Day 9 Update

"I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace.

In this world you will have trouble.

But take heart! I have overcome the world."

John 16:33

It's day 9 today of antibiotic treatment.  More than halfway through this course.  

I am feeling really crummy today.  Yesterday wasn't great either.  Long-standing low-level headache, nausea and fatigue.  My doctor has been in touch with me, which I greatly appreciate, and we're walking through the issues.

Thanks for praying.  Perseverance and trust.  Peace and joy.  These are things I desire.  John 16:33 gives me encouragement!  He's overcome the world, and He has made me an overcomer by His Spirit.  

"Lead on, Jesus.  And thank You for the unfathomable gift of Your love and sacrifice as we anticipate the joy of remembering Your resurrection."  He is Risen!

Day 3 Update on Meds

The Lord's lovingkindnesses indeed never cease,

For His compassions never fail.

They are new every morning;

Great is Your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22-23

Just a quick update......

I'm on day 3 of the "big guns" and doing okay so far.  Dale and I were both really anxious on Wednesday about one of the meds and the possible severe side-effects.  So much so that I decided I needed to call my doctor and talk with her about it.  She returned my call the next morning (yesterday) and was able to explain why she is comfortable prescribing this particular med (neomycin).

The FDA warnings include the possibility of kidney problems and hearing loss.  When she went through treatment, she had the same concerns, obviously, and when she began treating SIBO patients, she had real questions as to whether this drug was actually okay to prescribe.  She took about a year to research the FDA claims, and the conclusion she has drawn indicates that the IV form of neomycin is indeed plagued with the very real and documented risk of kidney issues and hearing loss, however, the oral meds have no history of causing the same issues.  She talked with many pharmacists, doctors, and members of one other entity, the identity of which I'm not remembering.  They all confirm that they have seen no incidence of kidney or hearing issues in the use of oral neomycin.  This has been a great relief to us.

As of today, Day 3, I am not experiencing any of the other potentially nasty side-effects.  I'm just really tired.  And as Dale says, that's the easiest of the possibilities to deal with.  I agree!

Thanks so much for praying for us.  I'll keep you updated as we go.

Medication Update

I have strength for all things

in Christ Who empowers me

[I am ready for anything and equal to anything

through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; 

I am self sufficient in Christ's sufficiency].

Phillippians 4:13 AMP

"Abundant life is not necessarily health and wealth;

it is living in continual dependence on Me.

Instead of trying to fit this day into a preconceived mold,

relax and be on the lookout for what I am doing.

This mind-set will free you to enjoy Me

and find what I have planned for you to do.

This is far better than trying to make things go

according to your own plan."

Sarah Young, Jesus Calling

On almost a daily basis, Jesus Calling - the devotional by Sarah Young - ministers to me.  This particular passage from March 16th, especially so.  I am a "plan and organize" person.  Or I guess I should say I have been.  In the past couple of years as we've walked this challenging health pathway, I have had to abandon my plans and my organizing tendencies over and over again.  The encouragement to live in continual dependence on God instead of trying to fit the days into preconceived molds, and watching for what He is doing and following His plan, really hit home.  Thank You, Jesus, for Your awesome good Words to me.  To us all.

After 2 1/2 months of waiting on doctors and insurance company policy, we have obtained a pre-approval for the "big guns" medications.  The insurance company has agreed to pay half of the cost of the $800+ medication and I will start that, coupled with another med, tomorrow.  We would greatly appreciate prayer on a few fronts.

First, that the meds will actually do their job and eradicate the bacterial overgrowth in one course.  We don't want to have to pay for a second course with the cost so steep, nor do we want the meds in my system any longer than the first two weeks.

Second, one of these meds has potentially serious side-effects, and we're praying protection from that.  As in hearing loss and kidney problems.

Third, that my gut will respond favorably to these antibiotics in that I won't experience the unpleasantness of diarrhea or severe constipation, and that there will be no yeast overgrowth.

Fourth, that I'll be able to discern what supplements and other intestinal tract helps are needed at specific times to guard against all of the above.

I will keep you all posted as we go through these next two weeks.  Thanks so much for praying.  I know I say it often, but we really don't know where we'd be without the prayers of the saints.  Bless you, each one.