Let's ALL talk about H-Pylori Eradication and All That Follows.

[Lynn28]

I couldn't help myself when I read the post below regarding the length of time it takes to heal an ulcer and stomach inflammation, which is Gastritis once H-Pylori is eradicated.
Everyone's response just hit a chord with me. My father, along with a few friends and MANY colleagues suffer from stomach ulcers. Some are very young and some are up there in age. My father for instance has had an ulcer since he was a teenager. Today he's 63 and is in the best of health. Much better than his 27 year old daughter. He's never taken medication for this, but when in need, he takes an over the counter pepcid. I think his good health has to do with fear of doctors. The man has never been to a doctor in his life and refuses when it's needed. He always seems to recover on his own. Except one day last year his ulcer got to be too much to handle. Not a GP, but a trip to the ER and a capping latter, he was fine. Still to this day he is fine as well as many of my friends and colleagues as mentioned above. Most all of these ulcers were discovered via upper GI with barium x-ray. I would love to put money it had they gone down with the endoscope and took a biopsy that low and behold H-Pylori would be swimming around playing. However, this was not the case. This would explain to "Me" why none of these people suffer like that of H-Pylori treated patients. The debate on whether or not H-Pylori should be eradicated and if it indeed is beneficial, has been discussed all over within the medical profession and documented. Now I know everyone's not going to agree, (continued)

[Lynn28]

and everyone's degree of ulceration is different, but that is exactly the point I'm trying to make. When the ulcer is severe, the endoscope goes down and low and behold the h-pylori, but when it's not as bad, no endoscope is needed, therefore H-Pylori is still lurking around untreated. I've never had an upper GI and looking back now, I sure wish I did. They were so quick to put the tube down my throat to search for this bug, that OF COURSE, was there. My pain was tolerable then, but as soon as I took that prevpac for two weeks, ALL my nightmares began. Chronic gastritis, esophagitis, duodenitis and the loss of 15lbs because I no longer can eat like I use to. I'm in CONSTANT pain and if anything, things are just getting worse, not better. I also NEVER, EVER, EVER experienced burning or gas reflux (burping)prior to this treatment. Now I burp literally "24-7" and the burning is HORRIFIC! My pain was just a "Mild" discomfort that I thought I should get checked out. I still ate pizza, Italian, drink my lemonade, etc, etc. NOW, those are only dreams! You couldn't pay me enough to touch them. Now I understand why men seem so much healthier than women. They "NEVER"  go to the doctor! I agree with the poster below, all PPI's should be stopped. Naturally should be the way to go. Restoring the body back to it's normal state. I'm sure it will take a LOT of time, but it can't be ANYMORE worse than this.

Does everyone think H-Pylori should be eradicated if detected?
I apologize for the length, I just couldn't resist.

[JH]

I can really sympathize with what you are going through.  
I can feel your pain.  I have gone thorough the same experience as you have:  Before H pylori treatment, 100% healthy and after the treatment, my health is virtually wrecked.  I have posted in this thread before and I will say it again:  Think twice before you subject yourself to antibiotic treatment for H pylori. The treatment itself can be an express way ticket to the hell.  

After two rounds of antibiotic treatment, I had and still have gastritis and IBS.  My intestine feels very hard and I feel naseated after meal.  Food does not go down very smoothly and I hear weird gurrgling noises in my guts after the meal and just after I wake up.  Intestinal flora has been decimated my harsh antibiotics and it will take long time to reestabilish if I can ever do it.  Last year, I could not sleep more than 4 hours a night due to abdominal pain and I quit job temporarily due to this pain.

I have corresponded to several folks who are suffering from side effects of antibiotics. Some have recovered after about 6 months.  Some are still suffering 2 to 3 years after the treatment.  For me, it has been about a year and three months and even though pain has mitigated somewhat, I am still suffering from most of the side effects that I have mentioned above.

I almost felt like suing the first doctor who was so obsessed with killing this bug and ordered me with multiple antibiotic treatment. The way he was going to erradicate the bacteria for mee was to kill me.  My current physician do not recommend the treatment for asympomatic patients with this bug.  I feel the same way with him.. The treatment itself may not be necessary.
in fact, this bug may have some properties that help prevent acid refluxes in human beings. There are some medical data that are showing increased acid reflux frequency after erradication of this bug.

