I'm overjoyed to have a diagnosis- excessive bacteria in my intestines!

[emer95]

I never thought I'd be so happy to get news like that! For years I have been suffering with "stomach issues" and losing way too much weight, enduring pain, nausea, etc. All of my medical tests were coming back as normal, and I was starting to question my sanity. I wondered if maybe everyone walked around feeling this way, and I was just a big baby about it? I took a breath test, and I finally know what the problem is and I'm so grateful. All I need to do is take an antibiotic.

I feel like I won the lottery. I am very, very thankful today.

Has anyone else ever had this?

 

[Shutterbug]

I agree not knowing why you are feeling bad makes it all the worse.
Glad you found out. How was the determined when you said all the test were coming back normal?

 

[lemondog]

Is it h pylori? My DH had that, had to take antibiotics too. He does still have some residual stomach issues from the years of problems, but luckily the bacteria itself has been eradicated.

 

[emer95]

I agree not knowing why you are feeling bad makes it all the worse.
Glad you found out. How was the determined when you said all the test were coming back normal?

The breath test was what determined it. I had to breathe into a tube attached to a plastic bag every 20 minutes for 2 hours after drinking lactulose. It was a nice easy test compared to all of the other ones I've had, and it was the one that did the trick!

 

[emer95]

Is it h pylori? My DH had that, had to take antibiotics too. He does still have some residual stomach issues from the years of problems, but luckily the bacteria itself has been eradicated.

I'm not sure. The nurse who called just said it was "excessive unfriendly bacteria." I'll look up h pylori and see if that sounds like what I've been dealing with.
Is your husband feeling better for the most part?

 

[YachtClubWoman]

I have had the same diagnosis after multiple tests/procedures. I wish the lactulose test had been 1st - 15 years ago. I had 10 days of Xifaxin in August and then have been on Align which is an over the counter probiotic. I needed another course of Xifaxin in Nov. but now I feel great. I can even eat foods I never could before.

The test is not for H. pylori but for an overgrowth of mutliple species of bacteria.

I was amazed that such an easy test was the answer I was looking for.