Q&A: Why Do SIBO Treatments Worsen My Symptoms? Is it MCAS/Histamine Intolerance?

This video addresses challenges encountered with SIBO treatment protocols and explores potential underlying issues and alternative approaches.

A Patient's SIBO Treatment Experience

• A patient has undergone 4 treatment protocols, including elemental diet, antibiotics and herbs.
• Each treatment cycle has unfortunately worsened SIBO and food sensitivities.
• She is experiencing severe symptoms such as brain fog, making work impossible, joint pain, and insomnia.
• The patient is seeking to understand if she's missing a root cause or what other strategies she could try.

Addressing Difficult SIBO Cases

• Dr. Allison Siebecker notes that more information is needed for a proper analysis, including test results (before and after) and details of past treatments.
• However, for individuals experiencing severe symptoms from SIBO treatments, common considerations include:
  • Yeast overgrowth (which can cause worse die-off vs bactaria)
  • Histamine sensitivity (MCAS or histamine intolerance)
  • Mold exposure
• These conditions can complicate SIBO treatment due to adverse reactions to the treatments.

A Success Story with Cromolyn for MCAS

• A participant shares her positive experience starting cromolyn.
• She takes 200 milligrams orally three times a day for MCAS.
• Within 20 days, all her symptoms have reportedly disappeared, which is highlighted as a significant positive outcome.

Alternative Approach for Histamine Intolerance (MCAS)

• A colleague who treats many MCAS, Lyme, and mold cases, utilizes an interesting protocol.
• This approach involves using traditional over-the-counter antihistamines.
• The doses are adjusted to be lower, such as cutting pills in half or using child dosing, taken three times a day.
• This method has shown excellent results for her patients.

Key Takeaway

• Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) is frequently an underlying factor for individuals dealing with difficult-to-treat SIBO.
  

Product Mentioned:
~Cromolyn Sodium prescription Rx for histamine intolerance/MCAS
~standard antihistamines  

For more on treating Tough SIBO see: Tough SIBO Masterclass by Dr. Siebecker