Sunday, May 30, 2010

Waiting and Researching

Waiting helplessly for the holiday weekend to pass so that I can contact my doc about my test results is just not my style. Besides my symptoms have intensified during the past few days, maybe because I know what's happening to my body. I have a dangerous, aggressive parasite overwhelming and damaging my intestines while another equally dangerous bacteria is damaging my stomach. Rather than let my doc prescribe ineffective treatments with drugs that make me sicker than the gut bugs, like he did with flagyl for c-diff, I researched online which drugs commonly eradicate dientamoeba fragils (d-frag) and helicobacter pylori (h. pylori).

I learned that traditional docs commonly prescribe 2-3 antibiotics PLUS acid blocking drugs to treat the h. pylori, because they can't eliminate that bacteria with any one drug. Also they believe eliminating acid will help kill the h. pylori. Actually h. pylori survives high acid stomach environment, but THRIVES in low acid environments. So the acid blocker really just relieves possible burning pain from peptic ulcers caused by the bacteria. I already have hypochloridia (low stomach acid) for which I need HCl supplements to digest proteins and fats. So abstaining from HCl automatically relieved my burning pain symptom.

However, I don't want to overwhelm my gut with 2-3 antibiotics and kill all my good bacteria. So I researched natural treatments. I learned that mastic gum is an old but very reliable treatment (outside of our drug industry controlled country) for stomach ulcers, gastritis, etc. Research has shown that mastic actually kills h. pylori, which explains why that supplement can treat stomach ulcers (by killing bacteria which damages the stomach).

I could wait another 36+ hours to hopefully contact my doc and determine whether he uses the traditional (2-3 antibiotic) h. pylori treatment. However, I'm already tired of feeling too full, nauseas and bloating after eating small amounts. So I found a local source of mastic gum at a reasonable price. I'll begin taking that supplement tonight before bed. Usual dosage is 1 gram daily on an empty stomach (before bed or before breakfast) for 4 weeks. I have 60 capsules of 500 mg each. So I have enough for treatment.

As for the d-frag parasite, I do need to wait for my doc to call in a prescription to my local HMO pharmacy. (My HMO docs are useless for most of my gastro problems, but I can get really expensive drugs for a reasonable copay price of $15-30 per prescription. So I ask my naturopathic doc to call my drug prescriptions into my HMO pharmacy.

I learned that d-frag is commonly treated with flagyl or tetracycline or paromomycin or iodoquinol. I HATE flagyl. I didn't read any patient comments about flagyl's effectiveness with d-frag. I read many comments that tetracycline treatment was equally ineffective. So I'm considering paramomycin or iodoquinol. I read many success stories with iodoquinol and a few with paramomycin. So I'm leaning toward iodoquinol.

My HMO drug availabilty and info warned me against taking paramomycin for long periods, because people can easily get c-diff after that treatment. Been there, done that, got the c-diff stuffed animal souvenier. LOL So I definitely don't want to take anything that could possibly leave me vulnerable to more c-diff.

However iodoquinol has a list of not so nice possible side effects. Nevertheless I read many 'dangerous side effects' about vancomycin, which cured my c-diff. I later learned that oral vanco didn't cause those side effects, but side effect info just lists any possible side effects without describing treatment style. (Hospital patients with central line dosing often get the dangerous side effects. People taking oral vanco don't. So I need to do more research on iodoquinol vs. paramomycin.

Friday, May 28, 2010

Dientamoeba Fragilis AND Helicobacter Pylori

I just today received my latest DNA Microbial stool test results. I have another parasite (dientamoeba fragilis) AND Helicobacter Pylori, the bacteria that causes stomach ulcers. The parasite explains my ever worsening cramping intestinal pain, indigestion (feeling like food doesn't digest without HCl capsules) and irregularity (parasite). The H. Pylori explains my burning stomach pain when I take the digestive supplement (HCl capsules) which help me digest fats and proteins. Without the HCl I get riboflavin deficiency symptoms. Unfortunately H. Pylori can survive normal stomach acid. However, H. Pylori thrives with low stomach acid. So I'll cut back to one HCl capsule and see if I still have burning pain. I don't know that I have a stomach ulcer. The test only shows that I have H. Pylori, which can cause stomach ulcers. Maybe the burning pain means that bacteria did cause an ulcer.

