Has anyone out there had a SIBO test and, if s... - IBS Network
Has anyone out there had a SIBO test and, if so, how difficult was it to get one done?
Would also be interested to hear this-have appointment with GI consultant on the 26th Feb and want to go prepared to ask a lot of questions and demand answers. I would add to this-has anyone had a stool sample tested for anything? I never have but it seems relatively simple and obviously non-invasive wonder if it is commonly done?
I've got a GP appointment on 22/02 about this test, but I'm not holding my breath as it seems that some doctors don't know about it.
I had a comprehensive stool test done before I discovered FODMAPs, but had to pay for it at a private lab (candidatest.co.uk). It was discovered that I had intestinal candida overgrowth and, by following an anti-candida diet for 4 months, I got rid of about 30% of my IBS symptoms. FODMAPs relieved me of the remaining 70%, but I want a SIBO test as the diet is very restrictive and I'd like a proper 'cure' if poss.
I've had stool tests done.mTheyre simple.mTheyre a lot more accurate than they were years ago. I was tested for everything, since I was having diahrea, & very sick feeling. I went to s Gastroenteroligist, but a regular Dr. Can also order them. Nothing showed up on mine, but at least I found out. I had C-dificil years ago, from an anti-biotic.mits an infection of the intestines, & I was extremely sick. Now I'm very careful not to take an anti-biotic, unless it's essential.
Yes its virtually impossible to get one done if the doctors are saying its all in your head i went to 3 different dieticians gastrologists allergist n had cbt doctors all to be told its not food related its work related stress the last dietician i went to said to have a sibo test and fructose intolerant test done so im jus waiting on ma doctor to send me back to st georges to have this done will look into wat u said rozb and wil defo keep you updated let me no whatyour outcome is to wish u all the best would be good if everyone with ibs could find something to help them even if it is for most of the time 
I think the 'all in your head' stuff is just a get-out clause for a lot of medics when they don't know much about IBS.
Have you tried the FODMAPS diet? It really does work brilliantly and providd I stick with it I don't have any symptoms.
Did you get the test?
texty89-that is interesting that your dietician was able to reccomend those tests. I have another dietician appt this Wednesday so will definitely ask her about them! FODMAPS isn't working at all for me and it is unlikely food is the sole cause of my horrific symptoms (although I avoid the usual suspects) so back to square one again after 5 years!!
Sorry, think I've misled you, all the info on the tests came either from this website or I found it on the web myself. I'm still waiting for a dietitian's appointment. Help received from medics has, so far, been negligible.
Both the candida test and the SIBO test might be worth getting done as diet doesn't help you. The site for the candida is: candidatest.co.uk.
The candida test sounds like something I would like to do but can't afford to pay for it-I am unemployed (and unemployable) due to my IBS and the little money I have goes on food (mainly meat which is v expensive!) and prescriptions. The other person who posted seems to have had more luck with a helpful dietician so can keep my fingers crossed that mine starts being helpful too! Have nothing to lose, am beyond desperate at this stage.
My heart really does go out to you. Try pushing your GP or gastro for a SIBO test which is available on the NHS.
I'm so disgusted by the stories (including my own) that I keep reading on this site about the lack of knowledge, care and interest by the medical profession regarding this blanket term of IBS, that I've just contacted the BBC to see if somebody there might be interested in doing a programme about it.
Why are people waiting for the NHS to fix their problem???????
I fixed mine easily by adopting a 100% natural human diet. I eat only the foods in nature and nothing man made. I stopped being lazy and started cooking my own food.
The BBC recently showed a program saying aspartame was safe. Why contact them. All the cultures on this planet tha eat a natural diet do not get IBS, it is only prevalent in the western diet which is known round the rest of the world to be extremely unhealthy.
Save yourself - eat natural.
I lived for years with this until I turned my back on the useless prescriptions I kept getting. Look to nature. The answer is so obvious.
Most people with IBS have been doing this for years, but thank you SO much for curing me of my disease.
Such an obvious answer, thank god you cured my ignorance and now I'm all better.
I've been eating "natural" my entire life, and lived on farms most of it. Made no difference when my body decided to develop severe IBS.
Go read a book, and not some pseudo-science garbage that is sprouted without any research or evidence.
Perhaps you are a doctor? This is their usual response to anything! Apologies but people get tired of this attitude when they do indeed do so much for themselves.
