Excessive stomach growling

[IBSvictim]

I'm male, 40, and I've had IBS for about 15 years. Two months ago I had antibiotics for an infection. Shortly after, I started taking probiotics (100 billion) and Saccharomyces Boulardii (5 billion). About a week after that, my stomach began making growling noises and I get rumbling and trickling sensations. They happen after eating and drinking and can last a couple of hours, and some occasions they last all night through my sleep and are still there when I wake up. I stopped taking the probiotics when this happened. I also have bloating and gas but no change of bowel habits or loss of weight. I often had bloating and gas before due to IBS. Stool is the same as usual ie not good.

I think I have had similar symptoms before, after taking a new brand of probiotics. However, these symptoms stopped a couple of days after I stopped the probiotics. But this time the symptoms seem worse and they haven't reduced even 6 weeks after stopping probiotics.

Any suggestions what this might be? Did I overdo the probiotics? Or maybe I caught Candida after the antibiotics?

Suggestions are very welcome.

Thanks in advance.

[Grateful71]

I had to take antibiotics a few weeks ago due to a diverticular infection. I was so unwell with the antibiotics that I had to stop. I tried healing my gut with probiotics but had to stop that too. I still don't feel 'right' so think it will take a bit longer to recover from the antibiotics 💛

[Liz1234ty]

Hi there, this is my main symptom! I have always assumed it is excess gas but gp and gi doc not really interested so this is just my laymans opinion. I have a stubborn case of SIBO which i think is the main cause for me. Trying a simple low Fodmap diet with gas reducing peppermint and ginger teas may help. I also take 20mg of amaltriptyline which reduces night time growling and activity and helps me sleep. Let me know if you find the answer!

[grufjones]

You should definitely look at the low fodmap diet. If your doctor diagnosed IBS he or she should have directed you to look at fodmap, or ideally refer to a dietitian to guide you through that.

Antibiotics will tend to cause gut health issues as most of them nuke the good bacteria in the gut. And those bacteria are doing something useful by the way!

Low fodmap is daunting at first but once you get into the grove with it you should notice all the symptoms reduce. It works for 70% of those with IBS symptoms and within a few weeks you can reintroduce. So, for example, in my case I can tolerate dairy produce fine and do not need to completely avoid the fructose group - so I have a personalised fodmap diet now which is not too restrictive. There are plenty of good resources online and on the app stores - just search under fodmap.

Hope you manage to find a good solution

[IBSvictim in reply to grufjones]

Thank you, I have done some reading into this based on your recommendation and will give this a try.