[Billy D.P.]

So a few months ago I started having some stomach problems because I was essentially downing all sorts of supplements, pills, tinctures, teas, fermented foods and so on in order to try and relieve my DP. Long story short I ended up actually worsening my health quite substantially and have been dealing with many additional mental and physical health issues since this time. So for those who think they can "cure" themselves by adding more substances to their bodies, I'd strongly urge you to avoid this sort of magical thinking. Doing anything in excess often leads to more problems than was initially the case.

Here's the real kicker in all this, however: Ever since my stomach problems have occurred my DP symptoms have worsened substantially. For example, my voice sounds far more distant than ever before and is almost so foreign it pains me to even speak. My movements, speech -- essentially any action I take feels as though it's delayed, like I'm watching myself complete something before I actually process it internally. I've also noticed how I've become highly sensitive to sounds, lights and emotions. I have a nature, ongoing depression and am far more muted emotionally than I ever have been. I've also suffered many physiological symptoms like bodily stress, headaches, fatigue, etc., as well as mental lethargy, confusion, brain fog and so on -- all classic DP experiences.

At first I thought these new symptoms were the result of too much copper, as I had drastically increased my copper load as of late, however even after I've reduced it the symptoms haven't improved and have actually worsened depending on what I've eaten. I've suspected I have some sort of bacterial or yeast overgrowth due to the amount of fermented foods (many of which I was making myself, which can be risky) I've consumed lately, but even after getting tested by my GP and gastroenterologist nothing has really come up.

I'm just posting this to document my case and perhaps add to the list of people who suspect a stomach-based infection or imbalance can and has caused their DP. I do know that bacteria in the gut can release up to 80 different toxins depending on what you do and don't feed it, so perhaps at least some of us are where we are due to gut-related toxins.

If anybody has any similar stories or additional information on this subject I'd love to hear it because I'm at a loss for what to do as of now.

 

[nocturnalman]

might sound very simple ,but try green tea with honey for your stomach it will relax you

 

[Billy D.P.]

Just wanted to post a quick update on this:

So as it turns out I've been diagnosed with esophagitis, which basically means the tube connecting my mouth and throat to my stomach is inflamed due to a bacterial infection, yeast overgrowth or a range of other possible causes. I suspect given my diet and extreme lifestyle habits that it's one of the former. Either way, my stomach acid is leaking into my esophagus and burning it, causing inflammation and an exacerbation of my DP symptoms.

I don't know nearly enough about the bodily processes that occur during inflammation, but I find it interesting how an infection in something as far away as my stomach can have such profound neurological side effects. I've been completely emotionally blunted to the point of being unable to complete a sentence, I'm dizzy and lightheaded, my visual snow has increased, my afterimages and streamers have also increased substantially, and my voice has seemed especially distant. How is it that these symptoms are at all related to an immune response to something in my esophagus? It's really gotten me to thinking about how DP could perhaps be connected to some form of inflammation in the brain. I've long believed DP has its roots in nerve necrosis, and perhaps inflammation is part of what exacerbates DP symptoms in this process...

 

[Jkbobell]

Thanks for posting this. What are you doing for the esophagitis?

 

[Billy D.P.]

Thanks for posting this. What are you doing for the esophagitis?

Not sure yet. I just move and have to reschedule with another doctor. Probably some kind of antifungal treatment, perhaps antibiotics, however I'm a bit nervous to go down that road given the horror stories of some common antibiotics on this site. Going on a low FODMAP diet has really helped as has eliminating spicy foods. I'd be curious to see how well people here respond to a low FODMAP diet. Sounds like it's the new hot trend...