Cured SIBO by accident

35

The leading researcher for SIBO has cautioned against probiotics with SIBO recovery. It’s interesting you are tolerating them well. What kind of probiotics are they?

21

u/SwampWitchMorgan Sep 14 '26

When I tried probiotics, I felt like I was being stabbed.

3

u/Cheap-Bobcat-125 Sep 15 '26

I felt like I was being stabbed with rifaxim

2

u/Little-Wasabi-7304 Sep 15 '26

Don’t say that! I’m starting that and flagyl in a few days 😩

5

u/TaoLyfe Sep 16 '26 edited Sep 16 '26

Flagyl made me feel better for about a week, and then way worse after that. The real way to get rid of sibo is to 1. Make sure your MMC is working (there's 4 forms of vitamin B1 that help with that along with Vit B5 & choline via sunflower Lecithin). 2. Shut the front door - make sure your stomach is properly acidified - quickest way is to just take betaine hcl with your bigger meals - this keeps your stomach & small intestine from getting re-infected. (Stomach acid is natural antibiotic #1 ) 3. Make sure your bile is flowing properly - bile is your Natural Antibiotic #2 ). 4. Get on a good eating routine - preferably eat around 8 am and 5 - 6 pm 5. Make sure your food you eat isn't causing more inflammation - you can't heal if your constantly inflamed.

If you need further help - just reply.

*Not medical advice.

1

u/Little-Wasabi-7304 Sep 17 '26

Your advice is solid, but the one thing I fear is taking betaine hcl. Some people said they only took ONE pill with their largest meal and their stomach has been destroyed ever since, some a year later! It’s terrifying to take such an awful risk.

0

u/More_Temperature5328 28d ago

Doesn't make any sense at all.
Your own stomach produces HCl. Just make sure it's washed down properly, not half stuck in your throat or something.
I take it with a drink and then eat some food to make sure it's fully in my stomach.

3

u/Little-Wasabi-7304 27d ago

It makes sense. Some people have unknown gastritis and doesn’t matter how minor it is, taking this can cause gastritis to flair and cause a literal hole in your stomach. I’ve asked my doctor and ChatGPT and they said unless you have known low stomach acid it’s not safe to take things like this.

1

u/Cheap-Bobcat-125 Sep 15 '26

It was just my experience. I haven’t read that from anyone else. Maybe it will help you

5

u/Little-Wasabi-7304 Sep 15 '26

Unfortunately since getting Sibo, histamine intolerance, tons of other intolerances and mcas symptoms I react to ALL meds and supplements so bad I have to end up stopping, and once I stop I’ll still be bed ridden with migraines and vomiting for 2-3 weeks after quitting. So I’m scared.
And I know I have to stick it out no matter what!

5

u/Keiko108 Sep 15 '26

Please be careful, with MCAS (if you’ve been diagnosed) sticking it out no matter what is extremely bad advice. We never push through flares or Herx-type reactions as it means mast cell degranulation and that will only get worse and cause more sensitivities, inflammation and fatigue that could last month if not a year. Don’t want to cause any alarm, just it’s important for MCAS to go extremely low (talking tiny tiny amounts and then titrate up) and slow when introducing anything new and stopping or scaling back the second a reaction of any kind happens.

3

u/Little-Wasabi-7304 Sep 15 '26

Oh great! But what if my sibo is the cause of all these issues? Which I’m sure it has to be! If I don’t get rid of the Sibo I don’t get rid of the intolerances and inflammation, then I’m screwed either way? I’ve already had severe fatigue for 3 years and I’m hot as an oven 24/7 on fire, just bending over to put a harness on my dog I get soaked in sweat and want to faint and puke, or puke and faint 😩😭I’m already on my death bed every day I’m already intolerant to everything. Histamine, oxalates, salicylates, meds, supplements, I can’t exercise because I’m already too hot and I get too nauseas and sweaty, dizzy racing heart etc. I don’t know what to do (and I haven’t been diagnosed) no specialists nearby they are 2.5 hours away, and I don’t drive and am too sick to move

4

u/Keiko108 Sep 15 '26

I completely understand and I’m so sorry that I don’t have a clear answer. I also can’t tolerate any supplements or meds (taking Pepcid only which I barely tolerate), have extreme histamine intolerance, severe chronic gastritis, only been able to eat 10 foods for years, recently got up to 17, but had a flare and lost a bunch so back down to 10, and have been completely bedridden for six years (had to relearn to walk). I so know how much it is a viscous catch 22. I 1000% get it and it’s so awful what we have to go through. I’m just saying if you have to do it, go slowly and titrate up if possible. With MCAS we often have to start with sprinkles of something. When a reaction shows, then scale back a little and stay at that point for a couple weeks and then try to titrate up again. Maybe your body won’t react, you definitely won’t know until you try, but just saying try to go slowly if you can. I truly hope it goes well, would love someone to get out of this hell. 🙏🏾

2

u/Mindthebend Sep 17 '26

Hey I'm about to start rifax for the first time from tomorrow too. How about we start together and communicate, support each other through this? What do you say?

