Sibo, histamine intolerance??

[lydialoo]

Hey! 

So it's been a while since i was celiac diagnosed and I have been very strictly gluten free and low fodmap. 

Yet I'm still having symptoms of bloating, nausea, awful migraines (they only get better when i vomit lots), swollen tongue and face, a tight feeling in my throat, awful depression and just not feeling myself, dull discomfort in my stomach, extreme fatigue. 

I'm taking oregano oil, garlic and ginger root and eating essentially only meat and some veg and fruits because im scared to eat anything else.

I was taking an abundance of vitamins as I thought this was due to vitamin deficiencies but that honestly made no difference at all! So I've cut back as I think if anything it was adding to my nausea.

Anyways any advice please, does this sound like sibo or something worse? I genuinely feel like I'm slowly dying, It's been over a year and I'm not improving. I am struggglinggggg! I am also incredibly poor and just about scraping by as I'm self employed and a dancer so I can't really work in this condition.

[knitty kitty]

Hi, @lydialoo,

How long have you been taking the oregano oil, ginger, and garlic?  

Oregano oil has the side effects of nausea, vomiting and gastrointestinal symptoms when too much is taken.  

Ginger has side effects of mouth and throat irritation, stomach upset, and diarrhea.

Garlic can cause heartburn, gas, and diarrhea.  

You would be better off taking the vitamins.  How long have you discontinued the vitamins?  Diarrhea and vomiting can seriously deplete your vitamins and lower your absorption from foods.  I'm concerned you may be vitamin deficient now.  

Not a doctor, but discontinue the oregano oil, garlic and ginger and see if there's any improvement!

[lydialoo]

Hey I've been taking it about 3 weeks and I've seen some improvement on it. I do not intend to exceed 6 weeks max.  All the symptoms I mentioned are things I was struggling with before beginning the herbal treatment. 

I will take your advice and get back taking vitamins. 

I have also been trying intermittent fasting to let my gut rest and have noticed I feel really good when fasted.. I'm trying not to do this too often though because then I really struggle getting my calories in and I'm already losing weight.

[knitty kitty]

Would you tell me what exactly are you eating now?   Meat, veggies, fruit, low fodmap, but which ones?  Dairy?  

Which vitamins were you taking? And how much (dosage on label)?  When (every day, sporadically)?  How long?  Do any contain thiamine mononitrate?

I understand what you're going through.  There's nothing worse than feeling yourself dying.  

When we cut out gluten, we cut out the vitamins that are added to gluten containing foods to replace those lost in processing.  Gluten free facsimile foods are not required to have vitamins added to them.  We need to take vitamins to ensure we're getting enough from our gluten free diet and to compensate for malabsorption because our small intestine is damaged.  It's not unusual to have subclinical deficiencies in many vitamins and minerals.  Blood levels may be within normal range, but deficiencies happen inside the cells where they are actually used.  Blood is just a transport and distribution system.  

The B Complex vitamins are water soluble and easily lost when we have vomiting and diarrhea, especially if these go on longer than a week.  The B Complex vitamins cannot be stored for long.  Thiamine deficiency can occur in as little as three days.  Thiamine deficiency can cause gastrointestinal symptoms (Gastrointestinal Beriberi), weight loss, fatigue, neuropathy, migraines, depression and dissociation.  Deficiency in Niacin Vitamin B 3 can cause diarrhea, irritability, depression and apathy.  Deficiency in Cobalamine B12 can cause diarrhea, anemia, depression, and a swollen red tongue.  Pyridoxine B6 deficiency can cause a swollen tongue, anemia,  depression, and neuropathy.  The eight B vitamins work together and affect how we feel physically and mentally.  

Are you staying hydrated?

[lydialoo]

  On 2/2/2024 at 2:48 AM, knitty kitty said:

Would you tell me what exactly are you eating now?   Meat, veggies, fruit, low fodmap, but which ones?  Dairy?  

Which vitamins were you taking? And how much (dosage on label)?  When (every day, sporadically)?  How long?  Do any contain thiamine mononitrate?

I understand what you're going through.  There's nothing worse than feeling yourself dying.  

When we cut out gluten, we cut out the vitamins that are added to gluten containing foods to replace those lost in processing.  Gluten free facsimile foods are not required to have vitamins added to them.  We need to take vitamins to ensure we're getting enough from our gluten free diet and to compensate for malabsorption because our small intestine is damaged.  It's not unusual to have subclinical deficiencies in many vitamins and minerals.  Blood levels may be within normal range, but deficiencies happen inside the cells where they are actually used.  Blood is just a transport and distribution system.  

The B Complex vitamins are water soluble and easily lost when we have vomiting and diarrhea, especially if these go on longer than a week.  The B Complex vitamins cannot be stored for long.  Thiamine deficiency can occur in as little as three days.  Thiamine deficiency can cause gastrointestinal symptoms (Gastrointestinal Beriberi), weight loss, fatigue, neuropathy, migraines, depression and dissociation.  Deficiency in Niacin Vitamin B 3 can cause diarrhea, irritability, depression and apathy.  Deficiency in Cobalamine B12 can cause diarrhea, anemia, depression, and a swollen red tongue.  Pyridoxine B6 deficiency can cause a swollen tongue, anemia,  depression, and neuropathy.  The eight B vitamins work together and affect how we feel physically and mentally.  

Are you staying hydrated?

Expand Quote  

Thankyou so so much for your detailed response!!

I am eating a lot of meat and veg, avoiding carbs in fear of sibo (this is not a long term diet). I'm eating meals like lamb shoulder braise with lots of carrot and celery and bone broth. I eat a lot of Avocado, dark leafy greens and things. I do eat eggs as they don't seem inflammatory for me. I am not having dairy or Soy and have also noticed that other grains did cause me to feel more constipated so I've cut them out for now.

In terms of suppliments do you have any specific brands you would recommend? I did suspect my thiamine to be low but the supplement I was taking just didn't have any impact on me after taking about 500mg daily for 2 months. I was also taking floradix iron complex which did seem to help with dizziness. There were many other vitamins and suppliments I have tried but to little avail and I just became extremely exhausted from it (and poor haha). 

Hydration wise I'm drinking lots of herbal teas and lots of water. I do find that I'm peeing A LOT which I'm assuming is my body trying to flush out toxins?

 

[knitty kitty]

@lydialoo,

I like Life Extension Benfotiamine.  What was the brand and form of Thiamine you took that didn't work?  Did you take a B Complex with it?  Did you take Magnesium?  Thiamine needs magnesium to function properly.  Sometimes doses higher than 500 mg daily is required, depending on the form of Thiamine.

Keep in mind that all eight essential B vitamins are water soluble.  Some herbal teas are diuretic (they make you per more), which means you are losing your water soluble B vitamins.  Some herbal teas contain chemicals that break thiamine apart so it cannot be used by the body.  

A good rule of thumb is to drink a glass of water ( about 8oz. ) every time you go to the bathroom.  

So glad you're feeling better!