The Path to Healing: Mind, Body, Soul and GUTS!

**To go straight to treatment plan just scroll to bottom of blog post and you'll see Gut Dysbiosis Treatment Plan**

Introduction:

Hello everyone, my name is Mary and i had what i called "I'm Gunna F*cking Die Disease" for 4+ years. After severe efforts, i started to feel better. Two weeks into treatment i felt exceptionally better! Four weeks in my symptoms had subsided so much I've started to actually live again. It was a long road, i want to ensure you now before you go any further, there is NO overnight fix. Once i began to feel just a smidge better, for the first time in four years i had hope and trust that i could heal. I’m not a doctor, so please do not assume the treatment plan i share is for you specifically, we all have our own root causes. Regardless, i want to share what worked for me. I have a lot to share so bear with me. I feel a need to share my story and express how it affected my quality of life and my mental/physical health. I will break down my treatment plan, diet, supplements, natural antibiotics, my experience with doctors and more.

This was my life with SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth), Candida Overgrowth (Yeast), Food Intolerance, Histamine Intolerance, Seasonal & Food Allergies, Health Anxiety/ Depression, Slow Motility, Leaky Gut, Gastritis, Hypothyroidism, Mold Toxicity, Citrobacter Freundii Infection, MCAS, and more!

My Background Story: What it's like living with a chronic illness

A chronic health problem can disrupt all aspects of your life. Up until June of 2020 i felt overwhelmed by waves of difficult emotions—from fear and worry to profound sadness, despair, and grief—or just numb from the feeling i'd never heal. The emotional upheaval made it difficult for me to function in every way. Those emotions drove me into chronic Health Anxiety. Living with Anxiety is like being followed by a voice, a voice that becomes the loudest in the room, but only you can hear it - and it blocks out all other sound.

My Symptoms and Reactions:

Day to day my symptoms developed, before i knew it i experienced the following symptoms (almost daily);

• Severe Abdominal Pain/Cramping/ Sharp Pains

• Bloating/ Gas Build Up/Trapped Gas

• Air Hungry/ Gasping

• Night Gasping/ Sleep Apnea

• Chronic Inflammation

• Vagus Nerve Dysfunction

• Nausea/Vomiting

• Candida Overgrowth

• Extreme Adrenal Fatigue/Brain Fog

• Acid Reflux/GERD/Heartburn/ Severe Dry Throat & Burning of Throat/ Bad Taste in Mouth

• Ear or Head Pain/Pressure/ Headaches/ Migraines

• Hormonal Imbalance/ Hot Flashes/ Excessive Sweating/ Night Sweats/ Irregular Periods

• Fever/Chills

• Sensitivity to Sounds or Light

• Poor Blood Circulation

• Low Blood Pressure

• Shortness Of Breath

• Body Or Muscle Twinging/Twitching/ Spasms

• Stomach or Intestinal Throbbing

• Muscle Aches/Burning Muscles/Numb Muscles

• Nerve Numbness or Pain

• TMJ (Temporomandibular joint) Pain and Muscle Issues

• Malabsorption of nutrients and vitamins

• IBS, Leaky Gut, and other Inflammatory Bowel Issues

• Constipation/Diarrhea (More on how i treat each here:

• Dizziness/Vertigo/ Lack of Balance/ Falling Over/ Hard to Walk

• Health Anxiety/Depression/ Mood Disorders

• Vitamin or Mineral Deficiency

• Low Sex Drive

• Herx Reactions

• Poor Immune System/ Histamine Intolerance/Food Intolerance

• Irritable Skin/ Bruising Easily/ Slow To Heal Wounds

• Red splotches on skin when exposed to heat (in shower/bath)

• Dry, Damaged, Frail Hair and Nails

• Weight Loss

• Hemorrhoids/ Rectal Bleeding

• Frequent Urination or Bladder Discomfort

• Memory Loss/ Slow Reflexes/ Reduced Motility/ Disoriented

• Blurred Vision/ Black Outs

• Bloody Noses/ Bloody Earwax

• Hives

• Joint & Bone Pain

• Post Nasal Drip/ Increased Reactions To Seasonal Allergies

There was more but these should paint a good enough picture.

Every day.... this was my life!

Health Anxiety Diagnosis:

Doctors informed me more than once that i was experiencing stomach issues due to Generalized Anxiety Disorder. I learned that if you have one major panic attack and end up in the ER, going forward every visit about your health will be seen by a doctor as overreacting and "anxiety", nothing to truly be concerned about. It's like it became an excuse for them not to take me seriously. I considered the diagnosis and gave every ounce of my energy that i had left to heal my emotional state. I attended Psychotherapy for one year, I participated in Anxiety Recovery Programs by The Anxiety Guy (Dennis Simsek), read his books, listened to all his YouTube videos, his podcasts and joined his Facebook group The Anxiety Guy/ Anxiety Support Group. This man is a godsend, a genius, and i encourage everyone to make your way over to read and listen to his material, can't pass up material that works. Although my stomach issues never went away, participating in anxiety recovery helped me stop reacting to the illness in a harmful way, I still carry worry but I have learned more peaceful ways to express it. Thanks to my active efforts in healing my mind the panic attacks quickly subsided within three to four months and I have been panic attack free since Dec of 2017. It took about nine months for all physical anxiety symptoms to subside. So if you feel like you are "anxiety" know that it is possible to heal. We cannot be physically well until we are first emotionally well. In the end, it turns out, anxiety needed to be addressed regardless the reason for my health issues.

