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Hi everyone,

I’m conducting a short 3-minute anonymous research survey about food, digestion, and everyday eating experiences. I’m trying to better understand which foods people commonly associate with symptoms like bloating, gas, heartburn, stomach discomfort, or other digestive issues.

As a thank you, participants can enter a drawing for a $50 gift card after completing the survey.

Survey: https://forms.gle/SaqyNRE9Mh5PHBy17

I truly appreciate your time and feedback. Thank you!

I'd think capsules are enough since they reach the SI and colon both but what have your experiences been like?

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• SMT from China (selective microbiota transplantation) 
• DNA stool analysis before and after FMT?

Hello everyone. I've been dealing with a condition for over a year that has completely changed my life. I have what I believe is a chronic, systemic biofilm, and I'm posting this to see if anyone else has had a similar experience.

My Symptoms

I have a continuous, sticky, and elastic biofilm network that covers my skin. It is not just a localized patch; it forms a web-like structure that extends from my scalp, over my face, down my back, across my torso, and along my limbs. It is bilaterally symmetrical, meaning it affects both sides of my body. My skin feels constantly sticky, and it has a shiny, almost greasy appearance, especially on my face and scalp.

On my scalp, the biofilm has become so thick that it has matted my hair together. The material sticks to the hair shafts, making it impossible to comb or wash out normally. I have lost a significant amount of hair as a result.

I also have chronic sinus infections with thick, sticky mucus that is difficult to clear. The mucus often forms long, elastic strands, and I can feel it draining from my sinuses into my throat. This has been a persistent issue for many years.

Internal Symptoms

I believe the biofilm is also in my sinuses and gut. I have chronic post-nasal drip, and when I swallow the material, it causes severe burping and gas. I have also been diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), which causes bloating, cramping, and alternating constipation and diarrhea. I have lost a significant amount of weight due to malabsorption.

Physical Properties I've Observed

· Viscoelasticity: The material stretches slowly when I pull it but breaks with an audible "snap" when pulled quickly.
· Thixotropy: When I press on it with a paper towel, it liquefies temporarily and is absorbed into the paper.
· Tensile Strength: A thick strand attached to my foot was strong enough to move a heavy object on my bed.
· Electrostatic Adhesion: It crackles with static electricity in my hair and "jumps" onto paper towels, wool, and hair, but doesn't stick well to smooth plastic.
· Thermosensitivity: Mild heat softens it, and I have observed it extinguishing a small flame when it is in a continuous strand.

---

What I Have Tried (So Far)

I have tried many things to get rid of this, with very little lasting success:

· Prescription shampoos: Nizoral (ketoconazole), and various medicated shampoos.
· Topical treatments: Tea tree oil, apple cider vinegar (diluted), coconut oil, almond oil, and other natural oils.
· Over-the-counter products: Salicylic acid soaps, detox shampoos, and various skin cleansers.
· Prescription antibiotics: Including Clavulin, which caused severe vomiting for four days and provided no relief.
· Nasal rinses: Saline rinses, sometimes with added NAC or other agents.
· Oral supplements: NAC (N-acetylcysteine), serrapeptase, and probiotics.
· Physical removal: I regularly use paper towels and compresses to absorb the biofilm after it has been softened.

Despite all of this, the biofilm continues to reform and spread. It seems to have a mechanical component, as the negative pressure from my sinus condition appears to pull the biofilm from my scalp into my sinuses and gut.

---

Why I Am Posting

I have been to several doctors, but no one has been able to diagnose or treat this condition. I have been dismissed as having a psychiatric condition, even though the material is physically visible and exhibits reproducible properties. I have had a CT scan that shows complete frontal sinus hypoplasia (underdeveloped sinuses) and a septal perforation.

What I Am Looking For

· Has anyone else experienced a biofilm that is visible on the skin like this?
· Does anyone have experience with a biofilm that seems to be a continuous network across the body?
· What treatments, supplements, or lifestyle changes have you found effective against systemic biofilms?
· Are there any doctors, clinics, or researchers who specialize in this type of condition?

I am not a scientist, but I have been documenting my case with samples and photos. I am looking for anyone who might have insights or similar experiences.

Thank you for reading.

Has anyone done a gut microbiome test (Viome, Thorne, etc.)?
Looking for real experiences:
• Which test did you choose?
• Were the results useful?
• What was your next step…diet changes, supplements, probiotics, doctor follow-up, etc.?
• Did it actually help?
Drop your stories below; both wins and warnings welcome!

Hey everyone,
I’ve been battling severe, debilitating GI issues for 2 years now, all triggered by a single, severe episode of food poisoning/gastroenteritis. Since that day, my gut ecosystem has been completely broken.
Currently, I am still without an official diagnosis. Doctors have been completely stumped and just try to throw the generic "IBS" label at me. I'm taking matters into my own hands and need your insights or success stories.

My Symptoms:
- Constant, dull, uncomfortable pressure under my left rib cage. Fasting doesn't relieve it.
- Feeling of fullness after every meal... even just after drinking a larger amount of fluid.
- Silent reflux (mucus in throat)
- The strange thing is, my bowel movements are totally normal - no diarrhea or constipation.

