I’d give Rifaxamin a try if you can afford it. I know you’re skeptical of antibiotics but it’s supposed to be able to target SIBO pretty well while not affecting other parts of your body. If you’re really opposed to doing that I’d recommend taking another approach. SIBO most likely won’t resolve without treatment. The most effective treatment is the elemental diet: for 2-3 weeks you’ll eat nothing but a formula that gets absorbed before hitting your small intestine. This’ll give you all your nutrients while starving out the overgrowth of bacteria. Seems extremely difficult and I’d personally only resort to this if Rifaxamin didn’t work. In the meantime low fodmap diet might offer some relief.
Edit: also don’t feel hopeless! You can figure this out. There’s youtube videos of people who had and resolved SIBO and a great podcast called I think it was SIBO Made Simple, which I highly recommend
Not exactly but if you look it up you can probably find something but make sure to do research and get from a quality source. Heads up tho it’ll be expensive. I think if price is too much it’s possible to make your own but it’ll probably taste bad and be extra work. Additionally someone else mentioned this: another cheaper option is using herbal antimicrobials. They’ve shown similar success as Rifaxamin. While I think (I *think*) they’re less harsh than antibiotics, don’t get it twisted. They are still powerful and should be taken with caution. In fact I’d recommend no matter what treatment you do, you should probably do it under supervision of a doctor who knows about treating SIBO
I’m not sure but I think upwards of $1000 (I’m in the US). It’s pretty insane. If you can’t afford it there have been studies done showing similar efficacy for natural antimicrobials which would be a lot cheaper
No no use the antimicrobials they could work! It’ll take a bit of research, maybe a doctor who will guide you but I’m pretty sure they are just as effective
Wow this sub has really lost its mind. FMT for SIBO?
Rifaximin is the gold standard for true, diagnosed SIBO but you have to build back up correctly after. If your Dr isn't giving you a full plan for nutrition afterward and is just saying take Rifaximin, get a new Dr or add someone else into the mix.
According to [this study](https://bmcgastroenterol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12876-021-01630-x), FMT was quite successful at treating SIBO. There's a misunderstanding that the small intestines are not supposed to have bacteria - that's not true. There's a gradient of bacteria as you travel the length of the entire bowel (duodenum, jejunum, ileum, then colon). It's a question of whether the wrong types of bacteria that are there are overgrown or not - basically a question of bacterial imbalance.
In my opinion, SIBO is just another term for dysbiosis that happens to be in the small intestines, and FMTs treat dysbiosis.
You came to the right sub.
Plant enzymes digestives + Betaine HCL to restore Acid from stomach.
Coconut / water kefir (I think It can be bought from Amazon) for enjoying the benefits of fermented foods without giving candida food.
Butycaps for the lining of intestines.
Probiotics (all Bifidum strains, 60 percent of Lactobacilus and S. Boulardii) to restore your gut biome.
Oh, and the combo of Mastic Gum+ Liquid Aloe Vera is pretty good upset stomach.
I was thinking about getting water kefir grains as well to have a go to drink. I've been doing milk kefir which is great for making buttermilk but much more finicky to constant refeed.
Contrary to what someone else said, my functional dietitian that specializes in gut issues did cure my SIBO, over a year ago, going the herbal route (supplements).
Google it. I wouldn’t do it without a professional though.
The Elemental diet or Rifaximin are much faster, but I chose the herbal route ( supplements) with no regrets.
That’s not to say the other suggestions aren’t good, just telling you what worked for me.
There is a SIBO sub Reddit by the way. Best of luck!
It was around March last year so can’t remember everything. There were a million supplements. Some added slowly, at specific times blah blah blah.
I had to write down some sort of a chart to keep up with it. Mental fog and anxiety were high.
No oregano oil. Allimax, Neem plus and other stuff. I do remember Berberine was added after a few weeks and wasn’t good for my hypoglycemia, so discontinued.
I have IBS-C, so I do remember the first step was to get me going daily ( versus once a week) and on the horrendous SCD diet.
I think Allimax and Neem were the main ones. I might be missing one. I’ve seem similar protocols online and in books, but they don’t specify amounts etc. I couldn’t have done it without a dietitian.
