2nd treatment - suggestions

[exose]

hi, I was diagnosed with H. Pylori few months ago. My 1st treatment was:

1. Amoxicillin (500mg) 2 tablets twice a day
2. Clarithomycin (500 mg) 1 tablet twice a day
3. Lansoparazole (30 mg) twice a day for two weeks then every day thereafter

I had this treatment for a week, I had no side effects apart of feeling much better when taking antibiotics - however all symptoms (burping, acid taste in my mouth, tiredness, depression and overall discomfort) came back few days after i finished the treatment.

My GP decided to proceed with endoscopy, I went to specialist and he took 5 biopsies of the stomach (I went for not sedated endoscopy - it was not bad actually). The result came back positive for H. Pylori again.

Now, my GP suggested exactly the same treatment as before with only one difference - for longer period - 2 weeks instead of one week. I have this weird suspicion that bacteria already got resistant for these antibiotics so I should try different combination of antibiotics, but my GP still want to proceed with same antibiotics.

I have booked an appointment with gastroenterologist next week and I will wait for his suggestions before 2nd treatment. Also, maybe you have any suggestions so I can share it with my doctor?

please note I am not allergic to anything.

thank you very much for your help

[Helico_scientist]

Hi,
I think you right and should try a different treatment. As your bacteria will not become resistant to Amox. , I would suggest a treatment with Lansoprazole, Amoxicillin and Metronidazole for 2 weeks. This is a commun treatment. If it doesn't work then it might be worth doing endoscopy to culture bacteria and do antibiotic sensitivity test. The gastroenterologist will be able to help you with this matter. Good luck.

[exose]

Thanks for your help on this. I will forward your suggestion to my doctor.

I have another question, since few months I have new partner and there may be possibility that I have infected her with H. Pylori when kissing (saliva). Should she proceed with breath test just to be sure that she is not infected?

If she is infected, should she go for eradication even she does not have any symptoms?

I am asking because (if she is infected) she may reinfect me if I have successfully eradicated H. Pylori from my body.

thanks

[Helico_scientist]

This is a good question. Unfortunately, the answer has not yet been proven. We think that infection through saliva is not possible. I have myself never been able to culture the bacteria with saliva of infected patients. You can find Helicobacter in vomit and feces and a bad higiene could be a possible infection source. Still, I really think the chance of infection between you and your partner is really low. However, it is a good idea to check your partner for Hp and get her treated. Then again, this is my personal opinion and it is totally up to you to get her treated or not. If I was positive , I would like to get treated before the symptoms appear, but then they might never be any symptoms. Who knows? Some doctors wont agree with me. At least, if you are both negative, then there is nothing to worry about anymore. I hope this help a little bit. Keep us posted

[exose]

Thanks for your answer

Anyway, yesterday I I had an appointment with specialist and he decided to go for quadruple therapy:

1. lansoprazole
2. amoxicillin
3. metronidazole
4. bismuth

As far I know this is quadruple treatment, however he has given it to me for 7 days only and I have red everywhere that minimum recommended time is 10 days or 14 days.

Could you please confirm that 7 days is enough to have H. Pylori eradicated?

[Helico_expert]

7 days should be enough. 10 days is just for sure. 14 days has shown no significant improvement. So, if possible, you can ask for 10 days.

[exose]

thanks, I have got antibiotics for 10 days.

This is my 2nd day of treatment and I dont really have any side effects apart of one, my stools are black, should I be concern about it and is this normal?

I believe its black because of the internal bleeding or?

thanks

[Helico_expert]

Dont worry about the dark stool. It's because of bismuth. it'll go back to normal color once you stop bismuth.

[Helico_scientist]

Yes, black stools are normal. Take your treatment as scheduled, this is really important. Best of luck

[exose]

ohhh! OK thanks!