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Smoking and Degenerative Disc Disease

15 years ago 0 +0 / -0 802

Alphabet J, I'm sorry to hear what you're dealing with right now. Keep us informed as to how you're making out. Also, it seems like I took over your thread but that wasn't my intention. Sorry.

Thanks for the informative reply Faryal. I am continuing with lots of walking and am trying to get back into biking for weight-bearing exercises. The doc. said I could also start with my weight machine again, although with the bone density issue and muscle stuff, I'm a little leery on that one. I am taking a prescription for a calcium supplement (I think that's what it is) each night for the next year, as well as vitamin D each morning. I wasn't aware of alcohol having any effect - I enjoy a glass of wine while preparing dinner and during it.

The MRI's scheduled for later in Sept., so I'll let you know how it turns out. Fingers are crossed it's not MS.

My Milage:

My Quit Date: 1/3/2008
Smoke-Free Days: 236
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 4,720
Amount Saved: $1,793.60
Life Gained:
Days: 25 Hrs: 1 Mins: 6 Seconds: 58

15 years ago 0 +0 / -0 823

Hi Jazz,

Although I am glad you had a general follow-up with your doctor, I am sorry that you found out you have osteoporosis and what may possibly be the early stages of MS.

Research for over the last 20 years indicates that smoking has been identified as a risk factor for developing osteoporosis. Recent studies have shown a direct relationship between tobacco use and decreased bone density. While other risk factors also play a part, other effects of smoking include a greater risk of fracture when you are older, significant bone loss especially in women, and early menopause because nicotine causes less estrogen production. You are on the right track by consulting with your medical doctor about treatment strategies and prevention. Also, quitting smoking is the best thing you did given the situation.

Other things you can do to protect your bones include:

increasing Calcium in your diet from foods such as low-fat dairy products, dark green leafy vegetables and Calcium-fortified foods
taking a Calcium supplement that provides at least 1000mg of Calcium (take in combination with Magnesium)
increasing Vitamin D in your diet from foods such as eggs, salt-water fish, liver and ofcourse sunshine
taking a Vitamin D supplement daily
weight-bearing exercises
avoiding alcohol due to it's negative effects on calcium absorption and hormone production

Although the symptoms you are describing do mimic MS, they could be symptoms related to other things also. It's best to wait to find out the MRI results and discuss treatment options with your doctor especially if you have caught it early. Many individuals have found that exercise such as yoga or tai chi and treatments with acupuncture have proven effective for slowing its progression.

Good luck Jazz and keep us posted.

Faryal - Bilingual Health Educator

15 years ago 0 +0 / -0 70

AJ, I was turned down for back surgery because I smoked. Most recently, after my quit, I had shoulder surgery. The doc wouldn't do it until I quit. I think after reading this I get why.
My Milage:

My Quit Date: 2/7/2008
Smoke-Free Days: 201
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 6,030
Amount Saved: $1,866.29
Life Gained:
Days: 22 Hrs: 21 Mins: 1 Seconds: 13

15 years ago 0 +0 / -0 802

Good morning everyone. I don't know if this is related, but I have a feeling it might be.

I did a general follow-up with my doctor after quitting, and most tests came back fine. There were 2 things that I wasn't pleased about though. I'm quite physically fit and very active with a medium bone structure. When the doc told me I had osteoporosis (sp?) I was shocked, as was he. The other thing I'm finding which is scaring me even more is that I have been experiencing a fair bit of muscle weakness in my arms and legs. I know that this is part of aging, but it's more extreme than that. Now he's sending me for an MRI thinking it might be the early stages of MS. Anybody know much about this?

My Milage:

My Quit Date: 1/3/2008
Smoke-Free Days: 236
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 4,720
Amount Saved: $1,793.60
Life Gained:
Days: 25 Hrs: 0 Mins: 46 Seconds: 16

15 years ago 0 +0 / -0 130

Hi AJ -

Unfortunately I too am living proof of this. I've had fusion in my lower spine and cervical spine due to DDD.