Here are a few Anxiety releif herbals i feel helped me along the way (please note i only use products with clean organic ingredients, NO fillers);

Anxiety Releif Herbal Extract

Goodnight Magnesium Lotion

Magnesium ER (Extended Release)

Sleepy Time

Calm & Clarity

How it felt emotionally/ How i changed my mindset:

I often felt anger or frustration as i struggled to come to terms with my health issues. It's difficult to face it, especially when I was young, i was in my 20's. I often worried about the future and if i'd ever find a doctor who could help me heal. I worried my health would interfere with my ambition forever. There were so many things i wanted to pursue but i lacked the trust in myself that it would be okay. I felt i was sitting alone grieving the loss of my old life, and the life i could of had if i wasn't sick. I battled daily my sense of self... a loss of self.... I defined myself only as an unknown medical condition, not me. I felt powerless, hopeless, and unable to look beyond the worst-case scenario. I felt regret and shame as i judged how my condition affected those around me - all the relationships with people who were once close to me i had let fade, the time I've missed out on because it was all spent curled in a ball on the floor. It comes with a sense of isolation, feeling cut off from friends and loved ones who couldn't possibly understand what i was going through. I look back and wish i would have tried harder to share with family and friends. I regret letting the voice in my head that shouted "You're a drag, stop talking" take over my voice. I felt this way because i couldn't seem to avoid it being a topic of conversation 24/7 -- It was all that was on my mind. This pain was inescapable and i felt locked inside - i felt like an energy sucking vampire. I chose to keep my distance for other peoples well-being. I could only pretend "I'm fine" for so many hours at once. The times i was able to tough it out were very hard but i cherish the efforts i had made even just occasionally. I have been blessed to have such supportive family, co-workers and an understanding boss, they knew all about my bowel movements, and seemed to take my oversharing well. I have been very fortunate to be in a relationship where my boyfriend at the time (now husband) could keep me sane and provide clean meals and foot rubs (he's a keeper). I can't even express how much i appreciate his efforts and his patience. If anyone has suffered hearing me complain it's him and he always knows what to say or do. I am truly blessed with an excellent tribe.

Over time i shifted into a more positive mindset by re-framing my thoughts. When i felt hopeless i reminded myself that it's okay. It's okay to feel these things. It's completely understandable. It's important to know that i am not powerless or alone. Yes, Doctors had been little to no help at times, but there were steps i could take to ease the stress and mental anguish that often accompanied feeling miserable, and find a way to navigate this challenging journey. I had the power to change my mindset, i courageously worked at it everyday. It was okay to have a setback with my emotional reactions. Every once in a while, i'd sit myself down and have a talk. First i'd express my worries and fears, then i allowed myself to feel, i embraced patience and trust that all my hard work would one day lead to results, i was open to change and change was my only option, if i needed support i could reach out to family and friends, it's okay to be scared but i also needed to be brave and trusting. I had the choice to continue educating myself and evolve into accepting the uncertainty while i put in the work. This process helped me explore emotions and shape my next game plan. These moments of hopelessness lead me to my next steps. As miserable as it felt to feel, it was liberating and freeing. I took all this strength from the pit of my soul and i fought with every ounce of faith i had in myself. I didn't have to lay there in a ball, i could get back on my wagon (yes the one that had a missing wheel led by a blind horse with two broken legs) and continue on the path to healing my mind, body and spirit. Every moment was a fresh beginning, a time to begin the first day of the rest of my life. -- this goes for all of you as well! This requires willpower points, we don't just find willpower, we have to create it.

Chronic Pain

How I Managed the Chronic Pain

First thing i will say... doing nothing about your chronic pain will get you nowhere. You will not heal, you will not improve your quality of life if you stay in the "doomed forever" state. Constant effort and lifestyle change is required to make any progress. I state the seemingly obvious because i have attempted support groups for chronic pain est and i see mostly complaining, lack of effort and lack of progress in any form. Most claim they are there to vent because it's how they survive and get by emotionally. Some say their doctors have ensured them they will have chronic pain for the rest of their life so they shut down... they give up. Most get mild relief from pain medications but not many are actively trying to heal and maintain their health. Some beg for ways to get better but take no efforts to try anything new. I understand that we are only human, I cannot say i haven't had this mentality myself on and off, everyone is guilty of Victim Mentality at one point or another. Some have a Victim Complex which can be damaging and last a lifetime if not addressed. It's an upsetting reality, and i feel for them, but there is a point where we need to realize that we are our only hope.

