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How to manage SIBO symptoms?
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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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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1 ReactionSo maybe your problem was more reflux than SIBO? I had a massive bowel obstruction and had an emergency right hemicolectomy 2 1/2 years ago which includes removal of 18" of my colon cecum, illeocecal valve, appendix . I developed chronic SIBO and have not been able to get off Xifaxan for any length of time so I am on it daily. I also take Align daily. My dr told me to take a trial off Align and my intestines were a wreck after 4 days. Went back on it and within a few days was fine. Go figure! I think a lot is trial and error.
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1 ReactionI agree, @tiss. It is a lot of trial and error. You are doing a good job managing some difficult digestive problems. I'm glad that you are thinking for yourself and willing to experiment with the doctor's suggestions. Keep up the good work.
I agree. Our systems are complicated. My fingers are crossed.
You may also like Florastor, another probiotic. I take it along Align daily
I am very lucky to have a great GI who is willing to try anything. My old GI never tested me for SIBO and threw up his hands and wanted me on an antidepressant. I told him no, partly because I'm already on an antidepressant. So I got recommendations from friends for new dr and they all raved about this guy (Dr Michael Martin, Tulsa , Ok,) He's great and helped me get on track by tests, medications, and referral to a registered dietician , what a concept! I have to admit I am hoarding all the Xifaxan I can right now because we have superb insurance. I turn 65 in a few years and I am nervous about Medicare paying for it. One step at a time!
Update: picked up script for Rifaxam ($700 for 30 pills 200mg). Decided to read a bit more before starting the antibiotic. On Atrantil website read that one should not take probiotics while trying to treat SIBO. My ileocecal valve was removed during a sm bowel resection in '99. Started having belching in 2015. Reflecting on my past medical history it was about that time I started probiotics that I started having belching problems. I started (dr recommend) more serious probiotics and belching got worse. Doctor after doctor and suggestion after suggestion e.g. - remove gall bladder, stop cpap use, repair hiatal hernia, and on and on... The site (Atrantil) said taking probiotics was like adding fire to fire. So I delayed the antibiotic treatment and stopped all probiotics. Within 2 days my insane belching was diminished by over 50 % and at this point close to 75 %. I have the Rifaxam on standby but right now I am feeling better than I have in years!..
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1 ReactionI use a tincture of sativa marijuana that works wonders, you can also purchase a tincture of sativa and cbd that also should work.
I am trying xifaxan right now. I started feeling better after a week. I'm not sure it is working as i still feel nausea and belch after even a small amount of food. I need to eat I have lost 50 pounds. Only clear ensure sits well. I was diagnosed with gastroparesis. Any ideas???
You sound just like me!