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If you have problems absorbing fat you could have gall bladder issues or bilesaltmalabsorption. Have you been checked for gall problems?
/Ulrika
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Ulrika, yes I've been tested for gall problems - I had an abdominal cat scan done and nothing was detected. I've never heard of the bio... thanks for mentioning it, I'll have to research that.
Also, I got an update on the hydrogen breath test for SIBO. My GIs nurse called me yesterday to let me know that she's found a place in New Hampshire that will send the test kit to my GI. The name of the company is Metabolic Solutions and the CPT code is 91065. The price is $103 if prepaid and $235 otherwise. This includes the analysis. How it works - they send the kit to your doc (they won't send to you directly), you take the kit home and the procedure takes 2 hours. When you complete the test, you mail it back to Metabolic Solutions and they analyze it and send your doc the results. Following is a blurb from their site:
The Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth Breath Test is used to detect excessive amounts of bacteria growing in the small intestines. Alterations in gastric acid secretion and intestinal motility provide the setting for development of bacterial overgrowth. The consequences of bacterial overgrowth within the small intestine can be serious malabsorption resulting in nutritional deficiencies. In recent literature small intestinal bacterial overgrowth has been linked with IBS. The test can be performed in the doctor's office or given to the patient to do at their convenience and in their own homes.
You can look this up at: MetabolicSolutions
Here they discuss the connection between SIBO and IBS:
SIBO and IBS
I have found numerous sites that claim that > 70% of IBS patients test positive for SIBO - something to be checked out for sure!!!
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Jeanette IBS-D, then switched to IBS-A, now stable with Udo's Choice Super Bifido Plus Probiotic
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Quote:
I have similar issues with having fat malabsorption problems. Before my GI will fully diagnose me with IBS, he is having me do the fecal fat test again to see exactly how much extra fat I lose in a stool as well as a procedure called an enteroclysis. It's a procedure to look at the small intestines through using barium and CT scans. He said this will show whether there are any structural issues with the small intestine as well as look at indicators for Crohns or Celiac. I have already had a colonoscopy which came back normal, so the small intestine is the last place to look. My GI didn't feel comfortable with the video pill. I want to make sure there's not something else going on before living with an IBS diagnosis.
But, the fecal fat test is definitely not fun!
Hello Beezer, thank you for sharing - it's always nice when you find someone who has the same problem so you can share info (Not that I wish this on anyone!!) Have you done the test again and if so what were the results? I would definitely like to hear updates as you learn more. I will also share my updates. Also, if you have problems finding the hydrogen breath test, you might ask your GI to call Metabolic Solutions. They will send a test kit to your doc.
I completed my fat test last week but haven't gotten the results yet. I also had an abdominal CAT scan which was normal. I'll be doing the SIBO test soon (I see my doc again on the 11th). I've been taking a probiotic for almost a month now and I'm noticing improvements. I'm still suffering from the normal IBS symptoms that I've had for the past 20 years but the unusually severe chronic symptoms that I've had for the past year have gotten MUCH better. My plan is to discontinue the probiotics for a couple of weeks before I take the SIBO test because I think it may be reducing the bad bacteria. It will be very interesting to see if my symptoms worsen over the next few weeks - I hope they don't, but I suspect that they will.
Did your GI give you a reason why he's not comfortable with the camera pill? My GI is fine with doing it (I had to have some blood work up to determine if I'm at risk for complications) and that all came back fine. I'm holding off on the camera pill though until I get the last fat test and SIBO results.
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Jeanette IBS-D, then switched to IBS-A, now stable with Udo's Choice Super Bifido Plus Probiotic
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