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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brayimee | @brayimee | Jan 27, 2021
In reply to @lateacher "I, too, have battled SIBO. Before I had a breath test to confirm SIBO from a..." + (show)
@lateacher

I, too, have battled SIBO. Before I had a breath test to confirm SIBO from a very skilled gastroenterologist, I was treated with a rotation of all kinds of antibiotics that did me no good at all. In fact, I think I got worse. When I'd had enough of the rotation of useless antibiotics, I changed doctors, he ordered a breath test for SIBO which confirmed that I did have it. I took Xifaxan for about a month. It worked. The SIBO was gone. But I have to work to keep it at bay. I also went on a very strict diet to reduce the growth of bacteria in my small intestine. All of this was about 5 years ago, and I remain on the diet to this day. Once you get rid of SIBO, you have to work to prevent its return. My diet: as little sugar as possible--this is so important, no sugar substitutes, no gum, no mints, nothing carbonated at all--includes soda, beer, or fizzy alcoholic drinks--all that does is encourage the bad bacteria growth in the small intestine. I eat reasonably--a healthy diet, LOTS of water every day. I don't cheat on the sugar with desserts. I haven't had cake, pie, cookies, ice cream, etc. since I got the SIBO under control. I do eat fruit in moderation and not frequently. I hope this helps you. Sounds like you have some other medical issues. Don't neglect them either. I wish you the best.

Jump to this post

Hello!
Thank you for your reply. I wish my doctor would have given me xifaxan. They didn't even try and we have pretty good insurance. If I was diagnosed with IBSd they could have. They diagnosed me with IBS in June. Put me on Amitriptalyn and antispasmodic ( antispasmodic are not good for SIBO) finally agreed to test in January from last June. My numbers topped at 85. Im in agony over this. I'm a healthy eater. typically my diet is lowfod map 90% not even trying. I just want proper treatment. I dont drink. Lots of water, tea and sometimes coffee. I pray I get this taken care of. I ordered my supplyments to get my vitamins and minerals back on track, protein collagen for gut health, digestive enzymes, activated charcoal and a soil base probiotic after treatment.

Aimee

REPLY
erin38 | @erin38 | Jan 30, 2021
In reply to @jacque6977 "All tests for Celiac disease, H Pylori, Endoscopy exams, tyroid studies and even the removal of..." + (show)
@jacque6977

All tests for Celiac disease, H Pylori, Endoscopy exams, tyroid studies and even the removal of her gall bladder have all been negative. As for grain, she has been too sick to eat anything beyond a piece of toast. My theory is that the bacteria has had over two years to grow and has probably migrated into the walls of her small intestine. This could be a six month regiment of drugs and probiotics, but my question is how to stem the chronic nausea during that six month period. A doctors appointment next Tuesday will see if he agrees with me and comes up with a cure for the nausea.

Jump to this post

Hi there, I was just recently diagnosed with SIBO. Did your wife and you ever figure out what worked to eradicate the bacteria? Thank you.

REPLY
erin38 | @erin38 | Jan 30, 2021
In reply to @brayimee "Facebook has so many different herbal remedies that can work. I was just diagnosed and put..." + (show)
@brayimee

Facebook has so many different herbal remedies that can work. I was just diagnosed and put on amoxcicilin and so far after 3 doses, I'm still miserable. I see my GI PA next week and hope he can put me on xifaxan. They said my insurance likely won't cover, but didn't even try. I'm so so miserable and will probably see a naturopath for further help. Everytime I eat and drink my abdomen is lump, ropey, pins and needles, burning, numbing, back back hurts, pressure under ribs, intestinal spasms, my legs feel the same and I think its malobsorption and pressure on nerves. I'm so disappointed that in 2021 this is a hard thing to cure. I'm praying you get answers. Keep searching.
Aimee

Jump to this post

I was just diagnosed with SIBO and waiting for that RX to get authorization through insurance. What other symptoms do you have? I have been fatigued for months, nauseous, lower back pain, dizziness. Do you have any of those symptoms?

REPLY
erin38 | @erin38 | Jan 30, 2021
In reply to @lateacher "I, too, have battled SIBO. Before I had a breath test to confirm SIBO from a..." + (show)
@lateacher

I, too, have battled SIBO. Before I had a breath test to confirm SIBO from a very skilled gastroenterologist, I was treated with a rotation of all kinds of antibiotics that did me no good at all. In fact, I think I got worse. When I'd had enough of the rotation of useless antibiotics, I changed doctors, he ordered a breath test for SIBO which confirmed that I did have it. I took Xifaxan for about a month. It worked. The SIBO was gone. But I have to work to keep it at bay. I also went on a very strict diet to reduce the growth of bacteria in my small intestine. All of this was about 5 years ago, and I remain on the diet to this day. Once you get rid of SIBO, you have to work to prevent its return. My diet: as little sugar as possible--this is so important, no sugar substitutes, no gum, no mints, nothing carbonated at all--includes soda, beer, or fizzy alcoholic drinks--all that does is encourage the bad bacteria growth in the small intestine. I eat reasonably--a healthy diet, LOTS of water every day. I don't cheat on the sugar with desserts. I haven't had cake, pie, cookies, ice cream, etc. since I got the SIBO under control. I do eat fruit in moderation and not frequently. I hope this helps you. Sounds like you have some other medical issues. Don't neglect them either. I wish you the best.