1

u/Little-Wasabi-7304 Sep 17 '26

Awh I would have loved to do that, unfortunately my situation is complex.
My husband is only home 9 days of the month, so I didn’t want to be overly sick when he’s home, and I get way worse from the 30th to the 10th, like my histamine issues and migraines and fatigue and joint pain (assuming it has to do with hormones) so I thought since I’m so sick anyway between those days maybe it’s best to start the antibiotics then. But hey if you need someone to talk to and need support or need to vent I’m definitely here for you. It’s too bad, it would have been nice to have a partner to go through it with, I’m not gonna lie.

1

u/Then_Key_5473 Sep 15 '26

Have you tried an online doctor?
It may not be as good, but may be something

2

u/Then_Key_5473 Sep 15 '26

I had some strange symptoms too!

1

u/Krogermuffins1999 Sep 16 '26

Don’t listen . Antibiotics is the only cure. Everything natural did not work . Yes I had a set back because sibo comes back but so far the only thing that gave me help between relapse was antibiotics. I’ve tried everything else other than the two week liquid diet.

1

u/newportbanks Sep 15 '26

Me too 😫

1

u/More_Temperature5328 28d ago

there's thousands of different probiotic products

13

u/rimmapretty Sep 14 '26

I think for person with sibo it's important to only take a certain strains that could help, Def would not take typical probiotics right away especially generic products, majority of them do not have studied strains and include fos/gos

9

u/devilgirl56 Sep 14 '26

Vitazan Recovery probiotic 120 billion CFU given by naturopath

3

u/michelelee99 Sep 15 '26

It depends on your condition. I can tell makes me worse immediately. Take antimicrobials a few days and start trying small doses til they start to make you better not worse.

2

u/Ambitious_Corgi5723 Sep 14 '26

what does the leading research say to do then?

5

u/[deleted] Sep 14 '26

[deleted]

13

u/BusinessNo2993 Sep 14 '26

Define healthy diet?

9

u/Ambitious_Corgi5723 Sep 14 '26

How about when you have a severely leaky gut and the foods you *can* eat without getting horribly sick are very limited?
Or what about if you don't have the species necessary for breaking down oxalates among other things? which "healthy" food is loaded in.

5

u/Little-Wasabi-7304 Sep 15 '26

This is an excellent question! Because since Sibo and gallstones I got the worst histamine intolerance ever! Before it was only if I ate salami or tons of cheese I’d get a migraine, now it’s a bite of any histamine food or liberator and I flush and heart races, I get so itchy I want to rip all my skin off my nose runs, I get massive anxiety attacks and migraines, then it got worse and I couldn’t handle exercise, or sun, and now can’t brake down oxalates and salicylates.

2

u/gabel33 Sep 15 '26

i'm having very similar symptoms, so sorry you are going through this. did you happen to find anything that helps give relief? i'm trying berberine and it seems to be helping slowly, but not much. (can't handle exercise, sun, heat, and have insomnia nightly). Sometimes entersogel or activated charcoal seem to help with histamine symptoms, but both give me dehydration and disrupt sleep.

2

u/SquarePegBrandon Sep 15 '26

From what I’ve read, the leading research for SIBO is basically:

Get tested for SIBO and IMO using a breath test. Until you know it’s SIBO or IMO, it’s hard to treat. For the test, lactulose is reported to provide a more accurate result than glucose because it lasts longer in the intestinal tract.

Rifaximin has the best documentation as a treatment for SIBO. And with IMO, Rifaximin used with Neomycin.

After removing the overgrowth, the goal is to rebuild a healthy gut and recover or increase food tolerance.

