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

[sames]

Well guys here is the task.

I am going to my Gastroenterologist in a little over a week to talk to him about my Chron's disease. I have came to the conclusion that cigars are helping my stomach.

I have read one article saying that there is a link between the relief of pain by using tobacco with Chron's but I feel as if I need more proof.

I have already searched a bit but cannot find anything, only anti-smoking articles.

Can anyone offer me any help in proving him wrong?

[uncballzer]

Sorry bud, I've got bad news, or at least contraindicatory to what you're saying. Is it Crohn's or ulcerative colitis you have? Kinda ironic actually, I'm currently in the GI system (last test for the system is Monday) and according to the pathologist, smoking worsens Crohn's, but it can be beneficial in UC. I don't have any other proof than his lecture and maybe his references (but don't have those on hand currently).

[Ron1YY]

Send me your e-mail addy. I have a 15-20 page PDF with TONS of Documented Studies to show your doc.


Ron

[Puffin Fresh]

I had a boss with Chron's and he said that chew helped him sometimes. I have no scientific proof though.

[uncballzer]

Originally Posted by Ron1YY

Send me your e-mail addy. I have a 15-20 page PDF with TONS of Documented Studies to show your doc.


Ron

Mind if I get a hold of that too?

[sames]

Originally Posted by uncballzer

Sorry bud, I've got bad news, or at least contraindicatory to what you're saying. Is it Crohn's or ulcerative colitis you have? Kinda ironic actually, I'm currently in the GI system (last test for the system is Monday) and according to the pathologist, smoking worsens Crohn's, but it can be beneficial in UC. I don't have any other proof than his lecture and maybe his references (but don't have those on hand currently).

It seems I am at a stand still on this.

Some say yes and some say no. I currently have Chron's but he is speculating I have ulcers as well. Which I will find out if I do in fact have ulcers as well when I go next time.

[dantzig]

Not a whole lot is currently known about Chron's. One of my brothers has it and had to completely change his diet and undergo a couple surgeries to get everything under control. It turned out that a certain food coloring caused problems with him as well as red meat and several other things. Do an experiment and stop smoking for a while to see if anything changes. It may have a positive, negative, or no effect at all on your health.

[gnukfu]

I have UC - it is under control with medication and I have had no flare ups since I started smoking a year ago - also had my annual colonoscopy in the meantime and the doc said everything looked so good he is moving it out to 18 months. I am no doctor and have no evidence to back it up but I believe internalizing stress is one of the major factors, in my case, for IC. Smoking helps me relax and I believe it is beneficial in helping control my UC.

[steelheaderdu]

I was diagnosed with Crohn's as well last July (to go along with my father, brother, & sister). Smoking has neither hurt or helped my condition in my opinion.

However, I have heard from my grandfather, who had UC, that smoking 2 cigarettes a day was enough to keep him feeling pretty good.

My gastroenterologist has not given any indication that my cigar smoking hurts or helps in any way (but I only smoke 1 stick a week).

Good luck and let us know what he has to say.

[BamaDoc77]

Crohns, IBS and UC ALL have a stress component to them......if the smoking lowers your stress and you have fewer relapses, tell your doctor to go "F" himself....and this is COMING from a M.D.

[Conch Republican]

Go Stewie, you tell them!

[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."

[ljh824]

Originally Posted by uncballzer

Sorry bud, I've got bad news, or at least contraindicatory to what you're saying. Is it Crohn's or ulcerative colitis you have? Kinda ironic actually, I'm currently in the GI system (last test for the system is Monday) and according to the pathologist, smoking worsens Crohn's, but it can be beneficial in UC. I don't have any other proof than his lecture and maybe his references (but don't have those on hand currently).

I have to agree. I've had ulcerative colitis now for about 12 years and I was part of a nicotine study about five years ago. The theory was, UC wasn't as prevalent in smokers as it was in non-smokers. They attributed it to nicotine. It was ultimately inconclusive. The AMA wouldn't buy off on it I guess, I really have no idea. What I do know is, there was no effect on people with Crohn's. But hey, most of the healing process is mental anyways so if you think it helps you, it probably will.

[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.

[daniyal]

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