[Phyl]

Dear Dr. McCandless,
Have you come across very stubborn clostridia and if so, do you have recommendations for getting rid of it? My son, who has tourettes has had very elevated markers for clostridia for over 2 years according to microbial OATs testing. He has been taking culturelle continuously for this time. We also supplemented with inulin for a while as well. In addition, he has had elevated markers for yeast continuously (though these markers seem to change) , despite a trial with nystatin and now some pleo homeopathic remedies. Thank you for your time.
Phyl

[Dr. McCandless]

Dear Phyl: Deeply colonized clostridia must be treated vigorously as it is very serious, interfering with normal brain chemistry. High levels of DHPPA always in my opinion call for one or more 10-day courses of Flagyl (metronidazole), 35-50mg/Kg each 24 hour period. Flagyl is very safe, and it is gross-tasting. I advise your doctor call a compounding pharmacy and have it put into something hopefully xylitol or some kind of sweetener. The probiotics must be stopped for the first week, then added slowly until by the time the 10 days is completed you are full on with copious culturelle (at least one with each meal for several weeks after the flagyl). I would also start Sacro-B twice daily indefinitely. Unfortunately spores can survive this first bout for deep infections, and must be done again to really hopefully ensure their demise. If you still have problems after all this, your child would be a candidate for oral immunoglobulin if you can afford it ($600 a month and not payable by insurance - see other posts).
I have found most yeast nowadays has outsmarted nystatin, and it is almost useless for most kids. After you get the clostridia defeated, you may also need a systemic anti-fungal for the yeast, and my favorite and very safe one is Diflucan 4/mg/Kg/day for three weeks. You can continue culturelle with the yeast treatment, but keep their administration separate. Be sure to start the natural anti-yeast nutrients like Aqua-Flora and grapefruit seed extract near the end of the treatment and continue indefinitely. GSE is strong, I advise 2 weeks on 1 week off, but Aqua Flora always and indefinitely, fortunately inexpensive and tastes like water.Jaquelyn

[Phyl]

Thank you very much for your detailed reply, Dr. McCandless. We did try Saccromyces B (sp?) last year for a while. I think that it definately exacerbated his tics and I'm not looking forward to using that again. However, I will pass along this information to our doctor.

Have you had experience with clostridia actually causing tics?

[Dr. McCandless]

Dear Phyl: I have not, but any metabolic stress including a pathogenic infestation could conceivably set off tics. Sorry I don't know more. Jaquelyn