My only complaint is a sour taste which is very strong. It reduces with vinegar or wirh chewing gum and increases when lying down or after drinking a big glass of liquid. Also coffee makes it worse. I had a BRAVO test there was no reflux, actually the normal reflux episodes is 4% and mine was 0.1%. Very low. I also had a SIBO breath test. The doc says I have methane and hydrogen producing SIBO and he thinks it is the cause of this sour taste. I don’t have any other SIBO symptoms, no pain, no gas, no fatigue, no constipation, no diarrhea. (false positive?) He insists though. I wanted to have your opinions as you are the ones who has lots of experience on this. He wants me to use the 2 antibiotics for 14 days. Rifaximin * Neomycin. He told me that neomycin can cause hearing problems, he said it is rare but I already have tinnitus and I am scared to add yet another annoying problem to my problems already making me miserable (migraine, this sour taste etc). NB. PPIs and H2 antagonists are not helping but as BRAVO shows I almost have no reflux at all. Thanks all for you answers.

My results - Please give me advice!

Hey everyone! I just got tested positive for SIBO and I’m a little overwhelmed and with what this means. If someone could help me out, I would be forever grateful.

Could someone please explain what my results mean. For example, why is hydrogen ‘0’ until 90 minutes? What it mean to only be positive for hydrogen?

Ive struggled with gut issues over 11 years. Starting with h pylori-low stomach acid- sibo My poor gut has gone from phases of stress and killing with different remedies i found on reddit. To antibotic. The best times was when i let my gut be, completely without always having to «cleanse, kill, or re start again». And i could tell you i tried everyrhing from oregano, xifiana, spirulina, diatmcious earth, digestive enzymes, hcl betaine, acv, food grade hydrogen peroxide, vitamins, colon cleanse You name it! My gut has seen it all and today it hit is limit. It said out loud after taking freaking vinegar on empty stomach out of desperation it said you have made us suffer. Ive had enough On top of all of this ive had stress with new training job, bad sleep caused by the new job and me not being able to turn my brain off. Anxiety. Lots of anxiety. So I think im giving my gut a year or two off. No more killing. No more remedies or protocols. Just existing. And eating whatever it wants

Hello, Can SIBO be treated only with fasting and diet? Any success stories?

I am so confused. I thought for sure I had gastritis. All my symptoms pointed to it. Burning gnawing feeling in upper left stomach and chest with constipation. I had an endoscopy that showed nothing. I was put on ppis and surcrafate. That was five years ago. The symptoms never really went away. Got better than worse. Last summer after probiotics and upping my fiber they did finally disappear. I got sick in January and was put on antibiotics about a month afterwards the stomach symptoms started back up again on worse. I also started to feel really dizzy and off. Bloodwork showed that I was anemic and low iron probably from being on ppis for years when you are only supposed to be in them for a few months. I can’t believe I am back here. I thought I solved whatever this was but now it’s back. I have stopped my ppis cold turkey not fun at all. But what the hell is it? I was starting to think maybe it’s Dino but research well Reddit research sounds like Sibo symptoms are less burning and more bloated and gas. Which I have that too. But can sibo symptoms be burning? I’m just confused because I’ve had two endoscopy’s in the last five years both showed nothing. Yes I was tested for hypolori. Plus I was on ppis and surcrafate that are supposed to help cure gastritis and nothing worked. Yes I’ve tried diets. Five years. I’m lost and defeated.

Second day of the second rounds of antibiotics. Did anyone here experience very oppressive nightmares while killing the bacteria ?

I seem to have developed histamine issues (headaches, skin problems etc, especially after eating high histamine foods) and I'm not really sure what to do about it.

Is it worth it to start the diet (on top of low fodmap) and whatever other protocol you do for that if it's caused by sibo? I'm working hard to get the sibo sorted so should I maybe just ignore it?

Will it cause long-term problems if untreated? And will it go away if I'm able to treat my sibo or is it a new friend of mine now?

