Hi again,
I tested positive today for SIBO.
The doctor wants me to take Xifaxan.
I am hypersensitive several antibiotics and antibiotics are what triggered my MC diagnosis last month, so naturally i am petrified to take this.
I should never taken the test in the first place.
Tex, i don't see this drug on the 'safe medication list" that you made?
I am scared and don't know what to do now.
Has anyone ever taken this drug? any advise please
jen
SIBO
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Hi Jen,
Here's my opinion. We all have some form of SIBO when our MC is active for a while, because our gut bacteria profile changes in response to our diet and the quality of our digestion. Since digestion is poor when MC is active, the partially-digested food attracts all sorts of opportunistic bacteria. Xifaxan has never been effective for MC for more than a week or two because it will kill a few bacteria if you take it, but they will come right back again after the treatment ends. Since the xifaxan will not control the MC, your digestion will remain poor, and the partially-digested food will attract the bacteria.
Many members have tried xifaxin, and some members have repeated the treatment several times, but the end result is always the same — any improvements brought by the xifaxin only last for a week or two at the most. My opinion is that xifaxin is a waste of time and money for any MC patient, because if you search our archives, you'll find that no one has ever benefited from it for more than a week or two.
Tex
Here's my opinion. We all have some form of SIBO when our MC is active for a while, because our gut bacteria profile changes in response to our diet and the quality of our digestion. Since digestion is poor when MC is active, the partially-digested food attracts all sorts of opportunistic bacteria. Xifaxan has never been effective for MC for more than a week or two because it will kill a few bacteria if you take it, but they will come right back again after the treatment ends. Since the xifaxan will not control the MC, your digestion will remain poor, and the partially-digested food will attract the bacteria.
Many members have tried xifaxin, and some members have repeated the treatment several times, but the end result is always the same — any improvements brought by the xifaxin only last for a week or two at the most. My opinion is that xifaxin is a waste of time and money for any MC patient, because if you search our archives, you'll find that no one has ever benefited from it for more than a week or two.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
The "SIBO" resolves as our gut heals, and our digestion improves. The opportunistic bacteria are simply starved out by our normal gut bacteria as the normal bacteria begin to thrive again. Obviously I can't guarantee that this applies to every case, because now and then some truly pathogenic bacteria (such as C.diff) may come along, but so far, it's worked for the vast majority of us. As far as that goes, xifaxin wouldn't be effective for treating C. diff, anyway. These days, vancomycin is almost always required for that job.
Tex
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
I'm not positive that vancomycin is safe for all of us, but that's irrelevant, because it's much, much safer than leaving the C. diff untreated. C. diff is becoming tougher and tougher to control (antibiotics that previously worked will not usually work for many cases.) Some cases with antibiotic-resistant bacteria require fecal transplants to resolve. But you will never be able to stop the diarrhea until you get the C. diff under control first. It trumps MC reactions.
Tex
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
I wouldn't worry about the SIBO. That will take care of itself after you get the C. diff treatment behind you and get the MC symptoms under control. With any luck at all, getting rid of the C. diff will resolve most of your MC issues, and it will pave the way for a speedy recovery from MC. And then you can get back to enjoying life, again.
Issues can appear hopeless when we're sick and we don't have a plan. But once we have a plan, we're good to go again, because a resolution of all the problems is just a matter of time, and going through the motions. Chin up. You'll be OK. Every time I'm up against a situation like this, instead of worrying, I just count my blessings, because it could always be a lot worse — I could be dealing with a diagnosis of final-stage cancer.
I can understand the hopeless feeling brought on by a cancer diagnosis, because 20 years ago I was diagnosed with colon cancer by two different doctors. But they were both wrong, and I'm still here. Ten years ago I was diagnosed by a neurologist with Parkinson's disease. But he was wrong, too. I've had two major emergency abdominal surgeries (I came close to bleeding to death during the last one), and a stroke, since then. But I'm still here, and I'm enjoying life every day. If I worried about every health issue that came up, I'd probably go crazy. And I might not be here. Stress (from worry) can make the difference between life and death sometimes, when our bodies already have plenty to deal with, without the added health issues brought on by unnecessary stress (from worry).
Tex
Issues can appear hopeless when we're sick and we don't have a plan. But once we have a plan, we're good to go again, because a resolution of all the problems is just a matter of time, and going through the motions. Chin up. You'll be OK. Every time I'm up against a situation like this, instead of worrying, I just count my blessings, because it could always be a lot worse — I could be dealing with a diagnosis of final-stage cancer.
I can understand the hopeless feeling brought on by a cancer diagnosis, because 20 years ago I was diagnosed with colon cancer by two different doctors. But they were both wrong, and I'm still here. Ten years ago I was diagnosed by a neurologist with Parkinson's disease. But he was wrong, too. I've had two major emergency abdominal surgeries (I came close to bleeding to death during the last one), and a stroke, since then. But I'm still here, and I'm enjoying life every day. If I worried about every health issue that came up, I'd probably go crazy. And I might not be here. Stress (from worry) can make the difference between life and death sometimes, when our bodies already have plenty to deal with, without the added health issues brought on by unnecessary stress (from worry).
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Hi Jen,
Deep breaths. You will get through this.
It looks like you will be treated for the CDiff so that is good.
Since you brought up Xifaxan I thought I'd bring up my experience. It has a lot of positive
buzz on the internet. If any MCers take it I'd recommend taking at your home and stay at home.
I took one pill and left my home to meet a girlfriend at an Asian restaurant. I figured I'd eat white rice.
