beware TMI--BM's since quitting smoking

[crazygirl1]

ok sorry in advance for the TMI-but it IS the issue. I quit smoking 7 1/2 weeks ago using the patch ( I'm still on the patch, step 2) and my BM's have been different. Lil background for those who dont remember...I lost my mom to colon ca 10 yrs ago, had a colonoscopy in Aug 09 ( 4 benign polyps removed, dr. said repeat in 3 yrs.) Soo due to family history...I'm always "on top" of my bm's-I guess because of my HA -I dont wanna miss a thing that could be a warning or precursor...get what I mean? So before when I smoked ( and yes they say smoking contributes to colon ca) I was pretty regular, and of course always looking for ways to add more fiber, more..health. I went every day and if I missed a day I'd get a little nervous ( which ya'll nervousness "makes" ya go) Now that I'm not smoking I've gone 3-4 days without a BM, this has happened twice in the 7 weeks. Also once or twice I've gone 2 days without one. SO you see my system is changing without all that smoke & the chemicals they put into cigarettes. This is a good thing in a way-means my bodys adjusting to life without those chemicals. BUT-knowing my family history---is it JUST that my body is adjusting to life without chemicals from cigarettes?? Or is it changing...meaning changing in the direction of ca...? A part of me is telling me that it's just adjusting to life without the crap from smoking and that it will just take a while to find a new normal. But the HA part of me is whispering  scarey things...my next colonoscopy is supposed to be Aug 2012....without smoking I'm very curious to see if they find NO polyps this time..or will they find something worse?
I've been doing pretty good with my HA since I've stopped smoking, but this-this worry about ca....it will just never leave me alone completely. Especially since I've got family history ....

[mjd30]

Smoking plays havoc on our bodies and it irritates your intestines. It acts as stimulant which could be why you were going so regularly. when I quit.....but unfortunately I've started back up again...ugh! I had changes in BMs as well. IIRC, it took several months for me to get back to "normal" and from what I have read, it can take around 8-12 weeks to feel "normal" again.

I think it is only natural to have the worry of colon CA in the back of your mind. It does run in your family, and everyone....even those without HA worry about their health. The important thing is to not let it consume you. Just keep an eye on things for the next several weeks or so. You know, you may never get back to having the same bowel habits that you when you were smoker and that would be okay. Not everyone actually goes everyday and it is normal. Are you still eating the fiber? Drinking plenty of water? Maybe try adding some prune juice. Tastes nasty imo but it works. Lol.

[floridaguy65]

Hi CG:) So proud of you for not smoking!:) It's getting easier for you, too, I imagine as you can feel the positive benefits in your mind and body....so keep on getting healthier each and every day!:)

You had a colonoscopy...so you're in the clear...NO colon cancer:) You have another scheduled in '12...so no worrries about CC!:)

I had a Doc tell me, when I had CC worries, that "normal" BMs can be 3 times a day or once every 3 days...we are all different and even one individual's BMs can greatly flucuate from time to time due to stress and other life factors. You're doing GREAT! Keep on keepin on:) Feel Well:)

[CrownofThorns]

is it JUST that my body is adjusting to life without chemicals from cigarettes??

Absolutely. I haven't smoked since Sunday, and right now I'm dealing with head zaps and queasy stomach. My husband even read some sources that said nicotene withdrawal can cause palpitations and anxiety. This is a chemical addiction just like anything else that's considered a chemical addiction, so the withdrawal symptoms can sometimes be crazy. I notice I have more bowel movements when I smoke, it's just the nicotene aggravating your digestive system.

[crazygirl1]

Hi CG:) So proud of you for not smoking!:) ---Thanks Floridaguy-that really feels good to hear that, I never realized how much it would:)


You had a colonoscopy...so you're in the clear...NO colon cancer:) You have another scheduled in '12...so no worrries about CC!:)--Really-you think no need to worry?? I've read that co. ca can be missed though especially on the side they dont get to as well. I guess I've been thinking-they say it takes about 10 yrs for it to develope, so my mom was 62 when diagnosed, she had it back when she was 52 or so...I'm 39. I keel thinking only about 10 yrs until it's me...not a good way to think. Thinking this way CANT be healthy.