Also, I'm going to have very little control over what I eat for the next 3 months (cafteria food), so any advice on other things to do would be great.

Mine has been really bad since I finished a round of Xifaxan two months ago. So painful, in my wrists and ankles and elbows. My vitamins levels are all fine so I suspect it's inflammation due to the Methane sibo.

However today my doctor decided to run an ANA test (to check for markers of an autoimmune disease) and now I'm terrified. I thought this was sibo related. I'm only 30, surely I don't have rheumatoid arthritis already??

Can someone calm my mind and confirm the pain can be bad with sibo? Or is everyone's more of a joint irritation?

Hey all,

I was diagnosed with hydrogen dominant SIBO and finished my abx (Xifaxan/Rifaximin) on Sunday. Seems my digestion (apart from some gas) is quite a bit better at least for now, but these past couple days I’ve been feeling fairly fatigued and very slightly nauseous (kind of hard to tell the difference between the two for me).

I had read that sometimes antibiotic side effects can last a bit longer than the course itself, but was curious what other people’s experience has been. I’m in contact with my doctor, so I’m not taking any of this here as gospel, it can just help ease my anxieties hearing about other people’s experiences. I struggle with anxiety in general especially related to my digestive issues (they feed off each other of course).

I have also stopped my daily psyllium husk fiber supplement for the course of my abx treatment and for the near future, as instructed by my GI. I felt it was helping prior to my SIBO diagnosis, so maybe that’s a factor somehow? I don’t know really.

TLDR: Basically just interested in people’s experience post-Xifaxan, if anybody has experienced lingering side effects and if I’m possibly just a victim to my impatience more than anything. Thanks!

My toddler (2.5 years old) has had painful gas for 8 months now. Initially, the GI thought it was constipation related however, that’s no longer an issue as my toddler is no longer constipated (we got an X-ray to confirm). We’ve also tried different probiotics per GI’s advice but none of them gave relief. We have also been dairy free for 8 months. The next step is to try a 2 week course of Flagyl.

We saw a 2nd GI for their opinion and he recommended we try a 1 week course of Rifaximin. He said it’s much easier to take as Flagyl can be too bitter to swallow. I’ve read Flagyl in general is a harder medication to take as it can cause a lot of nausea and decrease in appetite. I worry about dropping weight as my toddler is <5% for weight.

Keep in mind, my child is too young to have any breath testing done. All stool samples were normal. This leads me to ask:

What is the best medication for my toddler’s SIBO … Flagyl or Rifaximin? Any of you have experience with toddler SIBO?

Does motegrity bloating usually lessen with time?

I had my first round of Rifax a few months ago and started feeling better but still can’t process sugar or carbs and foodmarble is showing high methane. So I started Rifax/neomycin now 2 days ago and my numbers are consistently high. Higher than they were before I started taking it. This didn’t happen first round of Rifax. Has this happened with anyone else?

My motility is too quick rather. I shit 5-6 times a day. I only burp after drinking water. I get heart palpitations after eating, especially after eating more fat. The main debilitating symptom I have is insomnia which began after an extended round of probiotics. Can anyone else relate? It was a lactobacillus/bifido blend - it completely ruined my digestion so I quit taking two weeks ago. digestion returned to normal, no bloating/gas - just the same insomnia two weeks later

Can anyone else relate?

There’s been some recent discussion around vitamin B1 potentially helping with SIBO/IBS symptoms. Since there's limited information and few documented cases, I’m starting this thread to gather personal experiences from anyone who has used or is using B1.

Please keep your responses brief and easy to read. Use the numbered format below and feel free to add anything extra at the end.

1. What were your symptoms?
2. How long have you been taking B1? Are you still taking it?
3. What form and dosage (HCL, mononitrate, benfotiamine, TTFD) of B1 are you using/have been using?
4. What other supplements or medications are you taking, and at what doses?
5. Have you noticed any improvements or symptom relief?
6. Any side effects?

