I quit smoking about 18 months ago and struggled with the bad guts for about a year before I went to the doctor. After a bunch of tests and finally a colonoscopy I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease. My GI specialist tells me that it is not uncommon for ex smokers to develop crohns as the nicotine used to control it and when you stop the nicotine you get the flare up of the disease. If your symptoms are anything like those of crohns I would urge you to get it checked I out as it needs treatment or can be serious.
I posted this five months ago, and am happy to report that I've successfully tackled A) the smoking and B) the digestive issues. Everyone's bodies are different, but here's what worked for me. 1) Carbonated water: don't ask why. I have no idea whatsoever why this worked for me, but it did. I drink about 2 liters a day of the stuff (much to the chagrin of my dentist) and it relieves the stomach pressure as I burp up the gas. Dunno. Hopefully it works for some of you. It's harmless enough to -- at the very least -- try. 2) Colace: I consulted with a number of doctors on this one. My college roommate is an MD and he posited my question to the staff in the gastro dept of his hospital. The unanimous consensus was Colace. And for me (again, it won't necessarily work for everyone), it worked. I had used stool softeners the first time, but apparently Colace is the go-to stool softener. For those of you experiencing severe constipation, be careful. The warning I got from the doctors is that severe constipation is potentially even lethal, so be diligent about your health and make sure you stay in close contact with your doctor(s). I feel great now and am off the Colace and fizzy water, but man oh man was that a painful process. Who'd have ever thought that the most severe symptom of withdrawal of smoking cessation was going to be being filled with poop for 6 weeks?! Best of luck to you all, and hopefully this post helps at least one of you. And to the person who posted that nasty message about "stop complaining, make healthier decisions, and deal with it", F-you buddy! We're doing the best we can with the current set of cards in our hand, and putting us down because of previous stupid decisions we have made is unproductive, uncalled for, and worthy of a knee to your groin.
Obviously, you have never smoked a day in your life. You need to pull your head out of your rear and learn for yourself or do research. I have taken supplements, eaten right, exercised all the while and I have a lot of the problems that these other people are now complaining about.
Vitamin supplements you whish they take definitely compound the complaint. Read up. I quit smoking and felt so good I began taking supplements. THAT fried my stomach and I quit yet a few days later, that is today, beans are frying my stomach and I never had trouble before. I will keep waiting. Probably be fine in a few more daze.
I quit smoking cigs back in January with the help of the e-cig. A month into smoking the e-cig, I got some severe heartburn problems. I let this go on for about a month before going to the doctor. He gave me some antiacid medication and my heartburn went away.
A few days ago I started having severe constipation and bloating issues. My stomach was in pain and I would even get muscle twitches. I am relieved to know I am not the only person having issues with this. I feel like I have to defecate but every time I sit on the toilet, fart, and a pebble comes out. Not very satisfying considering I used to have a healthy movement every day.
When I am not constipated I have intense diarreah. Just a couple days ago I have extreme stomach pain followed by a lengthy visit to the bathroom. Seems my body was ridding itself of all that blocked food (LUCKILY I WAS AT HOME!). Now I am back to the constipation.
I am hoping it clears itself up soon, although by reading these posts it seems like I will be in for the long haul.
You tell 'em LondIslandLolita!!!!!!!!!!!! I agree wholeheartedly with everything you said!! Having just recently started to wean off, it is very encouraging to learn that others have experienced the same struggles, NOT so encouraging to hear the condescending tone of our dear "guest" above. Thanks for posting Lolita!!!!
Hello everyone!!! You are all absolutely right. I feel much better knowing I am not the only one with digestive problems caused by smoking cessation. I quit 4 months ago and I have constipation and bloating problems that in turn generated an ana fissure. I do hope, as some have commented, my digestive system will be better over time as it adjusts to living without depending on smoking. The best of luck and health to all of you. NO matter what the withdrawal symptoms, quitting is worth it. I am happy to know I am free.
Really glad to have stumbled on this thread. I quit smoking in September 2012 and have been using Ecigs since then. Had most of the symptoms you guys have described and to be honest I put it down to vaping. Since reading this from start to finish started a course of these and now about 10 days in.
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My bloating and gas has improved massively so far, just hoping it's gone by the end of the course. Will post up and let you all know at the end if it's worked or not
I have however discovered a new definition of urgency!
