PBC and Cigarettes

[Ellewoods33]

How many of you smoke or used to smoke? I quit 2 years ago. I read that they think smoking could be a contributing factor to PBC.

[Ktltel]

Never smoked. But my dad did. So I guess 2nd hand smoke was in my past.

Stella ♥️

PS

Dad died of lung cancer. Age 74. Mom died at age 63 of a brain aneurysm. Mom didn't smoke either. They say smoking weakens blood vessels. I guess 2nd hand smoke does too.

[enalynot in reply to Ktltel]

I quit Feb last year have since been diagnosed COPD so I won't be dying of PBC now.My consultant said with responding to urso so well it would be something else that i die of. They did say smoking raised the chance of PBC but its also the excuse they use for a lot of ailments. I smoked for 55yrs I'm now 69.

[4pjx__]

Yes, I used to smoke. Quit about 20 years ago.

[gwillistexas]

I smoke but am trying to discipline myself to quit. Smoking is a hard habit to kick especially in stressful situations. I’m working on it.

[Ellewoods33 in reply to gwillistexas]

I smoked for 33 years and loved it. I quit cold turkey Feb. 2016 because my Hepatologist told me if I smoked then I would not be eligible for a liver transplant should I ever need one. That scared me enough to quit. I have gained 30 pounds though and don’t like that one bit.

[gwillistexas in reply to Ellewoods33]

Bad as I hate to admit it, I enjoy them knowing they are bad. I’m glad you were able to lay them down. 👍

[Ellewoods33 in reply to gwillistexas]

It was hard but I was so scared at the time. I know they were horrible for me but I did enjoy them. I won’t let myself start back again. I don’t crave them anymore. They were a stimulant and gave me energy, though.

[kandiepat in reply to gwillistexas]

Hi gwillisrexas - I think you can only give up smoking if you want to do or have something more. For instance, my mother lost three husbands to smoking, cancer and two emphasimias -only when she was going to lose her own leg, did she give up smoking. I smoked for 30 years, tried for ages to quit but couldn't, but then I wanted to become a Jehovahs Witness and I was able to quit quite easily. Keep thinking of the reasons why you want to quit. Kandiepat

[gwillistexas in reply to kandiepat]

Thank you kandiepat🌺

[mjk98]

I quit 31 days ago cold turkey

[Sachin1234]

Half the whole population of this earth smokes then why is this disease so rear?

[Hidden]

I don't believe smoking is the cause either, but my consultant believes it progresss faster in those that smoke. She said it was imperative that I stopped smoking , so I gave up there and then and have never touched another one. (Scare tattic probably but it worked on me a pack a day for over 40 years)

[Shazzamattaz]

Hi I’ve Been smoking since I was 17, I’m 49 now, but never been a heavy one, I smoke less than 10 a day, sometimes not at all, dr has said it would help to give up yes, but I haven’t was diagnosed Dec 2013.

[gwillistexas in reply to Shazzamattaz]

It’s difficult for some. It is for me. I don’t smoke in my house. My husband lost his first wife to cancer. When she was diagnosed he quit immediately. So out of respect for him, I take it outside.

[Sachin1234 in reply to gwillistexas]

You should quit as well not good for pbc.it increase inflammation process in your body which mean your liver can get danger earlier than non smoker.. I quit 10 years ago now I’m social smoker.

[butterflyEi]

Hi Ellewoods88

I was a smoker some 25 plus years ago. Diagnosed some 11 years ago but probably had PBC for at least ten years prior to that however as Sachin1234 points out there are a lot of smokers or reformed smokers in the world who do not have PBC so I am with Sachin1234 on the matter of not thinking of tobacco as the environmental trigger but I do believe I feel healthier for giving up the smokes.

best wishes

[Sachin1234 in reply to butterflyEi]

That’s what I said smoking is nothing to do with pbc

[Aussielouise]

Never smoked.

[GhostHunter]

I have never smoked and grew up in a non-smoking house.

[mjk98]

I smoked since I was 12 smoking for 36 years never quit or never wanted to quit but I also smoked outside never in house but after I got my test results back and one test that had to do with lungs came back high I just decided to quit I miss it every day but now since it's over 30 days no way can I touch one actually 34 days quit Sept 25

[Sachin1234]

I used to be chain smoker 8 years ago before pbc..I’m social smoker now once again n while when I crave for nicotine specially when I’m drinking!