Remission Can Be Kind Of Fickle At Times

[tex]

Mike,

To be honest, (as you are probably aware), I have little to no faith in breath tests of that type, (mostly because people with our condition do not have "normal' digestive systems, and most tests of that sort are designed for people with "normal" digestive systems, so the results are often skewed).

In the interest of research, though, I'm willing to do just about anything reasonable, (no surgery please), to "generate" new and worthwhile information and/or insight. Since I would have to pay for that test out of my pocket, though, (because I don't have any disease or symptoms that would justify it), it would have to be pretty cheap before I would be willing to fork over the money to pay for a test that I don't have any faith in, in the first place, (not to mention the time invested).

I'm not saying that the tests are not useful, (for some people), I just think that they don't work very well for people with IBDs and/or celiac sprue. Obviously, I could be completely wrong with that opinion.

Tex

[mle_ii]

Mike,

To be honest, (as you are probably aware), I have little to no faith in breath tests of that type, (mostly because people with our condition do not have "normal' digestive systems, and most tests of that sort are designed for people with "normal" digestive systems, so the results are often skewed).

In the interest of research, though, I'm willing to do just about anything reasonable, (no surgery please), to "generate" new and worthwhile information and/or insight. Since I would have to pay for that test out of my pocket, though, (because I don't have any disease or symptoms that would justify it), it would have to be pretty cheap before I would be willing to fork over the money to pay for a test that I don't have any faith in, in the first place, (not to mention the time invested).

I'm not saying that the tests are not useful, (for some people), I just think that they don't work very well for people with IBDs and/or celiac sprue. Obviously, I could be completely wrong with that opinion.

Tex

If you're having diarrhea or constipation my guess is that it would be covered by insurance. It was by mine. But that said, it's not really a cheap test, I think it'd be around $100.

My guess is that it IS useful for folks with MC/LC/CC and/or IBS. Though MC is inflamitory in nature it's not to the level of Crohn's Disease (or the other one that escapes my brain right now). And my guess is that you're right, that those type of inflamitory diseases wouldn't get any useful information from a breath test.

But given the research I've done, my guess would be that it is useful for MC/LC and CC. Here's why, I'm more and more leaning towards these being related to bacterial overgrowth, or maybe just even abnormal levels/types of bacteria in the small intestines. I'll have to find the studies, but I read recently in a book by Pimental that in folks with IBS (who he things the majority have bacterial overgrowth) that they find abnormal levels of lymphocytes in the rectum. I would venture to guess that they would find some in the colon as well.

I've been doing some research on the cleansing wave of the small intestine (see my recent entry in my journal) and I'm finding some interesting tie ins that I've seen with MC, specfically something having to do with bile/liver/gallbladder.

As I mentioned elsewhere, I've come back yet again with a finding of bacterial overgrowth, even after treatment with 3rd trial of antibiotic. So my guess would be that something is wrong with me beyond just the bacteria, something that isn't stoping the bacterial overgrowth.

The largest things that limit this growth are the following:
Cleansing wave of the intestine - this occurs in Phase III mainly during sleep, but also between meals.
Bile
Stomach Acid

For me I'm guessing the major one is the cleansing wave, given that methane intereferes with smooth muscle contraction. It actually makes the muscles move more randomly so I'm guessing it doesn't have the cleansing motion. This is partly how it can cause constipation. This cleansing wave is signaled by various things, all of which could also be a cause.

Thanks,
Mike

[mle_ii]

Here's one example:
http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/292/7/852

In a study of 77 IBS patients, an increase in the number of activated intraepithelial lymphocytes was found in almost 90% of the subjects regardless of the acuteness of their onset or their predominant gastrointestinal symptom.

This is the paper he's refering to:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entre ... s=12055584

Heck based upon me, once diagnosed with Lymphocytic Colitis and now my guess is that I'd now be diagnosed with either IBS or bacterial overgrowth based upon lab results and my symptoms.

One other thing, my level of inflamation was termed mild. I'm guessing that perhaps MC is perhaps at the higher end of the spectrum of IBS or Bacterial Overgrowth if you prefer.

[tex]

These days, the way clinic fees are going, I would consider a medical test that costs only $100, to be fairly inexpensive, (not really cheap, but certainly not expensive, either). The problem is, since I've stopped experimenting with casein, I don't have either C or D. In fact, as long as I behave myself, don't slip up on my diet, and don't play around with "suspect" food trials, I'm fine.

I will concede that during the couple of years while I was actively "reacting", I may well have had SIBO, however, after I got my ducks in a row with my diet, that issue resolved itself, (if, in fact, it ever existed). My gut feeling, (if you'll parden the pun), is that for many of us with GI issues such as MC, celiac sprue, or similar enteritis problems, bacterial imbalance, (or SIBO), is a result of opportunistic bacteria populations, rather than the source of the initial problem. IOW, I believe that they're just taking advantage of an environmental opportunity which is available to them, but which they didn't create. Therefore, they're not the source of the problem - they're just the buzzards of the GI tract, feasting on all the incompletely and improperly digested food that has become available due to the enteritis, and the accompanying malabsorption problem.

There's no question that a very high percentage of IBS patients have bacterial population imbalance problems. The question is whether they are a cause or an effect. IOW, why did the IBS patient's GI tract change, so that it became attractive/suitable for populations of the wrong species of gut fauna?