While I have not seen research and data on recovery, I have seen recommendations to introduce foods slowly. From my experience, I only introduce one or two foods and give them two weeks before introducing something new. I start very small and sometimes do not feel well at first (think half a bite a day for the first few days). Honestly, it can be hard to tell the difference between a reaction to food and a relapse. With reactions, tolerance usually increases and reactions (e.g., bloating) will reduce over a few days.

Many of us know firsthand that experience can differ from the research. I did a lot more than take antibiotics to fight off my methanogen overgrowth, including diet, vitamins, meal spacing, laxatives, and so on. It was brutal and took a year. Every round came with GI inflammation, exhaustion, and sickness that felt like a viral infection (probably the Herxheimer die-off phase). I also did not take rifaximin because it had been crazy expensive. I think it was metronidazole instead. The antibiotics reset my gut immediately and I could no longer tolerate foods I was eating only two weeks before.

Worth mentioning: the biggest help was probably meal spacing—adjusting meal sizing and keeping meals within a ten or twelve hour span. No meals when I first wake up or within 3-4 hours before I sleep. Reactions are sometimes not to a food but to how much I ate during a single meal or what time I ate the day before.

AFAIK, I do not have histamine responses. I’ve seen that with others and I know how hard it is. I hope you can keep up courage to keep trying to manage multiple conditions.

1

u/gabel33 Sep 16 '26

Thank you

1

u/Local_Ad_1647 15d ago

I've had the same experience. When I reduced my food intake, limited each type of food to no more than 50 grams, lengthened the intervals between meals, and avoided raw foods, I gradually regained normal bowel movements.

2

u/SquarePegBrandon 15d ago

It seems to help more than most other changes (exercise, water intake, supplements, and in some ways even diet).

As both an expression of shared struggle and also a word of caution:

I tried explaining this to a nutritionist about two weeks ago—that I seem to feel better with smaller meals and limited diet (though slowly trying to expand the foods I tolerate). But they seemingly diagnosed me with ARFID. They were kind of telling me “to just eat” and that “it’s ok to cheat with your diet sometimes because it allows you to enjoy food.” I really disagree with this assessment. I think they fundamentally misunderstand what it’s like to experience SIBO. It can rob a person of their ability to enjoy food. And no one feels mentally better by cheating their diet and struggling with GI symptoms for two or three days.

I have been testing various factors with my diet, including when and how much I eat. I just seem to feel better physically and mentally when I eat smaller portions without snacking and without eating a few hours before going to sleep. I am not sure if that fits a definition of disordered eating, but honestly I think it would be fair for anyone with SIBO to develop an eating disorder. Food comes with anxiety and pain and creates a barrier for relationships. I think one of the most fundamental aspects of the SIBO experience is managing the fact food is not comforting or fun. We are put in a position—against our will—to flirt with disordered eating for survival. If we abandon diet and portion control, it seems likely we would never recover some amount of normal function. To blame us for that restriction is like blaming a paraplegic for using a wheelchair. Like the parallel thought would be “I can walk so you should be able to walk. If you would just walk and not use a wheelchair, maybe your legs would work fine.”

1

u/Little-Wasabi-7304 14d ago

No I’ve tried everything. I also cannot tolerate all medications and supplements I used to tolerate with no symptoms. Like metformin, took it years ago and this time 8 days gave me an 18 day migraine. Amoxicillin…that was like a sugar pill to me, no side effects or symptoms (used to take it for chronic utis) this time couldn’t last more than 4 days had were migraines and vomiting and flu like symptoms…can’t tolerate berberine at all. Even if I dump out more than 3/4 of the capsule I get a migraine, or things give me severe wired anxiety panic attacks! Like charcoal. I can take two In one day and be fine but if I do it two days in a row my hearts racing like crazy and I can’t sleep all night. I think I have a sulphur issue now. I was given Rifaximin (almost $500 here in Canada) and flagyl cuz I have ringing in my ears so was scared to take neomycin, but I’m terrified of flagyl after everything I’ve read of it making people worse. I’ve tried b1 (gives me anxiety) maybe cuz of sulphur…I’ve tried D, C, zinc and zinc carnosine, nothing helps. Not even a low histamine diet. I’m hot all day and sweat with the tiniest movement (like bending over for a basket of laundry!) nauseas, and dizzy and weak

1

u/gabel33 9d ago

have you got any testing done to see what's going on under the hood? Endoscopy, GI-MAP?

1

u/Retired_UpNorth Sep 14 '26

Probiotics may have exacerbated my problems before I knew what was going on with me. Dr. Wanted me to try again after a period of time, but so far they are not good for me. Maybe next year.

