does anybody out there smoke how many a day any side effects from smoking while on the meds for RA negetive? MTX HYDRO

[mac1313]

[Beth58]

Hi Mac, I've smoked all my life and had A.S most of my life and no side effects other than the possibility of lung cancer, high blood pressure or heart disease. All doctors will advise you to give up and give your body a little help in fighting chronic conditions.

However, I do have kidney disease and I've recently been diagnosed with heart failure which, my cardiologist thinks may have been caused by continued high BP.

Needless to say I'm no longer a smoker, now 3 mths smoke free.

Beth x

[allanah in reply to Beth58]

Well done to youAxx

[sciqueen in reply to allanah]

Yes well done Beth

[helixhelix]

I gave up smoking (hard) but do think it's helped. My energy levels are a tiny bit better and lack of energy is a big RA issue. Also I was told that carrying on smoking increases the chances of RA affecing your other organs - which is something I really don't want. Polly

[Hidden]

Hi Mac. I smoked for over 30 years, and continued to smoke when diagnosed and on mxt. However, I read that smoking can increase flares and I was having constant flares despite the medication working well. I gave up and I can honestly say it helped enormously. I rarely get flares now and feel so much better. Go to the smoking cessation clinics, they help so much. Given the rising price of fags, I am glad I dont smoke anymore, especially as I had to reduce my hours at work. I cant afford it now lol!!

Good luck, at the end of the day if you want to give up and you are ready, you will do it.

Petra xx

[mac1313 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Peti the information really helps how long have you been smoke free!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Hidden in reply to mac1313]

I gave up on May 8th last year (2011). I went to smoking cessation to discuss the options and decided on the patches, I had used them when they first came out years ago and they didnt work for me then, but along with the patches I also had the niquitin pellets that you suck when you are desperate. I chose a start date which was convenient for me and went into the day visualising myself as not been a smoker for many reasons, pain the highest but actually there were many more reasons to give up than stay a smoker. I can honestly say I never craved to a point when I wanted to kill someone..and I think it was the mental preparation and the reason. I never thought I could give up. I used to say why should I stop, it is my only vice. I enjoy smoking. Actually I enjoy not smoking more, and I NEVER thought I would say that.

I am pretty proud of myself and I will never smoke again. I do occasionally think, a fag would be nice, in a situation where I always used to smoke previously, but it isnt enough of a craving to go and buy them. I know if I was to have just one puff, I would be smoking again completely.

I know I have gone on a bit there, but if you need any help I am more than happy to support you. Be prepared and you will succeed.

Pet xxxx

[mac1313 in reply to Hidden]

THANK YOU FOR YOUR LOVELY REPLY , I WOULD LOVE YOUR SUPPORT I ONLY SMOKE 3 IN THE MORNIG THEN 12HRS WORK 3-4 AT NIGHT i MAM GOING TO SEE MY NURSE TUESDAY FOR PATCHES CHEWING GUM I WILL LEYT YOU KNOW HOW I GO THANK YOU FOR SUCH A CARING REPLY

[Hidden in reply to mac1313]

You are very welcome. xx

[mac1313 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Peti 1

just to let you know i have attended my appointment with the smoking nurse and received 2mg gum and 14mg patches a months supply . I have not smoked today , its 02.00am woke up for a smoke cant have one had more gum it is very hard not to smoke has you know i did enjoy it ! but I intend to stop distracting my self with this web -site,,,reading a book , joined the quit2 web site for support

thanks for listening

[Hidden in reply to mac1313]

Well done you!!!

It gets easier but it is a hard thing to do as everything you do is associated with having a fag! It is a hard habit to break but you are doing well, the first day of many!

I wish you the best of luck!!

Petra xxx

[mac1313 in reply to Hidden]

Hi petra

I have not smoked today chewed my chewing gum and wore my patch still had craving for a cig when i was driving home this is when I use to have at least three cigs but just took a few deep breaths and relaxed chew my gum I alos took a different route home .

did you still have moments of wanting a cig how did you cope ? any way day one out of the way i email you in a couple of days

[Hidden in reply to mac1313]

Well done, you are doing really well, it is hard and willpower is at full throttle with this one.

