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Posted 7/15/2009 11:06 AM (GMT -5)
Hi All,

I did a lot of reading here a few years ago when I spent alot of time on meds for Lyme.  I have a quick history and a crazy question.

I quit smoking in July four years ago.  Felt really crappy for a couple of months with odd, weird symptoms.  I chalked it up to a lifestyle change and tried to ignore it.  When finally someone told me one of the weird things I was feeling could be my galbladder, I went to the doctor.  After a long q and a with the doctor, we ran a bunch of tests and just happened to put the lyme test there.  He gave me three weeks of meds and then told me I was cured.....even though I still felt like crap.  Extreme tiredness, aching joints, pins and needles in my fingers and toes, canker sores in my mouth.  He tested me for everything else under the sun and once or twice tried to convince me it was stress.  I found another doctor (he may have even been recommended from someone here).  Spent about a year on meds and never really sa an improvement in the symptoms.

So spring two years ago, I went on vacation- which was a roadtrip to Chicago.  I couldn't handle the time in the car without smoking and bought a pack of butts.  I have been smoking since.  I have to tell you all- as crazy as it sounds- all my symptoms disappeared and I went back to feeling wonderful.  I have spent the last two years feeling great about life and living it to the fullest (except of course for this gross expensive habit I have)

A few weeks ago, I decided I was going to quit again.  It took two days for the mouth sores to come back, I am so tired,  have these hot, coursing sensations in my right knee and left ankle.  Now, I KNOW that quitting smoking is one of the hardest things ever- I know you can expect to feel crappy for a while............But I am freaked out.  I quit smoking for two years back then and I felt like this the whole time.

So my question is- has anyone ever had this kind of weird thing happen-  Any smokers, ex smokers, part time smokers?  Any feedback would be great.  Thanks

Posted 7/15/2009 11:20 AM (GMT -5)
wow
Posted 7/15/2009 11:47 AM (GMT -5)
Wow, completely crazy? Or wow, just kinda weird? In my recent internet searches, I saw a board about Sarcoidosis where a member posted a question about smoking and not smoking effecting his symptoms, so I thought it couldn't hurt to ask here.
Posted 7/15/2009 7:32 PM (GMT -5)
It is possible smoking suppresses your immune system and thus you don't have symptoms until you stop smoking. It is the immune system response to infection that often causes symptoms that are worse than what the bug itself causes. So if the immune system is suppressed, then the symptoms won't be there.

Another thought is that something in the cigarettes is keeping the lyme in remission, but without the smoking, the lyme comes out of hiding and causes symptoms.

And another thought is that you are detoxing when you aren't smoking, a process that would not be able to happen (or not be able to happen as quickly) while smoking.

Maybe instead of quitting cold-turkey, you might need to slowly wean yourself off the cigarettes...then perhaps your symptoms wouldn't be so intense so suddenly, and there may be things you can do to help with detox and immune support while your body is adjusting to being without the smoking.

Good luck,
Posted 7/15/2009 7:42 PM (GMT -5)
I have no idea what's up with this JenQ, but I will add my own experience.

I get stressed out at work A LOT. I worry about this or that. I've gotten better as I've mellowed with age (and Lyme?)

But anyways, during the height of my career I took a job at a very prominent tobacco corporation -- not only tobacco but they owned everything else. I had to work in a second-hand smoke environment. It was my choice. But the money was excellent and I needed it so I took the job. At first, I felt lousy in this smoker's environment.

Fast forward six months later, I have never felt better in my life in a second hand smoke environment. I was not only no longer stressed but I was confident, productive and could concentrate better.

I quit this job, but I regret it. I'm back to stress.
Posted 7/15/2009 9:10 PM (GMT -5)

Razzle said...

Maybe instead of quitting cold-turkey, you might need to slowly wean yourself off the cigarettes...then perhaps your symptoms wouldn't be so intense so suddenly, and there may be things you can do to help with detox and immune support while your body is adjusting to being without the smoking.

