I believe there are so few success stories shared because once people start feeling better, they’re too busy enjoying life to dwell on their past struggles with SIBO. Which is absolutely fine and understandable. I’m not a frequent forum contributor, but I think it’s important to add another success story here. Reading about others’ journeys gave me hope when I was feeling at my worst, so I want to pay that forward.

My History:

• I’ve always had stomach issues but attributed them to drinking too much alcohol and eating unhealthy food.
• My girlfriend and I took a sabbatical to Australia, where we hiked a lot, lived healthily, and for a while, my stomach felt great.
• Then, after an Asian dinner one night, I developed severe stomach pain. I assumed it would pass, but it only got worse. I experienced intense diarrhea (about 12 times stool a day), a sore stomach, and extreme bloating.
• I saw a doctor in Australia, who prescribed antibiotics and ran blood and stool tests. However, the results showed no abnormalities, and the treatment didn’t help.
• At the end of our trip, we visited Bali for surfing and snorkeling. Unfortunately, the trip was marred by my condition—I had lost 20 kilos and was severely weakened by constant diarrhea, now two months since the first symptoms appeared.

What I Tried:

• After returning home, I visited several doctors and underwent numerous tests (blood, stool, colonoscopy, gluten and lactose tests), but none provided an explanation for my symptoms.
• I tried a range of treatments: probiotics, Imodium (for travel), Perentrol Forte, Mutaflor, Paidoflow, Mrrhinel-Intest, oregano oil, keeping a food diary, the FODMAP diet, and even the carnivore diet. Nothing truly helped.
• It was frustrating because I could never identify which foods worsened my symptoms—there were too many variables, and sometimes the effects were immediate, while other times they were delayed.
• I became fearful of being far from a toilet and avoided social situations as much as possible. My stomach was bloated and painful, even from eating something as simple as a salad.
• Finally, six months after my symptoms began, I discovered I had SIBO. This was confirmed after a fructose test caused an extreme reaction, leading the analyst to strongly suspect SIBO.

What I Believe Helped:

• Disclaimer: It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what worked since I tried many things, but these are the steps I believe made a difference:
  • Antibiotics (Metronidazole) for 10 days.
  • Dietary Changes:
    • No soft drinks, wine, whiskey, or beer—if I drink, it’s only “skinny bitches” or gin and tonic.
    • No sweets.
    • No Asian food (I suspect soy may worsen my symptoms).
    • Avoided gluten, even though my test was negative.
    • Avoided fruits and high-fiber foods initially.
    • Ate potatoes with lean meat, fish, or cheese almost every day for weeks.
  • Exercise:
    • Started with daily strolls since jogging was too painful at first. Now, I’m training for a half-marathon. Jogging and strength training have been immensely helpful—not only do they relieve bloating, but they also restored my confidence in my body and made me feel stronger and more secure.

My Status Today (1.5 Years After Symptoms Worsened):

• My stool is now firm (not always perfect, but manageable), and I only need to go to the toilet for stool once or twice a day (yay!).
• I never feel bloated anymore.
• I’ve regained 10 kilos and feel truly healthy.
• I enjoy going out and meeting friends without the constant fear of needing a toilet.
• I still eat a lot of potatoes and avoid gluten, though I can occasionally eat pizza or pasta without issue.
• I still avoid soft drinks.
• I sometimes drink beer, but my stool may be slightly off the next day or two—nothing like it was at my worst.
• I stay active and do sports regularly.
• I consume anti-inflammatory foods like linseed oil and blueberries.
• Occasionally (about once or twice every three months), if my gut starts feeling off, I become more strict with my diet (no alcohol, gluten, sweets, or soft drinks, and more potatoes), which quickly helps.
• I no longer take any medication.

Final Thoughts:

I still don’t know the original cause of my SIBO—possibly a mild form of Crohn’s disease, as they found some inflammation in my small intestine. I know there’s no one-size-fits-all solution, and it’s easy to feel hopeless when you’re suffering. But finding out what triggers your symptoms and what eases them is key. It’s a long, frustrating journey, but don’t lose hope. I’m not into esoterics, but I’m convinced there was a psychological component in both my illness and my recovery.