That is one subject I have NOT read about on the forum…smoking!! I used to smoke but stopped last Nov. when I started getting MAV and got so dizzy and had vertigo. I could no longer inhale cigarette smoke without making me go into a vertigo spin. SO, I think cigarette smoke is one of my main triggers. I have not heard anyone else say that smoking was a trigger for them. Does anyone smoke?? I’ll tell you…I’m glad I no longer smoke as of course I know how horrible it is for every part on you, BUT, I really miss smoking. dang. I can’t have my coffee and smoke in the morning…or my coffe and smoke after dinner at night. Those are the two things I really miss. Just venting here, as we had a large dinner party tonight at our house, and I worked HARD getting that put together and cleaning up. After everyone was gone, I SOOOOO wanted to sit and have a little coffee and a cigarette and just chill and relax and think about what a great job we did on the dinner. ha! So, I’m just wondering if anyone else misses things alot, now that they have MAV? I sure do. I wonder if I went off all medication, I would be back to square one with MAV, or it would have disappeared. I am about 85-90% better, with just a few spins now and then and one vertigo since I had orange juice. I should be happy I am not smoking and I am. Venting here. sorry!
I am not a smoker but my husband is. It used to not phase me to be around him when he was smoking but I cannot tolerate it at all anymore. Cigarette smoke is a definite trigger for me too.
Teri.
Hi, I am a smoker - terrible I know. When I was really ill with this I couldn’t smoke cause I couldn’t get off the bed (ha!). However, I do smoke now and it isn’t a trigger for me - HOWEVER, DR Nick Silver told me that I must stop smoking as apparently people with migraines who smoke as well are something like 8 times more likely to have a stroke than no-smokers. So spinning lady consider yourself lucky that you can’t smoke cause I have the misery of trying to stop and stress is one of my triggers! 
Tracey
I used to think that if I ever had to quit chocolate for any reason, I’d rather be six feet under. Now I have not just one but two health conditions for which chocolate is considered harmful: reflux and MAV.
My grandmother would probably have mainlined the stuff if she could have; both parents were into it as well. So the apple didn’t fall far from the tree.
I haven’t found that it “sets me off” per se, with either health problem, so I have cheated now and again in the last few months, on the rare occasion - with a small piece. Of the dark stuff, which fortunately is satisfying in small quantities. I suspect a lot of chocolate would cause me problems, though. It’s too bad because a little dark chocolate on a regular basis is now considered to be a healthy habit!
I have not stopped coffee, however it is decafe, and I try my best to find the swiss water method whenever possible. It doesn’t seem to be a trigger for my migraines.
As for smoking–never have and never will be a smoker. As Tracey said, consider yourself lucky that you are not smoking due to MAV. My parents both smoked and the only reason my they both finally quit was their eventual heart attacks–my father’s death didn’t stop my mom, it took her own heart attack to make her stop!
You can vent all you want, but you’ll get no sympathy from me LOL Sorry that may be harsh, but it is such a vile, disgusting and deadly habit (addicition, I know) but you know this and while it may be something you miss, your family would miss you more upon your early death from continued smoking 
Glad that MAV has made you stop (and hoping that you keep it that way)!!
This about quitting smoking and weight gain from the BBC:
The average weight gain associated with giving up smoking is much higher than previously thought, experts have found.
People can expect to put on up to 5kg (11lb) within a year of quitting, research published on bmj.com suggests.
And now you know why so many movie stars (esp. female movie stars) smoke!
Scott, thanks for the link. I used to use smoking as an aid in keeping my weight down. I could go all day with an apple and some smokes. Of course, I was young, only weighed 120 lbs and evidently quite stupid . I am extremely glad I no longer smoke and actually proud of it. I will just work harder walking and exercising and watching what I do eat more carefully. That is the only answer. I still think the drugs ( Paxil, Nori and verapamil) are helping me gain weight, and add NO SMOKING to the mix, and it’s amazing I haven’t gained more than about 15 lbs.
Jamie. movie stars use it the way I used to. It works when you are in your 20’s and 30’s but smoking is an awful thing for your body and skin etc. so those movie stars better watch out.
Anne, I am glad you have NO SYMPATHY for me!!! I was just venting about missing my morning coffee and a cigarette. But, I totally agree with you, and everything you said. My family is thrilled that I no longer smoke . So am I. Thank you for your post. It helped me. hugs! Meredith
Meredith -
Chocolate is not addictive (well, the little caffeine in it may be), but in a way I do understand some of what you’re going through. I LONG for chocolate, though my brain hasn’t been altered in the way yours has, so you truly crave and feel drawn to that cig in ways us non-smokers can’t fully understand.
But it’s so great that you have quit, as hard as it was to do!! Your loved ones now stand a very good chance of having you around a few years longer. Sometimes addicts don’t care about that so much, but their loved ones sure do. I hope that your family’s happiness about your quitting is something that you can hold on to when the cravings get tough. And hopefully the cravings will get weaker and have less power as time goes by.
Being thin does not equal being healthy. A few extra pounds are distressing, but I hope your improving health status and happier family make up for it!
Dear Mary Alice,
Those were such nice thoughts you shared with me. Thanks! I DO feel happy and free, not smoking. I feel cleaner, too. I love brushing my teeth more than ever and they look nice and white and gleaming. Feels good. I do not crave smokes too much, but sometimes in the morning, when Dale is having coffee, I just feel deprived, but only for a few minutes.
