Reduce stress

Reduce Expectations

Reduce Responsibilities

Breathe: 7-4-8. In for count of 7; hold 4; out SLOWLY 8. Four times morning and night.

Missed yesterday’s blog. Have to write on Sunday again this week. Visitors and hubbub and fun.

Then to Grandmother Ocean at high tide. I stood in the water, which felt amazingly warm on this cool and cloudy day, and acknowledged the earth, air, fire, water and began to silence my inner voices. This is never easy. In yoga we are told: Your thoughts will carry you away 100 times; just keep coming back to the breath 100 times. Once I accepted this discipline, the above words came to me. What follows is the back story.

My two diagnoses and treatment plan from an Integrative Medicine Doctor in April resolved my extreme fatigue and starting me on the path to healing. For 1 ½ years after sharing intense care-taking for my older brother who was dying of pancreatic cancer, my chronic GI issues revved up. Meeting consecutively with two GI doctors, both of whom checked out all the observable physical possibilities, including studies to rule out pancreatic cancer and common GI diagnoses, each suspected Small Intestine Bacteria Overgrowth (SIBO) and put me on a small intestine specific antibiotic protocol for two weeks which gave short term relief. After some relief, I continued to suffer the same GI symptoms.

However, these caring and concerned doctors offered me no diet information. Then I heard about an Integrative Medicine Doctor and made an appointment recently affiliated with the same high profile, cutting edge teaching hospital system. At the end of the first appointment during which she listened attentively for an hour, I said I was amazed that she could give me so much time. She said, “The system wanted an integrative doctor; we’ll see how long they will let me practice this way.” She also gave me three home test kits and extensive blood tests. My GI doctor supported the blood tests and added a couple of her own.

First I was called about the blood tests: no significant disease issues; however, low vitamin D, K-2, B-12, Magnesium and other stress related deficiencies. Then the breath test for SIBO came back positive, followed by the Cortisol saliva test indicating adrenal fatigue. Within two weeks of starting the SIBO diet (siboinfo.org), my bloated stomach flattened and I lost four pounds. Before the test, I had said to my husband after my evening meal, “I could be three months pregnant.” With this plus a marked decrease in my intestinal distress, I knew the SIBO diagnosis was accurate.

Then I began the Adrenal Fatigue protocol, which included the four recommendations above. My energy began to come back. I had all but accepted my lack of energy and focus was my new normal. Then my mood lightened and my outlook on life became hopeful. I now feel energized in ways I have not felt since my late husband died 14 years ago when I first developed chronic GI symptoms.

This explains why I could not writing blogs regularly and why I now have renewed desire to begin again. I also went into some detail so that others who might have similar symptoms can consider the possibility of SIBO and/or Adrenal Fatigue. No new medications, only familiar targeted supplements and SIBO specific diet awareness.

Last week I received a letter from my integrative Doctor. She is leaving the institutional medical system and returning to private practice. I will follow her there.