I started a regular practice of meditation, stretching, soft tissue work, MELT Method (Foam Rolling), i did all this while working on my health anxiety recovery. I even explored Reiki Energy Healing and Acupuncture (short term). I also had much relief by attending Wellness Performance and Integrative Chiropractic. They provide excellent services including chiropractic work, soft tissue treatments, trigger points, corrective exercises, nutrition and much more. I find the chiropractor work essential because it effects the central nervous system (spinal cord and brain function). If you live here in the Pacific Northwest check them out https://peninsulawp.com/, i tried to schedule a visit weekly to keep my body maintained best i could while i figured my GUT life out. Even now, years into it i still enjoy massage and attend as i can, it's an essential need, especially for those like me that have soft tissue damage. I understand many do not have the financial freedom to do treatments weekly, so do what your budget allows. Massage was a huge contributor to my stress management since day one of recovery. I learned the key is to keep the mind healthy. Once i shifted my mindset i felt like anything was possible (even on my bad days) and because of my perseverance and my insistence on healing... i'm now healed. I'm not saying it's easy, it takes time and it takes full dedication from deep within your heart and soul. We have the ability to manifest our outcomes if we take action.

Becoming a Chronic Health Condition; One by one, Day by Day..

The World of Doctors; Medical Exams, Surgical Procedures, Blood Tests:

After those years of suffering I been gathering the timeline of my health history, tracking where this all began. Now that i'm healed I've felt the desire to map out where i may have went wrong on this journey and what i would have done differently if i could go back and was more educated so others can learn from my experiences.

My first visit to the doctor regarding stomach issues began in August of 2016, i was in to see my regular physician complaining about stomach pains and flu like symptoms. A month prior in early July of 2016 i had experienced my first ever food poisoning experience. I had what i assumed was under cooked or spoiled beef hamburger from our local Wendy's. Within a couple hours of ingesting i was on the toilet. I developed a fever, chills, nausea, and vomiting. I slept on the bathroom floor for three days while my body tried to rid of the poisoning. I had bathroom issues for a total of five days. A couple weeks went by i felt mostly better. Again, late July 2016 i went to eat at a restaurant, a local Mexican restaurant, i had a taco salad. Within hours, i was on the toilet experiencing food poisoning again. This time for two days. I had let my doctor know and she said to give it time, the body naturally can rid of the toxins. This is where it all began.

Weeks turned into months, which turned into years. Every month a new and terrible symptom would arise... and a new and terrible doctor unfortunately. Desperate to find answers i saw a total of eleven doctors through four years of fighting. I have had numerous types of blood tests, CT scans, Endoscopy, Colonoscopy, and Ultrasounds. Occasionally something would pop up -- autoimmune markers, vitamin deficiencies, low blood pressure, cysts on liver and right kidney, thyroid issues, gastritis, ulcers, and so on. I found myself seeing a doctor twice a week minimum, and the only diagnosis i was given was IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), Generalized Anxiety, and Fibromyalgia -- i was not being taken seriously by anyone. Regardless all the "little common things", they never tried to help me look further. I had to break down, cry, and beg for these tests. It took over a year before a doctor even physically touched my stomach to make sure things felt okay. I was denied anything beyond blood tests up until three months prior to finding my root cause. My symptoms took a drastic turn and i began to fear for my life. I called the hospital and reached out to supervisors, wrote firm letters demanding i get the tests I've requested over the years. No one ever called me back but within the same week i got calls okaying the tests. I assume my description of my symptoms made them feel liable if something were to happen - it progressed into memory loss lasting 10-30 seconds randomly throughout the day and hard to walk -- i truly believe that they didn't give me what i wanted because they cared, and that just breaks my heart. No one should have to fight that hard when they are willing to pay whatever the cost. Ever.

I'd like to express that all my failed attempts with taking endless tests did help rule out many things. Just because i found most doctors unhelpful doesn't mean everyone will have this experience, i only suggest you use your best judgement. Within 2-3 visits you will know if they are listening, taking you seriously and truly want to help you. If they don't show interest in your theories, know that they probably don't have the education or the knowledge to help you figure it out. Being ill for so long we sufferers get to know our bodies in ways we never imagined we would. We feel organs inside our bodies that we are not supposed to feel, we know our intestines, est. If your doctor ignores all the theories you'd like to investigate, trust your "gut", give them a boot and move on. If you choose to stick around while they guess … know you are getting nowhere quickly. I found Physicians, GI Specialists, Allergists, Women's Health doctors all unhelpful, aside from the very few who gave me permission to finally get the tests done, to them i say thank you - although it was long overdue and i should have had the tests and procedures ordered years ago when i asked for them. I will add that i met a few people along the way very knowledgeable in overall health and found temporary relief here and there, i very much appreciate these people helping me manage my gut symptoms. They were not doctors but they knew a thing or two and i couldn't have gotten through my breaking points without them.

I took four total intolerance tests, both blood and hair follicle, and at year two into misery i could only digest about five to ten foods without severe reaction. Beside food intolerance i developed Histamine Intolerance, Health Anxiety/ Depression, Slow Motility, Leaky Gut, Seasonal & Food Allergies, Candida (Yeast) Overgrowth and SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth) among other things.