Prescriptions are free if you're unemployed? aren't they?
vegans don't get IBS so why the reliance on meat?
As you have a computer why not google 'natural cure for candida'
People are looking for a pill or some magic wand instead of just eating what nature intended for us to eat.
Bread is man made.
Cows milk is meant for a baby cow.
What % of your diet is whole natural unprocessed food?
You seem to make very sweeping statements, and my vegan friends do get IBS. Legumes and certain fruits are a recognised cause. I was near vegan for a while and my symptoms were a lot worse.
Please take a moment to look into a book called the china study. If after that you wish to private message me then fine I am open to discussion on the book. I've read it extensively and even travelled a long distance to meet the author. He is a beacon of hope in a desperate world.
and I really don't want to be rude but could you please answer, what % of your diet is whole natural unprocessed food? Sharing this information could help everyone.
100%. Does that help?
yes, this is what works for me, I am now a gluten-free-vegan and have been able to control my weight and eat a lot more without ever getting problems.
Vegans don't get IBS? Absolutely untrue. I'm living proof.
The SIBO test costs $30 total. It's a take home test. Get medic side, & go see a doctor
Sorry but what is a SIBO test?
Julie
Hi Julie I think someone else has told you that SIBO is a small intestinal bacterial overgrowth test. If positive it can be treated with antibiotics. If you want to know more about the research behind it read Mark Pimentel's book 'A New IBS Solution'.
Thankyou for your reply for what SIBO mean-I will try and read Mark Pimentels book-anything would help and Im willing to give anything a try x
Thank you rozb I have tried the lowfodmap diet 1st time round and my gut was still screwing up so i didnt believe it was working but i may try it again i just dont no why something couldnt help us all!! That thing that your going to do by going to the BBC I think its a brillant idea so many people wont talk to anyone or dont feel like they can as some people jus dont understand or just take the mick when your trying to be serious!! I will defo check out the website that you have left can i just ask which test you went for the 1st one for £56?? Thank you so much again for the info
Hi texty89 - if you just want to test just for candida, the first one will be okay. I had a full analysis done as I wanted to know if my gut flora were balanced which they weren't and I started a probiotic to remedy that.
Do give FODMAPS a proper try out, here's the best info I can give you about it:
there are a lot of very misleading and just plain wrong items on the web about FODMAPs, my advice is to firstly follow this link: med.monash.edu/cecs/gas... which takes you to Monash Uni in Australia where the diet was (and still is being) developed. If you have an iPhone there is an app you can download from there which is really useful for when you're out shopping or in a restaurant. Secondly, treat yourself to Patsy Catsos's book 'IBS - Free At Last' which gives excellent guidance and a plan to follow.
The diet cuts out 5 food groups initially, and you do it for 2 weeks. If you've got a huge improvement at the end of that period, you know that most, if not all, of your triggers are in one, some, or all of those groups. You then 'challenge' each group in turn by reintroducing it into your diet and, hopefully, reaching some accurate conclusions. This worked for me, and, apart from a restricted diet, I now lead a normal life. I have found other triggers outside of the FODMAPs group, but these are easily identifiable once you've solved the initial problem.
whiteladder42 yes i do believe you should ask for the tests we both have said they dont like helping you it seems but i believe if they had the problem something would soon change!! I wouldnt say helpful been to 2 different hospitals n seen 3 different dieticians so annoying I just hope something helps you as well can I jus ask how old are you im only 23 you see I think ive had it for about 5 or 6 years the last year and a half being the worst!!
As for rozb could I possibly ask well the both of you actually what IBS did they diagnose you with and what have you found to work / not work sorta thing I feel like ive tried everything n getting to the end of my tether to!
My IBS is both d & c sometimes both used to occur within an hour (or less) of one another. No probs now though with FODMAPS working brilliantly.
Hi julie (backstabbers) Sibo stands for Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth and theres a test for it if you do have it that could explain some symptoms you may or may not get hope this helps Sam texty89
Thankyou for your reply on what SIBO stands for-im going to try it out xx
texty89-I am 28 and have been ill for nearly 5 years now. I have IBS which alternates between D and C, sometimes on the same day! My main problem is with lower left sided pain and dizziness which often leads to me losing consciousness (should point out am on the loo at the time as well!) I feel like I am burning up and sort of disoriented as well. Have tried over the counter painkillers, mebeverine, buscopan, amytriptyline, imipramine, fluoxetine, co-codamol. Am now on slow-release morphine tablets twice daily with oramorph (liquid morphine) if needed. Had all the usual tests, x-ray, ultrasound, blood tests, colonoscopy, barium meal and am under a GI consultant, pain specialist and dietician at local hospital.
