Antibiotics day 4/14 report

While the experience has been positive so far, I hope that regardless it later provides a helpful anecdote.

I'm self diagnosed SIBO methane dominant with main symptoms being constipation (incomplete evacuation) and leaky gut (histamine intolerance - bad with alcohol and kefir). Also frequently passing gas and stool that does not smell strong. I don't trust doctors because they have let me down too many times in the past. I'm been told the usual stuff like "maybe you're a little depressed", "have you tried just going to bed earlier?", "just eat more fiber". Probably the worst one was with my eczema on fingers "maybe try washing your hands with soap less?". Shortly after the asshole said "your 15 minutes is up" without doing anything. Being gaslit by the people who are supposed to look after your health is horrible.

My treatment plan is based off Mark Pimentel's latest remarks:

- 600mg NAC ("sustain" - slow release version, jarrow formulas). I try to take this 30 min before a meal.

- 200mg rifaximin (alfasigma, generic). Taken after a meal

- 250mg metronidazole (generic). Taken after a meal

Here in Georgia (the country), for 2 weeks supply of rifaximin costs ~70 USD and metronidazole was ~4 USD. Ordering through a delivery app they don't check for prescription - perfect for me.

Now for my experiences:

- Initially started passing some stools which looked like they were covered in thick mucus

- After day 1 or 2 it suddenly felt natural to go to sleep at an appropriate time (unlike most I don't usually have this urge). My guess is it had something to do with excessive histamine release being the source of insomnia.

- Eczema symptoms on fingers are almost completely gone. No more red welts threatening bleeding, no sign of itch.

- Until day 4 feeling significant brain fog and fatigue, tried to get some work done but could not. Possibly attributed to histamine release.

- I ate burgers and chips on the night of day 3 but woke up next day and 30 min later passed a perfect stool (not quite dark brown and a little smeary but to me it's perfect), felt like I fully evacuated, and now I feel fantastic. Usually like everyone else here my digestive tract will seize up, I'll get brain fog, feel a little unwell, have trouble passing a little bit and also have the feeling that not everything came out.

My best guesses at the cause:
- frequent antibiotics from young age. The last time was doxycycline around early teens, and that was also the period where I experienced my first bout of insomnia

- food poisoning. Hard to pinpoint one event but according to Pimentel it's the most well known cause, so I suppose each occurrence just made the problem worse.

Also sedentary lifestyle did not help. Whenever there were sustained periods of being active, I was a bit better. But never "completely fine" better - that's the key. Exercise/activity is significant but IMO it did not address the actual problem therefore it is not a "cure".