r/Constipation • u/Away_Protection_5361 • 1d ago

SIBO

Hi, so I’ve been struggling with severe constipation since March and my doctor recommended a SIBO breath test. I took it, but strangely only tested positive for hydrogen overgrowth, not methane, and as far as I’ve read the hydrogen bacteria are mostly responsible for diarrrhea, not constipation, which is weird, since I don’t have any. Now I’ve been prescribed xifaxan antibiotics and I have no idea if it’s worth even taking them, since my test was kinda on the border of positive and the meds are kinda expensive.

Anyone has been in similar situation?

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u/No_Visual_2112 1d ago

In Jan 2025 i tested for SIBO, positive hydrogen and evidence of methane over growth, it was right at the cut off point.

Around that time i was eating a no/low fat diet.

Took rifaxamin and went on antimicrobials for the next few months.

In July 2026, i re-tested, had normal levels of hydrogen and high levels of methane, 22ppm at baseline.

This time around i was eating fat in my diet.

How expensive is expensive for you, this could be the root issue of your constipation.

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u/Illustrious-Oil7123 1d ago

was it the root issue for your constipation?

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u/No_Visual_2112 1d ago

I don’t know, it doesn’t seem to be because both treatments didn’t fix me.

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u/PunkAssBitch2000 1d ago

I have issues with constipation by have hydrogen dominate SIBO. I have a bunch of other GI issues though.
Antibiotics will help with either type of SIBO.

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u/GasSolid9985 1d ago

Don’t do it My son was prescribed that and it messed up his gut