SIBO, or Duodenitis, or what?

Posted by mattdk @mattdk, Dec 12, 2022

I’ve been through a battery of tests with no issues found so I figured it’s time to reach out to see if someone else’s experience could help diagnosis.
Prior to my current issues I’ve had minor digestive issues such couple days a week i’d have diarrhea multiple times in the morning, or id be woken up at night by digestive “rumblings” but nothing that seemed worth seeing a doctor over. I was also diagnosed with type 2 diabetes about a year ago (probably have had it for a while before then though)

My current issues started with me waking up one night with what felt like just typical bad indigestion from eating spicy food to late at night. Normally when this happens I just sit up for a few minutes and the pain passes with a bit of gurgling sensation in my stomach. This time it didn’t the ache just wouldn’t stop. The next day I felt a little less of an ache so I had some tomato soup for brunch. Two hours later I felt very nauseous and vomited. And barley at anything all day. At the end of the day desperate to eat something I tried smoking some marijuana. All though I still had pain in what felt like my stomach the nausea cleared up and I was able to eat. Three days later I saw my doctor he said wait 5 days to see if it’s just a “bug” I did and it didn’t go away. After having and ultra sound, a gastric empty test, and endoscopy all come back normal with no issues found my doctor agreed it could be trulicity causing the constant pain in what felt like my stomach as well as the diarrhea I had developed. After a month of no trulicity some of my worse issues like nausea did clear up but I was still left with the following symptoms. Alternating constipation and diarrhea, excessive belching to the point of (where is all the gas coming from?) and a sore ache in the dead center of my abdomen right where I the think the duodenum is. What ever is hurting I can actually touch by pressing the spot and it instantly gets more sore. After having a CT and CCK HIDA to check my gall bladder all come back ok no problem. I’m now waiting (have to wait 4 weeks) on a breath test for SIBO. (At this point I’ve had the constant pain for 2 and a 1/2 months). I am concerned though about what this test will show because some things do or don’t make sense for SIBO. For example although I do get bloating and belching the main thing that hurts is the thing I can touch and push on which dosn’t feel like the small intestines. Looking up SIBO online the pain should be from the bloating. Also I’ve had zero extra flatulence. I’ve been trying to fallow a low FODMAP diet and although what I eat does make some difference in the amount of belching, it dosn’t seem to match up to high or low FODMAP . For example two hard boiled eggs and oatmeal causes as much belching as a steak and cheese sub with onions and Mayo. The tenderness in the middle of my chest as well as the ache which at times can feel like hunger pain matches symptoms of duadentitis, bust my endoscopy show no problems.

If anyone could provide some insight if this sounds like SIBO or what it could be it would help me immensely.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Digestive Health Support Group.

Profile picture for cheyne @cheyne

Hi ,
I can go one better, I want a way to transplant my body for a good one!
My father and older brother were abusive and cut from the same cloth. My brother stopped when he found my strength was a lot more than he could muster, slaming his head into a brick wall quieted him down. As for my father that all stopped suddenly when I applied some of his own treatment back. I don't remember the incident but my family vividly recount an incident when I took a carving knife to him, he had my mother suspended by the throat. Ever since I have tried to not be like my father despite the violent nature I inherited when stirred, prefering to walk away.
Just experiencing a flare up this morning. I had veggie soup last evening that my wife made and it is kicking back. Seems like I can cross that off the tolerable list now. Take with caution in future. I'm sure she is not trying to poision me as we cashed in my life insurance!
I'm starting to prove this Autonomia is affecting my blood glucose levels when it is not supposed to be possible! Long thought it had some input but after 6 choky biscuits, see food diet, it tumbled this morning, relative to my norm, go figure.
I'm noticing these key board buttons are jumping around alot this morning so hope I'm making sense, my vision is compromised so everything is blurry for the moment, I hope. Just another challenging day ahead to keep me on my toes.
Cheers

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I just saw that you replied to someone else on here, and I remembered that I never responded to your last post. That’s quite a family story! I think a lot of our health comes from what happened to us when we were kids. You did give me a smile when you said you didn’t think your wife was trying to poison you because your life insurance had already been cashed in. I hope you’re feeling better and I’m sorry you had to cross another item off your food list. That’s rough. I just had to do that as well. I had been eating baked sweet potatoes, but the last few times I ate them I got really sick and had bowel inflammation. I don’t understand that because they’re very squishy, but whatever. Life is no fun when you don’t feel well! You can quote me on that. I hope this finds you reasonably well. Take care.

