This is a guest post written by Amy Nett, MD.
The normal small bowel, which connects the stomach to the large bowel, is approximately 20 feet long. Gut microbiome bacteria are normally present throughout the entire gastrointestinal tract, but in varied amounts. Relatively few bacteria normally live in the small bowel (less than 10,000 bacteria per milliliter of fluid) when compared with the large bowel, or colon (at least 1,000,000,000 bacteria per milliliter of fluid). And, the types of bacteria normally present in the small bowel are different from those in the colon.
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Why You Should Thank Your Small Bowel and the Beneficial Bacteria That Live There
The small bowel plays an important role in digesting food and absorbing nutrients. It is also an important part of the immune system, containing an impressive network of lymphoid cells (cells of the immune system that help fight infections and regulate the immune system).
Are you at risk for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth? Find out what the most common risk factors and symptoms are.#SIBO #SIBOsymptomps
The normal (beneficial) bacteria that are an essential part of the healthy small bowel also perform important functions. These beneficial microorganisms help protect against bad (i.e. pathogenic) bacteria and yeast that are ingested. They help the body absorb nutrients, and also produce several nutrients (such as short chain fatty acids) and vitamins like folate and vitamin K. These bacteria help maintain the normal muscular activity of the small bowel, which creates waves that move the contents of the intestine, like food, through the gut.
What Is SIBO?
SIBO, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, is defined as an increase in the number of bacteria, and/or changes in the types of bacteria present in the small bowel. In most patients, SIBO is not caused by a single type of bacteria, but is an overgrowth of the various types of bacteria that should normally be found in the colon (1). Less commonly, SIBO results from an increase in the otherwise normal bacteria of the small bowel.
SIBO has been shown to negatively affect both the structure and function of the small bowel. It may significantly interfere with digestion of food and absorption of nutrients, primarily by damaging the cells lining the small bowel (the mucosa). Additionally, this damage to the small bowel mucosa can lead to leaky gut (when the intestinal barrier becomes permeable, allowing large protein molecules to escape into the bloodstream), which is known to have a number of potential complications including immune reactions that cause food allergies or sensitivities, generalized inflammation, and autoimmune diseases (2).
These pathogenic bacteria, whether too many or the wrong types, can lead to nutritional deficiencies on top of those due to poor digestion or malabsorption. In particular, the bacteria will take up certain B vitamins, such as vitamin B12, before our own cells have a chance to absorb these important nutrients. They may also consume some of the amino acids, or protein, that we’ve ingested, which can lead to both mild protein deficiency and an increase in ammonia production by certain bacteria. (We normally produce some ammonia daily from normal metabolism, but ammonia requires detoxification, so this may add to an already burdened detoxification system.) The bacteria may also decrease fat absorption through their effect on bile acids, leading to deficiencies in fat soluble vitamins like A and D.
What Causes SIBO?
The body has several different ways of preventing SIBO. These include gastric acid secretion (maintaining an acidic environment), waves of bowel wall muscular activity, immunoglobulins in the intestinal fluid, and a valve that normally allows the flow of contents into the large bowel but prevents them from refluxing back into the small bowel. (This is called the ileocecal valve because it’s located between the ileum, or terminal end of the small intestine, and the cecum, a pouch forming the first part of the large bowel.)
The cause of SIBO is usually complex, and likely affects more than one of the protective mechanisms listed above. A number of risk factors for SIBO have been identified, with some of the more common risk factors listed below. For a more complete discussion of associated diseases and risk factors check out this study and this study.
Risk Factors for SIBO
- Low stomach acid
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Celiac disease (long-standing)
- Crohn’s disease
- Prior bowel surgery
- Diabetes mellitus (type I and type II)
- Multiple courses of antibiotics
- Organ system dysfunction, such as liver cirrhosis, chronic pancreatitis, or renal failure
Moderate Alcohol Consumption and Oral Contraceptive Pills (OCPs) Also Increase the Risk for SIBO
Heavy alcohol use has long been recognized in association with SIBO (3). This study also found an association between SIBO and moderate alcohol consumption, defined as up to one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men. Alcohol appears to have effects on several of the normal protective mechanisms, including causing injury to the small bowel mucosal cells, contributing to leaky gut, and decreasing the muscular contractions. Additionally, alcohol may “feed” a few specific types of bacteria contributing to overgrowth (4).
Overall there appears to be a moderate association between OCPs and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) such as Crohn’s disease (5). Though no studies to date specifically correlate the use of OCPs with SIBO, given the known relationship between IBD and SIBO, it is likely that this association holds true for SIBO as well. However, once patients stop taking OCPs, this risk appears to reverse.
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How Do You Know If You Have SIBO?
The number of people with SIBO in the general population remains unknown. Some studies suggest that between 6 to 15% of healthy, asymptomatic people have SIBO, while up to 80% of people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) have SIBO (6).
Complicating this, the most commonly used tests (breath tests measuring levels of hydrogen and methane gas) still have fairly high rates of false negatives (meaning the test results come back as negative but you actually do have the disease) (7).
The most common symptoms of SIBO include:
- Abdominal pain/discomfort
- Bloating and abdominal distention
- Diarrhea
- Constipation (generally associated with methanogens as Chris discussed in his recent podcast)
- Gas and belching
- In more severe cases, there may be weight loss and symptoms related to vitamin deficiencies.
Is SIBO Contagious?
Unlike many other bacterial infections of the gastrointestinal tract, SIBO is not contagious, and there is no evidence that exposure to any single microorganism increases the risk for developing SIBO. SIBO occurs due to a complex interplay of many different factors and is not passed on between individuals. However, some evidence suggests that there is an association between Helicobacter pylori and methane production, suggesting that H. pylori plays a role in gut dysbiosis. (8)
Why SIBO Can Be Difficult to Treat
Antibiotics are often used to treat SIBO. However, studies show that despite treatment with antibiotics, recurrence develops in almost half of all patients within one year. One study comparing treatment with rifaximin (the most commonly used antibiotic for SIBO) and botanical antimicrobials showed slightly better outcomes with the botanical protocol, but still with successful treatment in close to only half of all patients after one course of treatment.
These finding suggests that treatment of the overgrowth alone is not enough for most people. An additional piece of successful treatment must include addressing the underlying cause, or predisposing factor.
Though there are many identified associations between SIBO and other diseases as described above, abnormalities in gut motility are recognized as one of the most common associations. One study published this month demonstrated that patients with SIBO do have significant delays in small bowel transit time (the amount of time it takes something to move through the small bowel). This finding suggests that patients with SIBO, who do not recover after a standard course of antibiotics, or botanical antimicrobial protocol (which we prefer), may benefit from the addition of a prokinetic agent, which increases the muscular contractions of the small bowel. Octreotide and low dose naltrexone are two such options that are being investigated, and may help treat some cases of SIBO that don’t respond to antimicrobials alone. Other options may include prucalopride and low-dose erythromycin, as well as lubiprostone. (9)
As research into SIBO continues, we are increasingly understanding the complexity of this disease, and how treatment must be tailored to each individual to maximize success.