I had an extremely severe reaction to this. On the drive to the restaurant I had extreme cramping followed by painful explosive WD. If anyone tests Xifaxan stay at your house. I only had one pill
and then discarded the rest of the prescription.
I think all of us have some SIBO when we are not in remission. Concentrate on getting the CDiff
eradicated and then work on your MC management plan. As your MC goes into remission
your SIBO will go away. Prioritize treating the CDiff and then prioritize your MC management plan.
Hang tough. It can take awhile. You will get through this.
Deep breaths. You will get through this.
It looks like you will be treated for the CDiff so that is good.
Since you brought up Xifaxan I thought I'd bring up my experience. It has a lot of positive
buzz on the internet. If any MCers take it I'd recommend taking at your home and stay at home.
I took one pill and left my home to meet a girlfriend at an Asian restaurant. I figured I'd eat white rice.
I had an extremely severe reaction to this. On the drive to the restaurant I had extreme cramping followed by painful explosive WD. If anyone tests Xifaxan stay at your house. I only had one pill
and then discarded the rest of the prescription.
I think all of us have some SIBO when we are not in remission. Concentrate on getting the CDiff
eradicated and then work on your MC management plan. As your MC goes into remission
your SIBO will go away. Prioritize treating the CDiff and then prioritize your MC management plan.
Hang tough. It can take awhile. You will get through this.
My GI wrote to me this am.I emailed him last night with a few concerns.
Mainly, I HAVE NO DIARRHEA or any other symptoms of c-diff.
I do have nausea off and on all day, but no cramping, pain, gas, bloating etc.
This was his response:
"Given the improvement in symptoms, your absence c diff toxin (just the DNA for c diff), you are probably a healthy colonizer and not infected. Lots of healthy people are colonized by c diff. ( and we don't treat them).
The decision to treat is based on presence or absence of symptoms. So perhaps it is indeed best to stand down."
This is my STOOL TEST result:
"Gastrointestinal Pathogen Clostridium difficile Toxin A/B gene only * - > Detected"
"C. difficile TOXIN A/B, STOOL - QDx Negative"
"C. difficile Chek (GDH), Stool - QDx Positive"
DOES ANYONE WANT TO TAKE A STAB AT THAT, I DON'T QUITE UNDERSTAND.
Thank you,
Jen
Mainly, I HAVE NO DIARRHEA or any other symptoms of c-diff.
I do have nausea off and on all day, but no cramping, pain, gas, bloating etc.
This was his response:
"Given the improvement in symptoms, your absence c diff toxin (just the DNA for c diff), you are probably a healthy colonizer and not infected. Lots of healthy people are colonized by c diff. ( and we don't treat them).
The decision to treat is based on presence or absence of symptoms. So perhaps it is indeed best to stand down."
This is my STOOL TEST result:
"Gastrointestinal Pathogen Clostridium difficile Toxin A/B gene only * - > Detected"
"C. difficile TOXIN A/B, STOOL - QDx Negative"
"C. difficile Chek (GDH), Stool - QDx Positive"
DOES ANYONE WANT TO TAKE A STAB AT THAT, I DON'T QUITE UNDERSTAND.
Thank you,
Jen
"Whoever wants to reach a distant goal must take small steps." - Saul Bellow
"It's the little details that are vital. Little things make big things happen." - John Wooden
"Success is the sum of small efforts repeated day in and day out." - Robert Collier
"It has long been an axiom of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important." - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
"Little strokes fell great oaks." - Benjamin Franklin
"Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together." - Vincent Van Gogh
"Nothing is particularly hard if you divide it into small jobs." - Henry Ford
"No matter how small and unimportant what we are doing may seem, if we do it well, it may soon become the step that will lead us to better things." - Channing Pollock
"Step by step. I can't think of any other way of accomplishing anything." - Michael Jordan
"Most people seem to want tremendous improvement, instantly. But you'll probably find it's the little things you do that eventually add up to big results." - Joel Weldon
"Everyone is trying to accomplish something big, not realizing that life is made up of little things." - Frank A. Clark
"Don't be afraid to give your best to what seemingly are small jobs. Every time you conquer one it makes you that much stronger. If you do the little jobs well, the big ones tend to take care of themselves." - Dale Carnegie
"Great things are done by a series of small things brought together." - Vincent Van Gogh
"Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can." - Arthur Ashe
Hi Jen,
I think what I'm trying to say with all of these quotes is that getting into MC remission is a journey
and when obstacles are encountered keep making the next best decision.
"It's the little details that are vital. Little things make big things happen." - John Wooden
"Success is the sum of small efforts repeated day in and day out." - Robert Collier
"It has long been an axiom of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important." - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
"Little strokes fell great oaks." - Benjamin Franklin
"Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together." - Vincent Van Gogh
"Nothing is particularly hard if you divide it into small jobs." - Henry Ford
"No matter how small and unimportant what we are doing may seem, if we do it well, it may soon become the step that will lead us to better things." - Channing Pollock
"Step by step. I can't think of any other way of accomplishing anything." - Michael Jordan
"Most people seem to want tremendous improvement, instantly. But you'll probably find it's the little things you do that eventually add up to big results." - Joel Weldon
"Everyone is trying to accomplish something big, not realizing that life is made up of little things." - Frank A. Clark
"Don't be afraid to give your best to what seemingly are small jobs. Every time you conquer one it makes you that much stronger. If you do the little jobs well, the big ones tend to take care of themselves." - Dale Carnegie
"Great things are done by a series of small things brought together." - Vincent Van Gogh
"Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can." - Arthur Ashe
Hi Jen,
I think what I'm trying to say with all of these quotes is that getting into MC remission is a journey
and when obstacles are encountered keep making the next best decision.