1. < Digestive Health

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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jackiem95 | @jackiem95 | Feb 5, 2020
In reply to @gtassithomas "I started getting sick 4 years ago at 53 years old. I started having diarrhea, dyspepsia,..." + (show)
@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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Glad it is working out for you in Phoenix. Great idea to see a good specialist.

REPLY
sita | @sita | Feb 5, 2020
In reply to @jackiem95 "Is this in Phoenix? The process at the main clinic in Rochester MN where I applied..." + (show)
@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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Phoenix Mayo does accept straight Medicare, just not the advantage plans. Good luck!

REPLY
1 reply
jackiem95 | @jackiem95 | Feb 5, 2020
In reply to @sita "Phoenix Mayo does accept straight Medicare, just not the advantage plans. Good luck!" + (show)
@sita

Phoenix Mayo does accept straight Medicare, just not the advantage plans. Good luck!

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This is from their website: “For out of state residents, Mayo Clinic has chosen to be a nonparticipating facility in AZ and FL and does not accept assignment for Medicare Part B for out if state residents. This means that Mayo does not accept Medicare approved amounts as Payment in full.”

Their policy is obviously different for AZ and FL residents.

REPLY
sita | @sita | Feb 5, 2020
In reply to @gtassithomas "I started getting sick 4 years ago at 53 years old. I started having diarrhea, dyspepsia,..." + (show)
@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

Jump to this post

Right, in September of 2018 I was seen and had to pay 15% over what Medicare paid. It was less than $200 for two specialists appointments.

REPLY
jackiem95 | @jackiem95 | Feb 5, 2020
In reply to @gtassithomas "I started getting sick 4 years ago at 53 years old. I started having diarrhea, dyspepsia,..." + (show)
@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

Jump to this post

That is certainly reasonable! I assume that you are not an AZ resident? I guess the real consideration would be how much $$ would be involved if there ended up to be numerous costly tests and procedures. Thanks!

REPLY
1 reply
sita | @sita | Feb 5, 2020
In reply to @jackiem95 "That is certainly reasonable! I assume that you are not an AZ resident? I guess the..." + (show)
@jackiem95

That is certainly reasonable! I assume that you are not an AZ resident? I guess the real consideration would be how much $$ would be involved if there ended up to be numerous costly tests and procedures. Thanks!

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Yes, I am not an Arizona resident. I had many blood tests run and really don’t remember any extra costs, so if there were some, they must have been minimal. I was concerned about that as well.

REPLY
jackiem95 | @jackiem95 | Feb 5, 2020
In reply to @gtassithomas "I started getting sick 4 years ago at 53 years old. I started having diarrhea, dyspepsia,..." + (show)
@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

Jump to this post

I called the Phoenix clinic today. Basically, they told me that because of the high demand for care in certain specialties (e.g gastroenterology) they are now not accepting anyone at all on a government health care program—that is anyone on Medicare (even with supplementary insurance) or Medicaid. So I guess that ends my quest for care at Mayo.

REPLY
sita | @sita | Feb 5, 2020
In reply to @gtassithomas "I started getting sick 4 years ago at 53 years old. I started having diarrhea, dyspepsia,..." + (show)
@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

Jump to this post

Wow, I am sorry to hear that!

REPLY
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Feb 5, 2020
In reply to @thull "Yes, in Phoenix. I don't know anything about out of state insurance stuff. I am glad..." + (show)
@thull

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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Hi @thull
Just thinking about you and wondering how you are feeling these days. I hope your recovery is still going well.

REPLY
1 reply
thull | @thull | Feb 5, 2020
In reply to @hopeful33250 "Hi @thull Just thinking about you and wondering how you are feeling these days. I hope..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

Hi @thull
Just thinking about you and wondering how you are feeling these days. I hope your recovery is still going well.

Jump to this post

I am feeling pretty good, trying to work some(I am a realtor). I have been able to get out and show some houses etc. I have my follow up appointment with the surgeon 1/31. Everything seems to be going ok except my appetite is still not that great so keeping weight on is a challenge. The solid food seems to be hanging around in my stomach for quite a while and making me feel full. I wonder if being on liquids for so long made it go into shock or something!

REPLY
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