Quit smoking leads to severe digestion problems...

After 20 years of smoking, I quit nearly 3 years ago. I am STILL suffering severe digestive (IBS,bloat, constipation) issues. Ive gained 35 lbs and can't seem to stop it from piling on. Does anyone have a time frame with which to use as a marker when this might begin to improve or how to add more fire to the gut?

Probiotics helped me a little...but far from back to normal

fasting, or "eating" only vegetables and fruit juice(no fiber) can stop the pain.

Hi, my story is further back. Quick re-cap: i'm age 45 - smoked for 27 years then I stopped smoking almost 3 years ago and overnight started suffering with chronic constipation, bloating etc etc. I also started dieting alongside stopping smoking to avoid any weight gain so didn't have that problem. Had a colonoscopy last year which was all clear. 3 or 4 months ago I went back to docs for maybe the 10th time, saw a different doctor and was given Amitriptyline for nerve pain in the stomach. This is a very low doseage of 10mg per night and I have to say I've noticed a huge difference! My stomach has settled significantly compared to what I was dealing with. Also my constipation is slowly decreasing, not perfect yet but the last 4 or 5 weeks I have managed to go to the loo which since I stopped smoking did not happen at all without using laxatives.
So in answer to your question - it's been a very long 3 years! I hope you find solutions sooner rather than later!

I quit 15 months ago using E-cig which I still use after some 40 years of smoking. About 4 months in, there was slight weight gain although no change in diet or physical exercise. By 6 months, I had gained nearly 30 pounds. Noticed other symptoms which at first I attributed to age, etc. but eventually led me to suspect hypothyroidism (hair loss, cold intolerance, weight gain, tendonitis, lack of energy, achyness, dry skin, digestive issues to name a few). Tested twice - no thyroid issues but some of you might look into this. Apparently, it is not uncommon to develop hypothyroidism after quitting. All other tests were normal except low Folic Acid which I am supplementing now for the past month but all symptoms and depression remains. Not sure if the depression is related to the smoking cessation or due to feeling like c**p for a year with no signs of it getting better. I'm about to try a good probiotic to see if it helps. Reading all of these posts depresses me even more knowing it can still go on for years. I keep telling myself this misery is better than dying one day with emphysema but it's hard. No longer can enjoy going out to dinner or anything that involves eating. If I could survive without ever eating again, I believe I might try it!

Thank you- I totally relate to your story...Still on the fence whether to start smoking again after 5 months off- this weight, bloating and constipation is just baffling sometimes...

Hello everyone... Good for all of you for quitting! I quit smoking 5 years ago and went through a strange series of gastro-issues which took several years to sort out. I also gained extra pounds for the first time in my life, some of which I am still trying to lose. I always felt that these issues were related, but no one in the medical field ever told me they were. I kept being told my stomach and weight issues were stress-related and age-related. However, just recently, I discovered (to my delight) that there is a definite connection between quitting-smoking and gut-health. Listen up!

There is a huge, new wave of scientific data showing how much gut-bacteria influences our health and now there are new studies specifically connecting GUT ISSUES with QUITTING SMOKING. YES.

Here’s what the latest research says: When you quit smoking your intestinal flora changes DRASTICALLY. Numerous studies have now proven that this bacterial shift can result in digestive issues, weight changes, and a host of other intestinal problems. It's all very connected. The good news is: getting your internal-microbes back in balance seems to be the key to renewed health after quitting smoking.

The not so good news is since these studies are relatively new, scientists and health practitioners cannot (yet) provide a precise, fix-it-recipe that will get ex-smoker’s intestines balanced overnight. Also, everyone’s internal floral-recipe for health is different. From the research I have seen, it looks like the main microbes (protobacteria, bacteroidetes, firmicutes, actinobacteria) need to be set in a certain balance for optimum health.

