SIBO Check-In #1

I can’t believe how much time has flown by.  This week marks the start of Week 4 of my SIBO repair journey.

I thought I’d give you a bit of an update.

• I have finished my two-week course of antibiotics and herbal supplements
• I’ve transitioned to herbal supplements only
• I’ve completed three full weeks of the Specific Carbohydrate Diet
• I lost approximately four pounds (weight loss was not a goal)

There were so many supplements to keep track of, I had to create reminders/alerts on my phone.  I had to time my probiotic away from my antibiotic, and I had to time my antibiotic to be taken with food.  The blacked-out item is my prescription migraine med.

Food Wise – sadly, I don’t have much selection, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t bored with what I’ve been eating, but I really want this to work, so I’ve not cheated at all.  I’ve stuck to the eating plan 100%.

The below is, quite frankly, what I’ve been eating every day.  There’s not much variety.

PIC 1 – Scrambled eggs and spinach (cooked in coconut oil)
PIC 2 – Baked chicken breast with baked rosemary squash
PIC 3 – Baked white fish (I believe it’s Basa) and mashed cinnamon and pumpkin spice squash
PIC 4 – Banana and green tea (no sweetener)

I’ve also had, but not pictured, apple sauce, one pork chop, stewed beef, and asparagus.  Again, all these are approved foods.  Most mornings, my eggs are hardboiled.  I scramble them on the weekend.

I’m grateful that I’m able to incorporate new foods in week four, such as avocado, plums, peaches, pineapple, and nuts (I’ve opted for almonds and cashews).  I’m also allowed bacon (once a week only), and “approved” hard cheeses.

For all my effort, I have noticed absolutely ZERO progress with my bloat.  I’m still incredibly bloated.  Even my naturopath was surprised.  I’m not expecting miracles, but I really expected the antibiotics to kick-start a difference.  It did not.  I’m starting to think something else may be going on here, because it just doesn’t make sense.

When I spoke to the doctor who wrote the prescription for me, he analyzed my SIBO breath test results, and he said I didn’t have it that bad.  He wrote only two, of the three, prescriptions required.  So what could it be?

It’s especially frustrating to know that I’ve done this boring eating plan with absolutely no straying, and there is no pay off.  None whatsoever.  At this point, I’m calling it torturous.

I’ve started working out at the gym again, and I have ZERO energy.  That’s what happens when I can’t have complex carbs (oatmeal, rice) and pre-workout.  I’m going through the motions like a zombie.  I’m lifting 1/3 of what I was lifting previously.  I have to stop to rest mid set.  It’s frustrating.

I’m going to try to stick this out a bit more (until my next naturopath visit on March 25), but if I continue to see no results or improvements, I will stop.  I will add carbs into my diet, and I will drink pre-workout before I head to the gym. If I can’t make progress in one aspect, I will make it on the other (muscle building).

Also, the supplements are costing me a fortune, as you can imagine (one is imported from the US with delivery and customs fees).  I’m taking so many right now, I look like I had a problem, if you know what I mean.