1. < Digestive Health

When is Lactulose recommended?

Posted by clutch @clutch, Sep 14, 2021

Hello All,
I have seen a mention of lacrulose here on the forum. It is known to treat constipation, but I am wondering when is it used in the course of treatment It? What are the implications? It would be great to get some feedback from Connect Nembers who have actually used it. BTW, is there an OTC form or just prescription?

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bgiddio | @bgiddio | Sep 21, 2021
In reply to @rozy288 "@hopeful33250 Hi , Xifaxan is more like an antibiotic they use to kill H-Pylori in the..." + (show)
@rozy288

@hopeful33250 Hi , Xifaxan is more like an antibiotic they use to kill H-Pylori in the small intestines. You know if you have it if you get the Lactulose Breath test sometimes called SIBO test .

I’ve had a few , and been on that RX a few times ( it’s 2 week max being in it ).
I requested to go on it all times even being neg at time for SIBO . I’ve had horrendous digestive disorders fir 7.5 years, 5 Gastro Drs … so many tests, RX , diets. , holistic . No relief. Going for 3 tests at Mayo Clinic Jacksonville Oct 3-6 w/ new Gastro . Long wait to get televisit!! Finally going . Praying 🙏 they can help cure me or something soon . Rosemary….

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Hi Rosemary, I have also been to many Gastro Drs with no help. Finally went to one who told me he would figure it out and he did, with a colonoscopy and endoscopy, diagnosed with pancreatic insufficiency, and tortuous colon with many twists and turns. Am on enzymes, and other meds and doing so much better. Its all about the right Dr. Good luck!

REPLY
rozy288 | @rozy288 | Sep 21, 2021
In reply to @hopeful33250 "@rozy288 Hi Rosemary, I really appreciate the added information about Xifaxan. I am sorry to hear..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

@rozy288 Hi Rosemary,

I really appreciate the added information about Xifaxan. I am sorry to hear about all of the digestive problems you have had. It really can be frustrating to have digestive problems. It creates difficulty with eating and so much more!

I am so glad to hear that you are being seen at Mayo. I look forward to hearing how that appointment goes. I hope that it gives you some more information and some help.

If you don't mind sharing, what is the most difficult digestive symptom you have right now?

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@hopeful33250 The worst of my symptoms are 3000-4000 deep wet sewer water tasting belches day and night . So much non stop 🛑 gastric distress , non stop churning , grinding .. loud small bowel sounds that could wake you up at night . Like aliens 👽 in a war zone . I can’t eat anything w/o being so sick 🤢. I’ve been diagnosed w/ chronic gastritis , small hiatal hernia , esophagitis , Class B GERD, diverticulosis. I’ve had so many tests in the 7 years, elimination diets , tested for everything. I’m a medical mystery to the Dr’s . It’s a hard hard life . I can’t enjoy much of anything. We cook at home nightly and no fast food , caffeine , low dairy and low sugar . I just turned 60 last week. I’ve lost most of my 50’s to this .
They will do endoscopy w/ endo flip , a special CScan of small bowel and other organs nearby , a 2 hr Lactulose a Breath test ( again ) at Mayo.
May or may not be able to figure it out Drs said . I live on Ultra Pepto, tried every enzyme, every pre pro Biotic , every PPI , you make it I’ve done it .
Thanks for asking … keep praying 🙏!!

REPLY
gloria811 | @gloria811 | Sep 21, 2021

Hi Rosemary,
I too have lived with some of these similar issues for many years. One of the things that has helped me is following a low FODMAP diet. I wrote a list (and placed each item of food in a chart) of my favorite fruits and vegetables and their corresponding offending sugars. If I have too much of the offending sugar(s) I have the worst time especially at night since I cannot digest these sugars. It's really been trial and error for me over the years. I read that you have tried digestive enzymes without relief but what I have found is that if I limit the particularly offending sugars and add the digestive enzymes I am able to have a better quality of life. I'm hoping that this might be of help for you also. 🙏

REPLY
JK | @contentandwell | Sep 22, 2021
In reply to @rozy288 "@hopeful33250 Hi , Xifaxan is more like an antibiotic they use to kill H-Pylori in the..." + (show)
@rozy288

@hopeful33250 Hi , Xifaxan is more like an antibiotic they use to kill H-Pylori in the small intestines. You know if you have it if you get the Lactulose Breath test sometimes called SIBO test .

I’ve had a few , and been on that RX a few times ( it’s 2 week max being in it ).
I requested to go on it all times even being neg at time for SIBO . I’ve had horrendous digestive disorders fir 7.5 years, 5 Gastro Drs … so many tests, RX , diets. , holistic . No relief. Going for 3 tests at Mayo Clinic Jacksonville Oct 3-6 w/ new Gastro . Long wait to get televisit!! Finally going . Praying 🙏 they can help cure me or something soon . Rosemary….

Jump to this post

@rozy288 Are you referring to xifaxan when you say you can only be on it for two weeks? That must be true for your type of problem but people with cirrhosis are on it for much longer. I took xifaxan for about 16 months.

I hope you can solve your digestive problems, it must be so difficult to live with. Have you tried the FODMAP diet recommended by @gloria811? That sounds like it could help, I know it does with many things.
JK

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