My Naturopathic Doctor; My Savior

(She see's patients in person only, located in WA State, her title is a Naturopathic Physician and she received her Doctorate at Bastyr University)

A few months into trying to battle my, at the time newly diagnosed IBS, about a year into issues i met with a kind Naturopath that actually helped me. I went in specifically seeking help for IBS management (at this time i was still exploring my first diagnosis). I had let her know i had food intolerance and had issues with certain foods as well as health anxiety. She listened, and we did a blood test for food allergies and sensitivities through BIOTEK. I then used these results to navigate what i needed to eliminate from my diet. About six months in i was able to cut my pain in half and symptoms were more mild than severe with a few bad days sprinkled in. Unfortunately it came back full speed. I wanted to continue seeing her but i needed to get hospital procedures done to rule out things like Crohns, Celiac, Autoimmune and other legitimate diseases. Since i had to fight for so long to get those tests i waited way too long to reconnect with her. I should have reached out much sooner.

We hit the ground running about six months before we found my root cause. First, at the hospital was my Endoscopy in Feb 2020, this confirmed the Gastritis, Ulcers and inflammation/irritation in my esophagus and stomach. Once this was confirmed i worked with her and found some excellent ways to manage the acid reflux issues. She listened to me, she acknowledged my assumptions and helped me explore different theories. After digging deeper into all my symptoms she ordered a SIBO Breath Test through SIBO Diagnostics as well as a Comprehensive Stool Analysis through a company called Doctors Data Inc. The SIBO breath test came back positive for Hydrogen Dominant SIBO in June 2020. She had a treatment plan in mind but wanted to first wait for my stool test results before forming a plan. I had my Colonoscopy the day after getting my SIBO results, i was cleared of all digestive diseases. I was confused, i was in disbelief, "how could i have a healthy intestinal wall and colon?" The level of pain i felt on the daily on a scale of 1-10 was a 13 at times! Also relieved, this confirmed that the issue was bacterial. About 10 days later on June 25th, 2020 my stool tests came back positive for Candida Overgrowth and Citrobacter Freundii overgrowth (high levels to the point of intestinal infection). I also had an overgrowth of Alpha Hemolytic Strep and Gamma Hemolytic Strep. I had low growth of Bifidobacterium (a good bacteria) and no growth of both Lactobacillus and Enterococcus. She called to share the news with me that she had a lead! After hanging up with her, I was in tears of joy. I said to myself... "I'm so glad i'm not just crazy"... (with a little hysterical laughing). Finally something had showed up abnormal. After years of searching for answers. If i could go back , i would have worked with just my Naturopath.

What is Citrobactor Freundii?

Citrobacter Freundii invades and replicates in human brain micro vascular endothelial cells, it spreads throughout the body. Bacteremia frequently occurs if the infection source is intra-abdominal. Many poor prognostic factors for C. freundii bloodstream infections have been reported, such as Pneumonia, altered mental status, Hypothermia, Strep (I also had two imbalanced bacterial forms of strep in my gut), and much more. Citrobacter is mostly antibiotic resistant so natural treatment is best, it's very difficult to get rid of. C. freundii. It's common with gastroenteritis, neonatal meningitis, and septicemia. It is known to cause infections of the urinary tract, respiratory tract, blood, and other normally sterile sites in the body. The chief cause is a weak and attenuated immune system and functioning of the body or food poisoning. Stress is also a huge factor that can keep our bodies from healing. A frail immune system/high stress makes the body more vulnerable and predisposed to C. freundii, thus triggering UTI or intestinal infection or meningitis. I wont go too far into this bacteria because not all may have this root cause of infection, regardless the more i research it the more everything that has happened to me makes sense.

My Diet

I've tried every weird diet under the sun. NO dairy, NO starch, NO gluten, NO grains, NO soy, NO legumes, NO chemically processed food, basically just survived on water and sunshine. I've tried all the fad diets... nothing was perfect. Once i knew my root cause i started making my own weird diet, it's a mixture of Low Histamine SIBO diet, Candida Diet, Anti inflammatory diet, and low-acidic, low mold diet. It is easier to tell you what i CAN eat. It was the same boring diet for years, as i moved further into my treatment plan i started to introduce more things. Basically i ate organic white unprocessed meat (We happen to raise meat rabbits), i occasionally would have chicken or turkey. I encourage you research where your food comes from. I ate organic baked vegetables only that were okay-ed in my weird diet guidelines, and eventually was able to stomach raw vegetables again just three weeks into my treatment plan. Oh how i missed raw veggies. Yup, that's about it. **yes i cheated here and there, i'm only human, but overall I tried to stay disciplined. I was serious about healing**.

I found fast and/or small meals werw very helpful. A typical eating schedule in the days of healing was 22oz of celery juice for breakfast. I might snack on some almonds if feeling hungry while working at my desk throughout the morning. I had lunch about four hours later which is usually white meat and vegetables. Dinner comes another six to seven hours later which again is white meat and vegetables again. I made sure i didn't eat 2 to 3 hours prior to bedtime. Throughout the day i drank about 100oz of water, that's just under a gallon a day.

Gastritis/Acid Reflux

Before going into the treatment plan i'd like to share a quick "Gut Soothing" drink for those who struggle badly with acid re-flux; it's very common with gut dysbiosis. This drink was suggested by my Naturopath. This drink also creates a slick mucous layer around intestines so your stools slide right out. It also coats the stomach and helps provide a protective layer so the intestines can heal easier with less irritation.

