Back by popular demand is another powerful SIBO survivor story. In today’s episode, Shivan Sarna is sharing her experience of uncovering her root causes, from Lyme disease to mold exposure, and how she became the patient expert she is today.
Shivan is the founder of SIBO SOS, where she hosts monthly master classes to support others on their journey to understand, treat, and manage IBS, SIBO, and other digestive issues. Relying on her past as a yoga teacher and 20 years of experience hosting live TV, Shivan’s superpower is asking the questions SIBO patients have and then making that information easily understood and actionable.
For those of you who have been asking for a patients’ perspective, more information on underlying causes, how to vet practitioners to build your SIBO medical team, and navigate a SIBO diet as a vegetarian, this episode is for you.
A quick taste of what we’ll cover:
- Mold and Lyme exposure and what that looks like as a root cause for SIBO
- What it’s like to be a “canary” constantly reacting to everything in your environment
- We talk about Shivan’s SIBO misdiagnosis and whether or not to believe your breath test results
- The importance of uncovering underlying causes
- The biggest mistakes people make when trying to eradicate SIBO
- What products are essentials for your medicine cabinet and pantry for dealing with SIBO symptoms
- How to navigate a SIBO diet as a vegetarian
- And so much more…
Resources, mentions and notes:
- Shivan Sarna’s website, SIBO SOS
- Aerodiagnosticsbreath testing lab
- In Shivan’s medicine cabinet: Candibactin AR/BR, Allicin,charcoal, Megaspore probiotic.
- Yogourmet starterand MV Power yogurt maker
- 24 hour yogurt recipe
- Episode 21 on Acupuncture with Dr. Heidi Lovie
Today’s episode is brought to you by Fody Foods, a whole array of condiments, sauces and spice blends that are low FODMAP and use real ingredients to promote digestive health. Everything is Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, non-GMO, and most importantly, delicious. You can now purchase Fody Foods products at the regular grocery store! Keep an eye out for their purple logo on the shelves of Whole Foods, Sprouts, Fairway, and other grocers. Or you can head directly to fodyfoods.com to purchase online. SIBO Made Simple listeners in the US and Canada can get 15 percent off their order by using code SIBO15. Click here to learn more.
Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is not meant to provide medical advice, professional diagnosis, or treatment. The information discussed is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical or professional care.
Hey Phoebe, I have been loving the podcast, especially the episode with Shivan Sarna since I have a very familiar case to hers. But I am feeling really stuck at the moment and would love your take on my situation because maybe I am missing something that is super obvious.
I was diagnosed with SIBO about 21 mo ago. Shortly before, I was hospitalized and found out I had Diverticulitis in my descending colon. While in the hospital I asked the GI why I was bloating every time I ate. He really didn’t have any answers for me and didn’t even recommend any significant dietary changes. I had been seeing a ND for my gut issues and she ran a SIBO test. After finding out I had SIBO (hydrogen and methane) I did a round of Rifaxamin followed by several rounds of herbals. After no improvements, I did another round of Rifaxamin adding Flagyl and starting taking biofilm busters. After about 6-7 mo of all of that with no improvements I felt that something else was going on and my ND agreed. (in hindsight, I should have re-tested after the herbals and not gone as long as I did without seeing an improvement). I was tested for Lyme and co-infections and also mycotoxins which all came back positive. So I am close to ending a 3-mo protocol that is aimed at clearing up those issues. My bloating etc. is well managed as long as I stay on bi-phasic/low fodmap diet but I am not actively treating SIBO right now. But I am experiencing fatigue, brain fog and some weird neuro symptoms that I had 2 years ago (sometimes feeling like there is an elastic band around my calf muscles and my left index finger and big toe get cold and kind of numb). I suspect these are Lyme related. I really cannot tell if the protocol I have been on the last 3 mo is helping anything and I kind of feel like I have outgrown my ND. I am the one that has been suggesting things to try over the last while and she agrees with me but I am at a point where I don’t really know where I should go from here. I am wondering if I should find a practitioner who specializes in dealing with Lyme and co-infections as they relate to SIBO? I have Borelia, Babesia, Bartonella, Ehrlichia, Ricketssia, Coxsackie, EBV, Cytomegalovirus, Human Parvo Virus, Mycoplasma and C. Pneumoniae. And I tested positive for 5 species of mycotoxins. My house was tested and is clear for mold (and I work at home) so no idea where the exposure came from, but I suspect from years ago working in old buildings in Southern Ontario where it is very humid in summers. We built this house brand new 6 years ago so I could also have some overexposure to off-gassing of toxic paint, fumes etc. I am not sure if I carry the gene that makes it difficult to clear toxins but it would make sense. I don’t know if I have post-infectious IBS since the test isn’t available in Canada yet. It’s certainly possible. Now my ND suggested an Organic Acids Test but I honestly don’t really know if that is going to yield any useful information or not and I cannot keep throwing money at all of this. I don’t even want to add up what I have spent already!!!! If anyone else is in a similar situation I would love to hear from you. I’m feeling really stuck and not sure where to go from here. I just started taking Fulvic/Humic acid after listening to Dr. Nazum on the Viral & Retroviral summit and am thinking of adding in some immune-modulating herbs. But again, I am merely guessing and wish my ND had a better idea of how to progress with all of this. BTW – I also have Hashimoto’s (dignosed 18 years ago after I had my first child) and I also had my gallbladder out 15 years ago and have low stomach acid (so loads of SIBO risk factors). Any insights you have are greatly appreciated! Thanks for all you are doing to help all of us SIBO sisters!!!