My Test Results So Far (The Data):
- Stool DNA/Microbiome Test: The initial food poisoning completely wiped me out. I have 0% Bifidobacteria and 0% Lactobacillus. On top of that, I have highly elevated levels of Desulfovibrio.
- Calprotectin: 250 (indicates localized low-grade inflammation in the gut, likely driven by the dysbiosis and Desulfovibrio**).**
- Stomach Acid: Highly suspect very low acid (hypochlorhydria based on home testing).

Everything That Has Been Ruled OUT (All Clean/Negative):
- Gastroscopy & Colonoscopy: Both completely clean (no ulcers, no IBD/Crohn's/Colitis, macroscopically normal tissue).
- SIBO Breath Test: Negative.
- H. Pylori: Negative.
- Histamine Intolerance (HIT): Negative.
- Bloodwork: Complete Blood Count (CBC) is perfectly stable. B12 and Ferritin levels are totally fine (no deficiencies). No anemia.
- Abdominal MRI (without contrast): Done last year completely clean. Organs (spleen, pancreas, kidneys) are structurally healthy.
- Abdominal ultrasound - normal.
- Zonulin level - normal.

The Mechanical Twist (Scoliosis):
I also have noticeable scoliosis - my left shoulder is visibly pulled higher than my right. Because my left rib cage is chronically compressed and rotated, I strongly suspect there is massive mechanical tension on my left diaphragm. I believe this structural pressure is compounding my GI issues.

Tested supplements and diets with zero effect:
PPI,Apple cider vinegar,Betain HCL with pepsin,Prokinetics,Ginger,artychoke,Masticha,Different kinds of probiotics,Low food map diet, keto, carnivore, 48h fast,Tudca,Riflaximin
...and honestly, a lot more. It's been two long years and I have tested so many things, but nothing worked. Zero relief. 🤷‍♂️

My Questions for the Community:
Has anyone with 0% Bifido/Lacto and a Desulfovibrio overgrowth post-food poisoning successfully beaten it? Did high-dose probiotics like VSL#3 / Visbiome do the trick?

How bad was your die-off (Herxheimer reaction) when introducing hundreds of billions of bacteria into a gut with elevated Desulfovibrio**?**

Has anyone experienced left-rib pressure that turned out to be a mix of scoliosis/diaphragm tightness and this specific type of dysbiosis?

**Thank you! I REALLY WANT TO FINALLY FIND THE ANSWER.**🤘

I have a graveyard of supplements at this point, plus a list of a hundred more I could still try. It got messy so I tried to sort it into categories, focused on gut stuff

• Antimicrobials
  • Berberine
  • Allicin
  • Neem
  • Oregano oil
• Gut lining
  • l-glutamine
  • Zinc carnosine
  • Aloe vera
  • Marshmallow root
  • DGL licorice
• Motility support
  • Ginger extract
  • Artichoke extract
  • Sometimes 5-HTP slow dose, depending on the case
  • Magnesium citrate
• Digestive / chemical support
  • Digestive enzymes
  • Betaine HCI
  • Apple cider vinegar
  • Artichoke for bile support
  • Ox bile for bile support
• Stool quality
  • Psyllium husk
  • Magnesium citrate (higher dose)
  • PHGG
• Microbiome support
  • Prebiotics
    • PHGG
    • Psyllium husk
    • Inulin
  • Probiotics
    • lacto and bifido blends
    • Saccharomyces boulardii (technically a yeast)
  • Metabiotics
    • Butyrate
    • Tributyrin
• Metabolic support
  • Myo inositol for insulin resistence
• Gut-brain axis
  • 5-HTP
  • L-theanine
  • Magnesium glycinate
  • Ashwagandha
  • Rhodiola
  • Peppermint oil/tea

Anything I’m missing? Not trying to be 100% exhaustive here but recap the main stuff

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Hello everyone,

I am currently working on a research article as part of my PhD, and I need as many people as possible to complete this Google Forms survey.

The aim of this study is to explore the relationship between knowledge of the gut microbiota and orthorexia nervosa.

The survey is completely anonymous, and I would greatly appreciate your participation. Thank you very much! :)

[https://forms.gle/WJPSfmvcE2TTBGZ36]()

The survey is in spanish by the way. Appreciate your time :')

We are currently seeking people who experience chronic stomach symptoms like nausea, vomiting, belching, or pain to participate in this important research.

Participation is easy and completely anonymous. Simply complete a 15-minute online survey that includes questions about your demographics, symptoms, and mental health. Your valuable input will help researchers better understand and manage chronic gastroduodenal symptoms, including gastroparesis.

Access the survey now at this link: https://auckland.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5cNZ69rlIXk70PA 

Together, we can work towards improving the lives of those suffering from chronic gastroduodenal symptoms. Thank you for your support! 

This study has been approved by the Auckland Health Research Ethics Committee on 12/04/2023 for five years. Reference number AH25798.

Check out videos from microbiome scientists at the Oxford Centre for Microbiome Studies https://bsky.app/profile/oxmicrobiome.bsky.social

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Hey,
I have chronic upper gut bloat and im interested in aspirate since i tried a lot of things and nothing worked. Does anyone know where i could do one?
Im from EU.

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