Bacterial Overgrowth?

[LindaS]

I've had my illeosecal valve and surrounding tissue removed in 1995 (and more surrounding tissue removed in 2006). I've been miserable for over a year now. My doctor is suspecting one of my problems is bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine. I am going to do a breath test and if it is positive he wants me to take a course of antibiotics.

Has anyone here had this before? If so, once you have it, does it come back? I'd be so happy if a course of antibiotics made me feel better.

 

[David]

Hi Linda,

When you say you've been miserable, what are your symptoms? Sorry if we've discussed this before in which case disregard, I lose track

I'm guessing the test he wants to perform is the hydrogen breath test. I've never had it, but if you'd like to read up on it, here's some information.

 

[LindaS]

Thank you for the information, David. My symptoms are diarrhea, pain, nausea and vomiting, and extreme exhaustion. The colonoscopy in July showed a lot of inflammation and ulcers, which explained a lot. However, the colonoscopy last month showed the ulcers were gone and the inflammation was much less. The upper endoscopy last month showed some inflammation in the beginning of my small intestine and then the camera endoscopy showed pinpoint ulcers in my small intestine as well as "erosion of the oropharynx".

I'm still having a lot of diarrhea, blood tests show elevated red blood cells indicating dehydration, and I've been having a lot more pain.

That is the breath test I will be doing on Friday. He also ordered more blood work and x-rays.

I honestly think he's throwing the kitchen sink at the wall trying to see what will stick, as he's almost as frustrated as I am in the lack of improvement.

 

[Mountaingem]

Sorry you're suffering so much. I'm battling a c.diff infection myself, so I can empathize with how frustrating it is. Hang in there LindaS! Sending healing thoughts your way!

 

[LindaS]

I did the breath test this morning. OMG, I had to drink this sugary drink before, and it caused so much diarrhea, even more than I was already having. I can't have much sugar because it causes diarrhea, but this drink was a gut bomb. I hope the test helps, because to go through all that for nothing would be annoying.

 

[stacenrach]

hi there,
sorry to hear your suffering its not nice.at all.i had the breathe test 2 and yes the drink is gross and a real stomach devil! it blew me up like i was ready to give birth,even the lady who was with me said...hows that possible a tiny size 8 to that in not even 5 minutes!she made a note. i got my results there and then..said i had readings under 5 so was ok.i also had pill cam test on 12th december,..... and still waiting ...i get my results this monday yay...so fingers xddd they find some answers and some answers for us all.xxx