Welcome back. I hope your week is going well. Many things feel out of control, but don’t lose hope. Take each day as it comes. Remember, our Lord still sits on the throne. Today, it’s all about the gut.
Let’s continue our conversation on stool testing and gut health. If you are joining me for the first time, you are about to learn something very interesting. If you already know about stool testing, congratulations, you are among the few.
I explained that we had Jaxon’s stool tested in the last blog. Starting Over At 54 – Stool Testing – Part 1
We were looking for anything that might cause Jaxon’s struggles. He was diagnosed in December 2021 with mild to moderate autism. Jaxon struggles with aggressive behavior, sensory issues, non-verbal communication and is developmentally delayed. At the urging of a friend who has a 10-year-old son with autism, we went to an integrative pediatrician for an evaluation. During the appointment, the doctor suggested we test his stool.
After three weeks of trying to collect the stool, we succeeded in getting a clean sample and sent it off to be tested. The results came back three weeks later.
Overwhelming results
I have to tell you the report was overwhelming at first. In my mind, the lab would test for a couple of things. How many items can you check in a stool sample? It’s not like bloodwork, or so I thought. Wow, was I wrong.
The doctor sent me several pages of test results and the diagnosis and treatment plan. The lab tested for over 30 things, and his stool shows he has more than one issue, and those issues need to be addressed right away.
I have shared the results with friends and family, and now I will share them with you. I am not looking for a battle or condemnation about the findings, but this is to make others aware that these issues I believe could very well exist in many children, whether autistic or not, unknown to parents. These gut issues existed right under my nose and could be in many children and adults today.
The test results report
Jaxon has been diagnosed with significant yeast belly, C Diff, and other abnormal bacteria in his gut. Jaxon has chronic inflammation. The report says that Jaxon’s immune system lives in a gut of disrepair, and action is needed immediately.
Admittedly, I was taken aback by the findings. I didn’t expect to see multiple issues with Jaxon’s gut, but from the results, this little guy has been battling this for a long time, and we didn’t know it.
Could this be why he can’t speak? Could this be why he has aggressive behavior toward us and others? Is this the result of picky eating and refusal to eat anything of bright color and different textures?
Jaxon doesn’t understand
I’m certainly not blaming a three-year-old for his health, but some of those things I believe may all be tied to the gut. Here we are – gut issues, and the poor guy couldn’t verbalize his feelings.
How many children cannot verbalize what they are feeling inside? Could some children have accepted the way their insides feel, believing it must be normal? Are these gut issues at the root or cause of autism in so many children? I don’t know; I’m just asking questions.
Yeast belly is a real thing. My friend calls it the yeast beast.
How does one get yeast belly and C Diff?
Poor eating choices are one way. Multiple antibiotics are another contributing factor.
While antibiotics are beneficial for killing the infection, they can also hamper your good gut bacteria. Before Jaxon came to live with us, he was at the doctor more than 20 times for various infections before he turned two. With multiple rounds of antibiotics over the short span of his life, his gut took a beating.
Add on top of those poor food choices from picky eating and sensory issues, and you have a recipe for our current situation. There may be other reasons, but I don’t know what they are.
How do you treat these conditions?
Kill the yeast. Kill the C Diff and three abnormal bacteria, and build up the good bacteria.
The plan will not cure him overnight. Killing the yeast beast takes time and a determined purposeful effort on our part, and a willingness on Jaxon’s part to participate, which has already proven to be complicated.
Admittedly, I still struggle with a bit of guilt since I feed him each day. I never imagined this little boy would end up with so many gut issues, and I wonder about my gut condition. I try to eat healthily, but the sugar beast is fierce, and I lose the battle many days.
With Jaxon having autism, his sensory issues play a significant role in his food choices. He won’t put anything brightly colored to his lips. Many times that food ends up across the room or on the floor.
Have you tried smoothies?
We tried smoothies, and he refused them, spitting the contents onto the floor. So, you can imagine that all fruits except bananas have been rejected. Bananas are lightly colored and feel fine, but they contain sugar. He refuses all veggies. He puts up a big fight, thrashing about in his chair, wailing arms, and screaming. It makes for pleasant conversation around the dinner table – not.
Next time, I will share the attack plan in detail. It has not been easy, but we have to make every effort for Jaxon’s sake. Starting Over At 54 – Stool Testing – Part 3 – Sugar
The Lord didn’t bring us this far to leave us here. He has a plan and purpose for Jaxon and us, and each day as we walk this road, he shows us more about ourselves and Jaxon and why he is living in our home.
Philippians 4:19, “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”
Blessings!
The Teaching Lady
Disclaimer: The information expressed by this page is meant solely as suggestions and should not be in any way construed as child-specific advice. This is our personal experience. Any choices you make to determine your child’s treatment are entirely at your discretion.
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