If you need support in dealing with SIBO, consider working with the California Center for Functional Medicine. CCFM offers a membership-based health transformation service that excels at helping people with chronic conditions make the changes necessary to reclaim their health. Find out more about what CCFM has to offer.
About Amy: Amy Nett, MD, graduated from Georgetown University School of Medicine in 2007. She subsequently completed a year of internal medicine training at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, followed by five years of specialty training in radiology at Stanford University Hospital, with additional subspecialty training in pediatric radiology.
Along the course of her medical training and working through her own personal health issues, she found her passion for Functional Medicine. She works with patients through a Functional Medicine approach, working to identify and treat the root causes of illness. She uses nutritional therapy, herbal medicine, supplements, stress management, detoxification and lifestyle changes to restore proper function and improve health.
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I joined the SIBO Support/Discussion Group on FB. It’s been an amazing resource of fellow SIBO sufferers!
Just thought I’d tell you all here, hope that’s ok.
I just put in a request to join! Awesome!
I have had SIBO diagnosed for 18 months. Was hospitalised for three months on a feeding tube which had to bypass the stomach. Severe symtoms and weightloss down to below 6 stone. Several courses of Rifaxin, probiotics, elemental diet tube fed. Symptoms recurred several times and becoming severe again 12 months after discharge from hospital. Follow very strict vegetarian diet but with no diary, refined sugars and very little carbs. Basically veg with a few potatoes each day. As soon as I i troduce other foods, salad, gluten free bread, onions anything other than carrots, broccoli, cauli and small amount of pots then symptoms gradually return. I live in UK and my GP was not familiar with this condition.
I’ve had sibo for over 5 yrs, been diagnosed and treating for 8 months. I’ve done the antibiotic treatment twice, and herbal treatment twice, I’m on round two of herbs and its been about 6 weeks. Also following scd/fodmap diet. I’m still not better… The next plan is to take herbs and antibiotics at the same time. Then a strong prokinetic.
hi @Jessica. How did you feel immediately after the anti-biotics? Did you get some short term relief? Thanks
My SIBO (?) Story:
Just turned 40 last August. Sometime in January I started having some very foul smelling gas. At first this seemed slightly amusing, but as it didn’t go away, it became more concerning. It’s not clear when the consistent loose stools arrived, but by the beginning of March it seemed concerning enough, and I started to realize that the stools were floating consistently and slightly lighter in color than usual. Most concerning, I was shedding weight. I had been ~185-190 pounds for over 15 years, consistently, and to see my weight dropping for no apparent reason was alarming. I dropped to about 179.5 lbs. I saw my family doctor toward late March.
This doctor is very thorough, and sent me for a bunch of tests, including blood work and fecal tests. The only thing that was abnormal in this first round of tests was fat malabsorption (20 counts, max range 7). I also was found to have an “abnormal” prostate – I have no idea if this is related in the least. I also came in with acute sinusitis, and to remedy this I was prescribed Azithromycin (Z-pack). Finally, to address the weight loss, the doctor suggested that I drink a nutritional supplement, in this case I chose Boost Plus (360 calories version), consuming one per day.
Two days later, my stool began to change again (first more watery diarrhea), and by the third day it began to firm up and darken some. I suddenly felt great for the first time in months! But, the 5-day Z-pack didn’t knock out the sinusitis; nor did it seem to fully remedy the gut…the stools began to loosen again a week later. It is noteworthy that they were darker in color than prior to the Z-pack, and no longer floated.
I saw the same doctor as April began, and for the sinusitis, I was prescribed Levofloxacin (10-day, 500 mg/day). So I’m told, Levofloxacin is a very strong AB. Anyway, this seemed to help with the sinusitis again, and 2 weeks later the sinusitis seems largely dissipated (though not fully gone, allergies continuing the mucus?). I passed a FRUCTOSE breath test with no issues. Celiac blood test came back negative. Pathogen (fecal parasite) tests came back negative – no Giardia.
As for the stools, in the first couple of days of the Levofloxacin they varied between firmer and looser, but now about a week after stopping this second AB, the stools are fairly loose again. In the meantime, since I started the original Z-pack dose of AB, along with eating a lot and continuing the Boost Plus nutritional drink, I slowly gained some weight back; as of today I’m at 183 lbs or so. Still a little low, but not terrible.
On the second visit the doctor sent me for some more malabsorption tests: Vitamins A, B, D, and fecal fat. This time, the fecal fat came back in the “normal” range (which seems to correspond to the lack of floating stool); however, I was found to be Vitamin D-deficient (18 units, 30 is minimum acceptable). This isn’t surprising, considering everything, and that it was a long, cold winter in the NE U.S. I am currently taking 2000 units of D3 per day, plus trying to get some sunshine – at least a little – now that the weather is better.
I had a colonoscopy on 4/9…this perhaps surprisingly came back clean. This should have been great news, but the GI doctor told me, in my grogginess, that they wanted to get a CT scan of my abdomen to make sure my digestion issues aren’t pancreatic cancer. It wasn’t until I did a search on pancreatic cancer did I realize how terrible that is…and of course that has freaked me out a bit. The health insurance company has just approved my CT scan, so I’ll be setting up this appointment soon. In the meantime, I’ve looked up the symptoms of pancreatic cancer and found that the only ones I seem to have are the fat malabsorption/weight loss and floating stools/diarrhea…about 2 or 3 of 10. Unfortunately, according to the documentation, if symptoms of pancreatic cancer show at all, that usually means it’s already in an incurable state (i.e., stage 4). So, needless to say, that information wasn’t good for the mental health, and life has been a little foggy the past 10 days.
My symptoms certainly seem to be SIBO, at least from what I can tell. However, I have not directly been tested for SIBO, yet. In the meantime, the doctors are searching for causes of my intestinal issues. Colon seems clean; that leaves… (?)
One piece of information that seems important: we had our second child last Sept. 10. We also have a little boy who will be 3 in June. The first week of September I suffered a sever leg contusion playing basketball – I landed very hard on my leg and a large hemorrhage developed further down in my leg (just above the knee, mainly). A week later, in my hurry to get to the hospital (from work) the day our second arrived, I significantly tweaked my lower back. Finally, in mid-December my thumb got broken. In each case, as might be typical for someone who does a lot of athletics, I took significant amounts of ibuprofen (Advil, mainly). I’d take three pills at a time, several times a day. I didn’t keep track of which days I did this or for how long, but suffice it to say that I was taking fair amounts of Advil from September into November last year, and then again from mid-December to mid-January. I have no idea if my NSAID use caused any stomach/intestinal issues; however, I stopped taking any NSAIDS as of late January.