I still do get the occasional cravings, it just lessens and I dont feel the urge strong enough to actually go and buy them/. I find it is whenever a 'first' happens. Once you find a coping strategy for a situation you remember it for all the others that follow so the 'firsts' get less. Getting home and coping with no fags when you had 3 is that 'first' done. You now know you can do it so it will be easier next time.

Keep going, you wont feel benefits healthwise straight awy, but you will have saved about £7, save it up for a treat at the end of the week.

Pet xxxx

[mac1313 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Pet

i have not smoke since tuesday todays sunday 5 DAYS HAS A NONE SMOKER

been awake since 04.00am crying donot know why . the need to smoke when i get upset is very strong i just pop a chewing gum i keep telling myself if i smoke a cig I will die so thats my choice smoke and die or do not smoke and live this seem to work for me at the moment .

can i ask you i am feeling very tired all the time i felt this way before i gave up smoking I am always a sleep nothing can wake me I can go 6hrs at a time i know its part of RA and i have the appropriate GOOD food and excerise well walking around is part of my job I take folic acid everyday apart from when i take MTX .

I have also over the last couple of weeks felt a kind of heart LITTLE SHAKE

ihad a ECG last year this came back fine it usually during the night ABOUT 4 HRS after I have taken my MTX BUT THIS WEEK I HAVE FELT IT MORE OFTEN AT NIGHT TIME i AM A FRIAD

i will contact RA team tomorrow it s a answering service hopefully there get back to me

thanks for listing sorry for going on

mac 13 13 ps i had by treat with my money saved a new chunky necklace

[Hidden in reply to mac1313]

Hi mac, WELL DONE!!!!!!

Fantastic, you are doing incredibly well. I am so pleased you treated yourself to something nice too, you deserve it! You have saved a lot of money this week =) £45 at least.

I also felt really tired when I first gave up. I could sleep for england so I do think it is part of the withdrawal process, my husband gave up 2 years before me and he was the same too.

Some of the problem is that when you wake in the night as a smoker you come downstairs and have a coffee and a fag or two, but as a none smoker you dont and therefore that time period is difficult. You dont consider the waking and having a ciggie as disruptive, but waking and not doing anything is.I drink loads less coffee since quitting smoking so maybe that is part of it too.

All I can say is hang on, you are doing great and all these things will pass, it takes time as you were smoking for a long time. You will feel normal again.

I would ask about the heart issues, but it might also be linked with giving up, there are so many different things happening to your body at the moment. Worth mentioning it though.

Have a great week Mac, am really really proud of you honey!

Pet xx

[mac1313 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Petra

thanks for your reply and your supportive comments it been a long time since someone has been proud of me!!!! I will try my best to keep it up thank you

[mac1313 in reply to Hidden]

HI Petra' I have been good and have continue to not smoke its been really hard ,but like you advised things have been a little easier this week still a little crying for a cig but side affects not has bad no fast heart beats things are settling,but I am sleeping loads tired most of the evening afterwork sleeping

19.00 to 21.00pm and 12.00am to 05.00am

most of sat ans sun afternoons aswell as night times from 10.00pm to 04.00am in the morning

I only smoke about 40 a week therefore saving about £13.pounds aweek this week treat was bobby brown eye liner and liner pen brush . fell a lot better hope to continue with this have appoint on wed with smoking nurse at the clinic will get more chewing gum thanks for advising email you next week

[Hidden in reply to mac1313]

This is fantastic. I am so glad you are still doing well. I hadnt heard from you but didnt want to message you in case you had started again. I didnt want you to feel pressured by asking how you were doing!!

It is great to treat yourself, and whilst you dont feel a lot of benefits straight away, you will breathe a lot easier quite quick. Less chest infections too, when I had a cold I always got a chest infection and a cough that lasted ages. I dont get that now. It is exactly a year since I gave up tomorrow. It feels good and I dont crave. I occasionally think a fag would be nice, but dont have the urge to have one.

You are doing really really well, and I am still proud of you, but more than that, you should be proud of yourself. It is a hard thing to do and not everyone has the willpower and strength to do it.

Petra xxxx

[mac1313 in reply to Hidden]

one year tomorrow you gave up and won !!!!!!!!!!on the 7th of May well done !!!!!!!!!!!!!! hope I will be saying this

to you in april next year thank you again for your support. you are right about breathing my lung does not pain any more and I can breath easy I can smell better and have be eating loads of fruit if i really

have a bad day and

want a cig i eat a orange the time i peel and eat it the urge for a cig as gone

thanks again Petra I will email next week hope you are well

[Hidden in reply to mac1313]

Thanks Mac, yes I am well thanks, days roll on by and go so fast though lol!!!