Hope you get some answers too!!
Why haven't you tried the SIBO test. They say 75% of people with irritable bowel syndrome have SIBO. Then you can search for someone who is an expert on how to get rid of it. The Xifaxine, only affects your intestinal track, & maybe you'll be lucky, & get rid of it. There's also herbal diets that work. I'm going to have to find a dietician,nwhose knowledgesble. I hope you try the test, & get some help.
Hey whiteladder42 you sound just like me i dont get the losing consciousness tho but do get the alternating pattern i dont know what to do and the pain but my problem is that i feel like i live in the toilet atm and that my stomach has a mind of its own I dont understand how someone can go so much when they wake up urgency but then end up constipated at the end of the day n not emptying properly (sorry to be so graphic) might be because i work lates as i usually empty alot more on earlys but you can imagine working and suffering doesnt go hand in hand just get the piss taken out of me mostly. i just wanna go back to being normal like going twice a day n normal stools but thats wishful thinking. have you by any chance tried symprove have read quite a few gd reviews but even tho i work im not rich £80 a month is abit outa ma league so didnt want to get it if it may work if you no wat i mean. I pretty much tried what you have meverbervine, colpermin, buscopan, amytriptyline, co-codamol, fybogel, lepicol, benefibre, movicol, lactulose vsl3 u get the drift. Have they said anything that helps you in particular that makes you regular so to speak. Thanks good luck to!!
Hey Rozb out of curiosity which probiotic did you use I will check out that other website u have left me thanks I got info from the dietician of fodmaps most of the stuff i liked i couldnt eat and yes ino that book your talking about i too have brought it just never had the chance to read it through properly so will give it another try thanks thats the other reason i hated lowfodmaps as i cut out everything i liked to eat but wasnt getting the benefit wil try it again cant wait for ma app for the 2 tests tho the 3rd dietician i went to said i should of had these tests at the beginning when i saw the gastrologist like a year ago so hopefully they hurry up and i get seen to then at least il know one way or the other because ive read online that you could have sibo but it can be n is regulary misdiagnosed as ibs so with any luck im glad that you have found something that works for you though thats awesome
I was taking Symprove in the beginning until I discovered that it contains germinated extract of barley (should have read the label properly in the begining!) which is high in fructans and banned on FODMAPS. I now take Holland & Barrett's Mega Potency Acidophilus, Quest's Well-Being Multi-Vitamins & Minerals and also a 1/4 teaspoon of Higher Nature's Glutamine Powder in water, all once a day.
I know FODMPAPs is hard, but once you've cleared your sytem of them, you can start reintroducing them and, by doing this, I've found that I can eat some of the banned foods in moderation which makes life much easier. Do find some time to read Patsy Catsos's book, it's really helpful.
Let us know how you get on with the SIBO test. I wish you well.
Just as an update-saw a dietician today who said I was doing all the right things in terms of what I was eating she is recommending to my GI consultant I have tests for lactose and fructose intolerance but I would have to go to London for them since they are very specialised? She was helpful in that she is telling consultant dieticians can't help me and I should be referred to St Marks in Middlesex (something I have been pushing for my local hospital is going round in circles!!) so I will keep hoping...
Hey rozb thanks for the info will certainly give them a try as im always out of energy ache n tired all the time so may help As for symprove i thought it said it was gluten free? I may give it a miss then if thats the case as for patsys book i will look into it again thanks and will defo let you know how the test gets on a letter from the hosp finally come today I have to go for more blood tests funfun but hopefully i get sorted soon because I cant take suffering anymore!! I also believe while I was doing the lowfodmap diet I was eating raisins I used to eat them all the time until I found out it was really high in fructose so that may have been why it never worked for me also theres also some little ingredient like onion in all the sauces and things so you really do need to cook from scratch lol im still learning Thanks for the info anyways and I hope u are well
Hey whiteladder42 im glad to hear youve finally been seen by a dietician and I'm glad shes referring you so you can get more help while your there ask for a sibo test also may as well get them all done at once I read online that 80% of patients that got diagnosed with IBS really had SIBO and once you have the tests and either have probiotics or antibiotics then you get sorted so fingers crossed you will know soon!! Yes never give up thats what the chemist guy said keep going until they indentify something because I dont believe your gut would automatically just screw up one day for no reason and you wont ever get back to how you were before? Is that true or jus me being naive well wishfull thinking anyways
Keep me updated with any results hope it goes well and I hope your ok too!!
