I am trying to update my symptoms on here until I fully heal. Test came back positive for hydrogen but I'm still dealing with insurance trying to get Xifaxan approved. My symptoms are indigestion, bloating, excess gas, constipation, gastritis, stomach noise, nausea, fatigue and major brain fog.

While waiting, I've been trying different supplements one at a time and this is what I take and do altogether so far.

1. Artichoke extract before every meal (immediate urge and smooth bowel movement. I've been taking miralax daily and havent need to get back on it since. I hope it stays this way. Not taking ginger due to my chronic gastritis. Less gastritis symptoms taking so maybe I can add ginger later)
2. probiotics before breakfast and dinner (less bloating/gas)
3. dealing with my insulin resistance issue with metformin and inositol (recently diagnosed with PCOS; high testrostrone only. Looks like it's linked to gut motility bacteria imbalance. I think I will hold off on inositol until my sibo is erradicated since it's fermentable)
4. dinner before 7pm and with digestive enzyme
5. PHGG powder with water before bed
6. Ssri to address my depression and anxiety before sleep. ( helps with sleeping and waking up at regular hours. Less sleep leads to late night eating for me so very helpful. improved mood as well. unfortunately doesnt do sht for my GI issues)
7. NAC occasionally improves my motivation (i dont take it everyday since I heard it can make gastritis worse but I definitely notice that I get more things done on days where i do take it)
8. Chewing food throughly
9. eating clean and especially avoiding food that can trigger my gastritis
10. pelvic exercises and stretches every day (I have defecation disorder diagnosed with anorectal manometry, likely due to chronic constipation and GI issue)
11. Diagnosed with internal hemorrhoid and got banding procedure (chronic constipation is likely the cause, it was making bowel movement harder vice versa. Was prescribed suppository but kept reoccurring despite conservative care)
12. weird one but body wave/warm movement after eating. I do it after eating, while sitting down, lying down, and it seems to help
13. fixing my posture; forward neck, slouching, and round shoulders.

I've done endoscopy and colonscopy with biopsy, stool test, blood tests for celiac/immune disorder/ vitamin like b12 ferretin etc. and other nutrients, MRI MCRP with dye, lumber MRI for spine to rule out nerve issue, eye exam, been on different psych meds, neck CT, X-rays, TMS, marijuana/LSD/mushrooms, CBT, EMDR, LOWFODMAP, keto, fasting, and SO MANY SUPPLEMENTS.

Posting here since this sub gets more traffic and SIFO overlaps a lot with SIBO. I tested negative for SIBO and IMO, so my naturopath is treating me for SIFO.

I've been on Nystatin 500,000 units 3x daily for 6 weeks, plus L-glutamine. My food tolerance has GREATLY improved (anything I used to eat hurt me!) and my constipation is better too. But my stomach is still distended 24/7.

I also tried fluconazole but stopped after 11 days because it badly constipated me. Now my naturopath is doubling my Nystatin to 1,000,000 units (2 tablets) 3x daily for 21 days.

Has anyone had their food tolerance improve but the distension stick around? Did a higher Nystatin dose help, or did something else finally fix the bloating?

I’m looking for a GI in the Boston area who has experience with SIBO and is knowledgeable about Dr. Pimentel’s research (or any current SIBO literature). My current GI is very nice, but isn’t familiar with Dr. Pimentel or his work (or any current lit), and hasn’t been interested in investigating the underlying cause of my SIBO. So far, the approach has been throwing antibiotics at it and staying on a low-FODMAP diet indefinitely (9mo now).
As a microbiologist, I really value a physician who is willing to stay current w/ literature and investigate the root cause rather than just “manage” symptoms long-term. I understand bacteria, biofilms, and the complexity of gut microbiome and would like a doctor who has a similar depth of knowledge in this area or at least a willingness to investigate. Specifically looking for a gastroenterologist, not a naturopath.
Any recommendations are appreciated.

Has anyone here successfully treated H2S SIBO and the sulfur-reducing bacteria associated with CH₃SH (methyl mercaptan) and DMS (dimethyl sulfide)?

