Do we think there is a link between cigarette smoking and RA. Are many of us smokers or ex - smokers?

[Gina_K]

[Hidden]

Hi Gina, apparently the experts think there is a link, I did read it somewhere on the net a while ago.

However I've never smoked all my family did/do so they may count passive smoking too. Then again they blame smoking for most things these days, no bad habit's me!! Lol

mand xx

[lulul]

Never had a puff in my life! Don't drink either although I used to. My only vice is chocolate!!! Please don't tell me the chocolate is to blame lol

[rheumatoidymummy]

I am ashamed to admit I am an ex-smoker, only for 3 or 4 years before I realised the error of my ways. I've also heard about the possible link and I hate the fact that I might have brought this on myself.

[Hidden]

I am also an ex-smoker, about 5 years ago I gave up and since then Ive been nothing but ill! Coicienence?

This seems to be when my syptoms started in fact at one point I even thought off starting smoking again to see if all my ailments would bugger off!!

If only it was that easy lol

[Gina_K]

RA Fibro, All my problems started a year after i quit too! thats why I asked, I had also started Acholesterol lowering med! Rheum mummy, don'tthink you brought anything on yourself, it would have happened anyway. I am still puffing away went back on them in the throes of initial agony and diagnosis, will quit again soon!

[Hidden]

Smoked for years, then gave up. 6 months later pain started.

[Shelley1701]

I don't smoke and never have but I did live for years with grandparents who both smoked, my nan smoked quite a lot so I don't know if passive smoking counts.

[helixhelix]

Spooky. Also smoked for years, gave up and pain started 10 months later. I comfort myself with thought that would be 10 times worse if still smoked - well that's what Doc told me.

[Gina_K]

Er really! I am smoking - I am a bad person I hope it did'nt make me worse - don't think it did, in fact a sneaky fag is what got me thru early days! My son at one stage brought me a funny ciggie, thinking would help my pain, did'nt but we had a good laugh! Seriously, I wish I could stop & I will soon

[Sara-R]

Guilty as charged, still trying to give up but when I notice the Smokers Die Younger warning on the packet on bad days I think, well won't have to put up with this much longer then.

[Penguin]

I'm a non-smoker, never smoked in my life, and so are two friend with RA ... but they do SAY there's a link ...

[Hidden]

heard smoking makes arthritis worse .. read a paper on it somwere.. I am a definite non smoker.. I have trained in smoking cessation.. any questions.. on giving up im keen to help? x

[Gina_K]

yes I have read that too Summer, smoking is not good for anything I might get back to you on that -

[Dave]

I smoked for may years, eventually gave up some 20 years ago. i'm not sure that smoking had a bearing on my RA which started some 12 years prior to this, but I certainly feel the benefits of giving it up.

[Hidden]

I smoked for years and into the first year of RA.

When I had a flare up and nothing would touch the pain my smoking increased because it was the only thing that kept me sane.

!8 months into RA I was in a particulary bad flare up, my mum had bought a book about arthritis and it said smoking can trigger flare-ups. I put out my ciggie and have never touched or wanted one since.

I am glad I did because my lungs and breathing are better, how ever it didn't improve my RA one bit.

I think it's true what some of you have said, smoking is just not good for you whatever other conditions you may or may not have.

To those of you who do smoke, I think giving up would probably benefit your general health but as a non professional I don't think it will change your RA.

Sue x

[Hidden]

Smoked from aged 14 until I was 27. Was on about 60 a day! Gave up on 3rd March 1983. I did not have any "symptoms" until I had carpel tunnel problems 8 years later when I had a slightly positive RA blood test (whatever that is!) but is never developed, and I "got better".

[emandedmum]

Never smoked and still got RA. Have to admit that I'm very sensitive to smoke now though and the slightest whiff gives me a cracking headache! Weird.

[Hidden]

I've never smoked or been in a smoking household but did see, in a leaflet about the increased risk of coronary heart disease in people with inflammatory arthritis (arc), that it increases your risks of this happening. My rheumy team are very hot on not smoking and offer all kinds of nhs support programmes.

From my professional life I would say that hypnosis and self hypnosis have great success in tackling the 'habit' psychologically of smoking - patches etc work on the physical addiction.

Cece x

[Hidden]

Sadly I too am an ex-smoker. I smoked on & off from age 19 to 42 sometimes giving up for years at a time. I never smoked more than 20 a day. Gave up to improve my health prospects in August 2009 and was diagnosed with RA September 2010

[Judi]

For my sins I am also a smoker, albeit at the present trying to cut down with the intention of eventually stopping (again). My RA was diagnosed back in 1993 (ish) when I was about 6 weeks into trying to give up using nicotine patches. My Mum had RA and was a non smoker and now my younger sister has been diagnosed with RA and she is also a non-smoker. Guess RA could just be in the genes.

[Gina_K]

Hmmmm I was also using nicotine patches, when my symptoms started..... I am a conspiracist tho!

[Gina_K]

It is in the genes Judi, but its the triggers that interest me!

[Hidden]

Very late to reply on this one. I've never smoked in my life, and for that matter never drink or used drugs - always been too much of a good girl for my own good; looking back I wish I'd had some fun now! What was the point of being so healthy to end up like this.

[Gina_K]

You are so right Jamie, (James can't be a girls name/ LOL!) My feet is where it hit me first and as I am tall I have never worn crzily high heel, good god I wish I had now!! In fact I really crave heels now that I can't have them Lifes a bitch is'nt it! Did my share of Drinking & smoking though! Liver pristine though, well able for all the toxins this disease is throwing at it.

x