Smoking And Celiac Disease

[Guest BERNESES]

This is so strange.... I thought I was the only one!!!!!!!!! Which is why I never mentioned it on here, but oit looks like I'm not alone. I was alwys embarassed because I thought here we are discussing health problems and I still smoke! I had NO idea.

We're all coming out of the closet!

[Judyin Philly]

I was alwys embarassed because I thought here we are discussing health problems and I still smoke! I had NO idea. We're all coming out of the closet!

dito Bev, and THIS closet is getting very crowed...

Judy in philly

[ravenwoodglass]

Maybe in rachelville we can invent a cigerette that isn't bad for you. I am the chef maybe I can come up with something!!!

Miamia

I'm no expert but I would not be surprised if it is not the tobacco that poisons us but all the nasty chemical additives they put in to make the cigs keep burning and to increase the addictive nature of them. I would gladly relight multiple times if needed if I could find a cig that had just tobacco.

[jerseyangel]

I was just sitting back, reading how you all are "coming out of the smoking closet". I just realized, after reading Elonwy's post that the most "healthy" time of my life was when I smoked! From age 16 to 24, I don't recall any stomach or food issues. As a child, I did, and after I had my 2nd child it became a real problem. Coincidence? Maybe--I've read that the symptoms of Celiac can wane during the teen years--I always thought that was the case with me--and still do, really. It was just an interesting thought.

[TERESE]

Is there room in the closet for one more????

I find this very interesting. Everytime I have tried to quit I have very bad tummy and bowel troubles.

Not the best reason to keep smoking I know.

[Judyin Philly]

I'm no expert but I would not be surprised if it is not the tobacco that poisons us but all the nasty chemical additives they put in to make the cigs keep burning and to increase the addictive nature of them. I would gladly relight multiple times if needed if I could find a cig that had just tobacco.

but I would not be surprised if it is not the tobacco that poisons us but all the nasty chemical additives they put in to make the cigs keep burning I think it's the chemicals too.

There are so many 'bright' minds in Rville that I bet you could come up with something...didn't the people in the old days just get the tobacco from the field and chop it and roll it and smoke it?????

Judy in Philly

[Guest BERNESES]

You can roll your own (but don't aske me how- they look hard) and American spirit cigarettes are additive free. A little too strong for me. I like my girl cigarettes.

[nikki-uk]

We're all coming out of the closet!

Gave up a couple of years ago-but if I'm highly stressed or I've had one too many tipples.....

Hubby tried to give up a year after me (oh gosh,the mean,mean moods-he was like a man with pms!) but went back to it after 6 months

His stomach problems really kicked in when he was off the weed

Curiouser and curiouser???......

[Lisa]

but I would not be surprised if it is not the tobacco that poisons us but all the nasty chemical additives they put in to make the cigs keep burning I think it's the chemicals too.

There are so many 'bright' minds in Rville that I bet you could come up with something...didn't the people in the old days just get the tobacco from the field and chop it and roll it and smoke it?????

Judy in Philly

Many months ago I looked up on the Phillip Morris websit and looked at the ingreds. in cigs.

Well.......about a kazzillion unpronounceable things.

[elonwy]

American Spirits are addative free, but they're strong!!! They taste funny because they are missing all that fun stuff that makes cigs taste good. I switched to them for a while while trying to quit, it definitly helped.

I like my Camels. Marlboro's make me naseous.

Elonwy

[samking72]

I'm also quilty. I've been smoking for 6 years, despite the fact that I'm 20. I smoke Salem, which DO have malt in them. It doesn't really seems to effect me too bad, but maybe that's why I still don't feel 100%. I don't know. I agree with everyone- I gave up all the foods I loved, I'm having my cig where you like it or not!

[ravenwoodglass]

I think I am going to try the American Spirit if they carry them at our local reservation. As long as we are on the subject of smoking I found it interesting that a recent research study they did of folks that had been long term smokers of both ciggs and marijuana showed that much to the researchers surprise smoking pot seems to nullify the carcinogenic effects of the cigs. There was very little lung cancer in this group. They are trying to figure out which chemical in the pot had this effect. So they can make a pill of course.

[wozzy]

Wow I'm surprised so many of you smoke.

Cigarette smoke is really bad for my asthma. If I'm around it for even a half hour, I start coughing and my lungs start burning.

[Guest BERNESES]

We promise never to smoke online. Actually, I am very conscious of smoking around people who don't- I think that if it bothers them in anyway, it's rude. If I am in publc, I always ask before I light up. If I didn't smoke I wouldn't want people doing it near me.

