Need another opinion

[Confused215]

About four weeks ago, I started experiencing abdominal discomfort. It started with diarrhea which lasted about a day, and then I had a burning feeling in my stomach. I used some over the counter medication which didn't work (pepto and rolaids). At the time my stomach also gurgled and cramped. I saw my doctor a few days later who diagnosed me with gastritis and prescribed Nexium. I saw another doctor about a week later who told me to stop taking Nexium and prescribed Nulev as it could be a IBS or gastroenteritis. The Nulev stopped the gurgling and the cramps but left me bloated.

I was scared to eat anthing although I had an appetite. I discontinued using Nulev because it made my mouth dry and made me feel like I was going to faint if I stood up for too long. My bowel movement then consisted of stringy stool (not loose but soft)or sometimes hard (nothing normal). The other doctor sent me for an xray, which didn't show anything and he concluded it was a virus that I had to let pass.

Unsatisfied, I requested a test for H. Pylori (blood test) and the result came back 4 days later that the bacteria was active in my system. My doctor put me on Prevpac for 14 days as a result. I am 5 days into Prevpac at the moment and the gurgling and gas which are the only symptoms now are not as bad. Last night however I had diarrhea again after all this while, and I am concerned and scared to eat anything. My doctor told me to stay on the meds for now. (The whole situation is stressing me out. I was told stress was a contributing factor till we found pylori active.)

I am not sure of this, as he never concluded it was an ulcer and I read that treating H Pylori without an ulcer is not always sufficient. I have no other symptms. I am not sure if I should see another doctor or get more tests. My doctor probably thinks I am overreacting, but I know my body and it has not been the same for the past 4 weeks. Please help. Thanks.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

I would consider some kind of imaging at this point to evaluate for GERD, inflammation  (i.e. gastritis) or an ulcer.  The positive H Pylori makes the latter two diseases more likely.

At this time, an upper endoscopy would be the best test.  If this test is negative, you can consider a 24-hr pH study or gastric emptying scan to evaluate for GERD an gastroparesis respectively.

There is always the possibility that the bacteria is resistant to the Prevpac.  Adjusting the antibiotic regimen can be considered if this is the case.

These options can be discussed with your personal physician.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

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.
kevinmd_

[Confused215]

Thanks for your response. I will ask for a referral to GI doctor to get this done. Lastly, could you please tell me how long on an average it takes to cure h.pylori and also if h.pylori causes a lot of gas especially flatulence. And also, are there any food items to avoid in general? Thanks.