Hello all, I just wanted to give you some information as it may be helpful. I have been lucky enough to see a Gastro consultant at my local hospital (GP referral). I have had every test there is I think in the past few months!! One that I actually requested was the hydrogen breath test for SIBO (Google it). The symptoms of SIBO are almost the same as IBS and as I typically need to go to the loo around 10 times a day - I wondered if this was more than IBS.
So, the consultant referred me for the test. It takes 4 hours and you literally sit in a room (I was alone) and see a medical person every 20 mins who brings you a bag to breathe into. The sample is recorded and they measure changes in your hydrogen levels. They expect to see a change if you have SIBO. You are given a special drink at the start of the session (which looks like water and has no real flavour). It is the reaction of the ingredients of the drink with your body (and then breath) that they are measuring.
Mine showed signs of SIBO - but it too nearly 2 hours to show up. Interestingly, at the same time as the levels changed, my tummy got worse and I needed the loo!!! They have recommended a course of antibiotics to flush it out. I haven’t started this yet.
I just wanted to share this with you as I wish I had had a test sooner!! It is nice to be able to say it is more than just “IBS”.
Good luck. x
Written by
Stupid_poos
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
I really hope this works out for you but in Prof Peter Whorwell`s book "Take control of your IBS" he does say that at the moment there are concerns about this test. Antibiotics can improve things but often it is not permanent and then are are worries about giving antibiotics long-term. He thinks that problems with gut motility cause the SIBO and if the motility does not improve the SIBO is likely to recurr
Though there's some other odd things in his books like the claim that IBS gets better with age (currently being discussed on another thread in this forum) so I definitely wouldn't take his book as gospel :^)
9 months later I see this. Late response. He's talking on average. IBS-D might get better with age due to normal age related gut motility changes. Or slowing of the CNS. IBS-C probably gets worse. For those reasons and others. Like getting less exercise and depression post retirement. That book is a fast guide only to the average cases to cover most people.
They haven’t given me any yet. They will; its just logistics as I am under the care on a consultant so my GP can’t (won’t) help. I want Rifaximin but they won’t prescribe that (shame because it is supposed to be the best). I have requested (following research and info from the breath test team); Neomycin or Ciprofloxacin. Fingers crossed.
Hello - can you get a referral to a gastro consultant? That was the only way I could then get referred for the test. I think it depends what your GP is like. I have a fairly new GP who was very supportive and was more than happy to refer me to a “specialist” x
My experience is — we have to “drive” this ourselves. Health professionals don’t view this as something serious and so it isn’t a priority for them Its all about the GP. Maybe you could see a different one at your practice? They may have a different attitude/approach x
Hello. I wouldn’t know the cost in dollars I’m afraid as I had it done in the UK through the NHS. If you are in America you are lucky in one sense because you should be able to access the antibiotic rifaximin - which is what I want but can’t get in the UK. It is apparently the best antibiotic for SIBO (according to Google).
I had rifaximin here in UK, though on a private prescription. As for herbal medicine, everyone is different, and I went to a well known, and expensive, herbalist who was marvellous and got rid of my SIBO.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Yes, it will involve diet changes too; which is fine. 
Its all about the GP. Maybe you could see a different one at your practice? They may have a different attitude/approach x
IBS and testing for SIBO - symptoms 
Sibo or not
Methane Overgrowth
Does anyone have SIBO and IBS?
