Crohn's flare often actually SIBO & Rifaximin Alternative

In the last littel while I have been diagnosed with 1) Carbohydrate malabsorption, 2) Slow small bowel modility 3) SIBO and of course 4) Crohn's. So I have been reading a lot on how to deal with this. Onething I have learned is that these 4 are often tied together. The following are a couple of research papers I thought might help.


If you are having a Crohn's flare, you need to consider if it is SIBO.
The attached research shows that 1) Crohn's can cause SIBO and 2) SIBO is often overlooked in Crohn's patients, even though it is frequently found in Crohn's patients who are flaring

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2728727/

When I see this I wonder how many folks came to the conclusion SCD does not work for them to control Crohn's, or their Crohn's meds were not working, when in fact they were actually dealing with SIBO and needed to make SCD SIBO adjustments or get SIBO meds.

Also, the only thing I see is that super expansive Xifaxan (rifaximin) as a SIBO antibiotic. The next research paper shows that metronidazole (which is SCD Safe) and Cipro (which is SCD MAY OR MAY NOT CAUSE PROBLEMS) are both highly effective in resolving SIBO for Crohn's folks.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14653830/

This seems like a very good alternative to those who can not get or can not afford Xifaxan (rifaximin). After reading this research paper it would be what I would be taking right now if my insurance was not paying for Xifaxan (rifaximin).

Dave

Still SCD but adding low low carb and Low FodMap

I believe that diet change is an alternative to the antibiotics. I am doing both right now.
Have you looked at Low FodMap? Research I have looked at shows this can be highly effective, but takes more time.
Also, given the research, if you think you have SIBO, there is a very good chance you do. Some of the typical SIBO symptoms include need to go to bathroom right after eating, belching, gas, bloating and D.

The other thing we need to be aware of is how the 3 or 4 issues all work together. CD can cause SIBO. SIBO can cause carbohydrate malabsorption, carbohydrate malabsorption can cause Crohn's / IBS like symptoms, IBS like symptoms can cause a Crohn's flare,...... In addition to the above I have Slow small bowel modility which can make for a great breeding ground for SIBO.

My approach is aggressive diet changes (SCD, Low FodMap and Low Carb) and the antibiotics (partially offset by SCD yogurt). I am very early on this program, but it feels like I am making progress. Yesterday I went for a 35 mile bicycle ride, to test how I am doing converting fat into energy. I did this with no carbs prior and none during. Right now this takes me about 2 hours, and this is a threshold. I want to push to 3 hours as a real test, but so far so good.

If I were you I would for sure get the hydrogen test. The following are some great background and research. I read them and then sent them to my doc so we could be on the same page.

Healing thought
Dave

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1856094/

http://www.bhsbrasil.com.br/Implementation%20and%20Interpretation%20of%20Hydrogen%20Breath%20Tests.pdf

Hi Debb
I would have to say not yet. However I have been dealing with SIBO, so the lack of improvement may be due to that.
I am staying with LDN though. I have slow motility and I just read that LDN helps with that also
Healing thoughts
Dave