Anyway, suspecting I have SIBO, and hoping it’s not caused by anything too nefarious, I’m perusing the internet for ideas and came across this site. I wish all of you suffering from SIBO the best, and I hope I can join you in full recoveries!
-Jason
Hi, just thought you might not be aware of bile acid malabsorption which means the gall bladder isn’t being effective in absorbing fats and causes diarrhea. This is diagnosable with a sehcat test and treatable with colestid,, which abosbs the fat and stops the diarrhea. But I also have severe SIBO and here in England no medic seems to have heard of it let alone know how to treat it.
Does anyone know of nay consultant in England who can help?
Jason,
Look into NAC (N acetyl cysteine) for aiding the liver in clearing the NSAIDs. It’s given in ERs to treat overdose of NSAIDs. It’s a liver detoxifier & used to clear heavy metals from eating seafood also.
Can someone please tell me how to find Melvins story. I checked Allisons website and can’t find. Really getting discouraged and would like to know how and if anyone has beat SIBO, not just protocols. Also how long did it take? Also anyone heard of a ” gut and phsycology syndrome diet” ?
I cut and pasted several of Melvin’s postings into an MS Word doc. This is long. Hope Melvin is okay with me doing this.
Kresser posting
Author: Melvin Garcia
Comment:
Everyone, PLEASE listen to me. I was diagnosed with SIBO, Leaky Gut and Candida (YES, all three it was a tornado). I was experiencing all kind of symptoms from fat malabsorption, gas, bloating, cramps, mucous in stools, loose stools or diarrhea, fatigue, depression, weight loss, muscle ache, post-nasal drip, sore tongue, undigested food in stools and so many others. Note that toxic metabolic substances produced by the bacteria may injure intestinal cells and impair absorption, resulting in nutrient deficiencies, food allergies and intolerances, and impaired digestive enzyme activity, which was exactly what I was experiencing. My primary doctor conducted some blood tests and the results indicated vitamin B12 and vitamin D deficiency. My gastroenterologist did a endoscopy and colonoscopy which resulted with erosive gastritis and chronic esophagitis. I was desperate and sought help with a functional medicine doctor. Please listen to me, this doctor did a stool test that indicated that m
y body was not producing digestive enzymes and was depleted of friendly bacteria and was being overrun by candida instead. So, the first step to heal your gut and get rid of the bacteria was changing my diet, no dairy, no gluten, no corn, no soy and no eggs for 6 weeks.
Author: Melvin
Comment:
Hi Tiffany,
I am so sorry that you have not been feeling better despite of your 2 year treatment. Please note that your diet should be rule number 1, avoid dairy, gluten, soy, corn, eggs(if allergic) processed food and sugar, no juices of any kind. If you can tolerate fruits, i would highly recommend strawberries, cherries, apples and blueberries. You can have small bowl of brown rice or quinoa once a day, but the majority of your diet should be 70-80% of vegetables and meats. If you noticed that you are loosing too much weight like in my case, feel free to add good fats like avocado, extra virgin coconut oil (my favorite and kills bacteria and parasites), walnut oil, flaxseed, avocado oil, grapeseed, extra virgin olive oil ect and you can mix with your vegetables or salads or even cooking they are delicious and very healthy. Once you start your diet, start taking Klaire Labs InterFace Plus to attack the biofilm of the bacteria or funji 4 times a day (two in the morning 1 hr before or 2 hours af
ter eating and two more in the pm). Wait at least 2-3 days and then you can start taking Biocidin either through pills or liquid as the esrlier post mentioned, along with oliverex to avoid or decrease die off Symptoms. These will work with individuals that have SIBO or candida and leaky gut. I would highly recommend that you take a good multivitamin with b complex, vitamin b12 and vitamin D and Glutamine two scoops per day. Note that DGL are also very good to protect the lining of the intestines while it heals. In addition, YOU may want to get a good probiotic at least of 50 billion cfu or 100 cfu to repopulate your gut with friendly bacteria. I used to have 3 meals per day along with healthy snacks such as almonds and walnuts with no sugar or anything added. Be patient and i hope you feel better, dont give up and keep fighting.
Please note that you cannot drink soda, juices or eat processed food as well. Bacteria and Fungi have a biofilm that protects them from antibiotics or anything that would kill them so I took Klaire Labs Interface Plus to tackle shield from the bacteria and a natural antibiotic called Biocidin. In addition, I was taking Digestive Enzymes, B Complex, Methyl Vitamin B12 (which are easily absorbed), Vitamin D, Omega 3 (fish oil) to reduce inflammation caused by the bacteria, 50 Billion CFU’s probiotic (daily) and L-Glutamine (2 scoops about 10 grams).
InterFace Plus is great to break dowm the biofilm that protects these pathogens. My naturalist recommended 4 pills per day. So, you will take 2 pills either 1 hour before eating or two hours after eating in order to tackle the shield that protects the bacteria. You will do this twice a day for 30 days until you finish the entire bottle.
I took klaire labs InterFace enzymes to break the biofilm from the bacteria in conjunction with Biocidin and Oliverex to ease the die off symptoms along with all the other natural supplements. Now, Biocidin was 2 drops 3 times a day for 3 days, increasing to 6 drops 3 times a day for a week and finally 10-12 drops 3 times a day for two weeks. Let me know how it goes and i hope you feel better.
Probiotics are so hard to decide but make sure you use a well known company. In my case i used Klaire Labs 50 Billion CFU’s and Health Origins 30 Billion CFU’s (two pills at night). However, i am currently taking a soil based probiotic after many research which appears to be more promising especially for those suffering from SIBO or Candida, its called Prescript-Assist.
Please not that I took fish oil and vitamin D at the same time and it didn’t affect me in any way. Vitamin D of 2000 (one or twice a day). Vitamin B12 of 5000 (onnce a day).
Regarding probiotics, please note that Klaire Labs and Health Origins worked wonderfully for me and I am not sure if prebiotics are not well tolerated by individuals with SIBO because I didn’t have any adverse results. Keep in mind that is always good to retotate your probiotics, especially those with different strains to give your body additional beneficial bacteria. Once you start feeling better, you can decrease your dosage to a cheaper one but never go below 50 Billion for the first 2 months.
I took the entire bottle of Biocidin, Oliverex and Klaire Labs and then a detox to clean out any toxic waste from the liver to give it a break.
Please be patient and do not cheat on your diet, you will definitely see results. I am completely SIBO and Candida Free. I have gained weight and my health is back to norma
l. I feel completely energized and brand new. Note you will start seeing results after 6 weeks of following the diet and taking the supplements. If you follow this protocol, you will be SIBO free and you can obtain optimal health again. I did it so can you!!!
Jean…I also put Melvin’s comments in a Word document and ordered all of his recommendations. I have been doing it since March 25, and I am doing GREAT!!!!! THANK YOU, MELVIN!!!!!!!
