Some of the most striking research done on IBS in the past few years has focused on the idea of Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO). The basic idea behind this theory is that IBS symptoms are caused by an overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine. The bacteria produce high levels of hydrogen or methane gas, and these gases in turn produce the symptoms of IBS.
This particular theory is so promising because not only is there an easy way to tesy for bacterial overgrowth (a lactulose breath test), there is also an easy way to treat it (antibiotics). Clinical studies have already shown that IBS sufferers often produce abnormal breath test results, but even more significantly they have shown that when the breath results can be returned to normal, through the use of antibiotics, the IBS symptoms usually disappear as well.
The only slight problem with this theory is that, as with any new theory on IBS, it's a bit controversial at the moment - but I for one think that it's got some real potential.
If you want to get hold of more info about this research then I'd highly recommend getting a copy of Dr Mark Pimentel's book, A New IBS Solution, which thoroughly explains how the theory was developed and gives advice about what to do if you would like to take a breath test.
Hiya,
This does sound interesting, but a quick word of caution - my therapist suggests that some people's IBS symptoms are brought on by the presence of candida. Antibiotics feed the candida and make things a lot worse, so a proper diagnosis should be made.
Hi Jo - yep, quite apart from the candida angle there are lots of people who date their IBS back to antibiotics, and they're certainly not something to be used lightly. But for people who are diagnosed with SIBO they have been shown to be very successful.
I was just looking at this book. I've heard a few horror stories about antibiotics which also has me concerned but it does sound like it has some merit.
The colon cleanse(Not recommended) that I took a few weeks ago had a couple of long strands of bacteria coming out I believe. My biggest problem now is finding a doctor who I can trust.
Since I seem to be an IBS guinea pig, I'll probably give this one a shot as well. I mean, if the breath test shows that I have excessive bacterial overgrowth, I want to give this a try.
My husband has been suffering with IBS and bacterial overgrowth for 18 months. Just this March 2006 he had the breath test and it came out positive for Bacteria overgrowth, dr put him on Tetracycline 250 mg for 2 weeks. 10 days later symptoms came back. They waited and did breath test again, once again came out positive, dr put him on xifaxan for 30 days w/ 1 refill, between 2-3 weeks on that, symptoms came back again, still stayed on xifaxan and no better. Dr now put him on Cipro 1 week on, 1 week off. He is going out of his mind with being in bed all the time. No energy, always weak, stomach pains, constipation and diarrhea, hot and cold, etc. NEED HELP!
First, there is no proven scientific fact that candida exists. Dr. Weil, a well-known 'healthnut doctr in the USA also suggests that candida does not exist. Also bashing doctors. Remember Doctors can only do so much for you. You as a patient must be involved. I have probably one of the best GI Doctors. He has been 100 supportive on my treatment. He never once, push me to do the drug treatment until I did the alternative treatments which I did (changing of the diet, adding fiber, cutting off caffine, etc., which none helped) so I am on drug program and I am finally glad I did drugs. The have lessen my symptoms dramatically. I can now jump on a plane and fly for hours (I love to travel) and not worry about having 'accidents.)
Hi Steve. I am also sceptical about Candida, and certainly about its role in IBS, but I think it's important to say that it's not a question of whether Candida exists or not - it does exist, it's Candida that causes things like thrush. It also exists naturally in the intestines, and in unnatural quantities in people such as AIDS patients who have compromised immune systems.
What doctors argue about is whether IBS sufferers have a similar Candida overgrowth in their intestines, and also whether such a growth could possibly cause IBS symptoms.
There was a study in the European Journal of Gastroenterology in January 2005 which concluded:
"Even if the involvement of yeasts in the aetiology of IBS still remains unclear, there is increasing evidence for yeasts being able to cause IBS-symptoms in sensitized patients via Candida products, antigens and cross-antigens."
On the doctor front, I agree totally that IBS sufferers need to get involved in their own treatment. The only thing I really object to from doctors is the kind of dismissive, uninformative treatment I received from my own GI specialist, who told me to take milk of magnesia. And go away.
Hi All
I have been suffering with stomach complaints for about 18 months now. It all started when I had an awful bad egg taste when I burped. This then developed into chronic stomach cramps and very bad diarhea and vomiting. After numerous tests at hospital, including Hydrogen breath test (slightly raised) and radiation trace through my system, the doctor came up with the diagnosis of IBS. I still believe that I have some form of Bacterial Overgrowth, as when I now get the egg taste again I take antibiotics (usually Ciprofloxin for about 1 week) and the taste will disappear within 12 hours. Has anybody had a similar experience to me, if so what was the diagnosis.
