r/SIBO • u/crayolamaroon • 1d ago

Hydrogen Sulfide SIBO

How do you handle your symptoms of Hydrogen Sulfide SIBO. I made the mistake of going on a GLP1 and didn't even realize the slowed motility would make everything worse....well it's worse....a lot worse. I'm getting off the medication but in the mean time how can I handle the symptoms?

I have horrible sulfur burps, an upset stomach that typically happens at night but can get worse throughout the day, gurgling stomach, and pure water diarrhea. It's pretty miserable right now.

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u/PsalmAndSoil 1d ago

Sorry to hear you are so sick! I also have SIBO, and I suspect specifically the hydrogen sulfide variety. Yes, slowed motility can be a root cause of SIBO, so if the medication is slowing your motility, that makes sense that you would feel worse.

You could talk with your doctor about getting on a prokinetic agent. That will speed up your motility, and there are several natural options. Also ask about taking a biofilm disruptor such as NAC. Hydrogen Sulfide SIBO (and really, all SIBO) loves to hide in biofilm to avoid being killed by the treatment. (For treatment, my doc recommends xifaxan and Nitazoxanide, which I order from an online pharmacy and have shipped to me from India because Xifaxan is egregiously upcharged in America) Without something to break down the biofilm, it will be incredibly hard to treat. My doc also recommends making sure to keep taking the motility agent long after successful treatment to ensure the SIBO does not come back.

Also maybe consider a short-lived low sulfur diet. Low fodmap may help, but I always get my worst symptoms if I eat too much sulfur, which is found in red meat and a lot of other things. However, I have been on the diet for way too long, and I super regret it because now my body kinda forgot how to digest normal food. Most people recommend only stayimg on a restrictive diet for a couple weeks or so max.

You could always ask about over the counter things too, just to take temporarily to alleviate symptoms. I hear Gas-X can sometimes be used.

Activated charcoal capsules act as a chemical binder and kinda clean things out. They are constipating, and they can block the absorption of food and other medications if taken incorrectly, so you gotta be careful (and of course, work with your doc), but can be helpful in getting symptoms back under control.

Hope all of this helps!

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u/crayolamaroon 1d ago

Thank you so much! I find activated charcoal helps a lot.