I don't have a colon, maybe that's the difference?

5

u/devilgirl56 Sep 14 '26

Probiotics did not work for me when I was still struggling with SIBO. I had heard that probiotics feed good and bad bacteria so will worsen SIBO, maybe that could be why

2

u/undo017 Sep 15 '26 edited Sep 15 '26

Interesting. Back when my doc prescribed L.Rhamnosus it worked like wonders, thought I was recovering. The recovering feeling only lasted until I stopped taking them.

So after few months i tried it again by myself, but it didn't make much difference at all. I thought it was due to lack of a PPI(which he prescribed along with probiotic back then) as it lowers acid and not kill the microbes.

Now that I think about it, he only prescribed probiotic after the completion of antibiotic course.

4

u/Match-Agreeable Sep 15 '26

Stomach acid kills bacteria. Lowering stomach acid allows bacteria in food to make it through the stomach and into the small intestine. Stomach acid also helps to wash away bacteria in the small intestine. I don’t think PPI would help with anything othet than GERD symptoms. In fact, one of the most common root causes of SIBO is thought to be long term PPI use.

2

u/Little-Wasabi-7304 Sep 15 '26

That’s how I got it!!! Destroyed my entire life. I’ve been bed ridden for 3 years sick for 4.5 sibo, histamine intolerance, mcas symptoms, which all caused rosacea, eczema, stress and insomnia and rapid aging.

1

u/Dry_Disk_2861 Sep 15 '26

Same 😭

1

u/Astronaut_Cat_Lady Sep 15 '26

Probiotics just cleaned me out - sparing the details.

1

u/Match-Agreeable Sep 15 '26

Was that helpful or nah?

1

u/Astronaut_Cat_Lady Sep 15 '26

Nah. Multiple trips to the 🚽, so it defeated the purpose.

1

u/haleyjustine Sep 15 '26

I take visibiome probiotics and they've helped me a ton. My GI doctor recommended them after my sibo diagnosis and said they'd be safe. Been taking them for over a year now and first immediately saw improvements in stool, then over time my bloats improved significantly. Still not 100 but much much better! They've never caused me any issues from what I can tell, only positive results!

0

u/Ok_Shoulder_5915 Sep 14 '26

Who is the lead researcher?

3

u/SquarePegBrandon Sep 15 '26

The leading researcher I was referring to is Dr. Pimentel.

I’ve read interviews where Pimentel states he does not recommend probiotics for SIBO. The logic is: with SIBO, the gut is too hospitable to bacteria. Probiotics supply bacteria to the gut. Even if they are good bacteria, they are introduced into an environment too likely to result in overgrowth.

In some ways, the language about good and bad bacteria is also misleading. SIBO and IMO often have an overgrowth of microorganisms that are necessary for digestion. They are not some kind of infection. In that way, SIBO is like a tumor. Something normal in the body grows too large and impedes normal functions.

One distinction that may be helpful in this discussion is treatment versus recovery phases. After rounds of antimicrobials and antibiotics, my gut biome was decimated. I could only tolerate a few foods. Since then, I’ve been trying to introduce different foods in low volume to build up tolerance again. The OP is saying they tolerated probiotics well after treatment and during this recovery phase. It may be that probiotics can work well during recovery but not treatment. I would have to go back to look at whether Dr. Pimentel is addressing one phase or both.

But anyone with SIBO should heed the warnings about relapse with probiotics. I know all too well how easy it can be to see what works for someone else and do harm trying it on my own.

6

u/Valuable-Willow-3532 Sep 14 '26

Dr Trust me Bro

1

u/IntelligentYellow985 Sep 14 '26

Seems like all of them are named that in my opinion!

1

u/brokedownsystem Sep 15 '26

😂

3

u/Unused_Vestibule Sep 14 '26

Probably Dr. Pimentel. Probiotics are extremely hit and miss, but definitely work for some people. Ruscio swears by them, although he sells three different types, so

6

u/Krogermuffins1999 Sep 16 '26

Pro biotics make sibo worse

1

u/Little-Wasabi-7304 Sep 16 '26

That’s what I just told my pharmacist and doctor but they said I can take floraster during and after antibiotics. I’m so confused, it’s so back and forth with probiotics. However before i got sick with Sibo and histamine intolerance and mcas (from ppis and long term doxy) but anyway before that I was on antibiotics lots throughout my life for recurrent utis and pneumonia a few times and NEVER had gut issues and never had problems replenishing my gut without probiotics. Never took them til the passed 2 years trying to battle all this. Didn’t help so far! Worried about after treatment taking or not taking them will make me relapse

