Small bowel bacterial overgrowth? Anyone have this?

My GBS treated me for this about 2 months ago.  Symptoms were severe abdominal pain; cholicky, spasmodic; bloating; excessive gas and belching.  I was on antibiotics for a week and then probiotics twice a day.  My symptoms improved and I was good for about 6 weeks and then slowly the symptoms came back and got extreme again.  Back on antibiotics (Flagyl and  Avelox).  Wonder what the long term Rx may be to manage this condition?  Any one else diagnosed with this and how did your doc keep the symptoms from returning?

What kind of probiotics are you taking?  It is very important to be brand specific when taking probiotics.  Two of the best probiotics available at your local pharmacy would be Align and Flora Q 2.  Both are over the counter but you may have to ask your pharmacist to order them.  If you are taking probiotics that you get off the shelf, they probably aren't as effective.  GOOD probiotics daily are the best defense to help keep this from coming back. Also, consider Gas-X with every meal and at bedtime for 4-5 days to see if it helps with the bloating part. ...Jill

Thanks for info about the probiotics.  I have been taking Cuturelle and drinking the Dannon Light Probiotic  drink.  The Gas X hasn't helped at all.  I was taking that 3-4 times a day but no effect.  It is an embarrasing issue to have since it creates a GREAT DEAL of gas and at times is beyond my control.  I have had to leave work because it interferes with my ability to be around people.  The pain can be so severe that the only thing that relieves it is to lie face down on a hard surface.  My GBS was also suspecting another internal hernia (based on the fact that painimproves if I lie face down...she is thinking it reduces the hernia).  Wished I could find a solution since it is impacting normal daily life.

I had an internal hernia of the pelvic floor. It made it almost impossible to have a bowel movement without using my fingers to help it out. I had it repaired by my OB/Gyn doctor when I had my tt done. Now I can go a lot easier but have to take fiber everyday. I'm not sure if your symptoms really fit an internal hernia but find a doctor who knows! The first doctor I explained my problems too blew me off. Diona

Today's WLS are far better than those of years gone by. My wife had a WLS in 1980. She spent her life taking Flagyl and Lomotil to conrol diarrhea.  She finally had a RNY revision this past summer.  No more Flagyl or Lomotil needed, as diarrhea is not a problem at all now.

I do not know much about these problems...but when I eat a lot of sugar and carbs that are not complex carbs...I get extremely gassy, bloated and all of your other symtoms for weeks and months at a time. I was so miserable for a good 4 months from Halloween (candy) to New Years....It seemed like a giant food fest for me with all the parties and candies and cookies...pasta, breads..pies and cakes...UGH!  I could not get my gas and pain under control...I literally blew my family away!  LOL Since the end of january this year, I have totally gotten back on track with the carbs. My gas and bloating is completely under control again with minor little ONE DAY set backs here and there...Probiotics help better now than when it was really out of control. I could fix the problem for about two weeks and then it was right back as soon as I quit the probiotics...and I realized it was my diet causing the trouble...Sugar and lactose. I cannot do more than a few grams of whey or any liquid mil****cream...These makes things 100% worse...but bread, pasta, sugar...is the worst. So for the last 3 months...my irritable bowel is nice and quiet...just from diet whi*****ludes yogurt at least two or three times a week...and if I know I am going to eat a food that causes this...I take a probiotic with the meal and I'm fine!  I ate a whey protein bar the other day and ::::phew::::I ended up sleeping on the couch to spare my DH. And lit candles all over the house!  So maybe you could look at your diet a little closer and experiment there. Good luck Anita

I can almost ditto Anita's post!! My twin...LOL  I take 2 Sedona IFlora Complete daily. Prescribed by my dr after doing extensive saliva & stool testing and they food all was perfect but one slight problem I had no good bacteria inm colon so he insisted on this...I took it faithfully and ran out about 3 months ago, couldn't find it since they were repacking once I got it all was fine. I have no issues with gas no as long as I take it and dump the carbs...which I have done. 

There are several on the DS forum who have had to go on antibiotics to control this issue....apparently it is very difficult to correct even in normal people. One surgeon does 2 weeks on 2 weeks off  cycle of cipro and probiotics. He does 2 or 3 cycles of it to get things right.  Some people go on long term use of flagyl....as a maintence dose....after their 1 week stint, they take 3- 500 mg pills a week long term to prevent bac terial overgrowth. Scott

Hey, K! Well, you know me... Had my breathing test this week.   Waiting on the doctor for results. I'm sooo glad to be on probiotics.  The difference in "going" is amazing.  I didn't think how slow and plugged I was until being back on these.  I'm doing much better. I definitely agree with Anita above.... that things that "feed" the bad bacteria... the simple carbs (sugars) are big triggers. Good luck!  I'll email you with what my doctor says. Kathy