Today, I’m sharing a casual post with some recent health updates. I frequently get comments and emails requesting more of these type of posts, but I push them to the bottom of my To-Do List (sorry!). Yesterday, I was able to jot down what’s been happening with me…
The super-condensed prequel
If you want some background into my health, My Story explains why and how I became severely ill with ulcerative colitis, an autoimmune disease. I began the GAPS Diet which allowed me to avoid impending surgery. I additionally removed dairy and egg whites from my diet about 8 months ago. Because I’m unable to do any type of nut/seeds besides coconut and I avoid nightshades, my diet looks pretty similar to the Autoimmune Paleo Protocol right now. (I eat egg whites about once a month, but more frequently still causes problems). I use these steps to address my adrenal fatigue and follow metabolic hydration to improve my hypothyroidism.
Some recent challenges
I’ve struggled with some unexplained digestive issues for the past three months, and it’s been getting progressively worse. For the first month, it was mild bloating and belching. In early March, these symptoms worsened into very uncomfortable bloating and constant belching.
For the past two weeks, things have been very difficult with extreme brain fog and fatigue on top of those symptoms. I’ve been back and forth between my chiropractor and acupuncturist, trying to get some relief. It’s been so challenging to “keep up with life” and I feel extremely emotionally volatile.
Is it H. pylori?
Many health practitioners estimate that 50% of Americans are affected by H. pylori overgrowth. H. pylori is a pathogenic bacteria that grows in the stomach (it usually takes hold when gastric juice production is already compromised) and then turns off stomach acid production. That’s a big problem, because stomach acid is vital to digestion! H. pylori is the leading cause of peptic ulcers and can create a myriad of other issues, including indigestion and bloating.
Given my health history and symptoms, I learned after much research this week that an h. pylori infection is a very strong possiblity. Oddly, I kept stumbling upon the words “H. pylori” over and over in so many random ways, so I decided God was trying to tell me something. So, this morning, I was able to get an h. pylori stool test kit (which is the most accurate test according to various sources whom I trust). I will have the results back in about 4 days. Why did my research lead me to suspect h. pylori?
- My belching/bloating seemed to worsen as I’ve increased my hydrochloric acid pills (here’s why I take HCL). However, if I start to decrease the pills, I do not digest my food and I get heartburn. Because H. Pylori turns off stomach acid production and buries deeper into the gastric lining in the presence of acid, I think the inceased HCL could be aggravaing the H. Pylori and creating some symptoms.
- My health history includes a series of extremely strong prescription medications for my autoimmune disease, including acid blockers, antibiotics and corticosteroids… all of which set the stage for H. Pylori overgrowth.
What am I going to do if it is H. Pylori?
Wading through research while in the murky depths of brain fog proves a formidable challenge, but I’ve been able to create a tentative game plan. If my stool test comes back positive, I’ve lined up a protocol of various herbs and mastic gum, which I’ll discuss in a follow-up post. I have my friend Caroline, at Gutsy, to thank for all of her research and experience on the topic of H. Pylori, which you can read about here.I will also incorporate weekly coffee enemas to help detox toxins and pathogens.
FODMAP Intolerance
FODMAP stands for “Fermentable, Oligo-, Di-, Mono-saccharides and Polyols.” Accoding to Sarah Ballentyne, The Paleo Mom:
FODMAPs are short chain carbohydrates rich in fructose molecules which, even in healthy people are inefficiently absorbed in the small intestine. I know you’ve heard the limerick “beans, beans, the magical fruit…”; the punchline refers to the large amount of FODMAP carbohydrates in beans (or any of other vegetable that has a reputation for being “gassy”) that are only partially absorbed in the small intestine. When this excess fructose enters the large intestine, which is full of those wonderful beneficial bacteria we love so much, they feed the bacteria allowing for overgrowth of bacteria and excess production of gas. The presence of FODMAPs in the large intestine can also decrease water absorption (one of the main jobs of the large intestine). This causes a variety of digestive symptoms, most typically: bloating, gas, cramps, diarrhea, constipation, indigestion and sometimes excessive belching. In individuals with FODMAP-intolerance, a far greater portion of these sugars enter the large intestine unabsorbed, causing exaggerated symptoms. In fact, some researchers believe that Irritable Bowel Syndrome is purely a case of FODMAP-intolerance 1,2. Read more.
As I fit the pieces together, I realize that I’ve always had trouble with some high-FODMAP foods, particularly onions, garlic, apples and pears. I seem to be better with high fructose foods (like fruits and honey) but struggle with the fructan foods. There’s a great chart in Sarah’s post listing the problematic foods for FODMAP intolerance.
Fortunately, FODMAP intolerance frequently resolves itself when the gut and digestion has a chance to heal with a grain-free nutritional protocol.
