smoking
#34915 - 01/02/04 03:03 PM
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annkent
Reged: 12/30/03
Posts: 18
Loc: Mississippi
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HI. I know that Heather recommends quitting, and I know I need to, but I just want to know has anyone had experience with cigs being directly tied to the spasms? My doctor's nurse told me that it had been their experience that people with IBS who smoke actually did better with the symptoms... though, of course, he recommends to quit. I just don't know if I can give everything up at once. I am doing good with the soda pop (which was drinking a lot of), the red meat - no problem, and fried foods... alcohol was never a problem, but I'm just not ready to give up the cigs, unless someone can tell me that they are definitley what is causing the pain... then I guess I will just have to give it a try...... just take everything okay... I will go live in a nunnery!
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I've never smoked (yuk!) but I have noticed that my IBS always seems to get worse if I spend any length of time in a smoky atmosphere. Of course, this could just be coincidence, but I have heard people say that their first cigarette of the day makes them go to the toilet, so perhaps it does have a direct effect.
Oh, just give up - think of all the money you'll save and all the people around you who will be relieved at not having to breathe in your smoke (they don't have a choice, do they?)
Oh, no. I better stop now before I really get on my high horse (sorry!!)
Shellsbells 
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You know what - all my guys smoke and recently whenever I stand around them while they're smoking, my stomach will start to feel unconfortable. Especially if we're in the car or somewhere enclosed. I was thinking that it might be irritating my IBS but was going to wait a couple more times to see if it was true.
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- Jennifer
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Re: smoking
#34923 - 01/02/04 03:50 PM
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Debby
Reged: 11/05/03
Posts: 460
Loc: Cleveland, Ohio
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Hi Ann, I quit smoking in March of 2003 after about 10 years of smoking. When I did smoke I noticed it would trigger my stomach in to action and was a kind of stimulant especially in the morning. They say that smoking is more addictive than heroin or cocaine and I believe it because quitting was so hard. It takes so much will power to beat this physical addiction but you will be so much happier when you do. You realize you won't be killing yourself! Plus all the other perks like you won't stink all the time and you save tons and tons of money! I have used the nicotene gum but it was kind of hard on my stomach. This last time I quit I used the Nicotene patch and it was a HUGE help and I could really feel the effects of the nicotene going through my system while I got used to not having a cigarrette all the time. The patches can be expensive but it is sooooo worth it. It does get easier but you have to be strong. I started eating lots of hard candy and sometimes popscicles and now I have hot tea to carry around with me as my "crutch". It's much better on the stomach. I would recommend maybe a stop smoking class or group so you have some support on a daily or weekly basis.
Right now my stomach is doing much better but it was a gradual thing. I don't know how that nurse can say IBS is helped in any way by smoking! Best of luck to you.
Debby
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Smoking (and probably specifically the nicotine) may actually be helpful for ulcerative colitis - there is some evidence of this, though the reasons why are unclear. But - there is no evidence, or reason, why cigarettes would help IBS. They're a GI stimulant and irritant - one of the most likely things to trigger an IBS attack. However they may be helping an inflammatory bowel disease would not apply to IBS, as by definition there is no inflammation with IBS, there is instead altered motility. Cigarettes will negatively impact your gut motility - there's just no way they could improve it.
So, either the nurse was mistakenly thinking of ulcerative colitis patients, or she's just plain mistaken.
- H
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Heather is the Administrator of the IBS Message Boards. She is the author of Eating for IBS and The First Year: IBS, and the CEO of Heather's Tummy Care. Join her IBS Newsletter. Meet Heather on Facebook!
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second hand smoke can be worse than actually smoking it. Make those guys go outside and not smoke around you.
My husband grew up with two chain smokers (his parents) and we believe that is why he gets sick more than the rest of us. He even got pneumonia in his mid-twenties.
There also have been studies that second hand smoke is bad for you.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. 
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Re: smoking
#35086 - 01/04/04 09:24 AM
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suzyq
Reged: 05/22/03
Posts: 630
Loc: Northern Ont. Canada
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I will be celebrating 11 yrs of quitting smoking on the 18th of this month!!! I will also be going on my 11th year of IBS/UC!! It seemed it went together. Don't jump on me yet!! With smoking,it is a stress reliever of course with all the chemicals.Now if you are like me smoking and drinking coffee went together. Both stress relievers,on my part anyways. Now when I quit smoking I had the aid of the Nicotine patch. It is the nicotine that your body needs. Of course with both withdrawals my body went thru hell. Along comes tummy trouble. When I seen the Dr. I went thru testing I was diagnosed wtih Lactose intolerant and IBS. So I lived with this for a few years,having to quit my job as runnning to the bathroom was not in my job discription. Anyways I went to GI and was informed that I was developing UC due to the rectal bleeding.Along comes another GAstro specialist and he says that smoking or nicotine does help (not sure how) with UC but please DO NOT START SMOKING as it is not good for you!! Also my husband always tells me that if I ever start smoking again I get to sleep in a tent and believe me here in Canada it is too cold. But to answer your question I believe it is a chemical in with the nicotine that is the answer but not for IBS, only for us UC sufferers!!  Try and quit maybe with the help of the patch; you will feel so much better later on. And yes you will still have cravings as I still do. It is only normal. The chemicals definitely gives a boost to the cramping of your IBS, so even if you start slow and only have so many a day. Oh by the way when you go to quit set a date and follow it. It helps!! Good luck and let us know if you have quit. Take care Sue (an exsmoker and proud of it)
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I can't believe a nurse said that (they must be a smoker) Smoking is never better for anyone at anytime )take it from this RN) Other than a stress reliever, smoking will give you cancer, emphysema, chronic cough, worsen asthma, etc... Maryh
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Whatever doesn't kill me will make me stronger!
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Smoking is really terrible for IBS. The way it was explained to me is it speeds up your metabolism. Which will cause you big trouble!
I know if I ate something that is kinda iffy and had a cig after I'm done for!
Really you should quit...it does cause stress to your system in so many other ways.
It's definitely not easy to quit for the fact that Heather has taken away our chocolate, hamburgers etc...but honestly it is best! It's something you have to do!
Even start by cutting down to a few a day...and then cut them out completely.
It's not easy to quit...no doubt about it! I have a heck of a time! I only cut down and then eventually cut them completely out!
Good luck! 
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Lana_Marie
Proud Mommy to Bentley Taylor
Born May 12, 2004 9lbs, 3oz
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