Flagyl for SIBO

I have started taking 250mg of Flagyl for what is presumed to be Small Intenstinal Bacterial Overgrowth.  I did not take a breath test, but have been suffering from bloating, LOUD stomach noises, and smelly gas for about six months now, even after Remicaid has taken care of a lot of my pain issues.  For people that tested positive for SIBO, were these similar to your symptoms?  Did you take Flagyl to clear the SIBO up?  And if so, for how long.  My docotor said 7-10 days, but I would love to stop right at a week because I hate the nausea that I get with this anitbiotic.  Thanks so much!!

Yeah, my doctor used to put me on that combo as well early on in my disease. I never fully understood the rationale, but I guess there is some evidence that these antibiotics help with Crohn's. This time it was at my request, as I went to the Cleveland Clinic for a consult and the doctor there recommend I try it due to my symptoms. I have noticed that now on day 7 my nausea has decreased considerably, so I think I am going to go for the 10 days. It is helping too!! NO stomach noises and very little gas!! I just hope I continue to feel good after stopping. Thanks for your response!

Flagyl can be a miracle drug for my SIBO. I have a high grade partial obstruction at my old resection site and my gut tends to work slowly to begin w/even BC (before Crohn's). Unlike many crohnies, this DD (darned disease) hasn't sped up my gut motility, I still tend to constipation and/or BMs every 3-4 days rather than daily or every other day.

So, yep. I encounter SIBO fairly often. Often enough that for a while I was put on alternating antibiotics the first 10 days of every month for about a year or somewhat better. Flagyl worked best, like virtually overnight - but I could only take half doses, full dose gave me somewhat intense peripheral neuropathy. So, the alternating first 10 days of the month regimen had to be instituted instead. *sigh*

We used tetracyclne and amoxicillin as the alternates. They worked, just not as quickly nor as effectively as good ole Flagyl.

Including a good probiotic, and being concientious about the timing of taking the probiotic and the antibiotic, was the key that finallly broke the cycle when I couldn't "do" the Flagyl anymore and had to do the alternate antibiotic route instead.

There should be 2 hours before, 4 hours after or vice versa; 4 hours before or 2 hours after, between taking the Flagyl or antibiotic and taking the probiotic. I forget which.