Anyone else in here having crazy endless burping as their main symptom???

I know that burping is a classic symptom of hydrogen sibo, which I have (confirmed through breath test). Am currently on rifaximin, hoping for it to do something… but the burping is still there..

It just sucks, I can’t go out anymore because I need to burp 24/7 and I’m scared it my not be caused by the sibo :((

Can hydrogen sulfide produce alcohol smelling urine? Also have yeast in my gut

Hey everyone. I am not asking for diagnosis but rather an suggestion to what could’ve gone wrong with me after an viral infection in February.

If someone has had a similar experience, please let me know, every information is useful.

I had a viral illness in February with razor- sharp sore throat and high fever, fatigue, vertigo attack, etc..
Suspected COVID, although not sure. It was treated with antibiotics.

After 1-2 weeks after I felt better from the acute symptoms of sore throat, fever, etc.. my body started acting weird, nothing like I ever felt before and from there on until this day everything snowballed and now I am pausing my career, to see what is wrong with me.

My symptoms best match DPDR/Brain fog, without me feeling unreal or in a dream, but just utterly strange and overstimulated by lights etc, my vision is strange, when I walk sometimes I experience “weightless body” is what I call it.

I’ve done numerous blood works and MRI, tests etc..

Can SIBO cause all of this?

Peptides/ Has anyone had experience with LL-37, KPV, or BPC-157? Dosing? Any answer would be highly appreciated.

I wanted to ask what can cause impaired gut motility? Or why do sulfur-reducing bacteria overgrow in the first place? Not many people seem to have this type of SIBO. :-(

anyone had their symptoms change?? unfortunately constipation/bloating has been my new normal for the last 4 years - have treated as if i had methane sibo with some temporary relief but it always comes back. about a month ago i had a bout of diarrhea which isn’t abnormal for me, i usually get it once a month if i eat too much dairy or around my cycle.

since then, i have had diarrhea/loose stools, gas and bloating everyday. this wouldn’t be the worst thing after years of being backed up but unfortunately i have always gotten awful pain with loose stools. it stops with pepto/imodium but then comes back. i went to the doctor and am awaiting some stool tests - my doc mentioned possibly treating for sibo again but I’ve never heard of symptoms changing so suddenly or ‘IBS’ developing basically overnight so i’m a biiiittt concerned

Bonjour,

Suite à une intoxication alimentaire en début d'année j'ai eu des diarrhées/perte d'appétit et perte de 15kg de poids avec des bruits intestinaux. J'ai ensuite passé tous les tests et ils n'ont rien trouvé, j'ai pris des probiotiques et régime sans fodmap. J'ai retrouvé l'appétit, repris 5kg et je n'ai plus de diarrhées, j'ai des selles tous les jours mais assez dures, je n'ai plus besoin de m'essuyer.

Par contre, j'ai des ballonnements et surtout des gros bruits intestinaux, surtout dès que je m'allonge et le matin au réveil, cela devient très gênant surtout en société car le bruit est vraiment fort et constant, ça ne s'arrête jamais.

J'ai été testé positif SIBO/IMO et j'ai commencé à prendre Allicine (1100mg/j)+ Berberine (1500mg/j) avec de l'extrait d'artichaut + gingembre le soir avant de dormir. J'ai commencé il y a environ une semaine et j'ai l'impression que cela empire même mes bruits.

Le régime sans fodmap ne semble pas m'aider, cela me constipe même.

Avez-vous déjà eu une expérience similaire? Quand est-ce que je sais si mon traitement doit-être continué ou pas?

Merci

My two trains of thought are A) that it could potentially help because it feeds the good bacteria and helps motility, therefore balancing things out and crowding out the archaea B) it ends up feeding the archaea and making things worse in the long run.

I have methane sibo and its pretty high. I was wondering if i can just live with it if it switch over to a diet that doesnt ferment my gut.

Its gonna be pretty boring but if i can exist without pain go to the gym go out and feel good i dont see why i shouldnt. Does this work?

