As promised, but also a bit late, here is my story of how I began healing my body. It will sound simple, but at times it didn't feel that way.
Almost immediately after my SIBO was confirmed my doctor put me on a strict routine and diet. I still remember the severity of my results, the graph showed my symptoms being ‘off the chart’. I knew it was going to be a long road to recovery but I can’t explain the relief I felt knowing that I finally knew what the issue was.
I started a routine with herbal antimicrobials. There is the option to use antibiotics, but from past experience I knew that my body doesn’t respond well to them. As to what I specifically took, I honestly don’t remember. However, its important to remember that everyone is different, so what I was taking may not be what you would need. Diet wise I did a combination of the specific carbohydrate diet (SCD) and the low FODMAP diet. When you have SIBO the bacteria is moved from the large intestine to the small intestine, and the bacteria feeds and multiplies off carbohydrate foods. So when I was healing, I wasn’t allowed any starchy foods, and I had to maintain this for at least one full year. Side note: I also wasn't allowed chocolate... lets just say this felt like a long year.
I was able to stick to this diet fairly consistently, it was pretty rare that I had even a bite of rice or potato, I honestly couldn’t risk it. I took a wide range of supplements, multiple times a day, and even that eventually became overwhelming. As my body was healing from this, I went through different forms of detox, and many other symptoms started to pop up. My body felt like a construction site, and every time I thought it was improving something else came up. My entire body was out of balance and it was very difficult to get it to level out.
I did three intensive rounds of the herbal treatment, along with many other supplements for a handful of other undesired symptoms. Everything was out of whack, I imagined my body as a bunch of tangled cords and I had to patiently untie them all. Healing sometimes felt just as exhausting as the the condition itself. I of course wanted instant gratification. I remember thinking, why me, and why is this my reality. It was very difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
I was diagnosed in 2015, and I did a range of different treatments up through until spring of 2018. By this point I just wanted to be done with it. I decided it was time for me to stop everything I was taking and see where I was at. I wanted an accurate reading of how much I had healed. It didn’t take very long before I felt myself falling back into the undesired symptoms. It was during this time I was introduced to the vitamins I currently take. At this point in my life, I figured I really had nothing to lose. I have tried everything under the sun, and nothing quite got me from wearing just a bandaid to having my wounds heals. After some thought, I decided why the heck not!
In August of 2018 I started a new and much simpler routine. Within two weeks I noticed a significant change in my mental health, and overall I started feeling better. It was during this time that I realized this was the pivotal moment in my healing journey, whatever was in these products was the missing link I needed. My body was not able to heal itself with just food. We sometimes don't get all the nutrients we need from food, and a supplement can fill in where necessary. Especially if your gut is out of balance. Although, I am not fully healed yet I know it is coming. It took me many years to get to the state I was in, so I know I need to be patient. My best advice is: never take your health for granted. I spent the better part of 5 years suffering, if not longer, and I am just now starting to crest the hill.
I know with time I will heal completely, and I am always grateful for every tool I have in my tool box. So again, if you ever wonder why I share, this is it. I tried my best to hide it from most people, because I wasn’t even sure what was happening to me. Many people in my life likely don’t know the intensity of it, because it was honestly just to hard to explain. Just one pill, or a counsellor, or medication for anxiety was never going address the root cause.
My healing is a combination of different things. I was dedicated to the recommended diets, I took my vitamins religiously, I tried to get as much rest as possible, and even when I wanted to give up I kept going. It got much worse before it got better, but I am grateful for everything I have learned along the way. I have always had Darren as my support, I have my friends and family, I have my healthy lifestyle, and I have my vitamins. I mean it when I say these vitamins changed my life. I am grateful to be repairing my gut health, and this is reason number a million why I won’t stop sharing. I don’t want anyone else to experience what I did, and I want to help you recover. In all honesty, gut health is significantly more important than I ever imagined. It is now my mission to help as many people as I can with their health journey. Whether this story is relatable or not, gut health applies to every single person. A healthy and balanced gut will provide a healthy and balanced body.
I just ask, don’t do this alone, and don’t let your friends do this alone. Its so much easier to conquer these mountains with lots of support. Please reach out, I genuinely want to help you. Your symptoms don’t need to be like mine, they don’t even need to be severe. Your body will whisper, until it screams, I encourage you to address it before it gets worse.
I am extending this offer to email me if you want guidance. I love to coach others as they heal their body.
Don’t wait, lets heal your body together.
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