[Rikki Tikki]

I think I am going to try the American Spirit if they carry them at our local reservation. As long as we are on the subject of smoking I found it interesting that a recent research study they did of folks that had been long term smokers of both ciggs and marijuana showed that much to the researchers surprise smoking pot seems to nullify the carcinogenic effects of the cigs. There was very little lung cancer in this group. They are trying to figure out which chemical in the pot had this effect. So they can make a pill of course.

In that case maybe I should go back to it! Do you think this is really true?

[Guest Robbin]

We promise never to smoke online. Actually, I am very conscious of smoking around people who don't- I think that if it bothers them in anyway, it's rude. If I am in publc, I always ask before I light up. If I didn't smoke I wouldn't want people doing it near me.

Same here, Bev. I always pick up my butts, too and put them in a little purse thingy lined with foil I got from(surprise) Va slims. I NEVER smoked during pregnancy and nursing. I picked it up ten years ago when I was under a tremendous amt. of stress (smoked some in college years) and got so hooked. I also never, ever smoke near my son. He has enough problems. I agree, rinne, it should be a social bonding thing, I used to smoke with my best friend and neighbor in PA out by the trash cans every evening and talk for an hour or more about our days! Not a lovely setting, but good times . Now, it is snow, sleet, rain, hail-I brave it all for my nasty habit. Luckily, I have a nice porch to sit on in the evening to smoke and watch the neighborhood--most of whom smoke-we're in Virginia after all . Hubby's uncles were tobacco farmers and they said it was the chemicals they had to start using that seemed to cause the increase in cancer. The family farmed tobacco in the 1930's till 1960's- and pressure grew to grow more and bigger. The stories my husband tells of being in the tobacco barns and smelling the sweet aroma of freshly cut tobacco are really nice. I must quit, though. I am sure it is slowing down the healing-everything for me is in stages-I need to get the food issues under control and then I think I can conquer anything.

[ravenwoodglass]

In that case maybe I should go back to it! Do you think this is really true?

While I would never tell anyone to do anything illegal I do believe this research as it has been borne out in more than one study. Doctors are always astounded at my lung function considering I have smoked cigs and the other for over 40 years. When I was at my sickest smoking pot was the only thing that gave me any relief from the nausea and extreme intestinal pain I had and it also helped with my movement and muscle and joint stiffness. I don't need it for relief anymore and now use it much, much less.

[dhramos2003]

i dont know about weather or not you can but i do know that since i went on this diet i crave nicottine but i have never been a smoker and me and my son are allergic to cigerette smoke its the wierdest thing ever

[Rikki Tikki]

i dont know about weather or not you can but i do know that since i went on this diet i crave nicottine but i have never been a smoker and me and my son are allergic to cigerette smoke its the wierdest thing ever

WOW that is a strange one. I know when I first quit, I would go to the store and when I smelled coffee I would want a cigarette so bad, and I never even drank coffee!

[kbtoyssni]

i dont know about weather or not you can but i do know that since i went on this diet i crave nicottine but i have never been a smoker and me and my son are allergic to cigerette smoke its the wierdest thing ever

Woah - me too!!! I've only had a few cigarettes total in my life and the last time was probably three years ago but the last few months I've been wanting one all the time. I can't figure it out.

[Allen]

I went to the Phillip Morris USA site and looked at the ingredients that they add to cigarettes. They won't disclose which ingredient is in each particular brand. They want to keep it a secret to protect their flavor recipe. The composit list of tobacco and flavor ingredients lists 125 items, the amount (quantity not exceeded) and the function of the additive:

