stopped smoking and severe stomach bloat

When I was smoking I found out some of the chemicals in cigarettes make you smoke , so think of all the chemicals we put in our bodies and blood streams, I too have had this problem , quit smoking for 7 months now. For some reason I'm chewing a lot of Gum as well?..... But I truly believe it's all the chemicals still working inside the body til they all our flushed out which in lungs I'm talking whole body.... means could be years before were healed. Remember it took years to put all this crud into us so, it will take time be patient, Pray and ask God to heal our bodies through exercise, etc.... And overcome this pain. I really really believe all the chemicals are evil and anything evil follows evil spirits so spiritually we have given our fleshly bodies to Satan and his tormenting. So we must overcome in name of Jesus and by his authority rid the evil one once and for all. When I was smoking I felt I was in a prison of addiction... Now I feel free but still fighting the next spiritual battle ?

So glad I found this topic... It makes me comforted to know that there are people whose symptoms improved after a period (even as long as 9 months), and also that there are people like me who after more than a year still have these symptoms. Surely ours will improve too, it may just take longer! I'm a fit 26 year old female who was a smoker for 8 years. It's been over 1 year and half since I quit, and I still suffer from bloating and flatulence. It's not as bad as in the weeks after quitting, but still bad enough that it dominates my life. The bloating occurs directly after eating anything, and feels like trapped gas. The flatulence tends to occur at night, I guess because I eat the most at dinnertime, and is severe once I am lying down in bed. This is greatly inconvenient, and means that I avoid sleeping with people, or even in the same room. I want my social/sex life back! I've been to a couple of doctors, who ruled out H. Pylori bacteria (a stomach infection which can cause gastritis) and suggested things that would help me alleviate the symptoms, everything from Aloe Vera to an IBS anti-spasm drug called Mebeverine Hcl. Any mention of IBS really irritates me, as it seems to be a blanket term that doctors throw around. I told them that I do not have stomach cramps or bowel irregularity (main symptoms of IBS), and yet they try to prescribe me a powerful anti-spasm drug? I'm reluctant to bother with any more GPs. The only helpful thing the doctors have told me is that there is no point in an endoscopy or colonoscopy, as I don't have any stomach or colon symptoms. It's literally just gas! I'm currently undergoing tests for too much/too little stomach acid, and SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth). I've ruled out all the main food intolerances (I am slightly less gassy if I reduce my gluten and dairy intake, but I'm still gassy so there's almost no point). If my stomach acid turns out to be normal, and I don't have SIBO, then I may have to assume it's a motility issue. As many have said, smoking stimulates the digestion, so now my gut may just be moving slower, which causes gas build-up. The question is, how long will it take to improve! A year and a half seems like an awfully long time. I will post back here with any findings. I thought it might be helpful if we shared our smoking habits and quitting times, to aid in seeing any trends. Mine: Smoker for: 8 years Cigarettes per day: 30 - 50 Time since quitting: 1 and a half years Symptoms: Trapped gas/bloating, flatulence

Yes I'm the same constantly bloating feel bla stomache way extended people saying it's all in yur head but it's not I feel puffy and I'm growing no matter eating clean and exercise so I will Try these digestive emzymes and Probiotics gotta And also I used to drink " George's aloe Vera juice axing stuff For any digestive or bowel disorder out there love it I need to get more it's miracle stuff!!!

I had the same problem and still haveing the bloated stomach problems I've gone from wearing meduim mens tops to extra extra large nothing stops the bloated stomach it's driving me mad it's pain full

I know exactly how you feel I had a flat stomach before giving up smoking,
It has been 2 years now and still I have a huge stomach its discusting it actualy
Sticks out larger than my bust, Believe it or not I really do not eat much either
At my wits end, How can it be healthy to give up smoking and carry all this extra weight on my stomach. help desperately needed

I am the same age as you and smoked 52 years, I have indigestion/heartburn with just about anything I eat. I can eat crackers, gingerale , almond milk, chicken noodle soup and a few other things, stomach is bloated, I haven't smoked in 15 months , I don't intend to start smoking again, It was cold turkey and horrible withdrawels for me. However I would like to be able to eat something, I have gained ten lbs. my stomach , under my breast looks like I am pregnant. That is the only place , I drink a lot of water, so it bloats me, I have COPD so you are blessed to not have that, please don't go back to smoking. I do have IBS, I would have thought no smoking would have helped it. I suggest almond milk, I too am lactose intolerant., sugar is a NO NO, , I tried the probiotics (align) brand. seemed to make it worse, I went to whole foods got stomach ease tea and have been drinking it. It has helped, try that.

