posted
I've had intestine and gut problems since I can remember. Well since around Junior High age. I'm now in my late 40's. Probably even before I got bit by a tick. Anyways, recently we spent our vacation in Mallorca, Spain and ate hotel food. I tried to stay the whole time on my gluten/lactose free-light eating style. While there I started having some intestinal pain but it was pretty mild. After returning home, one evening the same pain was so bad that the ambulence had to come to bring me to the hospital. They concluded that I had 3 KIDNEY STONES that need to come out. Later they changed their mind and said it might not be kidney stones but my intestines and sent me to have tests done.
NOW they want me yet again to take a Colonscopy and a Endoscopy (stomach). They will put me under for the procedure. I once had a colonscopy and they had to stop the procedure because I had a sharp corner in part of my intestine and they couldn't get by. They were afraid to break through the intestinal wall. I've had diahrea my whole like, since around Jr. High. Now I've 46. I'm guessing I got a tick bite when I was around 13, 14 yrs old. I'm thinking, after all these year what are they really going to find with a Colonscopy??
I asked them if Lyme could cause a lifelong diahrea problem and they said no. I'm thinking about backing out of the Colonscopy although even my present Lyme Dr. also recommended it.
Any others do all these tests and it went absolutely nowhere?
BTW- I got bit by a tick probably around 1981/2. I never got any treatment for it at the time. I've had a slew of unexplainable health problems my whole life. Only later in May 2011 did I get a positive Westernblot for Lyme anti-bodies....
But here that doesn't say a whole lot. They argue that many people carry Lyme (borreliose) antibodies but that they never get sick or show any symptoms....so just because someone carries borreliose anti-bodies doesn't mean they have anything.
Posts: 128 | From California | Registered: Apr 2012
| IP: Logged |
posted
I only bring this up because I've been tested my whole life for gut problems and they have found nothing. There are a lot of reasons for GI tract problems but if it is Lyme D. related it seems like more waste of time and the danger of penetrating the intestine. Up till now they've just diagnosed it as 'irritable bowel D.' That is usually the diagnose you get when they have concluded negative to every other possibility.
Posts: 128 | From California | Registered: Apr 2012
| IP: Logged |
gmb
Unregistered
posted
FredO
Diarrhea was also one of my early symptom before starting Lyme treatment. Lyme and Babs can cause a lot of GI issues and mess with the immune system which is mostly in your gut. Treatment and good quality probiotics like VSL#3 and Florastor have improved my IBS.
I would skip the test for now and get to see a real Lyme Literate MD. It may take 3 to 6 months to get an appointment. But set it up and ask to get on a cancellation list to call and you may get in sooner.
steve1906
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16206
posted
I’ll start by saying, don’t cancel the appointment, just my opinion. Every procedure has risk, make sure you tell the doctor doing the procedure what happen the last time.
I’ve had both of these done in the past (Colonoscopy 4-times) (Endoscopy 1-time). Every time they do the Colonoscopy they find polyps. They remove the polyps and always do biopsies on them, mine have always been neg.
You’ve been sick a long time with stomach/intestines/diarrhea etc (Over thirty years). Lyme and co-infections can cause all of this, it did for me, and still does but not as bad. If they have problems going through the gastrointestinal tract they can perform other procedures to see what’s happening, talk to the doctor who’s doing the Colonoscopy.
Most doctors don’t put you out for these, they give you a intravenous sedation, most people never remember the procedure.
With your history and background, I would say you have Lyme and probably some co-infections. If you tested positive on the western-blot, (you have Lyme Disease)!
If these diseases are not treated they will continue to get worse. I had diarrhea for 6 years, after treating my Lyme it got better, not 100% yet, but better.
I do believe some people (small %) do not get sick if they have Lyme Disease, I guess they’re the lucky ones….
* You say you have a Lyme Doctor, is he a LLMD (Literate Medical Doctor)??? * What other symptoms do you have? * Are you on any medications?
posted
Yes, keep the appointment. Sounds to me like you must be VERY vigilant with your gluten and dairy free diet. Perhaps straying from it while on vacation did you in.
Avoid it like the plague!
Good luck on the procedure.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
| IP: Logged |
lax mom
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 38743
posted
I had a Colonoscopy a little over a month ago. No big deal.
Keep the appt. If anything, it's nice to rule out serious problems in the colon.
I had an upper scope with my surgery a few weeks ago and they found ulcers in my stomach and small intestines which I never know I had.
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- It's a good idea to have this done. Just one note that could help it go more smoothly, especially afterward.
Epinephrine is in many anesthetics (not sure about anesthesia, though). Some discussion on why epinephrine (EPI) can be a rough ride for someone with lyme (especially if they have adrenal exhaustion / overstimulation issues):
posted
Thanks again. Keebler- this was mine main fear. I don't want to rock the boat concerning my Lyme problem and make it worse. They said they want to put me fully under, not just slightly. My last Coloscopy was with partial anethesia but I woke up when they tried to get around that tight corner in my intestine.
