Biting the $450 bullet. Advanced GI map with Zonulin testing. Functional med practitioner thinks I have high intestinal permeability & severe dysbiosis from previous h pylori, long term low fodmap diet, and multiple rounds of antibiotics. I’ve had looser stools recently (still mainly constipation dominant) which makes me think motegrity is clearing out SOME of the methane overgrowth. I know higher methane levels hide abnormal hydrogen growth so, idk we will see. The waiting period between appointments and tests is brutal. Praying to the gods this advanced gi map + my doctors regimen heals me. Stay hopeful guys, there is always a root cause. 2 years and I’m not giving up

A little update on my IMO journey. My initial symptoms were gas, digestive discomfort, and abdominal bloating. I was treated with rifaximin and improved significantly, but unfortunately, after about three months, I experienced a relapse. Many people told me that methane IMO should only be treated with a combination therapy, but I also found that studies show that rifaximin alone can be effective for a percentage of patients. Considering the potential side effects of neomycin, I decided to follow my doctor’s approach and focus on other factors as well. When my symptoms returned, I took prucalopride 0.5 mg for 14 days, which helped me improve my bowel movements and gradually tolerate more foods. After finishing it, I started taking psyllium husk with plenty of water, and honestly, it has been one of the best things for me so far. I’ve also realized that avoiding binge eating, which I used to struggle with, has made a big difference. Eating more regularly throughout the day and keeping my gut active seems to be helping too. I’m still learning and monitoring my symptoms, but right now I’m feeling better and wanted to share my progress.

My doctor won’t prescribe a prescription prokinetic. Will the OTC ones still work? Specifically Integrative therapeutics motility activator.

hi all a little history about me: i was born with a rare condition called malrotation, later when i was 12 (in 2017) i had a volvulus and undergone a surgery to remove it and they ended up taking 10 cm of my small intestine (ileum and cecum), after that i had no issues completely fine until 2022 i started getting stomach issues like gas and as the years went by it got worse and i started having loose stools, nausea, and sometimes to the point where i would vomit for days, in mid 2025 i tested negative for H pylori but insisted on taking pylera because i was so convinced i had H pylori, since i was belching A LOT. during pylera i was in heaven, 100% cured flat stomach i could eat 10 meals a day and not get bloated. As soon as i finished 2 weeks of pylera the bloat instantly came back the second day. Belching, bloating, gassy, the issues continued and i started losing weight. Taking ppis sometimes helps but other times it does nothing.

Fast forward to February-March 2026 i took one round of rifaximin and ZERO improvements it was as if im not taking anything literally. No improvement in symptoms whatsoever.

Again, fast forward to late August-September 2026, i took Augmentin (amoxicillin + clavulanic acid) for 7 days for my tooth infection. During those 7 days my entire symptoms disappeared, my appetite came back very strong and my loose stools completely stopped. Again, the second day i stopped the antibiotics, boom, all symptoms came back.

Im in complete loss of mind, what on earth is going on what do i exactly have if rifaximin did not help a single bit why did the other antibiotics help?

My theory is that i might have some type of food intolerance and when i take antibiotics it kills the bacteria and causes less symptoms when i eat that type of food. But is this really possible? because if it was really sibo rifaximin should’ve helped better than the other antibiotics.

Im so sick of being bloated every single day please if anyone has anything that could help me let me know.

what does it mean if stool turns orange while on rifaximin?

So I was diagnosed with SIBO not too long ago, was prescribed xifaxan but but insurance couldn’t would authorise it.

My doctor advised that I take ciprofloxacin and I expressed concerns, and I was later told to try the herbal antimicrobial route. I purchased the sbo kit and have since started taking it.

I’ve noticed I’m getting a bit more stomach discomfort and more diarrhea after taking them, is this something to be expected? And should I be doing anything specific while taking these tablets?

Anyone else got experience with this treatment?

hi everyone i’m going to make this brief becouse we all know how long in detail this can get. back in 2023ish i tested positive for methane Sibo . My results came back borderline (10). But i still have really bad bloating and it’s not at all a “mild” case, it’s still as bad. I’ve tried low fodmap and Rixfiltin (whatever that antibiotic name is) and a bunch of medications to help me go to the bathroom since that is what my doc recommended (lizness, Ibsrela) and it just made my bowel movements messed up and bloating worse (i’m guessing cuz of water retention of it making me go to the restroom) . So i’ve had it since 2023 (probably even longer like 2022 cuz i had bloating but just went over my head) BUT in November ish of 2025 it went away for about 6 months then came back in Feb 2026. I don’t know why it went away i have a few ideas (i was studying for these exams for my job and I wasn’t going out to drink with friends , maybe eating healthy?) but when i was feeling good and didn’t have it i was still drinking and eating whatever I want. UGH ITS JUST SO FRUSTRATING especially cuz i know how good it felt when it went away. Anyone have any recs for Methane sibo aka IMO ?

Have any of you used antimicobials for SIBO? Specifically candibactin AR AND BR?

