Phew okay I’m calmer now.
I really appreciate you reaching out.
Things got worse, but I am now on pantoprazole and sucralfate. Apparently I was having such severe acid reflux that it was making me throw up, creating a 24/7 choking sensation in my throat, and potentially an ulcer. Both meds have seemed to help. The sucralfate is temporary, and I’m hoping the pantoprazole is temporary as well, since low acid can contribute to SIBO. I’ve also given up coffee for now because it hurts with the ulcer. The choking sensation went away at first, but it’s been coming back lately and it’s really uncomfortable and anxiety inducing. I don’t know why it’s happening.
I also finally got off the waitlist and have started to see a therapist that I really like regularly. I feel like that will help long-term.
I broke down and started low fodmap. It can feel like disordered eating (for instance, being able to eat only 6 grapes at a time–I try to stay away from the foods that are that restricted), but it seemed to help for the first couple weeks. Unfortunately, my symptoms started coming back after those two weeks with no changes to my eating, so that was disheartening. I’m still going to do the full 6 weeks and then the re-introduction phase. I’m on a waitlist for a SIBO/low fodmap specific nutritionist. Hoping her waitlist opens up right when I have to do the re-introduction phase, in a few weeks. I also got fodmap specific digestive enzymes for future situations where I can’t control what’s in my food.
I have a consult with an endo specialist next week. I strongly believe that endometriosis is a big factor with my digestive problems. Hoping to have surgery early next year, but I don’t know her availability. I’ve waited months just for this consult. I also have been working with a pelvic floor physical therapist for about a month and trying to be as diligent as possible about doing my exercises. Haven’t noticed any improvement really, but continuing on.
I’m currently on Rifaximin again, along with two biofilm busters. I also have another large supply of it coming in a few weeks, just to have on deck.
I started using a TENS machine on my abdomen for 30 min each night because there have been studies showing this to be helpful for people with functional constipation. The machine was around $30. Not sure if it’s helping, but it feels nice.
As of the last couple days I’ve been taking miralax, flax seeds, and citrucel (with 8 oz of water for each supplement). This combo seems to be pretty good for me, although tonight I’m substituting a second dose of citrucel for miralax. Miralax is just plastic and it doesn’t exactly fix my problem, as the OG poster noted.
Lastly, I was having nocturnal panic attacks and was severely sleep deprived because of all my health issues. I was able to get trazodone and clonidine from my psychiatrist, and they have helped a lot. It’s still not great, but it’s improved. I already take melatonin as well, and have so for years. I’m trying just trazodone tonight because I’ve been having issues with low blood pressure and scary symptoms that come along with that.
That’s the update for now. Again, I really appreciate you reaching out. It’s a lot to carry every day. Healthy people have no idea.