Anyone had a Hydrogen Test

I had my gastro appt yesterday & I will say it went great!!!  He asked lots of questions about my symptoms & all that.  He ended up doing a Hydrogen test on me.  I had to blow into this tube thing & it measured how my hydrogen is in me.  Well, the "normal" person is to have UP TO 5.  Well, mine was at 14!!!  Almost triple the amount.  He stated that this is a very strong indication that I have a bad bacterial infection in my small intestines and this is most likely causing my symptoms.  He said that with this type of infection the symptoms come on all the sudden & can last until an antibiotic is prescribed.  So I am going to be on Xiofaxan for about 10 days.  I am keeping my fingers crossed that this will cure my diarrhea and stomach cramping.  He said that in a week I should feel 60-80% better!     He also gave me a probiotic called Flora Q and a med to help with the stomach cramping & diarrhea (only if I need it during the course of the meds).  I just wanted to let you know.  I don't think I have heard anyone mention having this test done.  hopefully it can maybe help one of you all out.  He said that if the med's don't help me then he will do the colonoscopy on me & check for microscopic colitis.  But he seemed pretty confident that the med's should work.  I would be one happy girl if they work! I can't wait to be able to eat a nice big salad again! 

Funny you mention that, I had that test done 2 weeks ago. I forgot the actual result, but it was far higher than acceptable, so I'm on the Xifaxan as well, have another week or so to go.

Crazygut,

Is this a fairly common test?  I haven't heard of it but it sounds like it could possibly be what's wrong with me.  4 months without 1 normal bowel movement is enough for me to try anything!

Do you do it in a hospital or in a Dr. office??

Thanks!

 

I am not sure how long the test has been available?  My GI doctor mentioned it to me.  I have been taking the antibiotic for about 3 days now...it hasn't been fun, but it worth it if is going to cure this up.  It has mostly just made me nauseous & having the feeling that I have to keep using the bathroom (although I don't).  I had already assumed that it was going to make me feel worse for a bit before it makes me feel better. 

ItalianBella, I had all the symptoms that are discussed on this board (diarrhea mostly) and my GI told me that IBS is mistakingly diagnosed for it since most doctors don't think to do the hydrogen test.  You should have the test done, very simple.  I have had IBS symptoms the past year constantly.  He stated that usually the symptoms will start with no warning...one day you are fine & the next you are in pain with diarrhea, etc. 

Joeblow, have you had the side effects from it?  How long are you on the med's for?  I am on them for about 10 days I think. 

I am praying that this is my answer to the agony of the last year.  My GI is pretty confident...but, I will let you all know how I am in about a month (if I am "cured"    or not )

I believe the test you're talking about tests for Helicobacter pylori, which is a bacteria that can lead to stomach ulcers, abdominal pain, etc.  It's widely prevalent in the population.

It isn't the same test as the H. Pylori.  I had that test done also awhile back, but this one checks for for another type of bacteria that is in the gut-mainly in the small intestines. 

There are several ways to test for H. pylori; a breath test is one (we used to use the breath test to check for carriers of H. pylori in the villages here), and EGD is another; I haven't heard of a blood test for it (but that doesn't mean one doesn't exist )

YES.
i had three courses of xiafaxan, i had the hydrogen test as well and mine was litteraly off the chart!
xiafaxan worked AMAZINGLY well for me, even though i had to do a few rounds of it. now i simply take acidopholis every day, along with peppermint oil (good for bacterial overgrowth and the small intestine--but you must take the enteric coated kind) and i maintain a gluten free diet.
it is not the same as H. Pylori.
i am still healthy, and used to crap my pants and had to resign from a job because i could not leave the toilet--i also had a polyp and pooping blood thing going on... but the antibiotic did work for me and i wish the best of luck to you.
i suggest everyone get the hydrogen breath test, it is easy, and a big study here in MD is being done; some doctors think that many diagnosed with IBS are actually misdiagnosed and really have a bacterial overgrowth. the study is with xiafaxan and determining if IBS patients can benefit with the antibiotic.

all the best!
-bunnybabe

Well...I had to stop taking the Xifaxan.  For some reason it is not doing me well.  I am extremely nauseated and have had worse diarrhea the last few days then I have had in a few months.  My GI told me this is not normal side affects and to stop taking it if they persist.  Well, they persisted & I stopped taking it Saturday night.  I am still feeling like crap from them! I am having a hard time getting some plain toast down this morning for breakfast! I am so dissappointed, depressed, pisse* that this med did not work for me.  I must have had a mild allergic reaction to it.  I am hoping he will be able to persribe me something else that may help.  Knowing that my test was so high I NEED something that will get rid of the bacterial growth.  So, back to square one for me... I would still recommend this for everyone.  Just because I had a bad experience doesn't mean it will be the same for you all.  I have read alot of success stories with this med.  Good luck to you all! 

As did mine, so i've booked myself in for the 22nd of this month (Hydrogen Test for Bacterial Overgrowth). Hopefully the results should come in shortly after that. All the best guys!

In Australia you need to request it from your General Practitioner before you can goto a pathology lab. I'm not sure how it works where you are.

Well I am calling my doc at 8am because here I am up again with the horrible cramps. Heat helps some but when it is this bad I can't sleep. This is the 5th night in a row of this. I want them to put me back on the pain pill Ultram at least I could sleep at night. I still have my heartburn problem so apparently it was not the ultram causing it. You should ask your doctor about the pain med ultram. It works for 24 hours really well. I think all the pain is from gas and then I am really bloated when it hurts like this too and lots of gurgling for like 3 hours before I go to the bathroom. Is that how yours is. This all started suddenly in June after I took Crestor which gave me horrible heartburn and kicked up my asthma really bad. I still don't think it is IBS, but who knows. Barb

I think Prevacid is very good. some work for one and not the other. There are only 4 total in the category Protonix (which I hated) Aciphex, Prevacid and Nexium. the others are all first generation acid reducers. These are the latest ones. They are all darn expensive.