Xifaxin for SIBO treatment

Hi!

I think I may have posted this before but my integrative p doc feels the reason I am having glutamate overdrive is due to a gut issue

As u can see from my sig I used very little Ativan and developed severe sxs when trying to Get off

Anyone know if xifaxin interacts w w/d

Historically I really don't do well w most medications

But I am wondering if I need to treat the SIBO or just wait until after taper?

Anyone had this experience?

I have a hx of interstitial cystitis too and other medical issues over the years.. I was prescribed you guessed it! Diazepam! When I was 20.

Never had a prob getting on/off and never used it daily except maybe 25 years ago.

Ativan changed everything. Thnx

Hi Jackson,

 

We do have a lot of similar symptoms!  That's very interesting about what your doctor said about glutamate overdrive and gut issues.  Glad you found a good doctor! I've heard that xifaxin does help with SIBO but, it can still come back even after a course of treatment.  The nurse practitioner that I work with thinks SIBO can be caused by Benzo's affects on our GI's "migrating motor complex".  If I remember correctly; when the GI slows down too much, it can cause bacteria from the large intestine to migrate into the small intestine where it doesn't belong.  Did your doctor have you do a SIBO Breathalyzer test?  Very good question about whether to treat this now during tapering or not...our bodies' are already handling so much trying to recover from all this?

 

Hope you are having a good day today!

 

 

Hi burned out! Where are u located? I am in LA

Yes I believe I had SIBO for a long time but it's gotten worse with lack of sleep and benzo use and frustration over the last couple of years especially

I got IC 25 years ago. Was in bad shape for 8 years in pain.

They gave me benzos.

I took low doses on/off never giving it a second thought

Then I got into remission after ozone therapy and elmiron.. 18 mos later In 2005 my life finally changed and I was pain free. Not anxiety free. I think I had paws for a long time and didn't know it.

I wasn't using benzos then.. Maybe once every couple of mos or not even?? Never kept track. When sleep became an issue after becoming a parent everything went down hill and my IC came back after cipro in 2013 . Terrified of antibiotics bc I have never ever had a good experience. My goal is Med free completely. Xifaxin I don't know how that interacts and I don't want to make things worse.. I am very underweight right now and run to the restroom all the time ;(

Hi Jackson and Butned Out,

Jackson.....we have chatted through PMs, but I really wanted BurnedOut to hear what happened with my functional medicine practitioners two days ago.

He is convinced that I have a)SIBO, b) badly weakened adrenals, c) sleep dysfunction, d) possible hormonal imbalances.

Although I do not have my personalized therapeutic plan yet, he intimated that he would treat the sibo without the use of prescriptive antibiotics.

I also suffered with IC for several years in perimenopause. My GP's answer was to treat my episodes like a UTI. Man oh man I was on a lot of antibiotics. Now I ask myself...WHY??

On top of that, way back in 1995, I was discovered to have helicobacter bacteria. I went on the Barry Marshall protocol of heavy duty.......yup.....antibiotics. And....at THAT time, no one ever suggested to me to take good quality probiotics. Actually took NONE. No wonder my gut is a mess.

I now take a very good probiotic, but the functional medicine guy has many more ideas up his sleeve.

Here's hoping.

Let us know what he says!

Yes if I weren't in the midst of benzo w/d I would go the natural route with SIBO.

But with all these meds I think it will heighten things. Xifaxin may too but it is localized in the gut. Read Pimentals ibs solution book.

I did do breath test. Positive twice.

My main issue is not being able to gain weight etc but I think if I were healed off benzo I would be much much better. It can fuel glutamate overdrive and cause more anxiety so worth a shot to treat.

For sure hormonal issues in there.. I was Pms this week and on Thursday felt 'acute' again. Someone talked w me for 25 min and I calmed downs

Goes to show how much the mind can wreak havoc.