Sophie, from 2006, this is old, but I also have suffered the EXACT sypmtons as yourself!! The doctors look at me like I am crazy when I tell them I burp an"egg taste". Email me if you read this or if anyone has the same medical issues. ccrn1969@aol.com
I belive whole heartly that its not the antibiotics that cause a candida problem, the problem is low probiotics. If you take inulin you can rebuild this.
Also SIBO competes with b12 absorbtion. B12 is what the body uses to clean out bad bacteria. B12 deficiencey (not to be confuses with anemia) causes candida symtoms as well.
if you up your b12 with shots and intrinsic factor supplements, take probiotics and the corrrect prebiotics along with the antibiotics you should be fine.
Although results may differ from person to person
Adrian, Carolyn - have you been tested for giardia? I believe sulfur/rotten egg burps can be a symptom of this.
i have been diagnosed with bacteria overgrowth and treated with flagyl, it worked for 6 months then treated with bactrim worked again for aprox. 6 months and now treated with xifaxan worked for 4 months. each time i took drugs for aprox. 7 days then off for 7 days. now i am waiting for the next treatment
I had the sulfur burps for over a year before I found the solution.Take ACIDOPHILUS.Its a buildup of bad bacetria in the upper intestines.The acidophilus will replace the bad bacteria with good.Take 2 with every meal(4 billion + bacteria) and the burps will be gone within a week.Acidophilus is available at CVS,GNC,and most other vitamin and grocery stores.
Please help me! I am in so much all the time that I can't stand it, I cry everyday either out of pain or frustration. I started with the rotten burps on 12/24....lovely Christmas gift. The next day I couldn't even get out of bed I had the diarreah that smelled just like the burps. I called my GI., and took 10 days of xiflaxan bid.
I had a hysterectomy in January, and was fine until March. It started again. Once again the doc put me on Xiflaxan. I felt fine as long as I took the antibiotics. It went once again, and I chalked it up to this was what my life was going to be like. The last of April, I contacted my GI and my PCP. My whole family started with diareaah, and my 2 yr old stopped gaining weight. He put us all on Flagyl. It has helped everyone but me. I took 17 days worth of Flagyl, and I was fine for 2 weeks. I felt better than ever. I then in the course of 4 days, I felt like I had been in a car wreck. I have researched this, and thought it was giardia.
I am once again on Flagyl. I did a Fleets laxative, wonderful tasting stuff.....and I had loads of acid come out. Along with some funky black stuff...not blood though. I have also taken Diflucan for the thrush, yeast, etc., antifungal stuff. I am also taking Protonix.
I have suffered from Chrone's disease for 20 years, 10 in remission, and everyone is willing to blame that first. It's not that I know it. THey almost killed me and my daughter when I was pregnant blaming Chrone's when it was my gallbladder, and after I had it removed, I was well.
There has to be something that can be done. I am ready to just give up on everything. It has affected my life beyond my wildest imagination. Please someone help me, stear me in the right direction. Help!
hi all i have had candida thrush over and over again my gp at the time sent me for a hiv test and no hiv some poeple with cancer and aids get candida i had it so many time lost count but the gps put it down to ibs . i am glad of this site i hope i can be of help to others having ibs 22 years to ill to work. all the best to every one out there who has ibs its a long hard fight that just keeps coming back for more martin.
been suffering from severe constipation, horrid gas and exhaustion since Feb. i was put on Xifaxan 3 days ago at 2 200mg pills three times a day and I am still feeling terrible. Should they be working by now?
Sorry William, I don't know the answer to that one - I would check in with your doctor.
I have experienced similiar symptoms from this disease for more years than I have good markers in life to remember the years by. I know in 2005 my son got married & I was referred to Cedars Sinai for testing & was given Xifaxan after the breath test. While taking the drug you feel worse than you did before, but after, have some relief from the symptoms...for a while, but just as I was told by Dr. Marks there, the bacteria causing the problem will probably come back & will need to repeat 3 to 4 times per year. I don't recomend or not this website but the science behind it seems to make more sense to me than anything else I've been able to read--the Marshall Protocol from the Autoimunity Research Foundation. Having had a procession of chronic diseases that the medical community couldn't figure out why, I started reading science studys & publications and ran across this. Again, since I haven't found a doctor that will agree to even try the above I can't say it works, but it seems to explain why I feel so rotten & hurt while taking the antibiotic(because this bacteria dying off causes inflamation & not just capable of existing in the gut but can imbed the tissue and killing them causes inflamation and pain)...hope it helps.
