SIBO breath testing done during evaluation at Mayo Clinic?

Posted by sailingohana @sailingohana, Jul 16, 2023

Can anyone tell me, in your experience, if SIBO breath testing might be done during my initial evaluation time period when I'm scheduled to be at Mayo Clinic? Or would I have to do this at a later date? I ask because I know you need to be off antibiotics for 4 weeks before testing. I've struggled to get off Rifaximin/Neomycin without a resurgence of SIBO symptoms, weight loss etc. I'm trying to hold off before my appointment, but if it won't even be done then due to scheduling, I may as well be on antibiotics when I show up. Thanks so much!

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gigi4 | @gigi4 | Jul 17, 2023

I suggest you call your doctor’s and ask. Since I was seeing my doctor via zoom, she ordered the breath test kit and had it sent to my home. Results were to my doctor to interpret at our next zoom meeting.

sailingohana | @sailingohana | Jul 17, 2023

Thank you for this suggestion. Unfortunately, I'll just have finished antibiotics 2 days before my scheduled appointment at Mayo, on my way to MN. I guess I'll have to see what they do once I'm there. I'm so frustrated because every time I get so sick with what everyone assumes is SIBO, I can't make it long enough off antibiotics to be tested.

gboi | @gboi | Jul 18, 2023

Hello,

Sorry to hear about your issues. I was tested for SIBO with two different sugars the first time I visited Mayo. I think you should just go and get the tests done anyways, even if you're antibiotics, or if you stop a little and get symptoms. If you're having symptoms + are on antibiotics BUT do NOT test positive for SIBO, well then that is actually a step forward towards a correct diagnostic, if that makes sense. Ideally you would stop the antibiotics before the SIBO test, as you know, but life is not perfect.

sailingohana | @sailingohana | Jul 18, 2023

This is so helpful to know that testing might be done at Mayo while I’m there. I don’t know what to expect at my visit. The other institution I’ve been seen at schedules out 3-4 months, and I’ve never been able to get a test when symptomatic and off antibiotics. Thank you so much for taking the time to reply to my message!

mrsflutterby | @mrsflutterby | Jul 18, 2023

I'm not a Mayo patient so don't know their procedures but there is no reason to do a breath test in clinic anymore when it can just be done at home at your convenience. I do understand SIBO after being diagnosed with it many years ago and being treated with all the ensuing treatments. I would call Mayo's Gastro Motility Dept and find out if they offer the tests at home or in clinic. Explain you have an upcoming appt. and see what they say. They may have you take it at home before coming for your appointment so they have the results but you would need to be off the Rifaximin or any other antibiotic for a clear result. I would never suggest taking the SIBO test while on antibiotics due to skewing of results or false negatives.

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