Need help with gut issues - feeling discouraged.

May I suggest you get a stool test to see whether you have C diff or H pylori . Are you taking the Mac antibiotics because they can cause C Diff. If you do have seed if there’s a new medicine in fact I am taking it called Dificid and it’s the best one out on the market where he probably won’t ever get it again as opposed to vancomycin which was what they were using for a long time I just found out about that and I’m almost done with the Dificid regimen… This is just a suggestion that might not apply to you at all but I hope it helps her you better no if you do have CDF there’s a new medicine in fact I am taking it called Dificid and it’s the best one out on the market where you probably won’t ever get it again as opposed to vancomycin which was what they were using for a long time I just found out about that and I’m almost done with the deficit regimen… This is just a suggestion it might not apply to you at all but I hope it helps you

Did you order the tea straight from England or were you able to find a US distributor?

Sherri, I have been working with a functional integrative MD and I am experiencing significant benefits from that. I agree that some of us have sensitive, intestinal tracts! But I don’t give up, eating, and dining and enjoying meals is a worthy goal and a lifelong process 😊

After six months of treatment for SIBO, I’m no longer losing weight, and the chronic diarrhea has completely resolved. I am also dairy and gluten free and currently following an anti-candida diet, which is mostly an anti-inflammatory diet with complex carbs.

Ordered from England and still strained it. Had ordered from Amazon earlier but the "tea" inside the bag looked like black dust, not dried leaves.

For me there seems to be a connection between my intestines and lungs. When my intestinal symptoms are not as bad it seems my lungs are not as bad or perhaps I am able to tolerate the lung infection better. My pulmo also does not think there is any connection. Your symptoms sort of sound like bouts of IBS. It is a vague diagnosis but can be very bad for some people. I am pretty sure I have chronic IBS but I also feel if I could get my lung infection knocked back that the intestinal situation would improve. They do seem interconnected.

I, too, have real trouble with IBS. I also have MAC, but don’t see a connection. I have read a number of posts that discuss the lung/gut connection, so asked my gastroenterologist what he thought. He said there’s a connection with many organs and had no real suggestions about what I might be able to do or take to help. He knows I have struggled with IBS since 2003 and it has gotten pretty rough for me. It bothers me daily and MAC doesn’t seem to interrupt my life except when I get a bad cold or flu. I do the saline and nebulizer every day as well as other cautionary measures to prevent a set back. It’s the gut issues that hurt my quality of life. I keep hoping I can find something that will help the bloating, gas, diarrhea, constipation, accidents, cramps etc. I wish I could suggest something to help you, but I’m also searching!! Good luck and keep us posted if you find help!

I’ve read a medical journal article or two about the connection with IBS for some BE patients. More research shows that inflammation in our bodies can affect organs and cause all sorts of issues for some. I agree that is is all linked together. Over 80 % of people for example, with BE also have chronic sinus issues evidently. Wish more doctors were aware of this research.

I too have been having mysterious pain pressure in my upper abdomen feeling like a band around my chest. The pain seems to originate from my stomach, but no one seems to know what’s causing it. I did think it was anxiety and I am on hydroxyzine for that, but I am still, not sure because it comes on for no reason and even though I am on my medication.
🤷‍♀️ My symptoms are very similar to yours such as fatigue, Extreme shortness of breath, pain pressure in my upper abdomen. Sometimes I just get it like a squeezing of my stomach. Very difficult to tolerate. I hope you find answers.

Dear Shooei,

I’m so sorry to hear that you’ve been unwell. There is a lot of ongoing research on the gut-lung access. I think we are going to have to be patient to know more about how they interact. With that said, I can’t wait to learn more from these studies as I, too, have IBS.

In the meantime, you might want to think about eating more fermented foods, such as kefir, kombucha and sauerkraut and pickles that require refrigeration.

Also, has your doctor checked for h. Pylori?

If you want to work with nutritionist, Michelle MacDonald, who is the nutrition supervisor at National Jewish Health, also has a consulting business. She’s a tremendous resource for the bronchiectasis and NTM community.

Best,
Linda Esposito

Thank you for the good advice. I am trying, but I have a lot of food intolerance. I know that it would probably help To see a nutritionist. Yes I have been checked for H pylori.