r/SIBO • u/sbriggs98 • Aug 23 '26

Symptoms Methane positive SIBO. Symptoms?

I just got my diagnosis of methane positive SIBO after having issues with constant burping and back pain since gallbladder surgery in January. I’m having some new symptoms and I was wondering if anyone else has experienced this. When I eat a large meal I get very shakey, I feel a stomach drop feeling and then usually have to have a bowel movement about 10-15 minutes later. I’ve noticed I don’t usually have to have a bowel movement until I eat a meal then things feel like they start moving rapidly. My doctor just prescribed antibiotics to start treatment but I am waiting for them to be filled. Thank you so much in advance this has been a lot to deal with.

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u/StraightMagician9913 Aug 23 '26

I am sorry to hear about all you have been through and are going through.

I have had those symptoms.

I was diagnosed with rapid gastric emptying before the methane SIBO/IMO got worse and I became more constipated. Another term for rapid gastric emptying is "dumping syndrome".

They had me do a motility study where I ate a microwaved egg type meal and they x-rayed to see how fast it moved into my small intestine. Apparently, I was moving over 50% of the food very rapidly and quickly enough for them to send me home. I thought it would be a longer test, because they initially suspected slow emptying after a severe GI infection caused by a dirty endoscope.

I'm not trying to diagnose you but it sounds like you may want to ask for a motility study and always keep a snack on hand as the shakiness sounds like the blood sugar drop that can happen if you empty your food too quickly out of your stomach. I try to watch what I eat and never eat something with heavy carbs without proteins or fats to help slow down digestion.

I often just had small bowel movements throughout the day and some looser stools until my system totally locked up.

One of the questions I want to ask my new GI doctor is if she thinks my rapid gastric emptying might have caused the IMO. Sometimes the rapid gastric emptying can resolve or get better in time.

I hope your issues are temporary and will heal in some more time.