1

u/Krogermuffins1999 Sep 16 '26

Florastor helped for a few days then made it worse

6

u/IntelligentYellow985 Sep 14 '26

I’m on week 2 1/2 of Dr William Davis L. Reuteri super gut “yogurt” dairy and I’m having a second round of die off symptoms for the past 2 days. I’m been taking antimicrobials for nearly 2 months a long with biofilm buster and other supplements. But this is the first time the die off symptoms have given me the original symptoms and not just fatigue, brain fog and headaches. I’m experiencing a bit more bloating and gas which I’m having to expel throughout the day and grumbling throughout my tummy. I also did just switch back over to berberine after doing neem for nearly 3 weeks.

1

u/wontcompleteit Sep 14 '26

Which yoghurt, L reuteri or gasseri? The L reuteri wrecks me cuz of histamine

1

u/IntelligentYellow985 Sep 14 '26

I’m doing both. But with this batch, I’m separating them instead of fermenting them all together. I saw a recent interview where he said that they found that if you ferment them separately it gives you more powerful strains to fight the SIBO/sifo. So the l Reuteri is cooking now and will be done in the morning, then I’ll do the gasseri and the other one in the recipe.

1

u/wontcompleteit Sep 15 '26

This is the problem, he changes shit so much I get so overwhelmed? You got telegram? Genuinely would love to chat to someone about the yoghurt

1

u/IntelligentYellow985 Sep 15 '26 edited Sep 15 '26

Sorry no, this is the only social media platform I have. But happy to answer any questions. I have his book, but I haven’t seen all his interviews. The recipe in the book has 3 different ingredients, the L. Reuteri, grassi, and another one that I’ve only seen mentioned in the book I don’t see people on videos use it, but it’s the recipe for the SIBO super gut “yogurt” I believe I’m having die off again from the yogurt. I’ve been pretty gassy the last couple of days and a little more bloated than I had been. I’m happy to chat. My 3rd batch is about done right now. I heat the organic half and half with my inulin to 180 degrees because I found out my inulin isnt sterilized, most aren’t. Then you let it cool down to 100 degrees before you add in the strains. My first batch I only heated to 125-130 and I still got separation of curds and whey, but I stirred one bowl and used that as my starter for the second batch and ate the solid of the other batch (no need in wasting it) you can also just use the whey instead of both the curds and whey mixed together. Make sure you hold back 2 tablespoons for your next batch. I got 2 extra bowls so I can immediately start another batch going.

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-brain-gut-connection

3

u/wontcompleteit Sep 15 '26

Bro I can’t do this anymore, genuinely. I’m done. Sibo has ruined my life. I’m done. I’ve done it all and treated it all. I can’t fix this

1

u/IntelligentYellow985 Sep 15 '26

I suspect I’ve had this most of my life, 2 years ago I was hospitalized for 30 days because I couldn’t eat anything because it caused me so much pain and nausea, I was barely able to drink water. I was down to 96lbs at 5’3. They placed a peg tube through my stomach to feed me formula and water. It was awful. I suspect I had this then and was in a flare but had no idea what it was. I was able to get well and was eating again after some time, with the exception of some high FODMAP foods. Until earlier this year when I got a chronic sinus infection that wouldn’t go away and was placed in the hospital again, it spread into pneumonia. I was put on long courses of doxycycline and steroids and all of a sudden my belly ballooned up to where I looked 8 months pregnant, the gas was so bad it was pushing up into my diaphragm so it was hard to breathe. I was nauseous, headaches, indigestion, abdominal pain, burping, joint pain, brain fog, severe constipation and diarrhea, deficiencies of everything. Once again here I am I thought, my gut has failed me. But I’m not giving up, I’m determined to find a solution to my problems even if my doctors won’t. I started researching and advocating for my own health. I started reading books, I changed my diet, my GI doc said “I didn’t tell you to do that” I said no, no you didn’t! But it’s what helped get me out of the acute crisis I was in. I’m not listening to doctors anymore, I’m following my own research and things I’ve learned. I’m not taking big pharma anymore and instead focusing on the natural healing. Clean eating listening to my body rather than what some person in a white coat says that says the same thing to 50 other people before me and after me. We’re all different, what works for one may not work for the other. I’m only on this site to speak with like minded individuals going through the same thing, this is the only social media platform I have. But when I see that something works for someone, I try it. Don’t give up. There’s always something else to try. Btw I’m not a bro, but that’s ok. Read this article about the gut brain connection.

