Bacteria causes IBS
#290563 - 11/18/06 09:32 PM
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I've just done a lot of research on the internet. The newest theory is that bacteria overgrowth causes IBS. The doctor who pioneered this research has a book out available on Amazon.com. His name is Mark Pimentel. It's called "A New IBS Solution". He recommends a 10 day course of a safe antibiotic that stays in the gut and is not absorbed into the bloodstream. Rifaximin 400 mg. 3 times per day. Followed by some Zelnorm. The book also contains diet suggestions to keep the condition from reoccuring. This is exciting news and I'm going to ask my doctor to prescribe this first thing Monday morning. I hope you check it out. Theodore Rosenfeld has something in Sunday's Parade Magazine about this.
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Here's some more info if you're interested in reading more Research. They refer to it as Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth.
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Actually this isn't very new. The original paper by Dr. Pimentel dates to 2000. If you have seen information on later research by him, especially a large, controlled, double-blind study, please post it.
My understanding is that you need to be tested for Small Intestine Bacteria Overgrowth before being treated for it. If you don't actually have it the treatment won't do any good.
Here are a couple of old threads about this:
Breath Test for SIBO
Searches, Websites, and Cautions
I do strongly urge you to do the Searches mentioned in these threads. If Heather's approach had not worked for me, I would be talking to my GI about SIBO but I would have read very carefully everything on this Board beforehand.
HTH. Please do let us know what happens with this.
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[Research tells us fourteen out of any ten individuals likes chocolate. - Sandra Boynton]
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Hi there. I just took a 7 day course of Rifaximin 1200 mgs. a day. My symptoms (gas and bloating) improved significantly but abdominal pain is my worst symptom and that is still a problem. I may have to take another antibiotic in about 4 weeks if the gas and bloating become a big problem again.
I took the hydrogen methane breath test to confirm bacterial overgrowth and came out positive. My GI says that patients with IBS or other digestive disorders tend to have problems with bacterial imbalances--he said it is no surprise and that they sort of go hand in hand. He says the best thing to do is to take a medical grade probiotic following a short term dose of Rifaximin. He recommends VSL#3. I think it is crazy expensive but if it works great. I have not started that particular probiotic just yet.
Make sure to have the breath test done b/f trying to take Rifaximin. Taking the antibiotic uneccesarily may make your condition worse.
Best of luck,
Sufie
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[Research tells us fourteen out of any ten individuals likes chocolate. - Sandra Boynton]
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Thanks Sand. I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I look forward to reading more of your helpful post.
Hugs,
Sufie
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Rifaxmin, Zelnorm, then VSL?
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IBS-C and Bloating
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Are you asking a question? If you need to clarify something please be clear and I will be happy to respond.
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