New GI - SIBO test, fiber supplement, hyoscyamine?

Posted by Twocoastsm @marlenec, Jun 8, 2023

My new GI has recommended the above and I have questions for those of you familiar with any of these things.
Have you found SIBO test results helpful?
I struggle to understand why someone like me whose issue is frequency of BMs (not necessarily the quality - they are formed not loose) should take fiber. Doc explained why but want to know if fiber has helped you with IBS-D?
Have you taken the medication Hyocyamine and has it helped?

Many thanks!

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I know someone who says psyllium specifically has helped with her ibs-d. I've not heard of Hyocyamine.

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Yes I take Citrucel (Methylcellulose) capsules every meal and snack for over 10 years and it helps a ton with my SIBO. When I try to scale back on it I have more SIBO issues. Not fully sure why it helps but I won't be stopping it. I did Hyocyamine early on when I was diagnosed and used it when I was having a flare up and it was helpful. Taking promethazine each night before bed was a ritual for many years which also helped but I am off that. Now I mainly watch my diet and use supplements like the Citrucel, Digestive Enzymes and off and on I use ION Nature Gut Support which seems to help especially if I go through a bad stretch.

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actually, I found that fiber seemed to make mine worse...but found out that it's supposed to be kinda like working out, muscles...I now take a fiber "gummie" and try to get more fiber in my food, salads, veggies and such, with caution and doing a lot better, a very lot better! Also electrolytes, powder drink mix, but I also took some freeze dried breast milk, over 200 probiotics, and it seemed to fix it, my poop went through two stages, the middle one appeared to match what SIBO is supposed to look like, but then it changed and it's now healthy poop. I still get some gas and bloating; but before it was so very painful, I guessed at SIBO/Methane, but couldn't get my pcp to order a simple breath or poop sample test. but the poop went through the kinda soft/almost yellow stage for about a week, and back to normal, and I'm almost back to normal after almost two years of various trouble. What I think wiped my good bugs out, was three or four rounds of antibiotics last fall/winter for dental, and things got a whole lot worse after that. bought the breast milk online from a lady that is all natural healthy.

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I take Hyocyamine and it really has been a life saver for me with all my tummy issues.

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If you have SIBO, take a look at the book “Super Gut” by Dr. William Davis. Foods you eat are critical to relieving you of SIBO and not using any OTC or prescriptions. I finally found a doctor who knew how to test and treat. It is very similar to the recommendations in this book.

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Fiber will bulk up your stools so you will tend to have less trips to the toilet. I would be cautious about taking hyoscyamine, it looks like it could have serious side effects. Why does your Doc want you to take it? Like Gigi4 says…look at your diet and check out the Supergut book as well as The SIBO doctor’s website, Dr Jacobi has developed programs for SIBO treatment that have been successful for many and has great interviews with well respected gut doctors. The SIBO doctors who treat with herbals like to know what type of SIBO they are treating as the protocol can be different depending on what you have. Note that Dr. Jacobi has a herbal program where you use several different herbals in succession to prevent adaptation by the bacteria (like anti-biotic resistance). You need to figure out why you got SIBO so you can prevent a reoccurrence.

Dr Siedbecker
https://www.siboinfo.com/diet.html

Supplement list of additives that may bother you: https://www.siboinfo.com/uploads/5/4/8/4/5484269/sibo_supplement_checklist.pdf

Dr. Jacobi:
https://www.thesibodoctor.com/

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Thanks. It seemed as if the addition of fiber was counterintuitive for someone who keeps having frequent BMs even though they are not loose but the doctor’s explanation was pretty much the same as you have described. I do not her know if I have SIBO. Am taking the test later this week. The hyoscyamine is to get me past this flare up since it’s persisting despite dietary restrictions.

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I would have o suggest seeing a very good GI Dr. Otherwise the rabbi holes are relentless.

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@dragonfly123

actually, I found that fiber seemed to make mine worse...but found out that it's supposed to be kinda like working out, muscles...I now take a fiber "gummie" and try to get more fiber in my food, salads, veggies and such, with caution and doing a lot better, a very lot better! Also electrolytes, powder drink mix, but I also took some freeze dried breast milk, over 200 probiotics, and it seemed to fix it, my poop went through two stages, the middle one appeared to match what SIBO is supposed to look like, but then it changed and it's now healthy poop. I still get some gas and bloating; but before it was so very painful, I guessed at SIBO/Methane, but couldn't get my pcp to order a simple breath or poop sample test. but the poop went through the kinda soft/almost yellow stage for about a week, and back to normal, and I'm almost back to normal after almost two years of various trouble. What I think wiped my good bugs out, was three or four rounds of antibiotics last fall/winter for dental, and things got a whole lot worse after that. bought the breast milk online from a lady that is all natural healthy.

Jump to this post

2 years? How did u manage.

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Miralax used with great results and no side effects for slow to empty issues.

I have used Hyoscyamine over the years and it’s very effective and non constipating. I now just use it as needed for stomach cramping or pain from indigestion. No side effects for me.

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