Bacerial overgrowth

[mg12061]

Hello, I'm new to this forum and I've mostly been reading all the great information here. My daughter who is 16, has down syndrome, celiac crohn's, neurogenic bladder(with an appendicovesicostomyto catheterize) cronic constipation because of dissmotility(with a cecostomy to flush), Moyamoya disease which caused several strokes and leaves her at a high risk for strokes, hashimotos, and ovarian cysts. Over the past 3 years is when all of the GI and bladder issues have been diagnosed one layer at a time. I've had to push for each and every test because she seems so happy and healthy in front of everyone else. But inside she has many problems and a high threshold for pain. With all the above seemingly under control she still has a lot of bloating and uncomfortable upper belly, very forceful burps that kind of gag her, she also has pain in her butt, and when all this is bothering her she cries and says she exhausted and feels warm. Her GI Dr. put her on an antibiotic just before Christmas and it seemed to help but it could also have been it just stopped on it's own like it has in the past. When it started coming back he put her on another round of antibiotic. She seems OK now still tires easy and a bit bloated. My uestion is can this be relaed to the Crohn's, has anyone else experienced this kind of flare? The dr didn't think so because I hadn't seen any blood. Although I didn't see blood when she was first diagnosed her stool tested for blood. He thinks overgrowth of bacteria, bacterial overgrowth be related to crohn's or does it seem like this is a totally different issue. It's been so confusing tryin to decifer her symptoms with her level of communication lower than that of a typical 16 year old.
Mary

 

[UnXmas]

Crohn's can certainly flare without causing bleeding, and the symptoms you mention she is having could be caused by Crohn's, however, in your daughter's case it may be another motility issue. If her lower digestive system has motility problems, it may make it more likely that her upper digestive system does too. Her pain, bloating and gagging could indicate an upper-digestive system motility problem. I have motility problems and as far as my upper-digestive system is concerned, they cause me gastroparesis (delayed stomach emptying) which causes fullness, bloating, hiccupping and reflux/heartburn.

I have heard that dysmotility can make a person susceptible to bacterial overgrowth, so that may be what her doctor is assuming, as he must know that Crohn's can flare without bleeding.

Her doctor should realise that you're entitled to a proper explanation of why he suspects bacterial overgrowth and why he doesn't think Crohn's is the problem, so don't be afraid to ask him questions at your daughter's next appointment.

 

[mg12061]

Thanks for your response. it all makes sense and I kind of knew a ot of what you said but I like to hear things from someone who has personal experiences with these things. I'm not sure if the antibiotic is still working. The last 2 days she woke up saying her belly was full. One of the days her butt hurt also. I'll give it a day or so and see if it continues and call the GI back. Thanks again...
Mary

 

[steve55]

Bacterial overgrowth can be tested for with a 2 hour breath test. I have bacterial overgrowth went on antibiotics. Dr also recommended Sacchromyces Bouldarii probiotic (Florastor).