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How to manage SIBO symptoms?
My wife, after years of suffering from debilitating nausea and fatigue, has finally been diagnosed with SIBO as confirmed by a hydrogen breath test. It is estimated the bacteria has had at least two years to grow and may be well established. She has started on Xifaxan, at $35 per pill, but it is estimated that elimination of the SIBO may take up to six months. Her day now starts with her waking up with nausea and when she has a cup of tea and toast in the morning she gets sick within fifteen minutes thereafter. Her sickness is accompanied by violent belching, and at times she regurgitates liquid vile. The only drug she has for nausea is Zofran which does nothing for her. Are there any other SIBO sufferers that are experiencing the same symptoms, and what are you taking to reduce the nausea?
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Hi, welcome, I also had a lump above my bellybutton and when I worked out it popped out!! It was a Hernia and when I had LYNX surgery they fixed it.
Hello Amanda,
Thank you for for moving my inquiry. I'm happy to get any advice I can. This SIBO is debilitating.
I am currently seeing a therapist during treatment.
The lump is typically always there, sometimes large and sometimes small. My PT thinks I may have motility issues from SIBO and surgery. I see the GI again next week and hope the lump is prominent so we can schedule an ultrasound. Nothing ever showed on CT, but.. That spot was in very bad pain last year that sent me to ER. ER doctor said muscle, but I feel that is not the case. I guess I'm just not sure.
Aimee
I would love to know how you are doing. I was just diagnosis with SIBO. Its debilitating. My doctor started me on amoxcicilin as xifaxan is not covered by insurance and I'm nervous to take CIPRO because my grandma used it and her tendons tore in her feet. I feel stuck and sick. I lost 30lbs in 2 months last year. I want my life back. I want to work and be a mom. I believe my underlying cause was slipping rib syndrome because my GI issue started after the injury.
Thank you! So happy you are doing well!
I, too, have battled SIBO. Before I had a breath test to confirm SIBO from a very skilled gastroenterologist, I was treated with a rotation of all kinds of antibiotics that did me no good at all. In fact, I think I got worse. When I'd had enough of the rotation of useless antibiotics, I changed doctors, he ordered a breath test for SIBO which confirmed that I did have it. I took Xifaxan for about a month. It worked. The SIBO was gone. But I have to work to keep it at bay. I also went on a very strict diet to reduce the growth of bacteria in my small intestine. All of this was about 5 years ago, and I remain on the diet to this day. Once you get rid of SIBO, you have to work to prevent its return. My diet: as little sugar as possible--this is so important, no sugar substitutes, no gum, no mints, nothing carbonated at all--includes soda, beer, or fizzy alcoholic drinks--all that does is encourage the bad bacteria growth in the small intestine. I eat reasonably--a healthy diet, LOTS of water every day. I don't cheat on the sugar with desserts. I haven't had cake, pie, cookies, ice cream, etc. since I got the SIBO under control. I do eat fruit in moderation and not frequently. I hope this helps you. Sounds like you have some other medical issues. Don't neglect them either. I wish you the best.
I've wrote about this a few times. Diet is very important!! You will have to find out what you have an intolerance to. Mine was fructose! I had surgery and was still on meds until I read about it. Once I cut it out including fruits and most vegetables I was finally able to get off meds and feel much better. You can look up elimination diets and see if a particular food is causing it. Didn't realize how many of my aliments were related to foods!
Facebook has so many different herbal remedies that can work. I was just diagnosed and put on amoxcicilin and so far after 3 doses, I'm still miserable. I see my GI PA next week and hope he can put me on xifaxan. They said my insurance likely won't cover, but didn't even try. I'm so so miserable and will probably see a naturopath for further help. Everytime I eat and drink my abdomen is lump, ropey, pins and needles, burning, numbing, back back hurts, pressure under ribs, intestinal spasms, my legs feel the same and I think its malobsorption and pressure on nerves. I'm so disappointed that in 2021 this is a hard thing to cure. I'm praying you get answers. Keep searching.
Aimee
Antibiotics kill the good and bad bacteria and from what I've read taking antibiotics is what causes SIBO in the first place!! I am not a doctor but I've had stomach problems since the 90's so read everything I can about it. Like Braylmee above said you have to be very strict with your diet. It's often easier to take meds and that's usually all doctors know how to do but once you figure out your diet and feel better it will be worth it! Also lowered my A1C got rid of leg cramps UTI's and more. If your eating foods your body can't tolerate it's like poison!
Dr Gundry has an excellent book, Plant Paradox and also Fast Track Digestion, there is one for heartburn and one for IBS but works for SIBO also.
Hello!
Thank you for your reply. I wish my doctor would have given me xifaxan. They didn't even try and we have pretty good insurance. If I was diagnosed with IBSd they could have. They diagnosed me with IBS in June. Put me on Amitriptalyn and antispasmodic ( antispasmodic are not good for SIBO) finally agreed to test in January from last June. My numbers topped at 85. Im in agony over this. I'm a healthy eater. typically my diet is lowfod map 90% not even trying. I just want proper treatment. I dont drink. Lots of water, tea and sometimes coffee. I pray I get this taken care of. I ordered my supplyments to get my vitamins and minerals back on track, protein collagen for gut health, digestive enzymes, activated charcoal and a soil base probiotic after treatment.
Aimee
Hi there, I was just recently diagnosed with SIBO. Did your wife and you ever figure out what worked to eradicate the bacteria? Thank you.