I had my gallbladder finally taken out in Sept. of 07 and in October I tested positive for bacteria overgrowth. I was given a round of xifaxan for 3x daily for 7 days. It never got rid of my symptoms- I belch all the time and have gas pressure that sometimes causes my chest to hurt. I am full of gas- both ends!! I rarely have diarrea I have since failed the test 2 more times and have taken 1 week of xifaxan 4x daily for a week and when I stop taking it symptoms return within 2 days so I got a maintance dose of 1 tablet a day for 30 days.(and failed the test again while on the maintance dose.) so I got 2 more weeks 4x daily for 2 weeks then I have gone to 2x daily for 2 weeks. By day 4 on the twice a day the symptoms are back. I am awaiting a x-ray test of my small intestine (which I think is a waste of time) and then I start 2 more weeks of xifaxan 4x daily then my gi suggest flora q to help add back goog bacteria. Has anyone not been else not been cured after several rounds of xifaxan? Have you tried another antibotic that worked? My gi has suggested a round on neomycicyn?
Hello I am new here. 37 yr old female, I am in my 10th month of all this. Mostly upper left abdominal pain, cramping, presented with/after viral symptoms, tender at the ribs and all over when bad, lower back pain, joint pain, flu-like symptoms all the time, swollen lymph nodes all over, depression, anxiety, insomnia, the list goes on... Diagnosed with SIBO, treated with Flagyl twice; it came back (will not do more antibiotics). Also diagnosed with fructose malabsorption (both a nutritionist and chinese dr. think this is "secondary" and not the root cause), "subclinical" hypothyroid (TSH 6.9, then 3.9, then 3.45...), and after an elimination diet my nutritionist thinks I am sensitive to corn, wheat, and dairy. I am now seeing a chinese dr. twice per week. He is doing accupuncture, has me on probiotics and digestive enzymes. He doesn't agree with the nutritionist that I have food sensitivities, and encouraged me to eat anything and everything. She warned that not many are familiar with food sensitivites, so to listen to your body. I am so confused and don't know what to do. The chinese dr. said it will take 6 mos to a year to get me back to "normal" but 2 months in I don't feel much better. When I go in and tell him of my continuing symptoms, he always says it's "detox" that my body is getting rid of toxins because of his treatment, but I wonder if it's just a continuation of my 10 months of symptoms, and if anything is really changing for the better. One of my main concerns is: whether I should be doing a yeast protocol. I test off the charts on Crooks questionairre, but the chinese dr. doesn't think it is my problem (how does he know), and the GI doctors I have seen are clueless about that (I saw one 2 days ago who prescribed Klonopin and told me to take Benefiber. Idiot). I just don't want to waste any more time, but I'd also like to have faith in my chinese dr. and trust that he knows... I am not on any anti-fungals, or natural herbal remedies for yeast overgrowth. It seems that many of my symptoms could be related to systemic yeast overgrowth. So, I have tested pos. for bacterial overgrowth, but how do I know if it is yeast or other? I am so frustrated and want/need to get better as I am often non/low functioning. Does anyone else have similar concerns or experiences? I feel like I am digging around in the dark. I want to do what would be the best treatment for me, but I don't know what that is... I think half the battle is finding the right people to help you...
Hi
all those symtons i have. back pain,pain in left side, sleep problems,anxiety,musle tightness.breathing tightens up.
trying not to take medicine,doing yoga,taking vitamins.
kathy
Hi renee faucher
I just rememebered some other things that helped me. this is good book recipes for IBS by Ashley Koff,r.d. its hard to find some of the ingrediants new seasons was a good store.
I looked at alot of books on ibs that was the best for helping my symtons. lots of ginger good for Ibs. plus another thing was no caffine or alcohol that brought on anxiety. i read in this one book female hormones helped. I'm on 50mg propgesterone, low dose estrogen (bioideticals) through a natural path,that helped me the most over viatamins. You get all your nutrients from your intestines.
the vitamins get depleted from anxeity. Alcohol brings on depression. I take Jarrows same. plus uber rest thrptonphan ,helps with sleep. once i got on hormones my sleep go better. castor oil rubbed on your back and 30 min on heating pad helped inflamation on my back. by doing all this it just made my ISBS manageable so i don't take drugs from drs. maybe down the road i will have to but its ok now. I'm going to work everyday. I hope this helps. one more thing getting away from added junk in foods. shop trader joes,new seasons.organic food. take fiber and i'm free of constapation diarea. gotta go katht
Ask your gi doc about flora-q2 . Its worth it!