I'm lucky - my surgery worked pretty well. I hope everything works out well for you too.

My Milage:

My Quit Date: 7/6/2008
Smoke-Free Days: 51
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 1,530
Amount Saved: $351.90
Life Gained:
Days: 8 Hrs: 11 Mins: 54 Seconds: 40

15 years ago 0 +0 / -0 41

Hey AJ,

Haven't 'met' you before but I can relate to the DDD. The reason I quit is that I'm having back surgery 9/19 to correct disc problems and to fuse three vertebrae. The doctor talked to me about how the healing would be much better and go faster if I weren't smoking.

Before that I hadn't really though too much about stopping but that was my motivation. I miss smoking. I probably always will but the Chantix has really helped me. That and the fact that I am on so many pain pills has probably made my quit easier than others have had it.

Good luck with your back and keep us informed.

My Milage:

My Quit Date: 7/13/2008
Smoke-Free Days: 44
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 660
Amount Saved: $92.40
Life Gained:
Days: 8 Hrs: 0 Mins: 45 Seconds: 3

15 years ago 0 +0 / -0 823

Hi Alphabet J,

Thanks for popping in to let us know how you are doing and congrats on keeping the quit thus far!

Sorry to hear about your latest health concern. DDD is definitely related to smoking because the nicotine is a poisonous toxin that inhibits oxygenation into bones and causes the "degeneration".

Thank you for educating us on the relationship and another outstanding reason to quit smoking.

Caffeine contributes to DDD because of its diuretic effects and being dehydrated is a factor in DDD. So perhaps staying away from any caffeine and drinking lots of water may help a little?

Take care and keep us posted.

15 years ago 0 +0 / -0 107

Hi Tresa - it's good to "see" you too. When I found out about this, that was one of my first thoughts too. That and "dang it I'd love to smoke right now!" lol! That was a fleeting thought though, I feel very lucky that I quit already on my own and didn't find myself quitting during this stressful time.

Take care!

Jen

My Milage:

My Quit Date: 5/5/2008
Smoke-Free Days: 112
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 2,240
Amount Saved: $560.00
Life Gained:
Days: 9 Hrs: 9 Mins: 7 Seconds: 8

15 years ago 0 +0 / -0 855

Hi AJ and good to see you here and know you are still smokefree, :) smoking is very bad on the Bones and teeth, smoking keep Oxygen from being able to flow through the bones and when one has surgery that smokes alot of time the surgery fails due to smoking. If you have to have surgery , its good you are a Non Smoker :) Tresa
My Milage:

My Quit Date: 8/8/2002
Smoke-Free Days: 2209
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 53,016
Amount Saved: $9,277.80
Life Gained:
Days: 315 Hrs: 19 Mins: 39 Seconds: 33

15 years ago 0 +0 / -0 107

Hi everybody! It has been a while since I have been to the forum, I have been thinking about all of you and I know what it's like when someone seems to "disappear" how we worry and wonder about them. So I wanted to post, and tell you all that I am still a non smoker. I am no longer using the patch - but I do chew the gum from time to time. :)

I am sorry I have not been around, unfortunately I have found myself in a bit of a "pickle" of the medical variety. It seems I have some degeneration going on in my cervical spine area. I am spending most of my time researching this as well as researching the dr's and surgeons I am being referred to. In my research I found yet another outstanding reason to quit smoking!! (although, I may have learned this a little too late) So for any of you who are wondering if quitting is "worth it" or are otherwise on the fence about it please online search "smoking and DDD (Degenerative Disc Disease)" (I tried to paste a link and some copied text but for whatever reason I couldn't) Smoking really does affect your entire body!

I will try to do better at coming here and offering some help to others as that is what you all did for me. I have not forgotten the help I received here that I am eternally grateful for.

I hope you all are doing well :)

Jen

My Milage:

My Quit Date: 5/5/2008
Smoke-Free Days: 112
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 2,240
Amount Saved: $560.00
Life Gained:
Days: 9 Hrs: 8 Mins: 58 Seconds: 3

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Smoking and Degenerative Disc Disease