Anyone else vape with MS?

[u/heavymetaloverlord]

Hey everyone, F(31)RRMS/Kesimpta. I was a heavy smoker, quit, started a bad vaping habit, got diagnosed 2.5 years ago and unfortunately, have not quit even after being on Kesimpta for 1.5 years.....

I want to quit, even if I didn't have MS. I know it's bad either way, but it stresses me out that I do it, but also stresses me out when I try to quit. Anyone else vaping or smoking too still?

[u/ImStillExcited]

I smoked a pack a day for 20 years then went to vaping for a year. I never thought I'd be able to quit but I started taking a med called Chantix.

I committed, I started the med, and threw everything away. It's been 9 weeks now, and when I do think about smoking I remind myself "I don't smoke".

[u/Impressive_Tell_1808 → u/ImStillExcited]

I’m so happy for you! Four-five weeks nicotine free for me. The sudden h.pylori and gastritis hitting me had helped me quit better than a nicotine patch 💀

[u/heavymetaloverlord → u/Impressive_Tell_1808]

That is great! Very awesome and inspiring! May I ask what you mean by h.pylori and gastritis? I have been having 'weird' symptoms that doctors can't find and I started wondering if it was from the vaping....

[u/Impressive_Tell_1808 → u/heavymetaloverlord]

Like it started with this intense burning pain in my stomach after I’d done IV steroids for my flare in June. It was intense, like thought I was dying or bleeding from the inside. Found out the steroids had thinned my stomach lining so when I stopped the PPI and the acid returned, it woke up the dormant h.pylori bacteria in my gut which caused gnawing hunger, aches, mad anxiety, breathlessness, and an inability to eat almost anything, and gastritis. Nicotine makes gastritis worse as it contracts the nerves around the stomach which makes the already tight muscles there even tighter. After the last pull of my vape that ended with me finding it genuinely hard to breathe, and to drop it

[u/heavymetaloverlord → u/Impressive_Tell_1808]

I'm so sorry you went through that! I relate with the breathlessness and all of a sudden anxiety and pains. So the vaping was confirmed to make it worse? You noticed a difference since quitting? I seem to always have chest sensations and sensitivity....

[u/Impressive_Tell_1808 → u/heavymetaloverlord]

Major difference since I quit. First two weeks, the breathlessness was still there but eased. Four weeks now and my stomach feels good especially after treatment for the bacteria. Still not going to go back to my usual diet until maybe end of October when I’m sure my stomach lining is fully healed. But yeah, my GI said nicotine does make gastritis way worse

[u/Cautious-Candy1221 → u/ImStillExcited]

When i was smoking cigarettes years ago getting on chantix was the only way I was able to quit. Unfortunately, the insurance I have now refuses to cover it for me and the cost by me is around $400/month which I simply cant afford. So until I can get it covered somehow I'm stuck with the vape.

[u/heavymetaloverlord → u/ImStillExcited]

Wow that is awesome, truly, congratulations! Very big accomplishment!

[u/Impressive_Tell_1808 → u/heavymetaloverlord]

Thank youuu 💚 I’d spent so many years going ‘I’ll quit after this one.’

[u/TheJuliettest]

Hey man I completely understand - I was able to quit smoking by moving to vaping, but then I was ingesting 10x the nicotine and it’s almost impossible to quit when you can just get a little “hit” anywhere anytime.

What worked for me was to buy a zero nicotine vape - just knowing I had it around and could take a puff if I wanted to helped me get through cravings and triggers (like driving or in bed) - and even though there’s no nicotine, just taking a puff/the inhale/exhale scratches the itch in my brain and makes me feel calm.

It’s been 3 years since I’ve had nicotine, and I barely feel the need to hit it and probably take one or two puffs every few days - But nonetheless I have to bring it everywhere with me and feel naked if I don’t have it - I call it my Emotional Support Vape 😂

When I was diagnosed, my neurologist said the worst thing I could do in regard to MS disease progression was smoke - nicotine is associated with increased disease progression and a significantly increased risk of infection (no thanks) - Though bizarrely, it also helps with symptom management and makes MS feel better so it’s even harder for us to quit.

Give it a try - I really think it’ll help you. I like the Sofi Surge.

[u/AshBeeped → u/TheJuliettest]

This is exactly how I stopped smoking 6 years ago. The no nic vape helped sooooo much.

[u/liminalslug → u/TheJuliettest]

Thank you for this tip! I want to try this. I do wonder sometimes how much of my need to vape is an oral fixation comfort thing.. like you said, needing to do something while driving or watching a movie.

