SIBO TEST

[doris22]

I am waiting for an appointment for a SIBO test. Gastroenterologist said if is positive it is easy to treat with 2 kinds of antibiotics. Why don't they just prescribe then and see if they help.🤔

[Maureen1958]

Are you in the UK!?

[doris22 in reply to Maureen1958]

Yes I am.

[Maureen1958 in reply to doris22]

Are you paying for this or is it on the NHS. I'm not sure I believe SIBO is a real thing. See link below:

drchristianson.com/is-sibo-...

[b1b1b1]

Because it's not good to take heavy doses of antibiotics unless you really need them. It is two different antibiotics, and the second one was neomycin. I had a lot of trouble taking that one due to side effects and had to stop it.

[doris22 in reply to b1b1b1]

Yes I understand that but I have been ill for a year now and have lost 2 stone in weight and have been given all sorts of tablets that have had horrible side effects. Can I ask if you have had SIBO. Thank you for your reply.

[b1b1b1 in reply to doris22]

Yes. The drug that helped me was rifaxemin. You can get rid of SIBO but you will still have IBS in most cases as they are two different things.

[userotc]

If you get the test, try to ensure the result is accurate. I've posted on here a couple of times about my experience. My result was originally interpreted as positive, following my own research I doubted that and made relevant contacts then finally the CEO of the test company agreed it was probably negative!

Re antibiotics, I'd suggest taking without clear reasons is not a good idea. At least unless you are able to replenish good bacteria they have likely removed.

[Beau63]

I have SIBO hydrogen positive. I had one round of Rifaximin I was better for a month then it all came back. If you don’t treat the underlying cause (mine is slow digestion due to scar tissue in my gut) it is very hard to get rid off. Antibiotics for SIBO are like taking a tablet for a headache you must find out why you have bad bacteria build up in the first place. SIBO uk on Facebook have a huge following it’s very interesting to read other people’s stories the admin on there are very helpful.

[WolfHallow]

Were you able to get a SIBO test via the NHS?

[doris22]

Yes that's right. The gastroenterologist is arranging it for me. All the best

[WolfHallow in reply to doris22]

Was that at their discretion? I only ask because I asked my gastroenterologist if I could be tested but they said the NHS doesn't do that.

[doris22 in reply to WolfHallow]

That's strange 🤔 I just said I had read about SIBO and could I be tested as my symtoms matched up. He said he would arrange an appointment and that if it was that it could be treated with antibiotics. It's a breath test. Think you have to drink something then wait. Told me I would be there a while and to take a book. I mean it's not as if it's big surgery or anything so I wonder why he said that to you? You could try asking on here if anyone else has had it done on the NHS. Bye for now.

[ArthurP in reply to WolfHallow]

The NHS do offer SIBO tests but it may not be available in your area. I had one in South London but currently with Covid there's probably a huge backlog.

[LeiL]

I’m in the U.S. and with COVID many places won’t do breath test for SIBO. My doctor just wrote a prescription for SIBO and said it wouldn’t hurt even if I don’t have SIBO—supposedly its a very benign antibiotic. However rifaximin is extremely expensive-about 700.00 U.S. dollars for a fourteen day supply.

[doris22 in reply to LeiL]

That was good then. What was the outcome. Did the antibiotics work for you? Regards

[LeiL in reply to doris22]

It helps for a few months and then returns. I have hypothyroidism which causes slow gut motility and provides an ideal environment for SIBO.

[behj]

From what docs have told me, my gastro included included, sometime they do just that. I am no expert, by far, yet apparently even if you respond to the med, “curing” SIBO is not that simple. The sites linked to monash university research have lots of info about the subject. I think one of them is Joe Leech… see if he comes up under a Google search. Good Look.behj