I quit smoking but now constantly feeling sick. Anyone know what is going on?

Question

I quit smoking over a year ago but my breathing hasn't improved at all. In fact, I constantly get asthma-type symptoms. On top of that, I get moderate acid reflux and my appatite is severly deminished. I have a hard time stomaching 2 meals a day. If I eat to much or too quickly, I get reflux-induced asthma. It is really detrimenting my life. To make matters worse, I have borderline gastroperesis. Because fo that, I am stuck in the house most of the time, and traveling is really hard because I have to know where bathrooms are, constantly! I can barely drive for 5 minutes without needing a bathroom unless I make sure that I have nothing in my stomach before I leave. At the same time however, if there is nothing in my stomach, I get more reflux. Its a no-win situation. Does anyone else have these problems? Has anyone found something that helps? Reglan, the only medication on the market, does not work for me, I am allergic to it. Does anyone know of any natural remidies?

Answer 1

Hi Nicholas,

I empathize. I feel I can help you on the digestive end of things. But I'm not a doctor and can't help you resolve your respiratory issues, or any other problems.

However, it sounds to me like you have IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) It's not serious, but often painful and uncomfortable.

Symptoms are constipation, diarrhea or both, bloating, gas, acid reflux, headaches etc

I've had it for over 20 years till 5 years ago when I began my own research.

Here are the remedies that worked for me.

high fiber cereal for breakfast,
probiotics at bedtime (a supplement)
enzymes (2 per meal)
eat slow and also better 5 small meals a day than 2-3 large ones
I usually drink a senna tea at night and drink 2-3 liters of alkaline water. (you can buy this in drops)

Very healing of anything.


ibstimes

Answer 2

Natural Quit Smoking Magic

Answer 3

There are TONS more meds than Reglan on the market, There is prilosec, pepcid, prolsid, tagamet, zantac and tons more. ALso you need to go find out what is really wrong. GERD is a symptom that needs to be diagnosed. You might have a hiatal hernia that is causing it. Also with the breathing that too needs to be diagnosed so go see a pulmonary doc. It sounds like you might have some COPD from your smoking before. Do not just chalk it up to asthma type symptoms as that is probably not the case. See your doc and find out what is causing the GERD and see a pulmonary doc to find out what is causing your breathing problems. Something is wrong but there is no way to know for sure till you get tested and diagnosed.

Answer 4

These are simply withdrawal symptoms. Take heart in knowing this is completely normal.

I had the same problem when I quit smoking.

Drinking tea helps and will regulate your digestive tract.
Try running to challenge your lungs and make them perform above their normal activity. They will compensate and improve with time.

Best of Luck!

Answer 5

You really sound like you have serious anxiety.
I have been doing a lot of reading over the past few weeks about anxiety and your symptoms seem to fit.
Maybe when you quite smoking you developed anxiety, which commonly happens.
Here are a few websites below.

Answer 6

Your body is reacting from the fact you are no longer smoking. It sounds like a withdrawal symptom and should go away over time. Make sure you get plenty of rest to help it go away faster.

Answer 7

Sounds to me like your body was damaged from the smoking. There is an acid reflux medicine you can take to avoid it. Talk to a doctor about your symptoms maybe your smoking hurt your lungs that they can not be repaired w/out medicine.

Answer 8

Quick Action Plan for Preventing and Treating Heartburn (Acid Reflux of GERD)
.

1. Conventional physicians recommend over-the-counter antacid medications for heartburn. Although these drugs can provide temporary relief, long-term use may be harmful, as they reduce the amount of stomach acids necessary for proper digestion and assimilation of food.

2. Screen for food allergies, which contribute to poor digestion, thus leading to heartburn. Avoid the following: foods you are allergic to, eating too many different types of foods at the same meal, drinking excess fluids during the meal, wolfing down food, or eating under stress.

3. Avoid overeating, do not eat acid forming foods, commercially-processed foods, overly spicy foods, refined sugars and carbohydrates, hydrogenated fats or oils, coffee, chocolate, sodas, excess alcohol, orange and grapefruit juice, tomato products, pasteurized milk or dairy products, and foods containing peppermint and spearmint.

4. Eat an organic whole foods diet, full of organic fresh green vegetables and green vegetable juices, especially freshly-made cucumber juice, which can provide instant relief. Free-range organic meats and poultry, and wild-caught fish are recommended. Drink plenty of pure, filtered water throughout the day.

Answer 9

i know it may be uncomfortable at first , but you need to purchase adult diapers, so that you can get out the house more. Go see a specialist and see what he/she can do for the symptoms you are faced with. Life has got to be miserable 4 you, but keeping yourself in the house is not going to make matters better.

Answer 10

Have you seen a pulmonologist??? You might ask your family dr if there is anything to be gained by seeing one.