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Small intestine bacterial overgrowth
Digestive Health | Last Active: Mar 18 6:05pm | Replies (86)Comment receiving replies
Hi, is this chat still active? I have been struggling with SIBO for a few years now. I'm about to do the bacteria-killing protocol again (antifungal called Fluconosone, followed by antibiotic called Flagyl, followed by another round of the antifungal). I am on Fodmaps diet and I take a probiotic from Metagencs (its the only one I've found I can tolerate). My problem is that if I stray from Fodmaps diet even a little, the bacteria comes back, so I have to take antibiotic every 1-2 years. I am wondering if I should advocate for Xifacan (sp?) the antibiotic that is specific for SIBO? Do people have a probiotic they swear by? Would like to do more than just keep this issue in check, is there anyone out there that has truly defeated this thing??
Replies to "Hi, is this chat still active? I have been struggling with SIBO for a few years..."
I suffered with SIBO for over a year. My first GI doc put me on several revolving antibiotics which did not work at all. I got fed up with him and that ineffective approach, and asked my GP to send me to another GI doc who had done my colonoscopy because I liked him and his GI group. When his office called me to make an appointment, I was told that I would have to wait for a month, but that I could see his physician's assistant right away. I took that appointment and the PA ordered a SIBO breath test right away. The results confirmed SIBO. She took me off of sugar, artificial sweeteners, all carbonated beverages (all soda and beer), no gum, no mints, etc. She put me on a Fodmap diet, and she told me to get plenty of fiber every day. She also ordered a month of Xifaxin. All of that was effective, & I recovered. I will tell you that SIBO often accompanies other GI issues. I take prescription Prilosec every other day and Dicyclomine 3 times a day as needed for small intestinal spasms, and Sucralfate 3 times a day as needed. Once you get rid of SIBO, your diet becomes the most important element in staying healthy. I am religious about my diet, making sure I get 25-30 grams of fiber a day, drink a lot of water, and I make sure I get as little sugar as humanly possible. Alcohol just complicates any GI issue, so I only have a glass of red wine on special occasions. I can stay on my diet because I NEVER want to be as sick as I was with SIBO. Hope this helps you a little.
@coloradowriter - This discussion will continue forever!! So many people have it and it really affects your life. Welcome to Connect!
I have it on and off- usually appears with constipation. I prefer Xifaxan for treatment, even if it fails sometimes. Nowadays I try to control it with Peptobismol. Even if other antibiotics seem to work,SIBO seems to return?Dont understand it.
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It doesn't take much to have it come back, I can't eat fructose including fruit, a few days of cheating, like Christmas, and I'm sick for a few months. I just go back on my Strick diet and it eventually it goes away.