Hi JB

One of the moderators asked the nurses if we could help out with an answer for you.  But I am afraid we can’t find anything definite to tell you.

I don’t know whether or not it is safe to use vaping or electronic cigarettes during chemotherapy.  Currently it is believed that e-cigerettes are almost certainly safer than smoking tobacco for people who are trying to give up smoking.

But we still need to do more research to find out what the longer term effects are of them, both in terms of how good they are at helping people quit and what effects the chemicals in them have on the body.

As far as I know, we don’t know what the impact is of using them while someone is having chemotherapy.

Theoretically it is possible that something in them may interact with chemotherapy, but I can’t say for certain whether this is the case and I doubt this has been researched yet.

So there probably isn’t any scientific evidence to help you make your decision.

I am sorry we can’t be more definite for you than this.   

We have more information about research into E-cigarettes  here 

You have done so well to give up smoking.  It must be very difficult having the urge to start again.

Martin

Hi thank you guess I will have to keep eating seasame seeded sticks LOL .... I am finding it quite hard and also think if I was to succumb maybe vapor will be the better option.  Will just keep trying to resist.  Thanks for the link I will have a look.

JB

Hi JB.  I have been vaping and never gave it a thought. Am at chemo all day tomorrow so will ask the chemotherapy staff - they r really helpful. Watch this space x

Hi Max that would be fantastic..... I will definitely watch this space :) hope your day is a smooth one xx

Hi JB45 ...... as I suspected, got a similar answer from the nurses at chemo as those on the site here. Vaping hasn't been researched enough as yet.  Just have to decide what to do yourself - sorry. Xx

Hi thanks for quick response! I thought that might be the answer, if you have been vaping I presume (rightly or wrongly) that your blood tests prior to chemo have been ok?  Yeah its a tough one, you want to do everything you can to get off the cigs but hard when you in our situation as some days just screams for it.  I will have a think ..... if I take long enough the urge may pass hahaha :) appreciate you asking.  Hope your day is going smoothly for you 

JB xx

Hi JB ..... am home from hospital and feeling ok.  Today is my first day of a new regime so I am unsure what side-effects this one will bring.   Have been on various chemo drugs consistently for just over 3yrs now so am a bit of a 'pro' haha!

I understand what you are going through with the cigs and wonder if your GP surgery has a non-smoking clinic because they may be able to help you regarding some 'props' and will be able to give you the medical information too.  You have done so very well to go so long without smoking and I think if you can just get over the next few months you will have cracked it.

How are you feeling on your chemo?  I have taken Capecitabine in the past and found it to be a very effective drug although it did affect my feet quite badly, but was pretty copeable (is that a word?).  Take care and speak soon x

Hey Max you blimin trouper, fab to hear you feeling ok, really hope no bad effects to come..... if it does you will kick it the pro you are of that I am sure :) WOW over 3 yrs, and here I am the baby crying over 6 months! I salute you!!

You have a good point yes now that I think about it I think my GP does do a non-smoking clinic, amd there Monday afternoon after bloods at hospital in the mornng so will make some enquiries.  Such a rubbish dirty habit.... but when you stressed it does make you feel like puff the magic dragon hahaha I am doing my best to resist and will continue as I don't want to give up trying.

Capecitabine .... yes my feet!!!! Oh my goodness its the strangest feeling ever.... feels like they freezing but when you touch them they actually quite warm.  Last 5 days of the first treatment and through this week of no drugs I have worn thermal socks over a normal pair of socks and winter boot slippers..... still feel the strange feeling but like you say copeable hehehe or managable ??? :)  The rest of the effects have been alright couple days upset tummy though - hope I have put on some weight!!! Lost 2 stone after surgery so need to plump up .... imodium is my favourite happy pill at the moment hahaha

Intravenous Tuesday start of 2nd round of 8!!! Can't wait to be able to say 8 of 8 COMPLETE :) still I should not complain as I am in a better position than most just wish we could all just be well and not have to go through anything 

Hope you wake up feeling awesome its the least you deserve. Take care of you and thanks for the encouragment on the dirty fags.... maybe I should take up dirty Harry instead.... just a thought hahaha

JB xx

JB .... don't beat yourself up too much about cigs - if you are around my age we grew up in the days of it being 'cool' and did not know the risks involved - in fact you were offered incentives with coupon collection. All my first job interviews were given with the offer of a *** by the potential bosses and you were considered a bit snooty if you didn't accept. My parents were tobacconists and it was a lucrative business. Sadly we were well and truly hooked before safety issues were raised and it was part of our lives.  Obesity, junk food, alcohol, coach-potato syndrome, poor hygiene, legal and illegal highs are all bad habits that lead to diseases but smokers seem to collect the most stigma at this moment in time which makes it difficult to seek help particularly when you have cancer and others find it hard to understand why we can't just click our fingers and stop when the physical dependency is at its worse due to the enormous stress we find ourselves in.  I hope your GP can help you to carry on with this struggle and overcome it - we know that's what we must do (no pressure lol!).

Just a tip - I find Loperamide much more effective for diarrhoea, maybe with added codeine if needed. Also be careful not to heat your feet too much and if you find the pads of your feet and toes are thickening, mention it to the team before it gets out of hand and they will probably suggest Vit B6, ice pads and creams to control it. I needed a dose reduction as it got quite painful so just keep an eye on it.

Good luck honey and keep your sense of humour, it's a must! X

Good morning Max you up early I hope it was due to a good movie and nothing uncomfortable from the chemo session you just had.  You are right I won't beat myself up and I know exactly what you saying above.  I come from a tabacco growing nation and smoking in offices was the norm .... if you didn't smoke you kind of got a distatseful look haha .... been thinking I might speak to a pharmasist and get a vapor just in case.... still thinking LOL but will definitely speak to my GP and see what their non smoking clinic can offer.  The stress I am under right now is not even the chemo but my company, I have been landed right in the poo by them and frankly have no idea which way to turn.  Feel like I am being forced to either go back to work and somehow manage the chemo, give up the chemo or be a beach bum but continue the chemo hahaha the beach option kind of sounds appealing!!  

I will look into the medicine you suggest for upset tummy, every day now I seem to be going that route at least twice during the day.  As for the feet I will get them on Monday too check that out too.  Originally the oncologist suggested two tablets x 2 per day then said he may do 3... we went on 3 so maybe he wanted to see how much I could handle...  not reallly sure what he meant by 2 or 3 because I take 5 twice a day hahaha hmmm am I actually better at maths than the oncologist?? I am sure its terminology of which I have little understanding, I kind of just do as I am told :)

I am just keeping on keeping on and definitely trying to keep my spirits up .... everything wil be ok I am sure.

Lovely to hear from you and hope you have a great day ahead, I am spending it looking at policies yuk never understand them and then my son's partner is coming to do my hair.  I am using a vegetable based colour be intersting how it works, first I will lather myself in coconut oil to condition the hair.... no hair dryer or GHD's allowed so this week matthew I will be Diana Ross with a minor difference haha 

Take care

JB xxx