Nicotine vs Chemotherapy

[TheChariot]

So the obvious precursor to this is that I am indeed a cancer patient (for the second time). Just to get all the mumbo jumbo out of the way: I had a tumor removed a month ago... doctors all say that I have no more cancer in me (knock on wood) but they are going to give me chemotherapy for several months as a precaution.

I've had chemotherapy before about 9 years ago, so I know what I'm in for. The big difference is that I'm now addicted to caffeine and nicotine. Those who've never experienced chemo before probably don't think it's a big deal to think about those things, but I know that my body will be VERY sensitive to anything that I feed it. Obviously, my doctors are going to tell me to stop all of it... but I'd rather see if anyone has first hand experience using nicotine (in any format) while on chemotherapy.

I'm sort of expecting it to hit me really hard... kind of like having your first analog all over again. I'm worried that it might make me shockingly lightheaded (at bad times) or possibly constrict my blood flow more than it already does.

I'd like very much not to cut back on my coffee and vaping while I deal with all this crap. Thanks for any input!

 

[steliosak]

Hi

I am sorry to hear about your troubles .

I don't have any first hand experience but there are various studies that indicate that nicotine reduces the efficacy of chemotherapy. It is an inhibitor in apoptosis in cells which is what chemo is meant to do in order to kill off any remaining cancer cells. I would advise you to play it safe and go with whatever the doctors advise.

Hope this helps

Get well !

 

[frosting]

I'm so sorry that you have to go though Chemotherapy rounds once more and the best luck for you making a full recovery and true remission. My personal experience was my father, he smoked 3 packs a day on the road and when they found his it was level 3 stage lung cancer. Somehow , someway he pulled though it and is now in remission. My father though had to be on radiation and it burnt his lung. He was just unable to smoke, he couldn't so he was forced to quit smoking.

While the risks of nicotine are tremendously lower then actually smoking, some will say there are some cancer causing compounds in nicotine just in very small amounts compared to analogs. If you're going to try to vape while going though your treatment you may want to consider 0nic juice just to be on the safe side. Nicotine in and of itself regardless if there are cancer causing compounds at all is a stimulant and you may want to avoid it when you're trying to heal. Just my opinion.If you're scared of loosing TH there are some TH addictive juices/ Throat Hit Enhancer out there where you can add a couple drops to your juice to give it an extra kick.

 

[NICnurse]

Everyone has given good advice. Just wanted to post here and say you are in my thoughts and wishing you success with the systemic chemo sweep. Stay strong my friend!

 

[vikki59]

While I was going thru my chemo for bc my oncologist, whom I love dearly told me ~ "The last thing you need to worry about right now is trying to quit smoking. If you can cut down we won't even worry about it". I cut down, partly cuz I was too weak to go outside at times. I smoked about 5 ~ 8 a day. I would take a few drags and put it out, relight it later. They were regular strength type smokes. I don't think I drank very much coffee as I was too sick. About the only things I drank were smoothies and things like ensure...

Bottom line for me. My oncologist wasn't worried about a small amount of nicotine while I was going thru chemo, she was more worried about the big picture and just getting me thru it... Nor did it seem to have an ill effect on me. As a matter of fact, when I was admited to hospital (3 diff times) they gave me the patches... So I think it is more how "your" body/immune system reacts to the nicotine. I don't think the nicotine in vaping will be that harmful to you, not if they gave me patches in the oncology ward at hospital. Just my

Good Luck w/your treatments!!!!!!

 

[bnrkwest]

You could try vaping zero nic juices to be on the safe side or maybe really low like 1 nic?? Do what is best for you and your health. I do vape zero everyday as well as nic juices, so I know zero can be done and it is not bad just no TH, I actually crave it sometimes, I use Key lime for my zero and it is so refreshing! My best, bnrk

 

[TinyTimberGal]

I have no experience or advice other than what's been posted. I just wanted to send good thoughts your way. Your positive attitude will take you far.