Meanwhile I can only research treatments and distract myself from fears about physical damage and treatment side effects. I can't talk to my doc until after the memorial day weekend. So today we saw Sex and the City II and indulged in a little retail therapy. I hit the Nordstrom sale and ordered a pair of blue sandals. Then I found an ivory sweater jacket at another store. Retail therapy raises my endorphins (which decreases pain) as well as exercise. Watching Carrie Bradshaw in SATC makes my degree of retail therapy seem normal. LOL

More later ...

Monday, May 17, 2010

Confusion or Guilt??

9 weeks ago I decided to try a new hairstylist at a different salon. I had received too many disappointing haircuts from my previous stylist and wanted to find someone who viewed me differently. I suspected my previous stylist had me 'pegged' for a certain style, because no matter what I asked, she seemed to give me the same cut.

The new stylist told me what she thought would look better on me (longer but layered short cut). However, she also cut the sides much shorter than I liked, despite telling me she would leave my hair longer than what she saw in my photos of previous cuts. I was very angry when I left. I could only see the too short sides. However, as the sides grew, I noticed what a great cut the new stylist really gave me. 9+ weeks later it still looks great, although the bangs are longer than I like.

Nevertheless, I didn't like spending $10 more than my previous stylist charged. So I called my previous stylist to schedule another appointment after 9 weeks of growout. She couldn't offer me a good time. So I called her back and requested another time. However I didn't really like the new times she offered. Then I realized I really feared getting another bad cut from her, even if I told her exactly what I wanted, which I always do before cuts, and even showed her photos. I recalled how the new stylist saw me differently and advised me to try longer layers, which I eventually preferred. I wondered whether I could tell my old stylist to do something similar.

Then I realized I felt guilty about not booking with my old stylist after calling her twice to negotiate appointment times. I felt guilty about going to someone new. I thought I 'owed her' another chance. So I was very confused about whether to continue seeing my new stylist (and loudly tell her to leave the sides longer) or return to my old stylist who charged $10 less.

Then I recalled how I make important decisions. I list my options. With only 2 options (new vs. old stylist) I could then list the 'pros' and 'cons' for seeing each stylist. I won't describe those here. Nevertheless, I observed from my list that my new stylist had 7 pros and 3 cons, whereas my old stylist had 4 pros and 6 cons. That should have helped me decide. Yet I still felt twinges of guilt about calling my old stylist and then cancelling another appointment with her, just as I did over 2 months ago.

So I asked myself what I really wanted. Did I want a great, longterm relationship with my stylist? Or did I want consistently great cuts, which I would love immediately? Then I realized the cut was more important than the 'relationship'. So I asked myself whether I willing to pay more for a great cut. I realized $10 was the cost of an inexpensive tank top or tee shirt or occasionally a sale garment at H&M (which has great sales). IMO a great cut is worth more than a cheap garment. That confirmed my decision to continue with the new stylist.

The preceding decision making description may sound very logical and healthy. However, I need to admit that I distracted myself from painful guilt and confusion by eating too many grapes today. LOL Granted, I hadn't eaten such tasty (ripe and sweet) grapes for awhile. Most out of season, imported grapes never taste as good as local, in season or homegrown grapes. Nevertheless, the great grape taste distracted me from the emotional discomfort of deciding which stylist to use.

That decision doesn't seem to involve much emotional discomfort, unless I recognize the guilt about cancelling with my old stylist, especially after calling her to book a new appointment. So I was overeating grapes to distract myself from feeling 'bad' (guilty). Of course overeating creates another source of guilt, which could distract me from my original source of guilt. However, I still needed to decide. So I endured a bloated, crampy tummy all afternoon after overeating grapes at lunch, but I still felt good about my final decision. Next time I need to decide, I'll first ask myself what I really want and then list pros and cons, if I'm still uncertain.

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Full Circle with HCl

In mid February my mainstream doc suggested I abstain from HCl capsules to preven the reflux which she believed caused my chronic cough. After I decided to abstain from HCl capsules, I immediately noticed digestive difficulties. 3 months later even small meals seemed to stay at the top of my stomach and not digest for hours. Meals containing meat took even longer to digest.

Then I observed my fingernail ridges increase and worsen. While on HCl caps I only had ridges on my ring fingernails. After abstaining from HCl for 3 months I had ridges on all but 2 of my 10 fingernails. I was constantly tired (possibly iron or vitamin B-12 deficiency, both caused by hypochloridia). Worst of all I developed riboflavin deficiency symptoms (cuts and sores in the corners of my mouth and the sensation of sand in my eyes). I developed those symptoms despite taking 50 mg of balanced B vitamins at every meal. I also developed chronic constipation, despite taking magnesium and probiotics. I could live with the fingernail problems, irregularity, digestive challenges and fatigue, but the mouth pain was worsening daily.

