Multiple Sclerosis and Smoking Risk

[Numbers]

Are (or were) you a smoker? I was...smoked 20+ years; I quit in 1990. It (quiting) was the hardest thing I had every done. Harder than putting down the alcohol; I'm an recovered alcoholic of 21 years.

Numbers


This was in the most recent issue of Neurology Now:

We've known for decades about the non-neurologic risk for smoking-heart
disease, lung disease, cancer, says Barbara S. Giesser, M.D., clinical
director of the MS program at the University of California in Los
Angeles. Now we have evidence that it may adversely affect the course of
MS. And while scientists don't know exactly how smoking promotes the
onset and progression of disease, the detrimental effects are indisputable.

Research shows that smokers have a 40- to 80-percent higher risk of
developing MS than non-smokers. The more you smoke, the greater the
risk, says Alberto Ascherio, M.D., professor of epidemiology and
nutrition at Harvard School of Public Health and associate professor of
medicine at Harvard Medical School.

But smoking doesn't only affect the onset of MS; it also impacts the
progression of the disease. Smokers are twice as likely to develop full
MS from a clinically isolated event (a one-time episode of tingling or
numbness) than nonsmokers. And research from Harvard School of Public
Health shows that smokers are three times more likely to change from a
relapsing/remitting course of MS to a secondary progressive course
compared to people who never smoked.

Perhaps the most interesting research linking smoking and MS came from a
2007 study in the journal /Brain/ that explicitly links the onset of MS
before the age of 16 to childhood exposure to secondhand smoke. The
longer the child was exposed to secondhand smoke, the more likely they
were to develop MS. In the study, 62 percent of the 129 MS patients had
been exposed to their parents' secondhand cigarette smoke during
childhood compared to only 45.1 percent of healthy children.

Nevertheless, there's some controversy about whether smoking later in
life increases the chances of developing MS. One study published in the
/Journal of Clinical Epidemiology/ found that the chances of getting MS
among early smokers (between the ages of 11 and 45) is nearly three
times higher than the chances of getting MS among smokers who started
smoking after age 45.

People who start smoking at younger ages tend to smoke for a longer
period of time and smoke more, says Dr. Ascherio. But that doesn't mean
that smoking at a later age doesn't increase the risk of MS. Smoking is
associated with a higher risk of MS, regardless of when you start.

AMY PATUREL, M.S., M.P.H.

[joy]

hi numbers, i don't know you but as someone who's daddy died with lung cancer and after spending way to much time on that VA cancer ward with him, i want to say how happy i am for you and your family that you did quit. i know it wasn't easy. and yes for the drinking also. you are a winner in my book already. .

i wish you nothing but success with your fight with whatever it takes to stay as healthy as you can. .

[newlyb12def]

Thanks for the article Numbers!

My MS specialist told me, "there are 2 MS modifiers that are accepted- cigarette smoking and vitamin D." I started smoking at 13 (28 now) and tested severely D and B12 deficient... I replace my vitamins, but hate to admit that I still smoke.

There's plenty of evidence on the influence of vitamin D on MS, but I think that the evidence for smoking is thin. Maybe this is an inability on my part to accept that a lifestyle choice at 13 is at least partly responsible for having MS...

And it's aggressive. So, why don't I quit smoking? Frankly, I don't want to find out how handicapped I'll be at 80.

-Kay

[Chris119]

I'm a smoker. My MS was PP for 15 years, then changed to relapsing progressive. I'm a partial quad. I'm losing my vision due to paling and atrophy of the optic disc.

I don't abuse alcohol, drugs, food, sex, or other people. But I won't quit smoking for the following reasons:
1) It's boring being a physical cripple.
2) My stress and frustration levels are insanely high.
3) I'm not interested in living a long life.
4) Smoking may shorten my life, but meanwhile I've had decades of satisfaction .

