H pylori after treatment

[sarahelen87]

I got really sick about a year ago. Thought I had food allergies. Ended up losing 35 pound in 2 months and finally was told end of sept 2013 I had h Pylori. Before I got got sick last year I had never been stomach like that before. I finished my hp pack in the middle of Oct. A month later I took the breath test and was negative for h Pylori. It's now the end of February and I am still really stomach sick. I've had an endoscopy, barrium x-ray, stomach ultrasound. Everything looks okay. Now my gastrointestinal doctor said maybe have ibs. I had never had stomach issues before h Pylori. Has anyone else had issues like these after getting rid of h pylori?

[Helico_expert]

When you take antibiotics, it is assumed that 99% of the gut's bacteria got wiped out. Then, the 1% will repopulate the gut. Most of the time, the good bacteria will dominate the gut. But there are times where the bad bacteria wins and dominate the gut first, which then leads to IBS.

[sarahelen87]

I did take antibiotics - 14 days worth as I was so sick. I lost 35 pounds in a month and a half and couldn't eat much and was really weak. If this did lead to IBS is there other cases this has happened and is it usually a permanent thing?

[Helico_expert]

You'll need to see a specialist to have a proper check on you. If it is bacteria related, it's not permanent.

[sarahelen87]

Hi, I have seen a specialist and she can't figure out what's wrong. She said that the bacteria can't do any damage to my guts. She said maybe I have a little bit of ibs, but before the h. pylori I have never had any gut problems. But my GP figured I had the bacteria for a long time. I know a person who has studied h. pylori and he said the opposite of what my doctors said, and said that I can do damage if you have had it for a long time and it will take a while to heal. Hoping it heals and isn't a life long problem. Thank you.

[Helico_expert]

It is a general understanding that most people were infected with H. pylori when they are young. Studies have shown children as young as 1 year old is already infected. Studies also shown that adults are harder to be transmitted because adults are more aware of their own hygiene. So, I would agree with your doctor that you had been infected for a long time. Let's hope your doctor have a cure for your IBS. Have you checked if your H. pylori is truly eradicated?

[sarahelen87]

Yah I received a breath test a month after I took my antibiotics and it showed that it was gone. But now I am left with all these stomach issues which I never had before. Not sure if it will be a life long thing or not (hopefully not!).

[Helico_expert]

if you had been tested negative. then you'll just have to wait for your stomach to recover. it may take months. most importantly, stay positive. If you want, you can always do another breath test to be really really sure that you are negative.