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clevermanka) wrote2009-06-03 10:15 am
clevermanka) wrote2009-06-03 10:15 am
Entry tags:
Methane
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.
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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.
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.