Thread: Smoking and MS
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Old 05-18-2012, 10:29 PM
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dmplaura dmplaura is offline
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Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Moncton, NB, Canada
Posts: 2,195
15 yr Member
dmplaura dmplaura is offline
Magnate
dmplaura's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Moncton, NB, Canada
Posts: 2,195
15 yr Member
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I have burning mouth syndrome. While it's uncertain WHY I have this, it's suspected to be due to a brain stem lesion from my MS.

I've had it since 2007, it's dreadful, but it's controlled by medications and eased by chewing gum, drinking fluids, etc.

Long story short, before I found 'solutions' to ease the discomfort and pain, I was a 2 pack a day smoker. I had smoked from age 18 to age 31. Then I met my now husband, a non smoker.

I distinctly remember sitting outside my apartment building one night, puffing back another smoke. Agony with this burning mouth, newly diagnosed with MS, about to go and actually meet this man (future hubby) who I'd only seen photos of who I knew would NEVER date a smoker (hello incentive! lol) and I guess it was just that 'moment' I needed to finally quit.

It was all so clear, and I just did it. I finished that cigarette and quit, cold turkey.

Nearly relapsed, but I quit and quit for good. Not a puff since. Not even a thought of going back to it. I had started taking Clonazepam for the burning mouth situation just prior to deciding to quit. I found out later than it's a medication that's sometimes used to help people quit smoking.

Go figure, it had never been that easy before! So a win win situation for me I guess, because the medication was beginning to help with the mouth pain and I managed to quit.

Best decision of my life = quitting the dirty ciggies. Best of luck to those who decide to go ahead with it, it's not easy to quit. Anyone who's smoked for any period of time knows this.
__________________
2004 to present - Trigeminal Neuralgia
2007 to present - Burning Mouth Syndrome
March 2008 - Multiple Sclerosis DX
05/2008 - Relapse
05/2008 to 02/2009 - Copaxone
10/2011 - Relapse - Optic Neuritis developed
9/2012 - Relapse - Balance issues 1 sided
8/2012 - Erythema Nodosum - diagnosed 10/2012, reaction to Topiramate (Topamax)
April 7/14 - Raynaud's Syndrome DX
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