topic Re: Anyone Have A ""Breath Test"" to Detect Bacteria in the Small Intestine? in Wellness

Anyone Have A "Breath Test" to Detect Bacteria in the Small Intestine?

sfnative — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 06:04:29 GMT

I'm scheduled to have one of these in the next week or two and am wondering if anyone else has had this diagnostic. Am interested in the length of the test, the liquid that one must drink and whether you felt the test useful in your particular case, if you care to share.

Many thanks in advance - Rebecca

Re: Anyone Have A ""Breath Test"" to Detect Bacteria in the Small Intestine?

wagirl — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 15:28:29 GMT

My daughter had one a couple years ago. It took about 3-4 hours I think. You drink this sweet liquid and every 20 minutes you blow into a tube. The liquid is something that bacteria love. She only drank it once. Found out she didn't had the virus that causes so much grief.

Re: Anyone Have A ""Breath Test"" to Detect Bacteria in the Small Intestine?

sfnative — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 18:11:14 GMT

On 8/26/2014 wagirl said:
My daughter had one a couple years ago. It took about 3-4 hours I think. You drink this sweet liquid and every 20 minutes you blow into a tube. The liquid is something that bacteria love. She only drank it once. Found out she didn't had the virus that causes so much grief.

wagirl,

Thanks so much for the information. I really appreciate it.

Re: Anyone Have A ""Breath Test"" to Detect Bacteria in the Small Intestine?

Meeras — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 18:13:01 GMT

thanks for the info

Re: Anyone Have A ""Breath Test"" to Detect Bacteria in the Small Intestine?

HappyDaze — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 18:48:28 GMT

On 8/26/2014 wagirl said:
My daughter had one a couple years ago. It took about 3-4 hours I think. You drink this sweet liquid and every 20 minutes you blow into a tube. The liquid is something that bacteria love. She only drank it once. Found out she didn't had the virus that causes so much grief.

I'm confused- a virus is different than bacteria. You meant bacteria that "causes so much grief", not virus right?

Re: Anyone Have A ""Breath Test"" to Detect Bacteria in the Small Intestine?

sfnative — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 19:36:18 GMT

On 8/26/2014 HappyDaze said:
On 8/26/2014 wagirl said:
My daughter had one a couple years ago. It took about 3-4 hours I think. You drink this sweet liquid and every 20 minutes you blow into a tube. The liquid is something that bacteria love. She only drank it once. Found out she didn't had the virus that causes so much grief.

I'm confused- a virus is different than bacteria. You meant bacteria that "causes so much grief", not virus right?

I think she meant bacteria, as my GI doc indicated the issue is specifically with bacteria.

Re: Anyone Have A ""Breath Test"" to Detect Bacteria in the Small Intestine?

irishmama5 — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 19:48:31 GMT

My daughter had the test done last month, GI specialist did it to R/O bacteria said the test alone is non-conclusive however wanted to do less invasive tests 1st. Good Luck

Re: Anyone Have A ""Breath Test"" to Detect Bacteria in the Small Intestine?

ChynnaBlue — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 20:23:05 GMT

Is this the test for H. Pylori? It definitely didn't take me 3-4 hours. It took maybe 20-30 minutes. You go in swallow something containing urea and radioactive isotopes. Mine was in crystals that reminded me of Pop Rocks. I waited about 15 minutes and then breathed into a bag and went home. They had the results about a week later. It was super easy. Years before I had to do a barium swallow and that was much less pleasant.

You should call your doctor or the lab now and ask them about how you should prepare for the test. There are some medications you need to stop taking 1-2 weeks before the test. You can also ask your particular lab about the procedure and estimated time.

Re: Anyone Have A ""Breath Test"" to Detect Bacteria in the Small Intestine?

wagirl — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 21:40:32 GMT

On 8/26/2014 HappyDaze said:
On 8/26/2014 wagirl said:
My daughter had one a couple years ago. It took about 3-4 hours I think. You drink this sweet liquid and every 20 minutes you blow into a tube. The liquid is something that bacteria love. She only drank it once. Found out she didn't had the virus that causes so much grief.

