Small Intestine Bacteria Overgrowth (SIBO)

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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@guthealth

I used to take Zantac religiously before being diagnosed with SIBO. All these drugs are listed as contributing factors to SIBO because they suppress the acid necessary to get rid of bad bacteria in your gut and maintain the bacterial balance. I stopped the use of PPI’s ten years ago after reading about their side effects. I have not taken Zantac in four months and have not needed it since changes in diet (elimination of many carbs) have essentially eliminated my heartburn. When you stop taking a PPI, however, you are likely to experience horrible acid rebound that may last weeks. Not an easy thing to go through. I would consult with your doctor if you want to stop taking or reduce the number or doses of several of these acid suppressing drugs. It can be done but I would not do it all at once. Also it is not advisable to get off these medications if you have dysplasia, Barrett’s esophagus or other precancerous conditions. The short answer to your question is yes but best done under medical advice and supervision.

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Try the low Fodmap diet. Research this and study the monash university

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@robinl

Hi
I just had my appointment with the gastro specialist. He explained to me that the nerves give off mixed messages to the abdomen. He told me to google monash university and search the low FODMAP diet. He said this is what he’s has recommended for patients with issues like ours.
Hope this works for you. Changing what you eat will certainly help.
Robin.

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Will do..Thank you.

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@maryannegau

<p>I've been battle SIBO for months now and have tried Rifaxin, Flagyl and antiviral meds. Also have tried Zithromax and am taking Atrantil (an herbal remedy). I can't eat sugar or carbs or my stomach hurts quite alot. Any suggestions?</p>

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Started taking Nexium, zantac, antacids, etc when belching started. When SIBO diagnosed, should you continue these products or eliminate as they should cut down on digestive acid which helps eliminate bacteria?

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@gtassithomas

I started getting sick 4 years ago at 53 years old. I started having diarrhea, dyspepsia, sour taste in my mouth and I had rapid wt loss of 30 pound over 3-4 mos. I was not trying but having so much diarrhea etc couldn't eat. Stress was moderate normal and I had taken antibiotic month or so before symptoms. I was diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy unknown cause the year before. No diabetics, no health problem except overwrite since kids born. Since this began my symptoms have worsened to include severe abdominal pain,
face flushing flush and heart pounding(usually with eating or diarrhea) and some reflux symptoms, I have also found that I have low Igg immunity. I have had full GI workup, Ct scan Mri etc. Only positive findings are 2 breath tests positive for sibo.
I have take xifaxin antibiotic 6 times over 4 years base on 2 tests and return of symptoms, I am wondering if I could have an underlying motility disorder as my esphogeal manometry showed hypercontractile esophagus ang gsstric empying stud showed rapid gastric emptying. Can/ would Mayo dr help me? I can't stay on antibiotics forever. Also in the past year I now have diverticulosis and a hiatal hernia eventhogh I am much thinner and hardly eat

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You need to contact Mayo directly to request an appointment. No guarantee that they will see you. They will gather your information and get back to you about whether you will get the appointment.

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@jackiem95

You need to contact Mayo directly to request an appointment. No guarantee that they will see you. They will gather your information and get back to you about whether you will get the appointment.

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Well that is discouraging

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@gtassithomas

Well that is discouraging

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I called the gastro appointment desk and they were booked out for about 4 months and could not schedule because they were in the middle of switching computer systems. That was in Sept. It is complete(in Phx) by now. The girl told me I could call everyday to see if there were any cancellations. I kept doing that & I finally was lucky enough to get on the phone with someone who was somehow able to send a note in for a work around appt for me. She told me there was no guarantee, but she would try. I was making my daily call two days later and the girl I was on the phone with said they had an appointment for me in 2 weeks. I cried. Then, right after I got off the phone, the original girl who was working to get me in called me to give me the good news. I did not have to send any medical records until after I had the appointment

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@thull

I called the gastro appointment desk and they were booked out for about 4 months and could not schedule because they were in the middle of switching computer systems. That was in Sept. It is complete(in Phx) by now. The girl told me I could call everyday to see if there were any cancellations. I kept doing that & I finally was lucky enough to get on the phone with someone who was somehow able to send a note in for a work around appt for me. She told me there was no guarantee, but she would try. I was making my daily call two days later and the girl I was on the phone with said they had an appointment for me in 2 weeks. I cried. Then, right after I got off the phone, the original girl who was working to get me in called me to give me the good news. I did not have to send any medical records until after I had the appointment

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I'll give it a shot I'm just not sure wether to try gastromotility or autonomic neuropathy dept

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@gtassithomas

I'll give it a shot I'm just not sure wether to try gastromotility or autonomic neuropathy dept

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But thanks that's more encouraging

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@thull

I called the gastro appointment desk and they were booked out for about 4 months and could not schedule because they were in the middle of switching computer systems. That was in Sept. It is complete(in Phx) by now. The girl told me I could call everyday to see if there were any cancellations. I kept doing that & I finally was lucky enough to get on the phone with someone who was somehow able to send a note in for a work around appt for me. She told me there was no guarantee, but she would try. I was making my daily call two days later and the girl I was on the phone with said they had an appointment for me in 2 weeks. I cried. Then, right after I got off the phone, the original girl who was working to get me in called me to give me the good news. I did not have to send any medical records until after I had the appointment

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Is this in Phoenix? The process at the main clinic in Rochester MN where I applied (and was turned down) is much more structured. I would apply in Phoenix too but my understanding is that the clinic there (as well as the one in Florida) do not accept out of state Medicare patients.

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@jackiem95

Is this in Phoenix? The process at the main clinic in Rochester MN where I applied (and was turned down) is much more structured. I would apply in Phoenix too but my understanding is that the clinic there (as well as the one in Florida) do not accept out of state Medicare patients.

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Yes, in Phoenix. I don't know anything about out of state insurance stuff. I am glad that my insurance was in network. I feel very lucky to have gotten in, especially with my current situation. Although that came as a result of going to the ER and having to be admitted. Surgeons came to me, and even though the main one I saw is a general surgeon, he is working under a colo rectal Surgeon who also saw me and was in the operating room. My last 3 surgeries this past year were at a different hospital and just a general surgeon, not a specialist. While I really liked this surgeon, I just felt better going forward to being treated by somebody who specializes in the bowel.

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