[Lynn28]

I completely agree. I guess I was sort of lucky. It only took one treatment to eradicate the H-Pylori. I also don't take any medication (antibiotics) I do take pepcid and carafate to coat the tummy at night. I'm also seeking out the attention of an alternative doctor. Before this I ran, mountain biked and walked miles. I drank water like it was going out of style and the health food store was my best friend. I've since been using a lot of ginger and it has been helping a LOT. I also need to get the whole digestive system back to it's original state. I've been reading through this site a lot lately and it has a bunch of helpul things. Perhaps you'll be interested in going through it. When you get there, click on "Self Care" at the top. Once you've done that, click on Digestion on the right. The whole site in general is great. Keep me posted. We'll get there ;)
Jennifer


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[INALOTOFPAIN]

...........Toccoah, your words are extremely painful to read because they are the exact characterization of what my life has now become, in fact, I just had my wife read them because she has been in a way reluctant to believe the agony  of a 32 year old man, with not a single visit to a doctor for any reason. Prevpac, was prescribed for my, although negative, but on the "high side" pylory infection blood test results. I went to this so called physician's clinic on a bleeding ulcer issue, a blood test was prescribed for hpylori because my doctor "had read extensively about this new wonderful discovery" that said virus was the cause of reoccurrent ulcers. I have ( still there) had this ulcer which due to my stress and or lack of care on and off created trouble, it was nothing to preocupy for since it would go away after some "prevention" steps. Now....... I have been on priolsec, Nexium, and any and all acid reducers known to all of us, yet my condition keeps on getting worse and worse. If I had the chance to take my bleeding ulcer back in exchange for my current situation I would in a heart beat. The acid is overwhelming, the pain is unberable. I have applied and immediately approved for insurance coverage (boy are they in for a big surprise) for I have had no medical problems whatsoever. I strongly urge anyone out there who reads this note, not to take this antibiotic treatment unless all tests are done, i.e. endoscopies, biopsies, blood tests and to carefully double tripple check the doctor's decisions as to his/her condition, and not to immediately agree to anything simply because the doctor orders it, i.e. gallbladder removal, ERCPs, etc etc.

I sincerely hope one day my poor stomach goes back to normal, I am aggresively watching what I put in my mouth and most certainly making sure no one's adivse goes unchallenged and or fully scrutnized.

Hope you get better.

[reb]

I hate to here of all your pain, but I know how you feel about treatment with antibiotics and I beg you to try probiotics, even if your antibiotic treatment was over a year ago. Please try them as even if it isn't your problem, they will do no harm to you. I was in unbearable pain after antibiotics, to the point where in order to mask the pain, by accident I burned my stomach with a hot water bottle, even though my stomach was burned I kept up with the heat because it was preferable to the unbearable stomach pain. I would just sit and cry. After taking probiotics the pain immeasurably eased after just a few days, before that I tried every traditonal medicine available with not much help because they were only treating the symptoms not the cause.
Now, I am still extremely tired, which I hate, being only 28 years old, but I can't complain as I am not in pain- I can even eat tomato-based things now (after about 3 weeks of treatment).
I have read that imbalances in digestive flora can take up to 2 years to manifest itself (giving it time for bad organims to grow  since your healthy bacteria can not keep them in check) so I urge you to take these supplements even if your treatment was a long time ago.
Please try the probiotics, I hate to hear you all in pain when there may be a chance that you can remedy it. If you already have been taking probiotics and they haven't helped I apologise in advance for wasting your time.

[reb]

p.s. Toccoah, how did you get on at the doc's today?

[Lynn28]

I'm going today at 2 and I CAN'T WAIT. I'm SO sick of this, you have no idea, but than again, perhaps you do. At least most people are eating somewhat, I on the other hand am not eating AT all. It's horrible. Believe you me, I am DEFINITELY going back to the probiotics, but I just wanted to wait until afetr today. I will keep you posted ;)

[individual]

I am very thankfull that I saw a naturopathe who discovered my h-pylori. He put me on bismuth (I think that's what it was called) which opens up the pores where they hide, and then gave me a strong anti-biotic. I took a very potent acidophilus 3 times a day, which was probably key. He also had me taking other vitamins to support the intestines. It has cost me more money to see a naturopathe, but it's been worth every penny.
I'm so sorry that all of you are suffering from this. I'm suffering from an incompetent doctor who delivered my daughter 16 years ago.

[LILLY101]

i too know about the pain youall are in and i'm so sorry.the best thing i found after treatment of H-PLYORI was aloe vera gel i drank 1ounce 3xaday for 6weeks and it helped immensly plus i was on pepcid 20mg2xaday.but today i still suffer with ulcers with no H-PLYORI found.I have suffered with this for 13 years each and every day.stomach surgeryx3. Iwish you all the best of luck and hope youall have a 100% recovery.    larkin

[Bloated]

A big (Thank You) to all for sharing you knowledge and comments on H. Pylori. This condition has wreaked my Mothers life for the past 5 years. As several of you on this forum have stated: The present medical treatments offer only temporary relief. In many cases the treatment only made your condition worse. In my Mother's case the first treatment was temporary. The last two treatments only made her condition much worse. Finding a good doctor with an understanding of H. Pylori is a never-ending task.

