Hi all

Because we have IC, we have small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). This is very serious. I dont want to sound alarmist, but I want to re-iterate this. When the gut is compromised like this, it is very slow to heal. Beneath the imbalance of our gut flora (which in and of itself is hard to re-balance), is the lining of our gut - the mucosal tissue itself. Our mucosal tissue is very damaged. If we have a hope of repairing it and living a symptom-free life, we must to everything in our power to protect and rebuild our delecate gut lining. This means avoiding antibiotics and ibuprofen and other known gut irritants at ALL costs. 

Maintaining a healthy diet and possibly continuing on suplements after treatment is critical to avoid SIBO relapse and potential subsequent onset of IC symptoms. After our symptoms have resolved, there is still further gut healing that needs to occur! Dr. Brizman always reminds us of this, but it is always re-assuring to hear it from mulitple sources. Like those of us with IC, many, many, people have SIBO and are being treated for it in various ways. Please don't read this article and think you need to switch to the GAPS diet :) Dr. Brizman has chosen the approach for her patients that is in line with her vast clinical experience treating IC. So methods that are used for treating SIBO in other situations, is not best for those of us with IC. Having said that I will post a link to an interesting article about SIBO. 

http://www.townsendletter.com/FebMarch2013/ibs0213_4.html