So I decided to slowly resume taking HCl capsules. First I took one with dinner (when I most often ate meat). I had no reflux or even burning sensations. After a few days I tried 2 capsules with a high protein (meat) meal. However, I suffered a slight burning sensation in my stomach. So I decided to stay with just one capsule for awhile. Meanwhile the mouth sores continued. So I tried taking one capsule with each meal for a day. Then I increased to 2 capsules at dinner and one capsule and vegan or smaller meat portion meals.

After a few days of HCl at every meal, the mouth sores FINALLY disappeared. I also stayed awake during the sermon at tonight's church service. I realize the nail problems will take longer to resolve, because nails grow rather slowly. Best of all, the constipation disappeared as well as the gut cramps. Now I wonder whether the gastro symptoms, which influenced me to do another DNA Microbial stool test, were really caused by magnesium and B vitamin malabsorption, caused by low stomach acid.

Did the cough ever disappear during the 3 months I abstained from HCl? NOPE! Whenever I got tired, I felt that throat tickle and coughed. However, during the past week while taking small amounts of HCl, the cough decreased. Maybe the reflux aggravated my throat and caused the tenderness (throat tickle) that made me cough. However that doesn't explain why I suddenly refluxed after several years of not refluxing while taking HCl.

I suspect that vomitting 4 times, between January and March may have relaxed my lower esophageal valve (LEV) enough to allow more frequent reflux. Maybe I ate more LEV relaxing foods during that time. Maybe I overate (which also causes reflux). Whatever happened to cause the reflux, I'm not experiencing any reflux now while taking HCl even when I eat LEV relaxer foods (citrus, chocolate, tomatoes, etc.) Nevertheless, I plan to slowly increase amounts of HCl. I don't think I can ever take the recommended (for adults) dose of 5-7 capsules per meal. However, what I eat for 'meals' many people might consider a 'snack'. Dr. Wright (who wrote "Why Stomach Acid is Good for You") suggests that individuals work out what amounts work best for them. So they may take less acid with smaller meals. I don't think I need much acid with meals which are low in protein and fats, but need more with higher protein/fat meals, because those are most difficult to digest.

Maybe this is wishful thinking, but I really hope my DNA microbial test comes back negative for 'gut bugs' and positive for high levels of good bacteria. I really would like to see a 'clean and healthy' test for once. I would love to resolve the cramps, bloating and irregularity simply by taking HCl caps with meals. Already the cramps have decreased, while the bloating and irregularity completely disappeared.

I need to add that I no longer post here regularly, because I limit my online time to 'toenail treatment' (soaking in Listerine) for 10-30 minutes daily. That gives me sooo much more time for sewing, gardening and enjoying the sunshine! My toenails are no longer thickening (with fungal growth) which caused pressure pain. I haven't noticed a lot of new healthy growth, but I see more pink and less yellow in the nail bed. I suspect I'll have to continue this treatment for more than 2 months. I've suffered toenail fungus for over 10 years now. Nevertheless, I've resolved other physical problems which my mainstream doc didn't know how to treat. Maybe I can resolve this one, too.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Decided to Retest

After 2 days off probiotics in preparation to do another DNA Microbial Stool test I experienced even more severe cramping intestinal pain and nausea. So I decided to email my doc to request another stool test. I really don't need his permission. The clinic receptionist will sell me the test without even notifying him. However, I wanted to tell him that I'm taking the test. So he won't be surprised when the lab send my results in another 3-4 weeks.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Retest or Not?

Since I discovered I'd inadvertently been consuming soy through vitamin E pills, I've had increasing intestinal cramping pain. Although I stopped taking those pills after 4-5 days, my cramping symptoms did not disappear for another 3 weeks. Then I accidentally consumed another tiny bit of soy through a digestive enzyme. The label of that supplememt did not indicate any soy. However, my symptoms convinced me that I had consumed some soy. When I called the company, they confirmed that the product did contain a small amount of soy. After the first soy incident, I became even more sensitive to tiny amounts. So I continued to experience 'soy symptoms' (cramping pain and constipation) for another week or so.

