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Sibo treatment Rifaxamin and Neomycin
Digestive Health | Last Active: Jun 8 6:23am | Replies (71)Comment receiving replies
I have permanent SIBO as the result of removal of my ileocecal valve. Before my diagnosis - and before taking rifaximin - I had malabsorption issues and started a gluten and lactose free diet. After my SIBO diagnosis, I was prescribed rifaximin, taking it every other month for just over two years. I take a calcium supplement every day, as well as iron and vitamin D, and get a B-12 shot once a month. I no longer take rifaximin because it doesn’t seem to reduce my SIBO symptoms any longer. I stick to my diet - high protein, no beans or legumes or cruciferous vegetables, very little fruit or leafy greens - and take my supplements and do my best to treat the symptoms when I have a SIBO flare. The only “cure” for my SIBO is reconstruction of my ileocecal valve which I’m looking into.
Replies to "I have permanent SIBO as the result of removal of my ileocecal valve. Before my diagnosis..."
@bapetersen
I had my ileocecal valve along with all but 18" of small bowel (still have all my colin) removed in 1993 due to a blood clot. Well, as you can imagine, no one hardly knew anything how to deal with this, I was on TPN for 5 years. I finally found a great clinic, The Nutritional Restart Center, that helped me learn how to eat and heal etc. BUT no one really knew about SIBO and a lot of other side effects like kidney stones. Now, I'm 70 and was just tested for SIBO... Surprise! I have it. Thinking about it, I've probably had it for YEARS. I went through a course of antibiotics Metronidazole and Cehalexin 3 times a day for 2 weeks, which I thought was going to kill me with terrible side effects, so I had to stop one week in. I think maybe the diet I've been on (close to the Zoom diet) has kept it check, but I know I've had flares plus the odd symptoms like brain fog and anxiety and never knew what was causing them.
Now, just started looking into herbal products and diet suggestions. So disappointing when I realized this was actually chronic.
You are not alone, I know so well what that feels like!
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@bapetersen wondering what happened that resulted in no IC valve for you? I also no longer have one due to a cecal volvulous almost 5 years ago. I have been treated multiple times for SIBO with rifaximin and now am on a maintenance dose of 550 mg twice daily. Insurance coverage is a problem of course, and I am waiting for a 50 day supply to be shipped via a Canadian pharmacy. They are backed up, though, and it's taking longer than usual :(. It amazes me that GI professionals know so little about dietary recommendations. They teend to gravitate towards low FODMAP, but tell you not to follow it indefinitely. I have tried a few herbal remedies to treat SIBO in the past with variable results. Abdominal pain, gas, and fluctuations between constipation/diarrhea are my most challenging symptoms to manaage. I use a TENS unit, simethicone and/or activated charcoal caps, and a variety of laxatives, respectively. I am trying to find the right dose of cholestyramine for suspected BAD (bile acid diarrhea), but it fluxuates so much. Definitely a chronic, lifelong, and difficult condition to manage. It helps some to know we are not alone!