Hello Hikers,
So thru hiking has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember, and I finally made it to Springer Mountain this past spring!
Unfortunately I picked up Giardia pretty early on, still in GA, even though I was treating my water!! First with iodine, then with aquamira... but anyway it's been 5 months since my symptoms started and I'm still not better, and ended up getting off the trail in NY after hiking for four months with terrible terrible abdominal pain and diarrhea.
Has anyone else experienced this? or had success in treating Giardia/IBS symptoms?
I did take Flagyl when it started, but it didn't seem to help at all. I have taken three different brands of probiotics, again with no results. I just finished a round of Rifaximin, which from what I hear is a fairly new treatment for ibs/bacterial imbalances. This has actually helped a little... but I'm definitely not well enough to go backpacking or running, and from what I hear these mild results only last 4-10 weeks.
I've also gone gluten free, dairy free, and almost sugar free, which has reduced abdominal pain, but I'm worried I wouldn't be able to keep that kind of diet on the trail.
Any advice or tips would be great! I never though I'd say this, but I honestly can't wait to be able to put that stupid heavy pack back on!
-Malarkey