Small Intestine Bacteria Overgrowth (SIBO)

This is the best advice I've found after numerous visits to gastroenterologist, including Mayo. Mayo diagnosed me with SIBO twice. Two unsuccessful 2 week rounds of xifaxan. After extensive testing with no definitive answers for multiple gastro/neurological problems, I continue to have symptoms of IBS and SIBO. Nutrition was never raised. I've lost confidence in traditional medicine and have discovered through trial and error that I must follow the diet you describe. After being passed around to untold specialists, I feel like I've been dropped like a hot potato. Every time I see a Mayo TV ad, I cringe.

I have read different articles about this and people seem to disagree on having fruit or not. When I was told it was candida overgrowth I was told to eat fruit in the morning and then lots of veggies and a protein the rest of the day. I was also on a lot of different supplements at that time. Things did begin to get better but every now and again I would eat things that set me back. Things are better but not all normal. I still get gas and bloat every day after lunch and have wondered if it's the fruit. My brother lives with me and has a lot of the same symptoms and he asked his doc about all this. They don't recognize such a thing as candida overgrowth or mold sickness. It's very frustrating.

I don't have nausea so much but I start the day with warm lemon water. My ph balance was way off so this was recommended. I believe it has helped. I have an herbal tea later, no caffeine. I also drink a caffeine free peppermint tea. It is organic and sold by now. That has been a big help with the tummy.

My husband has had similar symptoms for the past month and has been hospitalized twice. He has had all of the "normal" gastro-related tests. I asked the gastro doctors about SIBO and they said it is possible but just shrugged it off because my husband's symptoms involve blocked bowel/constipation, not diarrhea. How do you get the doctors to do the test for SIBO?

A breath test in a clinic - it takes all day. You must ask for one. I got a fantastic NHS consultant to diagnose and treat it.

Okay, thank you. What is a NHS consultant and how can I find one?

HI again, @sue225

Are you inquiring for yourself or a friend/family member? If you are experiencing this problem, are you comfortable sharing more about your symptoms or history with SIBO?

I have a long history of celiac disease and irritable bowel-C in addition to acid reflux. The constipation issue combined with cramping, gas and excessive bloating has become worse over the last 2 1/2 years. The last three months have been difficult in that I seem to be totally dependent on laxatives. Restoralax stopped being effective for me and I switched to senokot (not the best solution).
This week I saw the gastroenterologist. He thought it would be a good idea to try Constella. I did try it (only 2 pills) about 2 years ago, it worked but gave me pain. I had been able to cope reasonably well until mid Jan of this year. Now the 1/2 dose (72mg?) is available so I will fill the script today and give it a go. The gastro. felt no further testing was required since I had a ct colonography three years ago followed by a sigmoidoscopy to remove a nonserious polyp. I also had an endoscopy around that time. My last colonoscopy was 9years ago and he felt it was not necessary to do one now. He weighed me, said my weight was stable and bloodwork good and said, "no red flags"
I totally forgot to ask the doctor about SIBO.
Perhaps it is just the IBS-C with heavy emphasis on the "C".
My only other thought is that in the last two years I have gone from being on no medications to being on three drugs (metoprolol, Prolia and Repatha). My gastrointestinal issues have definitely gotten worse. (terrible upper g.i. pain from the metoprolol which lasted for ten months, and permanent constipation. Is it the medications? Maybe not SIBO. So, that's the whole long story.

The practitioner who told me I had candida overgrowth, and there were no tests to determine this, had me on digestive enzymes and aloe among other things. In a few weeks the constipation had become much less. I am no longer on those things and most of the time it's much better unless I really stray from my diet. I also use coconut oil which I feel helps. I use to melt some in tea and drink it, plus I use it for cooking and to make salad dressing. I had tried so many other things and they gave me a lot of pain. I even ate 4 fiber one bars one night just because they tasted good,,,not recommended, lol. The next day I had the worst tummy ache of my life but still no potty. I feel like what the practitioner originally had me on got me on my way to healing but things are still not normal and I feel like the not knowing is the worst. I was glad to have tests done to rule some things out but wish I knew what exactly this is.

Four fibre bars....now, that's something I hadnt considered. 😉