@maryannegau - SIBO is something I always have to struggle with too. Xifaxan used to work ok, but only for a while. Also very costly. The key for me is to avoid constipation. I use Pepto Bismol to control the bacteria, often every 4 - 6 hours. Activated charcoal capsules and probiotics too.
There doesn’t seem to be any miracle cure.

Thanks for your reply. I haven't heard about activated charcoal capsules - where do you get those? It seems to be very hard to get rid of.

I cried a lot in the hospital after the 3rd surgery could not get to the obstruction. The surgeon said the adhesions were so bad it looked like glue had been poured over my intestines. I went home after 17 days in the hospital and on TPN and clear liquids. After about 2 weeks, things started clearing. I had been doing gentle abdominal massage and I really believe it helped. I am still on a low residue diet, but have colonoscopy scheduled 11/16 to look at where they reattached my colon together. The next step will be to look at small bowel and then introduce some fiber back into my diet. I know exactly what you mean about being afraid to eat. It is not a fun thing to go through! I hope your doctor is able to help you and really listens to you. I have been dealing with IBS for many years so when I started having issues last December, I just thought it was that acting up. Ended up with emergency surgery in Jan with my sigmoid colon removed and a temporary colostomy. Had that for 6 months. Had the reversal surgery, then the adhesions caused obstruction in small bowel. I hope I never have to have another abdominal surgery because I am scared to death of more adhesions.

I am new to this forum. After two months of suffering from diarrhea, loose stools, gas and bloating and trying my best to reverse the symptoms through natural means, I was finally able to get in to see a GI doctor who diagnosed me with SIBO through symptoms alone (no breath test). He prescribed a two week course of Flagyl and Align probiotic plus a low FODMAP diet. All this is news to me and I am now scrambling to find answers. I think my problem originated from two rounds of antibiotics I took earlier this year when I underwent a tooth implant and subsequently when I took a round of Clindimycin for a UTI. Rifaximin was prescribed before the Flagyl, but I could not tolerate it (gave me horrible diarrhea ). I have read so much about SIBO during the past five days and feel so confused. Any insight is appreciated. Another question I had for the group is whether anyone has used the probiotic S Boulardi for this condition and has it helped? I am looking for information, support and answers. Thank you for “listening.”

Started taking Nexium, zantac, antacids, etc when belching started. When SIBO diagnosed, should you continue these products or eliminate as they should cut down on digestive acid which helps eliminate bacteria?

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

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!..

I have been all over this forum after doctors told me I had this or that. I was starting to think I was crazy. Then one of my tests showed gastroparesis. Now my new gastro from down state has ruled out everything but now she has zeroed in on SIBO as well as BAM.

Between these two things my symptom list is long. One of my more annoying symptoms is this dang inner vibration that seems to be my stomach not working properly. My hair falls out, I have burning diarrhea then constipation. The Vagus nerve gets irritated setting off anxiety. Weird sweating episodes, light headedness, wright loss, dry skin. Insomnia and incredible fatigue. Low b12, low vitamin D. However they can't figure out my high calcium.

It has been absolutely awful. Doc should be prescribing antibiotics this coming week.

Check out foodmarble.com the devise allowed me to track how I digest food real time many times a day... everyones food transit time is different and modifyhealth.com when I get to lazy to cook healthy!

Did you find anything that helped? Struggling a lot with this. Took amoxcicilin-clav, xifaxan and now on herbals berberine/oregano/Allicin. Waiting for Atrantil and GI advantage for repair. Its hard to tolerate water at this point. I suspected this last April and GI doctor couldn't test because of Covid. He just said IBS and gave me antidepressant and bentyl which actually slows motility and I think I have that. I lost 30lbs in 2 months from pain after I'd eat. I had a rib surgery that left me constipated for 10 days and all the pain meds made it worse. I was finally tested in January. Anywho!! I have very little relief and I dont know who to turn to.
Thank you!
Aimee