Posted 7/8/2014 3:45 PM (GMT 0)
I have IBS-D and my doctor did not give me the SIBO test. He wanted to give me Cipro, but I am a runner and the Achilles tendon risk was too much for me. I took Flagyl - 500mg 3x per day for 10 days - about a month ago It had among the worst side effects I have ever experienced. I was so thirsty, I drank over a gallon of water everyday, I had the worst breath and it made my diarrhea way worse while I was taking it and kind of stumped my appetite. By the end, I couldn't even run (I run 5 times a week) and was exhausted. I stuck it out for the 10 days in pure misery.
At first, it seemed that it did nothing. But fast forward a month and I can say that it did indeed help a bit with my IBS-D. I no longer have painful diarrhea, just loose stool once or twice in the morning. I do still get some indigestion with food I shouldn't eat - tomato sauce, spicy foods, etc. - but I do think that it helped me. In fact, I have started to alternate between D and C, which is an odd feeling for me since I'm not used to having anything in my colon.
So anyone who is considering it, please do. I'm not sure that I would do it again, but I do think that it did help. I just wanted to post this for anyone who is in the same boat I was in 6 weeks ago, unable to decide if it was worth a shot or not.