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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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???

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@lizbee78

I have SIBO and Gastroparesis. I am currently on a 2 week treatment of Xifaxin. Fortunately it costs me nothing with my insurance. I use promethazine and nauzene for nausea. Nauzene is available I expensively over the counter. It has been a life saver for me. I also drink Kombucha daily which helps me feel better and also helps with good bacteria in the gut.

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You sound just like me!

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@lizbee78

I have SIBO and Gastroparesis. I am currently on a 2 week treatment of Xifaxin. Fortunately it costs me nothing with my insurance. I use promethazine and nauzene for nausea. Nauzene is available I expensively over the counter. It has been a life saver for me. I also drink Kombucha daily which helps me feel better and also helps with good bacteria in the gut.

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Who is your doctor?

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For a lot of our problems especially with the digestive tract have you tried to drink in the morning lemon water? It helps rid acid in the system. I just used it for my canker sores . A friend told me about using it with baking soda it will fizz but it is helping with the canker sores the soreness is gone and my gums are about normal again. .. Way back in the 60.s in the hospital where I worked was the one thing we did every morning No SUGAR .

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I am going through the exact same thing. I cant find anything that helps. How is your wife? This is horrible.

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I am struggling with Methane SIBO and Gastroparesis for a couple years now. I was on Xifaxin last year and it worked quite well and had to take it again and the results didn't last as long and the symptoms returned. I had to transfer my care locally as it's costly for me to travel to Mayo. I was then prescribed by my local GI doctor, the Antibiotic Neomycin in combination with Flagyl. I was on a daily dose of 6000mg Neomycin and 1500mg Flagyl. It didn't help and was wondering if anyone has been prescribed Neomycin and at what dose? I ask because I suffered hearing loss and nerve damage from being on a high dose for over 10 days. I also developed an insanely loud noise in my ears called Tinnitus. I was told I have Neurotoxicity. No one can help that from what I've been told. I was in the ER 2x from complications and have seen maybe 6 specialists. Has anyone ever tried Neomycin or anyone have knowledge on dosage? I called my Mayo Doctor and he said they don't even use Neomycin. The other doctors I saw were shocked by the dosage and everyone referred me to Mayo for help but Mayo has told me they can't help further and I have to "live" with it. I'm desperate for anyone who can help! Thank you.

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@tykehome

I am struggling with Methane SIBO and Gastroparesis for a couple years now. I was on Xifaxin last year and it worked quite well and had to take it again and the results didn't last as long and the symptoms returned. I had to transfer my care locally as it's costly for me to travel to Mayo. I was then prescribed by my local GI doctor, the Antibiotic Neomycin in combination with Flagyl. I was on a daily dose of 6000mg Neomycin and 1500mg Flagyl. It didn't help and was wondering if anyone has been prescribed Neomycin and at what dose? I ask because I suffered hearing loss and nerve damage from being on a high dose for over 10 days. I also developed an insanely loud noise in my ears called Tinnitus. I was told I have Neurotoxicity. No one can help that from what I've been told. I was in the ER 2x from complications and have seen maybe 6 specialists. Has anyone ever tried Neomycin or anyone have knowledge on dosage? I called my Mayo Doctor and he said they don't even use Neomycin. The other doctors I saw were shocked by the dosage and everyone referred me to Mayo for help but Mayo has told me they can't help further and I have to "live" with it. I'm desperate for anyone who can help! Thank you.

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I'm so sorry, I've read about them using Neomycin my dr only gave me xifaxan which I'm on for 2 weeks. This condition is so horrible and mentally draining. I joined a SIBO group on fb they have awesome info. I'm also eating a loaded map diet. I hope you find some relief.

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@ldharris

I'm so sorry, I've read about them using Neomycin my dr only gave me xifaxan which I'm on for 2 weeks. This condition is so horrible and mentally draining. I joined a SIBO group on fb they have awesome info. I'm also eating a loaded map diet. I hope you find some relief.

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Thank you. I was on Xifaxan as well. The first time it was like a miracle. I was symptom free for almost 6 months. I tried it again and it didn't work as well. Mayo prescribed the Xifaxan and my local GI doctor decided to use Neomycin this last time instead of Xifaxan. I honestly think he was lazy and didn't want to fill out the paperwork so I could get it at no charge like the previous times. I can't say that for sure though. Either way, it's not been a fun ride. I don't want to scare others away from Neomycin if it's needed. I was on what I have read to be 6x the safe dose. Again, I'm not a GI doctor so I only know what I've researched. It does come with a lot of risks I wish I'd known about prior. I would NOT have taken it had I known. I wish you all the best with your course of Xifaxan. It's a safe and effective drug for most people with SIBO. I'm still dealing with SIBO as the Neomycin didn't help and would go back on Xifaxan without hesitation in the future. Good luck and thank you again!

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@tykehome - SIBO is the worst! You get rid of it and then it returns. Xifaxan worked well- not all times. I was also on Flagyl and Cipro and then Bactrim. It worked for a while. I can’t take Cipro and Bactrim again- has adverse reactions. Lately- this is years later- I try to calm it down with Pepto 3-4 times a day and often that will be enough. However, the infection also causes decreased motility and therefore constipation and increased bacteria action. I will then use Laxatives to get things going.

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@astaingegerdm

@tykehome - SIBO is the worst! You get rid of it and then it returns. Xifaxan worked well- not all times. I was also on Flagyl and Cipro and then Bactrim. It worked for a while. I can’t take Cipro and Bactrim again- has adverse reactions. Lately- this is years later- I try to calm it down with Pepto 3-4 times a day and often that will be enough. However, the infection also causes decreased motility and therefore constipation and increased bacteria action. I will then use Laxatives to get things going.

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I agree! It really takes a toll on your overall health and from what I gather, there isn't a long term treatment available. I have Gastroparesis so I understand the low motility. I also have to take something to keep me going as well as do a Miralax clean out every couple months. It's not fun but when I went to Mayo last summer, I hadn't had a BM in over 29 days. It was awful. It's a tiny better now but because of the motility issues, the bacteria thrive. It's not easy to keep it under control even while doing everything recommended. It'd be wonderful if there was a magic pill but I think it's going to be a lot of trial and error as well as acceptance. I'm glad the Pepto is helping! I haven't found anything yet... It took over a decade to finally get a diagnosis and put a name to what I had. Now just more and more seems to go wrong lately. It's very frustrating....

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