Methane

[clevermanka]

After doing some digging over the past few weeks, I discovered that KU Med does do the breath test for Fructose Malabsorption. I had my doctor send a referral for the test and waited for KU Med to call for an appointment. Monday morning, the office called to schedule. They had several openings available in a few weeks, and one cancellation for the very next morning at 7:00 a.m.

grnvixen was kind enough to lend me some sleeping space on insanely short notice, so I headed to KC right after Monday night yoga class. I was at KU Med at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday, and was settled into my testing room just after 7:00 a.m.

Well. It should be no surprise that of course my body didn't cooperate with the test, and the doctor was unable to verify a Fructose Malabsorption diagnosis. We got some very valuable information, though, and have a current course of action.

The most crucial (and funny) fact is that I am producing approximately four times as much methane as a normal, healthy adult. I am a methane machine, baby!

\m/ >_< \m/

After a 14-hour fast, with only one glass of water over a 12-hour period, my methane count was at 11. Four is the high end of normal. Most people show a count of 2 or maybe 3. This symptom is caused by small bacterial overgrowth, which was my official diagnosis after this particular test. Basically, the bacteria in my lower intestine have taken up residence in my small intestine and possibly even as high as my stomach (my theory). When exposed to food, they produce methane. This explains the crazy burping many of you know and love. Thank goodness I burp more than fart because oh my god can you imagine?

The doctor didn't toss out the possibility of Fructose Malabsorption, but said that any Fructose Malabsorption symptoms I had might be the direct result of the bacterial overgrowth, and when one was cured, the other might be as well. This corresponds with information I've read on the web and on the Fructose Malabsorption yahoo group I've been reading.

I'm on Cipro with a side order of Diflucan for 14 days. After that, I'll go off the meds for three days to see how I feel. If I'm still having symptoms, it's back on the meds for another 14-day round. After thirty days, it'll be my choice if I want to schedule another breath test to check for a definitive Fructose Malabsorption diagnosis.

I've had digestive issues for nearly five years. Five years. The idea of maybe, perhaps, having a diagnosis and treatment is a bit overwhelming. Heck, I was just getting used to the idea of living on an extremely restricted diet for the rest of my life. The possibility of resolving this with antibiotics is nearly sending me into a tizzy. I'm not getting my hopes too high, and I'll still be eating a fairly strict diet for at least the next month, but still. It feels good.

Comments

[tessagratton.livejournal.com]

.......ANTIBIOTICS?

WHO KNEW. I was expecting something much more... esoteric.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

I know. I'm pretty jazzed. I love taking pills to solve my health problems! Woot!

[triadruid.livejournal.com]

Hurrah data! Hurrah possible solution!

[slinka.livejournal.com]

Wow, here's hoping that's all it is. I've been keeping an eye on your guts because of my own issues lately. And now that you're mentioning it, I've been on macrobid for a minor UTI and my guts have felt just fine all week. I thought it was that I'd completely cut out pasta (high in fructone) for a while now. Maybe it's a little from column A and little from column B, but now I've got another possibility to keep my eye on. I really thank you for posting about this. Cheers to your guts getting better.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Thank you and you're welcome! It would be fantastic if my experiences can help someone else, too!

[saffronhare.livejournal.com]

I think it makes me a bad person, but your gas mask icon is cracking me right up. :) Good luck!

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

=D

[radcliffe.livejournal.com]

HOORAY!!!

Wow, that is beyond words! I am so happy that they found something! A lead!

AMAZING!!!

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

I know, right? It's pretty exciting!

[sherwood21.livejournal.com]

I hope so much for you that this is it!

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Me too!!!

[amjhawk.livejournal.com]

That's good news - good luck!

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

[skyflame.livejournal.com]

So, they're treating it like...an ulcer?

Wacky. I hope it works for you. :)

[normalcyispasse.livejournal.com]

Well, Ms. Methane, here's hoping that this cures you!

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Not a very sexy superhero sounding name, is it?

[normalcyispasse.livejournal.com]

Not really, but I'm still very much interested in what your costume will look like.

[redheadfae.livejournal.com]

I would hope it's not like one I saw in a Fetish mag a few years ago.. !

Dammit, can't search for it at work.

[nottygypsy.livejournal.com]

OH MAN! I hope this is it baby!

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Me, too!

[miischelle.livejournal.com]

WoooOOOooooowwwww.....

I hope this works!

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Srsly. Me, too.

[rougewench.livejournal.com]

I will sincerely hope for you that this is, in fact, the problem and that the problem can actually be corrected with the first course of antibiotics.


D.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Thanks.

[grnvixen.livejournal.com]

Huzzah, you have a plan! Always so much better to have a plan :).

And you need to come visit more often, no time to pop over to the Rock Candy store on this trip.

Hmmm, methene, ya know if you bought the right kind of car, you could save a ton on gasoline. Just Sayin' :) :) :).

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Har dee har har.

What's in a Rock Candy store?

[grnvixen.livejournal.com]

That's the 50s/retro store I was telling you about in old Merriam. I walked in and the first thing I thought of was you :).

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Ooooh! Yes. Sign me up for next time.

Awesome

[wyckedgood.livejournal.com]

I hope this really is it and everything gets fixed.

You ...methane machine....too many jokes

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

You ...methane machine....too many jokes

Tell me about it.

[belluthien.livejournal.com]

Wow, I really hope you're onto something there, & the antibitics do the trick!
y

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Here's hoping!

Hooray for a Positive test, leading to possible cure!

[adammaker.livejournal.com]

I hope that once you can get your body to Cut That Out, you will return to the Land of Health...

We will drink to that!

Yay!

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

*clink*!

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

No joke!!!

[bestill.livejournal.com]

Hey, I'm taking a quick break and looking through LJ. Glad to hear this, and I HOPE the antibiotics do the trick. Very interesting.

How is it going so far?

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

OK. I made some poor dietary choices the past couple days and am paying for it now. =(

[theoneinblue.livejournal.com]

WOW! I so hope this is the key - I can't imagine what you've been going through (both in pain and not getting to eat what you want). Best of luck with the antibiotics regimen!

[chronovore.livejournal.com]

If all else fails, we'll get you a modified stilsuit and you can power your cooking with your own gas. You will become a self-contain'd fremen. Fregrrl. One of those.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

If all else fails, we'll get you a modified stilsuit and you can power your cooking with your own gas.

Once again, you, buddy, FTW.

good luck

[starstraf.livejournal.com]

May this be the solution - I remember when after years of pain I finally got diagnosed with my 'aliens' (Hidradenitis Suppurativa) it was such a sigh of relief.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Thanks. *crosses fingers*