Have a great week xxx

[mac1313 in reply to Hidden]

HI Perta

I completed another week of not smoking I am so pleased with myself . I have lots of stress awell this week mother not well demanding my time but i just took deep breaths and peeled my oranges . I am being to feel better and i have only really had one bad moment after I took my MTX it always has the effect of me crying , i feel my brain is not attached to my body i always call them the mad tablets because thats now they make me feel that my body is going mad along with my brain, after i taken my once aweek 15mg dose they knock me to sleep and I donot know where I am

after i take them and the following day I find my brain is slow at functioning . and I can be really nasty and have horibble thoughts

I have told my GP and CONS RA about this they just look at me has if I am mad they have suggested i take ant drepressants but i do not want to take or put any more tablets in my body its bad enough taking MTX and HYDR tablets for pain relief plus kenlog injections .After i took my MTX this week

I could not remember my reg of my car when i came to book it in for its mot the girl must of thought i was mad on the phone!!! I have tried to space MTX through out the day but i still get the same effect.

iam going on again but thank you for liasiing with me . it kind of keeps me focus not to smoke has i want to share with you my non smoking acheivements for the week i always think what would perta think if i have that smoke!!!! i was behind aperson buying cigs for the first time yesterday i must admit when they were on the shop counter I wante d to grab them and go off for a smoke !!! any way hope you are well thanks again for your ears here to another non smoking week

[Hidden in reply to mac1313]

You are amazing. It is so damn hard to give up this vile habit and you are now a non smoker. I still think about getting a fag and having a puff, it is a fleeting thought, but after a minute or two I think how horrible it would taste, I hate the smell now when you walk behind someone who lights up and you get a mouthful of the smoke. I liked it at first, but a year on, it is horrible. At work when a couple of my colleagues go out for a cig, they come back stinking of them, I just think, that is how I used to smell all the time too. These things keep me off smoking too.

It is a shame you are having so many issues with the mxt. I feel incredibly tired the day I take mine, but it sounds like you have a more debilitating effect, I am shocked that the cons has dismissed this to be honest. I have included a link for you

drugs.com/sfx/methotrexate-...

If you highlight this link and right click, chose go to ...the link will take you to a page of serious side effects for mxt, one of them is mood changes. I would have a look at this and see if another appointment with either nurse, con or GP might be worth doing. You are on a low dose at the moment, so this will be increased eventually. I hope you get it sorted out. Dont be dismissed as a mad woman, docs are good at making you feel like an idiot arent they!

I hope your family situation improves, it must be really exhausting looking after your mom with everything else as well. If you can get through all this stress and still not smoke, you can do anything.

I am incredibly flattered that you appreciate our weekly chats and stay smoke free so you dont disappoint me mac, that is the nicest thing anyone has ever said. I am really proud of you and every week I am prouder. You are amazing!!

Have a fantastic week, look forward to our chat next week xx

my e-mail is [e-mail]

if you prefer to chat this way xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[mac1313 in reply to Hidden]

HI Petti

sorry this is late i just had one of those weeks where everything is a lot of effort and before i know it iam a sleep its been a bad week for sleeping for me this week i hate being tired all the time no energy just making it to work and back . On thursdays when i take MTX iam a sleep wit in the hr of taking them for a good 6-7 hrs and then feel like crap and weeping when i awke drink load of water and always have a good meal before taking them . iwill mention this to my R cons when i go in june i hate taking them folic acid does not make a huge difference when i take it the following days I though it was supposed to help with the side effects if you take every day after your MTX been hard .

Anyway some good news iam still not smoking have had some irriratable days wanting a cig but i have not touch one continued to chew my chewing gum and had a session with my smoking nurse who says iam doing really well Apart from putting 10lbs on in weight this as not please me Iam not moving much with the sleeping and iam finding it hard to get into my uniform look so fat Iam already 3 stone overweight another 10lbs added to this i dont feel and look good !!!!!!!!!!!!