* Drink 8oz-22oz of Fresh Juiced Celery each morning on an empty stomach. Start with 8 oz. for a few days, if you do well add another 8 oz. work up to your comfort zone. If you want regular bowel movements and less reflux, this drink will be your best friend. Yes, this is a lot of celery, I juiced a full bundle every single morning and add 3-4 carrots to make it taste better. The sweetness helped my sugar cravings.

"Soothe the Gut" drink:

Take 2 tablespoons Slippery Elm, 2 tablespoons of Marshmallow Root, and 1 tablespoon Glucomannan and mix in 1 liter of warm water, let the mixture sit overnight. Drink the mixture throughout the next day. This mixture was a life savor. Personally i noticed relief within 3 days of this drink and the celery juice. Its also okay to drink this mixture in warm water like a tea. If you have reflux you should avoid HOT anything, stick to warm.

My Gut Dysbiosis Treatment Plan

(this plan is a combination of all my issues -- steps and supplements pictured)):

Again, i'm not a doctor... confirm you are okay with these products via your Naturopath.

--- you will see i switch brands here and there because i prefer ordering from same places i can from brands i have investigated for being clean and quality, i include links to those ---

Daily Supplements recommended by my Naturopath

• 1 Capsule in morning of Magnesium ER and 1 capsule within an hour of bedtime

• Drink 8oz-22oz of Fresh Juiced ORGANIC Celery each morning on an empty stomach

• 1-2 Similase Sensitive Stomach Digest Enzyme (10-15 mins before each meal)

• 1 Dropper Digestive Bitters before each meal or snack

• Colloidal Silver 10ppm (1 dropper daily with 4 oz water)

• Cod Liver Oil (1 capsule twice a day)

• Daily Antihistamine (I took Claritin) take with 2 DAO (to break down histamine)

• B-Complex or this B-Complex, Vit C, Micellized D3 (1 capsule or dropper daily)

• L- Glutamine (1 capsule twice daily on empty stomach)

• Gas X Extra Strength as needed

• 
  

Step 1) Biofilm Phase treatment: Biofilm Phase 2 Advance (Dose:1 cap nightly 4 days on and 3 days off for 3 weeks and then we will increase to 2 caps and maybe up to 4 caps nightly) .Start to treat Citrobacter and Hydrogen predominant SIBO with ADP by Biotics x 3 weeks (Dose: 1 cap three times daily). Also starting serum IgA treatment with SBI Protect (Dose:2 caps nightly) and Motility agent Prokine (dose: 1 capsule nightly)

Step 2) Antibiotic to treat Citrobacter (Bactrim DS antibiotic) x 5 days (Does:for gentle treatment take 1/2 tablet by mouth twice a day, 12 hours apart) Please note Bactrim DS antibiotic is not required to rid of Citrobacter. Citrobacter can be killed with Uva Ursi, Oregano, Grapefruit Seed Extract and Silver. I chose to partake in gentle dose because i was experiencing memory loss, things felt dangerous. Also take HMF Intensive Probiotic and switched to Klaire Labs Leaky Gut Probiotic after first box because i prefer better brand quality. (dose: 1 capsule each morning on empty stomach 30 mins prior to eating and taking antibiotic ONLY TAKE PROBIOTIC WHILE TAKING THE BACTRIM DS). Continue step one as usual and double up on Digestive Enzyme during step 2. Triple or Quadruple up on Vitamin C to help with Die Off Fatigue.

Step 3) Wait 3-7 days before beginning alternating treatment once antibiotic step is complete. Give your body a little time to process, although continue to practice step 1. Alternate treatment of Candida and Hydrogen SIBO producing bacteria and Citrobacter. Three weeks alternating of Berberine complex (switched to better brand after first bottle Berberine (Dose: 2 caps per day to 2 caps twice daily, start with just once daily), Grapefruit seed extract (Dose: 1 cap three times daily with food) and back to ADP by Biotics (Dose: 1 cap 3 times daily) in that order.

Step 4) Naturopath Follow Up: 3 weeks after step 3 is complete to discuss next step of treatment and when to do round 2.

** I logged updates as i went through this treatment plan step by step as i completed them with pictures and progress below.**

June 25th, 2020 (before treatment)

Weight : 121 pounds (underweight for my height of 5'8'' - my weight goal is 135lbs)

This was me before treatment -

Bloated 24/7, couldn't fit into most my clothes, shopped in the maternity section, what misery looks like and misery feels like are two different things. This was the day my root cause results came back. This was the day we formed a game plan!

July 6th, 2020

I started the gut prep, step #1 (had to wait for my supplement order to arrive!)

July 30th, 2020 Update#1 (3 weeks & 3 days into treatment)

I completed step one, just the 3 week gut prep most my debilitating symptoms subsided. Regular bowel movements twice a day, dizziness was gone within one week, nausea was gone within three days. Bloat was down within three days as well. Holy crap! Will i be normal one day? Now onto Step 2, five day antibiotic for my root cause Citrobactor Freundii. We are attacking the bacteria with a half dose twice daily, approaching it gently because my gut is so fragile.

