Small Intestine Bacteria Overgrowth (SIBO)

Posted by jacque6977 @jacque6977, Feb 22, 2017

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?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Digestive Health Support Group.

@colleenyoung

Hi @cherusa, I know as a new member, you're not able to post links yet. We do this to prevent spammers from posting unwanted commercial posts. I reviewed the link you wished to post and it is not spam. Thank you for providing evidence-based contributions to Connect.

Here is the study that Cherusa wished to post:
- Herbal Therapy Is Equivalent to Rifaximin for the Treatment of Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4030608/

In fact, the lead author of this study is Dr. Chedid, a physician at Mayo Clinic in the Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Mayo Clinic Rochester.

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I Colleen,
How do I connect to this conversation/I have registered.

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@sharonlampron

I Colleen,
How do I connect to this conversation/I have registered.

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How do I post something?

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@sharonlampron

How do I post something?

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Sorry, see my post now.

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Wow! Learned a great deal, Saucy! I have had many health issues related to the ones mentioned and am upset that both of my sons (in their 20's) are greatly affected by them as well. Some of what I've been reading here and on other threads is that nutrition hugely matters! Since having started on the "Trim Healthy Mama Plan" by Pearl Barrett & Serene Allison, I've nearly done a 360*!!!! It is just plain amazing. As I was reading about the various foods to avoid, I was saying to myself, "yep, that's exactly what Pearl & Serene wrote about in their plan!" and "Wow! After only two weeks, my severe brain fog as almost completely lifted and my energy level has been crazy good!" These ladies may not be "SIBO" or on this Mayo Connection, but I really believe one of them suffered with some of the same problems. I seriously beg you... if you try nothing else and need some kind of written nutritional plan that helps you get away from the fructose and still enjoy sweetened treats & drinks. You'll definitely gain a whole new understanding of how our body processes and absorbs, as God intended, or doesn't in some cases causing illness. They consider this way of eating as "FOOD FREEDOM" and a gentle, personal approach to becoming healthy once & for all! Get a copy asap! "TRIM HEALTHY MAMA, PLAN" by Pearl Barrett & Serene Allison. Also can search online for the book name and you'll see their website to read up about it. (PS. I get no kickbacks, nor do not know them personally! I'm just too excited about having a "real" and very hopeful future with losing a few pounds, but most importantly feeling well, possibly for the first time in my life!)

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I feel your pain! I’ve had several bouts of sibo as it tends to come back. This will be hard to hear but very severe diet changes are required, and long term at that. It’s tough to adjust but it’s worth it and you do get used to it. If you can go six months without symptoms you might be able to add some things back, but take it slow. The diet is basically no grains, no sweeteners, no fruit, no dairy. Tough stuff but doable. Some doctors will say that’s too restrictive, and I listened to them for too long, only to find I could not get well. Also, no probiotics until symptom free for several weeks. IBS comes with sibo but you’ll have to deal with that until sibo is gone.

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My wife is suffering the same way. It’s been hard to find a person with SIBO whose major symptoms are debilitating nausea and fatigue. Your post is a couple of years old. Did you finally find a resolution? Xifaxan helps, but she’s already been on two courses. How many courses of antibiotics did you use. What types. Thanks

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My dr has mentioned psychosomatic. I would like to hear from more people about this.

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I would find a new doctor!!

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@sue225

Interested in hearing from anyone with this condition and the treatments used. How was diagnosis confirmed? Did antibiotics solve the problem?

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Hello @sue225

What a great question! We have a number of Members on Connect who are discussing this problem. Here is a link to the discussion, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/small-intestine-bacteria-overgrowth/

If you find a post that you would like to respond to, just click on "Reply" and you can ask questions, etc. of that Member.

Back to you, @sue225. How long have you had this problem? Was there anything that triggered it? What treatments have been tried?

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Interested in hearing from anyone with this condition and the treatments used. How was diagnosis confirmed? Did antibiotics solve the problem?

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