h.pylori

Dr. Pho,

I went to internist / gastroenterologist a few weeks ago with my problem. Initially, based on what I've read, I suspected that I had candida overgrowth, but my doctor told me that candida overgrowth in the intestine is a myth.

We did the following tests:

- Breath test for some bacterias (was normal)
- Blood test (not sure for what but came back normal. Do you know what this could be tested for?)
- Breath test for h.pylori (came back positive)
- Stool test ("giardia antigen test" and "OVA & parasites & stained slide". Came back normal. What do those test for? The test names don't mean much to me.)

Doctor told me to take "florastor" and "vsl #3" probiotics (one of each, once a day for 60 days). After h.pylori test came back positive my doctor prescribed "prevpac" for 2 weeks.

After about 10th day of therapy I started noticing some improvements but primarily with my skin. I had some dry, flaky skin in some areas. It's hard for me to say anything about improvements with my intestine as I'm on a diet which doesn't give me any problems when I follow it. I still get churning stomach sometimes but not much belching and bloating anymore I think. I still have dry mouth. I have a few questions about this:

- Is my dry, flaky skin attributed to the h.pylori infection that I have/had?
- Is dry mouth also a result of h.pylori problem?
- The noticeable improvements started on about 10th day of 14-day prevpac therapy. I'm done with it now, but the problems didn't go away completely. Does that mean that medication didn't have full effect on this or it triggered some process which will continue to improve things after I stopped taking the medication?

Thank you very much.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

The dry skin and dry mouth may be side effects from the PrevPak, which continues Prevacid and two antibiotics.  

Repeating the breath tests can be considered to ensure eradication of the H Pylori.  The PrevPak is not 100 percent, so if the bacteria remains, another antibiotic regimen should be considered.

I would also consider an upper endoscopy if the symptoms continue.

These options can be discussed with your GI physician.

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 Pho, M.D.

KevinMD.com
Twitter.com/kevinmd

[sdbrit]

Hi, I am worried about a suspected bacterial infection that had me in hospital this past Friday.  I found a really informative website online by clicking on one of the google ads on this site, google: h-pylori-symptoms and look for the site by Dave Hompres.  Good info.  I bought his ebook ($20)- it promotes a product called Matual Herbal Formula.  It's not cheap but if it turns out that my labs confirm h-pylori I think it would be worth the money to feel better.  

The site also advocates a gluten free diet (which I have been on for a few months anyway) and no cows milk or soy products.  Protein with every meal and fresh organic veggies.

Good Luck.