Excessive bacteria in small intestine? Tell me I'm not alone!

[emer95]

I've posted about my stomach problems before. I've had chronic nausea for years, but really intense, debilitating nausea since December. I've lost dramatic amounts of weight, I can barely eat or make it through the day or care for my family. It comes and goes, so I occasionally have good days but lately there are more bad days.
I am seeing a GI doctor and I've had several tests, and the only one that came back positive for anything was a bacteria breath test. It said that I had bacterial overgrowth in my small intestine, so I was started on antibiotics. I didn't feel any better. I went back for a 2nd test which said I still had the bacteria, so now I'm on a stronger antibiotic (Doxycycline). The side effects are horrible and I still don't feel any better.

My friend at work was having stomach problems too, but the opposite of mine (Constipation, weight gain) and he too tested positive for the bacteria breath test. Now I'm a little suspicious. Maybe we ALL would test positive for it and this is not my problem at all.

I Googled chronic nausea and read stories about people who have suffered for years, had medical tests and surgeries and still have not found any relief. I'm starting to fall into a depression. I can't live like this. I'm sure my family and coworkers are sick of hearing about it but it's so hard to just get through the day.

Has anyone else been through this?

 

[WheresTheLove]

I'm no expert on this subject, but I just want to say that I'm sorry to hear that you've been suffering and I hope the doctors figure it out soon.

I wonder, what kind of bacteria was found to be present in the breath test? Perhaps that would better explain what's causing your symptoms...but, then again, if the doctors knew what kind it is...they'd know how to kill it, right?

I just don't know, but I wish I did. Best of luck to you.

 

[ontariomonkey]

That sucks! Maybe if this course of antibiotics dosn't work, try to load up with GOOD bacteria. Acidophalus (spelled wrong prob) helps you take care of the bad bacteria. Have you tried seeing a naturopath? If the medical Drs can't fix you, maybe they can help.

 

[Diva of Dragons]

I agree with ontariomonkey! Antibiotics with also take out the good 'flora" in your system. Something like 80% of our immunity is in our gut. The probiotic we use, when we start to feel sick, get a cold etc... is called Bio-K and is stronger than acidophilus. It's a yogurt-like thing that you drink. It has really shortened the duration of illness and kept us from getting sick as often.

I hope you feel better quick!!

 

[sasywtch]

Did they test you for H Pylori bacteria? I had a very high level and had to go on that medicine for awhile. It's the same medicine for those who have ulcers.

 

[Sleepy]

I have had digestive problems (not just stomach) for years. I had a GI about 15 years ago and they found my system works in about 10-15 minutes. The tech was shocked, but nothing else seemed unusual. I was sent to a gastrointerologist. I sat in his office next to his desk and he told me "You just have a fast system". He never examined me or tried to figure out why. He said I had a very large amount of acid in my stomach and instead of acid reflux, the acid was going into the intestine.

So, I suffered for another 15 years....continually complaining to many more doctors. 2 years ago they did a colonoscopy, tested for parasites, etc. Everything came back fine. Recently, it has become impossible. The burning, hurting, and nausea is too much. I went back to another doc and he said he would test me for H Pylori, which is a bacteria that can end up in the stomach and intestine. I was positive for that. There is no telling how long I have had it. None of the other doc had ever considered it a possibility.

I was already on 2 prilosec a day (which did nothing), but he added penicillan and Biaxin. I have been even more miserable than before. I think I have developed just about every side effect possible from Biaxin. It hightened the acid in my stomach and all the hurting, burning and nausea. I just took the last dose last night and I am still suffering just as bad as before the round of meds. I was told we would retest in 2 weeks.

This is just an awful way to live. I don't wish it on anyone.

 

[HeatherC]

Have you had a colonoscopy done? I have what is called "lymphocytic colic" also known as microscopic colitis. The only way it was picked up was by having a biopsy done on my intestinal tissue. Apparently the intestines look fine during a colonoscopy but under a microscope it appears that the lining of the colon is inflammed.

I get severe stomach cramping and nasuea and have to go to the bathroom a number of times a day. Stress seems to make it worse.

