Multiple Sclerosis and effects of nicotine?

[DingerCPA]

Two years ago, my S.O. was diagnosed with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS). She has tried some of the interferon-type meds, but the side effects (basically, feeling like she has the flu for 3-4 days a week) were making her (even more) miserable. I quit smoking analogs about 5 weeks ago and pulled out an old e-cig kit I'd tried a few years before. She was "amused" by the flavors (I had some 0 mg juices) and we got her setup with a mod of her own. (She also had seen something on The Doctors about the use of e-cigs to help curb food cravings and how that helped some people with weight-loss because they weren't snacking as much.)

So, on to my real question(s).... Something clicked in my feeble brain, and I've started doing some reading on the positive and negative effects of nicotine (smoking?) on MS. Some things I've been reading indicate that smoking (analogs with nicotine and all the other toxins) can CONTRIBUTE to the development (or further exacerbation) of MS in some people, but I'm also reading how nicotine can decrease the rate of demyelinization (sp?) of nerves and/or improve the firing of neurons which can subsequently improve cognitive and motor function.

Are there any of you out here who have MS who have broached this topic with your neurologists/GPs, and what is being said? Medical professionals - do you have any opinions? I vape all ranges of nic from 0 to 10mg, but I was not wanting to compound any of her issues by introducing nicotine. She's never smoked analogs, and has maybe only had a scant handful of Swisher Sweets over the past 4-5 years - the last one was before her diagnosis. She only picks her PV up 3-4 times a week (if she can stay awake long enough )

Thanks in advance

 

[Katmar]

Two years ago, my S.O. was diagnosed with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS). She has tried some of the interferon-type meds, but the side effects (basically, feeling like she has the flu for 3-4 days a week) were making her (even more) miserable. I quit smoking analogs about 5 weeks ago and pulled out an old e-cig kit I'd tried a few years before. She was "amused" by the flavors (I had some 0 mg juices) and we got her setup with a mod of her own. (She also had seen something on The Doctors about the use of e-cigs to help curb food cravings and how that helped some people with weight-loss because they weren't snacking as much.)

So, on to my real question(s).... Something clicked in my feeble brain, and I've started doing some reading on the positive and negative effects of nicotine (smoking?) on MS. Some things I've been reading indicate that smoking (analogs with nicotine and all the other toxins) can CONTRIBUTE to the development (or further exacerbation) of MS in some people, but I'm also reading how nicotine can decrease the rate of demyelinization (sp?) of nerves and/or improve the firing of neurons which can subsequently improve cognitive and motor function.

Are there any of you out here who have MS who have broached this topic with your neurologists/GPs, and what is being said? Medical professionals - do you have any opinions? I vape all ranges of nic from 0 to 10mg, but I was not wanting to compound any of her issues by introducing nicotine. She's never smoked analogs, and has maybe only had a scant handful of Swisher Sweets over the past 4-5 years - the last one was before her diagnosis. She only picks her PV up 3-4 times a week (if she can stay awake long enough )

Thanks in advance

I have MS. Have had it for over 20 years. I tried all the meds out there, and they were way to harsh on my body, so I do not take any. Quit smoking in 09, and since have had way fewer relapses. I vape every day and have even had a few improvement in my more permanent symptoms. I will add that I have myself on a higher dose of Vitamin D3, which most people with MS are deficient in. Google D3 and Ms, you will find a lot of science supporting D3. I have spoken with both my PCP and neurologist and they were all in favor of vaping over cigarettes. There is good science backing the idea of nicotine and neurological function in MS. I currently use 6mg nicotine. Hope this helps.

 

[DingerCPA]

Katmar, thanks for your reply. The MonSter can be evil, for sure. I'll check on D3 as well.

Peace and Blessings

 

[Gonzi]

My wife has MS, been diagnosed since 2009 and has been through 2 different interferons, copaxone, a clynical trial involving iv infusions (bad, bad, bad, almost killed her), then about 9 months no treatment, and now on Tecfidera, with the best results. I know what MS does to people and it is horrible! She stays home most of the time case she can barely gather enough energy to do house shores and watch after our 7 year old while I'm at work, and it has totaly changed her personality and her emotional state. All that being said, she smokes, and has smoked cigarrettes since she was probably 13 or so, she's 29 now. I've been helping her quit with some Vision Spinners and some rebuilt Evods and a couple of my DIY recipes, but she has to vape 18mg or she is not satisfied with it. She's cut down from about a pack a day to about 5-10 analogs a day, depending on how the day goes.

