Support for Danielle's SIBO
Donation protected
In the later half of 2018, Danielle and two of her friends were physically attacked by her ex-boyfriend, resulting in his arrest. Shortly afterwards Danielle’s beloved dog, Roxy, passed away. Between the two events Danielle no longer felt safe in her home, where the attack had taken place. Her PTSD grew to the point of affecting her current job and mental state. Feeling like she could no longer live in her home or work at her job stably, she left. For the next year and a half Danielle was able to couch-surf between family and friends before eventually saving enough money to move into her own place in September, 2020.
During the turbulent two years described above, Danielle had ongoing health issues; symptoms that have been going on for most of her life. People close to her would describe Danielle as someone who was sick often. Many colds, flus, food poisonings, sinus/ear/yeast/bacteria infections and stomach issues plagued her. When she was a highschool Sophomore she became severely ill and was hospitalized off-and-on for eight months; never getting a diagnosis. After becoming severely underweight and chronically dehydrated, eventually the ‘virus in her throat’ was relieved from removing her tonsils.
Over the years Danielle has seen countless doctors and been tested for numerous things, many of which included autoimmune disorders. It was not until September 2020 that Danielle finally got a diagnosis of Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth, or SIBO. Living in her own home was strongly urged from her doctors, especially because she would need to be preparing specific food. All of which creates a great cost.
As the name suggests, SIBO is a serious condition of a bacteria overgrowth in the small intestines. It can cause symptoms like:
Diarrhea
Constipation
Bloating
Gas
Burping
Loss of appetite
Abdominal pain and cramping
Nausea
Uncomfortable feeling of fullness
Unintentional weight loss
Malnutrition
Heartburn
Nutrition deficiencies
Fatigue
Headaches
Joint pain
Skin rashes
Mood symptoms
Brain fog
Depression
Sleep disruption
Sinus issues
And many more
All of the symptoms listed Danielle has experienced on a regular basis. On a normal day she will experience many of these symptoms; if not all of them.
SIBO is what caused Danielle to develop another serious condition called leaky gut. Leaky gut or increased intestinal permeability, is when the holes in the intestinal wall get too big. Thus large molecules, toxins, and foreign microbes can pass through and start wandering all over the body. Leaky gut has caused food sensitivities in Danielle and affects the whole body with an array of symptoms. With leaky gut Danielle is at risk of developing a lifelong, debilitating autoimmune condition. Danielle’s doctors have told her that when she eradicates SIBO, the leaky gut should begin to heal as well.
Danielle’s doctors believe SIBO and leaky gut could be the underlying cause for the unexplained swelling of her lymph nodes and her hypertension. There is also a strong suspicion from previous bloodwork that Danielle has reactivated or chronic active Epstein Barr Virus (EBV). EBV and SIBO are connected, thus EBV will continue to be looked into further after her SIBO treatment.
Danielle is always plagued with colds and flus because 70-80% of the immune system is in the gut.
Currently, Danielle is 109 pounds with an underweight BMI and down 16 pounds from the summer. She has been trying to gain weight for months. Her doctors have told her the “SIBO is eating all of your food.”
Danielle’s treatment for SIBO includes medicine she takes for 60 days (15 pills a day), a SIBO specific low fermentation diet, a specialty powder for weight gain, digestive bitters, and numerous supplements for her nutrition deficiencies (altogether 30 pills a day). The treatment does not stop after the 60 days. Prokinetic pills will be needed for a couple months, and possibly other items geared towards prevention. These items listed are what insurance does not cover all of, or at all. Danielle also had to pay for her first SIBO breath test out of pocket. All together this is costing around $1,000, not including the specialty diet.
These costs are creating a huge financial strain on Danielle who is recently trying to get back on her feet, in her own place, on a minimum wage income. Of course, COVID-19 contributing to the financial obstacles.
Knowing Danielle, she hates asking for help and she would never want anyone to go into more debt to do so. However, if you are financially stable and can contribute at all, even $10 or by sharing this fund, that would help her out tremendously during this difficult time.
