Recently an article appeared in Parade Magazine by Dr. Isadore Rosenfeld citing research at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles suggesting that IBS may be due, at least in part, to excessive bacteria in the gut. Surpirise, surprise. The treatment they are recommending is a 10 day course of an antibiotic called Rifaximin that allegedly controls symptoms for around 10 weeks. Not a very viable idea, in my opinion. In Dr. Andrew Weil's book, HealthyAging, he mentions research on functional diseases like IBS show that "microinflammation may be occuring thoughout the GI tract--patchy areas of tissue damage visible only on microscopic examination. He did not elaborate on how to be tested or what to do about it, however. And of course, there's the old brain gut connection. Such a complicated myraid and little sympathy.

In a nutshell I was slammed with IBS over two years ago---waxing and waning. It began with diarrhea, advanced to more symptoms then just stopped for many months. When it recurred I felt sicker all over until it escalated into some kind of intestinal infection (declined CT scan) GI doctor (would not recommend them) prescribed 10 day course of Levaquin and Flagyl. Infection healed and I felt better but about 6 weeks later I got bacterial vaginosis which I've never had in my entire life (post-menopausal). After a round of a vaginal antibiotic akin to Flagyl it did not resolve so the GYN prescribed TWO one time uses of another vaginal antibiotic called Clindesse. The BV went away but shortly after a wicked yeast infection showed up which lasted on and off for months. I proved allergic to the Clindesse and was in vaginal/vulva torture for nearly a year. DEAR READER BEWARE OF DOCTORS AND ANTIBIOTICS. In this period IBS switched to more constipation pre-dominant and/or at least much slower motility.

Jini, during this season in purgatory I purchased your book out of sheer desperation. Alot did not apply to me but found much to be very informative, helpful and led me in directions I would not have thought about. The wild oregano oil did not agree with me. I used all three Natren products for several months. Ocassionally dairy and diet had some effect but mostly not. Then I happened upon an Integrative doctor, Todd Mangum, M.D., Salt Lake City who had me do a three day stool test that I sent to a lab in North Carolina. Results showed that I was lacking in Bifidobacteria and that was it. He prescribed probiotics called Metagenics, San Clemente, Ca, www.metagenics.com. First I just took Bifviden, then Ultra Flora capsules and I have been doing pretty well ever since except for some bouts of slower motility which leads me to the QUESTION I HAVE FOR YOU.

During the past couple of weeks I've been literally doubled over with gas pains and cramping. For some reason it seems stool passing through the colon is causing this. Any ideas? Also I was very interested in EFT, downloaded the manucript and signed up for the e-mails but I am so high anxiety and antsy I have not been able to get a grip on it. I could not locate anyone around here that does it and I have found phone consultations about other issues very expensive and unproductive. Any ideas? I admire your strength to accomplish all you did being in that condition. It's amazing. Godspeed.

Hi there,

If you can't take Wild Oregano, then try Olive Leaf Extract (see LTYG for details - look it up in the Index).

If your metagenics probiotic conforms to the selection criteria listed in LTYG, then just check that your ingesting a high enough dose - you need 7-10 billion cfu per day to have a therapeutic effect.

Remember, a stool test will only test for colonic bacteria - not stomach or small intestine. And L. acidophilus is the primary populator of the small intestine and also of the vagina. So you definitely would benefit from adding acidophilus to your regimen. Again, check that it conforms to the selection criteria and ingest 7-10 billion cfu per day.

In my experience, gas and cramping are usually due to 2 factors: unbalanced flora in the gut (hence the Olive leaf and probiotics recommendation), or emotional factors.

If your anxiety is too high to do the EFT, that tells you right there what you need to work on. If you can't find a local EFT therapist (did you search the practitioner listings on the website?) then hypnotherapy would probably be a great place for you to start -again, see LTYG for full details.

Please list your doctor in the Health Practitioners section of this website - people are desperate for good references and it sure seems like you've found one.

all the best,
Jini

Dear Jini,

Thank you so much for your reply. What a wonderful service. I have read so much that I've got information overload and sometimes all gets blurred. It is great to have it distilled. I will try the Olive Leaf. My body is so touchy I've had to discontinue alot of beneficial supplements like garlic, strontium, L-methionine (to get rid of toxic metals), etc. You mentioned hypnosis, and in fact there was a health letter put out by Consumer Reports stating that it may be very benefical for IBS sufferers. To benefit your readers the website is www.ibs.hypnosis.com. Thank you again.
Diane