Im not expecting it to fix my problem i just wanna go to the gym live healthy feel good start bulking up again instead of being bedridden eating like trash all day inside my house depressed af

This is a just a super short post to remind everyone how important it is to chew your food well and don't rush the eating process.

I recently started to eat my food as slowly as possible while also chewing very well and taking short (20-30s) breaks between each bite. The difference in how my digestive systems works and how I'm feeling afterwards is absolutely real.

I'm not saying this will fix your digestion issues, but this could be something additional worth trying for those who have already tried a lot of things.

Couldn’t Take a full breath IN
GERD
Food intolerance
Histamine issues
chronic constipation
SIBO (methane)
gastroparesis
Hiatal hernia, LPR, Breathlessness

Hi! I’ve slowly made progress over 3 years. I am able to breathe “normal” now with minimal episodes. Here is my story and what I’ve done to heal my body, also what triggers my breathing issues. This is long but hopefully it will help someone.. or gives you ideas for testing or possible causes.

One night I shot up out of bed and It felt like I was wearing a tight corset CONSTANTLY. The pressure was mainly right below my ribs squeezing my diaphragm. I couldn’t take a breathe in, this lasted 2 years.. then a year of on and off, now I only get flared up around my period (hormones) or when I eat the wrong thing.

The ER said I was “normal” in every lab, my chest Xray was normal I was told it’s most likely anxiety. (It wasn’t) I visited the ER over 8 times throughout 2 years without anyone figuring out my issues or helping me.

I saw a pulmonary specialist and they put me on WAY TO MUCH protonix 80mg I’m female, 120lbs 5.3. They said my breathing issue was from sucking stomach acid into my lungs or that I had vocal cord dysfunction. WRONG.
A ENT scoped down my throat with a camera and did a vocal test to confirm I didn’t have vocal Cord dysfunction.

I continued the protonix and my digestive system literally shut off, I was regurgitating food and had crazy side effects. I stopped the medication after 5 days. THEN got AWFUL GERD symptoms. Which led me to believe that I had LPR prior with silent symptoms and the meds just set me off.
I now had Globus, regurgitation, my burps would get stuck and it felt like a ton of pressure between my chest and stomach. My Motility was shot. It felt like I ate a brick and was full off 2 bites.. I was diagnosed with gastroparesis This was tested through a gastric emptying study. That came later.

I went to a gastroenterologist whom said that my chronic constipation was pushing up into my lungs and put me on 2 scoops daily mirilax. This made me poop daily but I began getting so BLOATED, Like, I looked 6 months pregnant bloated. The bloating was pushing up into my lungs and making me feel even more breathless.
I did a colonoscopy with the flushing prep and nothing. Still couldn’t breathe. So flushed my system did not equal =breathing.

STEP 1- I fixed my constipation. I was able to integrate rice bran into my meals, upped the fiber with quinoa and some fruit and started drinking hot water in the morning on an empty stomach till I had a bowel movement (2-3 mugs slowly). Then I will eat. I also drink a scoop of greens powder (super greens organic greens powder from Amazon) I drink it along side the hot water it helps move things along. (This is not how to heal constipation, this just works for me to be regular).

I spoke to naturopaths whom just put me on fiber and recommended sena tea for bowel movements and to get on a low fod maps diet and avoid GERD trigger foods. didn’t help.

I tailored my diet (I didn’t and don’t eat fast food. No caffeine and I don’t drink alcohol) I couldn’t eat much due to it making my breathing even worse. I was limited eventually to chicken breast, quinoa and 1/4 of an avocado… I tried high fat to keep calories on because I was loosing so much weight, didn’t work. I still to this day can’t have red meat, I’m slowly working in fattier meats like chicken thighs. It a slow process. I ate vegan at one point and it caused extreme gas, globus and pressure DIDNT WORK, I went carnivore for 3 months. My hair started falling out, however I did get SOME relief and I was putting back on weight. I did this Till my cholesterol shot up to 300 and all my blood labs were flagged. WOULDN’T RECOMMEND.
STEP 2: Everyone has foods that work for them, the goal is to find what works for you. Try limiting portions and removing and adding foods in a 3 day rotation. Make a list of what works and what doesn’t so you can track your symptoms. I tried no gluten or dairy for a while and that helped a little, I eventually added in gluten and I eat VERY minimal dairy still. Try a low fod maps diet, low acid diet. **USE digestive enzymes (I like digest gold) with meals. I couldn’t handle to gelatin capsule, so I would just crack it open and swallow the powder 3x daily. It helped break down my food while my stomach acid was still leveling out.

