Quit smoking leads to severe digestion problems...

Grandprix · Newbie Joined: 05 Mar 2007 Posts: 2

I am 67 years old and quit smoking 24 months ago after puffing away for 50 years.
Ever since I stopped smoking, I have developed severe digestive problems (vomiting, diarrhea, bloating). I eat and 3-5 hours later, I throw up or fill up with gas. All foods are a problem. I am down to eating only soup. Weight is way down.
Have been tested for everything: Crohns', gall bladder stones, colonoscopy, etc. Was recently found to be lactose intolerant but feel that this is a red herring. At my age, I don't exactly gorge up on milk and milk derivatives.
I suspect that my gut flora is (totally) out of whack but could that be related to smoking? Anybody out there has any idea?

markseagoe · Newbie Joined: 15 Apr 2007 Posts: 5

I was 41 in Dec 05 when I had a severe flu, and because of the pain, was able to quit smoking. I had been smoking for around 25 years, average of a pack per day. I think within a month I noted GERD symptoms beginning. In Mar 06 when I first noted joint pain in one finger. After a few doc visits, I was sent to a bone doc, who xrayed the joint, and said there was no joint. It was disintegrated. Arthritis. My theory is that smoking does something to damage your collagen. Maybe making more collagen around the time I was sick caused my immune system to attack the collagen? Maybe not. Maybe GERD is also an autoimmune disorder?

I am able to control the indigestion acid if I eat just fruit for breakfast, control lunch to veggies and a little starch only, and for dinner eat only veggies and lean, medium done, high grade steak. I cannot digest almost any oils or greases, especially not butter or soy oils.

Mark

markseagoe · Newbie Joined: 15 Apr 2007 Posts: 5

Maybe I should start smoking again? Less likely to get esophagal cancer.

Mark

Quit smoking leads to severe digestion problems...

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