Treatment Side Effects

[tetley]

I completed the 7-day HP Pac (Prevacid / Biaxin / Amoxicillin) treatment 5 days ago.  On the 2nd day of treatment I developed severe diarrhea, so began supplementing my diet with yogourt (and still am now) which eliminated the diarrhea and I was able to continue the rest of the treatment with regular bowel movements. On the 3rd day of treatment I developed rectal itching & wiping after a bowel movement left drops of blood on the tissue, no blood visible in the stool. This side effect got worse as the treatment went on & in addition to the itching I now also have the following: intermittent burning rectal pain (mostly exterior pain however with a bowel movement pain feels like intense interior burning), an occassional feeling of heaviness in my rectum, a fluttering sensation that something is moving just inside my rectum, a foul odour which I have been trying to stay on top of with frequent wiping with moist toilettes although there are no visible signs of discharge from the area. On the upside, I have not noticed any blood on tissue after bowel movements! 2 days ago I started using a hemmorhoid cream called Anusol Plus which doesn't seem to be helping too much. I also wanted to mention that about 10 years ago I was diagnosed with Genital Herpes Simplex 1 and only ever had 2 outbreaks - the pain of the first episode I had is similar to the pain that I am having now with bowel movements ... could the medicine have initiated another episode - there aren't any signs of herpes blisters though. Could the meds from the HP Pac treatment wreak this much havoc almost a week after finishing them and if so, when can I expect these side effects to subside? Thanks for your help & advice!

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Difficult to say without evaluation.  Hemorrhoids are a possibility, but you may also want to consider other causes of rectal itching - such as dermatitis or a fungal infection.  Antibiotics can increase the chance of a fungal infection.  

Obtaining a skin culture to look for fungal infection can be considered.  

Treatment would be dependent on what is causing the symptoms.  Fungal infection can be treated with an anti-fungal cream.  Dermatitis can be treated with a steroid cream.

If the symptoms continue, a lower endoscopy can be considered for a more thorough evaluation.

These options can be discussed with your personal physician.  A GI or dermatology evaluation can be considered.

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_

[holisticone]

One more thing to consider is parasites. I see parasitic infections on GI panels common with H.Pylori.  Treatment may have spurred elimination of parasites at the same time.  Rectal itching is a common symptom.  Sometimes hard to catch in one test.  Re-testing is needed as false negatives are common.

[tetley]

Thanks for your advice.  I tested positive for H Pylori and am just waiting for 6 weeks to pass before I go for an H Pylori breath test to ensure that the HP Pack meds eliminated the bacteria.  How does one test for parasites or are you suggesting retesting for H. Pylori or do parasites show up as H Pylori? It has now been 1 week since I ended my meds and I am still experiencing some rectal itching but mainly a burning pain during bowel movements with slight bleeding. What kind of parasites & how does one pick them up? Thanks.

[holisticone]

A Comprehensive GI Panel (stool sample required) is the best for testing different parasites.  The one I do includes most of the common ones:  Blastocystis hominas, Giardia, Cryptosporidium, Ameba (amoeba) Histolytica (Ab).  It also includes a broad stool culture for fungi and bacteria.  No, parasites are different than H. Pylori.  H. Pylori is a bacteria.  Antibiotic treatment (especially the triple tx for H. Pylori) wreaks havoc on your normal bacterial balance in the gut.  You may need something stronger than storebought yogurt.  Try a good acidophilus/bifidus strain of a probiotic supplement. (preferrably 2 billion organisms or more).
Good luck on your retest - let us know how you are doing.

[tetley]

Thanks very much for your reply - will speak to my doctor about your suggestions when I see him for a follow up next week.

[cat180]

Been diagnosed with H. Phylori and Ameba (amoeba) Histolytica. Been taking flagyl and tectracycline for six days now. Are there any diet restrictions or can I eat what I want. I would like to gain some of this weight back. Also, when can one expect to feel better. It's been a long road, three months to diagnosis...........

[jckouts]

About two weeks ago I was diagnosed with the H.Pylori bacteria, and was put on the HP PAC for 14 days.  I still have 2 days left but for the last week of this medication, I have been experiencing an almost metallic - like taste, and my mouth and tongue are hyper- sensitive.  I can't see any sores in my mouth but, when I eat or drink something, I can't really taste it properly; and I get a "burining-like" tingling sensation, that sometimes hurt, due to carbonated drinks or anything warm.  Is this normal when on this medication, or should I be concerned and see the Doctor, even though I only have 2 days left?  Not sure what to do.

[jckouts]

About two weeks ago I was diagnosed with the H.Pylori bacteria, and was put on the HP PAC for 14 days.  I still have 2 days left but for the last week of this medication, I have been experiencing an almost metallic - like taste, and my mouth and tongue are hyper- sensitive.  I can't see any sores in my mouth but, when I eat or drink something, I can't really taste it properly; and I get a "burining-like" tingling sensation, that sometimes hurt, due to carbonated drinks or anything warm.  Is this normal when on this medication, or should I be concerned and see the Doctor, even though I only have 2 days left?  Not sure what to do.

[jckouts]

About two weeks ago I was diagnosed with the H.Pylori bacteria, and was put on the HP PAC for 14 days.  I still have 2 days left but for the last week of this medication, I have been experiencing an almost metallic - like taste, and my mouth and tongue are hyper- sensitive.  I can't see any sores in my mouth but, when I eat or drink something, I can't really taste it properly; and I get a "burining-like" tingling sensation, that sometimes hurt, due to carbonated drinks or anything warm.  Is this normal when on this medication, or should I be concerned and see the Doctor, even though I only have 2 days left?  Not sure what to do.

[Ghayeni]

A related discussion, HP-PAC was started.