Danielle's dedicated her life to helping others without ever asking for help herself, which is why I'm taking the opportunity to allow us all to pitch in a little.
“Thank you” hardly seems like enough. This will mean the world to Danielle.
During the turbulent two years described above, Danielle had ongoing health issues; symptoms that have been going on for most of her life. People close to her would describe Danielle as someone who was sick often. Many colds, flus, food poisonings, sinus/ear/yeast/bacteria infections and stomach issues plagued her. When she was a highschool Sophomore she became severely ill and was hospitalized off-and-on for eight months; never getting a diagnosis. After becoming severely underweight and chronically dehydrated, eventually the ‘virus in her throat’ was relieved from removing her tonsils.
Over the years Danielle has seen countless doctors and been tested for numerous things, many of which included autoimmune disorders. It was not until September 2020 that Danielle finally got a diagnosis of Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth, or SIBO. Living in her own home was strongly urged from her doctors, especially because she would need to be preparing specific food. All of which creates a great cost.
As the name suggests, SIBO is a serious condition of a bacteria overgrowth in the small intestines. It can cause symptoms like:
Diarrhea
Constipation
Bloating
Gas
Burping
Loss of appetite
Abdominal pain and cramping
Nausea
Uncomfortable feeling of fullness
Unintentional weight loss
Malnutrition
Heartburn
Nutrition deficiencies
Fatigue
Headaches
Joint pain
Skin rashes
Mood symptoms
Brain fog
Depression
Sleep disruption
Sinus issues
And many more
All of the symptoms listed Danielle has experienced on a regular basis. On a normal day she will experience many of these symptoms; if not all of them.
SIBO is what caused Danielle to develop another serious condition called leaky gut. Leaky gut or increased intestinal permeability, is when the holes in the intestinal wall get too big. Thus large molecules, toxins, and foreign microbes can pass through and start wandering all over the body. Leaky gut has caused food sensitivities in Danielle and affects the whole body with an array of symptoms. With leaky gut Danielle is at risk of developing a lifelong, debilitating autoimmune condition. Danielle’s doctors have told her that when she eradicates SIBO, the leaky gut should begin to heal as well.
Danielle’s doctors believe SIBO and leaky gut could be the underlying cause for the unexplained swelling of her lymph nodes and her hypertension. There is also a strong suspicion from previous bloodwork that Danielle has reactivated or chronic active Epstein Barr Virus (EBV). EBV and SIBO are connected, thus EBV will continue to be looked into further after her SIBO treatment.
Danielle is always plagued with colds and flus because 70-80% of the immune system is in the gut.
Currently, Danielle is 109 pounds with an underweight BMI and down 16 pounds from the summer. She has been trying to gain weight for months. Her doctors have told her the “SIBO is eating all of your food.”
Danielle’s treatment for SIBO includes medicine she takes for 60 days (15 pills a day), a SIBO specific low fermentation diet, a specialty powder for weight gain, digestive bitters, and numerous supplements for her nutrition deficiencies (altogether 30 pills a day). The treatment does not stop after the 60 days. Prokinetic pills will be needed for a couple months, and possibly other items geared towards prevention. These items listed are what insurance does not cover all of, or at all. Danielle also had to pay for her first SIBO breath test out of pocket. All together this is costing around $1,000, not including the specialty diet.
These costs are creating a huge financial strain on Danielle who is recently trying to get back on her feet, in her own place, on a minimum wage income. Of course, COVID-19 contributing to the financial obstacles.
Knowing Danielle, she hates asking for help and she would never want anyone to go into more debt to do so. However, if you are financially stable and can contribute at all, even $10 or by sharing this fund, that would help her out tremendously during this difficult time.
Danielle's dedicated her life to helping others without ever asking for help herself, which is why I'm taking the opportunity to allow us all to pitch in a little.
“Thank you” hardly seems like enough. This will mean the world to Danielle.
Organizer and beneficiary
Jeruebe Phillips
Organizer
Beaverton, OR
Danielle Adams
Beneficiary