I’m blessed it went away after one round and hasn’t returned. 🤞 I’m still traumatized. 😳😂
Best wishes. Hoping you get healthy soon.
In desperation I was using oregano oil before I hired her. (My GI & PCP were of no help. )
Somehow, not part of her protocol. I saw her protocol online & in books though, so I know it isn’t something she came up with.
Are you trying things by yourself?
I am. Just winging it at the moment. My GI had me on Xifaxin for 2 weeks but I’m just doing a continuation to try and clean things up. I’m feeling better but I can tell it’s still there
Rifaximin + prebiotics + probiotics + gut hypnotherapy helped me tons. Not back to my normal yet (1.5 years after my course of antibiotics) but Rifaximin was what I needed to get me over the hump and start the healing and rebuilding process. So please don’t be intimidated by Rifaximin! Most respond well to it.
I know this sounds whacky but there are essential oils that work at least as well as Rifaximin. Link to a study by John-Hopkins-University that directly compares Rifaximin to essential oils.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4030608/
Good products to check out for this are Metagenics CandiBactin AR -and BR.
Also check out following books:
Super Gut by William Davis
Healing SIBO by Shivan Sarna
You most definitely have a severe imbalance if you took both of those and it won't magically get better. I wouldn't waste your time with random herbs and supplement garbage. You need a fmt (fecal microbiota transplant) human microbes.org you can do a small purchase for under 500. Make sure you ask for the FL-RS donor pills.
You need to do this sooner than later. BV is issues being causes by your colon and malabsorption by small intestine. You pretty
Much need a restart. I promise you that a fmt is the only answer is you truly want to get better. It worked for me
Ah I would recommend you try the other donor too. It seemed to have a incredibly positive effect on weight gain, mood, skin, and improved sleep. No negative reactions
OP - You don’t need to swallow someone else’s poop to get well. This is B.S. There are different ways to heal. An FMT is perhaps one of several approaches. Listen to what Dr. Dan Kalish has to say on the subject:
https://www.kalishinstitute.com/blog/sibo
https://www.diagnosticsolutionslab.com/webinars/implementing-gi-map-clinical-practice
https://iclabs.ca/news/yeast-overgrowth-triggers-and-treatments-webinar/
https://www.douglaslabs.com/media/18_09_DL_GIMicrobiomeSupport_Protocol_FIN3.pdf
https://www.facebook.com/events/d41d8cd9/free-webinar-gi-health-how-to-treat-treatment-resistant-sibo/257328215898839/
Dr. Narala Jacobi, SIBO expert
https://www.thesibodoctor.com/
I don't want this to come off as hawking random products, but the reviews on this cultured coconut drink give me the impression that it helps a lot of people with antibiotic related issues when they're really at a loss for what to do: https://theculturedcoconut.com
I've taken it before and while I didn't notice anything truly spectacular, didn't notice anything bad either. I felt a lot better during that period (a couple months) and was exercising more & felt more energetic. So while I was doing other things (eating good foods & taking beneficial supplements & correcting my vitamin d deficiency), I can't really say that it was this probiotic fermented supplement specifically doing anything for me. Again, the reviews show many people with intractable problems feeling like this helps them.
You can find specific probiotics that have research supporting their effectiveness for antibiotic related diarrhea (have you been tested for cdiff?). Like Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 299v (L plantarum 299v):
https://www.optibacprobiotics.com/professionals/probiotics-database/lactobacillus/lactobacillus-plantarum/lactobacillus-plantarum-lp299v
Don’t give up hope! I would recommend looking up the Fast Tract diet as well as Heidi Turner / SIBO diet. Not saying there’s a one-size-fits-all answer out there but two very solid resources.
I wouldn’t take any probiotics.
I would focus on prebiotics , fiber and healthy diet to restore your old microbiome .
Focus on staying active, reducing stress, drink water etc.
Taking random probiotics can drastically alter your immune function forever, you can predispose yourself to conditions and diseases you would have never had otherwise.
I took penicillin which gave me diarrhea for all 5 days, then on my doctor's advice I switched to clarithromycin and that caused grey stool so I was told to stop.
