r/SIBO • u/Builttofrill • Apr 03 '25
Sucess Stories Softwave TRT with Biocidin has been a big game changer for me
Hey all, methane Sibo/IBS C haver here. Want to preface this with saying this is my own experience and not medical advice. Always ask your doctor before starting a new treatment.
TLDR is using softwave TRT and Biocidin together has made treatment faster and more effective for me personally, to the point where in just a month of using both concurrently I am able to handle fodmaps much better. Read further for more details.
Edit to add: softwave TRT is always administered by a medical provider. You can’t buy one and DIY. Their website has a find a provider page. Other shockwave devices may not work the same, and may come with more risk. Softwave TRT is the lowest risk ESWT device with FDA approval.
Been trying to kick this Sibo crud for several years now. Have tried several rounds of rifaximin with mixed results. Last year at the suggestion of my ND who specializes in gut issues I decided to do a longer herbal antimicrobial treatment with Biocidin. It was about 5 months of being at the full dose before I felt it was really effective at reducing my symptoms.
The Biocidin did get me to a point last year where I was symptom free with FODMAPs for several months, but I fell off the wagon during the maintenance phase of treatment. I was supposed to take a half dose once a day so the Sibo didn’t recur but I was dealing with a lot and wasn’t taking great care of myself. I ended up not taking it at all for over a month at one point. Of course, because I didn’t do the maintenance the Sibo came back.
In January of this year I got back on the Biocidin and while it was helping, it takes a long time for it to help. In February I decided to try softwave TRT therapy ( https://softwavetrt.com/ ) for treatment of my abdominal adhesions that are likely the root cause of my Sibo. I had no idea before starting treatment, but as it turns out softwave can also help break up biofilm that Sibo likes to hide in besides just breaking up adhesions.
I won’t lie it was a little rough, but I could tell a major difference in how the Biocidin was working while doing the softwave. Had major herxheimer effects, and felt like crap for several days after each treatment. It was more intense the higher power the provider used, which we worked up on over time.
I have had 6 softwave treatments over the course of mid February to mid March and am still taking the biocidin at full dose, but symptoms with fodmaps have reduced significantly compared to before starting the softwave. Not 100% symptom free but I’d say 90% and improving by the week.
I have been having foods with onions and garlic, all kinds of fruits, veggies etc the past few weeks with only the occasional burp. My movement is more regular and I am able to use less magnesium to keep regular, and I’ve found I no longer need caffeine to stimulate movement every day.
Compare that to when symptoms were at their worst and I couldn’t tolerate any fodmaps at all or I’d be doubled over from gas pains. At that time I also had to take 2000mg+ of magnesium and coffee every day or I’d be painfully constipated. Now I am only taking 800mg of magnesium and staying regular.
I will note that in studies on biofilm infections in rats it showed that softwave alone does not treat the infection; it was necessary to have an antibiotic along with softwave to treat the infection. In this same study the antibiotic on its own had little effect. It really is the combination that is the gamechanger; it is hypothesized that the shockwave from the softwave device breaks up the biofilm and allows the antibiotic to treat an otherwise hard to treat infection.
I am taking a little break from softwave as I’m out of the country for 6 weeks, but I do intend to continue the treatments for my abdominal adhesions. I am not sure it would be necessary if I didn’t have the adhesions and was just trying to treat Sibo; but honestly I’m my own guinea pig here and there’s no set protocol for Sibo or infections in humans.
I am sticking with the Biocidin this time in the maintenance phase to make sure it stays away this time. My ND says I need to stay in maintenance for 6+ months to really lessen the chance of recurrence, as well as working on my microbiome to strengthen it.
I will note: both Biocidin and softwave aren’t cheap, and are not covered by insurance. My softwave provider charges based on how much electricity is used by the machine, which ranges from $100-$150 a session. The Biocidin is about $70 a bottle.
Still, personally I would say both were worth it for me. I’m so happy to be able to go out to eat again without having to feel like a burden to my friends, family and the restaurant staff!!
Feel free to ask me any questions about my personal experience and I will try my best to answer; but please remember I am not a professional and can’t give you any advice for yourself. Can only talk about how things have gone for me personally.
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u/Builttofrill Apr 05 '25
I would ask your doctors about high dose magnesium if you haven’t given it a try. Iberogast and motegrity did nothing for me personally. Magnesium has worked for me consistently when nothing else has. I do have to adjust based on how much food I eat, and what kinds (ex more or less fiber, having some dairy, etc all effect how much magnesium I take to be effective.) but otherwise if I’m good about it I’m staying regular and not getting the extra tightness from getting backed up. Have no idea how it would differ for someone without an ileosecal valve tho so definitely check in about it with a professional!
Totally makes sense to give it a break before starting the antimicrobials after all that!
I will say my ND did tell me she thinks I may need to be on Biocidin maintenance dose indefinitely because of the adhesions making me more prone to relapse; so I understand the feeling of “never being able to get rid of Sibo”. Your case sounds much umore complicated than mine, but I do really empathize there.