SIBO - year 3 of insane bloating

Hi all. Been pretty down and overwhelmed like many people here. I was diagnosed with SIBO (hydrogen) in March of 2024 but have been suffering from symptoms since June 2022. If you’d like to stick around and read some about my back story and maybe give me some advice, please stick around.

Back in 2022 I was diagnosed with some severe dry eye caused by meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) aka the oil glands in my eyelids were not (and are still not) functioning properly. In order to address this, my eye dr prescribed me Doxycycline which I took for 3-4 months before ending in the summer out of concern for photosensitivity and the lack of any progress.

Two months after I finished my doxycycline, I started having some small bouts of intense bloating. I had been bloated before in the past, but never this much or for the length of time. That summer after seeing my PCP, she had me get an abdominal ultrasound which came back normal. Celiac blood test also normal. She recommended some fomotadine and referred me to a GI. In the winter when I was able to get in, the GI dr recommended omeprazole for a few months and tested me for H pylori which was negative. My symptoms continued and would last for more prolonged periods of time until it was a daily occurrence with little to no relief.

A year later, my PCP was still concerned and sent me for a vaginal ultrasound which also came back positive. I visited the GI office again and they recommended I get tested for SIBO. I put the test off for months but finally took it in March 2024. Unable to get me xifaxin at first (insurance issues), I did one course ciprofloxacin which did not help. Once I ended that course, we were able to get the xifaxan filled. I eventually completed two courses and saw no relief.

Summer 2024 I start seeing a delightful nutritionist. She recommends I get tested for vitamin deficiencies of B12 and iron (both normal). in the time I have seen the nutritionist we have tried the following: cut certain groups of FODMAP, tracked my food and symptoms, beano, anatril, a prokinetic (this made me nauseous), nerva hypnotherapy, dairy free. Nothing has helped.

September 2024 I had an endoscopy which came back normal but noted some inflammation. Following this test, they recommended we try a low dose antidepressants to help my mind gut connection. Amitriptyline And nortryptiline did nothing but help me sleep and make me constipated…. An issue I had not been suffering from previously. At some point my PCP tested my thyroid which was normal.

in December 2024 the GI dr asked me to get a gastric emptying scan done. after some pushback from me (because I do not have symptoms of gastroparesis) I got the test done and SHOCKER…. RESULTS WERE NORMAL. The GI dr essentially told me to take a probiotic and pound sand, so I decided we would be going our separate ways after this.

in February 2025 I found a new GI dr and she recommended we do a colonoscopy due to some of my symptoms and family history. I hoped I would find relief after the prep…. I was so bloated I believe this was caused by the sugar in the Gatorade. Does this happen to anybody else? These results came back normal, also a shocker lol but happy with these results.

Present day. My lovely nutritionist is doing everything she can to help me. Trying Fodzyme and seeing some relief. Cutting out fructans for 2 meals a day and utilizing fodzyme for dinner. We are currently discussing trying an elemental diet, but are waiting to discuss with my NEW GI dr. I have also reached out to a GI therapist which won’t be covered by insurance…

Overall, I am tired and depressed. My quality of life is significantly lower than it used to be. I have spent so much money on tests and trials. I am bloated 24/7. It never goes away and often just gets worse. I am in pain every morning when I wake up, and I don’t want to get out of bed. Sometimes I am so bloated I get cramps and have to lay down. I am looking to vent to people who get it, and hoping somebody out there has some advice for me.

I appreciate anybody who read my entire novel here. Thank you in advance for any responses.