Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth - has anyone tested positive for this and overcome it?

[Silverumbrella]

I have had decades of digestive issues, have always been told it was IBS.

I tested positive for SIBO last year. My gastro gave me some antibiotics (Rifaximin) but they made me feel rough. I will try again in a few weeks when I have some time off work but am apprehensive to try again.

Has anyone tested positive for this and managed to successfully treat it? If so what did you take to rid yourself of this? I read that it’s notoriously difficult to get rid of and often returns even after treatment.

Hi op,

I have this. I am going to California next week for a holiday & whilst I am there I have an apt at a Cedars Sinai, they are world leaders in dealing with SIBO apparently. It's part of their gut motility programme.

It seems extreme but it has caused me a lot of problems and my SIBO is actually caused by an underlying illness.

The consultation is $680 so not as bad as I expected

Yes, dh.

He’s been carnivore for a year now. There is lots of research out there if you want to read up on it.

@Chunkycookie - does he only eat meat?

I don't know if I could face doing that diet.

I am just under 8 stone and 5ft 6 so if I cut out all carbs I would be a skeleton

Meat, fish, eggs lots of animal fats.

He initially lost weight but he was 3 stone overweight. dropped that and his weight has been stable ever since.

It’s not for everyone but it’s changed his life.

Oh fab! Are you going to see Dr Pimentel? I follow him on YT and have his book.

I am very envious. Do let me know how you get on.

Isn’t it just a nightmare trying to get help for this in the U.K.? I believe my underlying issue could be endometriosis (at 51) but I have only just been diagnosed with this via a MRI scan, it’s a 40+ week just for a consultation at my NHS hospital 🙄

Good luck with your US appointment, I really hope it goes well.

Chunkycookie I just can not tolerate meat, I have upper digestive issues too and find meat even lean white meat really upsets my acid issues and gives me a lot of pain. I know a lot of people do very well carnivore and keto for their gut issues. I tried but felt really rotten.

I’m allergic to eggs, can’t tolerate any dairy and tbh I love animals and find it hard eating them. I was a vegetarian for years and felt better back then. Most of my gut issues started once I started eating meat again. I have recently given it up and feel a bit better.

Good to hear it’s helped your dh though. Will he stay carnivore or will he introduce other foods back in?

Same here WitheringTights000 I’m 5’6 and 8 stone 5. I can really afford to lose anymore weight especially at my age.

No, he loves it.

He can tolerate sweet potatoes and spinach but he feels so good on carnivore. he had a couple of other issues which have gone since doing it too. He tried it out of desperation and would never go back now.

Like I said though, it’s not for everyone.

@Chunkycookie -I don't think that would work for me as I am intolerant to eggs ☹️ if I lost 3 stone I think I would be dead.

Glad it has worked for him though 🙂

@Silverumbrella - going to see Dr.Rezaie who is a member of mark pimentels team.

Mark pimentel is no longer accepting new patients.

I also have issues with reflux and meat etc. if I had fatty fish for example it gives me reflux.

I honestly feel I react to most foods now, but for some reason certain junk foods are actually less irritating than healthy foods.

Thank you for your well wishes!

Do you react badly to FODMAPS?

I am exactly the same. I eat so few foods these days as so much upsets me. Sounds terrible but I’m fine with crisps especially Walkers baked crisps 😳

I do react badly to high fodmap foods especially onions, garlic and anything with sorbitol, that is truly my nemesis, I’ve been unwell for days after consuming anything containing it. But I also react to many low fodmap foods, especially eggs and red meat etc.
I have developed quite a fear of food tbh and am under a neuro-gastro team at a London hospital to try and overcome this but everything there is a bit conflicting, they’ve told me to ignore the SIBO diagnosis as they don’t believe it truly exists or causes many issues. It’s all beyond a nightmare at times as I’m told different things by different health professionals!

Hi Op and WitheringTights000

How are you both getting on? Any improvements to be seen?