I JUST started taking the Probiotic 2 days ago. I didn’t know if I should take it WHILE on the other meds (thinking they may kill the GOOD bacteria too) or afterwards??? I’m still not exactly sure. Some people I have met say probiotics make them very sick. We shall see….
Thank God I found this site! I’ve been suffering for so many years. I am a 46 year old, Caucasian female. I found Dr. Rachel Burnett in Salt Lake City, UT. I did the breath test through CommonWealth Labs. I’ve had Cdiff (2012) due to antibiotic use for recurrent sinus infections and strep throat. I’ve recently been diagnosed with chronic SIBO + methane. Did my first round of Rifaxim and Neomycin. On Erythromycin 50mg compound now. Still miserable. Trying to stay faithful on the SCD/Fodmap diet. (Really hard to do when traveling.) Also have MTHFR-5 genetic blood disorder, plus insulin resistant and Leptin resistant. I’m 70 lbs overweight and it won budge. Going to toughen up and stick to the diet better. Plan to try herbal antibiotics next round. I use essential oils for symptoms but haven’t tried them to kill bacteria. Thank you for all the info! So good to know there are people like me out there!
Hi Tiffany- Would you mind emailing me the word document so I cant start treatment?
Hi Jackie…I’d be happy to email you the Word document. What is your email address?
Hi Tiffany,
Can you also email me the word doc? Very much appreciate it!
[email protected]
On the way, Lisa. Hope it helps!
Hi Tiffany,
Can I please have the word document as well?
Thanks Dione
Hi there Tiffany. I would love to see the document as well. I tried to extrapolate his protocol myself and was a little unsure if I got it right 😉
[email protected]
Hi Tiffany,
Would you also email me the document? [email protected]
Tiffany, me to, thank-you in advance for emailing the document
John…I need your email address.
Thank-you
Tiffany could you mail me the the word document? Been suffering from SIBO for. 1 year. Thanks
Jackie , could you email me Melvin’s word document that made?
Thanks ,
Olga
Hi Tiffany,
Would you mind emaiing me the word document also. [email protected]. I would really appreciate it. Thank you
Would you mail me the word document. I am on second round of anti Biotics herbal from Biotics, worked the first time. Looking for preventative. Had the smart pill an it was determined my digestion was slow. No pro kinetics were given to me. Are there herbal pro kinetics? What do you know about acupuncture for motility?
Hey can you email me please. [email protected]. My names mike. I’d like to ask u more about sibo and tell u all my symptoms.
Tremendously insightful article and comments everyone. one part of the puzzle not really shed light on enough , that should be, is SIVO as a recurring trigger for conditions that lead to SIBO relapses. Anyone who has had cold sores and the genetic predisposition for CMV mono to spread out of control (associated with CFS and multiple autoimmune diseases) may have had the chronic herpes creep into their gut lining and liver, even infecting the ileococal valve and making it fibrillate the same way it does the heart. Concurrently treating SIVO may lead to better SIBO outcomes. One theory I have, but not yet tested, is routinely washing and saturating the gut with a liquid form antiviral like Valtrex pediatric suspension. I will run this by Dr. Lerner (CFIDS and Valtrex expert) when I visit him in June.
Great idea. I am using essential oils that are antibacterial. Also colloidal silver. Washing the colon/gut is a must for me.
Hi everyone, so I saw Dr. Fors tonight (Blaine, MN), who offers a free initial consultation. After the free consultation they talk to you about treatment plans that start at $2,900 – so he seems very money-oriented to me. I am interested in having some tests done however, such as the comprehensive metabolic blood lab work (70 blood tests), the comprehensive female hormone panel, the metabolic UOAP mitochondria and toxicity profile (50 tests), and the Genova breath test for SIBO. There’s also a test on a website called 23andme.com, which is genetic variation testing, that costs $99 and you can have it analyzed by Promethease.com for $5. Has anyone ever had any of these done (besides the breath test?) I really just want to have some of these tests done, and have them analyzed by Dr. Fors, but it doesn’t seem like that is offered. I may try to look into getting the tests done on my own and figuring out the results by looking things up on the internet…nearly $3,000 is a ton of money for me!
I’ve been a sufferer for over 15 years. I saw doctor after doctor for years until finally 5 years ago a GI doctor ran the breath test and said “this is the highest I’ve ever seen!”…which made me feel special (JK)
After antibiotics, probiotics, meds of all sorts…I gave up with no help in sight. Then I did my own research and to this day I am utterly surprised and equally disturbed at the increase in PILLS to fix problems versus healthy options. If you do the research and understand SIBO….it’s simple to heal from (hard to implement given today’s dietary options and addiction to food)…..ZERO PROCESSED SUGARS AND UNDER 20 GRAMS OF CARBS….SIBO is a reaction to those items. Stop eating them no reaction. Still have not had a doctor talk about the dietary side of this issue. They just want me to take pills. Nope these pills. Oh sorry these pills.
Jill–is this still working for you? (Zero processed sugars, under 20 grams of carbs)
My naturopath says that it is important not to change the diet until after the antimicrobial treatment. This is because if you starve the bacteria they go dormant and then are harder to kill, so I suspect not eating the carbs and sugars has simply reduced their activity, not reduced their numbers. They are still in there.
Hi again everyone, I just wanted to give a little update, which is that I have an appointment with Dr. Nemechek in Phoenix – in June. I was a bit bummed that he is booked so far out, but I guess that’s a good sign! I will let you all know how that goes. I absolutely want to check out the doctor in Blaine, MN as well. I’ve been leery of gastroenterologists and internists, because I don’t want the same old tests, so it’s nice to hear of someone who does good diagnostic investigating, who is close-by. I am also interested in the infection “Yersinia enterocolitica” (if I spelled that right). So, thank you everyone for the advice! At least I have some plans in place and will hopefully start getting some tests and some answers soon.
Tar, June, whew. Hang in there. Back in December I called a specialist – the soonest appointment was in May. Geez. Let us know how the appointment goes with Dr. Nemecheck. He’s got a different approach. I went with an open mind and I had read through his website and much of it made sense to me. That’s a touchstone for me – common sense. My protocol to start is quite simple, but is making a difference. It will lltake time.
Hi Jean, thanks for the reply. If I may ask, what is your day to day protocol? What do you eat, what are you taking, etc? Are you still going to Dr Nemecheck? You said that you waited months to get in with a specialist – was that Nemecheck, or someone else? When I made my appointment with him, the person who does that is his wife Jean, and for a day or two I wondered if that was actually you from this message board. I know people on the internet do a lot of advertising and promoting, and I was starting to feel scammed, that she was trying to bring in business. Then I realized you weren’t the same person, ha ha!
