Who here has the distended abdomen or pregnant looking belly? I don't mean just after eating but all the time. I look about 3 months pregnant when I wake up and about 5 to 6 months pregnant after eating.
My questions - what are the causes (I have Lyme and Babesia, possibly other co-infections)? Have you been able to get rid of it? If so, what did you do to get rid of it?
I should add here that I switched to a low carb diet in 1996 (so very few grains), then to Paleo in 2003 (no sugar, grains, legumes, dairy), and then finally to GAPS in January 2009. So if it is fungal overgrowth, I am not eating any foods that specifically feed fungi. I even switched to just meat and fat for about 1.5 years.
I know I need probees but only tolerate a tiny amount right now.
Any input is appreciated because I feel miserable. I don't want to eat because it makes me feel so miserable, yet I am constantly hungry, even after eating, that it's a constant tug of war all friggin' day.
Thanks, Kania
Posted by 17hens (Member # 23747) on :
I am just now putting a dent in my "pregnant belly". I am treating Babesia (with Bionic and tonic, not abx) and killing parasites. My family tells me I'm looking narrower side to side and my pants tell me I'm thinner front to back too. Yeah! It's about time!
Posted by 2doggies (Member # 33118) on :
Thank you - do you have brands or a link to the Bionic and Tonic? I can't find anything on a Google search. I just get links for a Droid Bionic. Posted by Cattail (Member # 24357) on :
Mine was for sure Bart. Used Rifampin, Doxy, Zithro.
Posted by 2doggies (Member # 33118) on :
I tested negative for bartonella, but I did not do a provocation. Wish I had done one. Wish my LLMD had suggested it. A friend with Lyme and co-infections has suggested I have Bart based on symptoms which are listed here: http://curedofcandida.blogspot.com/p/my-symptoms.html
I need to add a few more to them.
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
Have you treated parasites? I had that from massive intestinal parasites.
Posted by 17hens (Member # 23747) on :
I believe bartonella causes overall obesity and swelling (although it has to start somewhere) and babesia causes the extended stomach.
2doggies, the Bionic is a German machine that uses photon light. After treatment in Germany which got rid of borrelia (lyme) I am now able to treat Babesia much easier as the quinine from tonic water seems enough to address the infection.
When I was treating with antibiotics, the most improvement I got was when I was treating Bartonella and Babesia at the same time. It was great! Only I couldn't continue as we lost our health insurance.
But consider learning about (do searches here on LN) parasite treatment. You will be amazed!
Posted by 2doggies (Member # 33118) on :
I have done several parasite cleanses like Paragone and Humaworm and Oil of Oregano, but they did nothing for me. Not during the treatment or after the treatment.
I would like to see Dr. K in Seattle but I am not sure I can afford it.
Posted by 2doggies (Member # 33118) on :
One more thing regarding the abdominal distention. Last year in January, before I knew I have Lyme/Babesia, I did a 21-day fast at a clinic in Germany. I drank tea, water, and clear veggie broth, occasionally I would have some fresh veggie juice to keep my blood sugar up, but not every day and no more than 2 oz at a time.
The 6th morning I woke up and the distended abdomen was gone. I went from 6 months pregnant looking the night before, to a completely flat stomach the next morning. I had nothing but water, tea, and my meds that day and my stomach remained flat. The next day I tried a tiny bit of juice and within 30 to 45 minutes I looked 6 months pregnant again. The next morning my stomach was flat. That day I tried a bit of clear veggie broth and the same thing happened.
Does that sound like parasites, fungal overgrowth, and/or SIBO? I mean if clear vegetable broth causes the distention to come back, what does that mean?
I am so tired of this. Sorry, I am having a really, really bad day. I took an anti-bacterial/fungal/parasitic yesterday and man do I have die off. I didn't even take the full dose of 6 capsules. I just took one.
I feel like crying today, like I can't do this any longer. The constant hunger alone makes me want to take sleeping pills during the day so I don't have to deal with it.
Posted by Gratitude (Member # 31314) on :
I understand your anguish. A distended abdomen was my very first symptom 8 years ago! Always had a very flat stomach. I spent years doing parasite cleanses and altering my diet, probiotics. Nothing gave me permanent relief. 5 months into treatment and still no relief. I'm at my wits end. Its so uncomfortable and makes me crazy & grumpy. Didn't realize it could be from Babs.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
I would NOT recommend taking anything for SIBO unless there is proof you have it. My GI dr really screwed up my gut by treating an imaginary SIBO. Now I'm almost as bad as you are with yeast.
Posted by NorCalChick (Member # 50506) on :
quote:Originally posted by 17hens: I am just now putting a dent in my "pregnant belly". I am treating Babesia (with Bionic and tonic, not abx) and killing parasites. My family tells me I'm looking narrower side to side and my pants tell me I'm thinner front to back too. Yeah! It's about time!
@17hens- What is "Bionic and Tonic"?
Thanks!
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Eating foods high in histamine could cause a big belly.
Posted by terv (Member # 29410) on :
I have this. I assume your bowels are normal - no constipation? With my case I think it is inflammation. I did the whole30 diet back in the fall and by the 3rd week my stomach was flat. Salad didn't make it bloat. It was wonderful. Unfortunately I didn't get the part of the diet where you reintroduce stuff to see what is causing the issue.
