holy herx / gastrointestinal issues (SIBO)

Hey gang. Long time no type. My Lyme symptoms had all but disappeared by about the 1 year mark on Stephen Buhner's herbal protocol. Unfortunately I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease as well back in February this year and that has been an unbelievable struggle. I found out the hard way that I am a highly sensitive Celiac, but began adjusting eventually. about a month ago all of the sudden I developed fruit malabsorption, quickly followed by fat malabsorption, quickly followed by just about everything else. My body has only been able to digest white rice, potatoes and seeds for the last few weeks.

My gastro immediately suspected Small Intestine Bacteria Overgrowth. Because the tests for it are not very accurate, he usually gives antibiotics and if that solves the problem, you had bacteria overgrowth. If not, on to the next diagnostic test. I knew what was going to happen with this experiment--it stirred the Lyme immediately. I'm in herx hell now, mostly bedridden, keeping my fingers crossed that this is killing bacteria overgrowth in my intestine and that stirring the lyme will be worth it.

Does anyone here have severe gastrointestinal issues? I managed to find one article that mentioned the possibility of Lyme causing SIBO, but my docs think it could be something else as well. (seriously? Disease #3??) My rhuematologist ran some tests and is supposed to call me tomorrow to discuss results, but they're already posted online and I spent all day yesterday figuring out how to interpret all the values. My white blood cell count is out of range low, my platelet count is VERY out of range high, my kidney function is off (guess that's the cause of all the back pain..), and my ANA (weak positive last time tested 1.5 yrs ago) was borderline with a nucleolar pattern. All seems slightly suggestive of Diffuse Scleroderma, which frightens me. (Esp considering family history--mom's side is riddled with autoimmune diseases) I'm trying not to work myself up too much, though, until I talk to my doc.

Anyway..my main reason posting is to get a feel for if many others have SEVERE gastrointestinal issues associated with Lyme.

And and and, since I decided to treat my lyme with herbs I'm not as familiar with this herxing business. (JEEBUS, HORRID~!) How long do your herxes last? I'm only taking the antibiotics for 2 weeks, but my goodness, this is the longest 2 weeks that's ever happened in human history. I KNOW YOU PEEPS UNDERSTAND! Aside from detox baths (slowly, I know), what else do you do to minimize the pain?

I too have a lot of gastro issues happening. Just diagnoses and started antibiotics three weeks ago and one week ago started detox bathes. This weekend was a nightmare! When I lay in the detox baths my stomach get very angry...grumbling and rumbling. Then I used the bathroom more frequently for a few days and yesterday I felt like I was in labor!! Lots of pressure and pain in lower abdomen and balck. This morning I had massive diarreah. I do not know how anyone can have that much in them to begin with. Just wanted you to know you are not alone. When I became ill two years ago and Drs couldnt figure out what was wrong with me, a lot of my troubles lay in the gastro track. I had my gall bladder removed in Nov 11 and I had lost over 40lbs in less than 4 months. Three weeks ago, tested positive for Lyme and started antiobiotics and detox baths a week and a half and its a daily stuggle to keep myself at a healthy weight. So, from personal expereince, I believe Lyme does attack our gastro track and in my case it seems to be living and thriving there! Hang in there. Wanted to send some encouragement your way cause I know how frustrating it is~

Awesome. Thanks so much, WWJD20.

LOL! Aquaholic! Great minds think alike!! giggle!!

I'm so glad that it helped you! Hang in there!!!

OMG, call me the Queen of GI Lyme, LOL!!! I've had to deal with darn near everything in Dr. Sherr's article...SIBO, dysmotility throughout, diarrhea, constipation (obstinate, refuses to budge), bleeding, nausea, vomiting, reflux, gallbladder (stones; gb removed 1999), etc., etc.

Was even mis-diagnosed with Crohn's Disease because of the symptoms...

And if I get too aggressive against Lyme, my Gut is what gets hit first on the herx. Herxed sooooo hard from Buhner's protocol (Japanese Knotweed) it shut down my gut (esophagus to "other end") and I could not eat for over a year. Couldn't swallow my own spit, got severely dehydrated, almost died.

Got hospitalized & then sent home on TPN (fed through a PICC line/vein in my arm). Took 3 1/2 years to get off the IV food & hydration, and I'm still affected today...still have swallowing problems and gut motility issues.

And I didn't even mention all the food allergies, intolerances and sensitivities... Gluten, Sulfites, etc. Not much left on my "safe to eat" list, and it keeps shrinking... And when I've tried allergy treatments, they either don't do anything or make me worse...I believe this is because Lyme causes my immune system to not respond like it is supposed to.

So yes, some would consider my case to be "severe" GI Lyme...

YES! GI problems are one of my main symptoms and have been since I first started to get ill- bloating, CONSTANT belching, nausea, rumbling, frequent BMs (like 8-10 times/day), vomiting when really bad. I never have an appetite for anything anymore, especially since starting abx./treatment.

I've been tested for H. Pylori dozens of times, always negative. But I've taken mastic gum anyway, with no improvement of symptoms.

Sorry for reviving this topic, but i think the doctor did a disservice to OP.

If he's having bacterial imbalance, the worst thing to do is prescribing another set of antibiotics, which will kill even more bacteria a cause a severe disbiosis.

You should look into candida and fungal inhibitors. When you use antibiotics, fungals take the bacteria's place.

Garlic works good if your stomach can tolerate it and so are other natural remedies. You can also look for pills, such as Niastin. Vitamin D helps too, best way to get it is through skin by sun exposure or special UVB lamps. Second best is supplementation.

I still can't believe the doctor just prescribed antibiotics and to see if it works, there's a huge antibiotic surge recently, they prescribe it for pretty much everything under the sun.

Hornet599,

Yersinia? That is the first I have heard of that? How did your doctor diagnose that?

Also,did you have any bloating?

I also second Runnergirl's question.