I was diagnosed with bacterial overgrowth a few months ago, i had a antibiotics cure for a week, it didnt help. I still need a checkup to see how i react to the followup with lactulose. I have been home for a year now, weak and losing faith in the doctors. Has anybody experienced jointpain, skin burning and sore eyes? Sleeping bad is also sucking out my energy. My stool is soft and foul smelling, gas is terrible and the feeling keeps me constant under stress. Can anybody give me some advice??
I don't have near the extreme problems indicated here, but this is the first night I've heard of SIBO which I need to do some further digging on. My story is I had a cold which rolled into a sinus infection which brought the antibiotics which triggered searing heartburn in March 2 years ago. I ended up on Prilosec and in that September started having lots of upper intestinal rumbling and discomfort such that I couldn't sleep. The docs gave me the same 'ol same 'ol - I ended up spending a bit of time and money on tests which I didn't have much of either at the time. I ended up at the bookstore to treat myself and came across No More Heartburn by Sherry Rogers. Highly recommend this book. Although the book is titled heartburn she addresses many intestinal disorders and lists many supplements and basic approaches. She bashes all the heartburn meds, gets into gut permeability, and does talk about candida which I wonder about. Based on the book I threw Prilosec in the trash immediately and got on DGL and gritted my teeth with the heartburn. I eliminated dairy from the diet and was better after 3-4 days and then ended up removing wheat/gluten from my diet - it took 3 one week cycles as I'd revert back to old habits when I started feeling better. 4 weeks after starting DGL the heartburn was gone and I haven't had substantial issues since. I've essentially been gluten free for 2 years but still have some sensitivities which result in my small intestine getting tight and sometimes incomplete digestion which I can't find anything about on the web. Their seems to be a link with SIBO and post gluten free issues. I can tolerate dairy, but sometimes need to back off of it. One thing I did have prior was Hashimotos (hypothyroid) which is an autoimmune disorder. Very few sites make the link, but celiac is also an autoimmune disorder and it is my opinion that the gluten is a root cause of many of the autoimmune disorders such as Hashimotos, arthritis, etc. If you have substantial symptoms/disease and eat gluten I would recommend cross referencing a search with your disorder with autoimmune and see what pops up. A prior post mentions Benefiber - lo and behold that is based on wheat germ and although may be listed as gluten free the jury is out. Lost a night's sleep on that one... Hope the narrative helps. It seems people miss what's right under their nose: I had a guide last year that came down with diverticulosis. I asked him if he was on any heartburn meds and he said he started Prilosec 3 months before the diverticulosis started and was still using it. Neither he nor the docs made a connection and probably neither would I before I read Rogers.
HELP.
Are any of you British?
I only ask because you all talk of being "diagnosed" with SIBO, yet I cannot find a doctor here in the UK willing to entertain the idea, let alone do the breath test.
I am at the stage where I am ready to travel anywhere in the UK for a second opinion. Can anyone help?
Cheers
ALAN
Martin et al,
I have managed to control my SIBO (?) through diet alone, as here in the UK the doctors won't listen.
You can read all about it in the long running blog - "A classic conversation with a doctor" here in IBStales.
I hope this helps. If any of it sounds familiar please feel free to email me for further details (alanandhilary@hotmail.com).
Cheers
ALAN
Just an update on my SIBO. I am still taking antibotics for it. My doctor gave me a heavy dose of xifixan 2 tablets 4x daily (1600mg daily) and it made a difference for a while. The Xifixan controlls my syptoms but does not cure it. I have been doing research on the Mayo Clinic website and they have used this dosage in several studies. I have also, added flora Q to help add good bacteria back and started taking amiteza to keep things moving!! I am now on a dose of augminten/flagyl for a week and my doctor wants to continue a round of antibotics 1 week out of each month for 6 months and retest. The augminten/flagyl combo is making me feel Yuky but my 10 days are almost over. I dont think SIBO will ever go away. Im afraid that once you have it you always will. In a few months if things don't get better I'm headed for the Mayo Clinic. Has anyone else tried this combo of medicne??
Hi have read all the above and I an so pleased to see that I do not live alone. I have had scopes and have been told I have IBS, Diver- Loops in intestines. I have been on many antibotics to help but the pain rules-have severe adhesions in the intestines. from previous surgeries- The pain is extreme and after a "lapro" I was told that the scar tissue had grown through the intestines like a tree branch.