Chris

[Howie]

I smoked from about 16, to 44 when I was DXed with MS. I quit not because my dad died of lung cancer, or I had MS, but because I had to live with my mom until my SSDI started. I simply could not smoke in front of my mom after losing my dad to smoking.

It wasn't easy, but was the best thing I ever did in my life.


.

[lady_express_44]

Perhaps the most interesting research linking smoking and MS came from a 2007 study in the journal /Brain/ that explicitly links the onset of MS before the age of 16 to childhood exposure to secondhand smoke. The longer the child was exposed to secondhand smoke, the more likely they were to develop MS. In the study, 62 percent of the 129 MS patients had been exposed to their parents' secondhand cigarette smoke during childhood compared to only 45.1 percent of healthy children.


What DOESN'T smoking and second-hand smoke cause?

What happened to "it's lack of vitamin D", or "it's EBV", or "it's mercury from our fillings", or "it's nickel from our crowns", or "it's artificial sweetners", or ...

Seriously, it seems they find a way to tie MS to just about everything we may have been exposed to.

I think about 65% of the adult population smoked in the 50's/60's, and "second-hand smoke" was EVERYWHERE; the hospitals, the doctor's, the grocery store, pubs, every workplace. Anyone over 40 has been exposed to a ton of second-hand smoke, even the 45% who didn't have smoking parents.

And what about all those other people who were exposed and didn't get MS?

The smoking rate has progressively gone down to about 20% over the last 50 yrs, and people are restricted from smoking even in some OUTSIDE venues ... 20 ft from ANYONE.

Has the incidence of MS gone down? How about the incidence of lung cancer?

Smoking is not the issue, any more than "lack of sunshine rays" is. Maybe some of us can't metabolize Vit D, because of some problem due to the MS, or because of too many drugs/steroids, but I do not believe "lack" of Vitamin D is underlying problem either.

I will be Sso.... happy when they figure this out and all the speculation stops once and for all. :rolleyes:

(And if it is smoking, I'd rather die early from that then die late from what MS is likely going to do to me ...)

JMHO, Cherie

[ewizabeth]

(And if it is smoking, I'd rather die early from that then die late from what MS is likely going to do to me ...)




Cherie,

I was with my 38 year old SIL when she died of lung cancer. You don't want smoking to kill you.

I know it's enjoyable and hard to quit (because I did, a long time ago) but it's a slow and extremely painful death.

[Pegakafarmgirl]

I was with my sister when she died of lung cancer, she smoked, but if I am going to die of something,, so be it,,yes I smoke,, I love it when the exsmokers, get after us smokers,, hey we know.. so whats your point ?, your preaching to us, is not going to help..you didn't like it either,,

[newlyb12def]

My mom passed away from lung cancer in 1997 at the age of 46- I was 17 and was her primary care giver. Yes, she was a smoker.

I worked in hospice and hospitals and at the VA, helping people live AND die. I cared for a wonderful man who passed away from lung cancer at the ripe old age of 31- he had never smoked a cigarette in his life.

No, it's not a pleasant way to go, but what is?

[Numbers]

...I love it when the exsmokers, get after us smokers,, hey we know.. so whats your point ?, your preaching to us, is not going to help..you didn't like it either,,

I hope your post isn't directed at me; I'm not preaching to or at anybody. You are so right, I never liked being treated as a second-class citizen when I smoked and figure current smokers don't like it either.

I was just passing along the article. My pardons.

Numbers

[ewizabeth]

I was with my sister when she died of lung cancer, she smoked, but if I am going to die of something,, so be it,,yes I smoke,, I love it when the exsmokers, get after us smokers,, hey we know.. so whats your point ?, your preaching to us, is not going to help..you didn't like it either,,

Peg,

If you're referring to me, yes, I'm preaching and I don't apologize for it. I do that to people I care about, including my own two sons who both smoke and have smoker's cough. I was replying to Cherie, not you.

[lady_express_44]

Hey Wiz, I know you mean well.