My body still burns all day but I think it's benzo .

hey all,

 

Jackson:  So sorry that you are going through so much! Sounds like the benzos probably made your SIBO worse.  Probably worth trying to treat the SIBO and see how you feel then.  I'm on the K Klub thread  and many folks there have gut issues as well.  Some were losing weight from previous issues, some from the effects of benzos.  For some, their weight stabilized and others then started gaining weight.  It's all so crazy These benzos are so unpredictable!  I'll be right behind you-doing a SIBO breath test soon.  I'm not sure what to do if the test comes back positive either.  I lost a lot of weight, too but, over a year and a half, have been able to put some back on.  Had to up the calories , take a lot of probiotics, try not to eat much sugar/carbs, increased protein, etc.  I was diagnosed with dysbiosis and maybe all the probiotics are balancing all those gut microbes....hard to say. 

So sorry about the Cipro making your IC worse, too. I read somewhere on this site that Cipro class drugs and benzos can be a bad combination.  Why don't the doctors know that?    Is there anything that is helping you with your IC now?  I take aloe caps that keep my IC from flaring and I think they help my GI, too. Please let us know how you are doing!  Oh, an I'm in Colorado

 

Seashell:  Wow!  We three seem to all be in the same boat!  All of these things:  SIBO, adrenal fatigue, insomnia and messed up hormones are so interconnected and complex.  So sorry your old doctor gave you so many antibiotics for the IC.  Hope your IC and H. Pylori are better now at least!  I'm glad you are on probiotics and it sounds like your functional med doc is very good. There are some good books out there by Dr. Wilson and Dr. Lam about adrenal fatigue that helped me understand it better. I'm glad we have good integrative doctors that can figure this all this out and help us gain our health back.  At least they do understand and are willing to help.  Benzos certainly didn't help but, we will recover from those too...one step at a time, we'll get there!   Please let us know how things are going for you and maybe we can all compare notes

 

Take care!  Burned

 

Jackson,

Strange as it may seem, I too was prescribed Cipro for my "supposed" UTIs. And at that time, I was on a Benzo. Damn. If only I knew then.......  Anyway, Burned is absolutely correct. Ciprofloxacin, (as all fluorquinolones), I have learned is contraindicated when using any benzodiazepines.  I informed my know it all GP of this fact, and he totally ignored the evidence. 😟

 

Burned,

My IC only surfaces on occasion. I think it's hormone related despite the fact that I am post menopausal. I still feel the "cycles" almost 8 years since my last period.

Yes. I know of Dr. Lam and Dr. Wilson. Have read snippets online. I actually bought and started supplementation with some of the suggestions of Dr. Jacob Teitlebaum. (From Fatigued to Fantastic) He follows the S.H.I.N.E protocol. The acronym stands for: sleep/stress, hormones, infection, nutrition and exercise.

Since my meeting with my functional medicine practitioner, I have one thing that money can't buy.....HOPE.

By the way, I am from central Canada. ☃

Seashell

Seashell,

 

Glad you only have occasional IC flares.  I just thought things would be easier after menopause I told that to my doctor,r who looked at me like I was crazy, as he was prescribing hormone therapy...  I have heard of Dr. Teitlebaum and that SHINE protocol sounds interesting.  Will take a look into it.

Yes!  HOPE is everything in all this:  good medical help, caring friends/family, having a window after having so many waves, Benzo Buddes and knowng that so many people in our shoes have been able to recover and get their lives back

I would really like to visit Canada some day-beautiful country   Take care!

Seashell, would you mind telling me the name of the probiotic you take?  Thank you.  Cross

crosstheroad,

 

I have used several probiotics in the last few years, but the one that two naturopaths have recommended in the past and that I am taking again now is:

 

                                            ProbioMax Daily DF by XYMOGEN

 

I haven't looked for these online.* I have only purchased them from a naturopath and a functional medicine practitioner.

 

*I actually just looked online for them. Although they will not ship to Canada, Amazon sells them. They have gotten tremendous reviews. 👍🏻

 

I hope this helps.

