I'm getting desperate now. My PA gives me the worst GI problems. I live on meat, fish, seafood and some vegetables. Sugar, alcohol and dairy are all no go. I understand the problem, lack of acidity leads to indigested food which leads to increased bacteria in the gut etc etc. I've tried everything, most probiotics are lactic based but my bacterial overgrowth must be of the D lactate strain as these probiotics make my symptoms ten times worse. I recently tried soil based pro biotics which cost a fortune and they didn't go down well either. I've tried antibiotics to kill off the bacteria which left me on crutches and I didn't work for 6 months, I've tried herbal remedies for this and they all gave me problems and finally I've tried digestive enzymes.......never again. I'm out of options apart from my draconian diet, anyone tried anything else I haven't covered?
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expatkerry
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I really sympathise with you over those tummy problems . Don't know if my tips will help but here goes . I had awful gut problems ( I have PA also) I went to a gastroenterologist who eventually ( after prescribing me tablet called Metoclopramide which was useless and dangerous) told me that PA patients have low or no stomach acid . I set about finding out how to treat myself, as there is no treatment for Achloryhdria or Hypochlorhydria with the NHS . . I came across a fAntastic pro- biotic which is water- based and free of lactose called SYMPROVE . It worked like a charm ! BUT it is expensive . I used it for about 5 months , then gradually cut down to zero . To maintain the good stomach flora which I had obviously nurtured I started eating a portion of ORGANIC RAW SAUERKRAUT every day( health food shops and Amazon ) . Then to get it even cheaper I made my own , which I prefer to the bought .( instructions on the Internet) I use organic red cabbage and also chop some red onion with it , and ferment it for about 10 days . The longer you ferment it , the more probiotics grow . Then it's kept in the fridge . It will keep for months . It is truly marvellous stuff. I can now eat anything I fancy without problems .
I do hope that you can crack your tummy problems . I wish you all the very best .
P.s. I also take Inulin occasionally . It is a prebiotic that will help the probiotics to prosper (Amazon)
I'm going to advocate the two things that sorted me out - Symprove (yes, another one) and lime juice.
The lime juice replaces the hydrochloric acid that your stomach no longer produces in sufficient quantities. This helps keep the gut bacteria out of the stomach as well as helping the digestion of food, especially proteins.
The Symprove is expensive, but I found it really works. I started doing it once a day - now it's much less frequent, although I do take a Bio-Kult capsule every day. I'm not sure if you'd be OK with it - here's their FAQ bio-kult.com/faqs#q6
thanks to everyone for taking the time to reply. I ses That symprove contains two lactobaccilus strains, so I can't take it. I need to check out what sauekraut produces to see if I can take it.
Just a thought (and I'm not a medic) but have you tried an anti-candida diet? It's about a six week programme and it's pretty tough, but then so is the diet you're already following. The idea behind it is that it allows all the bacterial and fungal overgrowths in the digestive system to die off. At the end of the six week, you can start to introduce a more normal diet. I think they do recommend pro and prebiotics, but I did the diet just on its own and found it helpful.
I know about this and quite honestly I'd have it if I could find anyone prepared to do this procedure here in France. I am encouraged, however, that an American has produced a freeze dried version which he has called, wait for it ........ 'the crapsule'!!!
I just bought this so haven't read it yet, but I have a friend who swears by it. She had Chrones and rheumatoid arthritis and nearly died - this diet cured her. I thought it might help you, too. I wish you he very best of luck. These conditions are so frustrating and exhausting, but keep fighting - you will win!
Would it be worth trying ‘water kefir’? I have been making milk kefir for a couple of months now, and my bloated gut problems have improved. Just a thought to add into the mix!! Very good luck. You will crack it.
I was interested to see your post. I don’t yet have a diagnosis, but have many of the symptoms of PA. I have had major stomach surgeries and taken Prilosec long term. I know that I have a huge amount of bacteria in my stomach, I have taken two major antibiotics for that and done a Low Fodmap diet. I seem to have a lack of peristalsis and have taken laxatives long term to combat chronic constipation. I now have lack of sensation in my body, especially those areas related to elimination. Does all of this sound like PA? My tests were skewed by supplementing prior to the tests.
I have tried probiotics and prebiotics and continue to experiment with them. I would appreciate any ideas or suggestions. Thanks! Sita
hello, a lot of things have changed since my post. I too have taken antibiotics (rifaximin) to no avail, I still can't eat. Then I decided to pay for an analysis of my microbiome. What a pity I didn't do this before taking antihistamines. Basically the alkalinity of my stomach due to the PA has allowed transitory bacteria like strep to take a hold. Whilst the antibiotic has brought the levels of bad bacteria down to just within the normal range it has also reduced my good bacteria to virtually nothing. The bad bacteria now produce enzymes which are killing off the good bacteria. As I only tolerate tiny doses of probiotics reversing the imbalance will be difficult. I'm also eating a very restrictive diet in order not to feed the bad guys. Enzymes provoke a lot of symptoms, in my case they destroy red blood cells and attack my joints. Until I had this test my doctors were scratching their heads, now theyvknow what's going on. I understand stools analysis of this type is also available in the uk (I'm in France).
I agree mostly, but why won't you take enzymes? I was on Creon for more than 20 years until I got an allergic reaction. I still need enzymes, though, and tried several herbal varieties, settling on one brand I've been using a few years now.
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