Patient story

Hydrogen SIBO most likely triggered by PPIs and antibiotics, hoping Rifaximin helps

@littlewaterBronzeContributorShared August 2026

Current status

Still struggling
  1. Still struggling
  2. Somewhat resolved
  3. Mostly resolved
  4. Fully resolved
In their words

The story

Edited Aug 31, 6:20 AM

I took PPI for 2 years to treat GERD. Within that timeframe, I contracted strep throat and took 2 rounds of antibiotics which I think most likely triggered my SIBO. After the antibiotics, I started feeling bloated and full of gas. I thought my gut is imbalanced and took probiotics to help but it was ineffective (maybe even made my bloating worse). After feeling bloated and full of gas for more than a year, I sought help. I completely stopped taking PPIs five months ago.

I was diagnosed with SIBO using a breath test, which showed hydrogen-dominance with peak of 50ppm. I thought this was a bit strange because hydrogen-dominant SIBO is generally associated with diarrhea but I never had diarrhea. I've had constipation for most of my life and SIBO hasn't changed that. Now after the breath test, I am on my first round of Rifaximin and hoping to eliminate SIBO but it hasn't seemed to have helped my bloating much after a week.

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What they were dealing with

Symptoms

moderatemoderatemoderate
What the workup showed

Tests & diagnoses

Showed hydrogen-dominance.Diagnosed with SIBO.Breath test showed hydrogen-dominance.
Every treatment, and what happened

Treatments

Each treatment this contributor tried, in the order that mattered, with their own reported result. The ones marked with a trophy are the treatments they credit as decisive.

Made worseNo changePartially helpedHelped
No change

On first round after breath test; after a week it has not seemed to help bloating much.

Acid reducers & PPIs
Made worse

Took PPI for more than a year and a half; contributor thinks it most likely helped trigger SIBO.

Antibiotics
Made worse

Took two rounds of antibiotics; contributor thinks they most likely triggered SIBO.

Discussion

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Important

This is one person's reported experience aggregated by GutPattern, not clinical advice, a treatment protocol, or a diagnosis. What helped one contributor can do nothing — or harm — for someone with a different underlying cause. Sudden, severe, bloody, feverish, or worsening symptoms belong with medical care. Always discuss care decisions with a qualified clinician.