Thank you so much!

A homekit for SIBO is an option. Check out http://www.commdx.com

Cheers,
Phil

Here is a response from one of the top GI psychologists that has developed & studied gut directed hypnosis protocols: Generally speaking, it is certainly best to work with therapists experienced in treating IBS when receiving psychological treatment for the disorder. However, such GI-specialized therapists are not available nearly everywhere. The good news is that with the North Carolina Protocol, therapists do not need to have a lot of specialized knowledge about IBS, for the treatment is fully scripted (in a way, the IBS expertise is written into the protocol). So as long the therapist is adequately trained and experienced in clinical hypnosis, and is a state-licensed health professional (either a mental health professional or a medical professional), it should generally work fine. If, on the other hand, the person administering the hypnosis treatment is not using the scripted protocol, he or she needs to be quite knowledgeable about IBS in order to have a good probability of actually improving the IBS symptoms.

Hi there. I have sent you questions off to a GI psychologist with greater expertise than me in this area –with the hopes to get a well constructed answer for you. Stay tuned Philip!

Kate

Hi Kate;
Thanks so much for your reply and all the work you do. I actually have a great RD who is very good on FODMAP’s, SIBO, IBS, type 1 diabetes, gastroparesis, and assisting me in trying to figure out something that may work for me and work to balance all those factors. That said, I think self-hypnosis and some mental support might be the most important thing missing in my current “tool kit” and my health care team agrees and is supportive. The challenge is finding someone local. There is someone who is a 90-120 minute drive away. I can’t get an appointment with her for months, and then would need to get up there for 7 sessions every other week which would be challenging. A few questions you may be able to help with: What questions should I ask a potential provider to establish if they’re credible in the area of IBS-focused self-hypnosis? Any other suggestions in choosing a provider? Any thoughts on the choice between choosing someone local who seems credible (experience, education, certifications) but has limited IBS-focused experience, versus someone with more specific IBS-related experience but much more remote and logistically difficult to access? Is the standardized 7-session protocol for IBS-related self-hypnosis something that any competent hypnosis professional should be able to help me with, or in your opinion, is specific experience with IBS-related counseling important? Thanks!!

Kate thank you so much for your response. I am so happy to meet a fellow RD who is also a SIBO expert! I am happy to pay you for your time if it’s easier for you to answer my questions in a phone call just let me know and we can set something up? I purchased your SIBO package and was hoping to pick your brain a little further… here is my summary to date:
– Suffer from extreme bloating and constipation, as well as abdominal pain and nausea sometimes
– LBT showed: increase in hydrogen (21 ppm), methane level 7 ppm, and combined hydrogen and methane 28 ppm
– On low FODMAP diet currently, take 2 mg Resolor and 34 grams of Restoralax (PEG) to induce BM, no probiotic
– Currently waiting to start Rifaximin, unfortunately in Canada we need special authority from Health Canada for this drug
My questions for you:
1. Is it fruitless to try just Rifaximin for 14 days? Should I jump straight into a dual antibiotic therapy and if so should I add Neomycin or Flagyl as you suggested above (I’m unclear if the side effects of Neomycin are really that much of a concern ie long term or permanent hearing loss/ nerve dammage?) My GI didn’t think they would prescribe Neomycin if it was unsafe
2. Do you still recommend going off low FODMAP Diet during antibiotic therapy?
3. Do you still recommend staying on low FODMAP diet for 4-8 weeks post-antibiotic therapy. At the 8 weeks mark do you suggest challenging each type of FODMAP?
4. Do you recommend probiotics while taking antibiotics or afterwards and if so which one?
Thank you Kate! Please let me know if you prefer to answer these questions in a paid consultation:)

I see digestive enzymes encouraged by many online sites–but to be honest, I have seen little benefit in the majority of the IBS clients that I have tried them with. I am referring to the full spectrum digestive enzymes that are marketed as such. Certainly–in some individuals inflammation in the small intestine–can contribute to a decline in some digestive enzymes–so theoretically it makes sense if that is the case to try them. However, individuals with IBS do not often have small bowel inflammation–but some do. A potential issue, for some people, is a condition called pancreatic exocrine insufficiency–which can contribute to SIBO risk and result in digestive symptoms. This is when the pancreas does not make enough enzymes to help the body digest food. Doctors will generally test stool elastase to assess for this condition. Stool elastase is evaluated by one stool sample.
Other single type of digestive enzymes such as lactase tablets for lactose malabsorption and intolerance–can be helpful –and allow some consumption of lactose containing foods. And Alpha Galactosidase–which is found in Bean Assist that helps enhance tolerance to foods rich in GOS, such as legumes, pistachios, cashews. Bean Assist is the alpha galactosidase product I recommend b/c some other products contain the FODMAP –mannitol. https://enzymedica.com/products/beanassist-gas-bloating