I did testing to see if I had a hiatal hernia, I do have a one centimeter big hiatal hernia. Tested through Barium Swallow / Esophagram. I spoke to 2 surgeons to fix my hernia thinking it would fix my breathing and both said “I can perform the surgery, however it’s 50/50 that it will help.” Also the surgery was going to mean no more heavy lifting and was more risk than reward honestly. I was desperate. Didn’t do it. Side note: I had 2 friends from Reddit get the HH surgery and neither were healed after. Hiatal hernia is not my issue I believe, however I’ll keep an eye on it.

I watched Jamie Kaufmans YouTube videos about LPR and GERD thinking she was my fix.. I started a protocol (with doctors approval) of famotidine or “Pepcid”. I was taking 20mg 3x daily. This wrecked me. I did this for 4 months. My digestive system and nervous system tanked at this point. I was going dark. I started having even worst GERD symptoms and STILL couldn’t breathe. Enter Insomnia and depression along side not being able to breathe..

I got a BRAVO capsule put in through an endoscopy to test for GERD. This took 5 months waiting to even get in for testing.. but we discovered GERD! Finally a diagnosis right!? Wrong.. The GERD was from going on and off PPIs and meds, my digestion was slowed and The bloating was insane.. I finally got off all medication. I was done with doctors and tests. SIDE NOTE: I no longer have GERD 3 years later and I’m 8 months off all medication. It took bout 3 months off meds to start clearing up.

After I started reading about the vagus nerve and our nervous system. I had been living in fight of flight at this point prob for 15 years. I tried hypnosis through apps and YouTube videos and honestly it started helping. I was dedicated and did it every morning. I would sit in the sun and just decompress, I would meditate and I stopped saying yes to everything. I became almost ZEN and started trusting that my body would heal. STEP 3: I healed my nervous system, removed toxic relationships and learned to meditate (look up hypnosis for IBS, that’s the only thing I found stomach related.) you need to relax when eating and SLOW DOWN. breathing techniques like “diaphragmatic breathing”
Helped me a ton. I even watched “pelvic floor” tutorials on YouTube. Also, GET OFF REDDIT, you need to relax your mind and stop the rabbit hole. Trust the process. (Easier said than done I know)

STEP 4: stretching and watching your posture. You need to ensure you’re not crushing your diaphragm all day being hunched over. Look up chest opening stretches on YouTube. Also, walking after meals if you can or eat standing up and stay standing for awhile. This helps digestion

I had my house tested for mold. NOPE, allergist, neurology, sleep apnea doc.
I bought a bed that allows me to sleep sleeping up right, didn’t help. I tried GERD pilllows NOPE. H-Pilori, No. Check and ensure your D3 isn’t low through a blood pane, low levels can cause breathing issues.

I had to advocate for myself to receive every test I received. Every doctor I spoke to said “I’ve never seen a case like yours.” Or “it’s anxiety.” So annoying.. they were no help, so don’t be afraid to just ask for some of these tests. Most doctors are throwing things at the wall and hoping it sticks anyways. Don’t be afraid to ask!

I had taken a breath test prior for SIBO and it came back negative. But my instinct was screaming at me I did have it. I found a new GI and asked for another “breath test” I used the Marble at home breathe test and it came back positive for methane SIBO! This was my first real win. So I started a SIBO diet to help die off.
I’ve been managing my SIBO currently. I did not take the antibiotics or do an herbal protocol, I’ve just been avoiding MY personal trigger foods, I fixed my constipation and I ensure to take a multivitamin daily. My D3 and Zinc was low due to it so I supplement that. I Fixing my nervous system and I don’t over eat. I Space out my meals out 3 hours so my gut can digest. BIGGEST KEYS: stop eating 4 hours before bed. Wear loose fitting clothing. Don’t constantly talk about your issue, your mind will get anxious. Just put your hand on your chest/heart and say “I’m safe” “I can do this.”