Not as yet im just starting the fodmaps diet under the guidance of a dietician (i started to remove high fodmaps 2 months ago by myself as had to wait a while to see dietician) the dietician wants me to give the proper diet a good 6 weeks and then she says she may look at testing for other intolerances.I have been tested for celiac and it was negative, however ive found some relief in symptoms since i removed wheat and gluten from my diet.
My advice would be get a dietician on board first then hoepfully the tests will follow if needed.
Hi
As a thirty year sufferer from IBS I certainly understand what a struggle it is to cope with this condition. The symptoms and causes are so varied and changeable it's very difficult
to treat the symptoms alone and I've learnt over the years to take a holistic approach, this has finally lead me to a place where my IBS is currently under control and I'm living a full life again. I would suggest the following as a holistic and lifestyle approach to the condition......
Firstly and most importantly get a proper diagnosis of IBS, in my case my doctor referred me to a gastroenterologist and I had a raft of tests to rule out any underlying medical causes. Once they could found no medical issues I was diagnosed with IBS .
If you can afford it join a self help group such as the IBS network for support and information and in my experience I really needed both.
Research: you are already doing this by posting your question, Unfortunately as a typical young guy I tried to ignore my condition, especially as I was told it was all in my mind.This led to many years of unhappiness until desperation finally forced me into self help. Research into my symptoms led me to the following......... leaky gut syndrome...which can cause food intolerences and all sorts of other digestive issues which then led me to the four r's approach
The four r's
Remove, replace , re-innoculate and repair. Along with that Iwould add relax as I suffered from anxiety and stress, a great deal of which was caused by the IBS itself ! I researched this approach and implemented into my life along with relaxation techniques.This approach helped me greatly.
Remember that we are all different and to tailor your self help to you.Also within your self help approach you may find one particular element that is a silver bullet and leads to a drastic improvement in your condition. In my case this was taking vitamin B12,for you it may be something else.
I apologise for the length of this post and also if I don't reply to questions ( just don't have the time at the moment ) you may also find this same answer to other questions on the board as I feel I needed to share my experience. Please remember there is HOPE that you can control this condition
Great to hear someone doing well. I have cured myself by adopting a 100% natural human diet. No milk meant for calves, no factory made bread. I now never have a problem. Fruit, veg, rice, nuts, seeds, meat and fish. No problem.
There is no IBS in natural food eating cultures is there
Hi! I just wanted to give some input on SIBO since I just found out some information on this long journey of mine! 1st of all.. I am seeing a Naturopathic Dr. that has actually cared and listened to me and spent an hour and half with me finding everyting there is to know! When the Dr.'s and specialist just say "Sorry" there is nothing to help anyone with IBS. Anyways.. I guess Sibo goes un diagnosed in many people. There are only a few places that actually do this testing. I fortunately live In Porltand Oregon and there is a lab here and they do it for only $155.00 I would suggest if you live far from any testing, then your dr. may be able to order it and have it sent to their office. So if you are positive for SIBO then yes an antibiotic and probiotics but however, You do have to go on the special diet for 6months to a year to allow the small intestines to heal from so many years of damage, after that year then you are able to introduce other foods to yourmdiet and start living normally. My Naturopathic dr. has treated 35 people very successfully! I know not everyone is positive for SIBO that has IBS but since it goes so undiagnosed and the symptoms are of IBS its definitely a start to see if you may have. Colonoscopy's do not detect this nor go in that far to see the small intestines. I hope this can help anyone out there.. I know your fears and frustration of feeling like this everyday of your life.. I go get this test tomorrow to see if i'm positive for this, takes about a week for results. If I'm negative My Nautropathic dr says, we will move on and find what is causing this and we will conquer it! So Please start with a Naturopathic Dr also!!!!! they are so much more knowledgeable and do not take NO for answer that there is no help, there is indeed!!
