Help me prove my doctor wrong. Cigars are helping me!

[AuburnFan1980]

Originally Posted by daniyal

Isn't nicotine supposed to be good for the GI track? Helps relax the intestines aiding the passage of unwanted waste?

I don't know about you, but that's exactly why I started smoking cigars three years ago!

Jason

[Pendaboot]

Originally Posted by Snoman13

After reading some stuff and hearing comments (you talking about how you feel it helps it out) I'd say if it's giving you relief and not aggravating the ailment(s) then it's a positive thing.

On the other hand, I would be quite suprised for a M.D. to come out and say straight up "Yes, smoking is helping your health."

I got pneumonia a while ago when I was driving a Uhaul moving truck across country and had no access to doctors (unless I wanted to go to an emergency room). I was choking on all the crap in my lungs, so I got an idea and got a cigarette (which I had not smoked a single one of for years) and it helped. So I got a pack and smoked some cigarette whenever I could not breathe. When I got where I was going (Seattle, where I live now) I went to a doctor. He admitted to me that they all know that what I did would have helped, but he swore me to secrecy, and said that no doctor would admit this in public.

Not politically correct enough to save your life, if it means saying something nice about Tobacco. So if doctors say Tobacco will not help, use independent thinking techniques. If it feels good, do it! Or die.

[ljh824]

Originally Posted by daniyal

Isn't nicotine supposed to be good for the GI track? Helps relax the intestines aiding the passage of unwanted waste?

That is the theory.

[ljh824]

Originally Posted by Advil

semi-off topic but holy crap because this may be my issue too. i was in the hospital a few days ago for severe gastrointestinal bleeding. they thought it was chrons but i was hemorrhaging from the inside.

....should i not be smoking?

i haven't recieved any results from the numerous tests they've done.

Wait until you get the results until you decide anything. The doc will tell you what you can or cannot do. Best of luck in your issue. Chrohns and/or Colitis are not the end of the world. They are very treatable and people live long productive lives with them.

[OtterAKL4987]

I'm no doctor, but there are obviously inherent risks associated with consuming tobacco on a regular basis. Aside from that, if it helps your stress level and in turn helps with the Chron's, I say keep enjoying the stogies.

[uncballzer]

Originally Posted by Pendaboot

I got pneumonia a while ago when I was driving a Uhaul moving truck across country and had no access to doctors (unless I wanted to go to an emergency room). I was choking on all the crap in my lungs, so I got an idea and got a cigarette (which I had not smoked a single one of for years) and it helped. So I got a pack and smoked some cigarette whenever I could not breathe. When I got where I was going (Seattle, where I live now) I went to a doctor. He admitted to me that they all know that what I did would have helped, but he swore me to secrecy, and said that no doctor would admit this in public.

Not politically correct enough to save your life, if it means saying something nice about Tobacco. So if doctors say Tobacco will not help, use independent thinking techniques. If it feels good, do it! Or die.

Originally Posted by OtterAKL4987

I'm no doctor, but there are obviously inherent risks associated with consuming tobacco on a regular basis. Aside from that, if it helps your stress level and in turn helps with the Chron's, I say keep enjoying the stogies.

I've got agree with both of you. Risk vs benefit. I'm waging a slight risk of bad health later on for relaxation and feeling better now. If I just do this in moderation, no problem. Light up.

[SteveDMatt]

Originally Posted by Snoman13

After reading some stuff and hearing comments (you talking about how you feel it helps it out) I'd say if it's giving you relief and not aggravating the ailment(s) then it's a positive thing.

On the other hand, I would be quite suprised for a M.D. to come out and say straight up "Yes, smoking is helping your health."

Yeah, they say it about marajuana, but not tobacco.

[gnukfu]

Originally Posted by SteveDMatt

Yeah, they say it about marajuana, but not tobacco.

Oh good - I don't have to stop smoking dandelions!

[mdtaggart]

I think it is important for us to be specific when using the term "smoking" in dicussions like this. Cigars and cigarettes are not the same and do have very different risks involved. (mary jane is very different too, in a good way)

[tenbaseg]

I'm a Crohn's sufferer. I was diagnosed about 3 years ago. I've been on long stretches of prednisone and recently switched from Remicade to Humira.

I don't know if tobacco use helps with the disease because everyone's experiences are really different.

I truly believe if you find something that works, stick with it. Most people need to experiment and listen to their gut.

Sounds like we need to start a "Official CS Bad Guts Pass".

[sirxlaughs]

http://chealth.canoe.ca/channel_heal...ation_id=19542

Got that from Google. Seems like interesting stuff.
A few others:

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/m...10/ai_10456888

http://ibdcrohns.about.com/cs/ibdfaqs/a/smokingguts.htm

[sames]

Originally Posted by tenbaseg

I'm a Crohn's sufferer. I was diagnosed about 3 years ago. I've been on long stretches of prednisone and recently switched from Remicade to Humira.

I don't know if tobacco use helps with the disease because everyone's experiences are really different.

I truly believe if you find something that works, stick with it. Most people need to experiment and listen to their gut.

Sounds like we need to start a "Official CS Bad Guts Pass".

I am avoiding steroids as much as possible, but if the time comes that i will have to have them, so be it.

I am going to stick with cigars/pipe regardless of what he says, but I want to have proof to show him that I am not making things worse.

Originally Posted by mdtaggart

I think it is important for us to be specific when using the term "smoking" in dicussions like this. Cigars and cigarettes are not the same and do have very different risks involved. (mary jane is very different too, in a good way)

I agree with you on that. Alot of sites are saying smoking but there is a clear difference in smoking cigarettes and a cigar or pipe.




Also, thanks for the input so far to everyone. It really is appreciated.

[gnukfu]

Originally Posted by sirxlaughs

http://chealth.canoe.ca/channel_heal...ation_id=19542

Got that from Google. Seems like interesting stuff.
A few others:

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/m...10/ai_10456888

http://ibdcrohns.about.com/cs/ibdfaqs/a/smokingguts.htm

Interesting articles - thanks for providing the links. I guess I wasn't imagining things when I thought smoking cigars was helping my UC. I wasn't smart enough to look it up myself Thanks for doing that for me!

[Harpo]

Coincidentally there is a letter in this month's Cigar Aficionado (with the Blues Brothers on the cover) about Crohn's disease and cigar smoking.

A guy from the Dominican Republic wrote:

I suffer from Crohn's disease, and a long time ago my doctor told me the stress would get to me. Believe him? I did not until my last flare-up. Once I was controlled, for some reason, I had my first cigar. Since then, whenever I am stressed, I sit and have a cigar, relax and take it easy, then continue my day. Cigars have changed so many things in my life, I can't imagine living without them. They are that important to me.

So there ya go!

[sames]

Wow, i just read this months CA while at my B&M today and did not see that! I will have to buy it , and show him.