Jump to this post

Did you do gluten-free and that low FODMAP diet?

REPLY
1 reply
brayimee | @brayimee | Jan 30, 2021
In reply to @erin38 "Did you do gluten-free and that low FODMAP diet?" + (show)
@erin38

Did you do gluten-free and that low FODMAP diet?

Jump to this post

I am not as of yet. I'm on antibiotics and research has shown to eat fairly normal during treatment (to feed the bacteria). Near the end if I'm feeling well I'll go carnivore diet or lowFod map. So much contradicting information on SIBO. Its hard to know what is what. Many Fodmap diets are different as well.

REPLY
1 reply
erin38 | @erin38 | Jan 30, 2021
In reply to @brayimee "I am not as of yet. I'm on antibiotics and research has shown to eat fairly..." + (show)
@brayimee

I am not as of yet. I'm on antibiotics and research has shown to eat fairly normal during treatment (to feed the bacteria). Near the end if I'm feeling well I'll go carnivore diet or lowFod map. So much contradicting information on SIBO. Its hard to know what is what. Many Fodmap diets are different as well.

Jump to this post

My neighbor had SIBO a few years back. She told me antibiotics. Then after antibiotics take probiotics for a month and follow low FODMAP diet/gluten-free diet. Avoid extra sugar.

REPLY
1 reply
erin38 | @erin38 | Jan 30, 2021
In reply to @lateacher "I, too, have battled SIBO. Before I had a breath test to confirm SIBO from a..." + (show)
@lateacher

I, too, have battled SIBO. Before I had a breath test to confirm SIBO from a very skilled gastroenterologist, I was treated with a rotation of all kinds of antibiotics that did me no good at all. In fact, I think I got worse. When I'd had enough of the rotation of useless antibiotics, I changed doctors, he ordered a breath test for SIBO which confirmed that I did have it. I took Xifaxan for about a month. It worked. The SIBO was gone. But I have to work to keep it at bay. I also went on a very strict diet to reduce the growth of bacteria in my small intestine. All of this was about 5 years ago, and I remain on the diet to this day. Once you get rid of SIBO, you have to work to prevent its return. My diet: as little sugar as possible--this is so important, no sugar substitutes, no gum, no mints, nothing carbonated at all--includes soda, beer, or fizzy alcoholic drinks--all that does is encourage the bad bacteria growth in the small intestine. I eat reasonably--a healthy diet, LOTS of water every day. I don't cheat on the sugar with desserts. I haven't had cake, pie, cookies, ice cream, etc. since I got the SIBO under control. I do eat fruit in moderation and not frequently. I hope this helps you. Sounds like you have some other medical issues. Don't neglect them either. I wish you the best.

Jump to this post

After your treatment of antibiotics, did you take probiotics too? Also, did you get re-tested to make sure SIBO was gone? Just wondering how you knew it was gone and treated successfully?

REPLY
1 reply
saucy | @saucy | Jan 31, 2021

I have digestive issues and even after surgery have difficulties, I've posted suggestions but started carnivore diet several weeks ago, have a fructose intolerance so decided to give it a try! So far has seemed to calm down my stomach and also seems to be cleaning out my system!!! Will do one more week than add make a few vegetables and see what happens.

REPLY
2 replies
erin38 | @erin38 | Jan 31, 2021
In reply to @saucy "I have digestive issues and even after surgery have difficulties, I've posted suggestions but started carnivore..." + (show)
@saucy

I have digestive issues and even after surgery have difficulties, I've posted suggestions but started carnivore diet several weeks ago, have a fructose intolerance so decided to give it a try! So far has seemed to calm down my stomach and also seems to be cleaning out my system!!! Will do one more week than add make a few vegetables and see what happens.

Jump to this post

What kind of surgery did you have?

REPLY
2 replies
brayimee | @brayimee | Jan 31, 2021
In reply to @erin38 "What kind of surgery did you have?" + (show)
@erin38

What kind of surgery did you have?

Jump to this post

Slipping rib syndrome surgery.

REPLY
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