For most of my life, I have always had stomach issues. In high school, I would complain of an upset stomach after eating most anything. It was not until I reached my second year of college where I began to notice the bloating and more intense cramping, not to mention the annoyingly embarrassing noises my stomach made even. I wasn't even eating a lot to make my stomach feel so full and bloat so much. Even after drinking one beer, I found myself feeling very sick and having to throw up. I was very confused and wanted answers. I thought at first it was lactose intolerance. I tried, on my own, eliminating dairy. No change. Next, I thought maybe it was gluten. Nope, still no change.
I needed answers to rid myself of this discomfort. My first step was visiting my gastroenterologist. He suggested we take a lactose breath test. For this, I had to stick to a prep diet the day before the test, and fast twelve hours before. The prep diet made my stomach hurt and it only consisted of chicken, rice, broth, potatoes and eggs. Very bland stuff. After the very long, three hour test, it came back negative. I was frustrated because this meant I had to take a similar test of the length for bacteria overgrowth. A week later, I went in for my test and three long hours of blowing into a bag my SIBO test came back positive. During the test, I looked up the different ways to treat SIBO. I found that it was treated with antibiotics and sometimes diet.
The nurses gave me a sample of (Xifaxin aka Rifaximin) in which I should be on for 10 days. I started the antibiotic while I was a little congested. After taking the antibiotic for about 5 days, I was feeling VERY sick. I went to health services on campus, and they said it was probably just a sinus infection and I should better in a few days. They tested me for mono, which came back negative and they put me on another antibiotic, Levofloxacin, I had never taken it before. I never saw my symptoms get better, only worse. I went back to health services on campus and the doctor switched me to Amoxicillin. I still was not getting better. My symptoms included being really dizzy, weak, tired, all major flu like symptoms and headaches. It was close to the end of the semester and I was trying to study and enjoy the end of semester festivities that the school put on. I had to miss all of them because I literally could not leave my bed. My parents had planned to come visit me to start packing up my stuff and taking it home, but when they got there they believed I was way too unhealthy to be staying at school. I ended up going home and missing my finals. Luckily, my teachers were understanding and allowed to me make them up.
I was sick for about a week longer, for a total of a two and half weeks of sickness. During this time I visited my doctor multiple times. I was tested for the flu, blood tested, and every test under the sun to see what I had, but no doctor could figure it out. Once I was finally better, I went for a follow up with my gastroenterologist. He said that my SIBO should be cleared up with all of the antibiotics I had been on. I left the office feeling good that I was better, only to go home and eat dinner to have a bloated, cramped stomach. I was frustrated. At the follow up, my gastro said if my symptoms came back that I would take the SIBO breath test again in a few weeks and we would figure it out from there.
I took the SIBO breath test again and was told that it came back EXTREMELY positive. My doctor said I had three options. 1.) get a colonoscopy for further testing. 2.) go on long term antibiotics and 3.) see a specialist. Well, I did not really want to get a colonoscopy. I felt that my symptoms weren't that bad that I would have something outstanding and that would be my last resort. My doctor steered me away from seeing a specialist because "they would just want to do more testing as well". So, I ended up going with the long term antibiotic. I was prescribed the Xifaxin aka Rifaximin for 30 days.
This was probably the hardest decision to make to go on this medicine. Based on what had happened the last time I was on it, I did not want that to happen again. So, I asked my doctor if a diet was an option. He completely shut me down saying, "NO, there are no diets that will help this." I begged to differ based on all of the research I had been doing on this disorder. My mom read so many books from the library, I searched every inch of the internet, and we even spent time sitting in the bookstore reading up on it.
Recently, I found a group on Facebook that was full of people like me that were diagnosed with SIBO. They gave me great advice and were very helpful. I started the Specific Carbohydrate Diet four days ago and I've felt SO much better. I am taking the antibiotic as well, but I am being very cautious. The doctors didn't know if the antibiotic had made me sick, but I read up on the theory of "dieing off" when the bacteria literally dies off. This can give you flu like symptoms and make you feel really sick. I'm really hoping I don't get as bad as I felt at school, but if I do start to feel sick at least I will know what it is. Right?
So, I have decided to bring you all along on my journey of a new SCD lifestyle! At first I was scared because of how much you have to give up, but its amazing how many alternatives you can make. And this was just the kick start I needed to start a healthier lifestyle and stop eating all of the dangerous processed foods. It's true, I've become a health freak and I'm loving it!