It is pretty rare and goes undiagnosed a lot. They don't know what causes it, but think it could be part of the auto-immune family.
There is a doctor in Texas who has a very good reputation in this. (Doctor Fine) He can do a stool sample test by mail that can possibly give you a disagnosis. So even if you don't have this, the test may be able to tell you exactly what bacteria is showing up.

His test can also pick up sensitivity to gluten which is tied in to celiac's disease. Have they checked you for this? Although I have heard that a number of times the standard celiac test is not that accurate and that someone could actually have celiacs even though that test says you don't.

You are DEFINITELY not alone in this. Hope you get answers soon!!

 

[Christine]

Have you looked on google for a condition known as Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)? It is a real condition and mainly results from being unable to process certain types of foods (fructose malaborsorption, lactose malabsorption, etc).

 

[Tess]

I've posted about my stomach problems before. I've had chronic nausea for years, but really intense, debilitating nausea since December. I've lost dramatic amounts of weight, I can barely eat or make it through the day or care for my family. It comes and goes, so I occasionally have good days but lately there are more bad days.
I am seeing a GI doctor and I've had several tests, and the only one that came back positive for anything was a bacteria breath test. It said that I had bacterial overgrowth in my small intestine, so I was started on antibiotics. I didn't feel any better. I went back for a 2nd test which said I still had the bacteria, so now I'm on a stronger antibiotic (Doxycycline). The side effects are horrible and I still don't feel any better.

My friend at work was having stomach problems too, but the opposite of mine (Constipation, weight gain) and he too tested positive for the bacteria breath test. Now I'm a little suspicious. Maybe we ALL would test positive for it and this is not my problem at all.

I Googled chronic nausea and read stories about people who have suffered for years, had medical tests and surgeries and still have not found any relief. I'm starting to fall into a depression. I can't live like this. I'm sure my family and coworkers are sick of hearing about it but it's so hard to just get through the day.

Has anyone else been through this?

In 2008, I spent six to eight months feeling like pure crud with the nausea, vomiting, and constant diarrhea. I lost so much weight I could barely function--I feel your pain. . . Ultimately, I underwent colonoscopy and was diagnosed with colitis or possibly Crohn's Disease--I guess it is difficult to tell. The initial review of the colonoscopy found no active disease, but it was diagnosed through the pathology report of the biopsies.

I began taking Asacol and added Align (OTC probiotic) when the Asacol wasn't working very well. There have been ups and downs (flares), but the downs are now becoming fewer and farther between, thankfully. Stress definitely affects my well being.

I hope you find an answer--2008 was a bear for me and I can so relate to your feelings of depression when you feel so horrible. Keep after the doctors--there is an answer and someone will find it.

 

[emer95]

Thank you so much for your replies!

I don't know if I've been tested for H Pylori or not. I've had multiple blood tests which have all come back as perfectly healthy- would that be detected in a blood test?

The good bacteria is a great idea. I've been taking acidophilus and eating yogurt for lunch every day. Thanks for the suggestion of Bio-K, Diva of Dragons. I will definitely give it a try!

Sleepy, I could cry for you! I'm so sorry you're going through this and I pray that you find some relief soon!

Heather C, no I haven't had a colonoscopy yet. Surprising, with all of the tests I've had. I probably should. Thank you for the name of that doctor. I really appreciate the advice!

Christine, no I haven't. Thanks. I'll Google that now!

Tess, I'm sorry you've had suffering too. This is definitely no way to live. I hope your bad times go away completely.

Thanks again everyone. Your responses mean a lot to me.

 

[Sleepy]

I don't know if I've been tested for H Pylori or not. I've had multiple blood tests which have all come back as perfectly healthy- would that be detected in a blood test?

A blood test is all that is needed. Mine came back positive.

May I suggest you start asking for copies of your test results and start asking specifically what each test was looking for? I used to never ask. I would get blood work done and they would just reply with "everything looks good". Now, I am having many medical problems, other than the digestive problems, and I wish I had kept up with all the test results over the last 3 years. Things have multiplied and now that I am starting to get back some bad results, it leaves me wondering if I had ever had that particular test previously. I wonder if a condition could have been found earlier.

I question everything and make sure I understand. I used to never do that.