-------------------------------

1 ACETANISOLE 0.0001 Flavor

2 ACETIC ACID 0.01 Flavor

3 ACETOPHENONE 0.0001 Flavor

4 AMMONIUM HYDROXIDE 0.3 Flavor

Processing Aid

5 ANGELICA ROOT OIL 0.0001 Flavor

6 BENZALDEHYDE 0.0001 Flavor

7 BENZOIN, RESINOID 0.005 Flavor

8 BENZYL ALCOHOL 0.05 Flavor

9 BERGAMOT OIL 0.001 Flavor

10 BORNYL ACETATE 0.0001 Flavor

11 BUTYRIC ACID 0.0001 Flavor

12 CARDAMOM SEED OIL 0.0001 Flavor

13 CAROB BEAN AND EXTRACT 0.2 Flavor

14 CELERY SEED OIL 0.0001 Flavor

15 CELLULOSE 3.0 Strengthener

16 CHAMOMILE FLOWER, HUNGARIAN, OIL 0.0001 Flavor

17 CHAMOMILE FLOWER, ROMAN, OIL 0.0001 Flavor

18 CINNAMALDEHYDE 0.005 Flavor

19 CINNAMYL ALCOHOL 0.0001 Flavor

20 CITRAL 0.0001 Flavor

21 CITRIC ACID 0.0001 Flavor

22 D,L-CITRONELLOL 0.0001 Flavor

23 CLARY OIL 0.001 Flavor

24 COCOA AND COCOA PRODUCTS 0.9 Flavor

25 COFFEE EXTRACT 0.005 Flavor

26 COGNAC, GREEN, OIL 0.0001 Flavor

27 CORIANDER OIL 0.0005 Flavor

28 DAVANA OIL 0.0001 Flavor

29 DELTA-DECALACTONE 0.0001 Flavor

30 GAMMA-DECALACTONE 0.0001 Flavor

31 DECANOIC ACID 0.0001 Flavor

32 DIACETYL 0.0001 Flavor

33 DIAMMONIUM PHOSPHATE 0.8 Flavor

Processing Aid

34 2,3-DIETHYLPYRAZINE 0.0001 Flavor

35 DILL OIL 0.0001 Flavor

36 2,5-DIMETHYLPYRAZINE 0.0001 Flavor

37 ETHYL ACETATE 0.005 Flavor

38 ETHYL BUTYRATE 0.005 Flavor

39 ETHYL HEXANOATE 0.005 Flavor

40 ETHYL ISOVALERATE 0.0001 Flavor

41 ETHYL LACTATE 0.0001 Flavor

42 ETHYL MALTOL 0.0001 Flavor

43 ETHYL OCTANOATE 0.0001 Flavor

44 ETHYL PHENYLACETATE 0.0001 Flavor

45 ETHYL PROPIONATE 0.0005 Flavor

46 ETHYL VANILLIN 0.001 Flavor

47 5-ETHYL-3-HYDROXY-4- METHYL-2(5H)-FURANONE 0.0001 Flavor

48 FENUGREEK EXTRACT AND OLEORESIN 0.001 Flavor

49 GERANIOL 0.0001 Flavor

50 GERANIUM ROSE OIL 0.0001 Flavor

51 GLYCEROL 6.9 Humectant

52 GUAR GUM 0.5 Binder

53 GAMMA-HEPTALACTONE 0.0001 Flavor

54 2-HEPTANONE 0.001 Flavor

55 GAMMA-HEXALACTONE 0.0005 Flavor

56 HEXANOIC ACID 0.005 Flavor

57 HEXYL ACETATE 0.0001 Flavor

58 4-(PARA-HYDROXYPHENYL)-2- BUTANONE 0.0001 Flavor

59 IMMORTELLE EXTRACT 0.0001 Flavor

60 ALPHA-IONONE 0.0001 Flavor

61 ISOAMYL ACETATE 0.001 Flavor

62 ISOAMYL BUTYRATE 0.0001 Flavor

63 ISOAMYL FORMATE 0.0005 Flavor

64 ISOAMYL HEXANOATE 0.0005 Flavor

65 ISOAMYL ISOVALERATE 0.0005 Flavor

66 ISOAMYL PHENYLACETATE 0.0001 Flavor

67 ISOBUTYRIC ACID 0.0005 Flavor

68 ISOVALERIC ACID 0.005 Flavor

69 LICORICE EXTRACT 1.1 Flavor

70 LIME OIL 0.0005 Flavor

71 LINALOOL 0.0001 Flavor

72 LOVAGE EXTRACT 0.01 Flavor

73 LOVAGE OIL 0.0001 Flavor

74 MALTOL 0.005 Flavor

75 MATE ABSOLUTE 0.001 Flavor

76 MEGASTIGMATRIENONE 0.0001 Flavor

77 L-MENTHOL 2.1 Flavor

