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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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Appreciate it. I sure hope that doctors start looking at a lot of the forum comments, etc. to see people are suffering and just want help for these gut issues. Paying for functional medicine doctors gets expensive out of pocket. Wish traditional medicine docs would maybe look more at these SIBO type tests and stool tests, etc. to evaluate more. I am hoping Mayo can help me at this time as already had endo and colonoscopy, and just trying to get answers how I went from athlete to now some overgrowth of stuff after covid. Not sure if taking products for SIBO work, etc. like the oregano's, allicin, or like CBO protocol products like equilife offers or amy myers offers. I wish docs could just tell us what to try. Thank you again, and if any other supplement suggestions, etc. to ward off commensal bacteria overgrowth feel free to share.
My doctor started me on bitters 10 minutes before meals to get digestive juices flowing, a digestive enzyme with food, a prebiotic and probiotic to help build up the good bacteria. And I also consulted with her staff nutritionist on foods to omit and incorporate. Basically, I reduced high sugar fruits (I only eat fruit from the berry family) and vegetables, added Kefir, yogurts high in live cultures, fermented foods such as pickles but only from the refrigerated section of the market (this is required for fermented foods), sauerkraut and kombucha if you like how these taste (I don’t). I’m also gluten free which my doctor believes is better for gut health whether you’re gluten intolerant or not. She is also an advocate of grass feed meats and dairy products and wild caught fish and eating organic as much as possible.
I’ve mentioned a book before called SUPER GUT by Dr. William Davis. His recommendations are similar to my doctor’s. You’ll learn about what SIBO is, foods to eat. recipes also included. This book is highly informative and great if you’re motivated to do this on your own.
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3 ReactionsThank you for sharing this information. I have been diagnosed with IBS-D. Recently had a positive breath test for SIBO. Started Xifaxan a few days ago but I don't notice any difference in my symptoms. Some of the symptoms actually seem more pronounced. I had the SIBO breath test in the doctor's office. The breath testing machine made an alarm noise at the 3rd and forth 20 minute check. Both time the medical assistant said she had to calibrate the machine. 'I"m wondering if the test was even accurate. I also do not have any upper GI symptoms (heart-burn, belching, indigestion , nausea) which I thought was common with SIBO. I'm questioning if I even need this antibiotic but the doctor feels I do. Any thoughts on this?
To Moderator Colleen Young: This is wonderful to hear with regard to Mayo Clinic having a SIBO care team. I am currently trying to get an appt. with their GI department but they said it was closed to new patients and that it might help if my primary care doctor (who is not at Mayo) gives a call to to request that I be evaluated at Mayo. Also, I am referring to Mayo Clinic ,Scottsdale Arizona. Many years ago I was seen a Mayo Clinic, Rochchester MN. It was an incredible experience. A few years ago I was seen at Mayo Scottsdale, AZ. This was an entirely different experience. The doctor there told me they do not really work in teams and looked baffled when I asked him about it. Is the "SIBO team" you are referring to in Arizona or Minnestota?
May I ask what brand of bitters?
The brand is Dr. Shade's #9 bitters. It can be ordered from Amazon. After I take the bitters, 2 quirts under the tongue, I also do about 10 slow breaths - in through the nose and out through the mouth.
Hope this helps.
I thought PPIs were bad as they reduce acid that is needed to digest food and keep bacteria away. 5 years ago I became sick and while testing to find out what it was, drs had me on 80 mg of Prilosec. I eventually got diagnosed with Crohn's and now battle with SIBO. I feel the high dosage of Prilosec damaged my stomach . Experts say no PPIs.
Your thoughts?
Who was your GI and where?
Wow, all of you with this horrible issue! I had SIBO, didn’t know it at the time, and first Gastro did nothing, ultimately just said “ eat fodmap plan” nothing else. No test nothing. I had terrible bloating, within an hour after eating. For a long time. Then I wasn’t able to swallow, lost weight quickly and started getting dizzy. This was probably over a year-went to health food and vitamins store, they recommended a porcine (pig) enzyme.
Took that, and was able to start eating after a few days. Had a doctor appt, told him again, what was happening, showed him the bottle, he looked at it, said there were better things to take and walked out. I thought he was getting me an RX…no, I was done.
Well, was able to get an appointment with a new Gastro, within 2 weeks he had done a scope and 4 other tests, all in office (he has a surgical center) and I was diagnosed with SIBO. Apparently, first doctor didn’t have the ability to test for anything. 😱
Put me on the fodmap diet after explaining it, and I also ordered numerous books to understand and have some ideas for trying to put together potentially tasty food. They say 3 months of fodmap, and then start to introduce foods, but I stayed on it a longer time and still am careful with the most offensive foods. Will have some…but very limited. Sugar stuff, most alcohols, garlic, many fruits and vegetables and gluten. He also said to eat organically.
Then you have to check for leaky gut syndrome, something else to look up info about, I ordered books on that too.
It worked, I’m healthy and the food choices I make have just become habit.
Remember, the diet itself is not forever…
A bit of research, information and a little work and I hope that you will all start feeling better soon…
I take Dr. Shades #9 bitters, ordered on Amazon. Two squirts underneath the tongue with water and then I do 10 deep breaths in through the nose and out through the mouth 10 minutes before eating. It helps to calm the body. Also helpful if you chew your food, not swallow large bites.