H.pylori treatment questions

[georgi]

Hi All,

My name is Georgi and I am from Bulgaria. I am 25 years old and have been dealing with H.pylori for a bit more than a year now. Symptoms started last summer. I lost a lot of weight and actually got skinny. Then after being tossed around to different doctors and taking a lot of unnecessary medicine they diagnosed me with H.Pylori in February 2012. I took 2 antibiotics at the same time + Lansoprol for a month. I had gained a lot of weight because of the uncontrolled hunger and I started working out hard and doing kickboxing to get back in shape. I do not smoke and do not drink alcohol but when I went to the seaside this summer I had some alcohol and ruined my diet  After coming back from the seaside I realized that the H.Pylori symptoms were back. I had endoscopy done 2 weeks ago and the bacteria were present. They also told me I had inflamed mucosa. I took 2 antibiotics at the same time + Nexium. I have to take the Nexium for 4 weeks and I am currently on week 3.

My problem is that I have lost a lot of my energy recently. I have not trained in about 10 days. I literary feel like something has eaten away my power, strength and energy.

Is it possible that this is due to the bacteria?
Is it possible that alcohol consumption brought back the symptoms and the bacteria?
If yes, how is it possible to happen at this stage? Shouldn’t I be feeling better from the Nexium?
What more besides diet and Nexium can I do enhance the recovery form the bacteria?
How long does it take for the stomach to recover from the bacteria?

I would be very greatful if i can receive some feedback on these matters from somebody who has knowledge of the bacteria and also from people's personal experience.

[Helico_expert]

you probably did not kill the bacteria in your first and second antibiotic treatments. I suggest you do a breath/stool test to confirm your bug eradication. You probably need some special antibiotic treatment.

[Helico_expert]

you probably did not kill the bacteria in your first and second antibiotic treatments. I suggest you do a breath/stool test to confirm your bug eradication. You probably need some special antibiotic treatment.

[georgi]

Hi Helico_expert,

thank you for the fast response. my doctor gave me Azax (they are 3 pills) and another antibiotic that I cannot remember exactly, maybe i have it written down at home somewhere. i will be seeing my doctor again the day after tomorrow and will talk to her about this.
in general, what is the relation between the bug and alcohol? does alcohol help wash it out or does it just make matters worse? any studies on that?

[Helico_expert]

alcohol is, theoretically, anti-bacterial. However, so is chilli, garlic, onions, etc etc. Asian people eat a lot of those spices and yet has the higher H. pylori infection. Meaning that these spices may kill H. pylori in the laboratory, but act differently when it happens in the stomach.

So, H. pylori is hiding deep under the mucous layer, which protect the stomach cells from self digesting. and this mucous layer also protect the H. pylori against all these spices and alcohol.

Does alcohol make your health worse? I think it is a very subjective question. Some people tolerate well to alcohol and some people dont. From my personal point of view, less alcohol consumption will be more healthier, not only to your stomach, but your overall health.

[georgi]

Hi Helico_expert,

thanks for the reply. i believe alcohol makes matters worse since my stomach is inflamated ont eh inside.
i visited my doctor today and she told me to stay on teh nexium and explained that symptoms do not do away immediately. i found proof of this by reading other posts in this forum from different people.

what she recommended is a nice diet that exclude heavy foods and also fried stuff and carbonated drinks.

thanks for the response. for now i have no other questions about the bug.

congrats to all for the cool forum

[georgi]

Hi Helico_Expert,

I am currently on my week 4 with Nexium, taking 1 pill (40 mg) before beakfast. my doctor told me that i should continue taking nexium after that but try to do it once every 2 or 3 days and gradually reduce the amount. My question here is: Is this necessary?

i have to say though.... i have been feeling much much better compared to 3-4 weeks ago when they found the h.pylori. however, i have excessive burping when i get hungry, this kind of my signal that i need to eat. is this normal for this stage? is this caused by the mild gistritis left by the bacteria? are there any diet recommendations to get rid of this or am i just worrying too much?

[georgi]

Hi All,

could anybody respond to my question above about the constant burping?

[Helico_expert]

sorry for the late reply. I wonder if your H. pylori is eradicated. Have you plan for a follow up breath test to check?

nevertheless, some people does complain about reflux after h. pylori eradication. the reason behind is unclear. that's why some scientist proposed that H. pylori protect against reflux.

[georgi]

Hi Helico_expert,

i have read online and also consulted some medical people, they advised me that the burping is due to low stomach acid.
they advised me to take probiotics and maybe digestive enzymes for this. i have been taking the probiotics for about 3 days now and i have significantly less burping.
i wonder if this information helps?

what do you think? any research done about h.pylori and low stomach acid?