Need advice from SIBO patients please.

[BlueBoyMico]

Hi guys, I've been over on the P.A.forum as life got really bad about 6 months ago, usual symptoms of B12 and/or Iron anaemia/deficiency which my GP was dismissive of. Anyway, on my trawls a lovely member (MourneAdventurer, I think) mentioned it. I researched, and a lot of lights came on very quickly lol

The short version, was put on Lansopraole (a PPI) about 20 years ago to prevent furtherance of Barret Oesophagitis (endoscope biopsies came back all clear) so I was advised by the consultant to stay on the PPI to prevent a potential life-threatening condition progressing. So I did lol

Had my gall bladder out about 10 years ago and basically since then gut behaviour has been ok'ish although I couldn't tolerate red meats, red wines ales etc

6 months ago I started showing signs of numbness, tingling in hands etc and also felt like I was ageing too quickly with brain fog, apathy, weakness, I drank a lot for around 6 months to cope with other life issues etc.

I only 3 weeks ago discovered the link of PPI's to so many conditions and of course now I think the SIBO may be the root cause of all these things spiralling, if that all makes sense.

So, my question; Is anyone on here currently being 'treated' for SIBO, how has their GP (I'm in the UK) been, are they open to the concept of SIBO or totally dismissive?

Basically I'm approaching the GP this week to discuss and ask for the breath test.

If that comes back positive then I'd want to chat with someone on here going through it with the various probiotic options etc as the antibiotic is kind of worrying for me, my dad was rushed into hospital a decade ago and in the chaos trying to restart his heart I was told by telephone (I was overseas) he had a widespread bacterial infection and they were hitting it with antibiotics. I rang back a few hours later to be told he died of a massive toxic reaction. Needless to say I'm a tad anxious over the potential scenario of using a strong anti-biotic to treat me if SIBO is positive you understand lol

Thanks for reading any info is very much appreciated.

Bernie .

[denvajade]

Hi Blueboy, I had stomach issues for a long time and unable to lose weight, then one day basically woke up looking 9 months pregnant with twins, soooo I’ll the doctors first thought liver cancer, then stomach cancer, the ovarian cancer and so it went on. No specialist could figure out what was going on. Every time o ate I blew up huge and the discomfort was terrible. No matter what I ate I wS ill. For four years I had no diagnosis then moved to zaustralia and went to a Digestive Disease centre and within24 hours was diagnosed with a condition called Dysbiosis. It is the fermenting offood in your gut and bowel due to the bad bacteria taking over.

This bacteria lives off carbohydrates.

I was put on an antibiotic designed for the gut only called Vancimycin. After 2 course of that I was put on a 500 billion strength probiotic. These were supplied by a compounding chemist the specialist arranged it. I was probably 50% better but not good enough so I had a faeces transplant.. I no longer eat carbs, I am on the keto diet. Would say 90% cured. Don’t hesitate to contact me if u want. Heers

[A_IBS]

So sorry for your loss, it’s understandable why you’d be anxious to take antibiotics. Antibiotics come in different strengths etc for different reasons. You need one that is specifically for the gut. Probiotics are likely to make the situation worse as even too much good bacteria present in the small intestine can cause a problem. You cannot deal with SIBO in exactly the same way as disorders of the lower gut. In my experience GP’s are dismissive of SIBO, and the gastros say the test is not reliable anyway. Eating less fruit and veg has helped manage my symptoms but not a good long term option and not a cure. Good luck!