. i find all these different emotions i am going through without my cigs also put me off having any cigs has i do not want to go through these again hopefully they will pass. and i will get my weigth under control.

I have been a little sharp with my mum has you know she not very well and I go round and take her shopping . I have told her iam sorry and its the withdrawal of the cigs but she she say iam sharp with her i tend to shout back at a normal questions she asks just lack of pateints i think i always say sorry striaght away to her but i can see she upset i will have to count to ten before i answer her !!!

anyway hows your life hope you and your family are well!!!!!!!!!!!!

thanks for listening i think i will contact you via your email if thats ok!! thanks for sending it me i feel more of your friend its so nice to have someone who understands and encourages me , gives sound advice and i will use it for our next contact hope i not gone on too much mac1313

[Hidden in reply to mac1313]

I am sorry you are having such a difficult time at the moment. I know mxt makes me tired too, but the folic acid is just to protect blood cells, it isnt to help with side effects. It could be that it just doesnt suit you, it has nasty side effects for some, I consider myself really lucky to have had no side effects from it.

Dont be so hard on yourself mac, you are working, overly tired (lack of cigs made me more tired for months) because of lack of cigs and RA, looking after your mum, give yourself a break honey, you are doing well keeping sane I think. Your mum also needs to realise that you are doing too much at the moment perhaps? Is there anyone else that can help take some chores off you. I know you feel totally responsible but see if you can get more help to take some responsibility off you until you start to feel a bit better. You need to care for yourself properly too!!!

Well done on another smoke free week. How are you feeling craving wise now? Is it a lot better? How are you feeling in yourself?

I think you are doing fantastically well keeping it all together in such a stressful time.

Well done mac, just mail me when you want, I pick up most days.

Have a great week, and take some time for you ok!!!

Pet xxxxxxxx

[mac1313 in reply to Hidden]

hi Pet

i have sent a email to the e mail adress you sent me its been sent back plaese can you send you email adress again by is [e-mail]

[Hidden in reply to mac1313]

Hi hun, I have e-mailed you, let me know if you dont get it ok.

Pet xx

[Gina_K in reply to mac1313]

Well done, drink plenty of water!

[allanah]

Hiya,

when you inhale the nicotine cause vaso constiction , that is the blood vessels tighten up, so then obviously the heart, lungs kidneys etc get less oxygen supply which causes all the health problems we all know about such as strokes, heart attacks, high Blood pressure etc.

So when you think about it the blood carries the meds around you body to the inflamed parts eg your joints etc, so if it flows less after every ciggie and don't forget the nicotine from 1 ciggie stays in your system 12 hrs, so if you smoke all day your body is always "stressed" from the nicotine and that doesnt help the drugs to work.

So ye go to your friendly stop smoking clinic and they will give you free prescriptions and loads of help to stop. If you wanna message me i can help you too as i am qualified stop smoking nurse too. And its easier than you think.

Your not addicted to the ciggies just the nicotine,

So it makes sense that if you dont smoke but out the nicotine into your body in other ways say patches plus mini lozenges you should not be uncomfortable , if you are you are3 not having enough nicotine and thats where most people fail. Cos if you smoke 20 a day say and only have a 10 patch , thats you suffering for the lack of 10 ciggies, so no wonder it hurts.!! If you stop and go cold turkey you are more likely to relapse but if you do the three month plan with stop smoking you are 4 times more likely to stop for good, and that will help your meds get to work. Ask at the hospital they often have a stop smoking nurse attached to the hospitals.

Message if you want help or support , will be happy to give you help and good luck!!! At todays prices you would save about £2000 p.a if you smoke 20 per day, thats a holiday in my eyes. I had a couple who stopped together both 30 a days people and they saved their smoking money in a jar and at the end of the year got taken to the port in a limo and had a cruise around the med with the money that would have gone up in flames!!!!! Axx

[mac1313]

THANY YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS I WILL TAKE THEM ON BOARD

[Hidden]

I used to smoke too but gave up years ago - although am still an occasional smoker at parties etc. What I've found is that I crave them more now because I've quit sugar and caffeine and gluten and had to quit alcohol (mostly!) on the MTX so I do miss having some vice! But the times I craved smoking most were when I had a nice alcoholic drink in my hand but now I don't drink I don't yearn to smoke as much either so hopefully that may help?