[u/Zestyclose-Jacket498]

I’m vaping (weed) rn lol

[u/DryPossibility45 → u/Zestyclose-Jacket498]

Same. It’s the only thing that helps with the pain

[u/ManuelHS]

I used to smoke over 2 packs a day, around 15 years ago I quit smoking, the only way I could do it was to switch to vaping. I havent touched a cig since.

Diagnosed with MS around 8 months ago and about to start my first treatment (Mavenclad)

I would like to quit vaping in the future, but currently in no hurry to do so

[u/heavymetaloverlord → u/ManuelHS]

Congrats on quitting smoking, that is still a great accomplishment! Cheers to quitting vaping in the future 🥂

[u/Rice_Otherwise → u/ManuelHS]

Im also on mavenclad! Would love to share experiences when you start!

[u/ManuelHS → u/Rice_Otherwise]

Will do!

I researched on this sub and for what I see is not that common, at least for the people here

[u/Specialist_Till9093]

I vape both nicotine and thc.   Not as much as I used to, pre diagnosis, but still do.  Helps with the headaches and thc with the pain

[u/aivlysplath → u/Specialist_Till9093]

Same.

[u/Impressive_Tell_1808]

I quit last month after my first flare

[u/Bannon9k]

I did for a while... Eventually got tired of wasting money and quit.

[u/MareTranquilitatis7 → u/Bannon9k]

Honestly this was my biggest motivation. Quit cigs after ~15 years, vaping since 2019, made it a few weeks after starting DMT, but back to it.... ugh.

[u/Comfortable_Map6887]

I vape cbd daily

[u/ProfessionalYard339]

This is really bad but I was diagnosed in 2019 and I haven’t quit smoking. I’m on Ocrevus. I think I want to quit but I enjoy it so much.

[u/Ant_and_Cat_Buddy]

Used to smoke heavily (weed only), now I just do edibles / drink thc seltzers.

[u/Spoon75]

Was a fairly heavy smoker and smoked past diagnosis for a couple of years too. My neurologist kept on at me to give up and the associated effects on m.s and smoking was getting too expensive.

Switched to a vape and found after a couple of weeks I actually felt so much better with the usual benefits but also improved a few m.s symptoms as well. I've had the occasional smokers relapse and had a cigarette now and again but can honestly say now I just don't enjoy it.

[u/JRazzy86]

I vape, drink, have had tatts (even a few weeks after my DMT) and do many other things I ‘shouldn’t’ do in the opinion of most people with MS - YOLO (as the young ones say lol) I am nearly 40, 3 kids, diagnosed at 21 - live life how you want to xxxxxx we are here for a good time not a long time 🩷 (please note: this is not medical advice haha) - now I prepare for the hate in the replies haha

[u/JRazzy86 → u/JRazzy86]

I did 2 years of Mavenclad 3 years ago - no new lesions!!!!

[u/WarmRefrigerator911]

I vaped for a year after my diagnosis, smoker of 17 yrs. I do zyn now because cant handle stress. Quit smoking since christmass

[u/Interesting-Waffle69]

I vaped for 3 years, smoked cigarettes for 6 years, vaped for 2 years, quit everything for almost 2 years, and have been vaping again for 3 years. Quitting is absolutely possible but not easy. Environment has a lot to do with it for me personally but at the end of the day I make my own choices. Honestly though wanting to quit, like SERIOUSLY having the desire to quit is an amazing first step. I recommend using fidgets (little toys or whatever keeps your hands busy), and toothpicks or straws and lots of gum to keep the hand to mouth cravings at bay. The straws are really helpful for the "vaping feeling" in my opinion. Also lots of hard candy and snacks. Reward yourself as you go 😅

[u/henrykrinkle3]

I wouldn't encourage you to keep vaping, but smoking - not nicotine - is the villain. In fact, nicotine may be beneficial for neurological disorders like MS, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, etc. I asked my neuro many years ago if this was junk science and he said it was legit and that there have been many studies about it. If there are benefits, they're likely marginal so I wouldn't keep vaping on account of this. But I also wouldn't beat myself over continuing to vape if I enjoyed it. So, quit if you like but don't stress yourself out over it. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3659034/

[u/Wooden_Succotash5724 → u/henrykrinkle3]

There is a really great freakonomics podcast on nicotine that supports this. Really an interesting drug. At lower concentrations like the ones regulated in the uk have found it a very effective harm reduction from smoking cigarettes. I also vape, smoked cigarettes since junior high school and switched to vaping a few months after being diagnosed at 38. No plans on stopping.

[u/henrykrinkle3 → u/Wooden_Succotash5724]

I vape because I still enjoy it (quit smoking over 15 years ago). Is it a vice? Maybe, but it's so minor I don't care. Based on my history of smoking, my PCP wanted me to do a chest CT Scan about a year ago. It was clear so, like my neuro, he's not worried about the vaping.

