Probiotics for SIBO?

I've been diagnosed with SIBO/IMO and was on XIFAXAN & Neomycin for SIBO. I was told it's short term medication and to use the FOBMAP diet. I am currently making my recipes from a SIBO cookbook. However my bloating continues and my stomach is still swollen. I exercise 3-4 days a week, but nothing is working to get my abdomen flattened.
Any suggestions?

Waiting on the results of my SIBO test. In the meantime my GI recommended Oil of Oregano and a probiotic called VSL 3. Too early for me to see any results. Just started.

@cheyne I paid 3,000 for the antibiotics. You just keep them on hand?

I did the antibiotics but I ask the Dr. about a special diet like the FOD map and he said no need.

@marylandbob I paid 3,000. how much is it from Canada?

@caregiver333
Low FODMAP to effectively starve the Archaea so it can be better killed in its weakened state, vs providing nutrition to the Archaea so it can last past the antibiotics. Suggest you also try to follow proper hydration and eating time to go along with proper MMC (Migrating Motor Complex). 3 meals / day with no snacks.

Hi,
I was told not to eat specific foods while taking treatment for SIBO as they are counterproductive. I remember cabbage was one of them. I actually found that to be so when taking pro-biotics also. Seems like a lifetime ago now. In the last few months, I have learnt a lot about my health thanks to being able to use AI as the index to the medical books I couldn't possible thumb through in the short time I have left. I thought SIBO was the worst my digestion could throw at me, what a mistake that was.
Cheers

I believe that SIBO/IMO is a symptom, not the cause. What is creating an environment where the bacteria/archaea can thrive? Mine was largely that my enzymes have decreased with age, (probably made worse by bad eating habits). I went to good hydration, 3 meals/day with no snacks in between. Coupled that with motility supplements, antimicrobials, and gut health supplements for about 4 months. Now back to close to normal with daily BMs and feeling well. The antibiotics probably work/help but the rest of the environment setting conditions are necessary or the antibiotics won’t work. (I’ve taken the rifaxan/neomycin pair about 6 times - helps but archaea comes back). This is my opinion based upon my experiences. I think that antacids are not good - changes the stomach/digestive situation (stomach needs acid for digestion.)

What gut health supplements did you take?

I had SIBO, did Rifaximin as well. Works as long as you’re on it but go off and symptoms return. Antibiotics kill bacteria and they do not distinguish between good and bad bacteria in the gut. Our upper and lower gut each have their own bacteria BUT, when antibiotics are introduced the bacteria in the lower gut migrate to the upper gut to feed and you get symptoms like acid reflux. My doctor put me on a prebiotic first followed by a probiotic.
And any doctor that tells you the low fodmap diet doesn’t help does not understand the difference between treating symptoms or treating the cause of symptoms.
I also did the low fodmap diet and my doctor’s nutritionist told me that foods I need to omit i eventually can go back to once my gut microbiome is healthy.