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Profile picture for blessedwildapplegirl @blessedwildapplegirl

I just saw that you replied to someone else on here, and I remembered that I never responded to your last post. That’s quite a family story! I think a lot of our health comes from what happened to us when we were kids. You did give me a smile when you said you didn’t think your wife was trying to poison you because your life insurance had already been cashed in. I hope you’re feeling better and I’m sorry you had to cross another item off your food list. That’s rough. I just had to do that as well. I had been eating baked sweet potatoes, but the last few times I ate them I got really sick and had bowel inflammation. I don’t understand that because they’re very squishy, but whatever. Life is no fun when you don’t feel well! You can quote me on that. I hope this finds you reasonably well. Take care.

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Hi,
Very low morning today, starting to react to yet another medication.
I constantly wonder when I might run out of food I can tolerate. I'm never sure if what I'm ingesting is going to be toxic or intoxicating. There are days when the lust is bigger than the reaction, despite the consequences of my actions. Three days of pain and discomfort seems to be a good trade off at the time, more fool me!
Cheers

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Profile picture for cheyne @cheyne

Hi,
Very low morning today, starting to react to yet another medication.
I constantly wonder when I might run out of food I can tolerate. I'm never sure if what I'm ingesting is going to be toxic or intoxicating. There are days when the lust is bigger than the reaction, despite the consequences of my actions. Three days of pain and discomfort seems to be a good trade off at the time, more fool me!
Cheers

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Oh, I’m so sorry to hear that. How frustrating for you! And scary. At least I would be scared. Sounds like you need a miracle. I hope one for you. You have my deepest sympathy.
I’m meeting on zoom tomorrow with a naturopathic physician to see if if there’s anything he can do. Traditional medicine seems to be limited these days.
People who can eat don’t know how lucky they are, do they? Turns out it’s very important. I’m sorry you have to go through this. 💕

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Profile picture for blessedwildapplegirl @blessedwildapplegirl

Oh, I’m so sorry to hear that. How frustrating for you! And scary. At least I would be scared. Sounds like you need a miracle. I hope one for you. You have my deepest sympathy.
I’m meeting on zoom tomorrow with a naturopathic physician to see if if there’s anything he can do. Traditional medicine seems to be limited these days.
People who can eat don’t know how lucky they are, do they? Turns out it’s very important. I’m sorry you have to go through this. 💕

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I hope your appointment tomorrow goes well. Please do report back.

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Profile picture for Janell, Volunteer Mentor @jlharsh

I hope your appointment tomorrow goes well. Please do report back.

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Thank you so much! OK, I will report back.

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Profile picture for blessedwildapplegirl @blessedwildapplegirl

Oh, I’m so sorry to hear that. How frustrating for you! And scary. At least I would be scared. Sounds like you need a miracle. I hope one for you. You have my deepest sympathy.
I’m meeting on zoom tomorrow with a naturopathic physician to see if if there’s anything he can do. Traditional medicine seems to be limited these days.
People who can eat don’t know how lucky they are, do they? Turns out it’s very important. I’m sorry you have to go through this. 💕

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Hi,
Very strange to react to an intro size of medication after the 2nd doses. The onslaught was so strong and rapid it caught me on the hop, or in this case on the run, fast! I have decided not to seek treatment for diabetes or blood pressure anymore, yes it will shorten the life expectancy and I am experiencing the ravages of these two diseases already, but a comfortable life trumps ( is that PC any more) putting up with nasty side effects any day, for me. I found after the first dose my hunger pains had gone and my glucose was dropping but they didn't out weight the nasty effects for me. Blood pressure is still higher than my normal high but it should start to fall back soon.
Cheers.

REPLY
Profile picture for cheyne @cheyne

Hi,
Very strange to react to an intro size of medication after the 2nd doses. The onslaught was so strong and rapid it caught me on the hop, or in this case on the run, fast! I have decided not to seek treatment for diabetes or blood pressure anymore, yes it will shorten the life expectancy and I am experiencing the ravages of these two diseases already, but a comfortable life trumps ( is that PC any more) putting up with nasty side effects any day, for me. I found after the first dose my hunger pains had gone and my glucose was dropping but they didn't out weight the nasty effects for me. Blood pressure is still higher than my normal high but it should start to fall back soon.
Cheers.