They say that when one door closes on you, another opens for you to walk through. I COULD look at this MAV and how horribly we have all suffered from it, and see how it led me to no longer smoke and how THAT could make me live longer and better, for my big family and children and grandkids etc. So, it always comes down to responsibility. We have to take charge and be responsible in our lives, with smoking and exercising and also in trying to figure out MAV, work on it, strive to get better, search out the best Dr’s, and then try all and anything to see what works and what makes us “well”. Being responsible is what people in my country ( usa) need to do more, i.e housing, credit cards, spending, voting, THINKING, using logic. ( enough).
Hope all is well with you, Mary Alice and have you found a good substitute for chocolate? Rice Krispie squares?? blonde brownies?? Meredith
I’m glad not smoking works for you as wel as it does, craving or none.
I’ve been an adamant non-smoker for many years. Even when I was using pot, toward the end I’d eat in in spaghetti sauce. Gave up my occasional use of pot in a swap with my sweetheart for her giving up her occasional cig.
Last week I was in Reno, NV for a conference that used a casino hotel complex. Lots of smoking there. None in our meeting rooms, and none permitted in the gaming areas where children are allowed. Unfortunately, smoke travels.
I have to say that for me, too, smoke seems to be a trigger.
Meredith I feel like that with coffee and onion and citrus and yeast and gluten and chocolate and…I miss it all. Actually I am amazed that I miss chocolate less than I miss something like pizza. But all I have to do is think about how awful I felt when all this started and I WON’T go back for a few tasty treats…just not worth it to me. I’ve never been a smoker. I understand the addiction part but do admit I can’t stand the stench…and the cost is prohibitive in most places. I hope you are treating yourself to something with the money you are saving 
Smoking is certainly not a good habit, but I think we (myself included) truly need to worry about all the junk and crap we put into our bodies. Obesity leads to diabetes and many awful things like heart disease, joint disease, and the like. Luckily we can’t get second hand calories from others, but I would bet most of us have bad habits that aren’t very good for us. Good for you for being able to tackle one of yours!!
Teddypan, I had a glass of orange juice and after about 30 minutes, I had the hardest vertigo attack I have had in a long time. That was about a month ago. I love orange juice and citrus of any kind. No more. I love Pizza, too. I remember too well how sick I was, just as you remember. I know so many people that have more to deal with than I do, with this MAV. I have a friend right now, that just found out they have stage 4 lung cancer and have about 6 months to live. I have a lady friend that has such bad arthritis, that her little fingers are curled up and ache so bad she cries. So many people have much more to deal with, than I do. I can gladly NOT smoke or NOT eat pizza.
I was venting, and now I am ashamed of myself for even complaining at all about such small things. But, thanks for the responses. I love hearing from you and hearing things that you went through with MAV. Makes me feel a part of something that we all share.
DAVID, I smoked pot ONCE or TWICE a long time ago, when I was a hippy. My little bro is still smoking pot every night after dinner. A few “hits” as he says. Very bad for him, I’m thinking. I’m glad you gave it up and your sweetie isn’t smoking either.
Spinning lady,
I gave up smoking only a few months ago so I know what you are going through. I can honestly say that it made no difference to my migraines or dizziness. Lots of other things do, but not the smoking, in fact I have been worse since giving it up. I really miss smoking too, especially in stressful times. I read all sorts of things about feeling so much better giving up cigarettes but I can honestly say its made no difference to my health whatsoever, apart from more dizziness and migraine! My husband gave up 11 years ago and he says he feels no difference either. Now the orange juice or chocolate could easily give me a vertigo attack.
Spinach has given me vertigo!
I put on 5 pounds at the start but have lost it and I am back to the same weight I was when I smoked but have had to cut down quite a bit on the amount I eat.
Although I dont smoke now, I would never “have a go” at anybody who smoked as its an addiction and anyway, if someone wants to smoke, its their choice. I have known some non smokers who had far worse personality traits than some of the smokers I have known. Nobody is perfect. Dont let anyone make you feel ashamed for venting.
Pot David, you little tinker, never knew that, yeh “bring it on” only kidding, never tried the stuff, but hey! live and let live.
Christine
Christine, you have my congratulations on giving up smoking. This said, there’s at least two possibilities to explain how giving up cigs made no difference with you. One is that they aren’t a trigger for you. The other is that they’re a trigger, but you’re still exposed to something else that’s a trigger for you, or more likely, a number of other triggers, and they’re masking any relief. What’s your guess?
And yes, I’m aware that “tinker” is the refined version of “stinker”; I wouldn’t dream of arguing the point.
Thankyou David, must admit, I do feel quite pleased with myself for giving up. I think its some other trigger that is making me worse, not quite sure what. I had times, when I smoked that I felt a lot better than I do now. I never felt that smoking was a trigger for me.
“Tinker is the refined version of Stinker” :lol:
Christine
I meet a friend who suggested pot for migraines. He was very convincing. I think I pass…
Spinning Lady;
I felt the same way when I quit smoking 7 years ago, when I got pregnant. I think it is the same feelings whatever the cause is you quit… In 2 years you do not want to try it anymore I promise. I do dream I smoke all the time!?
Hi Line,
Dreaming about smoking? lol I am glad you quit and I believe you ( maybe) when you say I won’t want one, after 7 years. It might take that long. BUT, I am not smoking, can’t smoke literally CAN’T do it, so it’s all good and my kids love me again. !! Sometimes, if I am at the movies and someone lights up on screen, my first impulse is to leave my seat and go out for a smoke. ha! That is soooooo bad. But, I don’t.
I didn’t get that about spagetti sauce so glad it got explained. duh