I'm confused- a virus is different than bacteria. You meant bacteria that "causes so much grief", not virus right?

So sorry--yes I meant bacteria not virus

Re: Anyone Have A ""Breath Test"" to Detect Bacteria in the Small Intestine?

wagirl — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 21:45:25 GMT

On 8/26/2014 ChynnaBlue said:
Is this the test for H. Pylori? It definitely didn't take me 3-4 hours. It took maybe 20-30 minutes. You go in swallow something containing urea and radioactive isotopes. Mine was in crystals that reminded me of Pop Rocks. I waited about 15 minutes and then breathed into a bag and went home. They had the results about a week later. It was super easy. Years before I had to do a barium swallow and that was much less pleasant.

You should call your doctor or the lab now and ask them about how you should prepare for the test. There are some medications you need to stop taking 1-2 weeks before the test. You can also ask your particular lab about the procedure and estimated time.

Yes it was for H.pylori and it did take that long. But that was a few years ago so maybe the test has changed. I hope so.

Re: Anyone Have A ""Breath Test"" to Detect Bacteria in the Small Intestine?

focksie — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 21:47:27 GMT

From WebMD:

A Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) test is done to:

Find out whether an infection with H. pylori bacteria may be causing an ulcer or irritation of the stomach lining (gastritis).
Find out whether treatment for an H. pylori infection has been successful.

Four tests are used to detect H. pylori:

Blood antibody test. A blood test checks to see whether your body has made antibodies to H. pylori bacteria. If you have antibodies to H. pylori in your blood, it means you either are currently infected or have been infected in the past.
Urea breath test. A urea breath test checks to see if you have H. pylori bacteria in your stomach. This test can show if you have an H. pylori infection. It can also be used to see if treatment has worked to get rid of H. pylori.
Stool antigen test. A stool antigen test checks to see if substances that trigger the immune system to fight an H. pylori infection (H. pyloriantigens) are present in your feces (stool). Stool antigen testing may be done to help support a diagnosis of H. pylori infection or to find out whether treatment for an H. pylori infection has been successful.
Stomach biopsy. A small sample (biopsy) is taken from the lining of your stomach and small intestine during an endoscopy. Several different tests may be done on the biopsy sample. To learn more, see the topic Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.

The breath sample is collected when you blow into a balloon or blow bubbles into a bottle of liquid. The health professional taking a sample of your breath will:

Collect a sample of your breath before the test starts.
Give you a capsule or some water to swallow that contains tagged or radioactive material.
Collect samples of your breath at different times. The breath samples will be tested to see if they contain material formed when H. pyloricomes into contact with the tagged or radioactive material.
The urea breath test usually takes about 30 minutes.

How To Prepare:

Do not eat or drink for at least 6 hours before a breath test or a stomach biopsy.

Many medicines may change the results of this test. Be sure to tell your doctor about all the prescription and nonprescription medicines you take. Your doctor may recommend that you stop taking some of your medicines.

Do not take antibiotics or medicines containing bismuth (such as Pepto-Bismol) for 1 month before the test.
Do not take proton pump inhibitors for 2 weeks before the test.
Do not take H2 blockers, such as Pepcid, Zantac, Axid, or Tagamet, for 24 hours before the test.

Talk to your doctor about any concerns you have about the need for the test, its risks, how it will be done, or what the results may mean.

Re: Anyone Have A ""Breath Test"" to Detect Bacteria in the Small Intestine?

LizzieLu — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 21:50:25 GMT

Hi Rebecca,

Yes, I had the hydrogen breath test for Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth just a few weeks ago. I had to fast 12-18 hrs prior to the test. You take a baseline sample, then drink the solution and take a breath sample every 20 min for 4 hours. During those 4 hrs you cannot ingest anything, smoke, sleep or move around. I did this at home but some do it in a doctors office. Mine was positive and took Rifaximin for 2 weeks. Will return to the GI guy in a week. Was negative for ulcers, allergies, parasites. Good luck!