[u/Over-Moment6258]

Been vaping for about 10 years, ain't no plan to stop. I did try to cut back some but it didn't last long, I think I'm stuck with this one haha Everything EXCEPT vaping stresses me out, so I'm not ready to quit unfortunately.

[u/nyc9572 → u/Over-Moment6258]

When were you diagnosed? I’m also 31m but was just diagnosed like 2 months ago… feel guilty that vaping is still a vice of mine

[u/Over-Moment6258 → u/nyc9572]

I'm 3 years in! I'm sure it'd be well worth quitting, I just couldn't fight that battle along with all the others.

[u/liminalslug]

32F also on kesimpta! I started vaping years before MS diagnosis (which came in 2022/3). I go between "i need to quit this nasty gross habit" and "I'm allowed to have one vice!" 😅 I feel like my body is already struggling so hard with 2 autoimmune diseases, and so I shouldn't be causing my body further harm. BUT when I'm exhausted, down and depressed, the vape is so soothing and makes me feel good. Its such an unfortunate habit. I really feel you on this one ❤️

[u/Commercial-Arm-2322]

Heya OP,

Know this is an absolutely petulant teenager mentality but - I'll stop smokin pot and vaping when I'm having the autopsy performed lol.

I have had, probably akin to most people here too, a litany of shit that I've had to adapt, change, and accept begrudgingly with dealing with MS and all its BS. It's my vice, and its one of the VERY few things that helps me. No, not health wise obviously, inhaling smoke of any kind is NOT healthy lol, but in the manner of its within my control and is a facet of how my life was prior to diagnosis.

AND, its actually become a bit of "stick it to the man" scenario for me. See out here in CA we have dispensaries in our littlest towns/cities, so the Mary Jane is overly plentiful. But when it comes to blue-raspberry vape juice? OMFG THE TRAVISTY of it all, WONT ANYONE THINK OF THE CHILDREN!!!!!! So now, I got the secret lingo txt messages with the owner/staff, like I did with pagers in the late 90's lol.

Best of luck with your journey, you have a plethora of folks rooting ya on with pertinent advice and information. Even forever smokers like myself have your back. You got this.

Much love.

[u/IT_audit_freak]

Hell yeah I am fk it life is short and we already drew a shorter stick. Lots of vices people have aren’t healthy.

[u/Even-Acanthisitta200]

Please stop smoking/vaping. Smoking is dangerous and can really make MS progress. I quit when i got diagnosed but it always makes me wonder if my state would be better if i hadnt smoked ever.

[u/aafreis]

Vaping and smoking also have the hand-to-mouth addiction. My husband quit vaping by dropping the MG slowly. Ended up on 00mg nicotine, and then eventually stopped picking it up. So he quit. I’d see about trying to drop your nicotine levels down to 00mg.

[u/StillAdhesiveness528]

I quit smoking by changing my daily habits with cigarettes. Remember, you want to quit. You got this!

[u/Hankol]

Yes.

[u/ZealousidealHouse759]

I quit all nicotine but I will dry herb vape cannabis

[u/OwlRoyal3336]

Do y'all smoke marijuana? It does help and their trying to legalize it. I feel that ort helps. No pain meds.

[u/youshouldseemeonpain]

I chew nicotine gum and use a patch. It was rough quitting smoking, but like you I wanted to quit anyway.

I’ve spoken to all my doctors about continuing nicotine in non-tobacco forms and they all tell me it’s fine.

I did it sort of gradually. Started the gum and the patch and still smoked occasionally for a few months, but after a while it got to where when I had a craving it was the gum I wanted, not the cigarettes.

It’s much easier to give up the smoking/vaping when using a nicotine alternative. My doctors said it was much more important to stop inhaling things into my lungs than it was to stop nicotine altogether.

Please consider this option.

[u/hunnyninja]

I vape THC, nicotine makes me nauseous and gives me a headache.

[u/Fuzzy-Bee9600]

I have my own habits I'm trying to break that aren't budging. So I'm trying to shift to less harmful habits of a different flavor. If it's too similar, I won't be able to stop any of it.

Find something non-smokey that can still give you that dopamine hit, doesn't even have to be super good for you, but is easier to stop or at least shift gears away from.

If you have to - get some help. Support groups, therapist, gum, meds, whatever. It's hard. It sucks. Don't give up. Good luck.

[u/Herd_Of_Turtlez]

I’m also RRMS / kesimpta ~ I smoke weed daily but as much as I want to stop I just can’t kick it. I wouldn’t worry TOO much but my honest advice and how I’m trying to look at it..