TAR,
I follow the Specific Carbohydrate Diet but don’t eat any foods that disagree with me. So my diet is pretty restricted to chicken, fish, (sometimes chicken liver), vegetables, fats, raw nuts. Sometimes I have an egg. I’m taking high dose DHA/EPA fish oil, 2 tbsp of olive oil and some nuts or sprinkle of flax meal daily. All meats are organic or pasture raised, and organic veges and nuts to the best of my ability to find organics. I avoid foods with omega 6s. I use three Integrated Thereuputics (no connection with this company) digestive enzymes and Gentian & Skullcap capsules about 15 minutes before meals. I take Thorne Multivitamin (no connection with this company) without iron and without copper. I take only one capsule (dose is six). I take 3000-4000 IUs of vitamin D3, K2, 500 mg Vit C, selenium (100), 15 mg zinc. Sometimes I think I need to be taking more things like I see posted here. I was especially interested in Melvin’s post where he outlined his protocol exactly and said within 6 months was healed. You might try to find his postings. Your situation may be very different from mine. (Also, I have another unrelated health issue that I’d rather not share with the whole group.) I don’t know if you’ll connect with Dr. Nemechek or not, but he does seem to be helping a lot of people. He bases what he does on science that can backs it up. Like I said, I had results fairly quickly of better energy and less mind fog. Not all is resolved, but I’m encouraged that something has actually made a difference. Two months ago I didn’t have the energy to drive to the grocery store two blocks away, nor the energy to organize our tax paperwork. Within 3 weeks of starting his protocol, I was driving myself to the park and taking 1/2 mile (slow) walks. Now I drive to a park further away everyday and yesterday walked a mile that had more speed! And I got our taxes put together! I wish you the best. I know how frustrating it is to go to doctor, to doctor, to doctor. I traveled to one out of state that was recommended and maybe her tinctures helped a little, but I didn’t feel such a huge difference as with the protocol Dr. Nemechek’s recommended for me. Jean
Thanks Jean, I know it’s a lot of work and time to have written that detailed response, and I appreciate it. I have researched a lot of posts on here, Melvin’s and Clifford and Amber, to name a few, and I have written down a lot of info and protocols. I just really want to find out what’s right for me – and if my issues are even intestinal, which is what it seems like to me. I have an appointment with Dr. Fors, who is local to me, this coming Monday evening. He does free initial consultations, so I’m extra excited, ha ha. I’m very grateful to all the people on this board. Everyone has been very helpful and thorough with their advice and experiences – and I am very happy to have found this site. I’ll keep you posted on my upcoming appts, thanks again!
Hi Jean,
It’s been a little while since you last post. I’m wondering if you are still seeing Dr. Nemechek and if you’ve had good results? Would you still recommend him?
Thanks so much for whatever you could share.
Kim
Last year my surgeon cut my bowel in surgery, I had sepsis and as net result got gastritis and severe SIBO. I have been on Rifaxamin (550) three times a day for 21 days ( but 15 days I cut pill in half- due to pharmacist advising incorrectly). Worried that because pill was cut – the effectiveness was limited plus stomach impacted ( I have Fred in throat/pain). I follow the SIBO /Fod map diet and have no carbs, sugar, alcohol. Worried it will return once I come off antibiotics
I have seen numerous mds for me GI issues. Have had numerous tests all coming back as normal yet I suffer from gas, bloating, reflux, and pain. Does anybody know of a functional or integrative provider in the West Palm Beach, FL area?
While i just happened to come across this article by just searching google, ive had this infection since i aqcuired it in Iraq/Kuwait in 2013. Ive been treated at my local VA for almost three years now with no relief. My GI Dr has continued the same therapy with no new outcome. I continue to get rounds of antibiotics. I aquired C-diff last oct because of this (we assume). I dont know what the GI Dr is looking at next except he wants to continue more antibiotics. Honestly im tired of taking antiobiotics and narcotics to treat the symtoms. I want results and I want to get better, Because of this I am being medically seperated from the NAVY now and risk loosing my part time civilian job. Im too damm young for this and need something else besides “Lets do another breath test and antibiotics.” Any one have any suggestions or opinions?
Check out Dr. Allison Seibecker’s website. You can also call their office and get a skype appointment with her associate. She currently isn’t taking on new patients. http://www.siboinfo.com/dr-siebeckers-bio.html
Also, do a search on this site for postings by Melvin. He recently posted details on his successful protocol. He included supplements he took, how many and for how long, diet, etc. I hope this helps.
Hi Joe, I am sorry you lost your place in the military because of this sickness which seems to affect alot of us. Please look up all the diets on SIBO . Stay off processed foods and just eat as much organic meat,fish , veggies and fruit and avocado oil as u can . There are some restriction on veggies and fruit but you will read about it. Drink at least 12 cups of purified water with a little squirt of lemon. This will move the bad bugs on their way. I am on Metagenica Candibactin. AR You can find out about it online but medical doctors don’t know about natural medicine. My hubby is a Health Care Profession that deals with this stuff. After I have a run of this med then I am going on a Probiotic.
You are being poisoned by antibiotic as you have seen. This condition we have is Overgrowth of yeast from different causes but definitely from antibiotics. Check everything you eat or drink because Sugar and Wheat is in everthing just about. No sugar,no grains, no more that 20 carbs a day.
Believe me when I say that low carbs are driving me mad! Not easy, but after a week I dont have a white coated tongue and no diarrhea. I think this is all for now but I have a feeling that I will never be able to eat many carbs. It will just feed the yeast again. I am looking forward to having a slice of bread eventually. Good Luck, Donna
Hi everyone, I saw this website and comments for the first time a few days ago. I have been dealing with health problems for about 12.5 yrs, after food poisoning. Prior to that I had pretty good health, except for hormone imbalances, which I was on medication for (spironolactone and bcp to suppress over-production of male hormones). I also had some nasal and sinus issues. I was 28 when the food poisoning happened and within a month my body felt totally alien to me. I started gaining weight, although it felt like my body was filling with water to try to flush toxins out.
My main issue which has never gone away is a distended abdomen. The problem is that it doesn’t look bad, so doctors don’t take me seriously. I’ve been to every type of doctor and had all the tests done, as well as MRI, CT, x-rays, colonoscopy, laparoscopy, etc. I’ve been to every type of alternative doctor too (I stopped going to “western doctors” a few years ago). The only thing I currently do is chiro/kinesiology, but that isn’t helping either. Besides the distended abdomen, my other symptoms are acne (face, back, neck, scalp), fatigue (could sleep from midnight – 11am if I let myself), sugar addiction (although I try to stay away – I’ve tried all the special diets, as well as trying to starve the yeast/bacteria, but after a few months I cave in because it doesn’t ever seem like it helps). I also experience depression/anxiety, but I feel like it’s physiological, not psychological. I have very low blood pressure and constantly feel like my body is retaining water. I also have very strong exercise incontinence. I know it’s TMI but I just leak pee when I’m exercising and will soak through my clothes if I’m not wearing a pad for protection.
