maryannegau
@maryannegau
@maryannegau
Posts: 2
Joined: Oct 24, 2018
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
drpepper
@drpepper
@drpepper
Posts: 36
Joined: Nov 15, 2018
Update: picked up script for Rifaxam ($700 for 30 pills 200mg). Decided to read a bit more before starting the antibiotic. On Atrantil website read that one should not take probiotics while trying to treat SIBO. My ileocecal valve was removed during a sm bowel resection in '99. Started having belching in 2015. Reflecting on my past medical history it was about that time I started probiotics that I started having belching problems. I started (dr recommend) more serious probiotics and belching got worse. Doctor after doctor and suggestion after suggestion e.g. – remove gall bladder, stop cpap use, repair hiatal hernia, and on and on… The site (Atrantil) said taking probiotics was like adding fire to fire. So I delayed the antibiotic treatment and stopped all probiotics. Within 2 days my insane belching was diminished by over 50 % and at this point close to 75 %. I have the Rifaxam on standby but right now I am feeling better than I have in years!..
I agree. Our systems are complicated. My fingers are crossed.
guthealth
@guthealth
@guthealth
Posts: 133
Joined: Sep 05, 2018
So maybe your problem was more reflux than SIBO? I had a massive bowel obstruction and had an emergency right hemicolectomy 2 1/2 years ago which includes removal of 18" of my colon cecum, illeocecal valve, appendix . I developed chronic SIBO and have not been able to get off Xifaxan for any length of time so I am on it daily. I also take Align daily. My dr told me to take a trial off Align and my intestines were a wreck after 4 days. Went back on it and within a few days was fine. Go figure! I think a lot is trial and error.
You may also like Florastor, another probiotic. I take it along Align daily
tiss
@tiss
@tiss
Posts: 75
Joined: Nov 27, 2018
Update: picked up script for Rifaxam ($700 for 30 pills 200mg). Decided to read a bit more before starting the antibiotic. On Atrantil website read that one should not take probiotics while trying to treat SIBO. My ileocecal valve was removed during a sm bowel resection in '99. Started having belching in 2015. Reflecting on my past medical history it was about that time I started probiotics that I started having belching problems. I started (dr recommend) more serious probiotics and belching got worse. Doctor after doctor and suggestion after suggestion e.g. – remove gall bladder, stop cpap use, repair hiatal hernia, and on and on… The site (Atrantil) said taking probiotics was like adding fire to fire. So I delayed the antibiotic treatment and stopped all probiotics. Within 2 days my insane belching was diminished by over 50 % and at this point close to 75 %. I have the Rifaxam on standby but right now I am feeling better than I have in years!..
I am very lucky to have a great GI who is willing to try anything. My old GI never tested me for SIBO and threw up his hands and wanted me on an antidepressant. I told him no, partly because I'm already on an antidepressant. So I got recommendations from friends for new dr and they all raved about this guy (Dr Michael Martin, Tulsa , Ok,) He's great and helped me get on track by tests, medications, and referral to a registered dietician , what a concept! I have to admit I am hoarding all the Xifaxan I can right now because we have superb insurance. I turn 65 in a few years and I am nervous about Medicare paying for it. One step at a time!
jackiem95
@jackiem95
@jackiem95
Posts: 123
Joined: Dec 16, 2018
I started getting sick 4 years ago at 53 years old. I started having diarrhea, dyspepsia, sour taste in my mouth and I had rapid wt loss of 30 pound over 3-4 mos. I was not trying but having so much diarrhea etc couldn't eat. Stress was moderate normal and I had taken antibiotic month or so before symptoms. I was diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy unknown cause the year before. No diabetics, no health problem except overwrite since kids born. Since this began my symptoms have worsened to include severe abdominal pain,
face flushing flush and heart pounding(usually with eating or diarrhea) and some reflux symptoms, I have also found that I have low Igg immunity. I have had full GI workup, Ct scan Mri etc. Only positive findings are 2 breath tests positive for sibo.