Seashell

 

 

 

 

 

                             

Seashell, you're the best!  Thank you, I will go to Amazon.  Cross

Seashell, I just went to Amazon and since I am on social security and a very fixed income, I won't be able to spend $70.00 a month on them.  Are there any you took in the past that were good but less expensive?  Thank you. Cross

Cross,

I am so sorry about the high cost, but there are other options for sure.

I really thought that

 

                        Pearls Elite by Enzymatic

 

were very good. Those are the ones that Dr. Teitlebaum recommends in his book.

 

I hope these are more affordable for you Cross. I am thinking that Vitacost sells them. Probably Amazn too.

 

Best of luck, Seashell

 

 

I was given megadophilipus and bifido by natren

You can get it at whole foods

But there is controversy about treating SIBO w probiotics since its dumping bacteria in a bacterial situation

Check out dr Pimentals book

Seashell, thanks so much for another choice, I really appreciate it.  Jackson, thank you too, I will check them both out.  Cross

 

Cross,

I am so sorry about the high cost, but there are other options for sure.

I really thought that

 

                        Pearls Elite by Enzymatic

 

were very good. Those are the ones that Dr. Teitlebaum recommends in his book.

 

I hope these are more affordable for you Cross. I am thinking that Vitacost sells them. Probably Amazn too.

 

Best of luck, Seashell

 

 

Hello,

 

SIBO increase glutamate? Interesting, why is that so? Habe you any research or link about that?

 

Thanks

No info directly but my integrative psychiatrist said that... he said it was too complicated to explain and i believe him lol

check out dr pimental's book the ibs solution

 

funny, I've been having all kinds of issues for 6 months and am just now realizing it's withdrawals that were masked/delayed with alcohol, and then massively kindled by a combination of naltrexone / alcohol detox and more recently propofol & possibly flumazenil

 

I'm also thought to have SIBO and get tested next week.  The gastro is so sure he's already prescribed me the Xifaxin.  I'm extremely hesitant to take anything now.  I had been slowly *somewhat* improving in certain regards for 3-4 months and then had an upper endoscopy.  This was quick, via propofol, and didn't seem to trigger anything.  Then I had a colonoscopy, which is longer, via propofol and have had tinnitus, sensation of pressure changes in head/ears/sinuses, some equilibrium issues, and get this..  I had what are almost 100% certain to be partial simple seizures after eating breakfast and downing a VSL3 probiotic on two consecutive mornings.

 

I realize now I was probably having minor versions of these quite a bit at the beginning of this 6 month period.  And only now realize that they were often triggered by meals involving large helpings of free glutamates (like alfredo sauce which is parmesan by nature, and in this case clearly listed MSG on the bottle)

 

What a mess.  Anyway, I don't have an answer to the question.  But I'm interested.  I'm very reluctant to take any drugs whatsoever now.  Especially if this most recent propofol incident has me to the point where a strong probiotic is giving me a seizure.  :| 

 

 

Let me tell you I have spent 4 years with a Gi specialist at a university for this SIBO. NONE of the antibiotics worked (TRIED 6 of them). Have you tried lactulose solution? It has helped me a lot, almost cured. Odd I found this post here. The only bad thing about lactulose is it will make you go and go and go. So I take it on days off and sometimes right after work. Like clock work I have to go to the bathroom in 45 minutes. It is a simple sugar that comes from milk. Who would have thought.  It is cheap and not a bad tasting liquid. Please let me know if this helps you. I had every test they could do and for the last 4 months I feel MUCH better with this medication. It is an RX. Ask Your Dr.

 

Oh , and forget about pro biotics. They did nothing and I think they are a bad idea. The good bactera will grow again on its own IMO.

Jackson1, i find this:

 

http://www.holistichelp.net/blog/how-to-increase-gaba-and-balance-glutamate/

 

From link:

 

"The toxins created by Candida can stimulate surges of glutamate production. Hundreds of other toxins can produce this same surge in glutamate activity, including mold toxins, bacterial toxins, Lyme, and organic solvents. Dr. Rick Sponaugle, brain expert, states that even the toxins released by bacteria in your mouth that cause gingivitis and periodontal disease can increase glutamate activity and lead to a wide array of symptoms like anxiety. I can attest to this personally, I have experienced high anxiety from a bout with gingivitis. So it’s important to note, that many of the symptoms of Candida overgrowth can be caused by caused by an excess of glutamate."