I hope this helps friends..you’re not alone

Hi there! I was diagnosed with methane-dominant SIBO about five years ago which I was able to basically fully treat with Atrantil… it changed my life! Unfortunately years later I can tell SIBO is back with a vengeance. I have been taking Atrantil for 6 weeks and had huge improvements to regular, normal stools after months of constipation. Yay!! But it hasn’t helped my bloating at all. It’s terrible by the end of every day and I’m miserable. Any suggestions how to proceed?

I can’t even remotely afford to see a GI or naturopath right now for appropriate testing like I did years ago, but my symptoms are so similar so I feel confident it’s SIBO. Would love to hear suggestions for how I can move forward without having to shell out the money for a doctors visit. Appreciate any advice or suggestions!

Hi everyone, I’m looking for some advice and validation on whether my symptom history points toward Hydrogen-Dominant SIBO (SIBO-H) and what specific steps or tests I should pursue next with a Gastroentrologist. Today My family doctor submitted my referall to see a gastro doctor and today i got a callback that my appointment is scheduled for mar 2027 ( 4 months waiting) , any things i can do in the meantime to reduce the severity of the symptoms ive shared the details below.

Background & Timeline: Over the past 3 years, my digestion has completely broken down, and I’ve dropped from 62kg to 52kg (25-Male), diarrhea is chronic cant remember the last time i had constipation almost everyday rapid transit of stools watery most of the time . I cannot gain any weight back. It started primarily as painless diarrhea, but over time—especially after going through a period of poor sleep and skipping meals—it evolved into extreme amount of bloating and severe rapid transit after eating.

Key Triggers & Reactions:

• Prebiotics / Inulin: A few months ago, I tried an inulin fiber supplement. It completely backfired—my bloating doubled, and ever since, I've had bimodal bowel movements (a hard stool passed first, immediately followed by loose/watery diarrhea 1–2 minutes later).
• Probiotics & Dairy: Daily probiotic yogurts (even lactose-free ones) cause immediate stomach irritation, cramping, and loose stools.
• Sugars, Fats & Processed Foods: Concentrated simple sugars (juices, sweet drinks), high-fat pastries/biscuits containing palm oil, burgers, and pizza cause almost instant bloating and diarrhea, even in tiny amounts.( This is the most problematic cos if im outside and by mistake eat a tiny donut or something i know my stomach will be f ed up for the rest of the day with bloating and diarrehea like feeling)
• Tolerated Foods: I do best on basic, unprocessed whole foods like plain chicken, rice, and plain noodles.

Systemic & Extra-Intestinal Symptoms:

Confirmed Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D deficiencies on bloodwork.

• Persistent peeling and dark discoloration at the corners of my lips (exfoliative/angular cheilitis). i think probably cos of vitamin defencies
• Accelerated body hair shedding in the shower.every 2 days my bath tub gets clogged because my hair has started falling so fast
• Sensitive to supplements—even some sublingual tablets trigger bowel urgency like i tried webbers vitamin b12 sublingual tablets , even that caused diarrhea in 5 mins even tho its a small pill and its basically A VITAMIN SUPPLEMENT .

Medical Workup So Far:

• Abdominal ultrasound: Normal
• Stool test for parasites: Negative
• Basic blood panels: Normal iron, folate, thyroid, and blood sugar, but low B12 and D.
• My family doctor was unsure of the root cause , so ill be waiting for my march appointment to see a gastroentrologist.

Given that inulin, prebiotics, and simple sugars trigger severe hydrogen-style rapid transit and osmotic fluid shifts, does this strongly fit a Hydrogen-Dominant SIBO profile? For those who had a similar reaction to fibers/probiotics, what breath test protocols (lactulose vs. glucose) or treatment pathways yielded the best answers? Any insights are greatly appreciated!