update on SIBO and antibiotics

[Skyline4]

firstly thank you so much for all your comments because you gave me the confidence to start the rifamixin course. I am now on day 5 of 3 x 550gm tabs daily for 10 days. Yesterday was my first fairly ok day in ages so I’m beginning to hope I may get some relief, which will be wonderful. My gastro report arrived which says she had told me it may only be temporary relief (she didn’t) but never mind. I was already was aware thanks to your feedback. The speed of food going into my small intestine will be tested with the X-rays I think and I wait to be called for that - not expecting anything quickly! But she did say she can medicate to help with that. In the past a half tab of Domperidone had helped - unfortunately they resist that now because it can affect your heart, but it does have the same effect of relaxing the the valve /sphincter (?) into SI from stomach.

It’s such a help to begin to understand the issue after so long and knowing that the NHS is taking me seriously is really important to me. It somehow gives all this validity because I know how limited they have to be on diagnosis and treatment.

I will be ready with my list of questions to the consultant when/ if I get to see her again.

I got into the system because i had been told acid reflux and hiatus hernia but in frustration I eventually saw a gastro surgeon privately - just picked him out of a listing at our Spire hospital. I told him I definitely didn’t want surgery as I previously reacted badly to an essential prolapse op 8 years ago. He suggested endoscopy biopsies and breath test and I agreed. That coincided with me suddenly becoming a carer so I couldn’t proceed - but I was rather relieved when I realised how much I was going to be spending- and I had no idea where it would lead! Because I had his report I was able to persuade the gp to let me have the endoscopy and biopsies on the NHS. They suggested the private gastro (who also works for NHS-of course) could refer me for the breath test. Thankfully he did. All this took a lot of polite pleading/nagging and some good luck, I think. I keep all my paper work and find the medical secretaries v helpful.

I have good reason to feel optimistic.

[Boofers]

Good luck, I hope they help. The NHS are great, but I do understand they don't have the resources, which can be frustrating. I'm going to see a gastro privately in a couple of weeks, so I'm hopeful he can help too. I'll ask him for a report I can show my doctor, I'm glad you mentioned that. Good luck, again!

[Skyline4 in reply to Boofers]

Hello again. I hope you are getting somewhere with your private gastro. Just letting you know the antibiotics don’t seem to have helped and I feel as though I am struggling more than ever. It’s amazing what people have to cope with and I am grateful to all of you who take the time to encourage each other to persevere with whatever helps.