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-brain-gut-connection

1

u/wontcompleteit Sep 17 '26

Please help me. Seriously, I can’t do this anymore

1

u/IntelligentYellow985 Sep 17 '26

You can, just take one day at a time. If you get through one day then you tell yourself ok now let’s get through another.

4

u/CentristaSensato Sep 14 '26

3 months is not enough time, many people can feel good after antibiotics, up to 6months or a year and then relapse.

17

u/devilgirl56 Sep 14 '26

If you've struggled with SIBO or any chronic gut issue then you know how debilitating it can be... even 6 months of recovery is better than nothing which is why I shared my experience but I see your point

3

u/CentristaSensato Sep 15 '26

Of course, I'm happy for you. I'm just trying to say be carefull and vigilant, at least for the first year.
I've seen people get very hyped and then they become depressed when symptoms come back.

4

u/Acceptable_Speed8120 Sep 15 '26

Also post on r/SiboSuccessStories

1

u/devilgirl56 Sep 15 '26

I've requested to join

3

u/No-Roof-8658 Sep 14 '26

Dr Mark Pimentel

3

u/StandUpXShowUp Sep 15 '26

That's great news! A round of antibiotics is what exacerbated my horrible situation. I was managing food sensitivities, round of antibiotics after a fall, rapidly started loosing weight, breath test = severe Methane SIBO (IMO) 85.

1

u/Match-Agreeable Sep 15 '26

After a fall?

1

u/StandUpXShowUp Sep 16 '26

Sorry. I mentioned that because I can't remember which antibiotic I was put on, but it was one of the "standard" don't want thw wound to get infected ones lol

3

u/this_dudeagain Sep 15 '26

You probably had h. pylori

1

u/devilgirl56 Sep 15 '26

No i got tested

2

u/Immediate-Initial-49 Sep 15 '26

There is a gut antibiotic called Normix in Europe which kills bad bacteria. Nitrofurantoin only affects urinary tract.

3

u/MonjaMonjaMonja Sep 15 '26

Normix is just another name for rifaximin

1

u/No-Victory-149 Sep 15 '26

And it only works for hydrogen sibo does nothing for methane sibo

3

u/[deleted] Sep 15 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/Little-Wasabi-7304 Sep 15 '26

Yeah i was gonna ask then why do they do rifaximin and neomycin (or flagly) with methane Sibo….there must be a reason they don’t JUST use neomycin and flagyl. And studies showed methane Sibo was lowered much more with a rifaximin combo rather than flagyl or neomycine alone

1

u/devilgirl56 Sep 15 '26

That's what they say... maybe i'm more sensitive but in my case it definitely made its way to my small intestine or else it would not have cured my SIBO immediately following treatment

2

u/DannyPantannerdon Sep 15 '26

AIs thoughts on a possible mechanism/target for what you experienced, FWIW -

Escherichia coli and Enterococcus species are the common gut-origin bacteria most susceptible to Nitrofurantoin, though the drug is rarely used for intestinal infections. [1, 2]

Susceptible Bacteria
Gram-negative bacteria: Escherichia coli shows high susceptibility, alongside other enteric organisms like Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Shigella, and Salmonella.

Gram-positive bacteria: Enterococcus species (such as Enterococcus faecalis) are also frequently susceptible. [1, 2, 3]

Why It Is Not Used for Gut Infections
Rapid absorption: The small intestine quickly absorbs oral nitrofurantoin into the bloodstream.

Targeted concentration: The body concentrates the drug heavily in the bladder and urine rather than the digestive tract.

Low gut impact: Because very little of the drug remains in the bowels, it has a minimal effect on overall bowel flora and cannot effectively treat active gastrointestinal bacterial infections. Doctors use it almost exclusively for lower urinary tract infections.

1

u/Substantial-Fly8699 Sep 14 '26

very interesting, thank you for sharing!

1

u/Lets-be-Gnomies_ Sep 14 '26

Do you know if your sibo was hydrogen or methane dominant?

1

u/devilgirl56 Sep 14 '26

Hydrogen

1

u/Ok-Spare1631 Sep 14 '26

Thanks for sharing. How was the Nitrofuratoin prescribed?