Re visualisation I lost over 3 stone in a year by imagining how awful it would be to have to hobble through my home town with everyone muttering "look at her - no wonder she's hobbling she's obese!" and that was the incentive that kicked started me into losing weight. Maybe it's the same with smoking - you will get more sympathy from your nurses and doctors and friends, family etc if you are showing you are trying your hardest to keep the RA to a minimum? Good luck

[mac1313 in reply to Hidden]

for answering well done on losing the weight giving up smoking and drinking i did realise drinking effects MTX

that much i do not drink iam about 3 stone over weight but iam on thes tescos diet loss 6 lbs at the moment

thanks again

[Sara-R]

Good luck with quitting, I did last July after trying for 2 years! Went cold turkey in the end just found the nicotine replacement made me want to smoke more, its just not as good as a fag! Can't say its made much difference to the RA but long term will clearly be much better for other things health wise. Don't beat yourself up if you put on a few pounds, one step at a time.

[mac1313 in reply to Sara-R]

thank you some sound advice

[Gina_K]

I used to smoke also up to last October, when I had an ankle fusion operation. Having researched the operation, I found out the chances of the bones fusing were greatly reduced by smoking, so I quit in September, and was six weeks off them, on patches by the operation mid October 11.

I went on to the lozenges post op, as the patches started giving me nausea, probably because the nicotine left my body in the 48 hours I was in hosp, patch free.

Anyway, I am totally smoke free since then, 7 months. Can't say I feel any better, and am addicted to mini tabs of nico, but not smoking so that must be good eh?

Good luck with your efforts, there are lots of online support groups that you might find helpful, they can chart your prgress and email you tips geared towards your specific smoking habits.

Gina.

[RichardL60]

I must admit that I smoke at the moment, about 20 a day. having just been diagnosed with RA and yet to start a drug regime I need to seriously consider giving up. From what I have read MX suppresses the immune system, smoking makes the immune system have to work harder, ergo smoking is bad. If only it was as easy as that!! I will be trying to pack it in soon but I have the 'its my only vice' thing going at the moment. I do know that you have to really want to stop in order for it to be a success. I suppose it is a metter of reducing the effectiveness of the drugs or keeping a vice that is killing me anyway. Sounds an easy choice don't it!!

Anyway Good luck and I hope you successfully stop.

Richard

[mac1313 in reply to RichardL60]

Hi Richard

smoking was my only vice , 6 aday. 2 morning 4 at night I really enjoy it , it calms me down when i am having RA flares .

The RA ,condition itsself and the loss of the old me before RA attacked my body, my personal life, family life, work although I try to fight it ever day and won't let it beat me.

if I want to do tasks , go out, but sometimes I have to listen to my body and RA wins so I lie down and sleep it away .on good days which could be anything 2 out 7 or 4 out of 7 I pretend I am normal for a short time.

Iam visiting my smoking nurse today I have decieded on chewing gum and what patches she recommends Iam really going to try to give up using chewing gum and patches .

thank you for your comments and I hope you get sorted with everything it is a hard road to follow get lots of support.

[Hidden]

I have read somewhere that smoking is a risk factor for developing RA in the first place. So I am angry with myself for smoking heavily till I was 30. (Got RA at 40)Gave up when my dad died of lung cancer. Not a happy time. I used to say to people "just not smoking today. Maybe tomorrow." And I haven't smoked since. Good luck Mac

[Victoria-NRAS Partner Moderator NRAS]

Hi all

Thought this link to our article on smoking might be helpful. As you have all said, unfortunately it can be a factor in people developing RA and can also worsen symptoms:

nras.org.uk/about_rheumatoi...

Hope you find this useful.

Kind regards

Victoria

[mac1313 in reply to Victoria-NRAS]

Thankyou Victoria I have read the information , could i have really cause my RA by smoking iam a silly person by doing this hopefully iwill no longer smoke

thanks again

[Gina_K in reply to mac1313]

I woud'nt blame yourself, you will never know the trigger, same as cancer. Probably best to quit if diagnosis I guess.

The experts don't know the triggers for RA, could be from stress to living in close proximity to an airport. More likely a combination of inherited genetics & life, who knows once you ave it no real use, wondering causes, or blaming yourself.

Nicotine addiction is awful but possible to quit with hard work, what's new.

Gina.