Die-Off and Pau d’ Arco
A few days ago, I began taking two cups of Pau d’ Arco tea (this exact one), which targets pathogens and candida in the body, and I think it’s giving me die-off. The next day I had super-duper brain fog, dizziness, and a stuffy nose. I think things are calming down, now. I think this herb may deserve a whole blog post because it is powerful stuff!
Food Re-Introduction
I recently re-introduced sweet potatoes and plantains and both seem to be in the all-clear zone… yay! I’ve been pan-frying plantain slices in coconut oil, as you can see above. Delicious! It feels liberating to put things back into my diet rather than keep taking things out…
Both sweet potatoes and plantains have starch, so they are avoided on the SCD/GAPS diet but they are allowed on the Autoimmune Paleo Protocol. These dietary protocols are all very powerful for resolving both autoimmunity and mental disorders even though they vary slightly. The various protocols may be better for various individuals. Looking back on how I’ve tweaked my diet, it seems like Autoimmune Paleo was the way to go for me. However, I was unable to incorporate sweet potatoes and plantains a year ago, so I needed this extra time to further heal my gut before adding starches.
So that’s where I am… can you relate? Have you been tested for h. pylori and did you take the natural route? Were there any specific herbs or supplements that you used with success?
I CAN RELATE COMPLETELY!
Am now on AIP+wahls, some IF Restistant starch and bionic RS, FODMAP restriction and some apple cider vinegar in all my drinks….
HI Lauren I hope you start feeling better real soon. I started having digestive issues last fall. It turns out I have mercury toxicity from my silver dental fillings. I have been put on detox plan and have been starting to feel better. I also deal with toenail fungus and was told it was a result of the mercury. Just thought I would throw that out their to any of your readers with silver fillings.
I’ve had H-Pylori before and I believe I healed it with Pyloricin and working with my ND. I’ve been grain free for about 3 years, although last year I started GAPS. I did really well, wasn’t as strict with it after about nine months, but felt better than I had in years. Then, in the fall, Fall/2013 I started having digestive issues. My symptoms were not all the “normal” symptoms of H-Pylori, yes I had the bloating, pain, burping, I also had difficulty swallowing and difficulty taking a deep breath – all of this would come and go. I would be fine, sometimes for a week or two at a time, then it would “hit” again. I went to my ND and she thought maybe it was a gallbladder attack even though I don’t have a GB; like it was backing up in my liver… We were entering holiday season, I didn’t know what to do. I had wondered all along if it was the H-Pylori but…. Then a few days before Christmas, both my husband and I came down with a bad stomach bug. I had that for almost two months, took forever to get better and that made all my other symptoms much worse. I was pretty much living on bone broth!! I lost 20 lbs and my ND finally said I needed to do a comprehensive GI test. It cost 300.00, but I was ready to find answers. Well, my pancreas and colon were high, but the main thing is, yep, I had H-Pylori. My Doc believes once the H-Pylori is gone, my other numbers will normalize. First my ND told me that I was right all along; that I did know my body and IF it hits again, I know what it is!!! I am back on Pyloricin; I take 4-5 a day. I have good days and bad days. Taking a natural route may take longer to get rid of this awful bacteria, but I do not want to take anti-biotics which then, I feel would be a lifetime commitment of relying on them to heal. I have re-introduced egg yolks and I have even added a whole egg to my breakfast muffins which I mainly make with applesauce for the binder. H-Pylori is tricky because when it first hits, it comes and goes and for those of us with gut issues/compromised digestive problems, we/I spend the first few months looking at everything, trying to figure out what may be wrong when all along it is that nasty bacteria. I have followed Caroline and her journey with H-Pylori and she is a good example of the havoc it can cause in your body. Others just experience the basic symptoms, but, for me, this bacteria is very bad. Good luck in your healing. I look forward to reading how you’re doing and how you’re fighting it – IF you have it! I am one month in on taking Pyloricin and know that it may take another month or two to get rid of it and I will have the test to be sure it is GONE! Thank you for sharing, love reading your articles and your recipes.
This post is for Lauren G Empowered sustenance.
Ok….go and get tested for MTHFR!!!!!!!
You have all the symptoms and upsets that I have suffered…..( as so many others will have ).
Here are some resources
Dr Ben Lynch MTHFR.net
Carolyn Ledowsky MTHFR support Australia.com.au
Dr Suzy Cohen
Dr Amy Yasko
I promise you that if you go looking in the forum at Dr Lynch’s site that you will see just how common all these symptoms are and that a lot if not all of them can be attributed to poor methylation, MTHFR Gene and other gene mutations. 23 and ME can clear up any doubt for you. It’s an inexpensive way to get some answers and tailor your treatment.
