Stomach Issues

[Katenyc]

Dear Doctor,

I have written here before, but will give a brief recap.  In late Sept., had sudden onset of severe reflux symptoms [burning in esophagus and throat].  Went through all ppi's -- double dosages -- and changed diet, with no relief.  Had endoscopy [h pylori was negative; no ulcers; no hiatal hernia; mild gastritis; mild esophagitis].  24 hour ph test was normal; manometry study was normal.  

A couple of months later, at my wit's end [and having done research on my own at home], I requested an h pylori blood test from my doctor -- which was positive.  Because I am a past c diff sufferer and have to be careful about taking antibiotics, I requested a UREA breath test to make sure it was an active infection.  It was.  I went on PrevPac for two weeks -- just finished this past Friday.

My current problem is that I started having other symptoms a couple of weeks before I even started on PrevPac.  Indigestion, stomach bloat, gnawing pain in stomach usually accompanied by gas in stomach.  This comes & goes throughout the day.  I continued to have these symptoms on & off during the PrevPac treatment and still do.  Could this all be related to an ongoing hp infection?  I am still on Prevacid, twice/day.  Since being off the antibiotics, I have a lot of bloat and gas in my abdomen -- which I assume is coming from my stomach.  I also still have reflux every day, but it is milder than it was before.

I'm at a loss of what to do next.  Do I need an upper GI series, or is that redundant since I have already had an endoscopy?  I also had a colonoscopy last month and that was okay.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.  The stomach indigestion/bloat/pain is concerning me and I don't know what to do next.

Thank you.

Kate

[sonic]

katenyc - you describe almost exactly symptoms that I am suffering from aswell.  I am due to see the Doctor again and I will be asking him about the possibility of a Yeast infection.

I have had this for the best part of 2 years and it is only recently I feel a little better.   Reason I have been taking pro-biotic yogurt and tablets and at the same time watching my diet.

This is why I am leaning towards having a yeast problem as what I am doing is supposed to help put back the friendly bacteria in my gut and restore a happy balance to all including the yeast.

To the Doctors what is the medicine you would prescribe for intestinal yeast infection???  

[sonic]

katenyc - you describe almost exactly symptoms that I am suffering from aswell.  I am due to see the Doctor again and I will be asking him about the possibility of a Yeast infection.

I have had this for the best part of 2 years and it is only recently I feel a little better.   Reason I have been taking pro-biotic yogurt and tablets and at the same time watching my diet.

This is why I am leaning towards having a yeast problem as what I am doing is supposed to help put back the friendly bacteria in my gut and restore a happy balance to all including the yeast.

To the Doctors what is the medicine you would prescribe for intestinal yeast infection???  

[TJV]

  I would suggest you get another breath test before doing a possible unneeded triple therapy -- especially with your c difficile history.. I would also consider another ph evaluation. The ph test is not 100 percent accurate . You did have endoscopic esophagitis.at one time.

The ph has about a 75 percent accuracy rate  Some studies give it as low as a 60 percent accuracy rate -- based on such things as equiptment failure -- improper placement of tube -- misinturrpretation of results,  and not having symptoms on the day of test. It still is the most definitive test out there for gerd however.

In my opinion it would be most unlikely that mild superficial gastritis would be causing your symptoms . -- I would have the breath test redone--, the ph test redone -- and an upper gi which is not redundant--(without going into a lengthy explanation of why it isn't) although i'd have to say not the best test out there---- but still can be useful

and if all tests are negative -- i would consider non ulcer dyspepsia etc.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

You have had a pretty thorough upper GI evaluation.  If the 24-hr pH study is normal, then reflux is not present.  This is the best test we have for this.

However, with the gastritis and esophagitis and positive H Pylori breath test, recurrent or resistant H Pylori is a possibility.  The PrevPak has a 90 percent eradication rate.  It is certainly possible that the H Pylori may be resistant to the regimen.  

Fortunately, there are several treatment regimens available (most in the form of different combinations of antibiotics).  Regimens with quadruple therapy (i.e. 3 antibiotics and a proton-pump inhibitor) have eradication rates above 95 percent and this is something you may want to discuss.

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.

Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.

[PAJ]

You are describing ,a yeast overgrowth, fuelled by taking antibiotics  ,read my posts below & take a look at this very informative site , look up your gut symptoms,on the site   http://www.candidaallergy.com/us/article.asp

[yoshi]

this is common after taking antibiotics,in your case,14 days twice daily is enough to warrant yeast infection.
you should eat yogurt or get some yeast fighter tablets in health food store,but i think eating yogurt should restore the balance in your system.