A legit Post-op BO question...

Michelle, I never considered it could be a fluid intake or lack thereof issue. I guess the abundance of sugar in tea & coffee, as well as soda and juices could certainly contribute to the right factors for additional gas or bacterial growth as well. Maybe I'll cut back to straight H2o and a single cup of coffee a day. I do consume about 120oz of fluid a day but I would say it is a 50/50 mix of water and coffee/tea. I know for a while in 2009 the majority of my fluid intake was coffee and the caffeine was kicking my butt and disrupting my gastro cycle... It's such a fine line, but I am looking to get back to my sweet spot and back on cruise control...

Thanks for the info and suggestion, I'll ask my pcp about the breath test as well...

Though we can eat sugar and not "dump", for some DSer's, sugar creates a gas issue.  I'm one of them.

We also absorb 100% of simple sugars.  I'm just sayin'. 

That's what's so great about the DS - the decisions about what to eat/not to eat are yours to make!

I'm going to look into the breath test just because.

Does anyone know the proper name or what the breath test is called or generally administered for? My PCP didn't seem to know right off and thought maybe it was a test for another issue that's been adapted or substituted and works in this instance...

Also, I was placed on a round of Cipro as she wanted to give it a
Go first as there is nothing else amiss health wise and flagyl is a bit strong in her opinion to jump to as the first defensive line... Any hits and misses with Cipro vs. Flagyl? Comments?

Thanks again...

Here is a link to an article that may help:

http://www.medicinenet.com/small_intestinal_bacterial_overgr owth/article.htm

I am not sure on the antibiotics.  Look for Slim Shady (Steve Buse) or Larra and PM them.

HTH,
Michele

The test is called Hydrogen breath test. You drink a liquid every 15 minutes and then blow in a tube. They test different things. This can go on for 2 hours every 15 minutes, then every 30 minutes. Results very as in where the test is giving, when the test is giving, and by who is given the test. Not painful, but the gut can get upset very quickly.  A good G. I. doctor can order this. 

Mayo GI. doctor told me the same thing you and I both found out about our bodies. Probiotics do not work for everyone and in fact can cause the overgrowth in the opposite direction. Follow you body and what it is telling you. I tried the probiotics and went slow to start, over long time caused me much issues. Stopped them and reintroduced them again later and the same thing happened. The antibiotics Mayo prescribed for me was rotating Flagyl 250mg 3xDay, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin are the other 2 I am to use. This is long term. I will have to go by labs to tell if I am absorbing or not as I do not get all symptoms with the overgrowth.  

Overgrowth can cause serious issues and can be very hard to detect if you are one that does not  have all the issues that go along with it. A metallic smell from time to time or any strange smell from time to time might be a signal of overgrowth along with the bloating. The overgrowth can lay dormant for long periods of time. Sometimes not showing any symptoms.  

Amazing Doctors at Mayo. I was told no matter how clean I eat, and I do, I won't be able to head off the growth. I was sad for a moment but then a huge weight was lifted form me. The treatment plan sounded reasonable and manageable and quality of life restored, win win for me.  My Ds for me is very effective and almost 3 years out still struggle to keep the weight in the low normal BMI range. I also am back on Creon that helps with the overgrowth. I know it puts weight on, but I just don't care. Just have to be over this overgrowth. It can take a long time to get over it. I was told 3 months. Things change from year to year and I do not know how my body will be next year or 5 years from now, but I have seen such a difference in me sense starting these antibiotics I wish I know sooner everyone reacts to a overgrowth differently and I wished I had gotten treated sooner. Good Luck Karen