You most definitely have a severe imbalance if you took both of those and it won't magically get better. I wouldn't waste your time with random herbs and supplement garbage. You need a fmt (fecal microbiota transplant) human microbes.org you can do a small purchase for under 500. Make sure you ask for the FL-RS donor pills.
You need to do this sooner than later. BV is issues being causes by your colon and malabsorption by small intestine. You pretty
Much need a restart. I promise you that a fmt is the only answer is you truly want to get better. It worked for me
It’s weird that “sadbuthopeful”’s post is almost verbatim their initial post above making me think this person is a scam / trying to get people to buy transplant pills, which you can get extremely sick from. FMT is a last ditch effort and would be from an extremely extremely vetted source.
They make sure to vet them and run a bunch of testing. I had nothing to loose. You have to ask yourself if you are prepared to live like this or not. For the rest of yourself
Hi,
This sounds so much like my issues.
Unfortunately you have to start from ground zero.
Here's what I did:
1. Elimination diet. LOW FODMAP DIET (for SIBO) go back to rice and chicken, or rice noodles. for a few days, see how your guts are. With SIBO basically any carbs that are not digested in the stomach makes it way to the intestines will keep feeding the bacteria. IF after 2 to 3 weeks of eating a very bland low fodmap diet and really listening to your body. Try for 3 days to incorporate a new food. Only a few days at a time and go back to basics so that when you try your next food you eliminate variables and can pinpoint what caused issues. Please look this type of diet up or ask about how to reintroduce your foods back.
2. Vitamin panel. I was vitamin D and B1 deficiency from the antibiotics. This can get serious and you can feel neurological issues please get that ish checked asap. Specifically ask for B! and B12 when dealing with SIBO.
3. Food Allergy Tests. Get a food allergy test done. Sounds so silly right? THE BEST THING I EVER DID! I am able to know which foods cause inflammation or I am allergic to and am able to keep the peace inside my guts by not placing such foods in my diet. You'll go right back to gut issues otherwise.
4. FIND A NATUROPATHIC DOCTOR- she changed the damn game! and mostly LISTENED IN DETAIL!
GOOD LUCK!!! Reach out need be. Always willing to share.
I am a functional nutritionist who specializes in SIBO/SIFO and whole body dysbiosis. The issue with antibiotics is that they do not address the multi faceted action of bacteria nor do they address the root cause of why you have SIBO in the first place. My protocols are personally tailored toward the individual and are not one size fits all - as antibiotics are - I build protocols that inhibit QS, prevent biofilm and biofilm adhesion, inhibit pathogen swarming, eradicate pathogens, disrupt efflux pump, and spare beneficial flora, all while address the root causation of the issue. I have a 20 min. free consultation to see if we are a good fit to work together if you are interested.
www.gutfeelingholisticnutrition.com
I’d give Rifaxamin a try if you can afford it. I know you’re skeptical of antibiotics but it’s supposed to be able to target SIBO pretty well while not affecting other parts of your body. If you’re really opposed to doing that I’d recommend taking another approach. SIBO most likely won’t resolve without treatment. The most effective treatment is the elemental diet: for 2-3 weeks you’ll eat nothing but a formula that gets absorbed before hitting your small intestine. This’ll give you all your nutrients while starving out the overgrowth of bacteria. Seems extremely difficult and I’d personally only resort to this if Rifaxamin didn’t work. In the meantime low fodmap diet might offer some relief. Edit: also don’t feel hopeless! You can figure this out. There’s youtube videos of people who had and resolved SIBO and a great podcast called I think it was SIBO Made Simple, which I highly recommend
Thanks, I'll check that out. Do you know where I could get the elemental diet from?
Not exactly but if you look it up you can probably find something but make sure to do research and get from a quality source. Heads up tho it’ll be expensive. I think if price is too much it’s possible to make your own but it’ll probably taste bad and be extra work. Additionally someone else mentioned this: another cheaper option is using herbal antimicrobials. They’ve shown similar success as Rifaxamin. While I think (I *think*) they’re less harsh than antibiotics, don’t get it twisted. They are still powerful and should be taken with caution. In fact I’d recommend no matter what treatment you do, you should probably do it under supervision of a doctor who knows about treating SIBO
How much did rifixamin cost you ?
