Citrobacter & Candida - HELP!!

Hi All,

First post on this forum, but have been on here for quite a while. I will try and keep this short while still providing all the info I need. I am a 22 year old guy from Australia. I have eaten very well my whole life and exercise regularly. History of Antibiotic use (including accutane), and don't mind a drink or 10 on the weekend (like most blokes my age). Anyway, on to why i'm on here..

I have been experiencing a myriad of digestive problems for a year now, which all came about after a bad bout of gastro. My number ONE complaint is chronic BLOATING! I hate it. After everything just about. Also a lack of energy, nausea, cramping, constipation. But primarily bloating.

I have been treating it with a couple of different naturopaths for about 10 months, with little success. After guessing for so long, I saved some money, and got a CDSA4+ done. Here are the main findings:

Bacteria:

- Bifoabacteria +++ (range 2-4+)
- Lactobacilli + (range 2-4+) LOW
- E. Coli ++++ (range 2-4+)
- Enterococci + (range 1-2+)

- Citrobacter species 4+ (PP) OVERGROWTH
- Hafnia Alvei 4+ (PP) OVERGROWTH
- Candida Albicans 1+ (PP) OVERGROWTH

Microscopic:
- Food remnants ++
- LOW chymotrypsin (not flagged, but on the lower end)
- Vegetable fibres ++ (indicating gastric hypoacidity, decreased bile salts or diminished pancreatic output)
- pH 6.1 - ACIDIC
- Coeliac - NEGATIVE
- H PYLORI - NEGATIVE

The sensitivity testing revealed that the citrobacter and hafnia alvei are sensitive to:
Antibiotics : Trimethroprim, cipro, etc.
Natural: Uva Ursi (bearberry) 100% inhibition, Berberine 80%, Plant Tannins 80%.


After treating my gut with a variety of liquid herbals for 9-10 months, even the naturopath suggested we may need the Antibiotics .

TO DATE since starting treatment 3 weeks ago, this is what i've done:

Weeks 1-2: Uva Ursi + Liquid Herbal (Berberine, Plant Tannins)
L-Glutamine, s boulardii, pectin
Diatomaceous Earth

Currently: 1 week into Trimethoprim, Probiotics, L-Glutamine, S Boulardii & Diatomaceous Earth.


My naturopath & my doctor (who happens to have an MD AND an ND - which is a very unique blend - he is incredible) both said I should be feeling considerably better after 2-3 weeks.

Since the end of week 2 (when I was on the Uva Ursi), I have had stomach cramps EVERY DAY. Bloating is not as bad, but I am on a strict diet limiting sugars, fruits, starchy vegetables, gluten, caffiene and alcohol. The moment I even have a banana, I bloat up again like crazy.

The plan is to introduce digestive enzymes and aloe vera, slippery elm and more probitoics after the kill phase.


I am very concerned about the stomach cramps. Is this a die-off effect? I've had die-off in the past, but it was more of a flu like feeling. This is different, localised entirely in the gut, it is a cramping. Comes on at random times after random foods.

All in all after 3 weeks of treatment that has been sensititvy tested to the exact bacteria in my gut - I thought I would be feeling a lot better than I am. I am definitely starting to feel a little discouraged.

My questions to the wonderful people of this forum are:

- What in the world is Citrobacter and Hafnia Alevei!? I can't find anything relevant about it online really at all.
- What sort of timeframe should I be expecting to be able to kill them? I have been treating for nearly a year - I want my life back!!
- Is there anything wrong with my current supp routine / would you change anything? Would you add anything?
- Any general advice or observations based on my current situation would be incredibly appreciated.

All input welcome, would love to hear from you.

Mitch


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