August 4th, 2020 Update#2 (4 weeks & 1 day into treatment)

Weight 126 lbs (gained 5 healthy pounds, finally absorbing nutrients again)

The antibiotic Bactrim DS (Sulfameth) went well. I had minimal die off symptoms. It was mainly fatigue and headaches, and slight acid reflux. The reflux was breif because i doubled up on the celery juice, "soothing gut drink" and tripled my Vitamin C intake. The vitamin C was a little pick-me-up for the fatigue. I was surprised my bloat stayed down, had regular bowel movements, and no pain. I am now onto a small waiting period before i begin taking the next natural antibiotic Berberine Complex. **Bonus! with this bloat down i'm able to fit into clothes i haven't worn in years, cant remember that last time i was confident enough to wear a slim fit t-shirt or this skirt due to bloat!**

August 6th Update#3 (4 weeks & 3 days into treatment)

It's day two off of the antibiotics, i'm now just taking the SBI Protect, BioFilm Phase 2, Prokine and ADP (Oregano Oil Capsules) come next week i will stop the ADP and start the Berberine, i will be on it for 3 weeks. I still feel well, i did have a mild gut ache for a couple hours yesterday evening, it was short lived and didn't disable me. I was told to expect a few days of discomfort after taking antibiotics so i was prepared, but expected much worse. I noticed i emptied bowels maybe 5 times a day since completing antibiotic but they are not painful and normal stools, just ridding of the toxins. Too be honest i was waiting for Diarrhea, but NOPE. I also always get a yeast infection following antibiotics and this time i did not, so that's a huge bonus, i'm sure taking the probiotic while on antibiotic helped with that!

August 13th Update#4 (5 weeks & 3 days into treatment)

Okay, i gave my stomach a good week to process finishing the antibiotics. I did get gassy and my histamine reaction was still present. BUT, i had normal pain free bowel movements and minimal bloat (lasting maybe 15-30 minutes after eating and not every meal just occasionally). I found myself taking a few gas x as needed as well as my daily Claritin dose. Today i stopped the ADP Biotics and started the Berberine Complex. I will now be taking the Berberine for 3 weeks... here i go.

August 19th Update#5 (6 weeks & 2 days into treatment)

Weight: 129 lbs (gained another 3 healthy pounds within a couple weeks)

The Berberine is going well so far, the Berberine is being used to treat the candida. I noticed my Histamine reactions have not been present as often, which is a huge relief. I've had a hot flushed face and chest since taking the Berberine, clearing out the Candida. When i researched Berberine more i found that it suppresses histamine release (so that's cool!). I'm still on my basic white meat and baked veggies (boring but it feels good). I noticed now that eating isn't painful i'm actually excited for my boring meals. I'm still regular and have not had any bloat with the Berberine within day 3 of taking it. The first couple days i had a bit of a lower stomach ache which improved with a bowel movement. Each antibiotic will feel different and attack a different issue, i keep expecting worse reactions but it keeps going so well. I truly believe i'm ridding my body of the bad bacteria.

Another great accomplishment is that i have been socializing. I've been attending outings again, seeing friends, and family (you bet i'm breaking COVID rules, nothing is going to stop me from living now). I've been able to stay for the entire duration and not need to leave for the bathroom or because i was too ill. I have been living. I also begin Massage School next month, i have put this off for years because I've been too ill. I'm feeling so good that i think i can attend the entire program. I'm for once, not worried about attendance. I have faith, i have trust. I'm healing. I'm living again. I am not a medical condition :)

August 24th Update#6 (7 weeks into treatment)

I am still on the Berberine, I am still having 2-3 bowel movements for the most part per day. I did have one day of loose stools yesterday and a bit of discomfort in the lower pelvic region, kinda crampy, in and out throughout the day, yesterday i had 5 bowel movements. I still feel like i'm detoxing and ridding of the candida. Today, things seem back to normal bowel wise. Overall things are still going well. I'm still blown away that i have zero nausea, zero dizziness, and very minimal bloat. It has been strange, burping... usually i can't release any gas from either end. Now when i burp its almost foreign... especially because no acid pain sand vomit are present. My histamine reactions are still present but manageable. I actually switched to a lower dose of antihistamine so this must be a good sign, i went from 20mg Claritin to 10mg Kirkland Brand of Claritin (Allerclear).

August 27th Update#7 (7 weeks 3 days into treatment)

Weight 131 pounds (still gaining.. this is good news)

Yesterday i felt a little backed up, i only had a partial incomplete bowel movement miday, but i also didn't get to have my regular celery juice due to oversleeping on accident. i wasn't in pain or bloated but i felt "full" and ended up just having a few bites of a snack for dinner. I can't believe how much the celery juice helps. Last night at bedtime i doubled my magnesium, took 800mg instead of my regular 400mg. I also had a gluten free spinach tortilla yesterday which is not something i usually have. I'm 90% sure that is what caused the constipation. This morning i made a full 22oz of celery juice, i had a hard stool within the hour, followed by very mild diarrhea about a half hour later. There was no pain or cramping and i didn't have to spend more than a couple minutes in the bathroom. I feel all cleaned out now and will be avoiding tortillas today (only human, cheated in a moment of weakness haha). I have another week of Berberine Complex to treat the Candida, then onto the Grapefruit Seed Extract which will attack both the Candida and the Citrobactor combined.

