Has anyone on here had experience of the nhs testing for and/or treating SIBO?
I was diagnosed with Crohns in the terminal ileum around a year a go. Inflammation was under control having used budesonide for a bit and then Pentasa for 7-8 months.
I've still struggled with overall health, fatigue, intestinal cramps/pain/big headaches.
Recently I've been seeing a nutrionist and had a GI-MAP test which looks for pathogens, parasites, bacterial make-up, inflammation etc.
My calprotectin levels are back up to almost my initial untreated levels so that's one thing to talk to Gastroenterologist about.
Secondly, the results are also pointing to a likely case of SIBO, however there's a separate test to show for sure. I'm seeing my Gastroenterologist in a few weeks and I'm concerned he won't recognise SIBO as something real, not Willie diagnosis the short term medication shown to address it.
All experiences and thoughts would really help fore arm me!
I suspected as much. The GI-MAP test I used has been around years but NHS only just starting to use in primary care. SIBO is a step too far I'd guess.
The thing is, when my calprotectin was definitely low or 'managed' I was still very sensitive to what I ate and drank despite being diagnosed with mild Crohns. Perhaps there is something more there with SIBO but gotta sweat the big stuff first. Active inflammation sounds like the bulk of my problem, or maybe all of it as you say. Got an appointment with consultant in a couple of weeks.
Thanks for the reply. V much appreciated. Reaffirmed my suspicions.
I don't think sibo is recognised by the nhs. I asked a dietician about it once and got blank looks. Another one did know about it but agreed that Drs don't recognise it as a condition yet.
I have found that reducing sugar in my diet has helped as bacteria feed off sugar. If I have a few days or eating sugary foods my symptoms of gas and bloating get worse
My dietitian hadn't heard of the SCD! Not too surprised. That's another vote in the "it's highly unlikely the nhs recognise SIBO" camp. I'm currently off all sugar and carbs to avoid sugary starch feeding it. Thanks for sharing your experience!
Hi, I have SIBO and this is recognised by the NHS, but you may find it difficult to get it diagnosed. There are tests you can take if you can persuade your doctor to refer you. There was an article in the Daily Mail about it a few years ago, do a search there. My treatment is antibiotics on a fairly regularly basis. At present that seems to be the only treatment, but of course you have to be sure it is SIBO.
Hi Dorwyn, that's really helpful to know. I've had a SIBO breath test completed privately and my Gastroenterologist has said "we can come back to that" once I've been through another round of endoscopy, colonoscopy and MRI following some weight loss.
For you, what symptoms went away when you were treated for SIBO and how large was the difference? Thanks. Matt.
Huge. Almost immediately, within a few hours, certainly a day or two, motions were solid and comfortable, not loose and sudden. I could sleep the best part of the night, without discomfort. And wind was much more controlled.I felt human again, not a slave to my bowels. I have been able to go up to 10 months at best without antibiotics, and as little as 4 or 5 weeks at worst. At the moment, there seems to be a reaction to excessive use of antibioitics, such that doctors are reluctant to prescribe. But cerainly in my case, it has been a revalation. I managed to get Rifaxamin prescribed by my gastroenterologist, which worked the longest.
Acutally, I was prescribed antibiotics for a skin infection. The improvement to my other SIBO symptoms was so obvious, and immediate, that the doctor and gi had to accept that it is SIBO. I was lucky.
Thanks so much. This gives me some hope as I'm starting to think it's not the Crohns that continues to cause my problems. If you're not already on it - I'd recommend using diet to minimise SIBO. There's a variation of SCD which also excludes SIBO feeding food. I went through what they called die-off symptoms as the bacteria is starved but it's just a start. On conjunction with antibiotics that should really help.