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I think in your place I would do the same. Medication side effects are no joke!
Funny, I used the word “trumps” the other day and wondered the same thing. 😊
Stay strong - I know you will. 🫷That’s supposed to be a strong arm. Looks like I’m giving someone the finger. Take that, ill health! 😁

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Profile picture for blessedwildapplegirl @blessedwildapplegirl

I think in your place I would do the same. Medication side effects are no joke!
Funny, I used the word “trumps” the other day and wondered the same thing. 😊
Stay strong - I know you will. 🫷That’s supposed to be a strong arm. Looks like I’m giving someone the finger. Take that, ill health! 😁

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Hi,
I'm well on the way to "recovery", more like my normal state is returning. The hunger has returned and the brain is starting to refocus, still a little unsteady on me feet but expect that to go soon as well. My blood pressure is starting to edge down to a normal high for me. If my wife hadn't seen the rapid effects I'd be still trying to believe what transpired over 3 days. I'm now starting to think I might retry the med again just to be sure it was the cause, as with most symmptoms there can be a multitude of causes and I'm never one to come to a final conclusion on a single trial. I'll need to deal with some reluctance after such a devasting effect but looking at restart it again after the weekend.
Cheers

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Profile picture for blessedwildapplegirl @blessedwildapplegirl

Hi. I posted a couple of months ago I think. In mid November, I suddenly had a really bad attack of what I thought was irritable bowel, but it went on too long. I had eaten an apple and some coconut milk yogurt, and got severely sick about an hour later and couldn’t eat for a week and then finally was able to eat a little bit, but had terrible diarrhea for a week and went to the ER and they did a CAT scan, and said I had inflammation in my lower bowel, which I could feel because it was burning. I’ve had IBS on my life, but I had never felt like this! then I saw my doctor and he wanted me to take an ad acid, but my food felt like it was sitting in my stomach for 10 to 12 hours, so I said no. He recommended aloe vera gel, and I bought some, but I’m highly allergic to all kinds of things and very sensitive, so I never tried it. The burning was starting to go away, so I didn’t think I needed it. I started blending my food and then I was able to eat a little bit more and fast forward to five months later and for the past three weeks I’ve been eating pretty normally, although still blending about half of my food, and I’m always on a bland, mushy diet since they removed my gallbladder in 2012. Well, the other day, I stupidly, decided to try some more coconut milk yogurt, the same exact kind of triggered my stomachache five months ago! Guess what? I was in massive pain all night and I tried to eat half an avocado this morning and I’m in pain and I think I’m gonna go without eating again and I’m scared because I only weigh 82 1/2 pounds. I’m 5 foot four. I can’t believe I did that again. Has anybody else experienced that? When I googled it, it looks like I might have SIBO and the probiotics in the yogurt triggered it. I’m scheduled to go to a gastroenterology clinic this Tuesday and I didn’t want to go because I don’t want to take a bunch of pills or have a bunch of tests. I can’t believe I was feeling better and I screwed it up by eating the yogurt. I’ve also been under a lot of stress lately, but it’s never been like this except for that thing that happened in November. I also had some sleep difficulties when this first came on and I googled it and it’s possible you can get Covid in your stomach (I know someone that happened to) and I had been in a car with someone five days before I got sick, so I thought I might have long Covid. I stupidly didn’t test myself when I first got sick because I’m here alone and I was afraid I would panic. Yes, I’m very anxious. I just wondered if anybody else had reacted to probiotics that way. I was taking probiotic capsules, but they started upsetting my stomach, so I stopped them. Does anyone else suffer from SIBO? Does it sound like what this could be? I’m so scared I’m gonna lose more weight. I can’t believe I was just starting to feel better and had been actually going out of the house which I hadn’t been doing for months because I was so weak. I feel like an idiot. Thank you for any help anybody can offer.

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It’s brave of you to be willing to try again! I hope you can figure it out one way or another for sure. It’s so frustrating when we’re not sure what’s going on. I talked to a new doctor today who takes a natural approach, and he said exactly what I was thinking - that I need more digestive help rather than people trying to give me ant acids. So I’m going to give his medications a try, although one of them contains ox bile, and I don’t use animal products normally. But, since it’s an emergency, I will. Sounds kind of gross. 🤢

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Profile picture for Janell, Volunteer Mentor @jlharsh

I hope your appointment tomorrow goes well. Please do report back.

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Well, I had my zoom appointment today with an alternative physician, and I have to say that he made sense. Instead of offering me antacids, which my PCP did, he said that I need something to help digest my food since I no longer have a gallbladder. That is exactly what I have always thought. He wants me to try some digestive enzymes plus ox bile and something else to soothe my digestive tract and I don’t remember exactly what’s in it, but he’s going to send me a list of ingredients. That sounds good to me! I’m hoping and praying that they work and that I’m not allergic to anything in them. He also told me I should go ahead and get a colonoscopy/endoscopy just in case and that I may have a hiatal hernia. I think he’s right. So I will do that. He was a nice person, and he seemed very intelligent. He told me that he thought I was very sharp mentally for someone who is 70 years old, but I never thought of 70 as being that old! Is it really? Am I there yet? 😊

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