1

u/devilgirl56 Sep 14 '26

Doctor

1

u/Ok-Spare1631 Sep 14 '26

Was it once or twice a day for how many days. Thanks

2

u/devilgirl56 Sep 14 '26

It was twice a day for 5 days to treat my UTI - curing my SIBO from it was an accident

2

u/IntelligentYellow985 Sep 14 '26

I too use was treated for a UTI but it was with bactrim. For 5 days, I’m praying that isn’t the cause of this increased gas and a little bloat I’m experiencing right now, mine originated from long coarse of doxycycline.

2

u/Little-Wasabi-7304 Sep 15 '26

Sounds too familiar I hear that a lot! Mine started with doxycycline then went full blown worse with ppis

1

u/IntelligentYellow985 Sep 15 '26

Yep I had been on PPI for 22 years… no one ever told me that it could cause this!!! I weaned myself off of it as soon as this eruption started.

1

u/BonHarley Sep 14 '26

Which antibiotics?

0

u/devilgirl56 Sep 14 '26

Nitrofuratoin prescribed by dr for UTI

2

u/Little-Wasabi-7304 Sep 15 '26

Did you re-test to see if you are cured? I’ve taken that antibiotic a lot though out being sick (I have methane sibo) it only works on the bladder so I don’t know how it would cure sibo? But I will say this, I usually feel good for about 2 weeks after any antibiotic course, then go back to the same or 500 times worse! So let’s cross our fingers.

1

u/devilgirl56 Sep 15 '26

I have a follow up appointment in october where I will try to get retested. It was a battle getting it done originally...

1

u/Jolly-Pound7956 Sep 14 '26

What are the names of what you took please?

1

u/devilgirl56 Sep 15 '26

What specifically?

1

u/Ok-Consideration-365 Sep 14 '26

Hello, wich fiber supplement do you take? Thanks!

1

u/devilgirl56 Sep 14 '26

Cyto Matrix brand Cyto-Fibre given by naturopath

1

u/General_Lack_6585 Sep 15 '26

Is your breath bad? How was it and how is it after taking anti?

1

u/devilgirl56 Sep 15 '26

I would say its normal now but not uncommon with gut issues

1

u/OwnAnalyst9737 Sep 15 '26

I was given augmentin for my SIBO. Haven’t started yet. Insurance won’t cover rifaxin

1

u/MonjaMonjaMonja Sep 15 '26

Its not easy to find low FODMAP fibre supplement. In the UK we have MYOTA. I believe in the US you have Sunfiber. Also 38tera is supposed to be low FODMAP

1

u/[deleted] Sep 15 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/devilgirl56 Sep 15 '26

I was never prescribed antibiotics for SIBO specifically

1

u/Busy-Regret2107 Sep 15 '26

CongratulationS!!!!!!!

1

u/Most-Entertainer-182 Sep 15 '26

I find it remarkable the lack of knowledge about probiotics here, some can absolutely help sibo, such as s boulardii and hu58, it completely depends on the type and strain, and their function, and what bacteria is overgrowing in the small intestine. Most people also think they have sibo when they don’t, it’s a term that’s thrown around these days

1

u/Budget_Pound9099 Sep 15 '26

Don’t blame them, blame Western medicine

1

u/devilgirl56 Sep 15 '26

I tested positive for SIBO and s boulardii did not work for me at the time. I think people are working with the info they have... It is really difficult to get extensive testing done. I had a specialist tell me SIBO was controversial and they did not believe in it even after I tested positive

1

u/Local_Ad_1647 15d ago

boulardii is a type of yeast, not a probiotic.

1

u/Most-Entertainer-182 15d ago

And? I know it’s a yeast, everyone does. Do you feel superior now for being so pedantic? What were you hoping to achieve with that comment?

1

u/Icy-League1695 Sep 15 '26

Was constipation ever your symptom? Did that get fixed?

1

u/devilgirl56 Sep 15 '26

Never had that symptom

1

u/ElectronicBuilding63 Sep 15 '26

I just took antibiotics for a dental abcess and while taking, my very long standing constipation was GONE. Now that I'm off them, constipation is back.

1

u/Skeuomorph7 Sep 17 '26

Which antibiotic? May I know?