My best friend died of lung cancer, 4 yrs ago on June 12th. She was a DIE-HARD non-smoker, healthy, fit, almost vegetarian ... They predicted the lung cancer came from hidden toxic mold in her “leaky condo” (a problem that occurred up here when they tried to build California-style condo’s, in a very rainy area of the world).

The cancer was discovered quite accidentally, when they were doing a shoulder x-ray. They got on it right away, and she did a year of really heavy duty chemo, etc. Honestly, if I were her, I’d rather have not known and been able to enjoy the rest of my life, however long it lasted. The treatment was worse than anything else. :eek:

The cancer came back not long after her hair mostly grew back (less than a year). She found out on a Tuesday, I spent that weekend with her, and she died the following Sunday. Compared to my Transverse Myelitis attacks, she didn’t suffer nearly as much as I have, or for nearly as long ... well, except from the meds.

Then there’s my mom, who smoked 5 packs a cigs a day, for most of her adult life. It wasn’t lung cancer that took her, it was another cancer not related to smoking. They should have been able to treat her cancer, but she was too toxic to operate due to all the prescription drugs she took. :cool:

.... And my Grandma, who died at 91 yrs old (much to her dismay). Her only child (my dad) died at age 33 from an accident, and I don’t think she ever recovered from that. She wished she was dead for years, and especially since her one true love (my Grandpa, a non-smoker) died fairly young from a heart attack. She smoked until she was 75 yrs old, and when she’d nag me, I’d tell her she doesn’t have the right to until I hit 75 too. :D

I've smoked 38 yrs now, and I do wish I had never started ... but I am HOOKED! I don’t want to die of lung cancer any more (or less) than I don’t want another Transverse Myelitis attack (or to drown, or to get caught in a house fire, or ...).

I hope I live at least till my youngest graduates (5 yrs), mostly for her sake. I would really rather die young’ish from anything, then live to watch something bad happen to my kids though, or to become a burden to them.

I've had a good life.

Anyway, I don’t think smoking causes MS ... and if it does, it’s too late for me anyway.

Cherie

[Whisper]

Smokers will always find an excuse to NOT quit. They will spout all kinds of reasons and refer to deaths from other sources that are equally traumatic and horrific. I know...I was one!

I have since quit. I got a 'scare' and I wish to God EVERYONE who smokes could get that same 'scare' before it becomes lifethreatening.

I remember the FEAR of dying of lung cancer because I was STUPID and smoked for 25 years. All I could think of is that "I DID THIS TO MYSELF" and I will be leaving my 3 kids motherless, why? For a cigarette! How dumb, I was!

And what would my kids say about my death? "My mother never cared enough about us to live without a cigarette!"

Anyway, I was lucky...yes, lucky. My spots on my Xray were just shadows but after one solid week of sobbing uncontrollably, I finally threw them away. Whether or not smoking was a cause or contributer to my situation today, I have no idea.

But I know I did the right thing by quitting. It was hard, and I cried lots during those first few months...but after 7 years now...my kids are happier, my health has somewhat improved, and my house/clothes/car doesn't stink.

Ok, Getting off my high-horse now! LOL

Lorraine:)

[newlyb12def]

Honestly, I'm happy for everyone who has been strong enough to quit, but I'm not right now.

But everyone who has quit must've wanted it badly enough for their own reasons and that made them ready to make a change.

Some of us are just not ready- and maybe we'll never be ready. But it's our choice.

[Whisper]

Honestly, I'm happy for everyone who has been strong enough to quit, but I'm not right now.

But everyone who has quit must've wanted it badly enough for their own reasons and that made them ready to make a change.

Some of us are just not ready- and maybe we'll never be ready. But it's our choice.

Believe me, I understand. I wasn't ready for a very long time either, the scare made up my mind for me. And I missed each and every cigarette for about 3 months straight when I did finally quit!

I am not judging...just wishing I could reach atleast one person so they wouldn't have to go through that awful fear (or worse). It was paralyzing!

