So glad I pursued a diagnosis
#347519 - 06/24/09 07:37 PM
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After many years of IBS I found this site and have learned so much, especially how to get stabilized and I am very grateful for that. I accepted that I had IBS and would have to live with it. Through this site I learned about safe foods, medications, and tests that helped me to better manage and find answers.
I mentioned to my GI doc that surprisingly my IBS improved when I took antibiotics for other conditions such as sinus or ear infections. She said that was a symptom of small intestine bacterial over growth (SIBO) and she prescribed a 10 day course of cephalexin. IBS-D improved, but soon returned with a yeast infection. She recommended an office in the area that performed the breath test to confirm SIBO; I took the test and it was positive.
It was a relief to finally have results indicating something physical was the cause of some of my discomfort. At the test office I learned of several other antibiotics and duration of treatments that were preferable to treat SIBO. I am currently taking xifaxan for 21 days and have seen an improvement in 3 days. SIBO may need to be treated several times a year if overgrowth redevelops.
I also learned that eating between meals is not good for SIBO, it interrupts the natural intestinal rhythms that sweep bacteria and food out of the small intestines; whereas previously I had read that many small meals or always keeping something in the stomach was good, but not necessarily with SIBO. If food and bacteria are left to sit in the small intestine they stagnate and grow – overgrows with bacteria. With a diagnosis I am able to apply better practices for my specific condition. Yes, I still deal with IBS but it is much less frequent and easier knowing what other conditions are exacerbating it. I highly recommend continuing searching for a diagnosis through medical professionals to ensure application of the most effective treatments.
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Hi there,
I am so glad you figured out what was going on. Multiple conditions are extremely challenging to work through! Good for you  . I would also suggest taking a probiotic after the round of antibiotics. This will help to reinoculate your gut with good intestinal bacteria and balance out your gut flora.
Best,
Erin
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Erin Dudley, MS, CN
Certified Nutritionist
Heather's Tummy Care / Heather & Company for IBS, LLC
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Thank you so much Erin. I am taking Align every night, soy yogurt every morning with 2 TBS of Acacia and dairy free calcium. Fluoxetine 10 mg in the am, 2 capsules of slippery elm mid morning, EFI diet lunch, snacks, & dinner, herb tea, 3-4 bottles of water throughout the day (from a filtered pitcher to save on plastic bottles that need recycled), the third bottle has two more TBS of acacia. I also take sublingual vitamin B complex during the day, iron elixir with evening meal every other day because I cannot tolerate the pills. I've only recently been tolerating calcium tablets and have noticed feeling better. I also use the IBS CDs and IBS yoga CD a few times a week. Gratefully, this combination works for me right now and I am well aware this can change at any time. I welcome anymore suggestions - thank you so much for all your help.
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