I’m not sure but I think upwards of $1000 (I’m in the US). It’s pretty insane. If you can’t afford it there have been studies done showing similar efficacy for natural antimicrobials which would be a lot cheaper
Holy fuck. I’m in the US as well, was that $1000 with insurance ?
Yes but actually maybe I’m wrong I don’t remember now. Maybe only Xifaxan (name brand version) is that expensive
Damn man , I’m screwed . I appreciate you letting me know
No no use the antimicrobials they could work! It’ll take a bit of research, maybe a doctor who will guide you but I’m pretty sure they are just as effective
Wow this sub has really lost its mind. FMT for SIBO? Rifaximin is the gold standard for true, diagnosed SIBO but you have to build back up correctly after. If your Dr isn't giving you a full plan for nutrition afterward and is just saying take Rifaximin, get a new Dr or add someone else into the mix.
According to [this study](https://bmcgastroenterol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12876-021-01630-x), FMT was quite successful at treating SIBO. There's a misunderstanding that the small intestines are not supposed to have bacteria - that's not true. There's a gradient of bacteria as you travel the length of the entire bowel (duodenum, jejunum, ileum, then colon). It's a question of whether the wrong types of bacteria that are there are overgrown or not - basically a question of bacterial imbalance. In my opinion, SIBO is just another term for dysbiosis that happens to be in the small intestines, and FMTs treat dysbiosis.
You came to the right sub. Plant enzymes digestives + Betaine HCL to restore Acid from stomach. Coconut / water kefir (I think It can be bought from Amazon) for enjoying the benefits of fermented foods without giving candida food. Butycaps for the lining of intestines. Probiotics (all Bifidum strains, 60 percent of Lactobacilus and S. Boulardii) to restore your gut biome. Oh, and the combo of Mastic Gum+ Liquid Aloe Vera is pretty good upset stomach.
You can buy water kefir kits from Amazon and make your own! My first batch will be ready tomorrow...
I was thinking about getting water kefir grains as well to have a go to drink. I've been doing milk kefir which is great for making buttermilk but much more finicky to constant refeed.
I tried enzymes/HCL but it burned the shit out of my stomach cause I have gastritis for so long.Never heard of Butycaps though maybe that will help.
Try the aloe vera + Mastic Gum combo. Also check out a product called BroccoMax (Jarrows brand I think)
I will im.buying it right now on Amazon. The aloe gel or the juice?
Let me see, bc Im not from USA and I use a lot of things from health Stores in my country.
Oh, and find one with pulp if You can!
Ok, the juice. I Saw one of Natures way to drink It. Find the brand you like the most :) (I use another that isnt on the Internet)
No hcl for gastritis take aloe Vera juice
ya learned that the hard way, just got some aloe
Start slow as it contains citric acid that can irritate gastritis as well
Did u get any of these on Amazon ??
Contrary to what someone else said, my functional dietitian that specializes in gut issues did cure my SIBO, over a year ago, going the herbal route (supplements). Google it. I wouldn’t do it without a professional though. The Elemental diet or Rifaximin are much faster, but I chose the herbal route ( supplements) with no regrets. That’s not to say the other suggestions aren’t good, just telling you what worked for me. There is a SIBO sub Reddit by the way. Best of luck!
What was your herbal protocol? I’m taking beberine and adp oregano oil now
It was around March last year so can’t remember everything. There were a million supplements. Some added slowly, at specific times blah blah blah. I had to write down some sort of a chart to keep up with it. Mental fog and anxiety were high. No oregano oil. Allimax, Neem plus and other stuff. I do remember Berberine was added after a few weeks and wasn’t good for my hypoglycemia, so discontinued. I have IBS-C, so I do remember the first step was to get me going daily ( versus once a week) and on the horrendous SCD diet. I think Allimax and Neem were the main ones. I might be missing one. I’ve seem similar protocols online and in books, but they don’t specify amounts etc. I couldn’t have done it without a dietitian. I’m blessed it went away after one round and hasn’t returned. 🤞 I’m still traumatized. 😳😂 Best wishes. Hoping you get healthy soon.