78 PARA-METHOXYBENZALDEHYDE 0.001 Flavor

79 METHYL ISOVALERATE 0.0001 Flavor

80 4'-METHYLACETOPHENONE 0.0005 Flavor

81 3-METHYLBUTYRALDEHYDE 0.005 Flavor

82 2-METHYLBUTYRIC ACID 0.0001 Flavor

83 METHYLCYCLOPENTENOLONE 0.005 Flavor

84 MIMOSA ABSOLUTE 0.0001 Flavor

85 MOUNTAIN MAPLE EXTRACT SOLID 0.01 Flavor

86 GAMMA-NONALACTONE 0.0001 Flavor

87 OAKMOSS ABSOLUTE 0.001 Flavor

88 GAMMA-OCTALACTONE 0.0005 Flavor

89 OCTANOIC ACID 0.001 Flavor

90 OPOPONAX OIL 0.0005 Flavor

91 ORANGE OIL, SWEET 0.005 Flavor

92 ORRIS ROOT EXTRACT 0.005 Flavor

93 PECTIN 0.7 Binder

94 PEPPERMINT OIL 0.01 Flavor

95 PETITGRAIN OIL 0.0001 Flavor

96 PHENETHYL ALCOHOL 0.0001 Flavor

97 PHENETHYL PHENYLACETATE 0.005 Flavor

98 PHENYLACETIC ACID 0.0005 Flavor

99 PIPERONAL 0.0005 Flavor

100 PROPENYLGUAETHOL 0.0001 Flavor

101 PROPYLENE GLYCOL 2.6 Humectant

102 RHODINOL 0.0001 Flavor

103 ROSE OIL, BULGARIAN, TRUE OTTO 0.0001 Flavor

104 RUM 0.05 Flavor

105 RUM FLAVOR, NON-ALCOHOLIC 0.0001 Flavor

106 SALICYLADEHYDE 0.0001 Flavor

107 SANDALWOOD OIL, YELLOW 0.0005 Flavor

108 SCLAREOLIDE 0.001 Flavor

109 STORAX 0.0001 Flavor

110 STYRAX EXTRACT 0.0001 Flavor

111 SUGAR: HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP 42% 2.9 Flavor

Humectant

112 SUGAR: INVERT SUGAR 1.5 Flavor

Humectant

113 SUGAR: SUCROSE 3.6 Flavor

Humectant

114 TANGERINE OIL 0.0005 Flavor

115 ALPHA-TERPINEOL 0.0005 Flavor

116 2,3,5,6-TETRAMETHYLPYRAZINE 0.001 Flavor

117 PARA-TOLYL ACETATE 0.0001 Flavor

118 4-(2,6,6-TRIMETHYL CYCLOHEX-1-ENYL) BUT-2-EN-4-ONE 0.0001 Flavor

119 2,3,5-TRIMETHYLPYRAZINE 0.0001 Flavor

120 GAMMA-UNDECALACTONE 0.0001 Flavor

121 VALERIAN ROOT EXTRACT 0.01 Flavor

122 VANILLA BEAN EXTRACT (EXTRACTIVES) 0.001 Flavor

123 VANILLIN 0.05 Flavor

124 VERATRALDEHYDE 0.0005 Flavor

125 WATER 15.0 Moisturizer

Processing Aid

PROCESSING AIDS:

CARBON DIOXIDE

ETHYL ALCOHOL Processing Aids

---------------------------------------------------------------

Isn't ethyl alcohol GRAIN ALCOHOL? I wonder which of the other products contain gluten.

Now, the list of non- tobacco ingredients (paper, adhesives, etc.) are as follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CIGARETTE PAPERS> CELLULOSE 9.3

CALCIUM CARBONATE 4.6

MONOPOTASSIUM PHOSPHATE 1.4

AMMONIUM MAGNESIUM PHOSPHATE 1.0

POTASSIUM CITRATE 0.3

SODIUM CITRATE 0.3

GUAR GUM, DEPOLYMERIZED 0.1

HERCON 70 0.1

CARBOXYMETHYLCELLULOSE 0.05

GUAR GUM 0.05

SIDESEAM ADHESIVES> ETHYLENE/VINYL ACETATE, COPOLYMER EMULSION IN WATER 0.3

POLYVINYL ACETATE 0.3

STARCHES AND/OR MODIFIED STARCHES 0.3

VINYL ALCOHOL-VINYL ACETATE COPOLYMER 0.3

PROCESSING AIDS (DEFOAMER, PRESERVATIVE, WATER)

