Yes. One pack a day like clock work. Started decades ago (grew up in Central KY, almost encouraged there). Very addicting, not good for RA sufferers. Nicotine is a night shade. Out of curiosity since RA turned on in me I've tried a few things: do not dip snuff or chew because that's like mainlining swelling and pain; do not hold the cig directly with your fingers, use a cig holder which keeps it from getting on and being absorbed through the skin. Smoking is in no way good for you but I understand what you're saying. The bad effect is not nearly as bad to me when smoked as if when I tried dipping or chewing (don't even go there!). If I want to have joints swell and stay that way a few days all I have to do is eat a half gallon of ice cream or a snickers bar. Yes, processed sugar is oh-my-gosh bad. For the sweet tooth I've started using honey and fruits (not peaches, mangos, blue berries).

The disease still progresses but if I'm careful with the diet I don't swell and hurt or freeze up anything close to when I do not.

Manage it the best you can, oh yeah, very tough. My RA doc just started me on MTX. I was fearful he'd put me on Prednisone until the MTX had time to take effect but he said that because of "whatever it was I was doing" he didn't need to use Pred as a bridge unless the pain becomes much worse. Now, do not misunderstand me, I do have a goodly amount of pain, hands, feet, fingers toes but it is bearable as long as I careful and don't feel sorry for myself and do something stupid like buy a dozen donuts.

Do what you must to cope but do try and be smart about it.

Nonightshade....

Thanks for sharing. I guess I just want to know that I'm not alone in this. I am trying my best to cut back on sugar/processed foods, but it really is like an addiction to me. After every meal, my brain SCREAMS for sugar!!!! It's horrible. :(

But, I will keep doing the best I can... Like all of us here. :)

keep up the good work. between recognizing your desire to quit and working at it :)

depot

Still smoke, have for 50 years, and even though I know it's not good for RA-what really is? Trish

Trish,

Your comment made me laugh! :) I know it sounds bad, but honestly," I know it's not good for RA-what really is? " LOL

I said kind of the same thing to a co-worker last week during a smoke break! LOL :)

I KNOW that it isn't going to help my R.A., but with all my medical conditions going on (R.A., IBS, Fibromyalgia, Chondormalacia of both Patella, etc.) what does it matter??????

I know that's probably not a great attitude to have toward it, but right now it makes me feel less stressed and if that helps me think that I am feeling a little better, i'm willing to explore it. :/

After 40 years of at least 1 pack a day I quit the day after I was diagnosed with RA. Your risk of lung disease doubles or triples with RA. Everyday is an opportunity to quit....just because you didn't succeed today doesn't mean you shouldn't try again tomorrow.

I started smoking in 1970 and quit smoking in 2006, with the assistance of Chantex. My husband does not smoke, and never complained about my smoking. The one thing that helped me is to buy something really expensive, look at it, and say to myself - this is what 6 weeks of not smoking gets me. (6 weeks of cigarettes would cost , at a pack a day, almost $300) I gained weight, which I am not happy about.

I was diagnosed with RA in 2012.

I still miss smoking.

i am happy for you left and Ray

my RA buddy at my local support group has been smoking 41 years and can not give it up. she smokes through pleurisy, pneunonia, RA flares, around before and after surgeries. she just can't smoke around me :) then the NIH study she is in at a local teaching hospital cat scans her and tells her no lung cancer. from observing this I can only imagine the work you two did to get off them. kudos!!!!

Depot

Secret, you must be Irish too! We do have a warped view of things, but we can laugh at ourselves. Just got told today that I am in "remission" so what hasn't killed me maybe saved my sanity. Have a good one. Trish

I started smoking in 2009 when I blew my back out, not much, maybe 10 cigarettes a week, but it helped when the pain was worse. I've kept it up on and off, honestly, quit every week or two, then have a bad spell, pick up a new pack. Have stayed at the same amount or less with breaks in between, but it does help. I smoke the organic tobacco-yes part Irish here telling myself that makes it less toxic.
I can sympathize with the so many health issues/pain we find what we can to cope.