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After reading your SIBO and Me post, I’ve been feeling quite validated (and motivated to eat even better). The sugar and carb cravings are incredible! I never knew that the almost painful craving was a symptom- my friends have never quite believed that I felt so strongly… and also felt so strongly after eating the sugar, unfortunately. I’ve also been diagnosed with SIBO. However, and very importantly, the cause of mine is an immunoglobulin deficiency (antibodies). Antibiotics have never been an option because of this immune system deficiency. Specifically, I am low in my IgA (apparently a genetic issue), which is in charge of protecting the mucosal glands, including the intestines. It took me many years to obtain this diagnosis. When I suggested I might be continually sick because my immune system wasn’t up to par, my original immunologist/allergist said “immune systems don’t work that way”. About 5 years later I was fed up, experiencing your list of symptoms digestively, plus others, and went to a very well known immunologist. He immediately suggested testing my immunoglobulins without prompting. I would highly recommend that blood test. Antibiotics are not a good idea for immunoglobulin deficient people, which could explain your increased bacterial levels after that therapy.
I have also always run at least bit anemic, and am forced to eat quite a bit of meat for this and the SIBO. Do you as well? My thyroid has also been tested countless times since childhood, and I have never been found hypo or hyper. Do you ever have issues with cheese? I can’t imagine cutting out cheese in addition to the already ridiculous list. I’ve felt much better since taking most of the sugar out regardless, but still have random flares and discomfort, including burping, bloating, and random nausea/pain.
Regarding the weight gain- I did gain about 20 pounds just before the SIBO got out of control, and then I immediately lost all of it (and some) since it was so painful to eat and I wasn’t absorbing anything. Did that also happen to you? I’m usually very small (so 20 lbs was a LOT), but just before everything peaked the weight gain was very unusual.
Thanks for your help. I didn’t get as much guidance from my doctors as I would have liked, and your post was very informative.
Thanks for this helpful response! I actually just embarked on a sugar-free diet. It’s been very hard because I have carb cravings, not for sugar but for pasta, chips and savory foods. So far, I have lost weight and have been feeling pretty good on the diet. I haven’t had any SIBO symptoms to speak of. I am really interested in getting my immunoglobulins tested after reading what you said, it sounds like we have A LOT in common. Did they test you for celiac? I tested negative for celiac but through an elimination diet I determined that wheat did not agree with me and made my symptoms much worse. I have had my thyroid thoroughly tested and my numbers are always normal. I had to have iron infusions for anemia but since then my numbers are at the low end of the normal range. I haven’t noticed any problems with cheese, thank god. Like you said, giving that up on top of every thing else would probably break my spirit forever
I’ve been tested for every autoimmune disease imaginable, including celiac. Always negative, except for the immunoglobulin deficiencies. Apparently it is a test not often performed as my GI doctor wasn’t able to check the specific subclass of another immunoglobulin I was deficient in. My immunologist is the only one who has tested every Ig. However, a GI specialist should at least be familiar with IgA since it is a known cause of SIBO. I’m surprise it wasn’t checked after your adverse reaction to antibiotics.
I love to share my experience, since if it wasn’t for a specific “specialist” I could have learned about this issue much earlier on, and thus wouldn’t have gone through quite as much. I have also been through allergy testing and gluten is not supposed to be an issue, but since I’ve started avoiding it I feel much better. Same with lactose. You’re right: that elimination process sure is tricky. However, cheese seems low enough in lactose to get away with. So it seems your key is to avoid sugar and gluten, and you haven’t had SIBO symptoms? Is there anything else you have found bothersome?
I have just listened to Dr Lo Radio on the internet whereby Dr Lauren Noel interviews an expert on SIBO. You might find this interesting.