Anyone Smoke Here

[mario]

I do have an occassional cigarette but i really don't smoke much, I just take some from my brothers pack, usually on Thursdays he comes over and, i have some cigarettes with him..reminds me of the good ol' days. I smoke maybe about 3/4 cigarettes a week..

I have some celiac friends that smoke packs in one week, and, some diabetes friends that smoke a pack a day...I was smoking two packs a week last summer but, I wasn't diagnosed but, I was feeling weak and, knew there was something wrong with me.

any smokers...I know its bad for the health but, I have givin up mostly everything in my life and, its hard to say no to a cigarette when the chance comes up..

[neff-terence]

Mario,

I know exactly how you feel. I recently gave up smoking about 4 weeks ago. I have been with the habit for about 4 years. I typically would have half cigerettes, about 4-6 a day. I started as a result of many extremly difficult things going on in my life. One of which was this problem with gluten. I felt that smoking helped me cope with a physical health nightmare (celiac disease) and a terrible relationship. I can honestly say that after quiting, many of my symptoms related to celiac have improved. I don't get cramping and discomfort as often in addition to many other health improvements. What I found out after I smoked a while was that I am going to have good and bad days regardless if I am smoking a cigerette or not. Regardless if I had 6 cigerettes I still had good and bad days. It's the same senario now without the cigerettes. The anti smoking adds are just the tip of the iceberg. I am a health nut (believe it or not) and know through research that smoking does more terrible things to your body than is even advertised. I actually work out with weights or go for a run. Try to work a jog into your schedule. It is actually very rewarding and will give you the calm you are looking for.

Take care,

Terence

[mario]

thanks-

the thing is I play in a band as a drummer I have been drumming for 33 years and, the thing is my band members smoke..so I really get the temptation.. I do have just a couple or maybe three..makes me feel a part of them..sounds dumb but, its life and, I must cope...

[outthere39]

Mario,

I too love to have the occasional cig, but it just promotes symptoms. I tried to do the same thing you are doing, 3-4 cigs a week. Eventually you increase because the symptoms are masking themselves. Then one day you will feel like a truck hit you and have to realize that cigarette cannot be helping, especially when it comes to bowel movements. Further reseachers so that celiacs that smoke are at a 20% higher risk, whatever that means, for cancer, heart and other organ problems. To me, beating celiacs means do all that I can to have a symptom free life. Think it about it, you can hang with your buddies a lot more if you are not on the toilet or battling a symptom. By the way, my roommate is a chain smoker so it a everyday battle.

-Richard

[SadiesMomma]

My significant other just quit smoking last week. We are on day 6, and I mean we because I have to deal too with the mood swings and all that jolly junk. He was a pack a day man though.

I suggest for more than just Celiac to quit. Its so bad on your health... things are bad enough as they are, you dont need to puff yourself to death too.

Keep your head up.....

[Guest gillian502]

Ok, this is going to sound crazy, but listen to what this gasto doctor-a celiac disease specialist mind you-at Johns Hopkins Hospital just told me: He noticed in my file that I had mentioned I'd quit smoking in 1997, and he looked at me and said, "Are you aware that smoking protects against Celiac Disease?" Well, my jaw dropped. I've never heard of smoking protecting against much of anything. He insisted this has been researched in the recent past, and that studies have shown smoking does assist in alleviating the symptoms of celiac disease and other bowel diseases. He also warned me that by quitting smoking, I may kicked off the onset of my disease. Isn't this strange but interesting information?! He said, "I'm NOT suggesting you go back to smoking, I just wanted to let you know that." Well, he IS a celiac disease specialist at the #1 hospital in the US, but no, I'm NOT going back to smoking!!

[gf4life]

I did read somewhere that smoking can mask the symptoms of Celiac in some people and they don't realise that they have it until after they quit, or the symptoms get so bad they can't help but notice them. I've never heard it put quite they way your doctor did, to say that it "protects against Celiac". That's interesting.

God bless,

Mariann

[Guest ecko_gurl18]

I'm very curious about smoking with celiac, i smoke, not alot, just a little. And sometimes its fine, other times i feel like i get celiac symptoms. does this have anything to do with celiac or is it just me?

[Guest gillian502]

One thing I'm still not clear on is whether cigs can contain any gluten, in the rolling papers especially. I know, they contain nicotine so that should be enough to stop anyone! But still, I'm curious, is there such a thing as a gluten-containing cigarette?