Hi,
I've managed to get myself a SIBO test organised here in the UK via my gastroenterologist, but I did have to ask for it as the info wasn't volunteered - there's a surprise! It's being done on the NHS along with fructose and lactose malabsoption tests. Just as in the States, the number of hospitals that do it here are few and far between, mine is being done at Winchester which is just down the road from me, but the next nearest place would have been London. Mark Pimentel's book 'A New IBS Solution' has all the information about the test.
These post's are all really interesting, I had no idea about the sibo test, and sadly as the GP thinks that it is all in my head, she did not mention it either. Thanks for the tip and I shall bring it up (along with the rest of my list) with the GP. This site has been brilliant at bringing new information to me in a really friendly supportive way. I really can't think of how I would cope without it.
Hi Bibabunny,
Glad this info has been useful to you. However, I should tell you that my GP didn't know what a SIBO test was and referred me back to the gastro. I hope you have success with this, but you do have to push really hard to get these less well-known things done. Let us know how you get on.
Hello Roz1485, I will do. I am due to see her soon and will bring it up. She wants me to undertake bowel 'training'?? That should be interesting! Thanks for all the info, its been really useful and has made me feel more in control.
Hi Roz, my appointment was cancelled by the hospital and re-booked for next week, so I am glad to hear you have managed to book a SIBO test. I will try to argue the case - which hospital agreed to the test?
Hi Inndie, sorry only just spotted this as I didn't get a message in my email as is usually the case.
My test is being done at Winchester Hospital by a gastrophysiologist (that's one I haven't heard of before). Still awaiting a date for this though so planning to chase up next week.
I have my appointment this Thursday. Let's see how little this gastro knows! Bet he hasn't even heard of FODMAPS......
I had a test for SIBO about 3 years ago. It started with my being given advice that a colonic could help, so I went to the hale clinic in london. The practitioner asked me why I was there and I explained about the IBS. She said there was a doctor there that specialised in this and I should see him. So I did!(incidentally) he told me colonics are not a good idea!
I had the breath test and higher levels of hydrogen than he had ever seen. He put me on antibiotics (rifaxamin) and some vitamins as well as a probiotic. There is also a super restrictive diet, not dissimilar to what people on here have ben talking about, essentially nothing we love like bread etc! I felt wonderful, but I missed Glastonbury, and I got annoyed, and I wanted to go out and have fun so I did and now I am back to square one. Though older and wiser it is worth saying!
What I have discovered is that it is usually recurring, and that even if you are treated, it is likely to come back though it would be much less likely if you stuck to the diets as mentioned above. There is a book called breaking the vicous cycle that comes highly recommended.
If you google sibo test, a number of places that offer this service will come up. As you say, I understand it is avail on NHS but actually getting a referral is the difficult part. If you an afford it, it might be worthwhile paying yourself.
Thee are many views on how to treat it, with even taking an elemental formula for 2 weeks and not eating to starve the bacteria, though clearly that shouldn't be done without medical supervision.
I am about to go back to find another specialist to have the tests done again and start treatment again, though this time I plan to be more sensible afterwards and hopefully be well for longer than 3 years!
The breath test for SIBO, is a test you can get from a Gastroenteroligist. (Maybe from your GP Dr. Also). You take it at home. You're on a limited diet for 1 day, & don't eat anything for next 12 hours. It takes 3 hours to take. I had my husband help me. You drink the sugar solution, then every 20 minutes you breath into a little tube. I paid $30 for the test kit from my doctor. You mail in all the tubes, in box provided. It takes about a week for the results. I've done it twice. I was on the limited diet, went to sleep, & started the test when I woke up. Read the directions carefully. It's not difficult, but you need to do it exactly right, so read the directions carefully. Have someone help you, so you're accurate. If you have Irriitable bowel syndrome, you should take it. I came out very high for bacterial overgrowth. My doctor put me on Xifaxin (3rd time now) . I'm also on FODMAP diet & a probiotic. If you have this condition, you need to know. It. It can cause, diahrea, constipation, bloating, stomach pain, generally feeling ill.I think it's affecting my whole body. It's not easy to get rid of it. The test is "a pain in the neck", but not really difficult.i hope you don't have it. I don't know if most gasterintoligists know a lot about SIBO. The 1st Dr. Wanted to do a colonoscopy. They earn a lot of money. I found a different gastro doctor, & he agreed on th SIBO test. Good luck!
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