Awful Digestive Problems

by Laura
(Indiana)

Going on for more than 3 years now, I have had awful digestive problems...

...and it's only gotten worse. Everyday (pretty much as soon as I wake up) I get severe diarrhea, that is always accompanied by severe cramping, and the feeling that I need to keep "going" even when I can't. I spend a good part of the mornings running to the toilet.


It has seemed to me, that no matter what I eat, it never settles well. I'm always left feeling ill, extremely bloated, and fatigued after I eat anything.


Recently I took a trip to the E.R. because I experienced constipation lasting about 2 weeks, and bad abdominal pain, and even using M.O.M., and fleet suppositories didn't give much relief.


The Dr.'s didn't do much, and I left very frustrated. That passed, then right back to the daily "toilet run".


I had to take an other trip to urgent care because the abdominal pain had gotten so much worse. I was diagnosed as having Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and a lactose sensitivity and was put on Famotidine, Dyciclomine, and OTC lactaid and STILL have THE SAME problems EVERY DAY.


Now I am having back, and neck pain, and headaches nearly everyday. Among so many other symptoms.


I honestly don't believe it's just IBS, and lactose sensitivity. I am miserable all the time, and the meds don't do much.


I also wake up several times in the night because I get so over-heated, and sometimes I'm not even sweating, just burning up.


Could this be a parasite???

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Dear Laura,

You poor dear! I can sincerely sympathize with your awful digestive problems and can hear your frustration and discouragement that this condition has persisted for so long without any relief or help from the doctors.


Yes, most certainly, this condition could be the result of a parasite, or a combination of parasites - intestinal worms, bacteria, fungal overgrowth, etc.


I can't say definitely that it IS a parasite, of course, but the symptoms are very much those that people dealing with parasite infections deal with.


Unfortunately, none of the things you seem to be taking are actually designed to "fix" awful digestive problems. They are only made to help alleviate the symptoms or hide the problem so you can cope.


I always prefer to tackle digestive disorders head on with something that has the potential to get rid of a problem and allow the body to heal. It's not always possible, but I certainly would give it my best shot.


Based on your description, I would try several things to begin with. First, I would use a natural digestive herbal cleanse, preferably Herbal Fiberblend twice per day.


This herbal cleanse is designed to target parasites as well as promote detoxification of the body. The fiber in the HFB should also help to flush the toxins out of your system and heal the lining of the bowels so that you can have normal healthy bowel movements.


If you decide to try this, you'll need to persevere for several weeks, or even several months, but it will be worth it in the end.


Also, to deal with the awful digestive problems that you face every time you eat something (the pain, bloating, cramps, etc), I would suggest that you try taking digestive enzymes with your food. I like Prepzymes and I know it is very effective.


Alternatives to try would be chewing papaya tablets and/or pineapple bromelain. You could also try drinking a glass of water with a tablespoon of organic apple cider vinegar added (Bragg's is good). The ACV may seem counter-productive, but it isn't.


I would also be taking some probiotics on a daily basis. You DON'T want to take them at the same meal or time of day as the digestive enzymes, but DO take them, as this helps to increase the good bacteria in your digestive tract and boost your immune system. For this I would suggest Florafood.


Finally, give yourself as much nutritional support as you can possibly manage. That's a common sense rule, but we all have a hard time cutting out "junk food" if we are accustomed to eating it, myself included.


I'm not saying you can never eat sugar and processed foods again, but just try to eat as healthy as possible while you make a committed effort for a few months to get your body back in control and get rid of these awful digestive problems.


If you find that challenging, supplement your nutritional intake with whole food supplements in powder or capsule form.


The more you give your body to work with, the better it will be equipped to fight off whatever the underlying cause of your pain and discomfort, whether it be parasites, inflammation, etc.


Speaking of inflammation, if you aren't taking regular essential fatty acids (Omega 3,6,9) either in your diet or by supplements, that is another important element to consider.


You can use something like Salba sprinkled on your food, or if you prefer a capsule, AIMega.


Again, I'm not a doctor, but since they haven't been much help to you anyway, this is what I would do if I were in your shoes. I sure hope it helps you and that your awful digestive problems will soon be a thing of the past.

To your good health!
Angie