The Rollercoaster of IBS & Gut Brain Connection

Though I've been riding the rollercoaster of IBS, I've finally tuned into the gut-brain

connection. Believe me, without calmness, your belly can perform acrobatics and leave you doubled over in pain. In my last post, I raved about how Ashwagandha eased my IBS pain, but now, let's tackle the bloating and distention.

Here's the lowdown on how I handle the bloat and the stress that comes with its connection. Let's look at IBS as our body's quirky way of saying, "Hey, our gut symphony needs a new conductor and it’s time to get this hormonal orchestra back in harmony!” Yes, hormones like estrogen and progesterone can affect the digestive system by altering gut motility, sensitivity to pain, and even immune responses in the gut. For some women, symptoms of IBS may worsen during certain phases of the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, or menopause.

I've gone through more tests and protocols than a rocket launch checklist—all paid out of pocket. Why? Because I was on a quest to uncover the "root cause" (ugh, that cliché!) of my IBS woes. I've tried protocols that felt as reliable as a one-legged stool or ones that kept me chained to supplements—because, let's face it, supplements are meant to supplement, not enslave. But no matter what I tried, nothing seemed to do the trick. So, here I am, onto plan G— because I've already exhausted plans A through F. Next stop: the gastro doctor's office!

Let me get a little serious here. When I reluctantly schedule an appointment with the gastroenterologist, it often feels like they're just flipping through another medical textbook, focusing on symptoms like IBS but missing the bullseye. I say "reluctantly" because I've yet to find a medical doctor who doesn't default to prescribing pharmaceuticals and rushes from one patient to the next instead of thoroughly investigating the root causes of our ailments. But then, I found a doctor who listened to me. I told him which tests I wanted to run, and he agreed! (Did you catch that?)

Let's backtrack a few months: my last stool test came back positive for candida and H. pylori. I was treated with antifungals and antibiotics for the candida—a bit ironic in treatments—thinking this would target both. Nope we missed the H. pylori. Guess shit happens sometimes. Despite the treatment, I still found myself bloated and frustrated. Mind you, this was all under the care of both functional and Ayurvedic medicine. Yes, I went that route too. Holistic first, then medical. I believe in a balanced approach between practical and functional medicine when absolutely necessary, and this was one of those times.

Fast forward: When the doctor called me with my results (which I already suspected), he confirmed I tested positive for H. pylori but no candida in my stool test. As a medical doctor, he prescribed three strong antibiotics to hopefully knock it out. I wasn't sure how long I'd had it or where it came from, but I was determined to get rid of it. While on antibiotics, I decided, with a heavy sigh, to go all out with high doses of probiotics. Then a light bulb went off. You know those "hey, why not" moments? I opted for a colon cleanse. Colonics, here I come! I figured, let's clear everything out at once so I don't end up with any backup stool that could bring back the candida after the antibiotics.

My first-time trying colonic was quite the experience. The position, the tube, the

chemicals mixed in water—talk about intense! It was a mental mind f**k, to say the least, and I didn't feel great during or after. Soon after I was done, the technician suggested I return in a week, but I opted to wait two weeks. The second go-around felt like I was birthing multiple babies. The amount of stool that came out could have stocked a small country—no joke! I even took binders both times to ensure everything got attention and came out as well. After the last thrust of poop, I miraculously felt lighter, no bloat, no distention. I was a bit shaky and thirsty, so I sat for a while to take it all in. I didn't share much with the technician because I couldn't quite describe what had happened. When I got home, I noticed a bit of blood, which made me nervous, but I figured it was from aggravating the blood vessels while pushing out the clay-like stools. The blood disappeared after I drank 64 ounces of water.

For the first time in my life, I felt flat—in a good way! I felt so cleansed and hopeful. I

started teasing myself, "Could this be... is this the cure for me?" Of course, the negative thoughts crept in, telling me it's temporary, that it couldn't have been that simple. Could it really just be H. pylori causing my bloating and distention? How do I shut the noise in my head and enjoy this moment? I took 750 mg of ashwagandha and called it a day.

What I've found is that this combination has brought about a 60% improvement in how my belly feels. I've developed a habit of watching everything I eat, a habit I've honed over the years. Occasionally, I'll indulge in foods and cocktails that previously caused bloating, but now the discomfort doesn't last long, nor does the distention. However, I'm not quite ready to embrace a free-for-all approach to eating and drinking.

Instead, I've chosen to significantly reduce my sugar intake. I'm enjoying non-bloating foods, which I truly believe in. For now, I'm steering clear of pasta and meat because they still cause discomfort. It's all about finding what works best for my body at this moment. It’s easy to get swept up and overwhelmed but pause for a moment and do a body scan.

Ask yourself: When do I bloat? How severe is the bloating? Does it come with distention? Does it ease within a few hours, or am I a round-the-clock bloater? If you're the latter, focus on pinpointing the real issue, not just treating the symptoms. Remember IBS is a symptom, not the root cause. Rather than falling for all the quick fixes, go to your doctor and have a stool test run through your insurance.

Keep calm and poop on, my friends. We're in this together!

Note: Insurance coverage for stool tests that specifically test for H. pylori, Candida, and leaky gut can vary. Generally, insurance providers may cover these tests if they are deemed medically necessary based on symptoms and clinical evaluation by a healthcare provider. However, some insurance plans may not cover certain functional medicine tests or tests for conditions like leaky gut syndrome, which is not universally recognized in conventional medicine.

It's advisable to check with your insurance provider directly to understand your coverage for stool tests and any specific conditions they may test for. Additionally, discussing with your healthcare provider about the medical necessity and rationale for these tests can also help determine insurance coverage and guide your decision-making process.