I have take xifaxin antibiotic 6 times over 4 years base on 2 tests and return of symptoms, I am wondering if I could have an underlying motility disorder as my esphogeal manometry showed hypercontractile esophagus ang gsstric empying stud showed rapid gastric emptying. Can/ would Mayo dr help me? I can't stay on antibiotics forever. Also in the past year I now have diverticulosis and a hiatal hernia eventhogh I am much thinner and hardly eat
You need to contact Mayo directly to request an appointment. No guarantee that they will see you. They will gather your information and get back to you about whether you will get the appointment.
gtassithomas
@gtassithomas
@gtassithomas
Posts: 21
Joined: Jan 16, 2019
You need to contact Mayo directly to request an appointment. No guarantee that they will see you. They will gather your information and get back to you about whether you will get the appointment.
Well that is discouraging
thull
@thull
@thull
Posts: 105
Joined: Aug 24, 2018
Well that is discouraging
I called the gastro appointment desk and they were booked out for about 4 months and could not schedule because they were in the middle of switching computer systems. That was in Sept. It is complete(in Phx) by now. The girl told me I could call everyday to see if there were any cancellations. I kept doing that & I finally was lucky enough to get on the phone with someone who was somehow able to send a note in for a work around appt for me. She told me there was no guarantee, but she would try. I was making my daily call two days later and the girl I was on the phone with said they had an appointment for me in 2 weeks. I cried. Then, right after I got off the phone, the original girl who was working to get me in called me to give me the good news. I did not have to send any medical records until after I had the appointment
gtassithomas
@gtassithomas
@gtassithomas
Posts: 21
Joined: Jan 16, 2019
I called the gastro appointment desk and they were booked out for about 4 months and could not schedule because they were in the middle of switching computer systems. That was in Sept. It is complete(in Phx) by now. The girl told me I could call everyday to see if there were any cancellations. I kept doing that & I finally was lucky enough to get on the phone with someone who was somehow able to send a note in for a work around appt for me. She told me there was no guarantee, but she would try. I was making my daily call two days later and the girl I was on the phone with said they had an appointment for me in 2 weeks. I cried. Then, right after I got off the phone, the original girl who was working to get me in called me to give me the good news. I did not have to send any medical records until after I had the appointment
I'll give it a shot I'm just not sure wether to try gastromotility or autonomic neuropathy dept
Liked by thull
gtassithomas
@gtassithomas
@gtassithomas
Posts: 21
Joined: Jan 16, 2019
jackiem95
@jackiem95
@jackiem95
Posts: 123
Joined: Dec 16, 2018
I called the gastro appointment desk and they were booked out for about 4 months and could not schedule because they were in the middle of switching computer systems. That was in Sept. It is complete(in Phx) by now. The girl told me I could call everyday to see if there were any cancellations. I kept doing that & I finally was lucky enough to get on the phone with someone who was somehow able to send a note in for a work around appt for me. She told me there was no guarantee, but she would try. I was making my daily call two days later and the girl I was on the phone with said they had an appointment for me in 2 weeks. I cried. Then, right after I got off the phone, the original girl who was working to get me in called me to give me the good news. I did not have to send any medical records until after I had the appointment
Is this in Phoenix? The process at the main clinic in Rochester MN where I applied (and was turned down) is much more structured. I would apply in Phoenix too but my understanding is that the clinic there (as well as the one in Florida) do not accept out of state Medicare patients.
thull
@thull
@thull
Posts: 105
Joined: Aug 24, 2018
Is this in Phoenix? The process at the main clinic in Rochester MN where I applied (and was turned down) is much more structured. I would apply in Phoenix too but my understanding is that the clinic there (as well as the one in Florida) do not accept out of state Medicare patients.
Yes, in Phoenix. I don't know anything about out of state insurance stuff. I am glad that my insurance was in network. I feel very lucky to have gotten in, especially with my current situation. Although that came as a result of going to the ER and having to be admitted. Surgeons came to me, and even though the main one I saw is a general surgeon, he is working under a colo rectal Surgeon who also saw me and was in the operating room. My last 3 surgeries this past year were at a different hospital and just a general surgeon, not a specialist. While I really liked this surgeon, I just felt better going forward to being treated by somebody who specializes in the bowel.
