A New Ibs Solution: Bacteria-the Missing Link in Treating Irritable Bowel Syndrome [ペーパーバック]

This book may help answer many of your IBS problems. Easy read for millions of individuals suffering from gas, bloating, and additional disruptive IBS symptoms. The book provides excellent information for patients and doctors alike. Dr. Pimentel, Director of the GI Motility Program at well respected Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in LA, discusses a new approach to treating IBS patients, with 10 day course of the non-systemic antibiotic XIFAXAN. He uses this new antibiotic in combination with low dose zelnorm maintenance therapy, dietary modifications, etc.

XIFAXAN has helped give myself and some of my family members who also suffer from IBS, hope that there is an answer to our suffering. This might be the best Christmas present of all! :^)

After reading Dr. Pimentel's book I actually researched to see what else was out on this subject and found this July article from the St. Louis Post Dispatch:

Controversial Theory Links Bacterial Overgrowth to Irritable Bowel Syndrome

By Kay Quinn

Healthbeat Reporter

It causes everything from pneumonia and infections, to certain stomach ulcers. Now, bacteria could be to blame for triggering a common intestinal ailment.

This new theory has led to a new treatment for irritable bowel syndrome or IBS.

For years, doctors chalked up the alternating symptoms of constipation and diarrhea to stress. But a developing theory links bacteria that causes food poisoning, including salmonella, to IBS.

37 year old Jennifer Freese has been battling the pain and discomfort of IBS since she was 19. "Things you want to do you don't always do because you don't know when it will flare up."

On the advice of her doctor, Jennifer's breath is being tested every 15 minutes for the next two hours. The test can help determine whether she has an overgrowth of bacteria in her small intestine. Some doctors believe certain bacteria that cause food poisoning, like shigella and salmonella, also damage the nerves of the small intestine, setting the stage for that overgrowth and the discomfort of IBS.

"Many patients don't remember the inciting incident. Some patients say o.k. I came back with an infection it lasted for a couple of weeks and I developed IBS and never had it before," says Dr. Leonard Weinstock, a gastroenterologist with Specialists in Gastroenterology in Creve Coeur.

After a careful medical history and physical exam, patients are given a sugar drink that's not absorbed by the body. The breath of those with an overgrowth of bacteria will give off measurable levels of methane and hydrogen. Patients who test positive can then be treated with two drugs: one that increases contractions in the small intestine, and a ten day course of a new antibiotic called XIFAXAN.

"We've had some dramatic responses and we've also had some people who've said thank goodness you can tell me something other than its not in my head," says Dr. Weinstock.

Kelly Kendrick was found to have an overgrowth of bacteria in her intestine. She's been treated and is already seeing a difference. "Now I can eat the foods I love, go out to dinner, not have to worry about the problems I had before. It's been a miracle for me."

Dr. Weinstock believes the test could help up to 70 percent of people with IBS.

I was diagnosed with IBS about a year ago. I am not a doctor, but I have an extensive biology background and my husband is an RN. I tried this book's recomendation of antibiotics, but they helped only for a little while. I was depressed to say the least.

With my husbands urging I had been keeping track of what I ate and what increased my symptoms, and noticed that corn was a trigger for me. Now I am not saying that corn would cause it for everyone, what I am saying is that there may be a food trigger association with IBS. When I stopped eating anything that had corn or corn derivatives in it I felt better. When I ate things with corn I felt sick within a few hours or less. I have talked with my GI doc and he has said that there can be a food relationship to IBS. If this book does not work for you, try another avenue, don't give up. IBS is a terrible disease, but I am symptom free for two months by staying off my trigger food.

I gave this book only three stars since there are other alternatives that this book does not go into. I have talked with other IBS patients that are sensitive to wheat and avoid it like the plague to feal better. This book may have a newer solution to IBS, but not the only one.

I had a severe, disabling intestinal pain that went on day in and day out for many months, while I was going through all kinds of tests at a major hospital. The only thing they found was a bunch of diverticuli ("bubbles") on the wall of my small intestine and jujenum, but the specialist I was referred to said that "this couldn't possibly cause the pain."

After exhausting all other possibilities I confronted him with Dr. Pimentel's research results as described in this book (and published more widely in the fall of 2006), but this was promptly described as very unlikely to be valid. Out of options and in a lot of pain, I somehow managed to convince him that it would make sense to at least try it anyway.

Five days later I celebrated the end of my five months of continuous 24/7 suffering!

Two pills morning and evening, a new unique antibiotic that did all the work, and it took two months before the problem came back.

Then it was time for realization #2 from Dr. Pimentel's work as described in the book. I was lactose intolerant, eliminated this from my diet, and haven't had a recurrence since.

Amazingly, it seems very few specialists even know about Dr. Pimentel's research at Cedars-Sinai Hospital on this. Arm yourself with this book, and don't give up until you get good answers from your doctor!