So…to this knowledgeable community (Clifford you rock!!) I’m wondering if this could be SIBO. I’ve heard of SIBO before but never have had the testing done. Since I have weight gain, not loss, and since I don’t have some of the other symptoms, I figured it probably wasn’t SIBO. BUT a couple days ago I read about the connection between SIBO and low blood albumin (which helps control body fluids and carries hormones and helps with blood pressure) – and now I think very strongly that this could be my problem.
I live in MN, but work for an airline, so travelling to doctors isn’t an issue for me luckily. 1) Who are the best doctors for this to do testing and to get on a good protocol? I am very interested in MMS and did some research last night. I would rather do something more natural than just pharmaceuticals or diets. I don’t want to be told to just quit sugar/grains/carbs. I did that for 6 months and had no changes at all, although I did lose a few pounds. Was very tired though. 2) If I don’t go to someone should I just try MMS on my own? It seems a bit complicated and I don’t know exactly what to order and how to make it (what kind of dose should I be on?) I would rather start with the pills if they’re available. 3) Is my first step just to go to a gastroenterologist to do the breath test and perhaps a serum albumin blood test?
I welcome any advice or input, thanks for reading!!
TAR, I developed SIBO after a bad bout of infection from giardiasis (since 2008). I can relate to the constant distended abdominal, no matter what I eat.
I’m on a protocol now which is definitely helping. Most of it is based off Allison Siebecker’s herbal protocol. If I could travel, I’d go see her, in my opinion she is the foremost expert on SIBO. I gleaned lots of info from listening to her on health summits, but she does have useful website called siboinfo. She say food poisoning is a main cause of SIBO, and explains the cascade of physiological event which make it into a long-term problem. I think her clinic is in Portland, Oregon.
Thanks Amber. I looked at her website today and will contact her for more info. I am willing to do the protocol if it really works. I just don’t want another several months of meat and veggies and have it still not work. I’ve done that too many times! It looks like she does a mix of antibiotic, herbs, and diet. I hope the breath test is pretty accurate, because I’m guessing that’s where I’ll have to start. If anyone has anything else to add, I’d love more input if my case rings a bell with you.
TAR,
Dr. Patrick Nemechek (Arizona) can help. I saw him; he has equipment that checked the status of my autonomic nervous system. Protocol is starting to help some issues.
I’ve heard good things about Allison Siebecker and looked at her website. You can schedule a Skype appointment with her or the other Naturopathic Doctor in the office.
Thanks Jean and Amber! I just went to Allison’s website again to try to book an appt, but it said that she is not taking in-person appts (since Sept 2014 – she’s writing a book). When I clicked on trying to book through Skype, there are 30 min, 60 min, and 90 min appts, but none are available. It said to try back later. I’ll keep trying I guess, or maybe I’ll contact someone else in the clinic. I will check out your guy in Arizona too, thanks Jean!
Terri: Let me know if you see Dr. Patrick Nemechek in AZ. He’s got a lot of experience with SIBO and treats it conventionally and as well has other modalities he checks and treats accordingly. A whole different way of looking at it and specific for each person. With just the initial protocol he put me on, I have noticed improvement. It’s a process, but the improvements in bm within a few days and better energy within a month were quite major for me. You can read his website to find out more.
Terri: Let me know if you see Dr. Patrick Nemechek in AZ. He’s got a good amount of experience with SIBO and treats it conventionally and as well has other modalities he checks and treats accordingly. A whole different way of looking at it and specific for each person. With just the initial protocol he put me on, I have noticed improvement. It’s a process, but the improvements in bm within a few days and better energy within a month were quite major for me. You can read his website to find out more.
Hi Jean,
I just left a message at this doctors office. I have been dealing with my problem for 9 years now. Doctors continue to tell me that I am healthier than they are. All of my tests come back negative. It is very frustrating. I thank you greatly for your information on him. I was so happy to find that I live very close to his office that I cried. It will be very nice to have a doctor not think I am crazy. Thank you so very much!!
Hi Terri, I am always happy to pass on information. Some doctors work for some people and not others. I’m glad Dr. Nemechek is close to where you live. Let me know how it goes. Jean
I have suffered with all the same symptoms for 12 years now, and I feel like all the drs so far in Oregon just guess and say they dont know what it is. Do you know of a dr in oregon that would be thourough?
Hello Tar, I just got diagnosed with sibo and Ibd by a doctor in Blaine, MN named Dr. Greg Fors (pain and brain clinic) He does all kinds of comprehensive testing; blood, stool and urine. Also in your state 😉
Hi LZR, just wondering how you are doing, and what the protocol and treatment plan from Dr Fors is for your diagnosis. He seemed on the expensive side, but I am still considering treatment with him, and possibly some lab tests. Thanks!
Hello! I’m courious if you ever been testes on yersinia enterocolitica you can cjeck this un a good stool sample, and also check un tour blood… Because it comes with poisoned food and it brings hormonal disbalance the same as helicobacter.. There s a nice article also for for hormonal inbalance that you mayo check hypotiroidismo.blogspot.com.ar/2012/09/fibromialgia-hipotiroidismo-y-t3-baja.html is un spanidh bit you can make it translte!
Hope this helps 😀
My doctor suggested that I eat ALL the foods prohibited on the FODMAP diet for SIBO while taking Rifaximin to bring the bad bacteria out of hiding so that more of them will be killed off. What do you think?
This does not sound right, at all. Are you really looking for an opinion? Try a different Dr. Perhaps a Naturopathic Dr. **stopping myself here as this sounds so tremendously asinine to me**
TAR,
Dr. Patrick Nemechek (Arizona) can help. I saw him; he has equipment that checked the status of my autonomic nervous system. Protocol is starting to help some issues.
I’ve heard good things about Allison Siebecker and looked at her website. You can schedule a Skype appointment with her or the other Naturopathic Doctor in the office.
I have actually started seeing some of the people in the SIBO area recommend similar, where they recommend keeping some of those foods around! So I wouldn’t be completely dismissive! Wish I could find some links, but I don’t have time right now. But just know that maybe your doc isn’t as “off base” as you think!
Sylvrfox –
I have also heard that eating a ‘normal’ diet while on the antibiotics helps bring the bacteria out of hiding. Supposedly they can hide in the lining of your gut and the antibiotics will not kill them. I believe Dr Pimentel recommends trying this and he is one of the leading docotors on SIBO. I say, it cant hurt to try it. I have done it both ways. I felt significantly better and had more time between a relapse when I ate grains, dairy and fodmaps during my antibiotic course. But, my SIBO is back and I will be trying another round of something soon. 🙁 No doctor knows for sure how to get rid of SIBO in tough cases. I believe you have to find a doctor you trust AND do your own research. I know there is hope for me. I just have to keep trying different protocols until I find what works for me. Good luck to you!