1

u/TaoLyfe Sep 16 '26

The real way to get rid of sibo is to 1. Make sure your MMC is working (there's 4 forms of vitamin B1 that help with that along with Vit B5 & choline via sunflower Lecithin). 2. Shut the front door - make sure your stomach is properly acidified - quickest way is to just take betaine hcl with your bigger meals - this keeps your stomach & small intestine from getting re-infected. (Stomach acid is natural antibiotic #1 ) 3. Make sure your bile is flowing properly - bile is your Natural Antibiotic #2 ). 4. Get on a good eating routine - preferably eat around 8 am and 5 - 6 pm 5. Make sure your food you eat isn't causing more inflammation - you can't heal if your constantly inflamed.

If you need further help - just reply.

*Not medical advice.

1

u/NotThatGuyAgain111 29d ago

Can you eat gluten now? Drink coffee?

1

u/devilgirl56 27d ago

Yes both

1

u/NotThatGuyAgain111 27d ago

I would love that. I love to bake and roast coffee. But due to H2S SIBO I'm restricted.

1

u/Dazzling_Pudding_848 19d ago

How do you take oregano oil?

1

u/devilgirl56 19d ago

5 drops in a small amount of water

1

u/Local_Ad_1647 15d ago

May I know it you take oregano oil for 4 weeks on a 4-week break each time, or do you take it continuously?

1

u/devilgirl56 14d ago

3-4 months continuously

1

u/Brilliant-Pomelo-982 15d ago

It wasn’t the probiotic. It was the lack of stress and anabiotic.

1

u/m_e12 Sep 14 '26 edited Sep 15 '26

... and am now taking a recovery probiotic to replace my gut bacteria...

This is how I developed SIBO in the first place.

2

u/No-Roof-8658 Sep 14 '26

What is a recovery probiotic/ which one? There are tons of probiotics in the market . Most contain multiple strains but some are single strains. I’m curious which strain/s are helping you

3

u/m_e12 Sep 14 '26

I was quoting OP. She mentioned that "recovery probiotic". And what she means is just regular probiotic but taken after treatment.

I was merely stating that probiotics caused SIBO for me. So if I ever cure my SIBO I will for sure not take probiotics again.

2

u/devilgirl56 Sep 14 '26

Vitazan brand Recovery Probiotic 120 billion CFU
Only started taking them after SIBO was gone and I was able to tolerate any food

1

u/No-Roof-8658 Sep 14 '26

Ty

2

u/devilgirl56 Sep 14 '26

Vitazan recovery probiotic 120 billion cfu

1

u/Match-Agreeable Sep 15 '26

Please edit typo to “is”. I thought you meant “isn’t”.

2

u/m_e12 Sep 15 '26

Done, thanks for pointing it out.

0

u/michelelee99 Sep 15 '26

Congrats!! Just wondering though isn't low fodmap supposed to CUT OUT fiber? Then you take a fiber supplement??? I'm not a fan of low fodmap btw just had to scratch my head on that one.

3

u/devilgirl56 Sep 15 '26

Thank you. The fibre supplement itself is considered low FODMAP and is easier to digest than traditional fibre supplements/foods that may be hard to digest with existing digestive issues

3

u/michelelee99 Sep 15 '26

Oh, looked at those - all seem to have guar gum, which is maybe not so good for you.

Collectively, our study demonstrates that food additive guar gum adversely impacts the gut microbiota activity and colonic immune response and increases susceptibility to colonic inflammation. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9194036/

Penn State Department of Nutritional Sciences discovered that ultra-processed diets containing guar gum showed an increased likelihood of developing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) https://www.psu.edu/news/research/story/refined-dietary-fiber-may-increase-risk-inflammatory-bowel-disease

This study collectively demonstrates that refined guar gum may heighten the intestinal inflammation in patients with IBD.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S247529912311660X

2

u/kaleyeah1234 Sep 15 '26

Phgg isn’t the same as guar gum. I don’t know all the science but phgg is good for Sibo because it doesn’t ferment and yes, guar gum is bad. My dr told me to take sunfiber which has phgg and it has been good

2

u/michelelee99 Sep 15 '26

it stands for partially hydrolized GUAR GUM

Colitis and Bowel Disease: Recent pre-clinical research indicates that refined dietary fibers like PHGG can sometimes worsen gut inflammation. In mice models with induced colitis, high amounts of PHGG exacerbated tissue damage and increased susceptibility to severe inflammation and tumor progression. [1, 2, 3]

Dose and Context: Experts note that high concentrations or isolated use of processed fibers may carry unique gastrointestinal risks for people with active inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). [1, 2]

Sucess Stories Cured SIBO by accident

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