IBS and Methane Gas

[Carsok]

I have had stomach problems for the last 20 years but they seem to have gotten much worse. I'm 75 and there's not a day that goes by that I don't think about how bad my stomach feels...bloating, pain, full after eating a little bit and pain. It seems like it's constant. I also have a colon full of diverticula and have had diverticulitis about 4 times in the last few years. My gastro doctor did a breath test a few weeks ago and it came back that I have spikes in methane gas. He is now trying to get medication approved for it from my insurance company. Has anyone else had a problem with Methane gas? I also found out there is a doctor at Mayo Clinic (I'm in the States) who specializes in Methane gas so I might make an appt to see him. I'm about 2 hours from them. It just seems that I always have weird things going out of whack with my body. From what I've read methane gas is difficult to control and get rid of.

[Fernsmum]

Hello no advice to give I'm afraid but really hope you can get things sorted out , it sounds really awful fingers crossed for you ,hope you feel better soon x

[Carsok in reply to Fernsmum]

Thank you. Seems it's like every few months they find something new that's wrong with me. Just keep on putting one foot in front of the other and hope things get better.

[Fernsmum in reply to Carsok]

Yes I'm sure a lot of us feel that way too , keep smiling

[Carsok]

Thanks. My regular gastro doc called in a prescription and the price (with insurance) was $927 for 14 days. And after reading you might need two treatments with this medication...that's over $1800 and what if it doesn't work??? That's when I started doing some research and found an interview online with this doctor from Mayo who has experience with Methane and will be calling today to get an appt. Luckily I'm in their system as I've been there before so it's easier to get in.

[Blake4799 in reply to Carsok]

Can you let me know who your Dr. Is? And what you find out..I have the same symptoms... Thank you

[Carsok in reply to Blake4799]

I'm going to call tomorrow and hopefully get somewhere. Also, someone on here talked about a breath test you do it home during the day and it shows hydrogen and methane. Think I'm going to order it and keep track. Will let you know what happens when I go see someone at Mayo. I have to see 3 doctors (neuro, endo and gastro) there so it takes some doing to get it done in one or two days.

[Blake4799 in reply to Carsok]

Thank you...I am interested in going to Mayo, as well ... Was it hard to get appointment? Did your regular Dr. make a referral and where is it located?

[Carsok in reply to Blake4799]

My doctor made a referral and they have, I believe, a few locations. One in Rochester, NY and Jacksonville, FL. You can look them up online and check other locations. I have been there for other problems. They are good.

[Imaaan in reply to Carsok]

If the prescription is for sibo, there are herbal antimicrobials supplements that have a study on them that compared them to antibiotics head to head. It's much affordable and gentler on gut biome. If interested i can search the link for you

[Superzob]

Methane is a natural byproduct of digestion and normally comes out the other end. If you’re breathing it out, then I wonder if it’s being produced in the stomach or small intestine, in which case SIBO (small intestine bacterial overgrowth) might be responsible, though there is some dispute over whether tests for it are reliable. Might be worth a try, though

[Carsok in reply to Superzob]

I've been diagnosed with IBS and once with SIBO in the past but never Methane. After listening to the podcast about methane decided to try and get into Mayo to see that doctor. Methane is an end product of microbial fermentation in the human gastrointestinal tract. This gas is solely produced by an archaeal subpopulation of the human microbiome. Increased methane production has been associated with abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, IBD, CRC or other conditions. Now whatever all this is I'm working on trying to figure it out and what to do about it. Thanks for your input.

[Brainfoglady]

I believe methane is caused by bacterial overgrowth in the small bowel. SIBO. The FODMAP diet is for this condition and there are specific antibiotics to kill the "bad" bacteria.

[Carsok in reply to Brainfoglady]

I have done the FODMAP with no help. Here's an article that explains Methane. "It’s not technically bacteria, but single-celled organisms called archaea, that are responsible for the methane form of SIBO. But, ‘SIAO’ just doesn’t have the same ring to it. The specific species of archaea we hear about most, who resides in the GI tract is methanobrevibacter smithii. And if you have an overgrowth of this critter in your small intestine, you most likely have a bacterial overgrowth as well.

Why? When you eat fiber, the bacteria in your gut ferment it and produce hydrogen. And what do archaea feed off? Hydrogen! It is only once the archaea consume the hydrogen that they produce their own by-product: methane.

So, to support a large amount of archaea (i.e. an overgrowth), you need to be producing sufficient hydrogen to feed them. Which, if you’ve tested positive for methane SIBO, generally means two things:

1. You also have an overgrowth of bacteria (SIBO) which produce excess levels of hydrogen.

2. Even though you have an overgrowth of hydrogen-producing bacteria, excess hydrogen levels may not show up on your testing as the archaea consume the hydrogen and produce methane instead. So they can remain hidden."

[Brainfoglady in reply to Carsok]

Thank you I've learned something which may help me. I've been extremely unwell for over 3 years - just about able to go from bed to sofa with exhaustion and major cognitive issues. Was suffering from B12 deficiency and been having hydroxocolabamin jabs 1 every 3 weeks for 3 years now. To cut a long story short, after being written off by a variety of consultants, a private consultation with a rheumatologist said it sounds like severe Malabsorption probably from small bowel bacteria overgrowth. That was June 2022. He wrote to my GP requesting referral back to gastroenterologist and a breath test. GP never heard of this breath test so just ignored. Thinking I had nothing to lose I started a strict Fodmap diet, with lactose free milk and minimum wheat products. After about 4 weeks - MAGIC!

I can walk for 40 mins and think more clearly now. If I digress from the diet I feel very poorly within a day of so. Am guessing that means the diet is controlling the number of overgrowth but they are still there Hovering. My gut is basically "dead" now as I've had IBS for 30 years and have no peristalsis in my bowel. I've never had any acknowledgment or help from any medic but was congratulated on "taking control of my own health" when I told the GP that I was doing the Fodmap died and using oral spray vitamin to treat my vit D deficiency and other shortages. The oral vit D cured my deficiency( which I had been trying to rectify with capsules for over 14 years. There are specific anti biotics to treat the hydrogen and methane producing bacteria - but of course I can't prescribe them. Sorry for the long response ! Best wishes

[Carsok in reply to Brainfoglady]

My doctor prescribed a medication but it was $947 for 2 weeks. Have a virtual visit with him Thursday.