MONOGRAM INKS> IRON OXIDE BLACK 0.005

LINSEED OILS 0.005

LINSEED VARNISH 0.005

CARBON BLACK 0.0005

LECITHIN 0.0005

ORGANOPHILIC CLAY 0.0005

PIGMENT BLUE 15 0.0005

PIGMENT YELLOW 14 0.0005

PIGMENT YELLOW 42 0.0005

PIGMENT RED 170:1 0.0005

RESIN 0.0005

ROSINS 0.0005

SOYBEAN OILS 0.0005

SYNTHETIC TREATED SILICA 0.0005

WHITE MINERAL OIL 0.0005

CALCIUM 2-ETHYLHEXANOATE 0.0001

C.I. PIGMENT RED 53, BARIUM SALT 0.0001

C.I. PIGMENT RED 57, CALCIUM SALT 0.0001

OXY ALUMINUM OCTOATE 0.0001

PETROLEUM DISTILLATES, HYDROTREATED MIDDLE 0.0001

PHENOL, 2,6-BIS (1,1 - DIMETHYLETHYL) - 4 - (1 - METHYLPROPYL) - 0.0001

PIGMENT GREEN 7 0.0001

PIGMENT VIOLET 19 0.0001

SILICA 0.0001

TITANIUM DIOXIDE 0.0001

2,2,4- TRIMETHYL- 1,3- PENTANEDIOL MONOISOBUTYRATE 0.0001

TRIPROPYLENE GLYCOL MONOMETHYL ETHER 0.0001

PROCESSING AIDS (ANTIOXIDANT, SOLVENT)

FILTRATION MATERIALS> CELLULOSE ACETATE 36.4

CARBON 20.3

TRIACETIN 3.7

POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL 200 3.0

TITANIUM DIOXIDE 0.3

COTTON 0.2

ALUMINUM OXIDE 0.005

SODIUM CHLORIDE 0.005

PROCESSING AIDS (FINISHING OIL)

