Intermittent fecal/sulfur breath odor

Posted by pbleonar @pbleonar, Jun 8, 2017

After scouring the web, I'm certain I'm not the only person with this problem, and not the only person who's been told they were imagining it. Anyway, the issue is I have intermittent odors when I talk (yes, I've been to the dentist 10+ times-- all say my oral hygiene is on point and xrays and inspections showed nothing). The only time it's practically non-existent is when I eat an unhealthily low-carb diet. Like others online, I've had CT scans, Barium swallows, endosocopy/colonoscopy, screening for parasites (getting one more from an IDS before crossing that off my list). All showed up negative. I tested positive for SIBO, but after researching that for the past 3 years, I'm certain SIBO is more of a symptom than a primary causal problem. Furthermore, even when I treated SIBO with heavy antibiotics, it did absolutely nothing for my breath-- and yes I was cleared of SIBO after a couple rounds of work. yet, the moment I eat carbs, I still get a "did someone just s*it themselves?" comment.

I guess what I'm getting at is I'm tired of doctors just saying it's IBS and SIBO and then proceeding to do zero investigating afterwards. I want to get down to the root cause of this, but most doctors are either too apathetic or too incompetent to do anything. Are there any researchers who specialize in studying and diagnosing hard to find problems in the GI tract? Between the 3 GI docs, 2 ENTs, 2 NDs and 1 IDS, I just can't take normal doctors anymore. I want my life back and I want a specific root cause so I can work on progressing from there.

Further notes: Diarrhea actually cleared up when I ate junk food and I had zero bloating, albeit the odor remained.

Xifaxan and neomycin did nothing for the odor, nor did the elemental diet. I actually think the elemental diet made the smell as bad or
worse than before.

*******Nitazoxanide********** worked wonders for the month I was on it. Solid stools even with foods that normally cause my ibs to flare up.
It's exactly the reason I felt there was more going on to everything than just SIBO and IBS.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Digestive Health Support Group.

Hmmm, my son was plagued with this problem. They discover he has stage 2 fatty liver disease though he is young and an average weight. He has stopped all PPI and upped his exercise regime and is eating a plant based diet. All foul smelling breathe has resolved!! Best wishes! Hope you get to the root of what is causing yours. I understand that it must be most distressing. Keep searching my impression is that many things can cause it.

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@traveling

I have been having some good results for IBS-D (to the point of developing a rectal preolapse) from pancreatic digestive enzymes, available over the counter.

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I struggle w IBS, can you tell me the name of the enzymes

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I have same issue. Just found out I have mtfhr gene defect which is methylation issue that impacts the digestive system. It could be sluggish gallbladder that isn’t producing enough bile which works as detergent to break down food. Or it could also be the stomach valve or illiocecal valve that remains open and doesn’t shut all the way so all the undigested food gases back up. I started taking ox bile supplements and digestive enzymes. I might have ulcer so I’m going to doctor today to set up endoscopy. Also do you guys have burning sensation in stomach when it’s empty? I also get dry mouth and that acid build up in throat.

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Hi @lulu20 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. It seems as though you have done a fair amount of research regarding your diagnosis. Glad you found us. I'd like to bring @seashelltwins, @bet, and @yorlik to the conversation as well as they have experience with the mtfhr gene defect.

Have you discussed this with your physician? What was their assessment?

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Feel free to bring me in, but we determined it to be a medication I was on causing the diarrhea. I still have issues, but not daily anymore. As far as the MTHFR gene, well, I am due to get additional testing this Friday. Factor 5 is negative. A host of other tests were performed. Some were not accurate because I have been on warfarin. I have now been taken off warfarin and put back on eliquis until I get the testing this Friday. In about 3 weeks I will know what additional treatment/modified treatment if any treatment will continue.

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@lulu20

I have same issue. Just found out I have mtfhr gene defect which is methylation issue that impacts the digestive system. It could be sluggish gallbladder that isn’t producing enough bile which works as detergent to break down food. Or it could also be the stomach valve or illiocecal valve that remains open and doesn’t shut all the way so all the undigested food gases back up. I started taking ox bile supplements and digestive enzymes. I might have ulcer so I’m going to doctor today to set up endoscopy. Also do you guys have burning sensation in stomach when it’s empty? I also get dry mouth and that acid build up in throat.

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Hi. I’m sorry you’re suffering. I’m going through similar issues. Where did you get tested for the Mtfhr gene? Did your regular Gp test for this? Or did you purchase a kit of some sort online? Thanks!

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@lovelybones

Did the mouthwash work?

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I was never able to get it prescribed.. i have been trying to reduce anything with yeast and dairy. Also been doing nose rinses every morning, purchased both closys and therabreath and do a half and half mix. I do notice that when i eat breads and dairy my tongue starts to get white. So maybe im onto so something. When i brush my tongue i do a toothbrush rinse and clean tongue again a few times. ( I believe i had some good results with not eating anything that contains yeast or dairy bit you have to stay away from these foods long enough to cleanse your body from it. I drink alot of water probably from the Pantoprazole due to acid reflux. In short i still have it and struggle with depression because of it and start eating unhealthy. I try and stay positive and just keep going. But i tell you it is not easy at all. Being humiliated and laughed at is not a good feeling. Please anyone tell me of the no yeast and or dairy has helped anyone. I also eat more pineapple now because of natural bromelain aspect of it.

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Pineapple is bad for us acid reflux people.

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This is my process and it sometimes is a hit or miss with my breath sometimes more consistent than other times. At home i don’t get Too much feedback from wife and kids. There was a recent occurrence where we went to Chilis for dinner and we ate the cheese dip, fries and had the mussroom Swiss hamburger. When we got back home im in the room for about 5 minutes and she says what is that smell.. i told her i cant smell anything so you have to tell me what your smelling.. she said it smells like shit. Its frustrating so that particular combo i avoid eating. so for myself i have to take metamucil fiber pills minimum 4 pills twice a day to obtain any normalcy to digestion. This is besides taking Pantoprazole. The Reduction of dairy and yeast also is positive on the appearance of whitening of tongue. The whitening is not a film build up but more of a discoloration as it will not clear even when scraping tongue. So the mix of mouthwash, fiber intake, reduce dairy and yeast products, morning nose rinses, 1 minute brushing of tongue and reducing sugar intake i want to say has reduced the amount of reactions in public.

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@riflemanz64

Pineapple is bad for us acid reflux people.

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Try bromelain pills, i just got some this week im going to try. i take 40mg of Pantoprazole religiously every morning and it has taken away my acid reflux. I have just last week started sleeping on my left and it has reduced the feeling of food lodged in my throat when i wake up.

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