Drinks lots of water. Take stool softeners eat apple sauce apples oranges stay away from white carbs eat chicken no red meats nicotine speeds up your digestive tract hang in there. These things are helping me our metabolism has slowed down and it will return so be patience and don't smoke

same here with the anxiety and
not being able to leave my house some days:/

I've stopped for almost two weeks and have also experienced the same horrible bloating. I took a hydrochloride supplement this morning and it's the best I've felt in the two weeks. Unfortunately, as many people have posted, smoking does speed up your system :-(. I think it's a matter of perservering as others have suggested. It seems unfair though not to be rewarded for doing something good!

Hi all, I too stopped smoking for three months now and was a smoker for near on 30 years on and off, reason being like everyone on this forum everytime i stopped I got the gas problem, real smelly horrible gas, also the stomach bloating, looking 9 months pregnant and not being able to fit into my clothes.. This time is even worse within weeks i have gained over a stone in weight despite visiting the gym daily for two hours at a time. Tehy say resistance training helps speed up the metabolism and burns more calories, which is what happened in the past however even doing this 4 times a week seems to be making no difference. I recently visited the doctor who tried to pass it off as IBS,which is what they tell everyone when they have no answers.. The truth seems to be that all the toxins we were putting into our systems are going to take some time to eliminate themselves. I have friends who have been through this and they have said its a matter of patience and persistance. the bloating and farting will go away, just stick to a simple diet and take regular exercise and lots of water. the ginger tea does help somewhat and Id definately reccomend trying.. I've decided to put up with the symptoms this time as i have gone back to smoking on to many occasions because of these symptoms, I no longer want to be a smoker and if this is what i have to endure for a time then I will.. Good luck on your journey's, I'm sure it will get better in time and even itself out..

For Stomach Bloating i relapsed into smoking thrice and every time after period of 8-10 days although the problem cropped up just after 48-72 hrs of quitting. 

i'd been smoking for approx 30 yrs and about a packet per day. Had  been to doctors who attributed stomach bloating ( especially worsening in evenings) to water retention , also researched internet on this topic every time but couldn't get any respite.

      HOWEVER this time so far following has worked and worked really well ....

1.   2-3 glasses of water in morning and then keeping drinking throught the day, surprisingly water retention gets reduced

2.   Importantly take PREBIOTIC and PROBIOTIC twice daily.. seems to be the panacea ..

3.    Vitamin B 6 tablets 

It really is working for me so far HOWEVER I'm only an ex- smoker and NOT medical guy.. please discuss with your GP

Please let me know if it works for you--    

All the very Best 

***this post is edited by moderator *** *** private e-mails not allowed*** Please read our Terms of Use

My bloating lasted for about 3 months but then it went away on it's own, nothing helps you just have to tough it out.... One thing that hasn't gone away is my constipation i went from going twice a day as a smoker to once every second or third day as a none smoker a year later... I still have a strong oral fixation and constantly want to snack but my will power has held up so far and kept me from gaining a bunch of weight... It would be easy to go back to smoking, but i would rather be uncomfortable than unhealthy....

wow OMG I quit it is 5 months after smoking for 32 years,,,ive gained 32 lbs and my stomach feels like a balloon ,, what happened since?

Ditto to this issue after quitting smoking.

Finally after reading this thread someone with some sense responds!! You m****s that are vaping are still getting nicotine Like the doc said nicotine is a diabetic!! Water, probiotics or fiber, cardio/exercise, detox, and more water! WATER! Stomach dissension is way better than nicotine use!!! Your body will soon return to homeostasis (which is your bodies internal thermostat)! Avoid salty/sodium rich products! Lastly if your appearance is a must but I don't recommend this as a long term solution you can try water reducing/retention pills which can be bought over-the-counter at Target or supermarkets and such. ~~sincerely RN/Combat medic, former smoker, chew, snuff, vapor, and nicotine free common sense dude!