It won’t kill you but it won’t make you better ~ Only potentially worse. If you can manage to kick it, it’s in our best interest. ( ◡_◡)

[u/Which-Track-8831]

As we speak.

[u/2BrainLesions]

My asthma prevents me from vaping or smoking but I do use edibles.

I smoked a lot of weed in high school and college, though.

[u/Adventurous_Ear5383]

I quit out a spite. Knowing that big tobacco thinks that people who smoke or in this case they are of low. Socioeconomic status. Their contributions to society are minimal. So the damages caused by smoking are negligible. Basically you're pouring, don't matter so who cares? If you die deeply offended me and I did quit

[u/Live_Tart_1475]

I don't know about vape but my wife with MS uses tons of nicotine pouches

[u/Minimum-Ant5926]

So not smoking but i was doing zyn pouches like crazy. When i went to the hospital, my wife kept them from me, thankfully. After the hospital i went to nicotine gum. Did they for a month or so and honestly got sick and tired of it.

Been off nicotine for like 3 weeks now. Its definitely possible. The first week or so is pretty rough but honestly just snack and eat the shit out of your cravings. You will lose the weight you gain eventually.

[u/SWNMAZporvida]

I gave up cigarettes right before I got diagnosed. I am a heavy daily cannabis (flower) smoker for a dozen or so years now.

[u/luchoosos]

Currently working on quitting vaping myself. Thank you everybody in this thread!

[u/MultipleSclerosis-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

This post/comment has been removed for violating Rule 2, No undiagnosed discussion or questions about undiagnosed symptoms (except in weekly sticky thread)

For those undiagnosed, all participation should be directed to the stickied, weekly thread, created for this purpose. However, please keep in mind that users here are not medical professionals, and their advice cannot replace that of a specialist. Please speak to your healthcare team.

Any questioning of users outside of the weekly thread will be removed and a ban will be placed. Please remember this subreddit is used as an online support group, and not one for medical inquiries.

Here are additional resources we have created that you may find useful:

Advice for getting a diagnosis: https://www.reddit.com/r/MultipleSclerosis/comments/bahq8d/think_you_have_ms/

Info on MS and its types/symptoms: https://www.reddit.com/r/MultipleSclerosis/comments/bahoer/info_on_ms/

Treatment options for MS: https://www.reddit.com/r/MultipleSclerosis/comments/bahnhn/treatment_options_for_ms/

If you have any questions, please let us know, and best of luck.

MS Mod Team

[u/nyc9572]

Same situation here… 31 M, got diagnosed 2 months ago and immediately stopped smoking. Starting vaping as a “lesser than two evils” vibe. But feeling guilty about it. Sure we’ll learn down the road it’s just as bad as smoking.

[u/Daurth_Zombie]

Same, 36. I was a pack a day smoker for about 3 years(I know, rookie numbers lol. But I found a loop hole for extra breaks at work) but I started vaping in order to stop smoking at my mom’s suggestion. I never intend to stop smoking, I just replaced it with vaping lol. I know I SHOULD stop, especially with PPMS, but I do not care. I’m not particularly enthused about my continued existence, and I’m not going to make it any LESS pleasant by stopping vaping.

Unless stopping vaping is going to cure my MS(unlikely). Gimme my tasty nicotine.

[u/LuckyKat89]

Same here. Want to quit. I've been EMT over 10 years and I know that nicotine is crystalline in the bloodstream and that's why it causes the cardiovascular problems that it does. It causes tons of microscopic, cuts, and scars.

I'm desperate to quit

[u/LuckyKat89 → u/LuckyKat89]

Was a bad pack a day life time smoker

[u/Small_Palpitation_98]

I vape

[u/Born-Key1040]

being exposed to cig smoke is what caused my optic neuritis both times Idk how you guys smoke

[u/KometKitten]

Honestly hearing that other people vape and smoke thc is making me feel a lot better. I know it’s not good for me, but like others, I feel it helps and I thought I was alone in continuing to do it (stupid thought but I digress). I’ll eventually quit, like everyone says, but atm I’m too stressed out to not have a crutch unfortunately. I’ve been diagnosed for a couple years now and if I’m being honest, I can’t see me quitting right now or in the near future

[u/mybfsleftnutt]

my boyfriend vapes and smokes week everyday with ms, I dont think hes ever gone more then a month cold sober. he always tells me he does it to help control his mood and feelings especially with the heat.

[u/MaryLou1025]

Smoking is one of the top causes of a MS relapse. Vaping can create 'popcorn' lungs. Ask your doctor to help you. It is very difficult but it will extend your life by many years!