Hello, All:

Last month I had an appointment with an integrative medicine physician in my community. She ordered a DNA/PCR test from Metametrix called the Stool Profile which tests for about forty different things. You can read about it on metametrix' website.

I viewed the results with her on Monday, Jan 2. Abnormalities shown: too high levels of some beneficial bacteria, fat malabsorption and ---get this--- Ascaris l. ; which is a parasite (worm). This had been missed by two prior tests, one of which was done by the Great Smokies Labs. As you know, the DNA test is highly sensitive. Well, I didn't believe it because ........well, I don't have the typical symptoms (they are really ugly!) and if course I had been tested before. Since the, I have read that there can be asymptomatic, mild infestations. Well, that's good..........fingers crossed and all.

I took the medication (one dose of Albendazole) on Friday morning to be repeated in 14 days and here it is Sunday morning. Nothing wild to report. Yesterday I felt tired and flu-ey, today gut crampy (more than usual) but I have noted nothing really different with my stool in appearance or frequency.

I will post more as it develops. Hoping for the best, of course.

Monday morning update: the lethargy and flu-like feeling I had over the weekend is gone; I feel better. Nothing unusual to report in bowel actions or stool appearance, but something else was definitely going on over the weekend!

Let's see what happens this week. The medication is taken a second time 2 weeks after the first dose.

Hi, karoe.

Thank you for sharing the exact test and lab.

Yes, please do keep us posted on your results (you're always so good about that, anyway).

I'm (not surprisingly) fluent in Jini's protocols, but don't have any personal experience with Albendazole. But it's great to learn about what other people are doing; the experiences you share are so valuable.

How are things going with your probiotic substrate, as well?

Take care,
Nicole

Several tests in this profile indicate the amount of short chain fatty acids present in the gut......SCFA's....these are produced by bacterial fermentation of dietary polysaccharides and fiber. The product, n-butyrate, is taken up and used to nourish the cells lining the colon. I am pleased to say I have plenty of them. That's a relief!!

I'm just watching how I feel this week. Too early to tell.

I took the second dose of Albendazole on Feb 23. No fatigue from that...felt fine. I would say that I started to experience a dependable formed stool each morning and relief from lots of pain and almost all gas. It is almost two weeks later and I still feel much better--- shall we say, approaching normal?

Let's hope it lasts. It is such a relief. My favorite thing to do is just sit still and enjoy feeling so good. Not only is the gut pain gone, but there is a calm feeling that has come over me. I feel good like this until about 1-1.30 when the fatigue sets in....getting rid of the parasite has made no difference in the fatigue, so we (the doc and me) are assuming it's something else. Everything points to hormones. Those tests are in the works, but so far we know that my thryroid, cortisol and DHEA are all on the low side.

The DNA/PCR test is an incredibly valuable diagnostic tool. If you have gut problems do not hesitate to seek out a functional medicine doctor and have this test.

Hi, karoe.

That's terrific...I'm really pleased for you.

If you ever feel like it, I'd love to have you write about your experience with functional medicine for Jini's infoletter.

Warmly,
Nicole

Next update---

The perfectly formed stool thing lasted about 2 weeks, three tops. I've had some ups and downs, funny thing is when I feel real good I get food cravings and sometimes that has gotten me into trouble. Like eating 1/4 of a fresh pineapple at one sitting...no one can really do that! I gained 6 lbs in March (YAY! ) after the worm was gone. It's not a cure but it's better. I am now adding Align to my am and pm Natren Probiotic regime. So far for one week, it's not bad. No constipation as I've had when trying to add other probiotics. I have been on DHEA and Cytomel (thyroid med T3 only) low low doses for 6 weeks now and I feel slightly better, nothing dramatic, it's all just a little easier. Not quite so desperate to nap in the afternoons, no really bad brain fog. This is a slow process. Low doses are what it takes to jump start my own system, not to use meds to replace hormones etc. I should be naturally producing. When your estrogen starts going in your 40's so much other stuff gets out of balance. Thyroid problems have been implicated in gut issues, and this all started in really bad when I was about 47..............seems plausible to me.

Hi, karoe.

That's great you've gained 6 pounds...excellent! Glad the brain-fog is better, too...and that you're tweaking the hormones gently back into balance.

This is just a side point, as you mention that the constipation which had plagued you is better, but I still thought I'd mention that Jini has the proof ready for a new book specifically about constipation. I don't know if you'd be interested, but if you write to Justin at service@holistichealthshoppe.com and request a copy, they'd almost certainly forward you one just to hear your feedback...especially as that was such a long-standing issue for you.

If you're interested in learning more, check out:

topic2014.html

All the best,
Nicole