Nicotine and Crohn's

[barelyalive]

After not smoking for nearly 8 years I started up again this past summer. I was flaring bad in September during a high stress time at work. I quit smoking on November 30 via use of the patch. I was flaring throughout December and gradually worse into January (another high stress time at work). The last two weeks I was in perpetual brain numbing pain in my stomach and joints - I was even having a hard time walking over the last week. I started smoking again yesterday and woke up feeling much better today. I have been smoking today as well. I still have some stomach pain (but not persistent like it has been and not even a fraction of the intensity) and had about 5 painful bowel movements today but the joint pain is pretty much gone. I am like WTF? What am I supposed to do now?!?!?!

 

[chrisnsteph1022]

Weird. I would look for another 'treatment' for the problem, though. Something with less risks than smoking. Tomorrow is my quit date and I'm so scared the Crohn's is going to get worse.

 

[cali]

When the Drs see on my chart that I smoke they either tell me about a family member that has crohns and smokes with their sympathy or they just ask how much, but none of them say shame on you or anything else because they KNOW it helps. When I was in the hospital last Nov they even made sure I had a patch everyday without my even asking.

 

[lari]

My G.I. doctor last summer told me Not to quit during the flare-up. There are studies that shiw nicotine and the bowels get connected somehow and quitting cold turkey will hurt your digestive system. Throws it off track. Any smoker will tell you a smoke in the morning usually starts you to the bathroom. As does a hot cup of coffee for many people.