Breath Test

[pamptracy]

I'm scheduled for a lactulose breath test on Monday which tests for an overgrowth of bacteria. Has anyone ever had this? I know it involves drinking a water/sugar solution. Do you think it will cause an IC flare? Thanks!

Tracy

[yvette]

I've had it done...its not really so bad. The bathroom is always in close reach. (those who have a reaction may have their bowels irritated) I didn't have a reaction...and I brought stuff to read...its really boring just sitting there and every so often you breathe ino this tube hooked up to a small little bag. I even waited alittle after the test to see if I needed to pee out whatever might be left.
Don't worry, you'll do just fine

[pamptracy]

So it won't give me any bladder problems. What do you mean by having bowels irritated? Diarhea? Mine are irritated enough all the time. The drive home is probably around 20 minutes or so. All I was told is that it could cause gas. How long will the problems last? I have something to do Monday night! Thanks!

[yvette]

Well, yes Diarrhea. Those who take the test to see if they are lactose intolerant tend to get that. IMHO, that doesn't seem to apply in your case

[pamptracy]

I'm not having the lactose test. I already know I can't do dairy! This is lactulose which from what I understand is just a type of sugar. My husband and I were supposed to start ballroom dancing classes that night. Do you think I'll be okay by then if I do end up with diarhea? Thanks!!!

[yvette]

I would think you'd be OK...I would maybe call and ask just to be safe.
Ballroom Dancing sounds like fun! Good for you! If you're really leery, you could always pack some Immodium Advanced...the chweable work fast and the advanced kind settles any *bubbles* in your gut.

[tabasco32]

I want to also try the lactulose test as well. Where do you get it done. I'm sure you will be ok. I need to know if my gut has bacteria in it as well.

[pamptracy]

Immodium is okay for IC? I'm always afraid to take anything! I think I may have to reschedule the test for next Friday anyway since my husband can't get off work and I have a 4 year old at home. I could take him with me but that would be miserable for both of us! I can't wait to take dance classes again. We did itabout 7 years ago before our kids were born. Now we rarely go anywhere alone. It will be like a date every Monday!

I'm having the lactulose test done at the Digestive Disorders Center at a local hospital. I decided to see a new GI doctor since my strange bowel symptoms are getting worse and the GI doctor I've been seeing can't seem to help me. She diagnosed me with IBS but my symptoms don't match. My new GI doctortook a lot of time with me and really listened. He has several ideas of what it could be and none of them are IBS. Anyway, I'm excited to get this resolved. Bowel issues can really affect your life as you probably already know!

[tabasco32]

don't mean to be nosey but what are your symptoms?

[pamptracy]

It's pretty gross....really gassy and passing a lot of liquid. It's not diarhea or even mucus....just water I guess. No smell but noisy! If I feel the need to pass it and can't make it to the bathroom it will leak out! It's something I need to pass frequently so it has really been limiting my life. I'm afraid to go anywhere or do anything. It also makes it hard to exercise. My stomach also makes a lot of noises and sometimes they even wake my husband at night. Not too much crampiness or pain, but my stomach is gurgly. This was the least invasive test of all the things the GI doctor thought this could be.

[MerryBerryMoose]

I've had this done and it shouldn't cause you any bladder problems. The solution you drink tastes a bit chalky and icky.

If you are lacotose intollerant you might get some upset stomach/cramps/maybe diareah.

[meagain]

Look again

If this is really new for you, I hope your doctors will consider infection is the cause. A long time ago a similar thing happened to me, I suddenly couldn't eat vegetables because I'd get the runs and terrible gas, passing mostly watery stool. Took Cipro numerous times, it came back 5 days after finishing the medicine...by the time I reached the gastro I had healed myself. He told me it was likely Giardia and my doc SHOULD have given Flagyl along with the Cipro to kill it. How did I cure myself? After of a year of this nonsense, one day I felt so weak and empty, I took a whole bunch of probiotics I had laying around and everything just stopped! So, if this is new symptomology for you, you may have to be persistant. Even good docs miss stuff. good luck.

It's pretty gross....really gassy and passing a lot of liquid. It's not diarhea or even mucus....just water I guess. No smell but noisy! If I feel the need to pass it and can't make it to the bathroom it will leak out! It's something I need to pass frequently so it has really been limiting my life. I'm afraid to go anywhere or do anything. It also makes it hard to exercise. My stomach also makes a lot of noises and sometimes they even wake my husband at night. Not too much crampiness or pain, but my stomach is gurgly. This was the least invasive test of all the things the GI doctor thought this could be.

[tabasco32]

gluten intolerance can cause this as well. maybe you should lay off wheat and spelt, oats, bran and rye for a month or so. Raw milk may be better for you to drink instead of grocery store milk. raw milk keeps the latase enzyme in the milk so the intestines can absorb it easier. look it up.

[pamptracy]

My understanding is the lactulose test will tell him whether I have a bacterial overgrowth (infection) or not. I'm allergic to milk so I'm not doing lactose...instead they are giving me lactulose. My symptoms started more than a year ago. They got a little better when I started taking probiotics but the last month or so they've gotten worse.

The GI doctor also mentioned wheat gluten intolerance as a possibilty as well. I've had the blood test for this which was negative. Depending on the results of this he may do a different test for this as well. He's starting with the least invasive things first. I have noticed that sweets give me symptoms. I love cake but I try to avoid it because of this. I eat pancakes without a problem though so I don't think it's the wheat. I don't want to go gluten free until I'm diagnosed. My diet is so limited as it is!

He also mentioned the possibility of other food intolerances or allergies as being the culprit. Other things he mentioned were a motility issue or molecular colitis. I may have to have a colonoscopy. I'm hoping the lactulose test will be positive and all I have to do is antibiotics! Wouldn't it be nice if it were that easy!

[tabasco32]

most people who are allergic to milk are rarely allergic to raw milk. I am allergic to grocery store milk. but with raw milk I am fine. I remember taking lactulose for constipation, which didn't work but only gave me bad vaginal discharge. ugh it was real bad and still is.