Help for Colitis and SIBO

Introduction:

My name is Julie. I am 56 yrs old.
On disability because of several health problems. I use to be a very happy and functional person and I need help finding that person again

Current Symptoms:

I have Microscopic Colitis(collengenous) diagnosed 2 yrs ago. I am severely underweight—-5’4″ and only weigh 88lbs.
Stomach, chest and low back pain. Chronic diarrhea or loose stools. Trouble sleeping. Severely depresses and anxious.

This all started about 10 years ago.

Labeled with severe IBS diarrhea. Then told gluten and fructose intolerant. Possible dairy intolerance. Erosive gastritis. Have had positive tests in past for small bowel bacterial overgrowth. Do not tolerate antibiotics very well —-even had clostridium difficille at one point–very sick from that. As everyone else–know where every bathroom is where ever I go. Have not been out to eat for at least 8 yrs. Have no social life, lost my job of 25 yrs, my home and savings because of all this. The medical community has no clue when it comes to digestive issues on what to do and many of them just do not care! There is just too much to go through what has happened the last 10 years—-a nightmare!!!

I have gotten the bathroom trips down to about 2 to 4 a day but do not feel well at all.
Also have co-infections of lyme disease—-mycoplasma bacteria, babesia and HHV6. Do not tolerate treatments at all. Probiotics tend to make things worse—but low doses of Sacharomyces Boulardii seem to help some.

Very confused on all the diets out there for colitis/SIBO. Can the SCD diet work if you have trouble with eggs, dairy and almonds??? What in the world do you eat in order to gain some weight?? My main fear is losing more weight and my heart give out. I do not have a very supportive family and have lost contact with most all my friends—. I live with a friend I have been with for 12 yrs but this has affected him also. I cannot stand feeling and being so useless and hopeless. I do not know how much is the colitis/sibo and how much is the co-infections of lyme. I have been all over the place and no one seems to be able to treat the whole issue. I keep getting told I cannot lose any more weight but Ensure or any of the other drinks the doctors suggest are NOT and option–they are all just sugar etc. I am sooooo hungry and have always loved food, but now it seems to be my enemy.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Where I’d like to be in 1 year:

I would love to be about 30lbs heavier, enjoy my grandchildren, get a job, not be afraid of everything I put in my mouth will make me sick, be happy and productive again. HAVE A LIFE!!!

Current Medications:

Cannot take steroids because of severly low immune system—they just about killed me!
Aloe, immodium and Sacharomyces Boulardii help a little. I have become so tired and underweight that I do not tolerate too many things.

written by Julie

submitted in the colitis venting area