• Additional notes or observations:

I have to ask.

When I lay down, I can feel my guts moving, then a muscle will twitch. Then I get a weird buzzing around my body like glutamate or some weird anxiety from the stomach issues, can't fall asleep. It is so strange. I know it is from the gut.

Anyone else?

This will be my 2rd attempt at treating my methane and hydrogen dominate SIBO in combo with low stomach acid. My last attempt I worked with a doctor who prescribed me rifaximin & neomycin. That worked well, but I had no care plan from the doc for what to do after. Just told me to take more fiber. SIBO came back strong a couple months later. Below is what I pulled from ChatGPT to treat it with supplements. I have the option to get the rifaximin & neomycin again if you all think that would be a better option.

Let me know if you think this is a good gameplan or any recommendations on adjustments. I have a good foundation for my diet but need to get this gone so my diet will work better. Thanks in advance for any advice!

🔥 Phase 1: Stomach Acid + Digestion Support (Weeks 1-2, then ongoing as needed)

✅ Betaine HCl + Pepsin – Long-term (ongoing as needed)

Take daily with meals that contain protein. After finishing SIBO treatment (Week 9+), try slowly lowering the dose and see if digestion stays strong. If bloating or indigestion returns, you may need it longer. ✅ Digestive Enzymes – At least through Week 16

Helps with food breakdown and reduces bloating. Some people stay on it long-term, especially if digestion remains sluggish. Reevaluate after SIBO is cleared—if digestion is strong, you can stop. ✅ Bile Support (TUDCA or Ox Bile) – At least through Week 16

Essential if you have trouble digesting fats. If stools are pale, greasy, or floating, continue beyond Week 16. If digestion improves, you can taper off. 🦠 Phase 2: SIBO Killing Protocol (Weeks 3-8)

✅ Antimicrobials (Berberine, Allicin, Oregano, Neem, etc.) – 6-8 weeks, then stop

Weeks 3-6: Allicin + Berberine Weeks 6-8: Neem + Oregano Oil Do not continue long-term—they kill both bad & good bacteria. ✅ Activated Charcoal (if needed for die-off symptoms) – Only as needed

Take 1,000 mg between meals if experiencing die-off symptoms (headaches, fatigue, bloating). Stop when symptoms improve. 🚀 Phase 3: Gut Motility & Prevent Relapse (Weeks 9-16, some longer-term)

✅ Prokinetics (Ginger, Iberogast, or LDN) – At least 3-6 months, possibly longer

If you had slow gut motility before SIBO, you may need prokinetics long-term. After 3-6 months, try stopping. If constipation/bloating returns, restart. ✅ Saccharomyces Boulardii (Probiotic Yeast) – At least 3-6 months

Helps prevent SIBO relapse by crowding out bad bacteria. Can be taken long-term if beneficial. ✅ Soil-Based Probiotics (MegaSporeBiotic, Prescript-Assist) – Long-term if tolerated

Start after finishing antimicrobials (Week 9+). Helps repopulate good bacteria. If digestion stays strong after 3-6 months, you can stop or take occasionally. 💪 Phase 4: Gut Healing & Long-Term Maintenance (Weeks 9-16, some long-term)

✅ L-Glutamine (Gut Repair) – 8+ weeks, then as needed

Helps heal leaky gut & repair the gut lining. After 8-12 weeks, stop or take as needed for gut support. ✅ Zinc Carnosine – 8+ weeks, then as needed

Strengthens gut lining & supports digestion. If digestion improves, stop after 8-12 weeks. ✅ Aloe Vera Juice – As needed

Helps with inflammation & gut repair. Use as needed if you have irritation or bloating.

