This forum is so valuable with many having suffered over many years. Does anyone know if smoking is directly related to increased CRP Levels? Being relatively newly diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis and being a smoker it is a big question for me.
I quit as advised by my rheumy, CRP levels were 17 when I left hospital, they had been over 100. ESR was quite normal. I had a relapse of smoking for about 2 months and bingo, iinflammation and CRP has risen to 39 then 68. Suffice to say I have quit this time for good.
Any information or experience from others would be much appreciated. I’m due for another blood test in a week so will be interesting to see what the CRP is doing.
Thanks, this forum is awesome, so glad to have found it.
Written by
daisychains58
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Try to find a less harmful alternative to smoking. I’ve used a vape this past 14 months and being a smoker n the thought of giving up never occurred to me before until I felt so much pain in my feet. Back then I was told I had Achilles tendinitis. so I thought if I tried a vape it would help my blood flow and hopefully not pollute my body as much, so started reading about all sorts of things that interests me, foods recipes that heal enough so it’s occupied my mind to not think about the very thing smoking doesn’t do is make you healthy. It’s just about occupying your mind and changing your routine and personal priorities regarding health and those you wish to be a good example for, I saw something funny recently and as I moan at my grandson because he’s lazy brushing his teeth what I read was “ you only have to brush the teeth you want to keep” so in a word or several we only have one body one life and I just love living, even if sometimes it’s hard, I just want to feel comfortable in my own skin as all of us do. Having Ra is debilitating in its self but every day we can do little things that ease the situation. The one fantastic thing I did was join this site. So many people are afflicted with this condition and it’s scary because we don’t know how to sort it out, so if you do one nice thing to help yourself to be well as can be then that’s great. Little changes each day. Like acorns then oak trees xxx
What a fabulous reply New50. You are absolutely correct in all you say. I have been vaping too, 1% and nil nico now and it has been the best quit tool ever. I can’t stand the smell of smoke let alone want one. Very popular here in Oz. I too have eaten clean plus supplements for 3 months only to have elevated CRP but I was smoking so no wonder, toxins plus. I am sero negative RA and I’m not convinced I have it at all. I definitely had a massive cytokine storm going on and I have my theories in that too. Im taking only 4.5mg pred atm, been tapering for months. I must say I feel better in myself not smoking so praying for a good blood result next week as I have gone against rheumy advice to start back on Leftutomide, I want to see the impact of quitting first. Love the advice to your grandson too by the way. 😃.
Again you are correct, the explosion of RD in all ages is very frightening, there is no cure and the doctors really don’t know why we get it. Natural medicine say without doubt immune disorders are brought about by the food we consume and our environment. Also the hereditary factor is always there.
I've read that smoking elevates anti-CCP antibodies, but not seen anything about CRP. I thought about smoking as a longer term influencer on our health rather than something that has an immediate effect. But I suppose its possible that effect of inhaling stuff does raise inflammation levels.
What I do know is that not only does it increase risk of you getting RA, it can make it worse and can make the treatments less effective. So well done for stopping! It's hard, but was best thing I ever did. Here's what NRAS say.
It's always best to avoid if you can, as you mention just another toxin.
Having said that, I don't smoke, never have and my ESR is at 100 and CRP 40. So just goes to show. I am currently on a high dose of prednisone 30 mg. Soon as I stop the prednisone inflammation rises.
Would you mind sharing your cytokine theory?
In the interim take care. I pray your blood work is much improved. Keep us posted.
Bit of reading Hessie. I’ll try and find more tomorrow, it’s very interesting.
I believe after having a strong antiviral medication in 2016 it crippled my immune system. I have never been the same since. Started getting peeling on my palms, GP said dermatitis, never before had I had this. I was fatigued, I could go on and on. I had very bad OA arthritis in my ankle and in May 2018 had a PRP (plasma rich platelets, similR to stem cells) injection into it with the aim of building cartilidge. It was agony from day one and within 3 weeks both my left ankle and left knee were so red, inflamed and swollen, it was absolute agony and I didn’t know what was happening.
I believe I had a massive reaction to the injection. Both knees were attacked so badly I had bilateral knee replacements end of October as the alignment was bad and the knee needed fixing before the ankle could be done. I was just blown away when I was told I had bone on bone both knees, they were ok before the injection. So sorry for the long saga but I have done so much research on this and a high profile immunologist agreed with my theory. I was in hospital for 3 weeks in July I was just so sick. Ankle replacement finally booked for 30 April, it’s been hard recovering from the knees when I can’t weight bear on my ankle.
Hope you find the cytokine info informative. It’s all about the immune system and our bodies response really.
Thanks Hessie, I’ll check it out. I know it’s bad as helix said, the rheumy yelled at me when I told him I had started again. It’s just a big. I no for all the reasons helix said. I’ll respond again when I read your link.
Pred brought my inflammation down too. Now I've tapered down from 50mg last July its up. I need to know if smoking iscthe cause before i agree ti more dmards.
This has opened up a whole new thinking and I too am still learning but it really does help knowing others are struggling with trying to understand and given a few changes in our daily existence can elevate symptoms, there are so many posts that have been helpful and many caring people who wish wellness, may all the cells in life be happy bubbles 😀 xxx
Oh yes happy bubbles floating around our bodies all doing good. I watched a fabulous Netflix doco last night called Heal. Well worth a watch. Also I’m a big fan of Autoimmune Secrets, so much valuable understanding, it all makes sense.
Watched a great doco last night called Heal, was on Netflix. I highly recommend if you can find it, even YouTube, all about the mind and health. Otherwise Autoimmune Secrets is brilliant. Xx. PS I’m over smoking, my health is way too important. Since I turned 60 last year it has just been all downhill unfortunately. Plus a packet is unaffordable, $45 and for 30.
I don’t blame you, a good telling off by the rheumy stopped me for a while too but now I know I can’t smoke, it’s way too serious a health issue plus it is the single most damaging thing we can do to our bodies.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Had RD 20 yrs. also PMR 1yr. Rheumy said RD in remission but in a lot of pain especially in morning.
Tiredness and ra
Arthritis and fibro
AF and RD... Anyone have both? 
Normocytic anaemia with RD