However those symptoms have continued for another 2 weeks and increased in intensity, despite eliminating all sources of soy. At this point I wonder if I have another intestinal bug (bacteria, parasite or fungus) which causes my symptoms. I never retested after treating the achromobacter. So I don't know for certain whether I actually eliminated that bacteria by taking caprylic acid for 2 weeks. I thought I had less bacteria symptoms. However I also developed a lingering unproductive cough about that time.

I asked my mainstream doc about the cough. She checked my throat and lungs. She asked if I had any reflux. I told her that I had experienced more reflux. Previously taking HCl supplements had prevented reflux and improved digestion. However about the time I developed the cough I had recurrent burning reflux (from the HCl). Since my doc couldn't see any obvious cause of the cough, she told me to stop taking the HCl.

Immediately my reflux disappeared. However, the cough lingered. Anytime I didn't get adequate sleep, I seemed to develop cold symptoms (cough and sore throat). I felt a constant tickle in my throat, which coughing relieved. I coughed when I exercised or layed on the floor doing yoga or in bed before sleep. I wondered whether the achromobacter bacteria had infected my respiratory system, because doctors often find that bacteria in respiratory infections. So now I'm uncertain whether the cough is related to irritation from reflux or achromobacter infection.

Meanwhile the cramping pain continues after every meal. About 4 hours after eating the cramping pain seems to subside just before I get hungry and need to eat again. I suspect something is irritating my intestines. I don't think I'm getting any allergen contamination. So I may need to do another DNA Microbial stool test to determine whether an intestinal 'bug' is causing my symptoms.

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Toenail Treatment

I haven't posted for 2 weeks, because I've been so busy living that I didn't want to write about what I was doing. However, I recently began a daily 'sitting' practice when I can use the computer. I committed to daily soaking my toenails in Listerine after reading that someone resolved their longterm toenail fungus by soaking their toes for only 10 minutes daily for 2 months. That person was a 'mycologist' who specialized in the study of funguses. So he knew Listerine ingredients could fight fungus. I'm skeptical, but have never received help from my doctor for my toenail problem, despite my numerous requests. Here's how this problem began ...

Almost 30 years ago I had a biking accident where I partially tore off one of my big toenails. I took my profusely bleeding toe to the ER, but received minimal treatment (a bandaid). Later that toenail became very thick and discolored. Eventually the other big toenail had the same symptoms. So I found a local podiatrist who would file those toenails every few months to relieve pressure pain from those toenails. However, he eventually retired. So I found another podiatrist.

That podiatrist told me that I had toenail fungus. He also said it was so extreme that my only hope of recovery was letting him surgically remove the toenails so they could grow back normally. I should have gotten a second opinion, but I was a freelance artist without health insurance at the time. So I couldn't afford to doctor shop. I was tired of the chronic toenail problem, which may have developed from a fungus I acquired in that ER after I injured the toenail.

So I agreed to let the podiatrist remove the infected toenails. He told me I wouldn't feel pain, because he would inject anesthetic into both toes. I didn't realize that getting an injection into my toes would be so painful. Anyway, he removed the toenails and advised me to soak the toes daily in Epsom salts. When the toenails began to grow back, I daily applied antifungal drops to the toenails to prevent a recurrent infection. However the toenails never grew in normally. They soon became thick and discolored, as they previously were. I suspected I needed an internal, rather than a topical antifungal.

After I remarried and had good health insurance, I told my primary care physician about my toenail problem and requested an antifungal treatment. She told me the topical treatments didn't work, but she couldn't prescribe an internal treatment, because those could damage my liver. Essentially she couldn't give me anything. Eventually she decided I really didn't have toenail fungus, even though I had all the symptoms (thick toenails, pressure pain, limited growth, discoloration).

So I got a battery operated nail file to reduce the thickness of my toenails (to relieve pressure pain) and trimmed them with heavy duty clippers. The infection never spread to the other toenails, other than the 2 large toenails. So I'm still uncertain whether I have an infection. Nevertheless, after reading about the Listerine treatment, I decided to try that approach for awhile.

I immediately notice change in appearance. Part of the nail turned white. Part of the nail turned pinker. I had less pressure pain. My toenails felt better. Maybe the change is psychosomatic. I mean the approach works because I believe it will work. Whatever happens I committed to try this daily Listerine soak for a few months. This commitment also limits my computer time, because I know I'll have time to read and reply to emails, posts, etc. when I 'soak my toenails'. So I try not to sit at the computer until/unless I can sit for a 10-20 minute therapeutic soak.

I'll post more later about what I'm doing when I'm not soaking my toenails. LOL