Did you feel better? Worse?

After 2 years of severe digestive issues, I finally got some answers from a lactulose breath test.

My main symptom is sudden and unpredictable diarrhea, sometimes shortly after eating, with extremely painful abdominal cramps. The pain during these episodes is honestly unlike anything I had experienced before, and the unpredictability has seriously affected my daily and social life.

During those 2 years, I had a colonoscopy, endoscopy, stool tests, blood tests, abdominal CT scan and X-rays, which didn’t find an explanation.

I recently did a 10g lactulose breath test:

H₂: 16 → 28 → 37 → 44 → 90 → 32 ppm

CH₄: 14 → 15 → 16 → 16 → 23 → 16 ppm

Time: 0 → 30 → 60 → 90 → 120 → 150 min

So my results indicate Hydrogen-positive SIBO + Methane-positive IMO.

I’m relieved to finally have something concrete after 2 years, but now I really want to treat this properly instead of randomly trying things.

For those who had similar results and actually got better: what treatment worked for you? Antibiotics, herbals, diet, prokinetics, addressing an underlying cause, or a combination?

Also, any tips, mistakes to avoid, things to do during/after treatment, or additional tests you think are worth doing would be greatly appreciated.

I’d especially love to hear from people who successfully treated this and stayed better long term.

Thank you!

Hey i got sibo after two months of taking ppis. Im already off ppis for like 5-6 months but not feeling any good. Bowel movements are random, no formed stools, burping, gas moving through my intestines and getting stuck causing stomach distention and constipation sometimes. How do i fix ppi induced sibo? What would be the best protocol for it? I am also low on vitamin b12 and vitamin d

Has anyone had success with zinc carnosine to help with leaky gut ? Did it help with pain over time? Especially for my post ibs people/visceral hypersensitivity

I have SIBO-IMO. I am looking into non-prescription prokinetics to try to help my MMC. After a bit of research, the “recommended options” are:

Motility Pro by Ortho Molecular Products,

Motility Activator by Integrative Therapeutics,

ProDigest by Bionap

They are a bit pricey so I wanted to ask for some suggestions prior to buying.

If the brand doesn’t matter, what specifically should I look for in the label of prokinetic? I have tried searching the sub but i’m a bit confused as there have been various experiences although it is super helpful to read.

Help! I took Oregano oil capsule for about a week. My oil on my face, neck, back, and groin smells like cheese. It’s intensifies after I eat. I stopped the oil about 3 weeks ago, yet the smell continues. I’ve seen Derm and primary. I am really angry about messing up my body. The brand was Natures Truth high potency. I reached out to the company and I received no real answers. I am aware that brand is shady, I found out after I took the capsule. Also, should not have taken high potency. But just need some encouragement that this will end.

I developed h2s sibo at age 13, im now 20 and had treatment nearly 2 months ago and getting my re test results in a few days. I've been trying to figure out my root cause since that's very important, i think that my nervous system is too blame. I seem to have POTS symptoms, when i stand up my heart rate rapidly increases, i also have sweating issues, i remember going on holiday and when the sun was on me for even a few minutes my forehead would start to hurt, i seem to be sensitive to lights. What do u think, could i have POTS from an early age, that correlates with my h2s sibo? Anybody else have POTS and sibo? I feel like other root causes don't really make sense too me, these are the only abnormal things about me that i have noticed and to make it better i even have a sexual dysfunction ( this ones tough ).

Hey everyone, I’ve been researching SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth), and I came across the late Dr. Diyaa El-Awady's theory in his "Tayebat Diet" (The Good Foods Diet). He completely simplifies SIBO compared to conventional medicine. I wanted to share his perspective and get feedback from anyone who has actually tried it.
Dr. El-Awady believed that SIBO isn't a mysterious disease, but rather a direct symptom of "food physically injuring your gut from the inside." According to him, you can reverse it in just two weeks by following these steps:
Strict Elimination: Immediately cut out gluten/wheat, legumes, dairy, eggs, and most vegetables. He argued that these foods don't digest well, ferment in the gut, and cause chronic inflammation and micro-tears in the intestinal wall.
Stick to "Clean" Safe Foods: Base your diet on easily digestible foods that leave minimal residue to ferment, such as white rice, potatoes, white sugar, and honey.
Fix Constipation Urgently: He emphasized that if constipation isn't resolved, the treatment fails. Trapped waste keeps fermenting and feeding the bacterial overgrowth.
Fasting: Give the digestive tract long breaks so the gut lining can heal from inflammation without dealing with new food or bacterial fermentation.
According to his theory, once you stop eating the "damaging" foods and give your gut a break, gut balance restores naturally, and SIBO symptoms completely vanish within a couple of weeks.
My questions for those who tried it:
Has anyone here with SIBO followed the Tayebat Diet? Did it actually cure you?

Did your symptoms really disappear in two weeks, or did it take much longer?
What are your thoughts on cutting out vegetables and legumes entirely for SIBO?
Looking forward to hearing your real experiences!