Best to all,
Lorraine:)

[lady_express_44]

Smokers will always find an excuse to NOT quit. They will spout all kinds of reasons and refer to deaths from other sources that are equally traumatic and horrific.

I don't need any excuses, and don't owe anyone an explanation either. I am just not threatened by the fear of dying from lung cancer ... that motivation doesn't work for me, given what I have experienced in my life. We all gotta die sometime, and I've lived a lot longer than I thought I ever would.

The COST of them is about the best motivation I can think of. When I think of all the money I've wasted :eek: ....!!!!!

I am addicted to cigarettes, just like some are addicted to alcohol, drugs, gambling or over-eating. I don't partake in any other risky behaviors, like mountain-climbing, skateboarding, hiking in bear country, sky-diving, using meds that have proven to kill, racing cars, robbing little old ladies ....

No, I'm not perfect ... but I have yet to meet anyone who is. If all you had to do is quit smoking in order to live a completely riskless life and be that "perfect" example for your children, I'd have to say that you are a saint (and that I don't believe you :D).

If this article has any merit though, perhaps you did cause yourself MS ... and that you 'genetically' may have passed the increased risk of MS onto your children. Maybe it was "too little, too late".

Too bad we didn't know @ 12 yrs old everything that we do at 50, and too bad that not all addictions are going to be surmountable for all of us.

Cherie

[Whisper]

I don't need any excuses, and don't owe anyone an explanation either. I am just not threatened by the fear of dying from lung cancer ... that motivation doesn't work for me, given what I have experienced in my life. We all gotta die sometime, and I've lived a lot longer than I thought I ever would.

The COST of them is about the best motivation I can think of. When I think of all the money I've wasted :eek: ....!!!!!

I am addicted to cigarettes, just like some are addicted to alcohol, drugs, gambling or over-eating. I don't partake in any other risky behaviors, like mountain-climbing, skateboarding, hiking in bear country, sky-diving, using meds that have proven to kill, racing cars, robbing little old ladies ....

No, I'm not perfect ... but I have yet to meet anyone who is. If all you had to do is quit smoking in order to live a completely riskless life and be that "perfect" example for your children, I'd have to say that you are a saint (and that I don't believe you :D).

If this article has any merit though, perhaps you did cause yourself MS ... and that you 'genetically' may have passed the increased risk of MS onto your children. Maybe it was "too little, too late".

Too bad we didn't know @ 12 yrs old everything that we do at 50, and too bad that not all addictions are going to be surmountable for all of us.

Cherie

I'm sorry you seem to think I am attacking you. I am not. I WAS a smoker who said all the same things you say! And I have been through much in my life and witnessed more...doesn't mean that a person can't have a change of heart when the chips are down. For me it was in the fear of leaving my children motherless because of something *I* did. ME! Personally, when I could have prevented it or atleast prolonged my life to be there for them.

I am no saint, nor do I claim to be. Just stating what happened but for some on here, their way is the only way, no one else is allowed to give their experience, or opinion.

I can say what you quoted here because I did say those exact same phrases as you said. I used to say "I love smoking, I'll never quit. I could be hit by a bus tomorrow and die, then what? I could die from lung cancer or some other equally horrific disease and never smoke a cigarette." Yes, I said all those things when I smoked.

And I do not have risky life either. Unless you count getting out of bed each morning/afternoon! :D

I find being smoke-free much easier and less smelly. My kids are thrilled that they don't come home to a stinky house, my husband is happy not kissing an ashtray. But that's what's working for ME. I don't expect you or anyone to just up and quit because *I* said so. But if you do, I'm thrilled for you. And if you don't, I don't have any hard feelings one way or the other.

Stay healthy,
Lorraine:)

[mmcc53]

I am in the alarming position of agreeing with LE44!

I am 56 and have smoked since I was 14. I once quit for 9 months (no cheating), I was miserable the whole time, for the first time in my life I couldn't breathe easily and I expect everyone around me was ready to shoot me. I also gained 40 lbs.

