Psyllium husks

[reb]

Hi, for those of you who haven't seen my other posts- I was on a bunch of antibiotics which totally killed my digestive system. I had taken probiotics but the shop that is my sole supply of my top probiotic is out of them until next week. I know I need to take them everyday (had problems when I stopped taking them before) but the only substitute of powdered acidophilus I can find also has psyllium husks. I am scared that the fiber will irritate my stomach. I read that psyllium husks ars soluble fiber, is this true? If so, does that mean it won't hurt my stomach? Could I be sensitive to this form of fiber? Does this fiber help IBS? or would it irritate my colon?
I am also being treated for an intestinal yeast overgrowth (with antifungals)... so would they kill the probiotics anyway?
Any thoughts welcome. thanks.

[MycoplasmaQueen]

Reb- yes, fatigue was one of my symptoms.  I was on antibiotic theraphy for 12 months continuously and the fatigue didn't start to go away for at least nine months.  I was tested for the mycoplasma using the PCR method through the Institute for Molecular Medicine.  My pulmonologist in Ohio uses their facilities and a lenghthy questionnaire during your initial visit to his office.  Obviously your doctors are aware of the Institutes work or they wouldn't be using the antibiotic treatment for your mycoplasma infection.  There is currently no standard for the lenghth of treament; the website seems to recommend (I think)3 months on and and a period of time off, wiht retesting after the rest period.  My doctor has found that his patients do better with continuous treatment for anywhere from 6-12 months.

The biggest problem with the long range treatment is the digestive upset (my Dr. decided probiotics weren't sexy enough so I suffered with problems for 9 months after the end of my antibiotics); and secondary opportunistic infections, especially from candida (yeast) infections with can cause some of the same symptoms as mycoplasma.

Much of this info I learned by cruising the web and from a wonderful gastroenteroligist who isn't afraid of probiotics and othe "new age" medicine.  She also isn't afraid to do a little investigation to help.

You may find some helpful info by searching for candida albicans on the web.

Any other questions, please ask.  MQ

[reb]

First, I wanted to thank everyone for their comments.
Second, MycoplasmaQueen I have many questions for you, i hope you don't mind. (Thanks for posting the site!)
I was wondering, with your chronic mycoplasma infection, are you chronically fatigued? I had mycoplasma pneumonia in Feb. and since then I have been exhausted- I seemed to have been getting better, but I seemed to have relapsed a couple of months ago. I would love to know if you've had anything similar with your chronic infection. Also, how did they diagnose you with a chronic mycoplasma infection? I know that once you have mycoplasma, the antibodies in your blood stay elevated for a long time, so a blood test is not an accurate measure- or did you have continuing symptoms? My pneumonia symptoms went away but the exhaustion remains so I was thinking that I may have a residual infection...but the docs seem to think that since i don't have pneumonia symptoms anymore its not that... I know the other tests they have for mycoplasma (PCR) are quite expensive and not available to me.
Actually, I have followed all the advice on the website for dietary treatments inadvertently... but I do eat a lot of cooked apples (I don't know if they count as "sugars").
I just don't know why I am so tired all the time...
I would love to know if your mycoplasma caused fatigue, and if so, how you dealt with it... Thanks, Reb

[Concerned lady]

I used to use Psyllium husks, along with Pro-biotics. I found great benefit for a long time. Then...

After several years, I stopped the Psyllium, because I may have become a little sensitive to Psyllium, but I have continued with the Pro-biotics! (with good results). I like Acidophilus/Bifidus.

You may want to try avoiding gluten for a month, and see if this helps. Gluten is found in wheat, rye, oats, barley, and buckwheat. Serious gluten sensitivity is called Celiac Disease.

Brown rice (organic) is gluten-free. Corn is gluten-free, but is very "allergenic" to many people (not to all).

See a "thread"/topic called "Food sensitivities causing malabsorption", by JCC, over on the Peripheral Neuropathy forum, at http://www.braintalk.org for more details. Maybe get tested at Dr. Fine's lab to see if food sensitivities may be part of your situation.

Sincerely, Concerned lady
http://cantbreathesuspectvcd.com

[MycoplasmaQueen]

I didn't realize you had a more recent posting and I just posted to your Jun 5 posting about probiotics.  (guess I was a little late)

I did refer you to a website that discusses antibiotic treatment for mycoplasma and chlamydia infections.  Check out the Treatment Considerations at immed.org.

[virgo57]

Hope this info helps...
Metamucil, made from psyllium husks, and Citrucel, made of methylcellulose, are both soluble fiber, and can be extremely helpful when taken daily (make sure they are NOT the sugar-free varieties, which have artificial sweeteners in them, and can trigger attacks). Please be aware that although both of these products are marketed as laxatives, they actually help treat and prevent diarrhea as well as constipation. Soluble fiber alone has this remarkable ability to normalize colonic activity from either extreme.

Foods that are naturally high in soluble fiber include oatmeal, pasta, rice, potatoes, French or sourdough bread, soy, barley, and oat bran. These starchy foods are also high in complex carbohydrates, which are an important source of readily accessible fuel for energy. Nuts, beans, and lentils are also good sources of soluble fiber but should be treated with care, as nuts are high in fat and both lentils and beans contain some insoluble fiber.

Soluble fiber should ALWAYS be the first thing you eat on an empty stomach, and it should form the basis of EVERY snack and meal. Your goal is to keep your colon consistently stabilized by providing it with a regular supply of soluble fiber.