[dana-g]

I don't know if cigarette paper specifically contains gluten, but wheat starch is used in paper-making. How that would affect a celiac, since you aren't ingesting it, is the big question. Can you get that much gluten from some wheat starch between your lips? One more good reason to quit smoking! (I had to say that! Although the nicotene patches probably have gluten in the adhesive--just kidding!)

[majicbunnies]

Zig Zag papers contain gluten.

[Lisa]

I don't know nor have heard nothing about smoking and celiac (small intestines), but I do know that is true that smoking helps people with Crohn's Disease (large intestines).........it help stimulate the system, much the same way coffee will do.

[ravenwoodglass]

I have also seen the research that smoking can delay the onset of GI symptoms. I find that interesting, I wonder if it is the tobacco or the chemical cocktails that conventional cigs contain. I have been glutened by cigarrettes. This shows up in me as blistering of my lips and low level 'I have been got' symptoms. In doing some research I found that many cig makers add gluten containing components to their product. With the addictive nature of gluten it makes you wonder, but anyway I now smoke an additive free cig called American Spirit that is all tobacco. The first one or two were a bit different tasting but I find I smoke much less of them. They seem to satisfy the nicotine craving for much longer without the I gotten have a smoke feeling.

[bklynceliac]

Wow, Zig Zags contain gluten. Never woulda thought of that. Anyone know about Bamboo papers? I use them at times. I'm a regular smoker and have found it having zero effect either way on my GI symptoms. I have heard in several places however that it is oddly beneficial for everything from IBS to IBD's to Celiac. Not that that's what keeping me on them, but I'll take any unintended benefits. Frankly, I'm not sure I could handle gluten-free, casein-free, alcohol-free, tobacco free living.

[nmw]

I'm glad to see this topic come up, as we smokers are such pariahs in society today.

I've smoked on and off for far too long, and am giving quitting another try this Saturday. I have been smoking American Spirits for about a year, and they are a far better cigarette than regular brands. I smoke less of these than the ol' Marlboro Lights. I actually had a week or two of withdrawal symptoms from the chemicals when I switched brands! I'm hoping this means an easier quit from the Spirits.

One way I know I've been glutened is that I don't want to smoke.

Now that I'm six months gluten-free, I see how the incentive to not ingest gluten is no different from the incentive to not smoke. Both make you feel like crap and lead to horrible disease.

Yup - time to stop smoking. If I can get rid of gluten in my life, I can sure get rid of smokes, even though it's my last real vice.

[eleep]

I quit smoking back in August and, after the initial couple of weeks, I was just fine and didn't really have what I would call cravings. Then, after my last glutening in October, I started to have the most intense cigarette cravings of my life. They subsided when the symptoms subsided, but it was unnerving. I should add that I've quit several times before and this was the first time I'd not needed to use a patch or something else to help me along.

eleep

[luvs2eat]

After 13 years being tobacco-free... I "vacation smoked" and we all know what happens when you've had a glass or 3 of wine and completely believe that you can try "just one."

Could I be any more stupid???

[almostnrn]

I recall reading an article a while back about nicotine actually helping the lungs oxygenate and a trial run with people with breathing difficulties receiving some type of nicotine as a treatment (although I highly doubt it was in the form of something you smoked!). It seems that it is the tar and all of the other cocktail of chemicals that really throws smoking over the top. Lets face it though, in my mind they are addictive as heroin. I quit for 3 months over the summer and the craving NEVER went away. I felt like I was loosing my mind because that was all I could think about despite the fact that I tried every deep breathing, distraction, exercise technique and a million more. I started again feeling very weak and rather ashamed. Oh well, I will try again soon. So congratulations to all of you who have beat it and good luck to those who are going to try. MMW, let us know how it goes for you. I'm interested to see if it is any different for you to quit given the different kind of cigaretes you have been smoking.

[Nancym]

Open Original Shared Link. This is from a heart scan doctor's blog, very interesting blog! But it shows that even light smokers have these holes in their lungs. Yes... holes! Where no tissue exists.

As a former smoker I can tell you that smoking even a little perpetuates the desire. You'll never rid yourself of the desire completely until you stop completely. Even then, it fades slowly. It has been many years now and I'd never go back. But I knew I'd have to stay away from smokers (especially smokers in bars) because every time I went into a smoke filled bar and had a few drinks, the urge came to me and the lack of judgement caused by drinking made me smoke again!

Fortunately they banned smoking in bars in my city so it isn't a problem any longer!

As far as fitting in with your band... perhaps they're all just doing it to fit in too? I mean, if one of you quit smoking it might give everyone an incentive to quit.

