In my ongoing battle with SIBO, I have learned a thing or two about how to manage it. I know that mindset matters. Healing requires time, patience and determination. I know that planning is crucial when it comes to eating right, and cooking is essential. I know that it’s possible to eat fulfilling, gourmet food, even on a complex and restricted diet. Most important, I know that it’s possible to feel better! And I’ve developed a great repertoire of strategies and recipes that can help you feel better and heal….if you’re willing to put in some effort.
To hear more about my personal journey with SIBO, read on.
Background
My digestive ailments probably began about 20 years ago. Don’t worry, I’m not going to start there! But it’s important to mention the length of time that people suffer “stomach problems” without addressing their cause. For many, it’s common to experience constipation, diarrhea, bloating, gas or heartburn after eating – especially as we age. Our culture has normalized and medicated these everyday conditions forever. But ultimately, we need to take responsibility for our own healing, or we’ll face increasingly severe consequences.
My digestive breakdown occurred about 10 years ago, when my mom was dying of cancer. (Stress is often the trigger or tipping point for digestive illness.) I developed a serious skin rash that started on my hands, then spread steadily up my arms until I was a dry, cracking, itching mess. I tried all kinds of topical lotions and creams and crazy homemade remedies, not understanding that the problem was internal, not external. It wasn’t about my skin, it was about my gut.
I happened to be in nutrition school at this time – which was pretty handy! I was starting to understand that digestive wellness is the foundation of our health. I saw clinical evidence of the many symptoms and conditions that literally disappear when the gut is healed. So I got on it.
First, I got off gluten, dairy and eggs. After six weeks, my skin rash was gone. But I was still sensitive to so many foods! My primary symptom was bloating. And if you have SIBO, you know what I’m talking about. It is surprisingly painful and depressing to look and feel like you ate a whole watermelon when you just had a little broccoli and beef. It seemed like I couldn’t eat anything and feel good. I couldn’t wear my clothes comfortably. I looked 8 months pregnant every day. And I felt like if someone poked my stomach with a pin I’d fly all over the room like a burst balloon. It was beyond frustrating.
After another 3 years of trying various elimination diets and still feeling terrible, I found out about SIBO – but only because I work with a naturopath. The conventional medicine community did not (and still does not) know much about this condition. Yet some research estimates that up to 78% of diagnosed IBS cases are SIBO!
I have been through a series of treatment protocols over the past 5 years. I won’t go into the details here, because you don’t have all day and night. Suffice it to say that several didn’t work, but one very comprehensive and supportive program with a wise Canadian naturopath did the trick. I tested negative and felt good for a solid two years! So I know it’s possible to heal.
That said, these pesky little creatures have recently resurged, because they are hateful and tenacious little devils. But thankfully, functional medicine practitioners have learned a lot more about SIBO. And I have found another expert to help me heal again.
The moral of this story? SIBO is challenging, complicated, and hard to control. You MUST work with an experienced practitioner to eliminate the bacteria, which involves more than simply taking an antibiotic. (See the resource list for help.) The good news is that you have total control over one thing: what you eat. The food you choose will have an enormous impact on how you feel day to day. No one else can do it for you. The onus is on you to take charge of your diet. And that includes learning to cook, because you really can’t ensure the quality or content of food that you purchase, whether it’s processed or fresh. I am here to help. So let’s get started!