From Here to Hell to Heaven

[Nancyd]

Help all...this is my first post. I am a nurse and caregiver to my husband who has suffered with SIBO for years now. I have never seen such constant suffering without relief. The pain, gloating, gas, nausea, diarrhea, orange oil with many "movements" a day. Antibiotics did not help. He could not eat without getting sick. Weight loss and feeling weak is all part of it. This is/WAS HELL to live with. I tried fecal transplants on 3 different occasions .....

NOW the HEAVEN part.....HE Is fairly normal now. All symptoms gone!!!!!!
Well mostly......The answer? For him, it was/is Acupuncture! He started last month at three times a week...sometimes symptoms got worse. Then better. He was put on Chinese herbs three times a day. The feel better trend was gradual. Acupuncture can be expensive...$75.00 for an hour, but well worth it! No antibiotics....he continues with Align probiotics. He is sometimes even constipated. He has no pain or bloating, no nausea, no diarrhea. You MUST TRY ACUPUNCTURE! He is down to once a week session now, and feels GREAT! In about two weeks he will finish his sessions. Please try this. Be proactive. I have done much research on SIBO and there is a hope with acupuncture.

 

[David]

Hi Nancy and welcome!

I am SO PLEASED to hear your husband is doing much better! That's fantastic

Out of curiosity, what is the cause of his SIBO, do they know? Some form of IBD? Decreased intestinal motility? Something else?

 

[Nancyd]

David,
My husband has chronic pancreatitis and Diabetes. Both conditions are risk factors for SIBO. He was diagnosed with SIBO two years ago. I would not have or believed that acupuncture would help,but it has helped the most of everything we tried. This condition also leas to depression, because people can't cope with the suffering. Physicians dnt really really understand the scope of the symptoms.. And it's usually only treated with antibiotics and diet, but the antibiotic therapy is no guarantee , and it's life-long. What it comes down to is this : it's penny's worth of treatment and physicians don't care. They are not diet specialists, and can't really help unless you see some super specialist usually far from where you live.
Many , many people suffer with SIBO. Some don't know they have it. I read where 75% of IBS patients have SIBO.

Thanks for your support David, and I would now recommend acupuncture as the FIRST line of treatment.

Nancyd

 

[Nancyd]

David,
Here is a testimony from a woman who had acupuncture for the same condition as yours:

“I started going to Timeless Acupuncture as a last resort. I was suffering from Lymphocytic Colitis, Fructose Intolerance, SIBO and severe back pain. I truly thought "what do I have to lose?" Well, I feel better than I have in years. Not only have my digestive and back problems eased, but my night sweats and hot flashes, insomnia and anxiety issues have disappeared even though I've come off hormone replacement therapy Hung-yuan is truly an "honest" gentleman and really wants to help. If he doesn't think he can help, he'll tell you.He also has a way of making you feel very comfortable, even when you have to stick out your tongue, weird right.
~K.Y.

 

[David]

Hi Nancy,

If he experiences depression, I would have his vitamin B12 levels tested. SIBO can lead to vitamin B12 deficiency and one of the symptoms of that is depression. In addition, if he is on Metformin for his diabetes, that increases his risk even more.

 

[Nancyd]

Hi David,
Thanks. He does have low B12.....MD visit soon. I want him to have B12 injections Q month. I am on Metformin. He is on Glucovance and insulin. Would you consider acupuncture for yourself? Fecal transplant....lots of research on that....very promising for many condition. I wasn't a good donor. But it is easy, and safe.
You are a very helpful gentleman! Thanks,
Nancyd

 

[David]

I do get acupuncture on occasion, yes I used to get it all the time when I was in AZ as I found an AMAZING acupuncturist who really knew his stuff. Unfortunately, I have yet to find a good one here in Florida. I agree that fecal transplant is an interesting and somewhat exciting treatment option.

FYI, Metformin can lead to B12 deficiency so you may want to get checked on occasion

 

[Nancyd]

There may be an acupuncture clinic near you. I would stay with it. And DEFINITELY try a fecal transplant. My husband felt really well within an hour and the first time lasted a month. But as I said, I wasn't a good donor. Get a friend who is healthy, eats healthy foods, and who has no GI,STD issues. They should be tested, but you're desperate, people don't do testing. I can walk you through the procedure, and tell you what you would need. Research fecal transplant for your condition. Some (few) GI docs do it in hospital. Sometimes with specific diet two weeks before and antibiotics.

In terms of acupuncture, there is a clinic here in Burlington that only charges $20.00 to 40.00 per session. I can look for you for something in and around Naples.

 

[Nancyd]

David, here is one right in Naples:

LIU'S ACUPUNCTURE CENTER