They'll do full anethasia because they want to do both the Colonscopy and Endoscopy in one appointment.
I'm easily overstimulated by meds, vitamins,etc...
Steve: I have an LLMD but it's been a rough ride. Partially from my side. I haven't always been a fully compliant patient as I've questioned some of the treatment and alternative methods recommended.
I ended up treating myself basically for 6 months by staying on Doxy. During that time I felt better actually and it was the healthiest I've ever noticed my GI tract functioning It was the only time in 30 years it was normal.
I tried to explain to the Drs. about my Lyme Diagnosis and if it could play a role. They completely shut it out as a possibility.
Other symptoms I have: horrible eye spasms, eye muscles out of control.
depressive/anxiety symptoms, especially in the Fall/Winter....also brought on by the strange eye symptoms. Eyes muscles feel bizarre.
Joint problems: Chronic Tendonitis in both arms, shoulders, elbow and Leg.
Brain, Nervous system problems. Tinitus.
I'm presently on Lyrica- 200mg. I took Doxy for about 6 months. Got off for the Summer.
Now I'm considering the next step. LLMD wants me to try alternatives to ABX. Not sure though I'm so convinced about some of his suggestions,,,coilodial silver,etc...?? Just my opinion. We'll see.
Posts: 128 | From California | Registered: Apr 2012
| IP: Logged |
posted
BTW-I don't mean to knock all altervative protocols. Please understand I've been sick some 30 plus years and tried a lot of things (prior to knowing it was lyme) and nothing has really showed big result.
Therefore, I tend to be cautious and not take on things very quickly.
For example, Colloidal silver (pardon the spelling). I've read some good stuff on it, mostly subjective testimonies, but I have also read a lot of skeptical, negative material concerning research on it etc... I'm just careful:)
Thanks also Steve for your help:)!
Posts: 128 | From California | Registered: Apr 2012
| IP: Logged |
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Fred,
You do not have to bring up lyme, just tell them that your system is "easily overstimulated" by meds, etc. and to NOT include EPI as it could be just far too excitatory for your body.
Now, it may be with the sedation, EPI may not pose any stimulation. But, it's just hard to know.
Maybe be prepared afterward with adrenal support plan on taking it very easy for a couple days. Magnesium is the best to calm any adrenal-anxiety, agitation or insomnia (that can be triggered by EPI.
This should go very easily, regardless, but any medical energy outlay can cause those with lyme to need a few days to recuperate even from just going & being there. -
[ 09-13-2013, 07:23 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
| IP: Logged |
Judie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 38323
posted
Here are some tests that helped figure out what was going on in my gut.
H Pylori - Test this in several ways. I got tested with blood and stool the same week. Stool was negative, blood was positive. I know someone with Lyme and it took her 20 years to figure this one out. It was finally diagnosed with a breath test.
Comprehensive Digestive Stool Analysis. I had this done my Great Smokies and later by Metamatrix. Both caught stuff the GI doc missed.
Organic Acids Test (Great Plains) - Showed I had something related C. Diff. (not c. diff, but very similar, that's why it didn't come out on the other tests).
LLMDs and Naturopathic Doctors ran the above for me.
Insurance paid for OAT and Metamatrix.
My colonoscopy showed nothing. Don't let that discourage you. I got better after treating the above (I just learned about the C. Diff issue).
Good luck!
Posts: 2839 | From California | Registered: Jul 2012
| IP: Logged |
Judie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 38323
posted
By the way, I have a great GI Doc in California who is respectful of Lyme if you need a referral for a colonoscopy.
He won't poopoo you if you bring it up and was very gentle with the colonoscopy without putting me under.
The prep he gave helped clear me out and I actually had RELIEF from Lyme symptoms for a few days after the colonoscopy.
I'm horribly sensitive to meds and he gave me something that clears out of the body very fast for the procedure.
I was diagosed with IBS too.
Posts: 2839 | From California | Registered: Jul 2012
| IP: Logged |
Catgirl
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 31149
posted
Parasites. Check out the symptoms below. Diarrhea is at the top of the list.
-------------------- --Keep an open mind about everything. Also, remember to visit ACTIVISM (we can change things together). Posts: 5418 | From earth | Registered: Mar 2011
| IP: Logged |
posted
Thanks for all the help. Judie-I'll check some of those out but doubt I can get some of the tests done here. WE'll see.
Posts: 128 | From California | Registered: Apr 2012
| IP: Logged |
The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations. If you would like to support the Network and the LymeNet system of Web services, please send your donations to:
The
Lyme Disease Network of New Jersey 907 Pebble Creek Court,
Pennington,
NJ08534USA http://www.lymenet.org/
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
Printer-friendly view of this topic