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Bell’s Palsy of the Gut

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Posted 6/12/2021 7:58 PM (GMT 0)
Has anybody heard of this, know about it, or think they might have it? I just found out about it, and I think this is my main, most severe symptom for Lyme.

Info about this:
http://www.lymepa.org/02%20BELLS%20PALSY%20of%20the%20GUT--Sherr.pdf

Anyone have suggestions how to deal with this? Have any of you personally dealt with it? I have often felt like my gut just feels numb, and this is probably what is behind that feeling…

I am definitely positive for Borrelia and Bartonella… just starting an herbal protocol suggested by a practitioner I’m seeing. CSA, Knotweed, Chinese Skullcap, Chinese Cats Claw, Isatis, Cordyceps.

Everyone has heard of Bells Palsy in the face, but I’d never heard of it in the gut until a couple days ago…
Posted 6/12/2021 8:03 PM (GMT 0)
And just out of curiosity, how many of you who have Lyme are having intestinal effects from it? It seems less common, but it seems like it does affect some people that way. For me, it’s my most dominant symptom. Lots of gut inflammation, colitis, bloating, SIBO… not good at all.
Posted 6/12/2021 8:19 PM (GMT 0)
Bell’s palsy of the gut sounds like another name for gastroparesis, which is common in chronic illness.

I don’t know if I have lyme but I’ve determined that systemic neuroinflammation is my problem.

I have many gut issues like loose stools and SIBO and malabsorption. Gut issues cause inflammation and inflammation causes gut issues, so it’s a vicious cycle.

When I eat gluten/sugar free my stomach gets better and I feel a bit better. But I’m not fully healed as it’s a necessary but not sufficient requirement for shutting off the inflammation, if that makes any sense, as there are other sources of inflammation.
Posted 6/12/2021 10:22 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, I have had gastroparesis ("Bell's palsy of the gut"). It's awful, and I'm sorry you are dealing with it. It made me feel like my body was giving up, which was scary. It's a form of dysautonomia (like POTS) and is among the many neurological symptoms that are very common with Lyme. Digestive symptoms are common as well. Digestive symptoms that arise from lack of gut motility, such as SIBO, can be caused by gastroparesis as well, and obviously also nutritional deficiencies and electrolyte imbalances.

I'll try to post more later about how I dealt with it, but a few highlights:
- Don't force it. Digestion takes a huge amount of energy, and sometimes our bodies don't have any energy to spare. I know it's hard in the moment, but resist the urge to force down food and take more supplements than you absolutely have to.
- Work on your nervous system. So many ways: vagus nerve exercises, meditation, breathwork, DNRS or other limbic system retraining programs, craniosacral therapy, tapping, acupuncture, etc.
- Address inflammation by eliminating inflammatory foods and adding anti-inflammatory compounds such as curcumin.
Posted 6/13/2021 7:09 PM (GMT 0)
yes, i think "bells palsy of the gut" is a a way to communicate a breakdown in function of the nerve that controls the gut - i.e. the vagus nerve - as opposed to the cranial nerve that controls the facial muscles. usually the 7th cranial nerve in the case of bells palsy

in bells palsy its usually a problem with localised inflammation of the cranial nerve in the face due to bacteria or sometimes viral infection.

but with these common and varied problems with gut motility in lyme patients its less clear where exactly the problem lies - is it a localised problem in the vagus nerve itself like a patch of inflammation due to infection - somewhere between the gut and the brain -- maybe in the neck - or is it neuropathy in the nerves in the gut tissues ( some studies have shown autoimmune or auto-inflammatory neuropathy is present in the gut nerves in people with SIBO) or is the limbic system in the brain itself upset.
The answers are arriving slowly - but we are not there yet.

the main thing that helps in my case is putting less in there that feeds the gut bacteria - as many people with this condition find - the more carbs / sugar and starches we put in the worse the gut related symptoms become - and some of the systemic symptoms too - like fatigue and headaches.

a whole foods ketogenic diet has been a game changer for me
Posted 6/13/2021 7:51 PM (GMT 0)
I’ve also had spinal pain that feels nerve related… spikes during moments of adrenaline like getting pulled over by a cop or being embarrassed publicly. A dull throb in sync with heart beats. So perhaps the gut issue is a result of spinal chord inflammation, or vegus nerve, or a combo…

In any case, I’m also going to try taking Lion’s Mane mushroom for nerve support in addition to tinctures.

I’ve been dealing with severe symptoms for 3.5 years, and became almost symptom free this past January (2021) for a hot minute after a super heavy duty course of kill stuff. I didn’t know I was positive for Lyme at the time but a lot of the herbs were Lyme herbs coincidentally. In my mind I was just taking all the heavy duty kill stuff that I could, since I have always figured my issues were pathogen related.

Unfortunately I wasn’t able to sustain the improvement, but after finding out I was positive for Borrelia and Bartonella a couple weeks ago via Igenix, Galaxy, and MDL testing, I now have a clear direction, and because of that short blip in January where I nearly healed myself, I know that it’s possible.

Hopeful that it’s just a matter of taking the right herbs at this point…

Currently doing CSA for 7 days, then 7 days of Japanese Knotweed, Isatus, Chinese Skullcap, Chinese Cat’s Claw, and Cordyceps (maybe also gonna order Stephania), and I’ll rotate back and forth week to week like that…

I think also the Lion’s Mane should help heal the nerves… It was part of my mix of supplements back in November and December when I had a big improvement (which wasn’t sustained). Hopefully this time I’ll see more lasting results now that I know I’m treating specifically the Borrelia and Bartonella.
Posted 6/13/2021 7:53 PM (GMT 0)
Good advice… definitely resonates with me. Palsy of the Gut is tough. I also have colitis symptoms, but I’m pretty sure it all is stemming from the Lyme.

saraeli said...
Yes, I have had gastroparesis ("Bell's palsy of the gut"). It's awful, and I'm sorry you are dealing with it. It made me feel like my body was giving up, which was scary. It's a form of dysautonomia (like POTS) and is among the many neurological symptoms that are very common with Lyme. Digestive symptoms are common as well. Digestive symptoms that arise from lack of gut motility, such as SIBO, can be caused by gastroparesis as well, and obviously also nutritional deficiencies and electrolyte imbalances.

I'll try to post more later about how I dealt with it, but a few highlights:
- Don't force it. Digestion takes a huge amount of energy, and sometimes our bodies don't have any energy to spare. I know it's hard in the moment, but resist the urge to force down food and take more supplements than you absolutely have to.
- Work on your nervous system. So many ways: vagus nerve exercises, meditation, breathwork, DNRS or other limbic system retraining programs, craniosacral therapy, tapping, acupuncture, etc.
- Address inflammation by eliminating inflammatory foods and adding anti-inflammatory compounds such as curcumin.

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