Your guess that you might possibly be diagnosed at this point with either IBS or bacterial overgrowth, based upon lab results and your symptoms, may be right on the money. It sure wouldn't surprise me.

In a study of 77 IBS patients, an increase in the number of activated intraepithelial lymphocytes was found in almost 90% of the subjects regardless of the acuteness of their onset or their predominant gastrointestinal symptom.

Increased levels of intraepithelial lymphocytes are a marker that indicate possible early stages of MC, or full-blown MC itself. I have to agree with you - IBS is probably just one step away from MC, (assuming that IBS actually exists as a unique disease in the first place).

Tex

[Matthew]

Joanna

The vertigo may be as simple as paying attention to your breathing.

Shallow breathing can become a habit and lead to dizziness, vertigo and panic attacks.

Many times on raft trips members of the group experienced these symptoms after a large rapid because they forget to breathe.

The high stress of not feeling well or a moment of high adrenaline, anxiety or excitement is a typical time to start shallow breathing. It can become a habit. Anticipating the symptoms quite often leads to it happening all over again.

Look around the net for information on diaphragmatic breathing. Many times associated with stretching , yoga, chi gong and tai chi.

A few exercises and changing habits can make a huge difference in your sense of well being.

To your continued recovery

Matthew

[mle_ii]

These days, the way clinic fees are going, I would consider a medical test that costs only $100, to be fairly inexpensive, (not really cheap, but certainly not expensive, either). The problem is, since I've stopped experimenting with casein, I don't have either C or D. In fact, as long as I behave myself, don't slip up on my diet, and don't play around with "suspect" food trials, I'm fine.

I will concede that during the couple of years while I was actively "reacting", I may well have had SIBO, however, after I got my ducks in a row with my diet, that issue resolved itself, (if, in fact, it ever existed). My gut feeling, (if you'll parden the pun), is that for many of us with GI issues such as MC, celiac sprue, or similar enteritis problems, bacterial imbalance, (or SIBO), is a result of opportunistic bacteria populations, rather than the source of the initial problem. IOW, I believe that they're just taking advantage of an environmental opportunity which is available to them, but which they didn't create. Therefore, they're not the source of the problem - they're just the buzzards of the GI tract, feasting on all the incompletely and improperly digested food that has become available due to the enteritis, and the accompanying malabsorption problem.

There's no question that a very high percentage of IBS patients have bacterial population imbalance problems. The question is whether they are a cause or an effect. IOW, why did the IBS patient's GI tract change, so that it became attractive/suitable for populations of the wrong species of gut fauna?

Your guess that you might possibly be diagnosed at this point with either IBS or bacterial overgrowth, based upon lab results and your symptoms, may be right on the money. It sure wouldn't surprise me.

In a study of 77 IBS patients, an increase in the number of activated intraepithelial lymphocytes was found in almost 90% of the subjects regardless of the acuteness of their onset or their predominant gastrointestinal symptom.

Increased levels of intraepithelial lymphocytes are a marker that indicate possible early stages of MC, or full-blown MC itself. I have to agree with you - IBS is probably just one step away from MC, (assuming that IBS actually exists as a unique disease in the first place).

Tex

I agree Tex, SIBO or IBS or even MC are a symptom of a another problem. That's why I talked a bit about the cleansing phase of gut motility and other things that bring this on. But it also seems that once the SIBO get a hold they hang on for dear life and make what ever issues that caused it to be even worse. And in my case with the methane bacteria even more so since methane changes gut motility as well. In fact it appears to affect all smooth muscle tissue.

Some other things I forgot to add to the list for what changes motility are pancreatic enzymes as well as stress. Which plays pretty darn well into what Matthew is talking about. And which is also one of the reasons I think that this IBS hypnosis CD I've been listening to has helped.

The type of breathing that Matthew talks about is a great stress reliever. It allows you to live more in the momment which is where we don't seem to spend much time anymore in this day and age. We seem to live more in the past or the future which causes stress for our bodies. We tend to think about future problems or about past problems that we cannot change. I believe that this type of breathing is a wonderful way of learning how to live in the now and to live life more fully. Thanks for bringing this up Matthew.

Mike

[harvest_table]

Joanna

The vertigo may be as simple as paying attention to your breathing.

Shallow breathing can become a habit and lead to dizziness, vertigo and panic attacks.

Many times on raft trips members of the group experienced these symptoms after a large rapid because they forget to breathe.

The high stress of not feeling well or a moment of high adrenaline, anxiety or excitement is a typical time to start shallow breathing. It can become a habit. Anticipating the symptoms quite often leads to it happening all over again.

Look around the net for information on diaphragmatic breathing. Many times associated with stretching , yoga, chi gong and tai chi.

A few exercises and changing habits can make a huge difference in your sense of well being.

To your continued recovery

Matthew

Hi Matthew,

Thanks for the suggestion about breathing. I've concentrated on that the last few days and I actually have noticed a difference. My dizzy symptoms are less than they were a few weeks ago.

Regarding exercise, now that the gardening season is over (and we have a foot of snow) I'm less active and really should start using our big buck treadmill taking up a huge corner of the sunroom.

Take care.

Love,
Joanna