SIBO or a new flare up??

I was reading through the posts, when I found Nanners mentioning SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth". I started to wonder if it could be the reason for the diarrheal bouts and gas pain I developed 4 days ago. I posted then asking for help and the fellow Crohnies thankfully answered that it could be that my adrenal glands could not tolerate the pred tapering and that was not a flare up. Also, both the surgeon and my GI over phone calls recommended that I should take Cipro but I was not convinced. I took only 2 doses, abdominal pain increased, so I stopped it, increased pred to 7.5 mg, pentasa to 4g and Lomotil. Pain subsided to a great extent but D no.

Yesterday, I called the surgeon to keep him informed about the narrowing of the anus as he has asked. When I told him that I did not take the Cipro, he got upset, told me that I'm a tiresome patient as I should have taken Cipro and told me to call the GI to ask for his consultation and then call him back. I'll see the GI next week.

Honestly, I did not see the benefit of Cipro then but when I read about SIBO, I browsed the net and it rang a bell.

My GI always, when I have severe D and abdominal pain, insists that I might have a bacterial overgrowth, gives me several courses of antibiotics (which I fail most of until one kicks in) and then when he performs tests and stool cultures, the results are negative.

How can one tell whether it's SIBO or a new flare up? Same symptoms for me: existing D, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain and fatigue.

Your replies are highly appreciated.

Nanners, thank you for your reply. I, too, think it might be a flare up. I'll see what the GI will say.
Take care!

Roni, Thank you. I can't tolerate it. I think I'll take one tablet a day as a start but hopefully, I don't flare up.

Thanx Roni, I'll give it a try.