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On Fri, 20 Oct 1995, Annmaureen Surra wrote:
 
> Looking at my history, it might seem I should try smoking again! Does
> anyone have any statistics on whether the stress of quitting smoking has
> contributed to Celiac conditions? Could smoking have helped to regulate
> my metabolism? Does nicotine depress celiac symptoms? Just curious! AMS
 
I don't have any answers, just a similar experience. When I smoked (1 pack a
day of unfiltered cigarettes) I was healthy and strong (could carry 150
pounds without any trouble). After I quit I was pleased with how much my
lung capacity improved. But within a few weeks, my minor respiratory
allergies became extreme (constantly runny nose and unstoppable sneezing
fits) and my digestive system no longer seemed to be processing what I
ate. I experienced a lot of water retention, headaches, low body
temperature, and was always on the verge of passing out. I got used to
it. Nine years later I developed nephrotic syndrome, an auto-immune
attack on the kidneys, which was stopped with prednisone, but I began a
steady and unstoppable weight loss.
 
Since going GF 9 months ago, all these symptoms have faded away, and only
return temporarily when I ingest gluten. Like Annmaureen, I wonder --
"What is the connection between quitting smoking and getting celiac?".
 
It's too bad that celiac would probably not go away if we started smoking
again. Though I guess there's nothing really appealing to me about lung
cancer either.
 
Ron in Seattle,
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