How to manage SIBO symptoms?

Posted by jacque6977 @jacque6977, Feb 22, 2017

My wife, after years of suffering from debilitating nausea and fatigue, has finally been diagnosed with SIBO as confirmed by a hydrogen breath test. It is estimated the bacteria has had at least two years to grow and may be well established. She has started on Xifaxan, at $35 per pill, but it is estimated that elimination of the SIBO may take up to six months. Her day now starts with her waking up with nausea and when she has a cup of tea and toast in the morning she gets sick within fifteen minutes thereafter. Her sickness is accompanied by violent belching, and at times she regurgitates liquid vile. The only drug she has for nausea is Zofran which does nothing for her. Are there any other SIBO sufferers that are experiencing the same symptoms, and what are you taking to reduce the nausea?

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Profile picture for Colleen Young, Connect Director @colleenyoung

@cim37343, I moved your message to this active discussion group where members are talking about SIBO and treatment options. Click VIEW & REPLY to scroll through past messages. What is the antibiotic that your husband is taking? Is it helping yet?

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Rifaximin is the prescribed antibiotic but doc is still working with insurance to get it covered. So he hasn’t started it yet. No breath test has been administered to diagnose SIBO so this very expensive antibiotic is being used for diagnostic purposes - trial and error approach. I am also confused how his last GI doc diagnosed collagenous colitis and this new doc said the biopsy didn’t show that. I’m wondering if anyone else has had this diagnosis reversed.

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Profile picture for cim37343 @cim37343

Rifaximin is the prescribed antibiotic but doc is still working with insurance to get it covered. So he hasn’t started it yet. No breath test has been administered to diagnose SIBO so this very expensive antibiotic is being used for diagnostic purposes - trial and error approach. I am also confused how his last GI doc diagnosed collagenous colitis and this new doc said the biopsy didn’t show that. I’m wondering if anyone else has had this diagnosis reversed.

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There seems to be so much confusion in this area. My consultant had done a lot of research - it’s her special field. She administered the breath test, then used four different antibiotics on a rolling programme over a period of four months - two weeks on two weeks off. They weren’t a diagnostic tool as far as I understand it. When they didn’t work she moved me onto the FODMAP diet. Apparently, according to the research statistics, a considerable proportion of SIBO sufferer will not benefit from antibiotics anyway. There is only one definitive test at the moment, it seems.

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WHAT IS THE ONE DEFINITIVE TEST? I TRIED THE FODMAP DIET IT DIDNT WORK FOR ME. HOPE IT WORKS FOR YOU.

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Gold standard test is aspiration of fluid via endoscopy, not tissue .Some do breath test but my understanding it is not as accurate.

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Profile picture for elle1233 @elle1233

I'm so glad I came back here.. I'm so anxious to talk to others with SIBO diagnosis! First off, what is BAM, and NET?

Which Dr. did you see at Mayo? I was diagnosed with SIBO at Mayo by the Dr. who did my endoscopy (via the duodenal aspirate), which is considered 'gold standard'. Sadly the Dr, who is a fellow; who was assigned to my care doesn't seem to believe in it, and when I asked to do the treatment protocol for it, he got all huffy; so I'm now without a GI doc, have gotten a local friend to write prescription for me to treat myself best I can based on the literature. I asked the GI dept if they had a doc that was familiar with SIBO, and never got an answer. I'd like to see one if they exist since I've had all my testing there. Otherwise I'm looking into Johns Hopkins, the only SIBO center I can find that takes out of state patients.

Do you have Carcinoid tumors also?

How did the Levaquin work (i'm assuming maybe you finished that now). I haven't taken that one! Look forward to hearing from you!

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BAM-bile acid malabsorption NET- neuroendocrine tumor. I saw Dr. Yi Qin primarily. She was great! Easy to talk to and would get back with me within hours if I had a question. I also saw Dr. John Kisiel. Didn’t spend as much time with him but he was very attentive and easy to talk to. Thankfully they were able to rule out NET/Carcinoid Syndrome. I didn’t find out which doc I was going to see until the afternoon before my appointment. I was blessed. I have seen some very minor improvements since finishing antibiotics. Sorry it took me so long to reply

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Profile picture for elle1233 @elle1233

I'm a little late, but thanks fiesty!, this was a good article, although I'm always sad when I read these, b/c MDs who are knowledgeable and specialize in SIBO all seem to be on the East or West coasts... no one anywhere near me. 🙁

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Be careful who you see. Not all people”treating “SIBO are MD’s . Some are naturopaths

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Profile picture for Kanaaz Pereira, Connect Moderator @kanaazpereira

Welcome to Connect, @wljs,

Thank you so much for your encouraging words, and for sharing your experiences in this discussion, and elsewhere on Connect too.
Please join us anytime with your questions and insights; we're glad to have you here.

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Do you remember the doctors name and what did he find on the endoscopy how were you treated?

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Profile picture for mutter3 @mutter3

BAM-bile acid malabsorption NET- neuroendocrine tumor. I saw Dr. Yi Qin primarily. She was great! Easy to talk to and would get back with me within hours if I had a question. I also saw Dr. John Kisiel. Didn’t spend as much time with him but he was very attentive and easy to talk to. Thankfully they were able to rule out NET/Carcinoid Syndrome. I didn’t find out which doc I was going to see until the afternoon before my appointment. I was blessed. I have seen some very minor improvements since finishing antibiotics. Sorry it took me so long to reply

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Hi, I am in the midst of dealing chronic sibo after treating with antibiotics I got cdifff. Got that fixed but now sibo is back and can’t take antibiotics. BUT..... I also have symptoms of possible neuroendocrine tumor, abd pain flushing etc tests negative so far. Who did you see at Mayo and what did they do to rule thins in or out.
Thanks
Gina

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Profile picture for mutter3 @mutter3

I was diagnosed with SIBO yesterday. Now I get the pleasure of doing the test for BAM. Luckily I get to do this one at home. I feel vindicated and hopeful. I have suffered with SIBO for close to 10 years. When I went to Mayo it was for like a 7th opinion. I was told at home I have a NET and carcinoid syndrome and to think about palliative care. The doctors at Mayo,yea Dr. Qin, were phenomenal. I now have answers. Levaquin for a while and after the BAM test I'll start the SIBO diet. To find the diet ,Google Mayo SIBO diet. I wish you each the best quality of life. Something I thought was gone but now have hope for. Thank you Mayo Clinic Rochester!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Did you actually have a neuroendocrine tumor or carcinoid syndrome??im suspecting that too? What tests did they do

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I have SIBO and Gastroparesis. I am currently on a 2 week treatment of Xifaxin. Fortunately it costs me nothing with my insurance. I use promethazine and nauzene for nausea. Nauzene is available I expensively over the counter. It has been a life saver for me. I also drink Kombucha daily which helps me feel better and also helps with good bacteria in the gut.

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