smoking and ra

[binlid]

i have read alot of blogs and messages on here but have not heard of any smokers i smoke but have really cut down since diagognosis cos i dont feel like it i see reumy tom hopefully to start treatment but am frightned they tell me off if i smoke any help welcome ty

[helixhelix]

Mmmm yes they probably will tell you off if they remember to ask. Smoking and RA is not a good pairing. I guess we all know by now that smoking is not good for you, but is particularly not recommended for people with RA as there can be lung complications anyway and if you smoke you're more likely to get them. Smoking does also seem to have a link with triggering RA in the first place as statistics seem to show that more smokers and ex-smokers get RA than people who never smoked (tho i'm never quite convinced by statistics) But no point beating yourself up about that as far too late.

I used to smoke, but have given up. It was tough at first, but now I no longer even think about smoking. And there are probably quite a few on here who do still smoke, but may not mention it much. Please do what you can to really, really try to stop. But don't drive yourself into a massive guilt trip if you can't just right now, as loads of things to come to terms with having RA. But keep trying! You'll get there in the end. Good luck. Polly

[binlid in reply to helixhelix]

thank you polly i said i would stop the day i start treatment so if they start it tommorrow i will give it my best ty

[shirlthegirl]

Hi Binlid, I am a smoker I only used to smoke 5 a day .But since i have been of work due to RA i have increased to 10, When i recently went to see My rheumy of course one of the questions are do you smoke, I reply yes, and told him how i had increased since being out of work,

He said that giving up smoking now wouldn't make any differences or help with the RA, But he mention that there is help out there... if I want it,... I won't worry about that at the moment, what is more important is getting the RA under control, Don't bet yourself up, As you will properly find you will smoke more. Give your self a bit of time to accept what has happened, and when you are ready, You can ask for help from your GP.

I know what you mean, Sometime Smokers are made to feel like they are Aliens these days,

But it is not that easy as some people make out, You need to be in the right place.

Good luck xxxx

[helixhelix in reply to shirlthegirl]

Shirl, do read the link in Victoria's answer below. Not sure what your rheumy was on about, as really better late than never when it comes to RA & giving up smoking? My rheumy was really clear about benefits of stopping even after you've got RA. So do think about having another go at stopping.... Don't feel bad about it tho', just keep trying. Pollyx

[shirlthegirl in reply to helixhelix]

Hi helixhelix, I know what you mean all doctors are different in how they treat there patients, Of course i am aware of the risks ,even without having RA, I have tried several times to give up, but at the moment i am not in the right place, But as the saying goes.. don't stop trying.., Thanks so much for caring, Take care xxx

[binlid]

thanks shirl yes ive smoked since i was 15 istopped once for a while on the champix tabs but they made me vomit so came off and back to fags will try tom though ty

[Victoria-NRAS Partner Moderator NRAS]

Hi Binlid

It can't be underestimated how difficult it can be to quit smoking, especially when you're dealing with the stress of a long term condition, and I'm sure your rheumatology team will understand that, but if they find out that you smoke they are likely to inform you of the risks of this, because that's their job, and as Helixhelix has said, it's not just because of the general health issues with smoking, which everyone knows, but specifically with regards to RA.

Perhaps you would be interested in looking at our article on smoking and RA, then if they do lecture you at least you can say that you are aware of the risks and have read up on them and explain that you have cut down. hard to kick a habit you've had that long! If you're interested in our smoking article, you can read it here:

nras.org.uk/about_rheumatoi...

Kind regards

Victoria

(NRAS Helpline)

[Hidden]

I have never been a proper smoker but I used to be an occasional smoker and when younger I did smoke quite a bit on and off. I think I can most easily compare smoking to my own indulgence re food which used to be a really big issue until the RA struck. When I was informally diagnosed by my GP and referred to a rheumatologist I decided to try and lose the weight that was making me on the obese register. Over a year and a half I have lost almost 5 stone and feel great for it.

I don't drink or smoke now (well I did have a fag a few weeks ago and was really sick!) and I avoid gluten, refined sugars, and fried food now and do lots of exercise. I'm doing really well on the RA meds and the thing I love is all the compliments I get about my appearance now. What motivated me to stop gorging on food was the thought of what I was doing to my load bearing joints and how doctors and others would privately be thinking negatively about me for not trying hard enough to get on top of my health better.

I'm sure you would feel the same way if you succeeded in quitting smoking but I do understand how hard it is having been addicted to food previously myself. Good luck whatever you decide. But really it can only come from you not from what others say. My GP was too polite to tell me to lose weight and still never comments on the new me but I feel they (my GP practice) take me more seriously knowing how hard I try to look after myself now so I have more self respect. Tilda xx

[cris1728]

Hi I was a smoker fo nearly 40 years and gave up in september, not easy but not as hard as I thought good luck in kicking the habit but as others have said dont beat yourself up

crisxx

Tilda my rheumy was not as polite as yours although did advise me to lose weight but in a very nice way and the stone is still off but plenty more to go at, nurse has given me a target of 25 more kg to lose no mean feat but determined

cris

[earthwitch]

Smoking definitely is not a good idea with any autoimmune condition, but being an ex-smoker myself I am well aware how difficult it is to stop.