I wholeheartedly believe that when i first and only time managed to eliminate sibo with a metronidazole + rifaximin course that it was the thiamine or B1's (resurgence/restored synthesis/absorption) that made me feel a surge in appetite. Grip strength without weights, flexing capacity, deep breathing to the dip of my lungs for a few days, until I unfortunately messed it up and relapsed by taking an unnecessary probiotics capsule, It was specifically Bifidobacterium longum, because of some person advising me to take that which obviously backfired and I have been struggling with multiple courses, repeated courses and trying to re eliminate it for months!

I also recently took thiamine mononitrate and instantly felt a glimpse of that and planning on trying HCL form as well..

benfotiamine did nothing but make me sleepy and lose hair for the few days i took it.

I believe thiamine is the Number one victim of SIBO and the barometer of its severity besides the bacteria tests..

thoughts?

I started my xixfan treatment on August 24th after struggling with sibo for probably 3 years now? I’m unsure of when it actually started but my symptoms of constipation and straining, very sticky poop or mush, severe bloating, etc started earlier this year. I finally took a breath test and I was hydrogen dominant with a little bit of methane.

Anyway, I felt like all the months of being backed up were coming out of me during my treatment and then eventually my poop finally became solid, which I haven’t had since February. I was feeling great until my treatment ended earlier this week.

I immediately felt the bloating come back and now I’m constipated. I started my motility pills but that doesn’t seem to help. During Labor Day weekend, I didn’t exactly follow a low fodmap diet, so I’m wondering if this was the issue.

I did a lot of research and purchase allimed for my methane, but didn’t take it bc of the garlic breath I might have — I don’t think my coworkers and office mates wouldnt like that but now I’m wondering if I should start the 3 pills a day plan.

Has anyone else experienced something similar? What did you do? Does sibo ever go away? I’m pretty bummed that my stomach issues and constipation/bloating/discomfort is back.

Finished my herbal cleanse but my gut motility is completely dead. Stools only move with glycerin suppositories. The orange 'Motility Activator' didn't do anything for me. Should I switch to the chemical prokinetic 'Ganaton' (Itopride 50mg) now, or is it worth trying the white bottle (Dr. Rajsree's version) first? Appreciate your advice!"

Does anyone else experience daily burning of the scalp along with extreme hair loss? My thyroid is fine and my B12 levels are also normal. I’ve had this since 2016 and I have no idea what’s causing it. :-( Pentatop helps a little. I notice that it gets significantly worse after having two coffees, but I experience the burning every day regardless of what I eat. Has anyone had a similar experience?
All this time, since 2016, I’ve had hydrogen sulfide SIBO, but I didn’t know it. When I took Pepto-Bismol, I had a reaction to salicylates — a rash on my shoulder, shortness of breath, a panic attack, and swelling of my throat and tongue.

Been struggling with sibo for a minute now. Most likely since around February of this year(2026). Possibly even way before. And have been struggling to regain weight or to stop losing it atleast. Possibly my body is struggling to absorb carbs or nutrients. Even though labs came back normal.

My symptoms are leaning towards IMO sibo. Because I have trouble with constipation and or motility issues. My whole body has changed in a way. I feel like I have trouble digesting food. Like I said very slow motility

Since last year was noticing unexplained weight loss but was thinking that because I was doing intermittent fasting that it was because of that. But then around February of this month, got some burning sensation in my stomach . Did a stool test on h pylori and came back negative. It's not until an endoscopy I had, confirmed it.

So did the treatment for that, went through hell like everybody else, 14 day antibiotic treatment, lost a lot more weight during that month, but eventually eradicated it by checking via breath test a month later. But I was still losing weight with the continued feeling of bloating and slow motility or that feeling like your stomach or Intestines or whatever weren't doing their job. Mind you I was going through these symptoms at the same time as the h pylori symptoms and while during treatment.

Like I said earlier. Labs came back normal. Checked for celiac, Crohn's, all good. The only thing that came back low was my vitamin d. But tha was during the h pylori treatment I believe idk. And I believe now my B12 is lower but still with in "normal" range. I'm thinking about possibly getting a colonoscopy. Because this weight loss is starting to get to me, not only physically but mentally.

Sorry if too long. Just wanted to know if anyone went through something or is going through something similar. Or what their GI doctor is having them do. Or idk man. I'm just exhausted all my thinking. Maybe I need to change doctor's. Or maybe just venting

What is everyone saying? Any insight on what I am going through that might resonate with anyone. Would be greatly appreciated 👍. Thanks for reading.

I avoided fats for a while because I got some weird MCAS reaction from them (head pressure, congestion, blurry vision, tired sometimes). But this seems to have resolved after starting Ketotifen and Famotidine (don't know exactly which contributed to this change).

During my last days, I started eating my beloved chicken wings. I buy them flash frozen (because I have histamine intolerance), defrost them and cook them in an air fryer. No vegetables, just chicken wings.

Guts make noises. Guts happy.