & reading that smoking can trigger flares. My question is..... what exactly is it about smoking that triggers the flares? Is it the smoke, chemicals, nicotine or all of it?
I plan on doing everything I can to improve my situation and quitting smoking is on my list of things to do. I've been smoking for approx 30 years, so I know this will not be easy. I have quit in the past for a few months at a time but always end up starting back up again. I bought myself a e-cig to try & help this time around but I'm wondering if it is any better than actual smoking or not?
As a fellow long time smoker I never heard this or experienced a flare that I thought was triggered by smoking. However smoking does have profound adverse effects on your health and having lupus you really don't need any help in developing poor health :>( Stopping for us hard core addicts is hard I agree I found Chantix to help. Don't know the long term effects of the ecig but I did stop coughing and my sinusitis resolved when I used them
I have also smoked for a long time
I do not no about it causing flares but i stopped for 6 months and did feel better i am trying to quit now let me no how you do.
I too am a smoker with lupus. I don't think cigarettes cause a flare but they definitely don't help with the issues with blood vessels and clots that can be associated with lupus. They are all around bad for us. And as for the ecig...I have had people say what if it's bad for you? And my answer is like "like cigarettes aren't bad for you". I am currently on Chantix (week 1) I really want and need to quit smoking for many reasons but especially now that I am having trouble with blood clots. Good luck, put your mind to it and you can do it. (hope I do too).
I am in the middle of a relapse - three years with no cigarettes and I picked one up a couple of months ago and have continued to smoke. I have to stop - my COPD is really acting up. I believe the E cigarettes are just better for folks around you. But there is nicotine in it, so you continue to be addicted to nicotine. I can tell that my Lupus is worse since I started again, as well as some other autoimmune diseases I have. If you can stop, do!!! I know it's hard - and, for me, even a puff puts me back into the addiction. I also was a long-time smoker - 50 years...it takes such a toll on your body...
After many unsuccessful attempts I finally quit in 1990 during a hospitalization. Then a year ago this past June I began dating a man who smoked but was using the e- cig to try to “quit”. He kept urging me to try a few puffs on the e cig to try out the different flavors and assured me that they were “safe”. Finally I did , then every few weeks a few more puffs. In July I was taking a road trip out west and he bought me a couple of the e cigs for the road. I stupidly used them thinking they were nicotine free?..well after doing some research on them I found or they are NOT CHEMICAL FREE. They just release steam so you are able to use them in some nonsmoking environments. Needless to say, mow a yea later and I am still smoking, finding myself right back to where I was 25 years ago…I have been trying to quit ever since. My cardiovascular and lungs have both gone downhill. Maybe we can work on a smaller little support circle for quitting? I am ashamed to say I have not admitted my relapse to my drs. But they a seeing the results in my blood tests, MRIs and COPD. I most definately feel the difference. Let’s work on getting each other ff this awful habit. … ~Maré
I would LOVE to be part of a group to help each other stop smoking!
Flutterbymare said:
After many unsuccessful attempts I finally quit in 1990 during a hospitalization. Then a year ago this past June I began dating a man who smoked but was using the e- cig to try to "quit". He kept urging me to try a few puffs on the e cig to try out the different flavors and assured me that they were "safe". Finally I did , then every few weeks a few more puffs. In July I was taking a road trip out west and he bought me a couple of the e cigs for the road. I stupidly used them thinking they were nicotine free?..well after doing some research on them I found or they are NOT CHEMICAL FREE. They just release steam so you are able to use them in some nonsmoking environments. Needless to say, mow a yea later and I am still smoking, finding myself right back to where I was 25 years ago...I have been trying to quit ever since. My cardiovascular and lungs have both gone downhill. Maybe we can work on a smaller little support circle for quitting? I am ashamed to say I have not admitted my relapse to my drs. But they a seeing the results in my blood tests, MRIs and COPD. I most definately feel the difference. Let's work on getting each other ff this awful habit. ... ~Maré
WoW, lots of great responses to my discussion. I truly appreciate all the comments.
I think starting a quit group would be an awesome idea, just not sure how to go about it on here.
Anybody have any suggestions on how to do that? All I can think of is that everybody on here that wants to be part of it can "friend" each other and offer support through the message feature and maybe have a planned time to chat?
Also, besides using my ecig, I just ordered nicotine patches to use, they should be here sometime next week. Once I start the patches, the ecig has to go.
Girl I am right there with u. I too have been smoking for 30 years and your right it's a nasty habit but don't hang your head in shame because we shame ourselves too much. I tried the nic Gum but it didnt work, I tried an e-cig by its self and that didnt work. What I did to help myself is I got the patches, Im still on the first box, and use the patches and they provide enough nicotine that I dont think about smoking as long as I am not around people who smoke. I then used the e-cig when I felt like I wanted some hand to mouth action, so that helps with the psycological stuff, atleast it does for me.
A friend of mine is using the gum and it is working for her. If you want the hand to mouth action, buy some candy cigarettes..I believe the ecigs are really dangerous and keep you addicted to nicotine.
survivor4ever said:
Girl I am right there with u. I too have been smoking for 30 years and your right it's a nasty habit but don't hang your head in shame because we shame ourselves too much. I tried the nic Gum but it didnt work, I tried an e-cig by its self and that didnt work. What I did to help myself is I got the patches, Im still on the first box, and use the patches and they provide enough nicotine that I dont think about smoking as long as I am not around people who smoke. I then used the e-cig when I felt like I wanted some hand to mouth action, so that helps with the psycological stuff, atleast it does for me.
I myself am a smoker. For about 20 years and I know I have to quit because of the lupus if for nothing else. But it is hard. And my defense is even tho its bad for me. It’s my only vice I don’t drink. Or do drugs I don’t go out or spend money on frivolous things. I have no life basically. I like to smoke. I know it’s terrible but I do. And I know I will def need to stop soon. I am having sinus surgery in 2 weeks so I’m hoping then ill b able to. I’ll have packing in my nose for 4 days so I hafta breathe out of my mouth. I think that will make me quit. For good I hope. Good luck to u. Hope everyone is doing ok. Hugs!!
Oh, for shame...just kidding. I smoked for over 25 yrs (mostly started to irritate the parents), but unfortunately is stuck.
After my 3rd ICU stay for pneumonia I started with the ecig. I tried at least 2 dozen brands and am with one I really like. I have been slowly coming down on the nicotine content and there is actually no commercial cigarette with as little nicotine that I take in. I love not having smelly clothes, breath, etc. My husband is a non-smoker, so love not having to go outside.
That said I haven't had a "real" cigarette in almost 3 years. I really do believe it's the reason I haven't been hospitalized since that last visit. For me it's the "act" and the usage of my hands and the fact that I have so much more time on my hands.
Chantix had an adverse affect on me, but does work with others.
I smoke too. It’s a love/hate relationship that I have with cigarettes. I know it’s soo bad and quite frankly a little embarrassing at this point in my life. I’ve had one massive stressful tragic situation after another for years and years now. I’m just not ready to give it up but I’m close. I would definitely join the group…hopefully it will inspire me.
Well since i am home for a couple of days sick Wednesday will be my stop date that’s the day i will be out of the ones i have left going to try the e cig for a couple of weeks