Positive SIBO result

[Bellacat21]

hi

I went for a SIBO test yesterday and the results came back positive.

I have been prescribed medications etc

I just wondered if anyone can give me an insight into diet recommendations going forward.

I am lactose intolerant also.

Thank you Victoria

[xjrs]

Unfortunately, SIBO breath tests are not accurate and you may have a false positive result. This is what happened to me.

Are you under the guidance of a gastro rather than a nutritionist? If it is a nutritionist, I wouldn't recommend this since they are not medically trained. They made my condition far worse. If it is a gastro, what have they recommended?

You may find my recent post about a similar topic useful:

healthunlocked.com/theibsne...

Unfortunately, dietary regimes for SIBO can be pretty brutal and if conducted on a long term basis can undermine the microbiome in your colon. Also if you really do have SIBO any predisposing factors that have caused the SIBO would need treating first, otherwise it will keep coming back. SIBO isn't as prevalent as some would make you think. Many people are making vast sums of money out of this.

[Bellacat21 in reply to xjrs]

Hi

I’m currently living in Switzerland so was fortunate to be able to see a gastro specialist. So the results were immediate I didn’t see them thoroughly only quickly and they looked high. He has recommended a course of gut antibiotics to be taken over 40 days. 10 days on 20 days off 10 days on. I believe the test was lactose/hydrogen SIBO as I think there are two tests but I’m unsure. So I am trying to avoid lactose and wondering if I should avoid gluten also. I did a FODMAP years ago and it was hard not something I would want to spend my life on. I had my gallbladder removed 6 years ago and since then although externally I am very well internally all sorts of things appear to be going on. But I guess once I have taken the gut anti biotics which in Switzerland are not covered by your health insurance and I have been informed can cost 500 francs or in the region of. I want to then follow sort sort of diet that prevents the SIBO returning but it is a minefield of information out there. Some sites say one thing some another. In January when I return to the clinic I hope I will be referred to a dietician maybe. But any advice on diet prior to then going forward would be great 😊

[xjrs in reply to Bellacat21]

Glad you are under the guidance of a gastro. Is the antibiotic you speak of Rifaximin? If so, having Rifaximin would be a good test i.e. if it doesn't improve your symptoms at all then you'd be highly unlikely to have it.

There is the SIBO bi-phasic diet, but this is far more restrictive than the FODMAP elimination and reintroduction diet:

static1.squarespace.com/sta...

The aim of the diet is to not feed the microbiome and tends to be high protein / low carb / fibre. After being on this, my calprotectin marker (for inflammation) went sky high to a reading of 327 from being normal before I started this regime. I since found out that high protein / low carb / fibre diets create inflammation in the body due to the lack of feed for large intestine microbes and these are essential for controlling inflammation and helping to keep bodily disease at bay.

I'm wondering whether you are better off waiting to see if the Rifaximin helps without restricting your diet beforehand. It's a bit catch 22 as to what to do afterwards.

I don't know your symptoms, but could be related to BAM (bile acid malabsorption) related to gall bladder removal and needing to get on top of that. I think I remember seeing that you are on medication for this already.

[Bellacat21 in reply to xjrs]

Yes Rifaximin has been prescribed. I have BAM and take 1 x sachet 4g quantalam/coveselam per day. This is like a miracle powder for me. I have taken this since GB removal and diagnosis of BAM. I have a good diet but I still worry that any vitamins etc I take aren’t being fully absorbed. I also have simple liver cysts gosh the list is endless. Believe it or not I am really well and very healthy but I have this constant dull ache under my right lower rib. I had this before GB removal which then led to my GB being removed but the dull ache remains.

I will take the Rifaximin and see its results .. my cal protectin test a few months ago was normal/clear.

Thank you for your advice very much appreciated

Victoria