September 4th, 2020 Update#8 (8 weeks & 4 days into treament)

My 6 week follow up with my Naturopath went really well. I took 2 days off the Berberine before my followup. After being off the Berberine for a couple days I can confirm that my slight tummy discomfort was caused by the Candida cleanse. I was given the okay to begin my next natural antibiotic which is the Grapefruit seed extract capsules. I will take these for 3 weeks. I will then take the ADP capsules for another 3 weeks after the Grapefruit Seed Extract before my next follow up. My Histamine reactions have already lessened as well, I have only been taking the antihistamine every other day the past 4 days.

September 16th, 2020 Update#9 (10 weeks into treatment)

The Grapefruit Seed Extract is going very well. I take one capsule with food three times a day. I have no bad reactions, it's easy on the gut and I'm still regular. My histamine reactions are decreasing by the day, I have not had an allergy pill in 4 days (feels like progress).

September 29th, 2020 Update#10 (12 weeks & 1 day into treatment)

My 4 days without an anti-histamine did not last long, i needed it again and have still been taking daily. My main reactions to food is still dry throat (gastritis related), hard to swallow, and have random gas build up. I seem to have the gas under control again. I used Gas X, Mylanta and Pepto Bismal as needed. I also noticed slight head aches. I had a rough 5 days from September 14th-19th of bloat, indigestion, and stomach pain. I was also under a lot of stress awaiting a job interview and the first day of Massage School. I got the job and i got through my first weekend of school just fine, only mild stomach pain. I'm feeling better now and my stress levels are much lower now. I am now back to the ADP by Biotics and it does keep my throat a little dry but it's my favorite so it's a small problem to suck on lozenges all day.

October 14th, 2020 Update#11 (14 weeks & 2 days into treatment)

My stressful couple weeks have passed and things are back to normal. Feeling pretty dang good. I still have some minor histamine reactions and feeling the low stomach acid which will be addressed at my next Naturopath visit in a couple weeks. I stopped taking all natural antibiotics to evaluate my possible stress episode with naturopath at appointment next week. My bowels are regular and i haven't been absent from work due to bathroom issues in almost 4 months, this is a record. My hormones are almost back to normal, it has been about month since i had night sweats. I also have noticed hair growth. I used to have to shave my legs and armpits maybe once every two weeks, now i'm "normal" once every 2-3 days, not saying it's fun but i cant help but be excited my body is working. I have also been attending school and getting settled into my new position at work. Things are not perfect but damn it feels good to make this progress and begin living my life again. This transition into my health has been exhausting, i'm mentally tired taking on all these new ambitions but what a blessing it is to actually have the ability to move forward. There is nothing like waking up NOT bloated, eating and NOT getting bloated, and going to bed NOT bloated.

October 23rd, 2020 Update #12 (15 weeks & 4 days into treatment)

Today i had a follow up with my Naturopath. We decided that we will let my body rest for a bit with the natural antibiotics until our next follow up November 20th. My existing symptoms are mainly histamine reactions which had gone away but they have resurfaced at this point in recovery. Symptoms left to conquer include dry itchy skin with very tiny bumps occasionally, dry throat with mucus upon waking up, heart palpitations and shortness of breath after snacks or meals, sometimes i get the red thrush on face, ears and chest. but not always. She advised that we do another round of natural antibiotic treatment beginning with ADP again on Nov 20th when we do our next follow up. Until then i will be sticking to the SBI Protect, Prokine, and Biofilm Phase2, daily antihistamine, and Vitamin C. After a week i will begin the DOA Umbrellex2. I had the okay to add a few new foods. Right now i only eat white meat and baked veggies with occasional raw veggies. Now i have the okay to expand on the list of foods - they still have to be low histamine and low sugar for now and minimal red meats. It's not much but it's something! Nervous excited.

October 24th, 2020 Update#13 (15 weeks & 5 days into treatment)

At my Naturopath appointment yesterday, my Naturopath had mentioned that the only symptoms i seem to have present are commonly related to mold exposure. Just to be certain i searched the house and sure enough found mold up in the attic. I purchased home 4 years ago and hadn't visited the attic since Jan of 2018 when we had done some roof maintenance. So the mold happened somewhere between January 2018 and now. As soon as it was spotted... my heart skipped a bit and i looked at it like it was the devil... "son of a bitch". I had a few hours of emotional stress, then brought myself back to center, and messaged my Naturopath. She wanted to know the type of mold and wanted an expert to inspect. So here we are... PLOT TWIST. A part of me was thankful because fixing this issue should prevent my stomach issues from resurfacing. Just another thing i will master.

October 29th, 2020 Update#14

We had our home inspected today for $125.00, hired a highly recommended inspector that actually uses his trained K-9 to detect the mold. It was interesting, she indicated she found it by sitting down once found. She obviously found the mold in the attic and also under our kitchen sink where it's not visible. The type of mold is Cladosporium and Penicillium. They are both toxic and common amongst people with health issues and in the environment in general. Ugh, it's upsetting but also a relief knowing that another root contributor of my poor health can now be taken care of. My Naturopath has been updated on all the new findings, mold removal happens this week, and when i meet for my follow up November 20th, 2020 we will continue on with the new game plan.

