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