My buddy has just been diagnosed with Bueger's Disease. He has had
peripheral vascular diease (PVD) for several years. He has also
smoked about 25-30 years. He is 49. He's had 2 by-pass surgeries in
the left leg, and to date, 2 toe amputations. Lately the top of his
left foot has become inflamed and the temperature of his foot cold.
Increased pain. He has continued smoking until now. He is
currently in the hospital and has stopped smoking -- "cold turkey" --
with no help from nicotine patches or Welbutin. As a non-smoker, I
do not suffer the addiction problem he has had so we could have been
more alerted to it before now.

My friend believes he has recently acquired Bueger's Disease even
though he's had vascular disease. I have wondered why doctors who
told him he has vascular disease didn't warn him about Bueger's
Disease, and that he might get it if he continued smoking.

I am wondering these questions:

1. relationship between Vascular Disease and Bueger's Disease --
does one preceed the other? .. or is part of the other?
2. has there been any association between Bueger's Disease and
Diabetis?
3. is there immediate improvement when smoking is stopped?
4. are you on a blood thinner, such as Coumadin?

I would appreciate replies. I have already printed many of your
messages and personal testimonies and gave them to my friend who is
in the hospital. I think he will want to join the group when he
returns home.

Thanks,
Mark
Washington, Dc