The evidence that MS is caused by smoking has been refuted by many studies and a weak link found in only one.

I am sick of people who are 100 lbs overweight, or drink too much, trying to lecture ME about smoking. At least I will not smoke too much and kill someone driving drunk.

And if grown kids would take Mom smoking as a personal "don't care about you" insult to themselves, they have gotten stuck at the emotional age of 2.

Smoking isn't good for you. However most smokers do not get lung cancer, It appears that there is genetic predisposion for cancer, just like for MS.

And, when I was hit with a hard case of MS, concern over possible getting lung cancer fell way down the list of worries.

Finally, I have finished getting my weight to normal (59 1/2 pounds lost) and I have 6 cartons of cigarettes bought at $1.40 a pack left (right before the new tax kicked in). When they are gone I will be quitting, but I will NEVER attack a smoker for smoking.

Maybe we smokers are a little bitter - Billions of dollars were collected from the tobacco companies for getting us hooked and lying, etc. Yet, almost none of the money has been spent on better methods to help people quit or to develop a safer cigarette. No one minded collecting money on our backs or the cigarette taxes - and not spending it to help smokers.

According to the CDC, obesity costs the public far more in excess medical costs than smoking.

Next time you feel like attacking or lecturing a smoker, why don't you consider whether you butt in like that to the overweight, or someone who drinks. Do you lecture people who eat fatty food? Who drive too fast, etc???

Having done the weight loss thing I can tell you that as difficult as that is, it is not in the ballpark of quitting smoking.

Everyone dies - do you accuse everyone of self-inflicting their deaths? If they have a heart attack do you have no compassion because the person never excersizeded?

When someone has a stroke do you blame them because they ate foods which blocked their arteries?

When someone loses a foot or their sight to diabetes, do you lecture them on "this would never happen if you have lost that extra 75 lbs.?

[agate]

mmcc, I agree that nonsmokers are being ridiculously hard on the smokers. I see the smokers out in the cold and rain around here, made to go outside and stay 25 feet away from the building they came from, just so they can smoke. It's sad that they have to do this.

I also agree that there aren't enough facts showing that smoking causes MS.

On the other hand, there has been quite a lot of evidence about second-hand smoke. I used to think it was all a lot of baloney, but I've seen too many people in the apartment building I live in get bothered by smoke in the corridors that I myself don't even smell.

These are often people who used to smoke but who now are very bothered by smoke. (I don't smell it because my nose doesn't work well. )

I've seen some of these people go downhill over several years until they died--of emphysema or COPD or heart failure. For years they wrestled with oxygen shipments and tubes and tanks. And these were people who had stopped smoking years ago.

They were clearly being affected by the smoke coming from apartments in this building where people smoke.

One woman moved twice within this building because the smoke from an apartment below her was seeping through her windows and making her sick.

Some years ago we had a bad fire in this building--started by a cigarette a tenant carelessly tossed in a wastebasket. Everyone had to leave for several days, and some were put up elsewhere for many months. One entire floor was gutted. Those of us with pets were the hardest to place and had to be put up at an assisted living center that wasn't nice at all. The building I live in is a building for only elderly and disabled people in the very low income category--so many here didn't have resources to fall back on, couldn't stay at a motel of their choice, etc.

Fat people don't harm those around them, IMO. Drinkers can do quite a lot of harm, and so can careless drivers, but smoking has to be right up there on any list of habits that have a harmful effect on others.

[lunarrays]

Yes I smoke now. Have been smoking since the age of 11 (inhaling since 13). I'm 47 and have tried several time to quit, but only able to do it for a year when I was 21 and for 6 months when I was 38...no luck since. Smoking is the only addiction that I have not been able to avoid.

[newlyb12def]

Have been smoking since the age of 11 (inhaling since 13).

Hehe!:D

I know what you mean!