HELP - failed surgical & other treatments!

Gena · 09-06-2001, 11:26 PM

My friend Kimmie needs your help!

I have offered to post her story on as many sites as possible in the hopes of finding even one of you that have the same symptoms and/or can offer her some help.

Here’s Kimmie:

"I am looking for people all over who have the same problems that I do because I want to know if this is related to the endo that I have or some other intestinal problem. The doctors are stumped in my case. Has anyone out there experienced these types of symptoms with the loss of weight? Here is my story: I have stage IV endo that has invaded my bowels and my bladder. I have had 8 surgeries and saw big endo specialists who are stumped. I do have lots of adhesions but I did not have these problems until my surgery in 1999. I woke up from that surgery knowing that something was wrong. I did have an ileus (obstruction in 1998 with my laparotomy). I have had extensive testing done, colonoscopy, upper GI with small bowel follow through, bowel marker studies, stool analysis, food testing, sprue testing for celiac disease, and all they can tell me is that my intestines are sluggish and my stomach is to fast. I have a motility disorder without a name or place to go for help. I did show an overgrowth of bacteria, severe dysbiosis, and a candida overgrowth, which, is quite common in women with endo. They put me on antibiotics to clear the bacteria, Nizoral for the candida overgrowth and a special diet. While on this program I developed a vaginal staphyloccus Aureus infection and nearly died. Apparently it is very rare and was the cause of toxic shock syndrome that killed years ago (I do not use tampons because of the pain and also because my tubes are filled with fluid). So they are stumped by that. The doctors have told me that my bowel situation is so bad that they are considering an intestinal transplant. I have a hard time eating and keeping my weight on due to bloating, fullness, gas and pain. Every time I eat I feel like a bowling ball has entered my system and th epain is horrible. I get constipated with my periods and when I eat red meat. I have tried multiple treatments for this with little or no success. I have painful bowel movements and feel like a toxic wast dump most of the time. Food is my enemy and not my friend. I have lost so much weight that I am on Isocal liquid supplementation because in June of this year I was down to 88 pounds. I have gained back 17 pounds on the Isocal but I am miserable. I have been turned down by Redwine, who is world renowned for endo GI problems, because he said that I had failed all conservative surgical treatments. I have seen multiple nutritionists and have failed their treatments as well. I am frustrated and could use some brainstorming and support. I have a heck of a time getting motivated to eat and the Isocalis so horrible that I can only tolerate so much.

Talk to me . . . Kimmie"

rhody · 09-10-2001, 02:12 AM

What you describe, sounds so horrible. It must be so frustrating trying so many things and have no solution. Has she tried herbal therapy? Does she have access to a medical professional that could help her with herbs?

Many years ago, when I was extremely sick, I experimented with many herbs and found a combination that worked for me. As I had written in the past, I do not encourage people to experiment like I did, for there were sometimes my "natural" experiments backfired where I felt like I was dying (these were anti-mercury supplements, rather than herb teas). But the end result with my many experiments is that I'm well today. I used to make batches of herb tea every three days, from bulk herbs and take it in great quantities.

I took these herbs because doctors could not find anything wrong with me (eventually I had my mercury-silver dental amalgams removed and I'm a different healthy person today - but that's another long story). Herbal therapy if done correctly is a very slow process and can help some people get well. I am one of those people. I took notes, so that I could determine my progress. As long as I could honestly say I was getting better, I continued.

The interesting thing about herbs is that they can help you without knowing exactly what the problem is. Herbs are foods that assist the body in healing itself. Some might suggest herbal combinations, so that you cover a wide base. Herbal therapy must be in conjunction with a healthy diet (that she can tolerate obviously) and other positive lifestyle changes.

As far as I know, most MD doctors know little about herbal treatments, in the United States, but I hope that your friend might find a medical professional to help her with this. One must do a lot of research here before trying to use this kind of therapy. It's not like you sprinkle a bunch of herb tea leaves in a cup of hot water, and then expect to get immediately better. It's a delicate science. I based my success on anecdotal evidence, through much experimentation. I only did this on my own, because I had no-one that I knew that could help me.

A very long story short: About 23 years ago I was told by a doctor to not run more than a hundred yards and today I run about 19.5 miles a week (plus many additional miles of hiking and walking at times). I still take a very small amount of herbal tea in combination for good health. I noticed even recently that this herbal tea does help me run better. I even look about 20 years younger than my actual 51 years of age. I contribute that a lot to my struggle with my illness (fibromylagia symptoms, among others) in which I defeated it through natural means; removing toxins, improved diet, exercise, and herbs.

I hope that your friend can discover the same. It took me many many years to find the solution that best fit me. For your friend, I don't think that it will be easy. But I hope that she never gives up. Keep trying (including prayer if you so believe like I do). I wish your friend the best.

Gena · 09-21-2001, 11:30 PM

Thanks for your posts rhody .

I will email her about your ideas and post her story to yahoo.

Kimmie saw Dr. Mabray, pioneer in immunotherpay, in Victoria, TX last week.

He has started her on some heavy-duty medication to get the fungus, bacteria, etc. out of her system. He said she will be sick for awhile. He also put her on a very strict diet for the yeast – no grains, sugar, & some kinds of veggies, plus has her taking some supplements. She still has a few more tests she has to have done for thyroid and hormone levels.

All in all, he sounds like he has given her hope and is very nice.

She is struggling again to eat since she say Dr. Mabray, but is hanging in there.

Gena

[This message has been edited by moderator1 (edited 09-24-2001).]