So, with this said, you (like I did) will need to work to get your gut flora back in order through trial and error with various probiotics/diet changes/supplements. I also recommend getting the help of an experienced Nutritionist or Naturopathic Physician who can help you pace and monitor your progress.

But the main thing is to know there is definitely a connection between gut health and smoking cessation. I am sorry that more people here have not seen these very relevant studies and are being told their gut and smoking issues are unrelated. It can be so frustrating to be on a health-roller coaster that makes no sense. I was there. I hope you find renewed optimism. Please don't give up.... and definitely don't go back to smoking (it's so devastating to your body in so many other ways).

All the best.

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Good Afternoon All

I stopped smoking almost 9 months ago as I stopped on 4 June due to me having the flu at the end of May. Woke up the morning of my daughter's birthday, 4 June and lit a cigarette and could hardly suck in the smoke. Told myself "why are you even trying to smoke, give it up". Well there and then I stopped and 9 months later I have never looked back or missed my cigarettes at all and have never craved. My husband smokes in my company but I never get tempted as I always have told myself "don't need it, don't want and even if someone wants to pay me I will not smoke". Well it must be a mental thing as I never miss smoking at all. Now the problem comes to me feeling fine the first few months stopping cold turkey but then the "hell" started. I first started having this fullness feeling on my stomach with a hardness and pushing up into my throat and up to and below my ears. Like someone is choking me behind my ears. I think that was August onwards and also I picked up 10 kilograms since I stop smoking. Went to doctor and they told me I have acid reflux. Well since then I
got a very bad bout of Hives for the first time in my life for almost a month. That was really awful then I got itchy eyes and now I am still suffering so bad with the digestive problems with my stomach hard and bloated and windy all the time. I know that I am suffering for months now and look like I am pregnant I still do not want to start smoking again. Just so fed up feeling sick and nothing fits and have spent thousands of rands on doctors and still feel the same ole' same ole' 9 months later.

Yes yes yes. Thank you. There is hope. Quit 5 months ago. Feel so sore and bloated. Taking drugs to reduce acid and not working. But I had quit once before and it took a year to year and a half for stomach and body inflammation to go down. Exercise was helpful. Thank you for your posts. I have have hope now

Hi every one

thank you so much for this! I have been vaping and so confused by the digestive symptoms ive had since cutting back, and now quitting, cigarettes. ive quit before and never had these symptoms before, only the cough, which i dont have now. i guess i was a lot younger then haha.

Has it gotten better?

its kind of a relief really reading these posts even though not really a nice thing to have to go through im glad i can put all the wierd pains and bloatyness down to quitting smoking and not something more serious its crazy how drastically your digestion changes when quiting smoking but its worth it i gguess in the long run,,, be healthy guys

Like others have written, I'm relieved to have found this topic & message board. Nice to know I'm not crazy or alone.

It's been 3.5 months since my last cigarette. Like others here, had the flu and lost the desire to smoke after 30 plus years. I seized the opportunity. However, while great emphasis is placed on why you should quit, NO ONE tells you about all the side effects! Nicotine withdrawal seems to be the least of the issues and most easily addressed with safe replacements. 

Most recently, my stomach has been acting up which isn't helped by constant anxiety. I'll keep plugging along now knowing it's not unusual. 

Thanks to everyone for sharing their stories. It's much appreciated. 

I almost grabbed a cigarette with my daughters urging because I've been so sick the last 3.5 months of quitting, constipation, bloating , pain, and I could go on. I am 64 yrs old and have smoked for over 51 years. Quit January 14, 2017 ! Finding this web site has helped as I now know I am not alone! Been through all the tests including colonoscopy, acute diverticulitis, etc. Sick of it! Why is it DR's can't tell you honestly 'this is from quitting smoking', before they charge you all your $avings on tests! I have no urge to go back to smoking but am tired of the pain. Would love to hear from people that have smoked a long time and have been through this type of 'quitters flu' and are still not smoking (how long did it take?) Thank you in advance, especially you, Grandprix!