 

[trailwalker]

my wife just got off here 6th round of chemo ( 4 driffent types ). when she was on chemo they had her on the patch.
it was not even talked about . she has been through 13 yrs ago also .
i hope all goes well with you and mt prayers are with you.
TW

 

[TheChariot]

While I was going thru my chemo for bc my oncologist, whom I love dearly told me ~ "The last thing you need to worry about right now is trying to quit smoking. If you can cut down we won't even worry about it". I cut down, partly cuz I was too weak to go outside at times. I smoked about 5 ~ 8 a day. I would take a few drags and put it out, relight it later. They were regular strength type smokes. I don't think I drank very much coffee as I was too sick. About the only things I drank were smoothies and things like ensure...

Bottom line for me. My oncologist wasn't worried about a small amount of nicotine while I was going thru chemo, she was more worried about the big picture and just getting me thru it... Nor did it seem to have an ill effect on me. As a matter of fact, when I was admited to hospital (3 diff times) they gave me the patches... So I think it is more how "your" body/immune system reacts to the nicotine. I don't think the nicotine in vaping will be that harmful to you, not if they gave me patches in the oncology ward at hospital. Just my

Good Luck w/your treatments!!!!!!

Thanks for sharing your experience! I'm gonna pick up some 0mg liquid. Does anyone know of any throathit enhancers? That's probably what I'll miss the most. I might just keep some 6mg stuff laying around so I can indulge every once in a great while when I'm between treatments.

Thanks to everyone for the well-wishes and for sharing your knowledge.

 

[Beans]

(((TheChariot))) I can't give you any advice on your questions. I just want to give you my support and very best healing wishes and prayers. I'll be keeping you my heart and praying for a speedy recovery and full remission. God Bless you and keep strong!

 

[classwife]

Moving to Health, Safety and E-Smoking


Be strong...

 

[wreimer]

I'm sorry to hear that you've had to have another round of fighting with the Beast...it's a horrible experience...too much for anyone to have to go through.

There have been some very good points made here...nicotine isn't going to do you any favors while undergoing chemo, but then neither is the stress of trying to quit under the circumstances. When it was my turn at bat with round two, my Doctors encouraged me not to do anything too drastic, including cutting out or reducing my caffiene or nicotine intake.

In their opinion ( and they were correct) the treatment itself would serve as an effective vehicle to reduce my intake of both. I was quite simply too ill to have much, if any interest in either coffee or cigarettes/e-cigs.

Prior to treatment I'd been a 6-8 cup a day coffee drinker and a 1/2 to full pack a day smoker. By the end of treatment, I'd reduced my coffee intake to MAYBE a cup a day...often two or three days would pass between cups. Analogs were the same...some days one or two, others 4 or 5...never any more than that.

I regret not having taken that opportunity to quit completely, however I didn't. I have never returned to anything near what I was comsuming before getting sick though.

 

[charmed412]

I just went through my second battle with cancer. The first time I quit smoking and it was pure hell. This time when I was diagnosed, I had already been vaping for several months. Like the pp, my oncologist was also looking at the bigger picture. He said to continue doing what I felt best doing so I continued to vape. My first round was actually not bad at all. My second round was killer. I struggled with vaping big time and actually slipped and smoked a few times. The only flavors that didn't make me puke were banana flavors. I am NOT a banana fan, but I made it. I got my all clear almost a month ago. The cancer is gone, although I have several benign tumors that remain.

I don't recommend vaping nic while undergoing chemo but you know your body best. My oncologist and I agreed that quitting nic for me would actually add to my stress so I vaped. His motto is a happy patient is a healthy patient.

Good luck in your fight....my thoughts and prayers are with you......and if you ever want to talk or vent, feel free to pm me.

 

[stadiumlove]

Thanks for sharing your experience! I'm gonna pick up some 0mg liquid. Does anyone know of any throathit enhancers? That's probably what I'll miss the most. I might just keep some 6mg stuff laying around so I can indulge every once in a great while when I'm between treatments.

Thanks to everyone for the well-wishes and for sharing your knowledge.

I'm sorry to hear about what you're going through. If you're looking for a TH enhancer you could try try www. tastypuff .com. Their products are meant to be used with tobacco and other smokeables, but they can also be used in e cigs. They sure do pack a punch!

best of luck, and I wish you a speedy recovery