Covering it all here- where we started and where I am today!
My first appointment with Dr. Jake was on 12/08/2023.
Again, this was a very thorough conversation and so appreciated!
Dr. Jake asked many specific questions, as he was assessing any gut related symptoms I have, compared with my prior bloodwork and the GI MAP stool test results, to determine which direction to go in moving forward. I was blown away with how spot on he was with some (of the most random) questions/symptoms!
To summarize, the results indicated:
There was a high level of strep and staph overgrowth bacteria in my gut- a problem, but can be corrected.
There was an extremely high level of Steatocrit- indicating fat malabsorption. This was a priority to correct, so there was not future liver damage.
My immune response antibodies, specific to gluten, were high.
Dr. Jake presumed I had a bacterial and/or fungal overgrowth in my large intestine.
We developed a plan to begin treating this.
Around the week of 12/18/2023, I received and began taking antimicrobials, anti-fungals, and high dose digestive enzyme supplements.
One of two scenarios could be true:
1. I have Celiac Disease; or
2. I do not have Celiac Disease and I have a higher sensitivity to gluten, but the bacterial and fungal overgrowth has complicated many other symptoms in my gut.
In order to determine which of the two was true, I completed a Celiac Disease lab panel on 12/26/2023. I received an order, had this lab drawn locally, and the test took about 7-10 business days to receive the results.
This test looks at several critical components of wheat. A standard Celiac lab panel does not look at all of these markers, so assessing more of them was helpful to not miss any that could be positive but not tested for.
My celiac result was negative. PRAISE!
However, my sensitivity and reactivity to a couple of the gluten markers was high again.
There are many, many reasons I could have a sensitivity to gluten. There are many, many tests I could run and dollars I could spend to try and get to the bottom of this.
I chose to not keep digging for this answer at this time. I know that prioritizing gut health is key for me, and periodically I will monitor my thyroid levels and antibodies.
Dr. Jake recommended I include gluten in my diet at 80/20. Maybe a couple of times a month I will have it and pay attention to how my gut responds. As the same for anyone else, what I eat determines how I feel, so I’ll continue to be conscious of my food, and specifically gluten intake.
Slowly but surely, it was pretty obvious that inflammation began to decrease overall in my body. My face was less puffy, my clothes fit differently, my hands and feet weren’t so tight, and my shoulders, arms and legs didn’t look as watery. It’s amazing to me how inflammation can take over!
I was trying to make sure I wasn’t just making this all up in my head, but my digestion felt like it was getting better, too. My pictures looked different. Bloating didn’t linger as long after meals, or low in my stomach with pain, and I didn’t always wake up full and distended.
On January 20, 2024, I had dinner and cake with friends and family to celebrate my birthday. I remember feeling “normal” the next morning. That was new and a relief.
Today, March 10, 2024, my gut symptoms, digestion, and the effects my body felt overall has continued to improve. I’m so grateful!
One area that has not yet shown much improvement is my energy. I don’t know the best way to describe this, other than I feel it should be better.
Based on prior discussions with Dr. Natalie and Dr. Jake, my energy is expected to improve, so I don’t think I have too high of expectations for that.
Without any gut issues, it would’ve been safe to say my hormones and energy would start to see improvement within 90 days of supplement and plan changes. With the time required to correct my gut health, those 90 days may be extended a bit, but I am hopeful for everything else to soon follow suit.
I visited my PCP on February 26, 2024 to discuss all of my prior results and plan with Dr. Natalie and Dr. Jake, and to have all my lab work redrawn for an approximate 90 day update. Almost all of those labs have resulted and I will soon review all with Dr. Natalie and Dr. Jake this month in March.
The hope and our prayer is that my lab work, specifically my hormones, continue to improve. This would indicate better communication for my ovulation and reproductive system as a whole. Then, we would hope to see an increased number of my follicles and then eggs. Even with a “low ovarian reserve,” we need at least one really good, quality egg.
We’re praying for one healthy egg, one healthy baby!
My PCP will likely never read this, so I left a patient survey expressing my gratitude, but I have to share here. 🙂
I have been so grateful to have the providers in our corner that we have. My PCP has been on a similar journey as we currently are, so we shared stories and understandings of the path we are taking at this time. I just appreciate the opportunity to connect, listen, and learn, with a little understanding and thinking outside of the box.
I’ll forever say, God knows and He continues to provide!
Talk soon,
xoxo- Kara
Our Waiting For Little Ouellette 