Detox/Deworming - anybody have experience?

[anonymous680]

So, my health has been bad for 11 months or so. I tested positive for Lyme disease, and I am on treatment for that, but my gastro needs help. I only pass stools once every 3 days or so (sometimes longer), and I read that it's normal to pass 2-3 times a day. I've been to a gastroentrenologist (mainly for heartburn/indigestion), and I am not interested in seeing an M.D. anymore for gastric stuff. I don't get anywhere, and gastro doctors in general don't seem to understand the mind/gut/body connection very well. They just keep trying to push PPIs at me, and they don't work for me. I disagree with their approach, and everything that helps me, I have found myself at supplement shops. I would like to see an N.D. (and maybe I will), but I don't have the money to pay out of pocket for everything. I am able to keep my stomach, bowels, and acid reflex under control with expensive, potent, probiotics, but a solution would be nice.

Western medicine generally doesn't acknowledge that a poor functioning gut can cause the anxiety that I have. Of course, it can also be the other way around, but they are quick to say the cause is simply just anxiety alone. I am loaded with benzodiazepines for anxiety, yet my gut still doesn't function like it should. If anything, it's progressively getting worse. Fiber alone does little for me. I have foul smelling belches every few minutes, and it's embarrassing when in public. I am taking antibiotics, but I on an antibiotic break because I feel bad and my gut can't handle it. However, I have had these issues long before antibiotics.

So, vets deworm pets all the time, and they know how much of a problem it is, but somehow we believe that our food and water is so clean in the U.S. that we can't contract these parasites anymore. I don't buy it.

Now, I am not arguing that I have parasites in my GI tract, but I do think that it's a possibility. I am also a bit desperate as I am 23 and want to feel like my normal self again. If someone can point me to a good herbs or products to detox/deworm, I would greatly appreciate it. I am searching for my own answers now because of frustrations with our medical system.

I have found a product called colonix at http://www.drnatura.com/colonix_program.php . The website looks like a bunch of marketing (which turns me off a bit), but I think I may call tomorrow to see what herbs are in the product. I am hoping there is someone here that has a bit of knowledge outside mainstream medicine. All suggestions are appreciated.

[anonymous680]

I am looking elsewhere, but I wish I had the money to make the appointments. I like certain aspects of western medicine, and dislike certain aspects. I don't like how I am given a drug every time I go to the gastro (or most doctors for that matter). For severe symptoms, western medicine is needed (if only temporarily), but there is usually no focus on solutions besides when someone needs surgery. I think science is more up to date in areas such as cardiology and neurology, but it's frustrating that that these specialists aren't also trained to see the body as a whole. My gastro doc still thinks GI tract absolutely doesn't effect the heart (stating it's not possible), and now my cardiologist is says it can. It wasn't until a few years ago until mainstream medicine accepted that ulcers were caused by bacteria.

Now, all my doctors are great people, but I am frustrated with our current system. It can use much improvement.

First of all, when you say herbs/supplements aren't regulated, that is true. However, there is the USP and third-party companies that verify purity and potency of supplements. I've had far worse adverse effects from pharmaceuticals than any of the unregulated supplements. Of course I wouldn't get supplements at a place like CVS. The industry seems to be doing great unregulated, there is a lot of competition and options now, and I hope it stays that way. I have much more trust in these hippie supplement companies than mainstream "regulated" food. Most name-brand food is just horrible for you. Regulation is, however, forcing companies to do processes like pasteurization, a process that I don't believe should be mandatory. Where did choice go?

Now, before getting into too much of a debate, I am interested in playing with fire, and I am still curious if someone can answer my first post. I'd rather play with fire than stand in it.

[mammo]

There is no standard as to what is "normal" when it comes to bowel movements.  Some go every day, some don't, it's what's normal for you.  You are playing with fire when you start taking any type of herbs, or so called "natural" remedies, as they are not regulated in any way by anyone.  Since you are on prescription meds, herbs and "natural" products can cause extreme adverse reactions when mixed with these.  Your bowel problem may also be a part of the Lyme disease, or medication you're on for treatment.  Lyme disease takes time to cure.  But if you aren't happy with western medicine, you should look elsewhere.