Re: Blastocystis treatment advice

Hey Guys:

I've been following this thread and B.H. posts for a while now, but this is the first time I post. I'm from Canada but living in the Netherlands. This past November, I started to have super foul gas, (and lots of it). Always in the evening. This awful gas is accompanied by really bad digestion (gurgling for hours and hours), abdominal pain, (if I can't get the gas out). My stool isn't formed, like it once was - but rather a mush that's rather difficult to clean from the toilet. I went to the doctor ages ago and it was found I had B.H. in my stool. And since then, like so many others, began my personal hell. What was this, how did I get it, etc. the questions didn't stop. Nor could the answers have been more puzzling. Some really think this is the source of my problems, and others don't. I've been through two doses of Antibiotics - the infamous Metronidazole (called Flagyl in some places) and also Cotrimoxazol (also called Bactrim in other places). But still no luck - no change in symptoms, and with each test, B.H. is still found.
I've never had any health problems before, and 28 and as fit as a fiddle. I only eat healthy food and work out regularly. I've tried avoiding everything to see if the symptoms change, but with no luck - I'm a fart machine. Bread makes it worse, but stopping carbs or milk or Sugar seems to have no effect. I don't seem to have diarrhea.

Anyway, the long and short of my post is - I was in touch with the Australian clinic about the triple combo therapy. I could have purchased it, but I chickened out. What if my symptoms are from some other cause? Can I really think I know more than some of the specialists out there? Is the internet giving me a sort of chip on the shoulder confidence? What are your experiences with this bug? I have a colonoscopy appointment soon and also an upper GI, but I'm scared, I've never had such a thing before.

I really would rather not take these crazy medications, but there are some stories of peoples' symptoms being resolved. Has anyone taken the triple therapy with a good result? Has anyone had tests run by a GI specialist that have found something else?

I feel that the standard test for parasites is pretty good in the Netherlands, but maybe they're missing something. This country is not really so great at doctors and if you're sick, it's probably better to go home to your own country.

I suppose my condition isn't so bad compared to some people here - but the gas is so awful and I'm such a virtuoso at producing it, it is severely impacting my life. The stress I can also create about this (what if I can't get cured, etc.) is also unbearable sometimes. It's a very humbling problem.

I feel a bit better just after sharing. Good thoughts to everyone.

T