Liked by Teresa, Volunteer Mentor
jackiem95
@jackiem95
@jackiem95
Posts: 123
Joined: Dec 16, 2018
I started getting sick 4 years ago at 53 years old. I started having diarrhea, dyspepsia, sour taste in my mouth and I had rapid wt loss of 30 pound over 3-4 mos. I was not trying but having so much diarrhea etc couldn't eat. Stress was moderate normal and I had taken antibiotic month or so before symptoms. I was diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy unknown cause the year before. No diabetics, no health problem except overwrite since kids born. Since this began my symptoms have worsened to include severe abdominal pain,
face flushing flush and heart pounding(usually with eating or diarrhea) and some reflux symptoms, I have also found that I have low Igg immunity. I have had full GI workup, Ct scan Mri etc. Only positive findings are 2 breath tests positive for sibo.
I have take xifaxin antibiotic 6 times over 4 years base on 2 tests and return of symptoms, I am wondering if I could have an underlying motility disorder as my esphogeal manometry showed hypercontractile esophagus ang gsstric empying stud showed rapid gastric emptying. Can/ would Mayo dr help me? I can't stay on antibiotics forever. Also in the past year I now have diverticulosis and a hiatal hernia eventhogh I am much thinner and hardly eat
Glad it is working out for you in Phoenix. Great idea to see a good specialist.
sita
@sita
@sita
Posts: 53
Joined: Apr 14, 2018
Is this in Phoenix? The process at the main clinic in Rochester MN where I applied (and was turned down) is much more structured. I would apply in Phoenix too but my understanding is that the clinic there (as well as the one in Florida) do not accept out of state Medicare patients.
Phoenix Mayo does accept straight Medicare, just not the advantage plans. Good luck!
Liked by Kanaaz Pereira, Connect Moderator, thull
jackiem95
@jackiem95
@jackiem95
Posts: 123
Joined: Dec 16, 2018
Phoenix Mayo does accept straight Medicare, just not the advantage plans. Good luck!
This is from their website: “For out of state residents, Mayo Clinic has chosen to be a nonparticipating facility in AZ and FL and does not accept assignment for Medicare Part B for out if state residents. This means that Mayo does not accept Medicare approved amounts as Payment in full.”
Their policy is obviously different for AZ and FL residents.
Liked by Teresa, Volunteer Mentor
sita
@sita
@sita
Posts: 53
Joined: Apr 14, 2018
I started getting sick 4 years ago at 53 years old. I started having diarrhea, dyspepsia, sour taste in my mouth and I had rapid wt loss of 30 pound over 3-4 mos. I was not trying but having so much diarrhea etc couldn't eat. Stress was moderate normal and I had taken antibiotic month or so before symptoms. I was diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy unknown cause the year before. No diabetics, no health problem except overwrite since kids born. Since this began my symptoms have worsened to include severe abdominal pain,
face flushing flush and heart pounding(usually with eating or diarrhea) and some reflux symptoms, I have also found that I have low Igg immunity. I have had full GI workup, Ct scan Mri etc. Only positive findings are 2 breath tests positive for sibo.
I have take xifaxin antibiotic 6 times over 4 years base on 2 tests and return of symptoms, I am wondering if I could have an underlying motility disorder as my esphogeal manometry showed hypercontractile esophagus ang gsstric empying stud showed rapid gastric emptying. Can/ would Mayo dr help me? I can't stay on antibiotics forever. Also in the past year I now have diverticulosis and a hiatal hernia eventhogh I am much thinner and hardly eat
Right, in September of 2018 I was seen and had to pay 15% over what Medicare paid. It was less than $200 for two specialists appointments.
@hopeful33250
I agree, @tiss. It is a lot of trial and error. You are doing a good job managing some difficult digestive problems. I'm glad that you are thinking for yourself and willing to experiment with the doctor's suggestions. Keep up the good work.