Helpless help
I’ve not blogged about my health in quite a while. I thought I should share a recent experience I had with one of my doctors. I had an appointment this morning with my gastroenterologist for a routine follow-up. I’ve been seeing this particular gastroenterologist for about 4 years now. I’m mentioning it because I have been through half a dozen gastroenterologists over the last 9 years or so. Some of you know that I have had a very severe case of IBS/SIBO for about 9 years. I developed symptoms quite literally overnight in the fall of 2016, 2 months after a hip revision surgery. I got sick on Monday, and by Friday, my wife was driving me to the ER. Since then, it’s been absolute hell living with this syndrome. To quote a GI doctor I saw in Emergency once, “IBS ruins people’s lives.” This was the advice he had for me. Imagine.
Spoiler alert—there is very little that gastroenterologists can do for most digestive issues. I’m serious. This is one area of the body that is very hard to treat. Even though my doctors don't believe that I have SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacteria Overgrowth), I know I have it just based on the symptoms I have been living with for 9 years and the hundreds of hours of research I’ve done. The truth is that there are far more people suffering from SIBO than doctors want to believe. IBS and SIBO are massive in the holistic/alternative medicine world—because modern medicine doesn't have an answer. I have read many testimonials from people who have mostly been unsuccessful at curing themselves of SIBO. Some have had success with various naturopathic treatments; however, I have tried virtually everything you can imagine and have never moved the needle. I’ve spent tens of thousands of dollars on naturopaths, testing, supplements, and travel expenses. I just don’t seem to respond to anything.
I’ve also tried the traditional route—western medicine—that is, treatment with antibiotics. I tried it 7 years ago and again just a few weeks ago. Crickets. Nothing. Nada.
No more Google for you
Today’s visit was a surprise. After repeating to the doctor that my IBS was still the same, which is basically terrible, and that I am still dependent on daily enemas to have a bowel movement, he actually told me that I was doing “ok” as far as managing my IBS goes. He doesn't see a problem with a person having to do enemas every day! He added that he wanted me to stop doing research online and that I was only making my problems worse by doing so. He even went so far as to write me a prescription that reads, “Stop Google and PubMed searches.” I swear to you. I had sent him medical articles I had found that discussed certain antibiotics that can cure SIBO. He didn't want to prescribe them, but he finally agreed after some pressure from me. The antibiotics did not work, but at least I can rule that out as a possible treatment.
He argues that there is a lot of inaccurate information online and that if I spend my time doing never-ending research, I am telling my brain that I am sick, creating a vicious cycle. I can sort of see his point. But at the same time, I have, on more than one occasion, discovered what I was suffering from by doing my own research and informing my doctors, who agreed to test me, only to find out I was right. So, I’m not ready to stop doing my own research!
Going natural, will it work?
Last week, I stumbled upon a post in my SIBO Facebook group. This person had rid herself of SIBO with a concoction of herbs and spices that a holistic healer mixed up. (I know it sounds like quackery, but my research has shown that herbs can effectively combat SIBO.) She posted the link to the healer’s page, so I sent her a message. Within a few minutes, she had responded, and I was bringing her up to speed on my very complex health problems. She seems absolutely convinced that after her treatment, I will be healed and will get back to a normal life. She even has a money-back guarantee—and she does not charge for a consultation. She charges you for the concoction. I’m expecting a package from Africa next week with bottles of this stuff. I will also follow a protein-rich diet as recommended by the treatment. Who knows, maybe this will work. I’ll only know if I try.
(UPDATE 2025: The herb concoction got hijacked in Mexico by a corrupt customs department. I never received the product. They were trying to extort $400 to release the package. I could not afford to take another chance and repurchase the product, so I will never know if it could have cured me. However, although I remain convinced I have SIBO, thankfully, I no longer rely on daily enemas to have a bowel movement! My bowels started to work again, after 7 years.)
I personally know someone who has educated herself so thoroughly that she can read and understand highly complex medical documents on DNA and various gene mutations that can cause rare diseases. She is as knowledgeable, if not more knowledgeable, than some doctors she has visited.
Be your own advocate
So, friends, the point of this chapter is to say, “Never surrender your right to do your own research, even if it makes your doctor crazy.” You are in charge, not the doctor. It’s okay to put your faith in your doctor, as I have done countless times, especially for joint replacement and fusion surgeries. You have to believe they will do their best work. And usually, they do. Having said that, I did have two surgeries that did not go as planned. One of my hip revisions was not a complete success. I remain with permanent hip pain. I also had eye surgery done with the hope of helping with my dry eye syndrome, which was not only unsuccessful but highly traumatic. They cut out a piece of my palette to use the tissue inside my eyelid. The mouth was worse than the eye! I have a scar on my palette now. I was supposed to do the other eye, but no thanks, I’ll pass! I’ll deal with the dry eyes.
The acronym for Gastroenterologist is GI, which is why I decided to name this chapter after Elvis’ post-army duty hit song “G.I. Blues.” Enjoy.
Written by Patrick Franc - Your Friendly Neighbourhood Bionic man
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