I am looking to start a class action lawsuit against this drug. To do this, I need to identify a group of people with similar claims against Topamax/Topiramate for off label use- specifically for binge eating disorder, mood disorder or anxiety. I will be the lead plaintiff to represent the group. I will consult with a class action attorney to help file the lawsuit and meet the legal requirements for certification. We deserve compensation for the horrible side effects of this drug.

If you are taking Topamax, or Topiramate, have experienced damaging thyroid issues, severe hair loss, hormonal problems, heart palpitations, sexual dysfunction, apathy, loss of interest, SIBO/gastrointestinal issues, please respond to this post with the dosage you are on, how long you’ve taken it, and your symptoms.

I have SIBO-C (hydrogen, not methane), endometriosis, pelvic floor dysfunction, and C-PTSD. As you can imagine, my guts are a mess.

Over the last year, I stopped responding to Xifaxin and Motegrity hasn’t been working as well. My doc had me try, at different times, IBSrela and Linzess 72 mg.

On IBSrela, I had a constipated-to-normal poop about every other day, which isn’t terrible, but my stomach was incredibly bloated and I was very uncomfortable. This is about how I felt on Motegrity, although the bloating was slightly better on motegrity.

The Linzess on the other hand caused me to run to the bathroom with urgent diarrhea 6 times the first morning I took it. My upper abdominal bloating significantly improved on Linzess.

Neither of these seem to be a great option for me, but I’m curious—can anyone explain why I would have such different reactions to both medications? I know their mechanism is probably different, but I literally went from being very constipated to liquid poos in 24 hrs. Does my reaction lend any insight into what could be causing my SIBO or how I should proceed with treatment? Of course, I’ll also be asking my doc this, but I’m curious to hear from other patients.

Been taking augmentin and neomycin. I felt relatively the same until yesterday… since then I’ve had lots of nausea, abdominal cramping, and I’ve been going to the bathroom a lot. I’m hoping this is die off since for the first 6 days I was still constipated. Am I just pooping all the bacteria out? This nausea is killing me though… would appreciate any words of encouragement or similar experiences. TIA!!

I’m tried of spending thousands on naturopaths who don’t try to find the root cause or are advanced in leaky gut as well as histamine issues. Any recommendations? Is Dr.hagmeyer good?

Finally took three Genova 3-hour SIBO test after a couple years of suddenly experiencing random nausea and bloating along with developing rosacea + worsened acne. I’ve been restricting FODMAPs for a few months prior to taking the test, which seems to somewhat help but definitely hasn’t been a cure-all.

My methane level is exactly at the cutoff for positive. I heard lactulose is known for producing false positives. Does that seem like this could be the case?

Assuming I do have it, my insurance won’t cover rifaximin so I was wanting to maybe treat this with herbals. I know methane SIBO is harder to treat so I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations that won’t potentially worsen another problem if this was indeed a false positive.

Thank you!

after a long, long journey of trial and error, i have concluded that i have either dysbiosis, or some sort of overgrowth of bacteria (sibo). i have had constipation problems since october last year, as a result of a year and a half (nov 2023- jan 2025) of extreme stress, poor diet (sugar, processed food, no fibre at all..), excessive drinking/smoking, no exercise, working too much, anxiety and sadness, burnout etc etc..

since febuary 2025, ive changed diet completly, and been doing physio/cycling. i quit drinking in jan. i quit smoking in feb.

i have taken oregano oil for 6 days. i started last thursday. and for the first time, i went to the toilet yesterday after feeling a BM, and i went fine. but today i took it and i had acid reflux and tasted the oregano in my mouth, and had a few tummy cramps too. i feel today i will stop, and see how the next week is if my symptoms come back or not. i sometimes wonder if i should keep taking it though, as ive seen online that people say that this is the die-off symptoms. i wanted to ask on here what people think i should do. ive realised that oregano oil is quite powerful and i am quite sensitive to most things. would appreciate some advice. i wonder if it was because i didnt take it with much food. i took it during my breakfast which was an apple and 2 rice cakes with cream cheese.