Hi everyone, I was wondering if someone could recommend a sibo specialist based on their experience. I have been diagnosed with methane sibo by a private gastroenterologist and treated with several rounds of antibiotics. These would clear out symptoms well but they would return in few month.
My gastroenterologist suggested staying on Rifaximin bit I don't think it is the best way forward.
I would rather work with an integrative specialist to find and address a root cause.
There are a lot of SIBO Clinics but I would rather go by a recommendation.
Thank you.
Sasha
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sasha_nico
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sasha_nico, Sorry you've had no replies to your post. My reply will bring it back into the news feed, so maybe someone will see it and be able to help.
Hi Sasha, I don't have a provider to recommend, but i can briefly share my story.
I was treated for SIBO twice, with rifaximin. It worked great but promptly returned. I did some reading and , in my case at least, was due to low stomach acid due to a combination of hypothyroid and b12 deficiency. The low stomach acid slowed down my digestive system quite a bit, presumably allowing bacteria to flow from the colon to the small intestine and/or allowing bacteria to multiply in the small intestine.
I now regularly drink lime juice with large meals, and I also drink kefir for good bacteria. I also treat lactose intolerance with lactase pills, and I completely cut out gluten. Of course I also fixed my thyroid and B12/folate status, and so far - knock on wood - it's stayed away.
I also found this website useful for general info and a description of herbal treatments (but I didn't need them in the end) siboinfo.com/
Thank you so much for this, Jade. It gives me hope that SIBO can be resolved by other means than multiple rounds of antimicrobials or antibiotics! I two had 2 rounds of Rifaximin but cannot afford taking it long term! I will try your suggestions. Thank you 😊
You're very welcome! I hope the gastro did an endoscopy to rule out other causes.
Any have you tested nutrients/vitamins recently? Iron/ferritin, vit D, b12, folate. All can be affected by low stomach, among other things. Although b12 can also be falsely elevated in SIBO.
Ive just purchased Dysbiocide and FC Cidal from Biotics Research after reading a study that said they work as good if not better than antibiotics. I intend to do the Rifaximin first and then do Biotics a month later.
I can’t remember where I read it but it was on one of the SIBO treatment places. It recommends that Ginger Root is very effective in helping SIBO symptoms. I bought some Ginger Root from Piping Rock and so far they have worked really well. Came really quick too.
Hi, just wanted to mention for methane sibo Rifaximin alone is not very effective. So it would be a hood idea to add either Metronidazole or herbal AllicinMax. Thanks
Yes, ginger is a Prokinetic, helps gut Motility that might prevent from coming back. Another good one is iberogast. I haven't used any Prokinetic, maybe that's why it kept bouncing back. But my gastro said I had normal Motility. You never know
Question for both you and jade_s when you did the Rifaximin, what dose were you on and did you have any side effects? If so how did you manage them? Thanks for your help.
The trial used 1200mg a day which is the dose they have put me on. That’s double what you were on if you have remembered correctly.
I’ve only had one day and already had headaches, stomach ache and the usual frequent trips to the loo!! I’m hoping that will stop once it starts to work.
There is a study that you can Google that compares herbal antimicrobials to Rifaximin so that might be a route to further explore. The study mentions two brands, Biotics Research and Metagenics. My body and thyroid prefer Biotics Research.
A number of herbs, such as garlic, black cumin, cloves, cinnamon, thyme, all-spices, bay leaves, mustard, and rosemary, exhibit antimicrobial properties, and these herbs may be available in SIBO treatment [146]. Subjects with newly diagnosed SIBO by lactulose BT were given two capsules of the following commercial herbal preparation (twice daily for 4 weeks); Dysbiocide and FC Cidal (Biotics Research Laboratories, Rosenberg, TX, USA) or Candibactin-AR and Candibactin-BR (Metagenics, Inc, Aliso Viejo, CA, USA). Herbals appeared to be as effective as antibiotic therapy (rifaximin, 1200 mg per day for 4 weeks) for SIBO rescue therapy for rifaximin non-responders, and it was concluded that prospective studies are needed to validate these findings and explore additional alternative therapies in patients with refractory SIBO [134]. Collectively, it was stated that large-scale, randomized, placebo-controlled trials are needed to further evaluate the best way to utilize alternative therapies such as probiotics, therapeutic diets, and herbal medicines in the treatment of SIBO [147]
As mentioned above I’ve already bought the ones from Biotics Research and intend to use them as a follow up sweep in a months time after finishing the Rifaximin.
I’ve been reading many (mostly USA) doctors regimes for clearing SIBO and some of them do this multi sweep system where they do a number of courses to mop up any residue. I’m hoping by doing both that I will kill it off once and for all.
The only thing I’m worrying about is how it’s affecting my thyroid meds while taking it but I will have to watch out for symptoms and do some tests later I suppose.
Yes that may be it. Hopefully the Biotics Research helps and doesn't alter your thyroid levels. Just a heads up, the Metagenics contains lemon balm which is considered a contradiction for hypothyroidism.
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