Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth- SIBO Results

The other day I opened up my mail box and saw an envelope from Pinehurst Medical Clinic. When I opened it and read it over, I wanted to scream, yet I was also relieved. At least I had an answer to all the years of Jayden’s appetite and weight gain issues. Jayden’s Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth- SIBO test was abnormal. So what does this mean? Basically, for about two years, Jayden is unable to have:

• sugar
• simple carbs
• corn
• russet potatoes
• cow’s milk
• flavored yogurt

These types of food can cause an excess build up of hydrogen and methane gases in his stomach which cause pain and discomfort. We all have bacteria in our bodies of course, but too much of a particular bacteria can cause problems. Unfortunately, Jayden has an excess of these bacterias so he will be limited for awhile in what he can eat.

What sucks is that for so many years, I have been giving Jayden cow’s milk, and other dairy products, and sugars in an attempt to add calories to his diet and put some weight on him. All the fights at meal times were likely caused by his upset stomach and I had no idea. I feel terrible for doing what I thought was right (and also recommended by his pediatrician and dietician) and causing him problems. I wish I would have known of this a few years ago. It’s not like this is my first visit to a Gastroenterologist.

The good news is that now I have some answers and I know what to do moving forward.  It’s also good news that after taking nine vials of his blood, and spending three hours collecting breath samples from him, that it wasn’t all for nothing. Luckily Jayden does enjoy fruits and veggies, which he’ll be eating quite a bit of over the next couple of years. Also, I have never been one for processed meats, aside from the occasional deli sandwich or hot dog, but these aren’t things served regularly in my home, so cutting them out won’t be much of an issue.

The major problems are going to be:

• cutting out sugars (Jayden LOVES sugar)
• cutting out white rice (I make Spanish rice, that he loves two times a week)
• eliminating russett potatoes (I make those when I’m tired of rice)
• the expense of buying almond milk for him and regular milk for everyone else
• learning how to cook with whole grain flower
• giving him sugar free drinks (I started juicing yesterday)

Although I am facing challenges, I am happy that some progress may now be made concerning his weight gain. Let’s see if we can get this boy to fill out .

Parents: what issues have you faced with your children’s weight? What have you tried to get your kids to gain or lose it? What have doctors told you to do? What worked for you?