Small bowel bacterial overgrowth? Anyone found an effective treatment?

I have had severe gas, bloating, belching, abdominal pain etc since about 8 months post op.  Finally diagnosed at 2.5 years post op with small bowel bacterial overgrowth.  Initially treated with Flagyl and Avelox for a week and all of my symptoms disappeared but returned 6 weeks later.  Another round of antibiotics same thing; symptoms resolved but back in 6 weeks.  Next took Doxycycline and Cipro for 3 weeks but only 50% effective.  Then Flagyl for 4 weeks only 70% better.   Currently back on Flagyl and Cipro for 4 weeks.  Throughout all of the antibiotics I have also taken probiotics and/or yogurt to repopulate the gut with "good bacteria."  Looking for any advice from fellow sufferers.  I guess this is a complication that can happen after our intestines are re-routed.  When the symptoms are at their worst it can significanlty impact  normal life.  Can't be out in public due to the severity of symptoms and it is VERY exhausting. 

Some people who suffer with SBBO have to take a few days of antibiotics each month.

The probiotic you take should be ULTRA SUPREME.  Pay the high price for multi bacteria that is freeze dried and has to be refrigerated after opening.  I take PROBIOTICS ELEVEN from Nature's Sunshine.  www.naturessunshine.com

It is the only thing that has worked for me.

By the way, HOW were you diagnosed?????????

(wondering what it means if that's not really what you have)

The abdominal pain was so bad I had CT scan because the doc was originally thinking another internal hernia.  That just showed tremendous amounts of gas.  Then an upper endoscopy to rule out ulcers in the pouch which was negative.  She then started the antibiotics and because sx resolved she was confident that was what it was.  I think she is right because of how drastically I improved the first two times.  Now I think I have built up a bit of resistance to the antibiotics so they are not as effective.   

I had something all too similar...but was never "diagnosed" I just kept it to myself...It was just awful.  I found that my diet had a WHOLE LOT to do with it.  Probiotics helped...But as long as I was eating too many simple carbs and sugars (which I was) I was just feeding the bad bacteria and starting new "blooms"...I did the 5 DPT to get rid of the carb monster and by the second day my pouch was totally and completely still and happy and no gas....Since then (6 months) I take probiotics when I know I am eating too many carby things or even sugar alcohols...They KILL me with wicked gas...Whey does too. Some fake sweeteners are just as bad as too much sugar for me! I can actaully handle sugar better than some fake stuff.

I totally dumped my Fru-Fru coffee every morning for a powdered protein in my coffee instead...That cut a ton of carbs from my day and ensured me breakfast daily...Since I don't eat a cereal for breakfast anymore that seems to have helped too...I do still have plenty of complex carbs and I can even handle a little bread, potatoes, rice or pasta without a flair up at all...Things have never been better for me...It was quite a change for me...but I adjusted quite well and now just do those things in moderation as I was always supposed to be doing anyway!

I wish you luck and hope you find something that works!

Thanks Anita.   I was wondering if I need to cut out all carbs and see if that improves things.  I do mostly complex but there is some room for improvement. 

You may need to have a stool sample exam by a lab to find out the specific bacteria involved. I've raised cats for 31 years, and cats have the same issue at times--bacterial imbalance of the lower tract.  My vet has always done a floation sample stool exam to determine what bacteria is the problem, and recommends an antibiotic that targets that bacteria.

I can tell you from personal experience that CIPRO gave me diarrhea for 10 days when I had my finger stitched up at the local ER. So, I do not take that antiboitic.  Part of your issue could be the antibiotic used too. So I'd recommend a stool sample be examined.  I always tell people to tell any new doc they see about their bariatric surgery, as this will alert most docs to which antiotics to use or not use. My doc explained that CIPRO kills off all bacteria, good and bad. You need a balanced state of bacteria--both good and bad--to have a normal stool consistency. Hope this helps. Sounds like your doc has been playing roulette with antiotics to try, and you did not mention any stool exam by a lab in your post. DAVE

Probiotic's are pretty amazing on what they can do for your intestinal problems. But the trick is to get the right "good bacteria" in the probiotic. Different strains, treat different things, when it comes to "good vs bad bacteria" Like the previous poster said, go for the super-duper one, maybe Natren, it's a good one.  You can find them at any Vitamin Shoppe. (and I'm talking one with at least 30 BILLION per dose...) Also you can ask one of the clerks to look up on the computer, we have there, as to which form of bacteria, fights your specific problem area. They will know. (or at least they should!) Ask to use the computer, the Health Notes section. Lots of good info on there.
 Hope this helps!

Please come to the DS board and ask this question - there are a couple of folks that have had this complication that could also advise you.  I haven't had this, but I keep track of this kind of stuff.

Thanks I will do that!