How to manage SIBO symptoms?
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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@mariajean03
No- the doctor did not smell the stool. I recognize the odor myself.
I’m sure Mayo sees many patients with ulcerative colitis.
How do they want to treat your diarrhea?
With antibiotics if I test positive for SIBO. Mayo put me on Entyvio for UC in 2019 and I'm in remission. The diarrhea remains a mystery! Hope test helps. Bloated and crampy. Do you have UC? Maria.
You should definitely go see a “naturopathic doctor” find a good one in your area!! Or a “Holistic doctor.” Yes herbs/functional medicine, has side effects but not like these antibiotics that kill your GI system. I am currently waiting on my first test to come back then I start my herbal treatment, it takes longer but no harsh side affects. Consult your doctor first and make sure you’re not taking both herbal and prescription medication as they can cause more damage.
Is it the breath or the stool more accurate according to NIH research or other researchers?
Magnesium oxide!!! I have IBS-C & I’m sure I have SIBO wanting to get tested for that. But instead of using mirlax which isn’t good for your GI system overtime. I started using magnesium oxide. It is truly amazing. I have kidney issues so I was concerned with the magnesium intake, however I only take when needed & Because magnesium oxide contains more elemental magnesium and is less soluble, it's absorbed into the bloodstream more slowly as it passes through the digestive tract. It will not raise blood levels excessively, and will therefore not be rapidly excreted.
Pleas let me know how that works! I’m in the process of trying to find a naturopathic doctor to help treat SIBO. As the first antibiotic did nothing.
@guerreraazul6 I just had laparoscopy and had adhesion still have GI issues but the biopsy of the OBGYN surgeon is focusing on the unexpected findings on my cervix and uterus… my GI oncologist did wanted me to get tested for SIBO with breath but I honestly don’t know what tests is the best and currently I’m disabled and i couldn’t afford my testing… I’ll keep trying and advocating regardless 🙏🏻 blessings
Update: I think I was lucky because I didn’t suffer with SIBO-M for more than a year, so the Rifaximin worked for me. I am now mostly following the F-Factor diet, which is basically low carb plus a very high fiber/low carb cracker. Constipation resolved completely, and distention slowly going away. I am trying to be very careful with avoiding sugar because this is known to come back. I haven’t thrown up since September.
Glad to hear I can use Canadian pharmacy if there is a relapse, this drug is horrendously expensive in US. I am off the Allicin because it made me worse. Doing Ginger capsules, 3 Berberine per day, and 2 Atrantil per day. So far most days I feel normal!
I tried a naturopathic dr/ chiropractor nothing covered by insurance first bust $500 out of pocket
Wanted me to buy 5 plus supplements non approved by FDA
Wanted me on this highly restrictive diet my IBS registered nurse & also registered dietician did not approve of such a restrictive diet. She felt once I went back to normal food symptoms would all return.
Ibguard, hypnotherapy, excersise, working with trained IBS dietician , helped me , xifian did not symptoms just came back which if you read the studies very predictable they will.
Also the studies say how many false positives there are in testing even at the hospital and really only a 5 % have SIBO is last study I read. Breath test at home are not accurate.
I’m thinking more “holistic” I feel like naturopathic doctors only help to a certain point. Instead of prescription meds, they give you supplements. Which is a lot of cases is needed, but not if you truly want to find the root cause & heal your gut. I feel as if it starts off with food. At this point I can’t even drink water without my stomach/gut burning. I think it might be something more then just SIBO. Today I start my Rifaximin 550mg 3x a day for 14 days. I’m praying it works.