[DonnaD777-777]

Ok, this is going to sound crazy, but listen to what this gasto doctor-a celiac disease specialist mind you-at Johns Hopkins Hospital just told me: He noticed in my file that I had mentioned I'd quit smoking in 1997, and he looked at me and said, "Are you aware that smoking protects against Celiac Disease?" Well, my jaw dropped. I've never heard of smoking protecting against much of anything. He insisted this has been researched in the recent past, and that studies have shown smoking does assist in alleviating the symptoms of celiac disease and other bowel diseases. He also warned me that by quitting smoking, I may kicked off the onset of my disease. Isn't this strange but interesting information?! He said, "I'm NOT suggesting you go back to smoking, I just wanted to let you know that." Well, he IS a celiac disease specialist at the #1 hospital in the US, but no, I'm NOT going back to smoking!!

Looking back on it, my symptons got horrible when i quite smoking and that's when i found out that i had celiac's...i am smoking now. I don't smoke MJ anymore, but i almost had to when i was having reactions and didn't know what was going on to heal the pain.

[Gemini]

I do have an occassional cigarette but i really don't smoke much, I just take some from my brothers pack, usually on Thursdays he comes over and, i have some cigarettes with him..reminds me of the good ol' days. I smoke maybe about 3/4 cigarettes a week..

I have some celiac friends that smoke packs in one week, and, some diabetes friends that smoke a pack a day...I was smoking two packs a week last summer but, I wasn't diagnosed but, I was feeling weak and, knew there was something wrong with me.

any smokers...I know its bad for the health but, I have givin up mostly everything in my life and, its hard to say no to a cigarette when the chance comes up..

Mario.....I wouldn't sweat a few cigarettes a week and that info came from a doctor. Smoking propaganda has reached such ridiculous heights and people often fall for it. I am in no way saying it's healthy but the majority of smokers are pack a day or more and that is definitely not good at all. If that's all you are honestly doing, don't worry about it.....especially if you throw some physical activity into the picture also.

You also cannot be glutened form a cigarette unless you have DH or eat the cigarette. You have to have gluten reach your gut to be glutened and that is medical fact. I never had any kind of physical reaction when I did smoke that would be related to celiac disease. Some people may notice some cramping but nicotene acts as a laxative on your GI tract (for some) and makes for cramping and more bathroom trips. Doesn't mean you have been glutened.

We have plenty of other things to keep us on our toes and if you keep the butts to a minimum, you'll be fine!

[Rpm999]

^i agree with you, i think it's all out of control....moderation is the key to anything in life

even a pack a week was fine, that was like me, at most....i had no health issues, no problems stopping if i needed too...a strong mind and moderation=success

but this is from a person who had severe athsma as a child, it all just depends

of course there was the party nights though

people are quick to hate on things like occasional smoking and drinking, but what about fast food which everybody obsesses over? what about never working out? what about pollution from careless people? it's all worst, if you smoke 2 packs a day, of course you'll regret it in the long run....same thing with food, exercise, ANYTHING, too much of anything is "bad"

[luvs2eat]

Okay... I'm the stupid one who vacation smoked and got hooked after almost 14 years smoke free. I went to my doctor and asked for Lame Advertisement. That stuff works! I quit after smoking for one year after that 14 year smoke free stint.

I can't recommend it enough. It really works!!

[Lisa]

Okay... I'm the stupid one who vacation smoked and got hooked after almost 14 years smoke free. I went to my doctor and asked for Lame Advertisement. That stuff works! I quit after smoking for one year after that 14 year smoke free stint.

I can't recommend it enough. It really works!!

I quit in August using Lame Advertisement. Never in a million years would I have thought it would have been that easy. Yeah, good stuff.

[ScarlettsMommy]

Ok, this is going to sound crazy, but listen to what this gasto doctor-a celiac disease specialist mind you-at Johns Hopkins Hospital just told me: He noticed in my file that I had mentioned I'd quit smoking in 1997, and he looked at me and said, "Are you aware that smoking protects against Celiac Disease?" Well, my jaw dropped. I've never heard of smoking protecting against much of anything. He insisted this has been researched in the recent past, and that studies have shown smoking does assist in alleviating the symptoms of celiac disease and other bowel diseases. He also warned me that by quitting smoking, I may kicked off the onset of my disease. Isn't this strange but interesting information?! He said, "I'm NOT suggesting you go back to smoking, I just wanted to let you know that." Well, he IS a celiac disease specialist at the #1 hospital in the US, but no, I'm NOT going back to smoking!!

What GI dr told you this? I also go to Hopkins I see Dr Mullin