Pretty sure I can guess what the comments will be about this, but -
Smoking cigarettes (I smoke less than half a pack/day) - probably not a good idea [especially] with Lyme, eh? Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
I think you know the answer to that one!!
Our bodies need all the help they can get.
Posted by nefferdun (Member # 20157) on :
Tobacco is full of heavy metals as well as other harmful chemicals, which is why it gives you cancer, heart disease and prematurely ages you. You cannot get well if you use tobacco or alcohol.
I was really shocked one day when a post came up on another forum, about people being unable to quit and the sickest people responded that they had not quit smoking. I thought no wonder they are so sick. Heck you can't even eat sugar and expect to get well.
You might think, what the heck if we aren't getting well anyway what does it matter. . . it depends on HOW SICK you allow yourself to become. Do you want to be unemployed, unable to take care of your children, unable to get out of bed?
Posted by TF (Member # 14183) on :
From page 27 of the Burrascano lyme treatment guidelines:
"CERTAIN ABSOLUTE RULES MUST BE FOLLOWED IF LYME SYMPTOMS ARE TO BE PERMANENTLY CLEARED: 1. Not allowed to get behind in sleep, or become overtired. 2. No caffeine or other stimulants that may affect depth or duration of sleep, or reduce or eliminate naps. 3. Absolutely no alcohol! 4. No smoking at all. 5. Aggressive exercises are required and should be initiated as soon as possible."
Smoking has a negative effect on the immune system which is already overwhelmed with lyme disease.
The only way to get rid of lyme and its coinfections is to kill as many of the germs as we can (through treatment) and also boost the immune system (with supplements, garlic, certain exercises, stopping drinking and smoking, etc.) so that it can overcome and control what germs still remain in the body.
The lyme docs I recommend say that a person will relapse (get lyme back again) if they continue to smoke. They will not be able to remain well when treatment ends, and they may not even be able to get to the symptom-free point so that treatment can some day end.
Smoking and treating lyme are like fighting a fight with one hand tied behind your back.
Why not go to a doctor now and ask for something to help you quit smoking. This is generally covered by your health insurance. It would be a great first step in treating lyme disease.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- For support in becoming solely an air-breather, a LL ND would be very helpful. -----------
Includes how to find an ILADS-educated LL ND, an Acupuncturist, a doctor of Oriental Medicine (O.M.D.), or a doctor of Ayurvedic Medicine (D.Ay.), certified herbalists or nutritionists, etc. -
Posted by jalama (Member # 14600) on :
Liv,
Try a book called "The Easy Way to Quit," by Alan Carr. It really works!!! Follow the instructions exactly and you will be able to quit painlessly.
This is from someone who was the most addicted smoker ever; I tried to quit hundreds of times, literally. That book saved me. Also, looking at photos of people dying of lung cancer online helped to motivate me. You CAN do this!
Posted by IckyTicky (Member # 21466) on :
I quit for almost 3 years and saw no improvement in my Lyme sx. When I started back, like an idiot, I saw no worsening. But I must say that I do smoke organic cigs now.
Posted by Lauralyme (Member # 15021) on :
Agree with Jalama.....that book is excellent. I quit very easily after reading that book. You can too
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