I did that and it did work, my SIBO breathe tests came back lower each this was done. Three rounds of Rifaximin (felt great on the antibiotic). Then back on the low carb diet. Finally after my methane and Hydrogen levels were 1 point from normal, I refused another round of antibiotics, and had a month of strict diet, then started to eat 20% normal (added healthy carbs). Retested SIBO and its back but not at my highest level. 🙁 Going to try herbals and strict diet, which makes me loose weight and hair.
I am interested in knowing more about LDN for treating SIBO. I have already been treated with one course of Rifaximin a year ago and am going to start another course soon. I have tried numerous probiotics and followed the FODMAP diet strictly.
How do I get more information on LDN? I have had this disorder for decades and I am miserable!
Another recommendation I have is… monitor your blood sugar… which is easy and relatively inexpensive to do. Microorganisms like bacteria and yeast love sugar. If you are having trouble kicking SIBO keeping your blood sugar down will help. All the gear is available on Amazon.
The blood tester
Amazon.com: TRUEResult Blood Glucose Starter Kit: Health & Personal Care
Extra test strips
Amazon.com: TRUEtest Test Strips, 200 Count: Health & Personal Care
Extra Lancets
Amazon.com: TRUEplus Sterile Lancets 28 gauge (100-ct): Health & Personal Care
When you get the tester, you will need to know what do you do with it. Go to the Blood Sugar 101 web site and read the following web pages.
http://www.phlaunt.com/diabetes/index.php
Am I Diabetic? How to Test Your Own Blood Sugar To Find Out — this tells how to do the blood tests — this is the main page you need to read.
Blood Sugar 101 — Home page
What is a Normal Blood Sugar?
There is a lot of good information on this Blood Sugar 101 web site, so keep reading.
Also, I recommend reading the book “Grain Brain”…
http://smile.amazon.com/Grain-Brain-Surprising-Sugar–Your-Killers-ebook/dp/B00BAXFCPO/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1426800732&sr=1-1&keywords=grain+brain
which will help give you the motivation to dominate your sugar intake.
This is a random question and I”m not sure it has and answer. But does anyone know if there is a way to research and find a SIBO literate functional medical practitioner, or practitioner of any sort?
I know of a doctor here in Chico, Ca, his name is Dr. Bangsund with Enloe Digestive Center. The phone number is 530-894-8800, address; 111 Raley’s Blvd, Chico, Ca
The address above should read 111 Raley Blvd, Chico, Ca 95928
Yes. Her name is Dr. Kara Fitgerald. If you go to Mike Mutzle’s site he has an interview with her from last week that is quite fascinating. Over my head a bit, but I’m going to give her a call. She does phone consults. Here is the interview…….https://us-mg205.mail.yahoo.com/neo/launch?.partner=sbc&.rand=77kbb7l79q5b8#mail
April
Yes. Her name is Dr. Kara Fitgerald. Well that didn’t work out very well, here’s the interview and not my inbox LOL…..http://highintensityhealth.com/allergies-nutritional-deficiencies-toxic-heavy-metals/
April
Yea, any reputable gastro-enterologist can do the test and form a treatment plan. If not, get another Dr.
has anyone taken triphala for constipation? I have sibo. What brand
I have found that Maharishi Ayurveda has the best triphala formula. They add cabbage rose which reduces the potential inflammatory effects that some report from triphala use. The product is called Digest Tone.
Here is a link to an article on Triphala/Digest Tone:
http://www.mapi.com/ayurvedic-knowledge/digestion/ayurvedic-benefits-of-triphala.html
Triphala is made up of 3 fruits. Bibitaki, Haritaki, Amalaki. If you are in phase 1 a low FODMAP diet, I’d caution use. Also , depending on how far into the healing stages & sibo diet, cabbage is not recommended either. However, as with anything, test it…see how YOU feel. You are on here asking strangers on what you should do for your body. Research, call Banyan Botanicals or Maharishi Ayurveda, find an Ayurvedic Practitioner.
I’m taken Glycol. I have a severe case of SIBO, and going through my second round of treatment while doing the Elemental diet for two weeks.
This is what I used to kill the SIBO causing bacteria in my body. Worked like a charm every time I needed it. It works through the protective coating/biofilm so nothing else is needed. No prescription required.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLEEFLCefnM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvkBaKss2r4
I am currently trying to take MMS. I can’t get past one drop in 8 doses as it makes me very nauseous. I’m experimenting with the pill now and Jim Humble seems to like them. Can I ask what dose you use for your SIBO? I have it very badly. I’ve tried the antibiotics and felt good for a few weeks, but it came back with a vengeance. Guess I made them mad!
Hi April,
I first used MMS in 2010. The protocol then was 2 doses, morning and evening. I never got past 6 drops at that time even though they set 15 drops 2x per day as the max…I can’t imagine doing that much.
I experienced nausea in 2010 which I attributed to the die off of microorganisms. I kicked it at that time and was free of it for 2 or 3 years.
Now the recommended protocol is more doses at a lower drop level spread out during the day to keep the amount in your system more stable over time. It sounds like you are doing that type of dosing. I now use up to 5 drops 4 times a day. I find it difficult to do more doses than that because I want to give myself the opportunity to take probiotics and supplements separate from the MMS.
I was warned not to take MMS with vitamin C. I was told it would cause intense vomiting. I made that mistake once while in a rush one morning. So its possible that you have a lot of microorganisms in your system, particularly your stomach, so the die off is effecting you at low doses or something else you are taking at the same time has an amount of vitamin C that is causing the nausea.
If your SIBO has moved into your stomach it might be one or more of the following…you aren’t producing enough HCl, the SIBO is buffering your stomach acid, you might have h-pylori buffering your stomach acid, the SIBO strain is disrupting your HCl production another way, or you are eating processed foods that contain chemicals which are disrupting your digestion. All of these factors will curtail your feels of hunger and your ability to digest foods especially proteins. It will also allow more pathogens into your system making it hard to kick the SIBO.
I take digestive enzymes with HCl in them when I have overgrowth reaching my stomach. I know its reached my stomach because the idea of eating is not attractive and I start craving because I am not getting nutrients.
I find that keeping 5 drops 4x per day in my system for a week or more is enough to cause significant die off. It seems to me like that is the key…keeping a high enough level of MMS in my system long enough to overcome the bacteria. I stay with the protocol at whatever drop level I’ve worked up to even with the nausea and it clears after the die off is finished. In my opinion you have to go through the die off phase to beat the SIBO which means feeling like you have the flue. There might be some small die offs along the way…wait for a big one and stay the course. I imagine SIBO is caused by more than one bacteria so different strains might have different abilities to resist the MMS for a time.
