If rifaximin seems to cause an increase in diarrhea, fever, vomiting, or suppression of appetite, I will stop the medication immediately. If the symptoms resolve quickly, I will restart. If the symptoms do not stop right away, I will contact the prescribing physician.
Other antibiotics are much less likely to reverse bacterial overgrowth of the small intestine, have the potential to cause more side effects, are prone to the development of microbial resistance, and can additionally damage the microbiome of the intestinal tract, which is not believed to be the case for rifaximin.
Rifaximin should be taken twice daily, approximately 10-12 hours apart. It can be taken with or without food. It can be taken with other medications.
Yes. The Nemechek Protocol for Autonomic Recovery is designed to reduce elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and the presence of abnormally primed M1- microglia. These 2 pathological processes prevent recovery from brain injury, interfere with neuronal/synaptic pruning, interfere with brain development in utero, and are a key feature of the neurodegenerative disorders (Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, ALS). It is capable of reversing a wide range of chronic neurological conditions (migraine and cluster headaches, chronic fatigue, generalized anxiety, depression/PTSD, ADD/ADHD) as well as intestinal disorders (heartburn, reflux, IBS, constipation, diarrhea, etc.), and it’s potent anti-inflammatory effect substantially reduces symptoms associated with autoimmune disorders (Crohn’s, psoriasis, MS, rheumatoid arthritis, Hashimoto’s, etc.)
I do not restrict any foods in the diet when I treat my patients with The Nemechek Protocol® other than foods known to cause severe allergic reactions (peanuts, walnuts, etc.) or obvious intolerance (milk causing diarrhea, etc.) in the patient.
It is not unusual to stop rifaximin or the oils because of an illness (e.g., an intestinal virus with vomiting) or other unusual life events (e.g., hospitalization, travel). There is no well-defined method to restart the protocol, but I generally recommend waiting until the intervening event has passed before resuming treatment. Then I would just pick up with everything where I left off. There is no need to slowly add back the different elements of the protocol one by one.
If you are seeing improvement with the protocol except for a few areas, further inflammation reduction is required by adding vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) for five min. once daily. Alternatively, increasing inulin to monthly rifaximin or monthly rifaximin to continuous rifaximin might also help. And finally, if continuous rifaximin and VNS are already being used, adding 1/4 tsp of inulin once daily to the rifaximin might help.
Antibiotics, probiotics, colonoscopy, general anesthesia, abdominal surgery, potent antacid use, excessive or adverse reaction to vaccination, severe food poisoning, intestinal infections, or brain injury are triggers for bacterial overgrowth. It is important to remember that this is just a list of potential triggers and not a list of events to be avoided. nnNote: Chronic, low-grade sinus or dental infections are very common events that can cause a temporary and prolonged worsening of symptoms that might be misconstrued as a relapse but, in fact, is not. A mild runny nose, cough, or flair of allergies can cause enough neurological stress to worsen anxiety, hyperactivity, aggression, and stimming. A simple ten-day course of nasal corticosteroid spray (e.g., OTC fluticasone) can improve the symptoms and lead to a positive trajectory of improvement once again.
No, this is not thought to be possible.
Once recovery progress occurs, the only manner it can lose its effectiveness is through either inulin failure or rapid relapsing while on monthly rifaximin. Otherwise, if recovery was improving while on the protocol but seemingly comes to a halt, look for other external factors causing interference.nnLook for sources of infection (e.g., sinuses, teeth), pain (e.g., teeth, abdominal cramping), inflammation (inflammatory bowel disease, gum disease), or psychological distress (change in-home or school, initiation of ABA or other therapies). Any of these events can cause recovery to appear to stop.