Bacterial Overgrowth of the small intestines

n0007917 · Mon May 19, 2008 6:40 pm

I started the SBD today because I have a recurring health problem that my Dr cannot figure out. I was DX with bacterial overgrowth of the small intestines. I go on antibiodics and it clears up, but as soon as the drugs are done, it comes back. I have had every test under the sun and everything comes back normal. My Dr cannot figure out why this keeps coming back,but he is guessing that it is something I am eating(I have also tested negative to food allergys).I found a forum online that discusses this and it recommends a diet low in sugar and bad carbs and the SBD was suggested for me to try. It seems that the bacteria feed off of the sugar and carbs so I am hoping that I will find relief if I can illiminate the source. Since I also have some weight to lose, it could be a win win for me!
This problem causes me severe abdominal pain, bloating ,distention and (sorry) REALLY bad gas. I am at my wits end. It interfers with social and business events as I cannot go if my stomache is really bad. Sometimes I have to cancel out on the gym due to the extreme embarrassement of "odor".
This occurs each and every day of my life for years now, but gets worse and worse as time goes by. I have tried probiodics, digestive ensymes etc etc with no success.The only thing that provides some relief is pepto Bismal, which I buy by the case. I excercise 2x a week with cardio and weights. I try to do the right stuff but nothing works.
I dont know if there might be anyone else here that has lived with Bacterial overgrowth of the small intestines or even better anyone who has found a successful cure for it. I would love to hear your experiences.
At the very least, I am hoping that the SBD will be my cure!
I am miserable :cry:

Natedeni · Mon May 19, 2008 8:14 pm

Is the bacteria you are referring to Candida?

There are many forums on the web relating to this issue. I have celiac disease and its been really common on our forum. People have recommended all sorts of things but the one that gets highly praised is Caprylic acid and a probiotic combo, and some people also find relief with a garlic tablet.

I have this also but it is under control. I had to cut out all sugar and almost all non-veggie carbohydrates to control it. The bacteria feeds on the sugar and that will make it worse. Also if it is Candida, you will have to cut out fermented food such as blue cheese and mushrooms.

n0007917 · Tue May 20, 2008 1:08 pm

Its not Candida. It is simply called Bacterial Overgrowth of the small intestines. As I understand it, Candida is something different. usually antibiodics clear it up, but for me it keeps coming back. The mystery continues.

aan · Wed Aug 06, 2008 4:03 am

I would love to know how this is working out for you. My mom has had similar symptoms for years without any diagnosed cause.

n0007917 · Wed Aug 06, 2008 2:41 pm

I am having alot of success following a low carb/low sugar diet. It is not completely gone, some days I am bothered a little with the stomache symptoms, but even that is minor compared to what I dealt with daily. In fact most days I symptom free. I am especially relieved that I can eliminate the "gas" without going on antobodics. I have a large business conference to attend this week and usually I go on the RX prior to these meetings so I can attend without pain or embarressment. What a relief.
I have slipped up a few times and eaten things I should not have and noticed the change in symptom soon after.
I am hesitant to go to step 2- bacause that requires adding more carbs /sugars back in. I think that soon I will attempt to add 1 new item at a time to see how I fair with that. I ate fruit a couple of days ago and paid the price for it. So far I am skipping all the fresh corn on the cob my family is eating because of what it might do to me.
I do miss my carbs though!
I would suggest you Mom try the diet- if she has the same symptoms I did, then she doesnt have much to loose. Good luck! :D

loserwant2b · Thu Aug 21, 2008 1:12 am

Hi,

I had been diagnosed with (get this) Claustridium Dificile Toxin. It is a mutant form of bacteria in the intestines caused by starting an antibiotic and not finishing enough. When an antibiotic is taken to battle a germ, it kills all bacteria. Even the friendly strain that runs the intestinal track. When the AntiB is stopped too early and the bacteria is not all 'dead' they revive and strengthen to 'fight' the next strain of AntiB. Kind of like roaches need stronger pesticides and flu strains need stronger drugs. The doctors told me I will have this condition for life although it can get under control. First I had to go on a very strong AntiB called vancomycin. It kills the masses of mutant bacteria but because I have the 'toxin' I must overcome them continually with live cultures found in yogurts - not acidophylis. If I do NOT take yogurt daily or every couple days at least I get violent diarhea (sp).

My thought is this. first have your Dr test you for C-Diff. I know you said he told you it was overgrowth but is he sure it's 'friendly' C-Diff is hard to diagnose, requires a stool sample (yuck) and a lab that knows about it. If this is your issue, salads commonly have chemicals sprayed on them. (You can buy it in the grocery to keep the lettuce from browning.) This stuff is poison and the bacteria HATE it. It doesn't kill them though, they just make everything else in the gut use the express lane to get out - don't use it and if you find favorite salad bars use it, stop going there.

One of the reasons I do not experience severe symptoms while on theis WOE is because the simple sugars our body breaks down in digestion (from refined flours) is like a breeding ground for these guys.

There is a web site/support group for C-diff sufferers that I posted on a lot when I was extremely sick. I can't remember where it is, but all i did was type c-diff in the seach box and it was easy. (As I remember)

Anyway - I hope this sheds a little light on your possible situation. But you need to find out if it IS c-diff before it gets really bad as some people end up with colostomy bags because it destroys your colon. (Eventually.) I was lucky. I had an internal Medicine Dr who was familiar this disease. I am pleased to report I have been treatment free for years although I could tell (Before SB) when I had not eaten enough yogurt.

Good luck

gpiprn · Fri Sep 05, 2008 8:22 pm

Just some clarification about the previous post C-diff can also be a side effect of long term antibiotic therapy. maybe the previous poster is have recurrent outbreaks because it is transferred by spores, which can be left anywhere you touch if you are infected.All surfaces need to be wiped down with bleach. At the hospital I work at patients suspected even suspected of having c-diff are put in contact isolation no one is allowed in the room without sdisposable gown and gloves. IF YOU ARE NOT TREATED YOU COULD DIE AND TRUST ME ITS NOT PRETTY.


Page 1 of 1