There was some cutting done and for a month I felt better then symptoms hit again. There is so much infection in me that I can take an ice pack put in on the spot (right side) and it will melt in less than 5 minutes. I am bloated and have gained weight. I am a sparodic eater and I think this has alot to do with my condition. I have started to take supplements (natural) and I feel a little better I also have acid reflux and I have to be careful with what I eat (medication provided)
And I thought I was alone. My Dr. is very good and tries to help but
I am a believer that you have to live with it. I think I have massive overgrowth of bacteria and take "apro" etc to help. The pain is very real
Hello,
I have been having symptoms of really bad gas especially from my stomach, fatige, some diarreha, alot of nausea, losing weight,body aches, ect. I have been diagnosed with SIBO,I am on an antibiotic, I would suggest you go to a holistic doctor and be tested for parasites. Ifound out I had two different kinds, still working on getting rid of the second one. This has been going on for over two months now. I have ok days and some really bad days. I have been out of work for several weeks. It has given me anxiety and frustration.It makes me fell better knowing there are others out there with bad intestinal problems. Gos Bless to all of you.
Cyndy
intestinal overgrowth
I have'nt been officially diagnosed with intestinal overgrowth but i have all the symtons. I have been taking symbion (super Probiotic). Its been working well but was still having issues. I started to take ultimate ph balnace.(perfect alkalinity for life) I think my body was too acidic. my ph was 6.5. Anything over 7 is better. the combo of these 2 products are really good. I can't always be on a good diet so these products help. I don't want to get on drugs. the anxeity is almost cleared up. im going to purchase the natural product for anxeity recomened on this sight and see if it helps even more. Just wanted to share what i have been learning and doing. this site has helped me out so much. thanks sophie
After reading all the comments on this subject I wanted to tell my "journey" on this issue. I had been suffering chronic digestive issues for about 2 years. I initially got food poisoning and was treated with Flagyl. The Flagyl worked in treating the immediate sypmptoms, but cramping, bloating,gerd, weight loss, and fatigue continued. Tried antacids, pepcid, protonix..all didn't work...will never use them again. It got to the point where it started to affect my social life. I started to do research on the subject and found an amazing GI. I took the breath teast for SIBO and the results where off the chart. It was a relief to finally have an answer. My GI put me on neomycin for two weeks and it was amazing difference. I don't think drugs on their own work. I started taking probiotics and fiber pills. I also cut out wheat and started yoga. I have been symptom free for 6 months. Everybody is different so these steps may not work for everyone... I just know that there is no "magic bullet", the solution needs to be a change in lifestyle.
I also have been diagnosed with bacterial overgrowth which antibiotics did not help much so I am trying peppermint oil and I feel that it is helping me abit, not recommended for everyone. Look up natural help for bacterial overgrowth in small intestine or peppermint oil for bacterial overgrowth. Always check with your Doctor before trying anything new!
My husband has been suffering from severe gastro disorder for 3 years now. Its completely ruined our lives. He has bad bloating, constant fatigue and bad brainfog. He has not been diagnosed with SIBO but I suspect that is what he has. He had a fructose intolerance test which was off the scale this measures the hydrogen in your breath after ingesting glucose I think - is this the same test? We are off to see a very good dr in QLD in 2 weeks who thinks he might have a systematic yeast infection. He has also started the SCD and taking a yoghurt product called progurt (very expensive) since starting these things his fatigue has been worse than ever I think he is having severe die off. It all really sucks but we wont stop till we have an answer for this.
Having suffered many if not all of the symptoms described as well as SIBO diagnosis and at this point 6 rounds of antibiotics in one year - I have decided to try the diet described in the book called Stop the Vicious Cycle. It is called the specific carbohydrate diet - you can search the web and there are many sites. The theory is based on eliminating from the diet all of the goodies that the bacteria love - thereby starving them. It isn't easy, as absolutely no grains are allowed. I have friends who are completely controlling their Chron's disease through diet. Check it out - as this antibiotic merry-go-round just doesn't seem to be a cure. Good luck to all of you.
Nancy keep us posted on the new diet you are trying out. I was diagnosed with SIBO over a year ago. I had a severe abdominal and went to the emergency room. I was so bloated - I looked like I was pregnant. I lost about 10lbs because my stomach hurt everytime I ate. GI doctor ran about a month of test and diagnosed SIBO. After a year of 4 rounds of antibiotics the symptoms always come back. I will look into this diet as well. Thanks for the suggestion.