Probiotics for SIBO?

Lots of stomach gas and belching. I get the sense that symptoms vary a lot across people. A GI doc should know about SIBO! Or maybe primary care could order the test? The results are not always cut and dry. Some docs will prescribe rifaximin without the test to see if it helps.

I was ordered the SIBO tests (it consists of 2 tests, I believe) by one of my gastroenterologists at Duke. I have several. I have been under their care since 2022. I have had chronic constipation interrupted with incidents of diarrhea for over 2 years and a constant bitter taste since Sept 2023. Not sure if they are related, I have had no heart burn that I am aware of. I have had 2 normal colonoscopies, except for a few minor things. I wonder if I don’t have SIBO and this antibiotic is affecting something else in my body or I do have it and the med is attacking it. I have had no relief from this terrible constant taste for over 17 months, so I am desperate for any sign of improvement. Oh, the constipation is currently resolved and no diarrhea either. It’s been that way for a couple of months before I started the antibiotic.

Yesterday was my 1st full day off of a 10 day amoxicillin clav prescription. I felt ok and wanted to try a "regular breakfast". I ordered a child's plate with one scrambled egg, 1/2 waffle and 1 thin piece of bacon. I had no appetite but slowly ate it and it seemed to settle ok in my tummy but I absolutely had zero appetite the rest of the day and couldn't eat anything. I've decided to stay away from dairy and act like I'm lactose intolerant and try not to eat gluten. So today, I had again no real appetite but cooked a serving or organic whole oats, cooked apple with no peel, cinnamon and 1/4 cup almond milk and 2 tsp pure maple syrup, all mixed together. I had a cup of black coffee and a glass of filtered water. I only ate half the oats and apple. So far, 2 hours later, my tummy feels good. I have a feeling like yesterday this is the only meal I can tolerate today tho. Why no appetite? I do feel a few taste buds are kinda back.

How many different antibiotics have you been prescribed since the beginning of seeing all the doctors for your symptoms and in what time frame?

I think I will get the best help with a Naturopath from Mayo Clinic. Most MD's get very little training in nutrition/gut issues . . . not even my GI doctors.

Two. But neither was prescribed for SIBO.

The day my metallic (later turned bitter) taste hit me hard was Sept 2023. I took 1 antibiotic pill… think it was Microbid for a UTI. Was so severe within an hour, I pulled my car over and called the doctor. I took 1 more the next day before doctor called and said don’t take anymore culture was negative. The bad taste has never left. But, it greatly reduced on Monday this week.

I had no antibiotics since then until last Friday and started the Amoxicillin for an infection in my gum. I got a popcorn kernel stuck in my gum beside a wisdom tooth. It was a recent thing and not a longtime infection.

@retiredbabe
Yeah, I am on a restricted diet like you are, but I’m not taking any antibiotics. I do take Atrantil THREE TIMES A DAY
I don’t do any dairy. I do almond milk and almond milk yogurt. Lots of fish and chicken, rare meat meaning I hardly ever eat it. I have an enema every day and my stool is quite Soft. Unfortunately, I’m getting a lot of bloat and I’m trying to eliminate as much solid food at night and at lunchtime as I can. Any suggestions? I should tell you I’m on a low FOD map diet in addition to what I’ve told you above. I am also using FODZYME On the foods that need it. I use the Monash application all the time. Thanks for your help

@swischard5
I am like you except I have Parkinson’s, gastroparesis, chronic constipation as a result of all the Parkinson’s meds, chronic insomnia, and I rarely get more than four hours of sleep a night. I’m taking over 30 different medications and supplements.
I am taking the nonalcoholic version of iberogast And I don’t know if it’s the same without the alcohol. The medication’s in it are the same and I get it from Amazon.
I also take atrantil Three or four times a day and sometimes more when I’m really bloated. It seems to help the bloating. I’m also taking align Probiotic with vitamin B 12 from Costco. I take a lot of carbidopa levodopa in the form of Rytary , A long acting version. I’m taking high doses at least eight times a day spread out starting at six in the morning.
My problem is severe bloating, and even though I’m trying to make an effort to eat small meals, it’s very difficult. I Eat a lot of blueberries and pineapple and raspberries. Everything I eat is low FOD map for

@retiredbabe I've been on fodzyme for over two years. Atrantil, spore biotics and tons of other supplements also on the list plus 4 rounds of antibiotics. Still have SIBO. I just took the jona health stool sample per University of Chicago recommendation even though their overall plan would have caused me to lose tons of weight and I'm already severely under weight. Now, the 6th doctor is referring me to Mayo clinic but haven't seen anyone here that says they helped them. I went on reddit and no one said mayo helped them but several said, don't bother, they just put you on antibiotics.