Small intestine bacterial overgrowth

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.

I make sure I get 25-30 grams of fiber per day, and I drink a lot of water. I also put one capful of Miralax in my first cup of morning coffee. I also eat a lot of fruit and veges. Have you tried all of these things?

@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.

I can't digest any fiber including from fruits and some vegetables, I'm very regular but any fiber or fructose will have me sick for several days.

I agree with LAteacher in most respects. I was referred to a brilliant GI consultant In Scotland and went through the breath test/ rolling antibiotic programme. The thing that eventually fixed it for me was the FODMAP diet. It looks pretty daunting to begin with but it’s worth making the effort to adhere to it strictly for at least a year. I will probably never be able to come off it completely and I still make mistakes but my health is generally more stable. I try to avoid antibiotics because they cause other problems. Some fruits and vegetables aren’t on the diet sheet so I avoid them - apples, peaches, nectarines are out, as are cauliflower and most brassicas and potatoes. I also avoid gluten and lactose. It looks hard but it works.

How many packets per day?

I am careful about what fruits and vegetables I eat, and I am fortunate because most agree with me and I eat them in moderation , but try to get some every day. I also take the probiotic Florastor. It's the one my GI physician's assistant suggested and it agrees with me. I take it twice a day. haighsue is right about the FODMAP diet. It takes some getting used to and it isn't easy, but it does make a huge difference. I, too, avoid antibiotics if at all possible. If I do have to go on one for a sinus infection or a UTI, then I take Prilosec every day until I finish the course of antibiotics.

FYI, there is a free app called GOOD RX, that helped me bring down the cost of Xifaxin significantly. I’m pretty sure my pharmacist also had a coupon that helped quite a bit too.

Fast Tract Diet solved my SIBO without medications that do further damage. I remain on it to this day after many years. It also solved depression and anxiety. FODMAP theories are outdated. Dr. Norm's discoveries need to go mainstream. Please get the book, the app, and join the group on Facebook. It is my prayer all sufferers will discover his research.

I read that also and it's what cured me!! I had LINX surgery and was still on meds until I read his book and cut out fructose including fruit which I thought was good for me! No meds since, it's been about 3 years now! If I cheat I can suffer for weeks! Yes FODMAP did nothing, the Fast Track
Diet I read was for Gerd but also have one for IBS.