November 20th, 2020 Update#15- There was a scheduling conflict so now i cannot be seen by Naturopath until December 2nd, until then due to my Histamine reactions i am following The SIBO doctors Histamine SIBO Biphasic diet to be a bit more strict and hopefully keep histamine reactions to a minimum. The mold has been removed, new ventilation is being installed. More updates soon.

December 2nd, 2020 Update #16 (21 weeks and 2 days into treatment) - Okay, i had my follow up and we had some other things come up so mold test and plans have been pushed out another 6 weeks. When it comes to managing the histamine reactions, suspected to be a result of the mold, i am just going to continue my low-histamine diet and take antihistamines and Vitamin C as needed. We were discussing my hormone imbalances and while conversing she asked me if I had ever has my Thyroid tested. I said yes, twice in the passed couple years, i never actually saw results but my doctors at the local hospital had informed me that i was in the "normal" range. She has the ability to access hospital results so she decided to pop in and look, to see if i was even off just enough to look into. She looked at me and said "okay, you have Hypothyroidism, those levels are NOT normal, they are 'in the red zone', very high"... and in a moment i was angry -- angry that this information was withheld from me from my original doctors, i also felt worry and gratefulness. Worried at what damage has been done, worried about it being hard to manage, and grateful that she found this information so i can continue to grow in good health with proper treatment. One test was from March 2017 and one test was from Feb 2020. Since my last test was 10 months ago i will be getting my blood tested again so we can see where i am currently. Our next follow up is in mid-January, our plan is to first address Thyroid then we will order mold testing and treatment. It's times like these i have to remind myself that patience is important. I'll Update you all in January. ------ I have also now started ROUND 2 of natural antibiotic treatment. I am taking the ADP again 3 times daily.

January 14th, 2021 Update #17

Another follow up... our decided treatment for the Hypothyroid is just to increase my healthy plant fats intake and take a thyroid support tincture my recent blood tests reflect I'm responding well. We ordered the OATS Mycotoxin test so we can address mold issues next. I started to develop hives on the daily out of nowhere it seems.. not quite sure why just yet. For now i'm just continuing with round 2 of stomach treatment. I have a follow up in about 6 weeks.

------- I was locked out of this blog for quite a while and just got back in again in Nov 2023. I have added below how things went after the last update. I apologize, i know so many were checking in weekly and i sort of fell off the planet ----

Concluding my Treatment

Okay, SO, i did the full recommended 3 rounds of treatment, obviously i did not record these exact dates due to the blog lock out but i can tell you that i got better and better, i did not treat the mold in particular with anything aside from liver detox, i did add in Castor Oil Packs both Earthley and Queen of Thornes brands, i alternated... every night for a few months as well as a Humic Fulvic Acid Tincture daily and Liver Love daily - WOW!!!! those just topped off my healing all together, detoxing my liver COMPLETLEY on the daily - i can't even explain the benefits of both those things and after seeing my progress with those she wishes i was on those the entire time, from day 1. SO if you can swing it then add those in earlier rather than later.

Where am i at with my health now going into 2024?

I am healed fellow warriors! I have no major gut issues disabling me anymore, i can eat what i want when i want BUT i still practice an organic whole foods diet, i only drink raw milk, i favor water and coconut water as my primary sources of "drinks", I just practice an 80/20 lifestyle when it comes to eating. I have a drive through meal on occasion or eat out a few times a year but nothing that i get carried away with. I have learned what makes me feel good, i've learned what nourishes me and what makes me ill. I know what to avoid at all costs and i know when a treat is okay :)

I did go through a healthy pregnancy shortly after my last round of treatment and it threw my hormones off a bit, I am currently in the middle of hormonal balancing practices almost 2 years post partum, it's a 90 day sort of thing and so far so good. NOTHING like gut health repair haha thank goodness. I plan to partake in GI MAP and Candida Testing every 2 or 3 years going forward to keep an eye on my progress and plan to catch anything before it gets bad if it tries to. My Candida test from November 2023 came back clear! NO candida :) I'm awaiting my GI Map results and am anxious to see how the labs look. I feel great but still curious.

Do i still take any supplements?

YES i do, mostly herbal tinctures which are much like a microdose and they last a good 3-4 months most bottles. You can see my list below. It's important to me to maintain my health and keep all the bad little bacterias far away from me. Do i take them daily?, not always but i try to do 4 or 5 days a week. I will list by brand.

Earthley Wellness Supplements <---- click to go to site

Nourish Her Naturally (Womens Multivitamin and Hormonal Support)

Gut Health Oil

Liver Love

Adaptogenic Immunity

Elderberry

Cod Liver Oil

Thyroid Tincture

Energy Plus (Herbal Iron)

Goodnight Magnesium Lotion

Klaire Labs <---- click to go to site

Micellized Vitamin D3

Leaky Gut Probiotic ( I only take 1 a week)

Mother Earth Labs <---- click to go to site

Humic & Fulvic Acid

Magnesium ER

Lugols Iodine

You can follow me on Instagram @quarteracre_homestead if you want to see how my life is going now :) If you have any questions please message me on Instagram, I'll see it sooner than i will via blog site.

- Mary