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4630695 tn?1357357910

Small Intestinal Overgrowth Concern!!!! I want my life back!

I am a 28 yr old female who is type 1 diabetic as well. Just recently, i was diagnosed with slow digestion which gave me bacterial overgrowth. I had extreme diarrhea everyday and sometimes vomiting for 7 weeks before i was prescribed Xifaxan. I immediately started feeling better after the first dose.

About two weeks after Xifaxan, i woke up with diarrhea again but just for a day. I was told to take Florastor, i am. After that i was constipated for 6 days until today that i have been going to the bathroom all day. First it was normal, now its diarrhea. Im pretty sure its from being constipated for so long and my slow digestion.I have had diarrhea about once or twice a day since that and excessive gasses and flatulence that can be used as a weapon of mass destruction. I know it may sound funny but i feel like i cant even live my life or even date because of these issues. I need to know what can i do to improve my digestion or what to take to make things better in the long run. I have probiotics from RenewLife called critical colon and idk if i should start taking it? Any advice is well appreciated. Thanks!
3 Responses
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974371 tn?1424653129
Wish I had read this sooner.  I've posted a lot here and on the IBS forum.  Been having major stomach and bowel issues since August. Long story, you can check my posts. They've about done every test, just had a capsule endoscopy done Friday, no results yet.  Breath test showed I had bacterial overgrowth and was put on 10 days of Xifaxan.  Felt a little better fir a few days then got bad again.  3weeks later put on 14 days of Xifaxan  I am on day 10 and am getting worse and worse. I even called the on call doc this morning.  I see a specialist in San Francisco, a Dr. Snape.  He is supposed to be good but now I don't see a lot of good reviews. I have had to wait 2 months for this appt.
I am going to look up that diet.  I have been using Gas-X more and more but still wake up in the middle of the night sweating, nauseated and bloated.
Hope someone can figure this out fir all of us. Not happy about taking this antibiotic and feeling worse.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth is difficult to shift and can return. You may need a further course of Xifaxan which is the best thing for it. At the same time you need to stop feeding the bacteria so check out the Simplified Carbohydrate Diet (SCD).
If you are the the US look up Dr M Pimentel he is an expert on SIBO, he is at the Mt Sinai medical centre. He has written a book and published quite a few clinical papers.
Good luck.
Helpful - 0
1711789 tn?1361308007
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi there!

Well, without a clinical evolution it would be difficult to determine the cause of your symptoms. Possibilities that may need to be considered include dietary causes, GI infections, inflammations, GI motility issues, IBS, growths/ masses, hormonal/ endocrine abnormalities, medication side effect etc. I would suggest getting this evaluated by a gastroenterologist for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate management.
Hope this is helpful.

Take care!
Helpful - 0
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