On December 4th, I woke up with a sensation I can only describe as "gas entering my head." Terrified it was a cardiac event, I rushed to the ER. Subsequently, my heart was cleared (EKG, Stress Test, and CT Calc score were all normal), but it was the start of a five-month medical odyssey. I also did a H-pylori breath test which turned out to be negative.
I was initially diagnosed as "acid issues" by my GI doctor and put on 40mg of Omeprazole (PPI) for 2 months. While I briefly felt 95% better in late January, the symptoms came roaring back 15-20 days after the moment I tried to taper off the meds.
On March 1st, My symptoms included:
- "Gas in head" feeling and heavy head pressure.
- Intermittent stomach burning (above the navel).
- Neck stiffness/pain radiating to shoulders and sinus congestion.
I highly suspected H pylori and gastritis undetected with a earlier false negative h-pylori. My GI folks decided not to perform an endoscopy because I wasn't dying enough. So I decided to buy another insurance (ColonoscopyAssist) to get one done. I also self ordered a GI-Map test.
On March 30th, I had my endoscopy done with GI Map stool sample sent out. The endoscopy showed a little redness in the atrium. Rapid test for H-pylori was negative. The biopsy showed no gastritis, no h-pylori, no celiac disease; basically everything normal. GI was no help here again and they wanted me again on PPI for 6 months. I tried for a week and gave up after my GI-Map results came back. I also did some regular blood work.
GI Map Stool Test: Revealed High Candida growth and High Streptococcus spp.
Bloodwork: My hsCRP (inflammation marker) was "Very High," likely due to the fungal/bacterial infection.
Physical Exam: My PCP finally connected the dots when they connected I had oral thrush, toe fungus on both feet & acne on the back.
On April 14th, I’ve shifted away from PPIs and toward treating the overgrowth directly. I started the following under the directions of an ND.
- Coconut Oil - 1 tbsp per day (increase by 1 tbsp each week).
- Activate Charcoal - 6 capsules each day (alternative week).
- Pshyillum Husk + Yogurt + Manuka Honey - every alternative week matching activated charcoal.
- Zero sugar + extreme low carb diet - I am only eating quinoa as required.
- Canxida Remove - https://www.canxida.com/remove (currently in first 2 weeks - 3 tabs a day, 1 at each meal)
- Neem - 3 caps per day
- Probiotics - Lactobacillus, bifidobacterium, akkermansia (low in GI Map).
- Mastic Gum
To elaborate more on my diet, I have the following in a day:
- Wake up - 2 glasses of warm water - I try doing this, I somehow finish 1.
- Breakfast - Yogurt + 2 boiled eggs.
- Lunch & Dinner - 1 cup streamed vegetables (brocolli, cabbage, beans etc. non starchy) + Quinoa + meat curry (fish, chicken, goat, lamb).
- Drinks - Green tea, Water.
The most helplessness comes from the fact that I (with no degree in medical science) what so ever has been trying to nail the root cause for 4 months now. I am still trying to find a medical professional (not ND) who would review my case and consider the need for pharmaceuticals.
I have come to realize that my mental health has taken the worse hit. I have lost confidence in my body`s capability to take any regular normal stress. e.g: I am unable to have a serious debate on any topic. If I try, I feel my stomach growling. I have significant ups and downs in mood. My family folks are also quite stressed out with my journey.
My only hope is this is it and I am heading to a road to recovery. I see quite a lot of experts in this group. I hope I can get more guidance and contribute here.
04/27 Update - The intensity of my head pressure, sinus congestion have reduced. I still develop gas in the morning in my stomach (i can feel the pressure), that leads to left arm pain. Stool is normal on non activated charcoal weeks and a little constipated on the activated charcoal weeks.