I have a question to all of you out there. My Mother has had in the last two years abnormal swelling in her abdominal region. This swelling has now proceeded to her legs, feet and arms. Her weight has also gone up by about 25 pounds. This extra weight has made it hard for her to walk and move. She has always been a small and slender woman. She also has a condition similar to IBS. But the condition is not IBS, according to the doctor. The doctors have run numerous tests over the last couple of years. All the results have come back negative. The doctors do not know what the cause of the bloating and IBS like condition is. We know the prognosis is H. Pylori… and that is it.  

Is this type of abnormal swelling a condition that is associated with H. Pylori? Has anyone on this forum experienced the same (or) similar kind of condition? If so, what is (or) was the cause?

The only relief we have found for my Mother at this point is her diet and vitamins. This has yielded only temporary relief. She has taken vitamins all her life and is rarely on any kind of medications. Past medications only aggravated her condition. We keep track of her diet, when the condition worsens; we look over the log to see what is in her diet. If we notice a reaction to something in her diet in past logs or suspect something, we change it. At this time this appears to be the only relief for her.  

Any information or other relief options we are open to. I decided to actively search for alternatives to this painful condition. I understand the pain and suffering those of you on this forum endure. I take care of my Mother, and I have been with her throughout this condition. If I run across any useful information I will pass it on.

Thank You.  

[Steffa]

You have almost make me forgot about the pain and frustration I'm going through with treatments that never seem to ease my condition as well. I have started using  probioptic and lictibusilim on Sunday and I hope it helps.

I wish all of you all the best in finding remedies for your illnes.

[Shanyan]

Well, I am extremely nervous now after reading these posts.  I just finished my second round of antibiotics for Hpylori.  I did notice that after the first round I suddenly had abdominal pain and burning which I had never experienced before.  I'm going back to be tested in May to see if I'm Hpylori-free.  My abdominal pain and burning has gotten much better though, so I am optomistic.  I am somewhat comforted to know that there are so many others out there like me, I was beginning to feel like a hyperchondriac.  Good luck to you all!

[reb]

Any joy from the doc?

[Lynn28]

He was WONDERFUL. (The doctor)He sat talking with me for over an hour. His whole office was great! I was very surprised. At any rate. He perscribed protonix which has helped A LOT. I'm to take it until next friday when he wants to see me again. 40mg in the AM and 40mg in the PM. If I still have discomfort, we'll talk about other things. He really doesn't think it's anything else, just the gastritis based on my symptoms. All my pain is in the pit of my tummy, that is it. Oh it burns! The appt. was more about what I've been going through. Next friday will be more about treatment options as well as natural treatments (eg) Probiotic. I will bring up more than, but I was really happy. I also have to think that perhaps chronic gastritis never goes away. I've yet to hear from anyone who has had "Chronic" and had it go away. I really don't know anymore. It's hard, I know
that :(
I just want one slice of pizza, that's it ;)

[JH]

If your pain in your stomach after the antibiotic treatment is lasting long, your problem may not be confined just to the stomach.  Remember that antibiotics kill all the friendly bacteria inside your intestines.  Since these bacteria strengthens your immune system , assists in digestion abd absorption of food, clean toxins in the digestive system, and helps with motility of the intestine, excess antibiotics can lead to malabsorption of food, depressed immune system, toxin buildup, and ineffecient food passage along the digestive system.
If your immune system is down, healing of the damaged lining may not take place efficiently.  Excess toxins may cause your liver to work much harder and hence you may feel fatiqued.  In addition, toxins may be absorbed into your blood stream and may surface as some weird rash on your skin throughout your body.
Food stuck in your gut as a result of decreased intestinal motility cause extreme bloating, pressure in the upper part of the stomach, and excess burping.   In this sense, you can see antibiotics can cause severe and major digestive problems.  And it is only natural that suffering can last long time until you can re-estabilisg your digestive flora back.

As some have suggestied in this thread, I have been taking probiotics.  It does help some but I suspect it will take long time for me to get my digestive flora back.

Keep on fighting and hang in there...Also I would like to emphasize again that antibiotics may not be the right treatment!!

[dandy]

I'm new to this folks, so bear with me a little.  I have burning, painful stomach and it's caused by Zinc for me. When the vitamin has zinc in it and I don't notice this element, I'm in trouble.  If your stomach feels like you swallowed a red hot ingot, check for that mineral.  It's found usually in vitamins and some nutritional drinks.  Hope this helps someone.

