Taking Xifaxan

I don't feel much like writing today but I started on an antibiotic called Xifaxan, so I need to document this. Dr. Weiss thinks I have low stomach acid because I have undigested food in my stool. If undigested food makes it to the colon, bacteria will colonize on the food and proliferate, thus causing an overpopulation of harmful bacteria. He thinks this is why my immune system can't seem to get a handle on this ongoing Epstein Barr infection -- because it is dealing with the nasty byproducts of bacterial overload in the gut. Or at least that's what I think he said to me. I have trouble remembering anything unless I write it down.

Speaking of the Epstein Barr infection, I just got my new blood results back and after a two month reprieve, the mono is back with a vengeance. The good news is that the HHV-6 viral count is entirely normal. So that's weird. I know nothing about different types of viruses or why one would be running rampant while the other is being successfully contained, but that seems to be the case. There were two other things that seemed amiss, the first one was that my iron levels were nearly toxic. Last few blood tests they came out high. He says it is nearly impossible for a mensturating woman to have iron levels that high, so he wants me to get tested for hemochromatosis. The second thing is that my T-3 levels were too high and so I'm going to reduce the amount of dessicated thyroid I take by 10 mg. I knew that I was hyperthyroid because my hair has been falling out. It has been for months and it has gotten to the point where I can see my scalp through my hair in front when it is wet. I may appear to take it all in stride but I tell you, my ego is whimpering underneath the bed. I have no intention of coaxing it out as I figure there's more abuse to come before I get this all sorted out.

I will attempt to document how this trial of antibiotics go, if energy allows. It is difficult. After cranking out a full blog entry, I usually feel like I need a nap.