I can tell you that I have spent thousands of dollars looking for answers to symptoms that were supposedly ” all in my head” that didn’t amount to any one diagnosis.
This was the answer.
You won’t regret getting tested. if you want to read my story go to http://Www.MTHFRsupportaustralia.com.au and read the testimonial.
Hope it helps to know that someone else understands.
Best of health to you. :)))
Michelle
Wanted to thank and encourage you to keep going! My daughter, who is also a ballerina (!!) went through your situation last year. We treated her SIBO, H pylori, adrenal autoimmune symptoms, candida skin rashes, fatigue….. Mayo Hospital could not even figure out what was ‘wrong’ with her. She followed the AIP, Autoimmune paleo, gaps, FODMAPS style tailored to her reactions. 1 year later and she is back dancing stronger than ever.
Beat the H Pylori with mastic gum, baking soda capsules (to break through the biodome it creates), silver, oregano, garlic, lacto ferments, bone broths, goats milk colostrum, acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (herbs), castor oil packs, Vit D, homeopathic tinctures for SIBO and candida. When she had H Pylori she reacted to almost everything; coconut, avocado, eggs, meat, greens, bananas….and had such a short food list 🙁 But once it was gone she was so much better, opened up her foods so much, even eats some soaked grains now! Hang in there, you have a long life of health ahead of you! It can be done naturally and healing will speed up once you get everything figured out. 🙂
I appreciate your comment and hearing about your daughter’s similar situation. I’m encouraged to hear that she is doing so much better and that she beat the h. pylori naturally!
Hi Natasha,
Do you happen to have any electronic files that you can forward to me with food list and/or recipes for this diet? I would greatly appreciate your assistance.
Lucerobrilla1@gmail.com
Hi Luis,
The one big thing we learned through this is that the food list will be so individual and it changes…sometimes even daily! Keep striving, pay attention to how you feel shortly after every meal. Journal and try eliminating highly trigger foods- look into AutoImmune Paleo, AutoImmune Protocol, FODMAPS….based on your gut health and what you eat very often will effect what you can and cannot eat. Keep reading here too, she has good solid info 🙂
Sorry it isn’t as easy as following a list! Stay positive, that is important too!
Have you looked into Ben Lynch and MTHFR testing? I’m an NTP as well and did the whole “get healthy only to then get unhealthier” thing. What I realized, though, is that after my body healed, it tried to clean house.. but some fairly common genetic mutations can make cleaning house feel kind of like an installment of Nightmare on Elm Street.
I’ve wondered for some time if you do the coffee “thing” >cough!< I know you're friends with mygutsy; I found her through you and her article led me to switch to a stainless steel bucket and a glass teapot over stainless steel. I do twice in a row, once a week if possible. Will you ever be doing an article about it? I suggested them to an acquaintance once who is on a pile of meds for fibromyalgia… never heard back, lol! If I can do it, anyone can; I was literally terrified the first time!
Yes, I recently started occasional coffee enemas because Caroline suggested it! I never thought I would…
Do you think that you could explain a bit more about FODMAP intolerance? I’ve been having the same problem for years with excessive belching and bloating, and I notice that it is worst after I eat fruits like apples or pears.
Hi Lauren,
I appreciate you sharing this update. I am going through some similar setbacks in my journey to health as well.
It is just discouraging at times and it’s nice to learn what others are doing to get through setbacks. I thank you so much for sharing your struggle, it encouraged me to keep digging deeper and pressing on. I will keep you in my prayers. I think of you as a kindred spirit! Blessings to you!
Katie 🙂
P.S. I would love to see another post about what you eat daily. I eat a modified version of the AIP as well. 🙂
This may seem like an asinine comment/suggestion, but I will make it based on my experience. You mention questioning what the stem of your current bloating could be. Is it possible that you have increased your intake of coconut products (milk and flour)? I was working with a nutritional guru who swore by coconut products, but I had suspicions that those products were causing great gi distress for my breastfeeding toddler. I finally cut it out based on my suspicions and his gas and symptoms disappeared. Just a thought.
No, it doesn’t sound like an asinine comment to me – I’m definitely open to hearing what has helped other people, because I just don’t have the answers. I actually have been cutting back on coconut flour and haven’t been doing coconut milk, and that seems to help. I may need to take a break from coconut completely…
I read that coconut is a high FODMAP item, so it would make sense if it is causing problems. I have Candida and SIBO (taking Rifaximin and anti-fungal) and am trying to figure out which diet would benefit me most (GAPS, SCD, FODMAP, Autoimmune Paleo) and honestly, it is overwhelming! I do believe FODMAPs are playing a part though as coconut, onions, garlic, and cabbage all seem to bother me. Thanks for sharing your update!