HANG IN THERE PEEPS! Quitting smoking can be HELL! But don't worry...it will all get better! I quit smoking on 01/25/13 and from then on, experienced every single withdrawal symptom...coupled with the insurmountable stress and anxiety due to my dad's passing away in Jan 18,2013. I thought i was gonna literally die. I would eat out and end up throwing up at the parking lot several times and rushed to the ER 3 times! Had EKGs twice at the ER and once at my doctor's...did blood tests...and guess what, nothing is wrong with me! Only if they knew the sh*t i was going thru. On the second month, I was having a bad acid reflux and blurred vision. Went to my doctor and was prescribed Prilosec 40mg for the acid in my stomach and clonopin .25mg for anxiety attacks....Went to my eye doctor and was given a prescription reading glass for the computer and ipad but ultimately, nothing was wrong with my eye sight.. I thought i was going nuts! the first 3 months were the hardest for me....I would go to the track and walk and run alternately....and everything was fine until i think i get anxiety attacks....had to beat that sh*t...so i always take deep breaths...since i quit smoking, i could never start my day without eating breakfast....and that i have to eat small meals every 3 hours...drink a lot of water and get a lot of rest and sleep.....and now im on my 5 1/2 month mark, i feel WAY BETTER.....except for when time passes by and i forget to eat.....i feel all the symptoms crawling in my system but i beat it by eating regularly and walking.
Here's a list of the all the stuff i took and still take when i feel the symptoms:
Acid reflux:
Prilosec - take it first thing in the morning before eating anything
Yakult - pro biotic, food digestion (check asian stores)
Tums - if you have acid reflux spells during the day
PEPTO BISMOL - My stomach loves this thing! Chew 2 tabs before or after any meal when u feel bloated.
Anxiety attacks:
Clonazepam .25mg - would also make you sleep well.
Brain health:
Vitamin B complex plus C - boost brain health and immune system
Constipation:
Colace - better than any other laxatives.
Food:
a lot of veggies and lean meat. eat regularly. :-)
The withdrawals would spell H E L L but look at the brighter side....things can only get better...think of the things that you would and can do by taking smoking out of the equation. You did the most important thing....that is to quit....forge ahead and good luck! :-)
I forgot to mention the ff:
Pineapple chunks are good for digestion and relieves the acid and stomach from going berzerk. This is good for snacking.
Diet Ginger Ale does wonders after eating a good meal.
There ya go...Good luck to all who quit smoking! :-)
I suspect this post is coming from a non-smoker. Not an ex-smoker. But a person who has never had the habit. I quit in March after 17 years of smoking. I can assure, as could anyone who read the ingredients in a pack of cigarettes, they make you poop. i am experiencing all of the terribly uncomfortable and embarrassing symptoms that everyone else is posting here, besides our little elitist here, and it is no joke. So before you go casting judgment on "smokers", and blame it on "those" people living in some sort of bubble because they smoke, check the ingredients, check a few more blogs or sh*t even research, and then shut the f**k up. It must so lonely being you.
I too am very happy to find these posts. Not that I am happy for those of you dealing with these symptoms after quitting smoking, but happy to know that I am not alone in this. I am now a non-smoker after 30 years. Going on 3 weeks now and it is getting easier day by day. However, the stomach issues started almost immediately for me. Bloating and gas and I do mean HORRIBLE smelling gas. Sorry to be so technical but it has a strong sulfer (rotten egg) smell. I asked my Dr. if this is due to quitting and he got this puzzled look and said he could not say but instead he suggested that if I am eating more due to quitting, the extra food can cause gas. Well of course that makes sense and I made a point to ignore my growling stomach and when it gets too bad I drink lots of water. However, when I DO eat....I still have the stinky gas problem so I am consistantly eating Beano, Gas-X, and Pepto Bismol tablets because the doc told me that Pepto Bismol will help with the smelly gas. I guess this will just have to run its course but it surely is uncomfortable and at times very embarrassing. If anyone else has any helpful suggestions, I would really appreciate it.
Thank you so much for this reply. Seriously. Very very seriously. I really do believe that the mind, spirit, and body naturally want to move towards healing. That's why we feel the "push" inside to make ourselves quit smoking and choose life. Thank you for your comment! It doesn't "only get worse", it gets real, we learn to live life healthier, and then it gets better. <3