 

i'm sure i have Candida(because of a stool test(Little Candida) 1,5 years ago. i also diagnosed with lyme 10 years ago, but i don't know if that make now problems. I think i have SIBO or something that make me extrem bloat. Have you bloat?

So what are you doing now against the infections?

Is there any Test for SIBO?

Let me tell you I have spent 4 years with a Gi specialist at a university for this SIBO. NONE of the antibiotics worked (TRIED 6 of them). Have you tried lactulose solution? It has helped me a lot, almost cured. Odd I found this post here. The only bad thing about lactulose is it will make you go and go and go. So I take it on days off and sometimes right after work. Like clock work I have to go to the bathroom in 45 minutes. It is a simple sugar that comes from milk. Who would have thought.  It is cheap and not a bad tasting liquid. Please let me know if this helps you. I had every test they could do and for the last 4 months I feel MUCH better with this medication. It is an RX. Ask Your Dr.

 

Oh , and forget about pro biotics. They did nothing and I think they are a bad idea. The good bactera will grow again on its own IMO.

 

 

 

 

Be careful wit the lactulose. It may be fine for you but my setback after 8 years started with lactulose. I do believe it raises sugar levels. I don't know whether the sugar from it has caused setbacks or the solution tself has caused further damage but Im experiencing symptoms I have never had before...that and dulcoease. I took lactulose for around a month on and off before I realised that something was u and things were getting worse in me.

 

Shania

Jackson1, i find this:

 

http://www.holistichelp.net/blog/how-to-increase-gaba-and-balance-glutamate/

 

 

BttR,

 

Thank you very much for this link. One of the best sites for explaining the glutamate GABA scenarios and other physiological processes.

 

Bennie

Bttr:  Thank-you for the link to the fantastic article on balancing glutamate and gaba levels!!!!

 

I recently stopped a pea protein supplement because it contained a lot of added L glutamate (I didn't know that peas are high in glutamate either!).  I have never been able to tolerate glutamine either, even when my doctor said it could help repair my possible leaky gut.  I also have MTHFR issues and have started a paleo diet as well.  What a complex issue but, it's good to learn as much as we can about it!

 

My nurse practitioner  recently ordered a breath test for suspected SIBO.  It's a do it a home test.

 

Thanks again!    Burned Out

Bttr:  Thank-you for the link to the fantastic article on balancing glutamate and gaba levels!!!!

 

I recently stopped a pea protein supplement because it contained a lot of added L glutamate (I didn't know that peas are high in glutamate either!).  I have never been able to tolerate glutamine either, even when my doctor said it could help repair my possible leaky gut.  I also have MTHFR issues and have started a paleo diet as well.  What a complex issue but, it's good to learn as much as we can about it!

 

My nurse practitioner  recently ordered a breath test for suspected SIBO.  It's a do it a home test.

 

Thanks again!    Burned Out

 

Burned Out,

 

I think when the overall load of glutamate is low, an occasional high Glutamine food won't effect us as badly. But yeah, the pea protein can, if taken every day. I have a rice protein mix I haven't cracked open yet. But I'm getting enough dietary protein so as not to worry about adding it. Can you believe that I took L Glutamine for six months before beginning my taper, for gut repair? Maybe it helped the gut but certainly not my brain, as I was spiraling into anxiety and Benzo hell. Pays to investigate stuff and take charge of our health. I don't think I'll go the route of antibiotics for SIBO. I think I've got that under control through diet and probiotics. I am better now, and even was better than when tapering, than three years ago diagnosed with SIBO and IBS. What an uphill journey...

 

Hope you recovery in all ways.

Bennie

Benniejets and BurnedOut,

 

No problem