This is the way I'm thinking too.  I have been TRYING to figure out where the line is.  But it's hard....it's an addiction.  And to have cigarettes, it's hard not to smoke them.  I went to my regular doctor the other day- and of course, she thinks I'm crazy:  didn't you know- Lyme is cured with 2-4 weeks of meds.  She took me seriously enough where she's running the whole list of test- all the autoimmune stuff and the Lyme.  I have a weird feeling nothing will show up.
Posted 7/15/2009 9:19 PM (GMT -5)
Very weird, but Razzles explanation really makes alot of sense. I had something similiar happen when I started dieting and watching what I ate. I lost 40 pounds and felt like crap the entire time. How weird is it to say that my body felt better when I was 40 pounds heavier.

Maybe Lyme somehow makes our bodies adjust to the bad habbits and once we try getting healthier, we stir things up somehow?
Posted 7/15/2009 11:31 PM (GMT -5)
I know weight loss causes fat to be released, which then can release toxins stored in the fat, thus explaining why it is possible to feel horrible when losing weight.

I also know smoking creates a physical dependence on the nicotine (replaces some neurotransmitters & possibly other things in the body/brain), thus why it is so difficult for many to quit smoking.
Posted 7/16/2009 12:05 AM (GMT -5)
Mostly 'yeah' to what Razz and the others said. I also got this idea, reading your post. Even tho quitting smoking is/was better for your health, it did put some hefty stress on your body. All of a sudden you stop feeding that little monster (cig addiction) and you head into withdrawel and that is quite a trauma to your body.

So, since Lyme can react and pop up in response to stress or trauma to your body, when you start smoking again, all's 'well' inside.

It might be just another excuse, but I can't even seem to TRY to quit. And it sure feels like it has something to do w/ feeling so poorly. Even tho cigarettes do not actually make me feel better, because I feel lousey when I try to quit, I perceive the smoking as making me feel 'better'. Does that make sense? My brain issues area REALLY bad today!
Posted 7/16/2009 12:24 AM (GMT -5)
I talked to shawn about this tonight. she told me her Dr told her not to try to stop as it could cause worse sx, and it makes a lot of since to me. your Dr usually try to get you to quit not tell you to smoke. could be the nicotine effects the lyme bugs more then it does us
Posted 7/16/2009 4:33 AM (GMT -5)
Razzle,

That truly makes so much sense. I could never understand why I felt so bad. I was looking pretty good though, lol.


RD: Yep, I think it may stir something up too. Hmmm, it's weird to think how this disease doesn't want us getting healthy.
Posted 7/16/2009 3:34 PM (GMT -5)
I'm not convinced it's nicotine. When I quit a few years ago, the Lyme symptoms were there for the whole two years I didn't smoke. Then seemed to go away when I started smoking. Since I have been trying to quit again, I have been using a patch- so my body is still getting the nicotine. Talking with a friend... it's almost like the awful horrible chemicals in cigarettes... are they strong enough to kill a bacterial thing. One of my symptoms is sores in my mouth. The started within 24 hours of not smoking and as soon as I started cheating, they went away.
Posted 7/16/2009 4:56 PM (GMT -5)
I was just about to say its all those nast chemicals. When i said wow i just meant wow that ciggys would help in any way with the stigma of how bad they are. Not that i say it is to be something to do to treat or something hahaa. But it is an amazing concept to consider that something is in a cig that could aid in keeping the bb in check. This is of interest to m. I always liked smoking although I dont anymore but as i recall I had less symptoms while I smoked also. This is crazy. I wonder what type of a chemo therepy would be developed from something in the cigs.
So what else is in ciggys besides nicotine any way that could do something to the BB?
Posted 7/16/2009 5:55 PM (GMT -5)
Hi JenQ,

Nice to meet you and welcome!  I am a smoker, I smoked before I became infected with lyme, during my treatment protocol, and I'm still smoking now and loving it.  I never plan on quitting because I just love it too much.  I will not justify myself but I am a recovering alcoholic since 1985, been through so much in my life, thus I love my cigarettes (which I make myself) and my coffee.

I think that smoking reduces stress, that simple.  When someone is stressed out it affects their overall health.  They say stress alone is a killer and I believe that.  So the smoking may be calming you down, I know it calms me down.  Yet I am still able to do aerobic exercising for 1 hour straight and it doesn't affect me and I'm 52 years old!  I say to each his/her own, whatever works....   And I don't believe in quitters...   yeah

Denise

Posted 7/16/2009 9:10 PM (GMT -5)
Yep. Could be the stress reduction or the immune modulation. Very interesting.
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