All of the debris in my system puts a strain on my liver’s capacity to detox my system. I believe that situation is a major part of the problem with SIBO. The liver is such an important organ for health that it seems super important to me to support it during times with any kind of unusually high detox load on it. SIBO itself can cause a higher load due to the waste products the SIBO releases. Killing the SIBO increases the load on the Liver as well.
What I think can happen is this…the liver detoxes in two stages. The waste products produced by stage one can be more toxic than the original waste products. An overloaded liver is having trouble detoxing so there is window when there is a lot of toxic stuff floating around consisting of bacteria waste products, dead bacteria and phase 1 detox waste products…which can cause nausea and flu systems.
What I have tried that works if this is the situation is proteolytic enzymes. There are products out there that are designed to lower inflammation and remove protein from the blood stream that may cause scar tissue build up after traumas and surgeries. If there is a lot of debris in your system and your liver is overload these enzymes can help by breaking down protein waste products in the blood stream helping your liver and reducing the nausea.
http://jonbarron.org/article/proteolytic-enzyme-formula
Those are the top three I can think of…die off, vitamin c, overloaded liver.
I hope something I mentioned helps you out April.
Cliff, Wow that was very informative and quite useful. I can’t even imagine getting to that high a dose without tossing up my stomach! They are making pills now that people seem to be tolerating much better than the drops. You can get them on Jim Humble’s site. There are one drop ones and three drop ones. I’ve tested them with Insta-test strips and find that the 3 drop ones are exactly like they say, but the 1 drop ones are a bit less potent than one drop of the liquid.
I wish I had copied the comment as there was so much info there. Since I’m planning on doing MMS for lyme and many other issues I’m really hoping I can hit the SIBO with it as well.
I also want to say that it’s so wonderful to find this group. I’m going through the hell all of you are for 15 years now and am terribly undernourished. I’m 5’7″ and at one time was down to 95 lbs. My food looks the same almost coming out as going in. My breath test twice is at the highest end the graph goes!! For both methane and hydrogen and one of them was after the ABX. Seibecker wants me to go heavy with the antibiotics, but after one course it was gone for a month and then came back. So onward and upward to the next things. Thanks everyone for sharing the “real poop” on your experiences. I don’t feel so alone.
Do you have pain 24/7 in lower right intestine? Can this be caused by sibo?
Did you have your appendix taken out? After mine was removed, I couldn’t take vinegar or citric acid, but I can take lime juice and lemon juice in small amounts. Wierd. Vinegar causes pain there. So I can’t eat practically any salad dressings. I make my own in a blender with avocado, lime juice, and any other agreeable ingredients for taste. You also have a colon reflex spot in that area indicating food sensitivities/allergies and for undigested food. This can be seen on a detailed colon reflex chart. Many people cannot eat rough fiber foods after appendectomies, but I noticed by interviewing a lot of people that this is predominantly people whose surgery was invasive instead of by laparoscopy. Invasive cuts do more nerve damage. I’ve dealt with this issue for 40 years. Some people don’t seem to have any symptoms. This area can become weak or lax and accumulate fecal matter, so trying a psyllium and herb colon cleanse cleanse sometimes help if a lot of hardened matter has built up there.
Hi April,
Wondering how you got on with the MMS?
Thanks
is anybody from Philadelphia, buckscounty area. Need a practioner who is well versed in sibo. Been through the ringer with this. Someone please help.
I live in the Bustleton Somerton section of Philadelphia and have been diagnosed with Sibo+methane. I had my hydrogen breath test done at Temple University and have an appointment to see a specialist in gut motility at their digestive disease center next week. I’ve already done the FODMAP elimination phase and I’m almost through the challenge phase. I started out on 2 doses of Xifaxin (total 800 mg twice a day) It worked great for the time I was on it and another 3 weeks. Then when I was symptomatic, I upped it to 1200 mg a day. I lasted for an aditional 2 weeks. I spoke with my GI doctor after I did my research, and just finished taking Neomycin (500mg) twice a day and Xifaxin (550mg) three times a day for 12 days. This Dr. doesn’t want to prescribe Erithromycin to keep the motility going and I don’t see him offering help with how I should eat…which is why I am either switching doctors or getting a second opinion.
After dealing with this for years, I thought I’d share the journey with you folks. Here’s my complicated protocol gleaned from this and Allison Siebecker’s site. In between each step is at least half hour:
Triphala (pro-motility agent) with water, 1st thing in morning.
More water.
Lactoferrin and colostrum (biofilm disrupter).
Dr’s Best proteolytic enzymes (contains serratiopeptidase, especially useful as biofilm disruptor).
Lauricidin, peppermint oil, oregano oil, neem, chlorella (herbal antibiotics, chelators).
With meals, take digestive enzymes (I like Dr’s Best and NOW brands).
Between lunch/dinner, take 1 scoop L-glutamine with water. L-glutamine is for healing the intestinal lining.
No Snacking between meals! No water with meals! Wait at least hour after food to have water again.
A couple hours after dinner, I take another dose of lauricidin, oregano, and peppermint, with 20 drops of Iberogast (pro-motility agent).
Along with all this, I follow a SIBO app which rates the foods Siebecker advises to eat while treating SIBO. I try to only eat the green light foods.
I’ve been on this protocol 2 weeks, and am first time in years seeing a reduction in the bloat. I’m optimistic!!
Forgot to say, I take a drop of iodine with water in morning as well. I don’t know if I need it or not–as I regularly sprinkle kelp/dried seaweed on my food anyways. But thought it couldn’t hurt…!
One more item… Apparently the lactoferrin chelates out iron. I added an iron supplement to the regiment a few days ago, as I was becoming even more pale and fatigued than usual. The iron helped. But of course men especially have to be careful not to over supplement iron.
Just something to be aware of that it might be needed during this protocol, as it was for me.
Amber…what is the name of the App that you use? And is it free? Also, no water WITH your meal or 1 hour after you eat? You don’t feel like you are choking while you eat? Thanks for sharing!
Hi Tiffany,
It’s a free iPhone app called SIBO. It’s by Dharmaworks and was just released a couple weeks ago. The safe foods are a bit limited, but I’ve been suffering for years… I figure I can handle a restrictive diet for a few weeks! It’s not meant as a permanent diet, but to be used during treatment.
The no water during food is Ayurvedic advice from my Indian yoga instructor. It dilutes the stomach acid if you drink at meals, and if you drink too soon after a meal, undigested food gets moved out of the stomach into the intestines, where it causes bloating and discomfort. I’ve noticed it helps my digestion to follow this advice.
I hope you have success in your own efforts to recover!
Hi Amber,
What you have been doing makes a lot of sense to me. I have been adhering to the Fodmap diet and some of the Paleo but since March 22 nothing is working. I was diagnosed with SIBO in Sept of 2013. Had been incorrectly diagnosed with microscopic colitis for 5 years and taking large quantities of medicine I did not need..
Now that I found this I will check in and keep up with you and the others. Thank you. I don’t feel so alone now.