I just had my first cigarette in 4 years HELP

[geeker]

I completely quit smoking 4 years ago using e-cigarettes. I have never felt such a feeling of freedom before. Within 6 months I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. Painful, bloody, could not eat, could not travel. I could go on and on but I will spare you. After fighting this disease for 4 years, I finally learned of the link between smoking cessation and UC. There are some doctors that prescribe smoking for UC patients who are failed by medicines (very expensive, lots of side effects) So, I bought a pack of cigarettes and had one. Just one. I don't need nic because I am still using about 3 ml of 24mg liquid daily. My guts have not felt this much relief since I don;t know when. There is SOMETHING in a burning cigarette that helps UC. It's not nicotine. There are suggegstions that it's the small amount of carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfate or anatabine. No one really knows. But whatever it is it does not come from standard e-liquid. When I frequented the board years ago, there was a poster who mentioned other nicotine alkaloids and suggested snusing in addition to vaping. Anyone remember who that was? I'd like to get in touch with him. I apologize for the ginormo paragraph...I wanted to split it up a little but apparently some new improved formatting does not work with my computer.

 

[jamie]

So sorry to hear of your condition. There are many posts here about ulcerative colitis, some you may find helpful:
www.e-cigarette-forum.com Ulcerative Colitis

The person you reference was probably Tropical Bob and he seems to be out of touch now for reasons unknown. Here is the SNUs/Smokeless tobacco section of the forum:
www.e-cigarette-forum.com Smokeless tobacco

Also regarding alkaloids, there is now WTA eliquid (whole tobacco alkaloids), currently sold by Aroma.
www.e-cigarette-forum.com Aroma Ejuice

 

[Hulamoon]

Hi Geeker Sorry to hear about the UC - in regards to Whole Tobacco Alkaloids, you might find this vendor of interest too if WTA gives you that something more than regular e-juice without going back to cigarettes. Hope so anyway.

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...-tobacco-flavor-wta-products-coming-soon.html

 

[geeker]

Thank you, Jamie and Hulamoon! TB is indeed the fellow I was looking for, and thank you both for the helpful links. ECF has grown so much in my absence.

 

[bruiser]

I put "cigarettes and ulcerative colitis" in a search engine and got lots of hits. I also ran across this thread:

E-Cig and Ulcerative Colitis Update - Ulcerative Colitis - HealingWell.com Forum

 

[telsie]

What about trying SNUS? If there's something in tobacco that helps UC, that's be the safest form of tobacco to use (unless of course the tobacco really does have to be burning to be of help).

 

[geeker]

I would like to try some snus...is there a place to get Swedish snus that ships from the USA?

 

[Hulamoon]

Edited - double posting What on earth???? - man, I must be getting old. I already told you this. Apologies.

 

[oplholik]

geeker, I like you have been battling UC, but just for 16 months now. I saw my doctor yesterday, and will be having another colonoscopy in a couple weeks, as I have been going backwards the last 2 or three weeks. I fear more drastic treatments that may be coming. This morning I woke up debating trying 1-2 cigs a day. I vape mainly 12mg nic now, but was vaping 4mg when the UC kicked in 16 months ago. I think before trying the cigs I'll mix up some 18mg nic and try it for a few days and see what happens. If that doesn't do any good then try the cigs.
I hope it continues to go well with you.

 

[slider]

There's no reason to just use just nicotine to treat UC, is there?
I'm assuming your are staying away from products that would cause a flare up (acidic and spicy foods)

Cruciferous veggies may help:
Plant extract heals ulcerative colitis, may prevent colon cancer

You could also use Astringent herbs:
Goldenseal and Geranium maculatum root might be good.
Echinacea tea could also help and is pretty easy to find.
Disclaimer: Do your own research and consult a physician before taking any herbal products.

 

[Faylool]

If you're going to smoke would it work if you bought organic roll your own? Or does UC actually need the roundup pesticides and bleach ammonia and what all commercial cigs use?
General snus is available in a lot of convenience stores. Circle K is one but you need to call ahead to be sure they carry. Itburnsthe lip ( and it doesn't ave to be the front top either!) for three days and finally the mouth soreness becomes a non issue. Lots of links on ecf for lots of info

 

[Faylool]

Try "Stubby" in advanced search. He gas a lot of good links in his posts

 

[geeker]

Thanks for the advice, all. I have seen General snus in the tobacco shops...not what I wanted but may try anyway. Of course what I want is the melon flavor.

@oplholik I am having to FORCE myself to go outside and smoke. I planned on 2 in the morning, 2 in the evening. I can only choke down 1 am, 1 pm. BUT IT IS HELPING.

I have been on RX meds, and various herbs and supplements, amino acids, blah blah blah. The only thing to help in a quick manner was a cigarette.

 

[oplholik]

Geeker, glad to hear it's helping. I mixed up one of my flavors first thing this morning @ 18mg, and started hitting it pretty heavy. This afternoon has been one of the best I've had in a while, but too early to draw any conclusions. I will see how it goes over the next couple days. Maybe you could up your nic level a little so you can stay inside and be a little more comfortable? Good luck to ya.

 

[Hulamoon]

Just as an aside, I believe if you go to Youtube and look for Tropical Bob, he shows you how to make your own nicquid with snus - that way you could try it with your vape gear. Keep hunting ECF for Swedish Snus though. I don't know anything much about it, but I have heard say that it's the only way to go if you choose that method. Good luck Geeker

Thanks for the advice, all. I have seen General snus in the tobacco shops...not what I wanted but may try anyway. Of course what I want is the melon flavor.

@oplholik I am having to FORCE myself to go outside and smoke. I planned on 2 in the morning, 2 in the evening. I can only choke down 1 am, 1 pm. BUT IT IS HELPING.

I have been on RX meds, and various herbs and supplements, amino acids, blah blah blah. The only thing to help in a quick manner was a cigarette.

 

[Kurt]

Here is a common place to get snus:

Swedish Snus

Northerner is swedish, but does have a US warehouse they ship from, or at least they used to. Been a while since I ordered. Wide range of flavors and strengths. I don't generally go above 10 mg portions (the term for a single pouch). Some are excellent, some ok, but snus does work for many here. My favorites are General Black Onyx and Ettan. The effect comes on slower than vaping, much slower than smoking, but might do the trick. And it is not terribly expensive. Considered of only minimal risk, no desease profile that we know of.

There are several US snus brands too that can be gotten in convenience stores. Not a fan myself, as I am sure they put aspartame in them.

I believe Elaine Keller (vocalek here) knows a bit about this. I have Crohn's disease, and nicotine does help that a lot, but smoking makes it worse. I empathize with the unspoken details you left out. Been there, and it is horrific.

 

[oplholik]

geeker have you tried upping your nic level?

After upping my nic to 18mg on one of my mixes, and using that quite a bit during the day, I have noticed some changes for the better in my UC. I am having a colonoscopy this Wednesday, as the doctor wants to see what's going on in there. When I saw him on the 26th of last month he said since the medication isn't being very effective that I may be a more severe case. I started using the 18mg nic level right after that. I feel there have been improvements, and I am anxious to see if it is actually getting better now.

He did mention something about having Biological infusions done as an outpatient at the hospital. He said they really help those with the more severe cases, and would go over it more when he sees how bad it is now. I'm not sure I'm liking the sound of it, that's when I decided to try the higher nic level. I gotta get off this Predisone. Soo, we will see.