dysbiosis and anxiety

Hi all,

I recently had a Comprehensive Digestive Stool Analysis done, revealing "no growth" of Lactobacilli or Bifidobacterium. I was on a three-month course of broad-spectrum Antibiotics about two years ago for a follicule infection in my beard area that was diagnosed as staph. The infection was not deterred by the Antibiotics and I only managed to get it under control with antifungal shampoo (the staph could have been a secondary infection).

After the Antibiotics I entered a stressful period of life changes and started having anxiety, panic attacks, and agoraphobia. Those changes have stabilized over the last six months but the anxiety and agoraphobia still persists (no panic attacks though).

My doctor says the gut should rebalance itself after the antibiotics, but I am still without any growth of the above beneficial bacteria (I do have some E.coli) after almost two years. There are no levels of pathogenic bacteria or yeast.

I also had my plasma amino acids checked and they are all below reference range or just on the low border.

I have just started taking high levels of probiotics (45 billion cfu per capsule).

I also took a long course of tetracycline 16 years ago, and noticed problems beginning back then (which continue to this day), like stubborn dermatitis, oily skin, rashes, acne, etc. My normally productive self became lethargic and indifferent. My levels of concentration diminished.

I am wondering if it is possible that I diminished my good gut flora back then to a degree to allow for the above skin conditions and mood shift, that would then pave the way for a stubborn folliculitis which received... more antibiotics, which leaves me with a great deal of inner tension. I am almost certain there is a connection with food... I perk up after a meal, but only for a brief time, then to have my symptoms return: I usually feel pretty spaced out, vision seems fuzzy, like I am walking in a fog. As I say, the fog lifts a bit after a meal, but doesn't last long... could this be related to hypoglycemia? My fasting glucose is normal.

One more thing I learned: cesarean section and non-breast fed babies are late in developing a proper gut flora. I was cesarean section and my mother could not produce enough milk for me, so I went on cow's milk. I promptly developed cradle cap and that only cleared once I was put on soy milk. Could this early episode be related to an ongoing compromised gut flora?

Many rambling questions and comments in here. Any comments/experiences to share?

Tweet