I tried the same diet this winter but did not get the same results. The distension did decrease though so it is something I am eating.
Abx definitely make it worse but now it takes more time to distend so I think some healing has taken place.
I dont have any pain with the distension. My pants just fall down - I need suspenders.
I started with acupuncture for pain in my shoulders 2 months ago. I admit I was skeptical of it. She hooked me up to some machine they use and told me that my issues werent in my shoulders but in my stomach. I was getting no nutrition etc. The stomach issues were causing my shoulder pain. I cant remember why but it sounded like leaky gut. The only change she made in my diet was to take me off of black tea. The tanins were creating issues. I wasnt happy about this.
So she is giving me pain relief for my shoulders but is also working on my stomach. Maybe that is what is causing distension improvement. What is interesting is that my liver numbers have been cut in half since being treated.
Posted by etb6855 (Member # 48383) on :
I too have very distended belly and can't take this anymore. I started walking (not intense) and swimming some, again not raising my heart rate too much but have continued too gain weight ALL in my midsection. I was bit exactly a year ago on a hike and at that time had a 6 pack abs!.
I have HPA axis and hormone dysfunction. Could this weight gain be because of my supplements including Pregnalone, DHEA, Progesterone and Estrogen.
Im miserable and sad.
Posted by kbrazeau (Member # 51225) on :
My abdomen is horribly distended, even with a 30 lb weight loss & diet change. I was recently diagnosed with Lyme and some coinfections, but not bart or babesia but have had it since 2003. I am treating with abx and herbals, but nothing is relieving this abdominal distension. Has anyone manage to figure out what is causing this and treat successfully?
Posted by Lyme248 (Member # 51011) on :
I had horrible distention of my stomach. I was also hungry ALL the time. I tried the GAPS diet and parasite cleanses, and they helped some, but not much. I think it is caused by Bartonella.
I took azithromycin and rifampin for a month each, and although my other symptoms were still there, it got rid of the stomach bloating.
I am curious if anyone else had the same experience with azithromycin and rifampin.
Posted by terv (Member # 29410) on :
Have you tried a course of diflucan? My belly got huge after eating tons of bad food at Christmas time. After I finally cleaned up my diet I did a course of diflucan. Week 2 it finally deflated.
Posted by Rumigirl (Member # 15091) on :
Parasites can definitely do this. Herbals don't always take care of it, although I prefer it. And not all herbal products do it.
Testing is not at all reliable. You can believe a positive test, but not a negative test.
Dr. K in WA has protocols for parasites on his website.
Posted by ukcarry (Member # 18147) on :
I have had a distended abdomen for a while, but it got especially bad at the time it became obvious that I had a parasite 'hyperinfection' that I am treating, though have a long way to go.
My experience leads me to feel the same as Rumigirl that in complex parasitic infections, herbs are not enough and may lead to scattering.
So many people with Lyme are realising that they have a serious parasite issue, but often not until it has grown out of hand. Microscopic worms are passed on with a tick bite and having Lyme makes you an easy target for other opportunistic parasites.
I had done a few rounds of Humaworm, 6 months of mimosa pudica, Clarkia and other cleanses in the past without seeing a problem, but the I did not inspect my stool closely enough......
Of course, parasites may really not be your problem, but you may need to consider the possibility again if no other explanation arises.
Posted by Rumigirl (Member # 15091) on :
Also, know that the majority of parasites are not visible to the naked eye, as they are microscopic. So looking for them in your stool won't help with these (giardia, E. Histolytica, etc.).
Posted by lymewreck36 (Member # 4395) on :
O.K. There's a lot of stuff said above that is good stuff, but despite all of that, I still had a distended abdomen, and 17 years of fighting tick infections, with continuing severe pain and fatigue. Then I got the diagnosis that made all my puzzle pieces come together. Yes, I still have tick born diseases, but I also have MAST CELL ACTIVATION SYNDROME. Google it. It makes the abdomen distend. Good luck everyone.
Posted by SeekingHealth4all (Member # 52016) on :
quote:Originally posted by kbrazeau: My abdomen is horribly distended, even with a 30 lb weight loss & diet change. I was recently diagnosed with Lyme and some coinfections, but not bart or babesia but have had it since 2003. I am treating with abx and herbals, but nothing is relieving this abdominal distension. Has anyone manage to figure out what is causing this and treat successfully?
I used to have a badly distended stomach and really severe allergic reactions to all things food as well as external use of products.
Diatomaceous earth helped the gut issues, manjistha helped the allergic reactions and being less restrictive, taking mimosa pudica seed and other antiparasitic herbs constantly (rotating some that need to be rotated like wormwood or neem) has helped.
Heal your Gut Guy on YouTube has some really good solutions for restoring gut health, I can vouge for the concepts he backs as effective.
In retrospect, being more restrictive didn't help me. In fact, being on a low carb, paleo diet triggered the most inflammation for me in my gut (probably because of the high amount of FODMAPS and my sensitivity triggered by parasites). Wine believe it or not (organic, in very small amounts) has helped my digestion immensely. Betaine HCL also helps immensely.
(Welcome to Lymenet! Breaking up your post into short paragraphs for easier reading for many here)
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