Quitting cigarettes and Crohn's

[Egghead420]

Hello, im a 21 yr old dude who likes to do sports and so, ive had Crohn's for about 2,5-3 years now and just joined the forum..btw wasnt sure if this is the right spot to post the question .. I have this question hoping someone here could help me:
Ive quit smoking about 2 months ago, been using Swedish Snus and smoked one or two cigarettes now and then. My condition had been very good for quite a while, until about two weeks ago, started getting small cramps and an overall bad feeling in my stomach + have to run to the bathroom many times a day. I got this exact same thing about a year back when i quit, then started smoking again and everything was good again. Is there a way to reduce the symptoms or should i just wait it out and hope for the best?
Thanks

 

[kirkland]

I have heard that smoking actually helps UC symptoms and makes crohns symptoms worse.

 

[Egghead420]

I have heard that smoking actually helps UC symptoms and makes crohns symptoms worse.

Yup, when i smoke daily my condition usually stays good for a long time, as soon as i start smoking much less or dont smoke at all, the symptoms kick in again.. but ofcourse i dont want to smoke i want my old lung capacity back , now that ive started to ride my bike again. The symptoms are making my quitting process mentally and physically harder :/

 

[silvermander]

This is going to sound wild, but when the first news about nicotine and Crohn's, my doc put me on the patch. It was only one strength back then and I barfed my brains out. Not long after that a couple of Coast Guard docs told me it might help to start smoking as it wouldn't shorten my life expectancy at this point. That was just what I wanted to hear when I was 22 and newly married!

Anyway, I started smoking, because at that point I had little else to lose. The marriage hit the loo pretty quickly (no pun intended), but I continued to smoke.

Then it came out that nicotine wasn't good for Crohn's and I continued to smoke because I'm one of those people who really enjoys smoking. I did quit five years ago, and it was a smart thing to do, but my health has been a bloody mess since then.

Take from it what you may.

 

[nogutsnoglory]

I'm glad you quit since its very bad for Crohn's. Ironically those who smoke with UC shouldn't stop since there is some therapeutic value.

Have you discussed this with your doctor? Maybe your body is just in shock and the nicotine patch could help?

 

[purdueCrohns]

It could be a coincidence or perhaps something from the stress of quitting. In my experience, Crohn's issues always have a number of factors to them.

 

[Egghead420]

Thanks for the replies! Nro, i have not discussed this with my doctor. Looks like ill just try to wait it out, i really dont want to start smoking again.. Btw, has anyone heard of an herb named Boswellia? Had some links here but cant post due to the 10 post rule, but google it! I noticed there was some info on it here on the forum also.

 

[nogutsnoglory]

There are also those electronic cigarettes that supposedly give you the nicotine but don't damage your lungs.

 

[Egghead420]

There are also those electronic cigarettes that supposedly give you the nicotine but don't damage your lungs.

Yup, i actually have one, dont really like it.. im already over the cigarette habits , so ive basicly quit cigs already, just got concern that these symptoms kicked in :/

 

[acc929]

Sooo odd, I've never heard of Crohn's symptoms being improved by smoking! I smoked for a good while and quit because of my Crohn's symptoms being so bad. Granted, I needed surgery, so it's hard for me to say if quitting helped my symptoms. My relapse occurred about two months after I went from social to a pack a day, but there was also a bad break up involved, so it's hard to say stress or smoke. Medical marijuana might help the diarrhea if you want to go natural, or taking calcium.

 

[nogutsnoglory]

Smoking is not good for Crohn's at all. Only those who already smoke who who have Ulcerative Colitis receive nicotine because it benefits them. Doctors do not encourage those with UC to take up smoking though if they don't already smoke.

 

[Egghead420]

I dont think its the nicotine for me, i think its something related to the smok. Because like i said before, ive been using Swedish snus that contains about 8mg nicotine per pouch. Ive been smoking ganja now and then, it helps alot but i dont want to be high allday everyday.. and here in Finland its close to impossible to get a doctor to put you on medical marijuana, i think theres like 5 people who have a prespiction .