HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Digestive issues?

Support Forums
>
Lyme Disease
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 4/17/2016 10:02 PM (GMT 0)
Years ago I was dx with IBS, predominantly constipation. I would go every day, but I would strain, have lower left side colon pain. Through the years id get bloating, and pain all along the large intestine, from right to left, after a bowel movement. Some of the symptoms got better after treating Hashimotos, hypothyroid tends to lower intestinal motility.

Someone, I forget where or who, was telling me co infections can cause abdominal pain and IBS type symptoms. Have a little brain fog today, but coming up empty on searches. So it could be me. But waa this person right? And could you point me in the right direction to research? Going to take a nap, but appreciate any info you could lend. Thank you!
Posted 4/17/2016 10:16 PM (GMT 0)
I did a search - here are some threads that might be helpful:

www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=30&m=3358862

www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=30&m=3253654
Posted 4/17/2016 10:37 PM (GMT 0)
There are actually very few good articles about how these infections affect the gut from what I've seen - but here is one of the best that I've found: www.practicalgastro.com/pdf/April06/SherrArticle.pdf

I too suffer with constipation made much worse by these infections - and the treatments can send me either way (constipation or diarrhea), depending on the mood of my innerds. I used to suffer horribly from pseudo-obstructions, gas that would travel BOTH ways in my intestines (yes, both ways - very painful!), and the pain levels were phenomenal during some of those times.

I had to see a Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner for any true help, but once she worked on my digestion with herbs and acupuncture, and I healed from these infections, I've had remarkably little trouble (comparably), as long as I understand what I must do and my limits. I still have to take certain herbs 3 - 4 times a day, every day without missing a dose, or those symptoms come roaring back into my life, but at least I have a way to have some control.

I used to go see Gastro doc's and they would pat me on the head (figuratively and literally) and say, "everyone has a little trouble with constipation from time to time" REALLY? They were calling 22 days straight without passing so much as a gas bubble "a little" constipation. They never once looked for any reason, or tried to help when the pharma meds failed to help. No amount of fiber helped, believe me, although getting enough fiber is very important, as well as drinking enough water.

Good luck, and if you think I can be of any help, please do let me know!
Posted 4/17/2016 11:06 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks a lot. Yes, Traveler, it may have been you that suggested a tie between my IBS and co infections. I cant remember anything these past few days. Ill be sure to read your link tonight. What gets me is the constant discomfort/pain. I tried everything, short of accupuncture. Coffee enemas were nasty! The flares of trapped gas can be relentless. Whats odd is, and sorry for TMI, but the smell has changed since this all started in 2014. I never smelled before. Now I need air freshener on hand when I have gas or bowel movement. When it gets bad, it truly is dibilitating. You cant do a thing by lay there hoping it will pass. I know one thing, my LLMD appointment cant get here fast enough!
Posted 4/17/2016 11:09 PM (GMT 0)
I had gastroparesis from Lyme & bartonella. Still do have some symptoms, but its not an issue much now. Before treatment, I could only have a liquid breakfast and low fiber foods for lunch and dinner. And I'd have to take some Smooth Move tea and colace once a week to fully move stuff out. I just did it once a week to prevent dependency on the tea.

Now, I have no trouble eating solid foods. I've gone in the opposite direction to constipation now, but I kinda prefer it that way. Magnesium citrate and vitamin C help things for me. If I miss a dose I 'feel constipated', though I'm not.
Posted 4/17/2016 11:33 PM (GMT 0)
trader, I think Bart is the one who messes up with GI a lot. I also have huge problems with my stomach, I have pain 24/7 whatever I eat or not eat. I cannot sleep because of it. It is excruciating. Based on my other symptomes, I am pretty sure that I have Bart, but I haven't done blood test.

Traveler, could you please check the link for the article, I cannot open it?

Post Edited (blueberrymuffin) : 4/17/2016 5:37:25 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 4/17/2016 11:59 PM (GMT 0)
That was a pdf's file, blueberry, try this link instead:
http://www.publichealthalert.org/palsy-of-the-gut-and-other-gi-manifestations-of-lyme-and-associated-diseases.html

Lyme and Bart can both hit the digestive system really hard. If a person has serious digestive issues, it's most likely due to the presence of both infections.

Well, that article is proving to be hard to find a working link for! You can copy and paste the link above, or you can just search for the article by Dr. Virginia T. Sherr, titled "Bells palsy of the gut".
Posted 4/18/2016 12:23 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you very much, I managed to find it.
Posted 4/18/2016 1:03 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks all. I found a link on my local support groups website for symptoms, seems pretty...well cant find the words I want. Its a lot of info...

www.lyme-symptoms.com/LymeCoinfectionChart.html

Not sure where they got it, but can someone look at it and spell things out? My brains wonky tonight. Confusing. Is it a good thing to compare symptoms too?
Posted 4/18/2016 5:58 AM (GMT 0)
Two GI Doctors diagnosed me with gastroparesis, they had me taking domperidone for a while. I knew something else was wrong considering I was perfectly healthy before all this started. Finally, I found the most intelligent doctor that diagnosed me with chronic lyme. I still have slow emptying problems with my stomache, will domperidone help? Will I be able to eat like I did before - normal? I still feel full with the small amount of food I eat.
Posted 4/18/2016 8:57 AM (GMT 0)
I have no personal experience with domperidone, as its not legal in the US. But there are some in an IBS group I used to belong to that used it and they were happy with it. Ive read too many possible bad side effects to want to go that route. Thats the problem with a lot of drugs and some supplements. They have one or two small benefits and a mile long list of possible side effects. Its a personal decision, a tough one at that.
Posted 4/18/2016 3:04 PM (GMT 0)
I would make sure that you had enough digestive enzymes to begin with. I had very slow transit time in my intestines, but taking enough digestive enzymes (or apple cider vinegar, which also helps to detox!!) has made a major difference for me.

The other thing is that you could be experiencing psuedo-blockages if your intestines stop working for longer periods of time (days). Healing these infections *should* heal your digestive issues.

And actually, online it says that domperidone is an over the counter item.

Do be sure that you are using enough magnesium as well. I actually use two different types - one for my body and one to help out my bowels. Magnesium oxide, while it has poor availability for the body's general needs, it pulls in extra water into the colon - which can really help a lot of people suffering from constipation.
www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/types-of-magnesium/

The best way to find the dose YOU need, is to find your bowel tolerance. Start out with a small amount and very gradually increase it at your own pace, gradually taking a little more each day. If at any time along the way, you get abdominal discomfort: a rumbling stomach, excessive gas, or diarrhea, go back to the amount you reached before you encountered problems.

Be sure you drink plenty of water - the amount I have found I need is around 64 ounces a day, more during the hotter summer days and I can get away with a bit less some winter days.

And never, ever "hold it". Go when you have to go, you are training those muscles and your body to get rid of the waste and toxins as soon as it can. When I was still able to work, I didn't realize that by just 'holding it' would complicate my issues - oh if I could go back and undo that part at least!
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply