[bnemecek]

Hey all, hope everyone is enjoying their Easter weekend.

I posted a few weeks back about my battle with neruopathy after the onset of a full body rash. Anyway, after trying countless things to try to quell my painful, hyper-sensitive skin, I stumbled upon nicotine. Now I have never been a smoker and, quite honestly, do not intend on becoming one because it is a terrible habit, however, I have found that smoking cigarettes helps calm my symptoms, even if only for a very short period of time. Has anyone else here experienced this? If so, are there any other healthier alternatives to cigarettes that might produce similar results?

Thanks and I hope everyone else is enjoying the sunshine we are seeing today in Upstate New York!

[JoanB]

Not that I'm advocating it, but there's always nicotine patches and gum. I'd think that it might be better to try the patches because it seems like the gum is pretty addictive too--I've know several people who used it to quit smoking, but could never give up the gum.

[cyclelops]

Maybe some one smarter than myself, can explain the nictonic and muscarinic receptors and acetylcholine. I am too muddled today....I almost left my debit card at the check out in the home improvement store....had it not been for a very nice person behind me, I would be beside myself right now.....I can't explain the acetylcholine system right now....

I don't think it is all that great to get hooked on nicotine....trying to get off all that addictive crud is a real 'unpleasant' experience. Maybe here and there to ease suffering, but not everyday?? Just a thought.

Things are addictive for a reason, they ease feeling bad.....when feeling bad is your daily existence, it is hard not to use anything that makes you feel less bad....ugh. (I overdid yesterday and must finish what I started today....I wish I felt 'normal'.)

[Jim Tapken]

TY for the Happy Easter...same to you.

My wife has taken a "drag or 2" from our daughters cigs (she's 22), and it DOES NOT help her (at least). Can't speak for anybody else.

Cyclops is right in saying that addictive things are addictive for a reason. No matter what, cigs can cause your neuropathy to get worse.
My wifes docter told her straight as can be.."If you continue smoking, even a little here and there, you WILL lose your legs. Smoking is one of the major causes, or at least speeds up the damage to limbs, for people with diabetes and neuropathy"....this scared my wife into quitting finally.

We have been smoke free for a couple of years now and feel much better health wise also since quitting.

I wouldn't even attempt using cigs for pain control, whether it works or not....

[bnemecek]

Thanks for the advice guys, I really appreciate it. On to healthier methods to try to control this monster!