Gastritis/H. Pylori Infection/Bacteria

My question is concerning my mother.

She is 47 years old and Hispanic.  It started about five months ago.  She did not know what she had.  She began complaining about stomach pains so she went to the doctor.  After studies, she had an endoscopy done where they took a biopsy of her stomach.  They found the H. Pylori bacteria and said she has gastritis along with an infection/bacteria of H. Pylori.  They also said that she had lost the lining in her stomach, that it is raw.

They placed her on PrevPac.  She could not finish this medication.  She was always asleep while on it and felt very fatigued.  Her heart rate increased while taking it as well.  She just felt awful.  She stopped this medication for a few weeks I think until she went to see the doctor again, they then told her to take Amoxicillin (500 MG) only.  Two pills in the morning then two at night, she began taking it.  Again she began to feel very tired, always asleep and increased heart rate that wakes her up at night.  She has stopped taking these pills.  My mother also has fatty liver disease.

The pain in her stomach comes and goes daily.  The pain gets so severe that she is in tears.  She will take cool baths to relax but she is in so much pain.  She does suffer from anxiety/depression.  She still cannot eat anything.  Her daily diet consists of small amounts of papaya or oatmeal liquefied in the blender.  I will also liquefy coconut and papaya for her to have some spoonfuls of.  She will drink some teas as well.  

My mother weighed 200 lbs when at this started, now she is down to 160 lbs. She is getting very sad because she does not see any improvement.  She cannot go anywhere due to the fatigue and pain she feels.  She stays home all day, she cannot cook or clean anymore.  We are so concerned because before she could do some of this but now she cannot.

We feel we need a second opinion. Was the diagnosis correct about H. Pylori/Gastritis? Does she have to be hospitalized to get better?

[Kevin Pho, MD]

The endoscopy would be the most conclusive study for H Pylori.

If the PrevPak could not be tolerated, you can consider an alternative regimen - such as Flagyl, Biaxin and omeprazole.  

Breath or stool tests can be done to see if the H Pylori has been eradicated.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
www.kevinmd.com