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Hi,
I finally managed to complete my gut testing with Genova and would appreciate some insights from any of the board members.
Background:
I have been struggling with CFS for about 8 years - digestive issues accompanying it all the way. However in the last 2 years I have spiralled downwards and gotten worse. This decline has coincided with a deterioration in gut function. My belief is that I could in the very least make some progress if I could only manage to sort out my digestive system.
My symptoms have been:
All other regular bloodwork is normal and in range, including thyroid function and adrenal ASI.
Treatments:
Results:
Anyways, here are my results:
Organix Dysbiosis + GI Effects
http://imgur.com/a/HZQsk
Organix dysbiosis shows nothing out of the ordinary (This was one surprising, I was suspecting I could have some SIBO)
GI Effects show no problems with candida, parasites or infections.
However, I have numerous overgrowths of commensal strains. 9 of them are above reference range.
I also have Alpha and Gamma Streptococcus which is listed as Non Pathogenic, but growth is high at +4.
What is interesting is that one of the high strains are Methanobrevibacter Smithii, which is usually associated with SIBO overgrowth (the methane kind). Methane producing bacteria according to Dr Pimtel is what causes slow motility and leads to constipation. So there is one clue that fits my symptoms, however in this case it appears to only be in the large bowel, and not the small bowel as with SIBO. My understanding is that SIBO will show up on the organix profile test.
Future plans:
Unfortunately I do not have access to a SIBO breath test in my country, so I cannot do this test to rule it out absolutely.
At this point it seems my only course forward is to persist with another round of antimicrobials, and this time adding in antibiotics like Flagyl - as recommended by Pimtel for Methane producing bacteria. (I hate using anti biotics, but I am at my wits end trying to fix my gut!!!)
Something like:
3-4 weeks of:
Allicin (apparently good for methane producers)
Candibactin Ar + Br
2 weeks of:
Another Xifaximin course, but this time with Flagyl for 10 days.
Does anyone have any insightful comments on my gut tests that I am perhaps missing?
Thanks!
I finally managed to complete my gut testing with Genova and would appreciate some insights from any of the board members.
Background:
I have been struggling with CFS for about 8 years - digestive issues accompanying it all the way. However in the last 2 years I have spiralled downwards and gotten worse. This decline has coincided with a deterioration in gut function. My belief is that I could in the very least make some progress if I could only manage to sort out my digestive system.
My symptoms have been:
- Being quite thin, but still being able to gain some weight if I ate enough. However last 2 years has seen unexplained weight loss, with complete inability to gain any weight despite increasing calories. Probably a good 5-10 kg underweight
- Started with some food intolerances and this progressed to severe food intolerances. Started with gluten and wheat, and now includes rice, corn, dairy and fructose.
- Constipation has been ever present.
- Complete intolerance of any probiotics. This is a mystery to me. For the most part they make me feel very foggy, spacey and out of it, and some give me heart palpitations. I have done VSL3, Homemade Kefir, Lacto Plantarum, Soil Based Prescript Assist, Saccharomyces Boull, Lacto 299v, Reuteri and Bifido Infantis (Align). Lactate free or not doesn't seem to make a difference either. Probiotics always make me feel much worse and I have completely given up on them.
All other regular bloodwork is normal and in range, including thyroid function and adrenal ASI.
Treatments:
- I have tried numerous 'leaky gut' treatments to see if I could address the food intolerances. From glutamine, seacure, glycine, proline, zinc carnosine, marshmellow and aloe vera. All for extended periods without any noticable benefit.
- Tried several digestive enzymes & betaine HCL to boost stomach acid. I'm really sensitive to supplements and both made me feel a bit off. Stayed on them for 4-5 weeks and pushed through. Digestion was a bit better, but it was no real solution.
- I have done a general anti parasite protocol with Albedenozole and Mebendazole (Nothing seen in stools and no improvement)
- Last year I was on a 3 week Xifaxan antibiotics course (for Sibo, but also general dysbiosis). Didn't notice much at all.
Results:
Anyways, here are my results:
Organix Dysbiosis + GI Effects
http://imgur.com/a/HZQsk
Organix dysbiosis shows nothing out of the ordinary (This was one surprising, I was suspecting I could have some SIBO)
GI Effects show no problems with candida, parasites or infections.
However, I have numerous overgrowths of commensal strains. 9 of them are above reference range.
I also have Alpha and Gamma Streptococcus which is listed as Non Pathogenic, but growth is high at +4.
What is interesting is that one of the high strains are Methanobrevibacter Smithii, which is usually associated with SIBO overgrowth (the methane kind). Methane producing bacteria according to Dr Pimtel is what causes slow motility and leads to constipation. So there is one clue that fits my symptoms, however in this case it appears to only be in the large bowel, and not the small bowel as with SIBO. My understanding is that SIBO will show up on the organix profile test.
Future plans:
Unfortunately I do not have access to a SIBO breath test in my country, so I cannot do this test to rule it out absolutely.
At this point it seems my only course forward is to persist with another round of antimicrobials, and this time adding in antibiotics like Flagyl - as recommended by Pimtel for Methane producing bacteria. (I hate using anti biotics, but I am at my wits end trying to fix my gut!!!)
Something like:
3-4 weeks of:
Allicin (apparently good for methane producers)
Candibactin Ar + Br
2 weeks of:
Another Xifaximin course, but this time with Flagyl for 10 days.
Does anyone have any insightful comments on my gut tests that I am perhaps missing?
Thanks!