investigations

[Steph_W]

Hi

I am currently back under my local hospital due to the urgency of needing the toilet alongside my IBS diagnosis. I have been sent for some further investigations. Has anyone ever had a SEHCAT scan or a lactose breath test?

If so did people find these useful or at they just another way of them fobbing you off with just IBS?

Thanks

[Maureen1958]

Yes, I have had a SeHCAT test. It's to test for Bile Acid Malabsorption which isn't actually IBS.

The test is not invasive in any way. The worse bit for me was taking the capsule. The capsule contains a chemical like bile salt and a small amount of radioactive tracer. But that means that you have to swallow it quickly. I have never been good at taking tablets and generally chew them up (but I generally only take paracetomol). But, you have to swallow this whole (obviously), if I remember rightly you can't even touch it. You are given it in a little pot and you have to put it into your mouth from the pot. But that having been said it is only a small capsule. And if I could do anyone can 😊.

See link below for more information:

gutscharity.org.uk/advice-a...

Maureen

[Steph_W in reply to Maureen1958]

Hi Maureen

Thank you so much for all this information it is so helpful. When booking the appointment the person was nice on the phone but wasn’t very informative with what this scan involved. I have just looked through the link you sent as well and this was really informative and helpful you are a star!

Steph x

[Edgar77 in reply to Steph_W]

When I was tested for BAM I was also given a tablet to swallow then the scan, but had to go back a week later for a other scan to see how mutch I had absorbed.

[Steph_W in reply to Edgar77]

Yes they’ve already told me I’ve got to go back a week later for another scan too, thank you!

[Sunshineonmyshoulder]

The breath test is to check for SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth), which is a likely reason for your symptoms. Some reports say 70-80% of people with IBS actually have SIBO, I think.

[Steph_W in reply to Sunshineonmyshoulder]

thanks for this, there’s so many names and tests can’t keep up!