I had a Doc tell me, when I had CC worries, that "normal" BMs can be 3 times a day or once every 3 days...we are all different and even one individual's BMs can greatly flucuate from time to time due to stress and other life factors. ----

So really-i dont have to go every day to be normal? How will I know whats normal for me then? A big way to know if something happening in the bad ( as in ca...) direction is when you notice a change. This is a big change. I can tell myself its due to my body re-adjusting to a cleaner lifestyle but then how long until I know I'm normal...how would I know if something bad was happening?
I've been eating pretty well, I'm not perfect that way ( or any other way LOL) but I went on the metamucil website & took a quiz-it says I should be getting 25 grams of fiber each day. When you think about it and do the math with your food in your hand, reading the labels...it's actually harder to reach fiber goals then you'd think. I've got to add more...although some articles you read say it isnt for saure that a good amount of fiber can help prevent co. ca....what are we to believe then? SO in the meantime I"m reading, trying to figure out how to add even more...i'm only at about 15-20 ( 20 is a good day!) and freaking pears take sooo long to ripen LOL

[mjd30]

Hi CG:) So proud of you for not smoking!:) ---Thanks Floridaguy-that really feels good to hear that, I never realized how much it would:)


You had a colonoscopy...so you're in the clear...NO colon cancer:) You have another scheduled in '12...so no worrries about CC!:)--Really-you think no need to worry?? I've read that co. ca can be missed though especially on the side they dont get to as well. I guess I've been thinking-they say it takes about 10 yrs for it to develope, so my mom was 62 when diagnosed, she had it back when she was 52 or so...I'm 39. I keel thinking only about 10 yrs until it's me...not a good way to think. Thinking this way CANT be healthy.

I had a Doc tell me, when I had CC worries, that "normal" BMs can be 3 times a day or once every 3 days...we are all different and even one individual's BMs can greatly flucuate from time to time due to stress and other life factors. ----

So really-i dont have to go every day to be normal? How will I know whats normal for me then? A big way to know if something happening in the bad ( as in ca...) direction is when you notice a change. This is a big change. I can tell myself its due to my body re-adjusting to a cleaner lifestyle but then how long until I know I'm normal...how would I know if something bad was happening?
I've been eating pretty well, I'm not perfect that way ( or any other way LOL) but I went on the metamucil website & took a quiz-it says I should be getting 25 grams of fiber each day. When you think about it and do the math with your food in your hand, reading the labels...it's actually harder to reach fiber goals then you'd think. I've got to add more...although some articles you read say it isnt for saure that a good amount of fiber can help prevent co. ca....what are we to believe then? SO in the meantime I"m reading, trying to figure out how to add even more...i'm only at about 15-20 ( 20 is a good day!) and freaking pears take sooo long to ripen LOL

I'm still fairly young...32 but had a bout of diverticulitis and was told to up my fiber intake to around 25G a day...and yes! Very difficult to do. I eat fiber one cereal in the am and it gives me about half of the days fiber. Also, the oat and peanut butter fiber one bars actually taste pretty good. MY GI doc had recommended metamucil pills if I couldn't make my goals, and let's face it...there are some days when it is just too darn hard! It gets old eating the same thing every morning for breakfast!

Avocados are a good source of fiber. Not sure if you like gaucamole but that has become a fave snack of mine. Artichokes are good as well. Another thing I do is add raspberries or blueberries to my yogurt as they are also good sources of fiber. There is also lentil soup and beans. I have an awesome vegetarian chile recipe that I got off line. I made it and my hubby liked it just as much as regular chile and it is packed with fiber. LEt me know if your interested in the recipe.

ETA: I feel kinda motivated to quit smoking again in reading this post. I have the patches already so I just need to do it. Anyway...thanks for the unintentional nudge to try again!

[crazygirl1]

i read that the fiber one products are really "processed" and processed isnt good for colon "health" lol sounds silly...
I think I'll just keep trying to get more fiber naturally, the berries & stuff. THanks for the chili rec but my husband wont touch it if it doesnt have meat.


**Put the patch on & dont look back. Its the best thing you can do for your health-body mind & soul:)
It's amazing-i used to rush to clean up after dinner getting the dishes done & stuff so I could rush outsude to smoke. The other day I found myself playing with my daughter and realized-wow-it hasnt even crossed my mind. I think i've replaced that after dinner smoke ( or 2 or 3 depending on my anxiety that day) with grabbing something extra for a snack after supper-like I'll grab an apple or kiwi or something and it's become my replacement. I eat it and move on to either playing or watching tv or reading to my daughter...weird. All my life it seems has revolved around getting that next smoke. In planning my "quit" i worried what would I do without that but it seems it hasnt been an issue. I hank God for that every day.
I'm going back to re-read your fiber stuff again to see what I can handle LOL thanks mjd30-I appreciate any tips:)