[Lynn28]

Thanks for the input! However, I'm not taking any antibiotics. Never did. The only pain I seem to have is located in the pit of my stomach. Just burning right in the middle. 24/7 Regardless if I take the antacid. Have you ever tried seeing an alternative doctor?

[toojaded]

Hi,
I'm not new to this forum; however I've never posted.  I've suffered from H. Pylori for over six years.  I have gastritis, deudonitis, IBS, gastroparesis, hiatal hernia, Acid Reflux Disease, medullary sponge kidney disease, internal hemmoroids (hemorrhoids), interstistial sp? cystitis.  I feel as though I'm missing something...But one of my GI's (who is one of the best) has felt it important to not follow traditional therapies concerning H. Pylori for fear that it would make other symptoms (particularly my Acid Reflux) much worse.  I'm now allergic to most antiobitics, have a compromised immune system (due to reccurent infections). I've had a terrible immune system since I was a baby. I take probiotics daily.  I've also changed my diet in dramatic fashion.  I was never overweight-as a matter of fact mostly underweight.  I eat many vegetables and fruit-specifically avoiding acidic or gas inducing varieties. I drink non-carbonated beverages only.  I do drink tea-green tea w/ honey.  I've given up most refined sugar, etc.  I've noticed a difference.  When I slip, I pay for it dearly it seems.  I have to be so careful.  One of the hospitals that I'm involved with is John Hopkins (Baltimore, MD).  They are attempting to figure out if I have celiac (sprue).  Also, they think I may be lactose intolerant.  I have distinct dislike for medications at this point because I believe they help contribute to the worsening of my many conditions.  I've been in the hospital 9 times in the past 10 months.  I would urge you to seek the best care possible.  I also believe the homeopathic route is an excellent one.  I'm not a doctor.  What works for one may not work for another.  I still need to gain about 20lbs.  but I'm trying...I wish you the best of luck.  I'm only 30 years old and was in fairly good health (w/ the exceptions of nasty colds and viruses on a semi-regular basis).

[Romy]

My G.I. doc does not believe in treating the H. Pylori anymore, because in some people it tends to come back.  He "treats" it with Nexium twice a day - and agrees with most of you that the H. Pylori treatment is brutal and can do damage in other areas.

Romy

[Lynn28]

WOW, I feel SO bad for you :(  I too have IC. I've had it for 7yrs. So I've been told that is what it is, but after posting and reading on www.ic-network.com, I thought differently. My symptoms have been gone now for about a couple of yrs. KNOCK ON WOOD ;) GET BETTER ;)

[JH]

If you took Prevack for H pylori treatment, you took a lot of antibiotics ( I believe amoxcillin and tetracycline) along with PPI drug called Prevacid.  Sometimes doctors substitute tetracycline with either Biaxin or flagyl.  This course of antibiotics are the most aggressive method.  And if you are on it, there is a strong possiblity for you to encounter digestive discomfort as a result of side effects.

While you are on the treatment, you may feel ok or even better if you had some digestive problems prior to the treatment due to very effective acid supressing nature of PPI drug (Prevacid) but after the treatment, the damaged stomach lining cannot handle
stomach acid and you ill then feel tremendous pain in your stomach.  for this reason, Some doctors ask patients to continue to tale PPI drugs after the antibiotics to help the lining heal.

Now many doctors are questioning antibiotics such as Prevack is appropriate way of eliminating the bacteria. Some people are even questioning the idea of erradicating H pylori.  There is a recent research showing gastric cancer is related to genetic cause where genes that suppress the growth of abnormal protein is no longer functioning in certain indiviuals.  H pylori may not be the cause of the stomach cancer at all.

In countries like Korea, Taiwan, china, and japan, more than 80% of the population is infected with this bug.  It is true that there are more people with stomach cancer in these countries compared to number of people in the US.  However, percentage of people with the bacteria who develop stomach cancer is minute. hence it is very difficult to say this bug actually cause the cancer itself.  

[jcw]

Hi,
I'm dealing with h.pylori and it hurts. I'll start taking the antibiotic soon. After reading some of the comments, I'm glad to know I'm not crazy, other people are experiencing the same symptoms. I'm in pain whether I eat or not. I've lost 8lbs in the last 2wks. I'm just wondering if the pain will ever go away completely? I can usually get one decent meal in per day, I can only eat maybe half of what I was use to eating (portion wise) When is it REALLY time to worry? can h.pylori turn into anything serious? What other questions should I be asking my Dr?
Thanks.

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