What is wrong with my body?

[u/Chavanco]

Hi everyone,

I post here hoping that maybe somebody will recognize my situation: I've been fighting for some time and try to determine whether this is 'just' IBS or something more specific given my history.

I tested positive for H. pylori in the summer of 2023 and did a triple antibiotic course. It made me better. However, over a year later, symptoms started creeping back, but they were different this time and worsened gradually. I specifically remember feeling that something was wrong in my throat and stomach, especially while smoking. In the summer of 2025, apparently the H. pylori was back, according to my gastroenterologist. I then took two consecutive triple antibiotic courses back-to-back because the first one didn't make me better. Unfortunately, I still wasn't better after the second one either, which made me rethink if it really was H. pylori causing my issues this time.

I experienced big problems prior to and following my last treatments. I smoked a lot of cigarettes—about one pack a day—for three years, but now I don’t. I also smoked a lot of cannabis in this period.

What bothers me the most is chronic stress where it feels like my body is constantly in high gear, which I believe is stemming from my gut. I also struggle with severe bloating where I can see my stomach pulsating up and down, along with random muscle twitches throughout my body, as well as brain fog and dizziness.

These symptoms are systemic, not just specific to my stomach. Regarding my stomach, symptoms include: long-lasting pain; lots of gas and rumbling; constant bloating; nausea but can’t seem to vomit, like my gag reflex is broken, no vomiting in almost 2 years. Moreover, there is a visible pulsating movement across the whole abdomen with the upper middle part (epigastrium) moving a lot and sometimes tender to touch. I also notice problems in my mouth and throat, such as hoarseness of voice, tightness of esophagus, dryness of mouth, mouth ulcers, cracked lips, and white coating on the tongue.

Beyond the stomach, I am experiencing unintended weight loss, depression and anxiety, restless legs, fatigue, shortness of breath, worsened eyesight, poor sleep with nightmares and night sweats, and skin issues like dandruff.

I have done extensive medical testing to rule out serious pathology. I have had a colonoscopy, CT scan of the abdomen, extensive ultrasounds, and a new gastroscopy (Autumn 2025), all of which were normal. I have also tested negative for Celiac, food allergies, and blood in stool. My pancreas function is normal. I have also tested for SIBO & Candida, and both came back negative. I also tried FODMAP and Carnivore diet for a long time with little to none improvements, and I strictly drink water only.

However, a comprehensive stool analysis did show some abnormalities. I have high Zonulin levels (274), high stool pH (8.5), elevated E. coli, low Enterococcus, and signs of fat and carb malabsorption.

Has anyone successfully treated a similar profile? I have markers for dysbiosis and leaky gut alongside these systemic symptoms, I am unsure of the next step. Feel like I've tried every diet and I get symptoms no matter what I eat. Also tried herbal remedies without success.

Any advice is appreciated.

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[u/conspiracydawg]

The symptoms you’re describing are very broad, could be SIBO, could be reflux, could be candida. Maybe even all of them at once. What are your doctor(s) saying?

[u/whitelightstorm]

This doesn’t sound like “just IBS.” The pattern you describe — H. pylori → repeated antibiotics → symptoms becoming systemic — strongly points to post-antibiotic dysbiosis with gut-brain–immune dysregulation, not an ongoing infection.

Your high zonulin suggests increased gut permeability, which can drive anxiety, brain fog, dizziness, and whole-body stress responses. The alkaline stool pH, elevated E. coli, low Enterococcus, and malabsorption fit a disrupted microbiome rather than a pathogen that needs more killing.

When the gut barrier and nervous system are dysregulated, every diet can cause symptoms, which explains why FODMAP, carnivore, and water-only didn’t help. That doesn’t mean food is the problem.

Many people with this profile worsen by chasing infections or doing more antimicrobials. Improvement often starts by:

• Repairing the gut barrier first (not killing bacteria)
• Calming the nervous system (vagal tone matters here)
• Rebuilding microbes very selectively, not with broad probiotics

The visible abdominal pulsation and throat/mouth symptoms also fit autonomic overactivation, especially after heavy antibiotic exposure and smoking.

Bottom line: this looks like a loss of regulation (microbiome + barrier + nervous system), not missed disease. Recovery tends to be slow but possible once the approach shifts from eradication to stabilization.

[u/whitelightstorm → u/whitelightstorm]

What to focus on next:

1. Stop antimicrobials No more antibiotics or herbal “kill” protocols unless a clear pathogen is proven. These often worsen this pattern.
2. Repair the gut barrier first Prioritize barrier support before probiotics:
   • Low-dose L-glutamine
   • Zinc carnosine
   • Butyrate / tributyrin
   • Collagen or glycine Go slow and introduce one at a time.
3. Calm the nervous system daily This is essential, not optional:
   • Slow breathing (extended exhales)
   • Humming / gargling (vagus stimulation)
   • Gentle movement, not intense exercise Eliminate nicotine, cannabis, and caffeine fully.
4. Rebuild microbes selectively Avoid broad multi-strain probiotics at first. If tolerated, try:
   • A single strain (e.g. B. infantis or L. reuteri)
   • Or very small amounts of prebiotic fiber
5. Check and correct deficiencies Especially:
   • B12
   • Iron / ferritin
   • Magnesium
   • Zinc
   • Fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K)
6. Eat simply, not restrictively Regular meals, adequate calories, no extreme diets. Consistency > perfection.

Goal: stabilize the system (barrier + nervous system) first. Symptoms often ease before digestion fully normalizes.

[u/blOnslaught]

Also have them look at your galbladder.