Sorry for the rambling, its just that it's not that common to stumble upon others with MS or spouses with MS, much less in the vaping world.

 

[Katmar]

My wife has MS, been diagnosed since 2009 and has been through 2 different interferons, copaxone, a clynical trial involving iv infusions (bad, bad, bad, almost killed her), then about 9 months no treatment, and now on Tecfidera, with the best results. I know what MS does to people and it is horrible! She stays home most of the time case she can barely gather enough energy to do house shores and watch after our 7 year old while I'm at work, and it has totaly changed her personality and her emotional state. All that being said, she smokes, and has smoked cigarrettes since she was probably 13 or so, she's 29 now. I've been helping her quit with some Vision Spinners and some rebuilt Evods and a couple of my DIY recipes, but she has to vape 18mg or she is not satisfied with it. She's cut down from about a pack a day to about 5-10 analogs a day, depending on how the day goes.

Sorry for the rambling, its just that it's not that common to stumble upon others with MS or spouses with MS, much less in the vaping world.

It can be a nasty disease. When it rears its ugly head, you don't know what to expect. Numbness, loss of balance, nerve pain, cognition problems, and ENORMOUS fatigue. Your wife would be better off vaping. That way she is getting some of the benefits of the nicotine without all the other harsh stuff. It's great that she has cut down. I started at 18 mg. nicotine and weaned down to 6. She is fine staying at 18 as long as she wants. She is so young, and with a child, her fatigue must be huge. She needs to find ways to conserve what little energy she has. Rest when she can. Be kind to herself. Accepting the diagnosis is very difficult and emotional, as it changes us in so many ways, but as time goes on, we learn better how to cope. I wish you both well.

 

[DingerCPA]

Gonzi, {hugs} Certainly not what they've wished for in life, huh? We know a few other people with MS - one's taking copaxone, another Tecfidera (I think), and yet another taking nothing. Everyone's MS is so different. She got "needle fatigue" and dreaded "shot days". To her, the side effects weren't worth the "possibility" of reducing/preventing another relapse. The fatigue and the pain have been the worst (not to mention memory lapses and balance issues.) I am hoping to hear more from others about whether some minimal amounts of nicotine (without the other toxins of regular smoking) could possibly have some positive effect for some people. Heck she even said that if {substance which isn't allowed to be named on the forums} was legalized for medicinal purposes, she'd be willing to try it. (Note to moderator(s) - I'm desperately trying to abide by forum rules - PLEASE let me know if I post something incorrectly - I don't want to get booted)

Those affected (and the care-assisters) just try to face each day as it comes...

 

[Katmar]

Gonzi, {hugs} Certainly not what they've wished for in life, huh? We know a few other people with MS - one's taking copaxone, another Tecfidera (I think), and yet another taking nothing. Everyone's MS is so different. She got "needle fatigue" and dreaded "shot days". To her, the side effects weren't worth the "possibility" of reducing/preventing another relapse. The fatigue and the pain have been the worst (not to mention memory lapses and balance issues.) I am hoping to hear more from others about whether some minimal amounts of nicotine (without the other toxins of regular smoking) could possibly have some positive effect for some people. Heck she even said that if {substance which isn't allowed to be named on the forums} was legalized for medicinal purposes, she'd be willing to try it. (Note to moderator(s) - I'm desperately trying to abide by forum rules - PLEASE let me know if I post something incorrectly - I don't want to get booted)

Those affected (and the care-assisters) just try to face each day as it comes...

Not sure how many MSers you'll find on the forum, but if they are, you may well hear from them. Like I said, I can't say nicotine has been negative for me, as I have less relapses, and the relapses are not as bad as they were. I think more clearly than I used to, and I attribute that to the nicotine and NOT the D3. I have yet to find anything that really helps the fatigue.