Hi, RLB. I'm sorry you didn't tolerate the Cipro. It's the only single antibiotic that worked for me. There are others worth trying though, singly and, if necessary, in combination. Xifaxan (rifaxamin) helps lots of folks and tends to stay in the gut, causing few systemic side effects. It's expensive as heck, though. Tindamax and Augmentin are two others.
I definitely stay on VSL while on antibiotics (I'm actually on them full-time, Cipro + Flagyl). It makes a real difference, I think. I space it well away from the antibiotics.
Some have reported excellent results from a very-low-carbohydrate diet. I haven't done it, since my preliminary experiments showed no promise, and I'd be miserable on that diet. If you try it, I suggest avoiding magical thinking about so-called "good carbohydrates." Avoid them all and you may be pleasantly surprised.