[EugeneW]

#1169357

Inspirational story! My girlfriend has GD and is in the process of stopping smoking, cutting down and using an electronic cigarette to try and limit exposure to actual real cigarettes. It’s really an individual thing though – I was a smoker for ten years and had thought quitting would be a real challenge but when I finally decided to give up I pretty much just went cold turkey. The first few days where hard but after that it’s not been as hard as I expected, the smell of cigarette smoke now makes me queasy so I doubt I’ll get back on the horse!

Good luck to anyone else quitting out there – you can do it!

[tomfloyd]

#1169358

As many have said, smoking doesn’t cause Graves’ disease. For some patients it is something that has to do with a genetic predisposition, but cigarettes are not responsible for that. However, as everybody knows smoking isn’t a healthy habit and no one should smoke, especially if they have a condition. So if you care about your friend you should encourage him to stop smoking.

[PamColl]

#1169359

Smoking is really but but its not the main cause of grave’s disease. But of course prevention is better than cure . So quit smoking .

[RebeccaJT]

#1169360

Is this state the obvious day?

All smokers know they shouldn’t smoke. It’s called addiction.

Whilst I appreciate your heart is in the right place, I suggest you stop telling people what to do and allow other smokers and ex smokers to share their EXPERIENCE, rather than dispense advice.

Thanks

Rebecca
Recovered smoking addict, not an idiot.

[monical]

#1169361

Ha ha. Well said, Rebecca. If only it were that easy! ” title=”Confused” />

[Bobbi]

#1169362

Yes, I agree. Well said, Rebecca.

Also an ex-smoker (or "recovering nicotine addict"), and not an idiot.

Smoking is a hideous addiction. If someone you love is trying to quit smoking, provide support as needed. But badgering, prodding, pushing does not help when we are also hideously ill, and hyperthyroid.

[MaryI]

#1169363

Hi Everybody,
I am 56 and smoked until March 1,2010, about 3 months before my Graves diagnosis. I smoked since was 15 years old. I had known for quite a while that I had to stop, thinking that maybe if I stopped smoking the way I was feeling would go away. I did feel better for about 6 weeks. I ( stopped the patch, chewed sugarless gum with aspartame like crazy, really enjoyed the new sushi bar next door for lunches ) did everything wrong in the meantime.Of course I got sicker.
If there is anything I want to say to all who are still smoking- please stop.
My husband still smokes cigars, and when I am around him, my eyes swell and get red. In one eye, I have regular surface hemorraging. Last night I lost the colour in the other eye in 2 short episodes. It is OK now. If there is anything that I can recommend- stay away from anything that could accerbate eye disease. I am terrified of being one of us affected.
Mary

[snelsen]

#1169364

Hi Mary, I suggest you see a neuro opthalmologist to check your eyes carefully, and your visual fields. The visual changes you described can be very serious.
Thank you for your post. You have done a wonderful thing for yourself, as have all the other folks who have stopped smoking.
I am sorry that your husband smokes cigars in the house. I would like to ask him to please smoke outside. I have not seen a cigar smoker for 30 years, but in my part of the world, anyone who still does smoke, has to smoke outside. It has been banned in restaurants, all bars and taverns and all public buildings and hospitals…all good ideas.
Shirley

[MaryI]

#1169365

Hi Shirley, Thank you for the response. He does not smoke in the house. But if we are outside with guests or at friends it still gets to me. Today, I see that he ordered the patch for himself. Great!
I am thinking that my eyes are super sensitive.
I have been reading your posts-you are vey brave, and thank you for your documentation, and I would never want to go thru what you have done.
Mary

[Bobbi]

#1169366

Hi, MaryI,

I would like to reinforce what Shirley said about getting to an opthamologist, asap, to have your eyes checked. Losing color perception is not at all normal, and even though it was temporary, you need to find out why it happened (if that is possible).

As far as the cigar smoke — try to stay on the "upwind" side of things, if possible. I went to a bbq this summer, where the host cooked fish on an open pit fire, and the wind kept blowing that smoke into my eyes, and they were red for days. I hate to think about the particles that made there way into my lungs. But the eyes were really "upset" about the experience. ; )

[Author]

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