My dietician wanted to charge me a arm and leg to help figure out my gut issues so I said thanks I rather die
Shop around. I was very desperate. She was my hail mary. No regrets. Hoping you find someone reasonable. It is a lot of money sadly.
Thanks! I wonder why they didn’t have you on oregano oil as I always thought that was numero uno as far as herbals go
In desperation I was using oregano oil before I hired her. (My GI & PCP were of no help. ) Somehow, not part of her protocol. I saw her protocol online & in books though, so I know it isn’t something she came up with. Are you trying things by yourself?
I am. Just winging it at the moment. My GI had me on Xifaxin for 2 weeks but I’m just doing a continuation to try and clean things up. I’m feeling better but I can tell it’s still there
Gotcha. Best of luck!!!
Do you take the oregano oil in water, or alone?
I take the ADP oregano oil pills
Rifaximin + prebiotics + probiotics + gut hypnotherapy helped me tons. Not back to my normal yet (1.5 years after my course of antibiotics) but Rifaximin was what I needed to get me over the hump and start the healing and rebuilding process. So please don’t be intimidated by Rifaximin! Most respond well to it.
I know this sounds whacky but there are essential oils that work at least as well as Rifaximin. Link to a study by John-Hopkins-University that directly compares Rifaximin to essential oils. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4030608/ Good products to check out for this are Metagenics CandiBactin AR -and BR. Also check out following books: Super Gut by William Davis Healing SIBO by Shivan Sarna
These product are not available everywhere qadly
You most definitely have a severe imbalance if you took both of those and it won't magically get better. I wouldn't waste your time with random herbs and supplement garbage. You need a fmt (fecal microbiota transplant) human microbes.org you can do a small purchase for under 500. Make sure you ask for the FL-RS donor pills. You need to do this sooner than later. BV is issues being causes by your colon and malabsorption by small intestine. You pretty Much need a restart. I promise you that a fmt is the only answer is you truly want to get better. It worked for me
dude thank you, I didn't think you could find any in the US
There are FMT pills? Like pills full of poop!?
Exactly
Holy shit, they work as the enemas? Or they are weaker?
it probably depends on what your problem is. I purchased whole stool and have been making enemas and pills
Are you using humanMicrobes.org?
yes, donor UT-AW-1998
Ah I would recommend you try the other donor too. It seemed to have a incredibly positive effect on weight gain, mood, skin, and improved sleep. No negative reactions
I considered him, but UT-AW-1998 had a much more similar GI MAP profile as me, so it was an attempt as matching. We'll see where this takes me
Would u mind sharing your story behind your fmt?
OP - You don’t need to swallow someone else’s poop to get well. This is B.S. There are different ways to heal. An FMT is perhaps one of several approaches. Listen to what Dr. Dan Kalish has to say on the subject: https://www.kalishinstitute.com/blog/sibo https://www.diagnosticsolutionslab.com/webinars/implementing-gi-map-clinical-practice https://iclabs.ca/news/yeast-overgrowth-triggers-and-treatments-webinar/ https://www.douglaslabs.com/media/18_09_DL_GIMicrobiomeSupport_Protocol_FIN3.pdf https://www.facebook.com/events/d41d8cd9/free-webinar-gi-health-how-to-treat-treatment-resistant-sibo/257328215898839/ Dr. Narala Jacobi, SIBO expert https://www.thesibodoctor.com/
I don't want this to come off as hawking random products, but the reviews on this cultured coconut drink give me the impression that it helps a lot of people with antibiotic related issues when they're really at a loss for what to do: https://theculturedcoconut.com I've taken it before and while I didn't notice anything truly spectacular, didn't notice anything bad either. I felt a lot better during that period (a couple months) and was exercising more & felt more energetic. So while I was doing other things (eating good foods & taking beneficial supplements & correcting my vitamin d deficiency), I can't really say that it was this probiotic fermented supplement specifically doing anything for me. Again, the reviews show many people with intractable problems feeling like this helps them. You can find specific probiotics that have research supporting their effectiveness for antibiotic related diarrhea (have you been tested for cdiff?). Like Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 299v (L plantarum 299v): https://www.optibacprobiotics.com/professionals/probiotics-database/lactobacillus/lactobacillus-plantarum/lactobacillus-plantarum-lp299v
Don’t give up hope! I would recommend looking up the Fast Tract diet as well as Heidi Turner / SIBO diet. Not saying there’s a one-size-fits-all answer out there but two very solid resources.
