Quit smoking leads to severe digestion problems...

Thank you for your input. I quit smoking 7 months ago. I smoked for 37 years about a pack a day. I suffer from bloating, acid reflux and heartburn. I forget it takes time for some to no longer have these crappy symptoms. I drink way too much coffee, and will cut way back. I keep forgetting the huge benefits of the simple action. Drinking water. my goal as of today is to drink a minimum of 97 ounces of water daily. I bet I feel a tone better real soon.

I am just over 7 months quit, age 55 and smoked for 37 years, approx one pack a day. I keep forgetting that these stomach issues are not just my issues. Thank you for reminding me that others who quit smokes are dealing with very similar digestion, bloating issues. It gives me the reminder to lay off c**p that encourages problems like coffee etc. And return to simple, rational decisions such as drinking a ton of water every day.

I am 7 months quit after 37 years of a pack a day and still suffering, a lot. How do you know the gas, bloating and other digestion problems will go away?

I quit using e-cigs and I agree. There was something other than nicotine that I've been craving. 3months clean! Strength to all who are Quit.

I agree totally with what you said..I too experiencing the exact same..I see it has been a year later..and luck with your situation?/ I have changed my diet to see if that helps

Pretty happy to see this post as I thought I had some sort of bowl cancer or some sh*t but I've found going for runs helps a lot any form of cardio gets the fire started and you'll sh*t out all that nasty built up inside quit 2 weeks ago

So I'm 18 yea its bad but I been smokin since I was 9 ... Half my life anyway I quit two months ago and I can't stop going to the bathroom its horrible and I get bad headaches and my fingers feel cold all the time I've been praying that it goes back to normal

I quit smoking two months ago after smoking for about 10 years. I've had a history of IBD-D for about 17 years and 3 years ago found that elimating certain complex sugars was the key to controlling my IBS and I found the answer to my life's biggest obstacle ... until I quit smoking. Now my gas is never ending and embarrassingly smelly, I either can't poop or can't stop pooping, and everything I cultivated for my new life is being put to the test. And my pants are getting uncomfortably tight. No winning. I've been staying within my diet guidelines and making better food choices to help control my weight but uncomfortable gas and, mostly, diarrhea persists. I'm wondering if this is worth my quality of life I had before?

I quit smoking 28 days ago. I am a 57 year old woman who has exercised daily, cardio and toning for several years. I occasionally drink but not on a regular basis. I eat healthy. So I thought how stupid this was that I was a smoker. It unfortunately was the generation I am part of. But now I am absolutely miserable! I have no problem with the not smoking. I wanted to quit and am doing great. It is the physical side affects that I am experiencing since quitting. I am severely constipated and gassy. I NEVER had this issue before. I was more than regular. After 2 weeks and approximately 8 days of not going I took a laxative. I have read up so much on what to do so this does not happen and I already do it all. I drink lots of water. I have only 2 cups of coffee in the morning, I increased my fiber, I take stool softeners etc. etc. I read that some say it only lasts a short time and others say they are suffering over a year later. There is so much contradiction in all these posts that I am reading. I just need relief and it seems that no one really has any set answers. Even doctors do not know what to do. I just know I cannot stand feeling like this every day. I know laxatives are not supposed to be taken often but what else is there? It seems all the natural remedies do not help most of those that have tried. Any advice please?!! I am desperate, but do not want to smoke again.

Its totally worth it. Now have to find new balance which would make your body even better then before. I know its hard but think about it as you have no choice. Its been three months that I quit smoking, month back I had cramping, upset stomach, abdominal pain, constipation. Also going through depression, anxiety etc.. etc.. My doctor thinks I am going crazy, family and friends laugh at me. Not sure what's happening, one day woke up with horrible back pain, other day with chest pain and every day with stomach issues.

None of it existed while I was smoking, I also thought several times smoking is worth it but its not if body has to do this much to readjust then smoking is not worth.

hope this helps and please try not to smoke again!!

Hi,sorry to hear your having problems. My issues are outlined further back in this thread. To recap - I'm 44 yr old female, smoked for 27 years and stopped 2 years ago. I still have major digestive problems, to the point where I thought I had bowel cancer etc. I went for a colonoscopy last year but was clean as a whistle. My issues are 100% down to stopping smoking - I've had chronic constipation for 2 years and can't 'go' without taking laxatives, also suffering from bloating etc. I've tried various natural remedies, high fibre foods, drinking water etc but I'm still looking for a cure. My doctor has said your body can take a long time to adjust when you quit smoking, its incredibly frustrating and I've had to learn to live with it! Not much advise for you but I feel your pain x

Not sure if this helps me to know that I am going to suffer for a very long time with this. I am afraid to go anywhere because of this. I am supposed to be going on vacation next month and am so nervous about it. If I do not eat, I am better with my stomach. As soon as I put something in it, it starts immediately. I just cannot take this. I will NOT go back to smoking at all. I am not sure how I am going to live with this but I guess I have no choice. If I am out with friends or at events or on vacation, I will not eat. I did change up my diet of foods and this has not helped so no eating at these times is my only solution. Thanks for your input. I truly appreciate it.

Sometimes it does help to know you're not alone! Its so hard to change your diet, I am like you in that no matter what I eat it doesn't agree with my stomach. The only time I felt truly ok was before my colonoscopy when I had no food from 1pm lunchtime til 6pm the following day. It seems stopping smoking also brings on a whole load of new food intolerances we previously did not have! I confess I have tried having the odd cigarette 1st thing in the morning to help me go to the loo and some days it does help, sadly it stinks and tastes awful but such is life! My doc told me to take daily laxatives which I refuse to, I take them 3 times per week only as I feel its not safe to rely on them forever. I really hope things get back to normal eventually for all of us.

Your right, it is better knowing I am not alone. Just wish the pain would go away. I was told by an oncologist that taking stool softeners and laxatives would be fine. She recommended that I take miralax 2 times a day along with the softeners and that has helped some. But the gassiness and pain is still bad. I was also told that olive leaf extract (pill form) really helps with constipation as well as many other things. Just wondering if you have tried it since you mentioned you had tried several natural remedies. Thanks again for you encouragement. I do not want to smoke again. I read a book by Allen Carr: Easy way to stop smoking. And it is amazing. I do not miss smoking one single bit. I love not being a slave to the nicotine monster anymore. That is all the reason for me never to smoke. If only I knew how bad it was destroying my body! I am going to have to get through this and just pray it is not forever.

I haven't tried olive leaf extract but I will, I'm at the stage where I need to try anything and everything, thanks for that! I see Boots have a drink version of this. Occasionally when I'm feeling super bloated I smoke a cigarette in the morning and sometimes (not always) it does get my bowels moving. This suggests something in the nicotine over the years has a natural laxative? As a smoker I often went to the loo after my 1st cigarette. From almost the day I stopped smoking my constipation started, it has been ongoing since. In fact I've had maybe 2 normal bowel movements in 2 years without the use of laxatives (I use dulcolax). I'm so uncomfortable with the thought of using laxatives daily - I've read horror stories about lack of bowel control with overuse etc. It's an extremely dibilitating condition to live with. I also tried stool softeners but no difference, my problem is not a normal type constipation, I just don't get the urge to go without the use of laxatives, honestly I could go for a week without the loo (even though i'm bloated etc). Sorry if too much info but I'm so over the embarrassment of this!