FILTER PAPERS (including PLUG WRAPS, TIPPING PAPERS and TIPPING PAPER INKS)> CELLULOSE 3.3

CALCIUM CARBONATE 1.3

POLYVINYL ACETATE 0.8

NITROCELLULOSE 0.5

TITANIUM DIOXIDE 0.5

IRON OXIDE BLACK 0.2

PIGMENT YELLOW 42 0.2

POLYVINYL ALCOHOL 0.2

STARCHES AND/OR MODIFIED STARCHES 0.2

TRIACETIN 0.2

ALUMINUM 0.1

CLAY 0.1

PIGMENT BLUE 15 0.1

TALC 0.1

ALUMINUM SULFATE 0.05

BORIC ACID 0.05

COPPER 0.05

DIBUTYL PHTHALATE 0.05

GLYOXAL 0.05

HYDROGENATED METHYL ESTERS OF RESIN AND ROSIN ACIDS 0.05

PIGMENT RED 101 0.05

POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE 0.05

RESINS 0.05

ROSIN 0.05

VINYL ALCOHOL-VINYL ACETATE COPOLYMER 0.05

ZINC 0.05

ACETATE PROPANOATE CELLULOSE 0.01

CASEIN 0.01

DIMETHYL SILOXANE 0.01

FUMARIC ACID 0.01

FUMERATED ROSIN 0.01

MALEIC ANHYDRIDE 0.01

PIGMENT YELLOW 17 0.01

POLYETHYLENE 0.01

SORBITAN,TRIOCTADECANOATE POLY(OXY-1,2-ETHANEDIYL) DERIVATIVES 0.01

C.I. ACID YELLOW 3, DISODIUM SALT 0.005

C.I. ACID YELLOW 23, TRISODIUM SALT 0.005

C.I. PIGMENT RED 57, CALCIUM SALT 0.005

DI-2- ETHYLHEXYLSULFOSUCCINATE 0.005

ETHYL ACRYLATE, COPOLYMER WITH METHYL METHACRYLATE 0.005

PARAFFIN 0.005

PIGMENT GREEN 36 0.005

PIGMENT ORANGE 5 0.005

PIGMENT RED 48:2 0.005

PIGMENT VIOLET 23 0.005

PIGMENT YELLOW 83 0.005

POLYSTYRENE 0.005

ZINC SULFIDE 0.005

ALUMINUM HYDROXIDE 0.001

BENZENEDICARBOXYLIC ACID, DIHEPTYL ESTER, BRANCHED AND LINEAR 0.001

BENZENEDICARBOXYLIC ACID, DINONYL ESTER, BRANCHED AND LINEAR 0.001

BENZENEDICARBOXYLIC ACID, HEPTYL NONYL ESTER, BRANCHED AND LINEAR 0.001

OCTADECANOIC ACID 0.001

PIGMENT RED 22 0.001

SILICA AMORPHOUS GEL 0.001

SODIUM BICARBONATE 0.001

LECITHIN 0.0005

TRIETHANOLAMINE 0.0005

C. I. ACID BLACK 2 0.0001

C.I. DIRECT RED 81, SODIUM SALT 0.0001

C.I. DIRECT RED 81, TEA-97 SALT 0.0001

C.I. DIRECT YELLOW 11, LITHIUM SALT 0.0001

CITRIC ACID MONOHYDRATE 0.0001

MINERAL OIL 0.0001

PIGMENT RED 49:2 0.0001

FILTER ADHESIVES> ETHYLENE/VINYL ACETATE, COPOLYMER EMULSION IN WATER 1.3

DIETHYLENE GLYCOL, DIBENZOATE 0.3

DIPROPYLENE GLYCOL DIBENZOATE 0.3

HYDROCARBON RESIN-ETHENYLBENZENE, COPOLYMER WITH (1-METHYLETHENYL) BENZENE 0.3

MICROCRYSTALLINE HYDROCARBON WAX 0.2

MICROCRYSTALLINE WAX 0.2

ALPHA METHYL STYRENE POLYMER 0.1

METHYL PARABEN 0.1

POLYVINYL ALCOHOL 0.1

2-PROPENOIC ACID, 2-METHYL-, METHYL ESTER, POLYMER WITH ETHANOL AND ETHENYL ACETATE 0.05

BORIC ACID 0.05

NAPTHA, PETROLEUM 0.05

POLYVINYL ACETATE 0.05

POLYVINYL ALCOHOL BORIC ACID COMPLEX 0.05

TRIACETIN 0.05

VINYL ALCOHOL-VINYL ACETATE COPOLYMER 0.05

PARAFFIN 0.01

ALUMINUM DISTERATE 0.0005

ALUMINUM TRISTERATE 0.0005

OCTADECANOIC ACID 0.0001

PROCESSING AIDS (ANTIOXIDANT, DEFOAMER, PRESERVATIVE, WATER)

_______________________________________________________________________-

I am certainly not familiar with all of these ingredients. It almost seems strange to find out if something with all of these harmful chemicals contains gluten. I do see modified starch listed. Can anyone identify any of the other ingredients as a gluten source?

[hangininthere]

Winston cigarettes are additive-free.

Heavy chain-smoker here. I keep trying to quit but no luck yet.

Cigs make me sick all over, want to quit so bad, but when in cig withdrawal I get horrible brain fog and can't function, so I'm trapped like a rat in this addiction, need the cigs to feel normal.

If I could afford cigs and they didn't make me feel sick, I'd just keep smoking and not worry about quitting, but they do make me sick to begin with, and I can't afford them anymore with the way prices have sky-rocketed.

The cigs with additives make me way sicker.

Winstons are expensive - I changed to Winston a couple of years ago in hopes of getting 'unhooked' off the addictive additives of the cheaper generics I was smoking, then when I tried to go back to the generics last week to save money, they made me a thousand times sicker. So Winston it is, til I can manage to quit somehow.

P.S. Here's a site that lists cigarette additives ingredients, and it says wheat extract and flour, and rye extract (they're listed on the third page of the alphabetical list of ingredients).

Open Original Shared Link

Best wishes all.

[loco-ladi]

Well, I have smoked for to many years myself, and have gotten myself down to a pack every other day sometimes less... depending on my stress level

[Nyxie63]

Wow! Looks like I'm in good company.

I smoke about 3/4 pack a day, sometimes more depending on my nerves. Smoked in high school and then quit for 15 years. Started up again when I went back to college and been smoking ever since. I've tried quitting in the past, but never seem to make it past the 6 week mark. When I quit, its like I get a chronic case of the flu that doesn't go away until I start smoking again.

Surprisingly enough, my Holistic MD is pretty laid back about the smoking thing. He hasn't gotten on my case about it at all. Guess he figures there are other, more important, things to work on first and once those are sorted out we'll address the smoking issue.

Additional (yet probably useless) info on smoking:

Smoking suppresses thyroid function. If you have hypoT, don't smoke before getting the morning blood testing or it'll show your TSH as being lower than what it should really reflect.

Smoking raises RBC, hematocrit, and hemoglobin levels. So if you have low ferritin, you probably won't show as being anemic until after you quit. It takes about 3 weeks after quitting for the CBC to truly reflect what's going on.