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Gut treatment questions

Messages
84
My doctor (who specializes in MTHFR, COMT etc) had me take an Organic Acids Test.

I have been trying for years to cure/improve my lifelong OCD, Anxiety and Depression. I have tried everything including medications and supplements and therapy.

The test came back - I am attaching.It showed high arabinose, markers for hippuric and 2-hydroxyphenyllacetic among other stuff

He wants me to address my gut. I am 35 years old. I have not taken a lot of antibiotics. I have asked him questions but haven't gotten responses to some of them. He wants me to follow a SIBO diet and take supplements.

My questions:
Does you stomach get upset while you are doing a "gut cleanup?"
Do you get upset stomach etc? Does the "die off" cause symptoms?
I asked him how long I'd have to be on it. He said that some people are on it for months but he doesn't know. I know that there are 10 day gut repairs. When do you know that you are "done?"
Do you have to adhere to an extreme SIBO diet when you are done? Can you just be sensible? Will the bad stuff come back?
I lived an unhealthy lifestyle for most of my life prior to this. As long as I am sensible is this a one time thing?

The strange thing about the test is that my Dopamine was high and other catecholamines were low. I did testing last year and Dopamine was fine/low and Adrenalin was high.

Another doctor told me that this test (urine) was useless and that I needed to get a stool test

I just don't want to be spending 500 bucks a month on vitamins. These DRs get ridiculous.

I am just looking for an idea of what to expect.

He wants me to follow the SIBO diet attached
Spectrazyme metagest multiple times a day http://redmountain.metagenics.com/mp/products/spectrazyme-metagest-formerly-metagest
UltraFlora Spectrum 2x a day http://redmountain.metagenics.com/mp/products/ultraflora-spectrum
Candibactin AR 3x a day http://redmountain.metagenics.com/mp/products/candibactin-ar
Candibactin BR 2x a day http://redmountain.metagenics.com/mp/products/candibactin-br
INF fighter 4x a day
Fungalytic Compound 4x a day

Coffee Enemas

@Sherpa @caledonia

Thank you
 

Attachments

  • aa.RMC Metagest HCl Challenge.pdf
    165.4 KB · Views: 8
  • aa.sibo_specific_diet_food_guide_sept_2014.pdf
    540.2 KB · Views: 11
  • OATtest.pdf
    731.4 KB · Views: 15

Old Bones

Senior Member
Messages
808
I'm sorry, I'm not qualified to comment on your organic acids test. However, I do have some experience attempting to get rid of SIBO with diet and supplements.

During 25+ years of trying to solve various health issues using diet and alternative practices, the only time I have ever experienced a "die off" was during the first week on Phase 1 of the GAPS diet -- a diet I'm trying for autoimmune issues, leaky gut and SIBO, but which is often recommended for the conditions you mentioned. During the first week, it wasn't that I had an upset stomach, but rather, I felt extremely ill and even more fatigued than usual.

Within days of starting the diet, my bloating was gone. During the first 10 days, I lost six pounds, five of which I attributed to water retention caused by the gluten/grains I shouldn't have been eating. Unfortunately, I became extremely constipated -- unable to have a normal bowel movement for months. I resorted to weekly coffee enemas (previously recommended by a naturopath, and used with some positive results in the past). Actually, they are not as bad as they sound.

The medical doctor who developed the GAPS diet claims that adults can take as long as two to three years to heal their gut issues. Apparently, ME patients are especially challenging. I suppose you know you are "done"" when adding previously-restricted foods to your diet does not result in a return of symptoms, assuming, of course, your symptoms have resolved. For me, after six months, this hasn't happened. Based on my experience, I'm starting to believe those who claim diet doesn't cure SIBO, but merely manages the symptoms. I had a similar experience on the FODMAPS diet recommended to treat IBS. Also, many of those who take a course, or several courses, of antibiotics recommended for SIBO have a return of symptoms a few months after stopping. So, although the supplements your doctor has recommended have been proven to be as successful as antibiotics for some patients, they may not have lasting a effect either, unless you were to continue them indefinitely which probably isn't recommended, not to mention the expense. Berberine is another supplement that is recommended for SIBO. I've recently heard of using antibiotics in a "pulsed" fashion (a few days on, a few days off), the intent being that the bacteria doesn't become resistant. I may look into this option in the new year.

The fact that you claim to have had an unhealthy lifestyle makes me more optimistic that going on the diet and supplements could be a "one time thing" for you. It is certainly is worth a try. I've been very health-conscious all my life, and although the GAPS diet has taught me a lot, it hasn't solved my problems -- at least not yet.
 

Journeyman

Senior Member
Messages
193
My doctor (who specializes in MTHFR, COMT etc) had me take an Organic Acids Test.

I have been trying for years to cure/improve my lifelong OCD, Anxiety and Depression. I have tried everything including medications and supplements and therapy.

The test came back - I am attaching.It showed high arabinose, markers for hippuric and 2-hydroxyphenyllacetic among other stuff

He wants me to address my gut. I am 35 years old. I have not taken a lot of antibiotics. I have asked him questions but haven't gotten responses to some of them. He wants me to follow a SIBO diet and take supplements.

My questions:
Does you stomach get upset while you are doing a "gut cleanup?"
Do you get upset stomach etc? Does the "die off" cause symptoms?
I asked him how long I'd have to be on it. He said that some people are on it for months but he doesn't know. I know that there are 10 day gut repairs. When do you know that you are "done?"
Do you have to adhere to an extreme SIBO diet when you are done? Can you just be sensible? Will the bad stuff come back?
I lived an unhealthy lifestyle for most of my life prior to this. As long as I am sensible is this a one time thing?

The strange thing about the test is that my Dopamine was high and other catecholamines were low. I did testing last year and Dopamine was fine/low and Adrenalin was high.

Another doctor told me that this test (urine) was useless and that I needed to get a stool test

I just don't want to be spending 500 bucks a month on vitamins. These DRs get ridiculous.

I am just looking for an idea of what to expect.

He wants me to follow the SIBO diet attached
Spectrazyme metagest multiple times a day http://redmountain.metagenics.com/mp/products/spectrazyme-metagest-formerly-metagest
UltraFlora Spectrum 2x a day http://redmountain.metagenics.com/mp/products/ultraflora-spectrum
Candibactin AR 3x a day http://redmountain.metagenics.com/mp/products/candibactin-ar
Candibactin BR 2x a day http://redmountain.metagenics.com/mp/products/candibactin-br
INF fighter 4x a day
Fungalytic Compound 4x a day

Coffee Enemas

@Sherpa @caledonia

Thank you
@anxiousguy
How are you doing these days?

Agreed - would love to hear how its gone... especially after reading your original post led me to wonder if this was my own post from just a couple weeks ago on the same topic (but in the Methylation forum)....