Here is an article that came in my email today:

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...3&src=confwrap

--is how the numbers would stack up for people who didn't put cigarettes in their mouths, but were exposed to tobacco smoke on a constant basis.

I've never touched a cigarette, a cigar, a joint--anything. Mostly that's because both of my parents had two-pack-a-day habits, and I remember my early years being a haze of smoke. I was asthmatic early in life--interestingly, I have had no attacks/symptoms since late high school (I was away for college).

My dad finally quit at age 62 after the second heart attack and bypass. Mom still puffs (at age 72).

Everyone knows that ciggies have thousands of toxic chemicals, that flood your bloodstream with every puff. It would be intresting if there was some reasearch on how many people with toxic PN smoked. And improved after they stopped smoking.

Interesting cigarette's even on smeone's clothes makes me so sick..
Like Glen my parents smoked 2 packs a day ,as I was throwing
up in the car,they said it was a weak tummie and hush..Dad had
a massive heart attack at 48 and quit,so mom hid some but she quit.
as well..My Dad passed away at 54 of a massive heart attack..Mom lived
to her 80's and passed away of Brest Cancer.

My brother and I never smoked,he's never been in a hospital
and then there's me. Aussie cigarette's were not promoted as
bad in those days..I was born in 46 Mom always had one in
her mouth...All the the family smoked and there was a lot
of them. All I know was It made me very sick. We would go
from MI. to MO. all the widows open in the car and me with a
bucket throwing up.

They were cheap back then ,and I belive they were used as
Tranq back then..I married a man who didn't smoke out of my
3 children the one who had cancer at 12 smoked, I'm happy
to say he has been smoke free 1 yr. ago yesterday. He
did it on a web site to show,what he when through...Now
he gets up without gagging,he can taste the food he eats
and he doesn't have to bundle up to go out in the MN. cold
to smoke..He looks great and to hug him without that smell
on him is wonderful.

I for one have suffered from secon hand smoke,but like Glen
I would like to see the no's..Sue PS My sson also loves he's
no smoking away his hard earned money..

think the monoxide alone is a huge culprit.

Monoxide alone seriously affects the skin of smokers...they age far faster
than nonsmokers. I have seen women 20 yrs younger than I who look older
than I do! (I have to take date of birth on new patients).

And smokers have restrictions about bone fusions, and also stimulate liver enzymes. Some drugs are cleared much faster in smokers and need higher doses to work..theophylline and birth control pills are examples.

I don't think they diagnose toxic PN based on cigarette smoking, and people with toxic PN have exposure to some toxic substance that is known to cause PN. You could not say that those people with toxic PN due to other causes that happen to smoke got it from smoking.

The logistics of such a study would be substantial. It would be very difficult to statistically prove that cigarettes and cigarettes alone cause PN. It would almost have to be a longitudinal study, controlled for a great many variables.

I would not doubt that smoking causes or exacerbates PN, it causes a great deal of disease and suffering. To get a study controlled for variables to prove that it causes PN would be an undertaking!!

I was exposed to heavy smoking as a kid and was sick with respiratory illness my entire childhood. It is best not to smoke.

Oh MRSD, I had my yearly physical and without asking, they decided to run a Vitamin D level....so this will be interesting.

C and Mrs.d have you read all the article's there everyhere..Whst is
interesting because we have been hearing from our Mrs. d for sometime.
I to today was told I should have a Vit D. test by the Neuro taking
over for my Neuro who shattered her leg..It was interesting I was
all set to battle with him and he beat me to the punch. I'm very big
on leafy greens,that helps,but he feels I am not getting enough Vit D
and also said we need at least 15 mins. of sun if it ever,comes out
again. He also said he's one of the believers that it gets some of the
winter weight off..I have been tired and had the blues ,Billye
told me to ask the Dr. if I could up the vit. d,he told me first,we shall
see.

Mrs.d is Vit. D3 just a more potent form,what do you think of it? Thanks Sue

I would love if someone would explain to me how my 82 year old landlord can smoke at least 4 packs a day. From the moment he wakes up, he lights up, (I see him walking in the driveway every morning to open up the driveway gates). He ALWAYS has a cig in his mouth. In fact, I HAVE NEVER SEEN HIM WITHOUT A CIGARETTE in his mouth. He can't come into my home with one. I make him put it out on the front porch, then he can come in. No one has ever smoked in my home (or any of my homes).

I don't smoke, But how can it be that this man (who's mom dies at over 100 years of age), well all I know is he has a hernia. He has one leg.

He never gets sick (never). He never wears a hat or gloves in cold weather. I tried once to take an extra hat and give it to him. It was snowing. He said "I hate hats". I said "are you serious, you'll get pneumonia". He laughed and said "i don't think so, (as he was puffing away).

I really would love to see his genetic makeup. His son recently got married at age 53 and had his first child.

Boy, there are some powerful genes in this family. Maybe the town of Sicily where they are from, well, maybe there was something in the artesian springs or something?? I guess we will never know.

But he ALWAYS smokes. All the time. His wife chases him out into the backyard because no one else smokes in the house. He is a small man. Doesn't weigh over 140 lbs.

A puzzlement, no??

Could it be luck???? Hugs Sue

I smoke. About 1-1/2 pks/day (average-it varies).
Recently went on vacation to the mountains and the chalet we rented
was a no smoking rental. (Surprise!!)
Had to go outside in 17 degree weather, and 20+ mph. winds
(wind chill -minus 7 degrees) to smoke.
I smoked less than 2 pks in the entire week.
No effect on my PN, whatsoever !
(Although I was a nervous wreck the first 2 days.)

I was hospitalized a few years ago, for an unrelated problem.
Spent 2 weeks without a cigarette. No effect on my PN.
No better, no worse.

My mom smoked - Pall Mall unfiltered.
I used to go to the vending machine & buy a pack for her.
Put a quarter in and get a pack with 4 pennies inserted between the
cellophane wrapper and the package wrapper..... 21 cents a pack !!
That was in the late '50's, early 60's. I was born in '44. I'll be 63.

I started smoking when I was about 13-14.
All my life, very good health. No bone breaks....nothing.... ever.
just common childhood things and a cold, occasionally.

Never hospitalized........until 2000. Finally, after 8 years of suffering,
idiot docs & mis-Dx'ng, was D'd with PN. I'd had it for close to 10 years
before it got a name.

I can't say that smoking definitely was a contributing factor - but then again
the reverse could be true as well. But until I can see other than rumor, that smoking is THE factor. Or is a MAJOR factor, I'll do as I wish.

I've come to see that every doctor I've ever talked to, tries to imply that any
ailment is caused by smoking, or smoking is a contributing factor.
I mean any ailment, from bunions to tennis elbow - gets the reply:
"Well if you stopped smoking, it'd be better for your problem"
I realize that the medical profession is on a crusade to eliminate this habit
and addiction for every patient. I realize that it is probably not good for me
but may really not be extremely detrimental (see Mel's landlord) as well.I take umbrage at the fact that my civil rights have been legislated away,
and that I am now deemed to be in a class of undesirable humans.
But I am addicted and do not, at this time, have the desire to become un-addicted.
I did stop once - 20+ yrs ago, and remember what I went thru. I was younger and stronger physically then. I don't relish the thought of going thru that again,
but realize that eventually, I shall............... But just not today.