The only way I did it was to really really really be desperate to stop, and brainwashing myself into totally believing that I was such an addict that I couldn't even have one puff ever again or I'd be right back on it. Once I got to that point in my mindset, THEN I looked around for ways to help break the habit.

It worked. It had taken me a dozen or more tries, but it worked, and stopping is one of the best things I ever did for my health. Thinking about stopping is not something you can be half-hearted about.

Yes, read up on the risks, but when it comes down to it, you have to absolutely believe its the right thing to do and make the decision yourself. I hope you get to that point, but if you don't, it really is your choice. Also,don't be discouraged if it takes more than one attempt. Just pick yourself up and try again.

[Neverwell]

Hi i was a smoker but said as soon as i started meds i would stop got the patches and stopped but its up to you if you cant but as my doctor said never stop giving up x

[binlid in reply to Neverwell]

i said that this morning to rhummmy read blog lol when i get meds ill stop so gonna start meds tom ty gotta try

[binlid in reply to Neverwell]

thanks for all advice wrote blog lol

[mistymeana]

Hi binlid, I smoked for several years after diagnosis. It's tough dealing with the emotional impact of the condition and trying to give up at the same time. Ironically, it was because of RA I gave up in the end. Research suggested that one of the meds I was on could make strokes and heart attacks more likely. I had to agree to give up the fags in order to continue taking them - no brainer in my case as lifetime of pain etc versus temporary nicotine withdrawal was an easy decision. Not that I'm suggesting it was easy - far from it - but you have to have the determination to do it for yourself, not because someone else is lecturing you about it. Hope you find that determination yourself soon because it does make a big difference physically once you've quit. Don't try to go it alone though. There's loads of help out there. The big pharmacy chains like Lloyds and Boots do individual smoking cessation advice and they liaise with your GP to prescribe the replacement therapy. Local community hospitals have clinics too but the waiting time for initial consult is often long. When you do take the plunge be kind to yourself and congratulate yourself for every time you avoid smoking, rather than beating yourself up if you stumble briefly. One day at a time

[Hidden]

I gave up following diagnosis like a lot of people seem to have done. I went cold turkey because previous attempts to give up using patches had been painful. This was before I had any RA pain as far as I can remember but the patches caused a surprisingly bad pain in my arm (localised to patch area) that as i found out later was just like RA pain - as if right inside the bone. I have always thought that this was strange & can't explain it but is another little hint perhaps that the chemicals in cigarettes and RA are linked.

[Josie2]

Yes im a smoker too!

Embarrassing to admit as im a secret smoker, my son nor do any of my fellow workers know i smoke. Only have about 3 - 5 a day and go all day at work without.

Jo

Xxxxx

[shirlthegirl in reply to Josie2]

Josie2, I thought i was the only naughty person on here You sound as if you smoke like me,.. just a few a day.. I have tried a couple of times, But it can be hard, It's worse's when all your family smoke, But I've decided i am going to give it another go Starting new years day, Am going to speak to my nurse tomorrow as they hold a smokers clinic at my Doctors. I'm 50 next year, need to make changes,

Good luck xx

[Josie2]

This would be an extremely helpful poll!

[Hidden]

Dear All,

Smoking is highly addictive and giving up can be very hard, I trained in smoking cessation whilst working in retail pharmacy, You can get smoking cessation advice from most large pharmacies, and some large Gp practices have health care advisers, some NHS trusts have "stop smoking shops".It always seems strange how many health workers smoke. lots of the non professionally qualified assistants in the pharmacy smoke and drink above average amounts, as do lots of nurses?.Work is busy and stressful but this isnt the answer in my opinion there has to be other outlets. There is some evidence that smoking can heighten pain and complications such as lung problems more prevelant in smokers.

Think mass tai chi , meditation, or massage should be provided on the Nhs to reduce stress levels for people!

[Hidden]

I was a smoker too, and giving up was very very difficult. It must be easier nowadays with all those support services.

There are lots of cigarette substitutes around nowadays. Even "electric" cigarettes. I saw someone smoking in our local pub the other week and was surprised to find it was one of those electric things. It looked so authentic, but the "smoke" was water vapour.

Once you have given up you will be surprised how much better you feel.

Good luck, you can do it!

[petalnumber2]

I have read the thread of this conversation about smoking and I have to admit to smoking too. I have smoked for many years, but managed to give up for 3 whole years and then my husband had an operation and didn't recover very well form the anesthetic, he was hours in the recovery room whilst they worked on getting him round, and I was in such a frantic state that I bought some cigs and off I went again.

In the last two years I've given up twice, but my husband is a very sick man, wheelchair bound and on dialysis.The next hurdle is amputation of his right leg, which is imminent. So, I'm tired most of the time and the pain in my feet and ankles drives me to my bed as early as I can get there. I'm really only just getting used to having RA and stepping outside the backdoor for a few minutes to have a cigerette is my only release, which is too precious to give up at the moment, but I know that the time will come when it will be right for me to give up once again. Writing this is a bit like a pledge and my (always trying to give up) thought.

Phew.... what a relief it is to come clean. Best of luck Binlid with your own challenge. June xx

[kJ1982]

Hi, I was diagnosed when I was 9 years old and started smoking at 15. I haven't been told by any medical profession that there is any connection between RA and smoking. I found it was GP's that tried to encourage me to stop not rheumy.

I stopped six months ago and until recent flare up I found gentle exercise got easier but not anything major to write about.