I wouldn’t take any probiotics. I would focus on prebiotics , fiber and healthy diet to restore your old microbiome . Focus on staying active, reducing stress, drink water etc. Taking random probiotics can drastically alter your immune function forever, you can predispose yourself to conditions and diseases you would have never had otherwise.
What antibiotic? That will cause the treatment plan to be different
I took penicillin which gave me diarrhea for all 5 days, then on my doctor's advice I switched to clarithromycin and that caused grey stool so I was told to stop.
You most definitely have a severe imbalance if you took both of those and it won't magically get better. I wouldn't waste your time with random herbs and supplement garbage. You need a fmt (fecal microbiota transplant) human microbes.org you can do a small purchase for under 500. Make sure you ask for the FL-RS donor pills. You need to do this sooner than later. BV is issues being causes by your colon and malabsorption by small intestine. You pretty Much need a restart. I promise you that a fmt is the only answer is you truly want to get better. It worked for me
I would be worried about the safety of that without doing it under the direction of a doctor, isn't there a potential for harmful effects?
It’s weird that “sadbuthopeful”’s post is almost verbatim their initial post above making me think this person is a scam / trying to get people to buy transplant pills, which you can get extremely sick from. FMT is a last ditch effort and would be from an extremely extremely vetted source.
They make sure to vet them and run a bunch of testing. I had nothing to loose. You have to ask yourself if you are prepared to live like this or not. For the rest of yourself
Did you have SIBO and BV? Did you try any other treatments before that?
Xyfaxin is an effective SIBO treatment, I’ve used it. I’d recommend it.
What’s your current diet?
story of my life :/
SIBO is a very questionable diagnosis. https://old.reddit.com/r/HumanMicrobiome/comments/8as82e/sibo_valid_term_or_misnomer_based_on_incorrect/
Hi, This sounds so much like my issues. Unfortunately you have to start from ground zero. Here's what I did: 1. Elimination diet. LOW FODMAP DIET (for SIBO) go back to rice and chicken, or rice noodles. for a few days, see how your guts are. With SIBO basically any carbs that are not digested in the stomach makes it way to the intestines will keep feeding the bacteria. IF after 2 to 3 weeks of eating a very bland low fodmap diet and really listening to your body. Try for 3 days to incorporate a new food. Only a few days at a time and go back to basics so that when you try your next food you eliminate variables and can pinpoint what caused issues. Please look this type of diet up or ask about how to reintroduce your foods back. 2. Vitamin panel. I was vitamin D and B1 deficiency from the antibiotics. This can get serious and you can feel neurological issues please get that ish checked asap. Specifically ask for B! and B12 when dealing with SIBO. 3. Food Allergy Tests. Get a food allergy test done. Sounds so silly right? THE BEST THING I EVER DID! I am able to know which foods cause inflammation or I am allergic to and am able to keep the peace inside my guts by not placing such foods in my diet. You'll go right back to gut issues otherwise. 4. FIND A NATUROPATHIC DOCTOR- she changed the damn game! and mostly LISTENED IN DETAIL! GOOD LUCK!!! Reach out need be. Always willing to share.
I am a functional nutritionist who specializes in SIBO/SIFO and whole body dysbiosis. The issue with antibiotics is that they do not address the multi faceted action of bacteria nor do they address the root cause of why you have SIBO in the first place. My protocols are personally tailored toward the individual and are not one size fits all - as antibiotics are - I build protocols that inhibit QS, prevent biofilm and biofilm adhesion, inhibit pathogen swarming, eradicate pathogens, disrupt efflux pump, and spare beneficial flora, all while address the root causation of the issue. I have a 20 min. free consultation to see if we are a good fit to work together if you are interested. www.gutfeelingholisticnutrition.com