Recently diagnosed

[steffy1231]

Last week I was diagnosed with h.pylori....on triple therapy medication. My doctor wants to re test me again in 6 weeks. He did not suggest the breath test for retesting and instead wants to do another endoscopy. Is this necessary? or is the breath test good enough? I also have a few questions...how long the medication take to start working? today is my third day and I still feel the same. I am also having really bad stomach cramps/gas pains...what is the best way to eliminate this? Its pretty painful. I feel like my food isn't digestion properly

Any insight would be much appreciated!

[Helico_expert]

have you had an endoscopy before your medication? if you do, and if everything is normal, then there is no need for a second endoscopy. because ulcers (or any abnormality) will take months or years to develop. If you do had ulcer since in your previous endoscopy, then there may be a need to check again to make sure it is healing.

otherwise, if you just want to know the presence of HP in your stomach, a breath test is more than enough.

in regards to the recovery period, it is a very subjective question. some people, like myself, felt better immediately after treatment. if you read through this forum, some people take months or years before they are back to normal.

[steffy1231]

I had an endoscopy with biopsy before taking medication...that is how they diagnosed me. My doctor did not mention anything about an ulcer but he did say I had mild gastritis in my esophagus, stomach and duodenum. I am also going for a celiac serology test to see if I am gluten intolerant.

I have two other questions as well, maybe you could help me. Is it possible that the cramping and gas pains that I have had for several years were attributed to this h.pylori? I feel like it might be that, but on the other hand, I feel like it may be IBS as well, although I have not been diagnosed with it.

For several months now I have felt like I am never hungry, not so much a loss of appetite but the physical stomach growling feeling when your body tells you that it wants food. I wonder if anyone has ever had this issue before being diagnosed and if it regulated after treatment...

[newhpyloridiag]

Cramping and gas pains, apart from gluten testing, get also tested for lactose intolerance. Also try gas-x for few days to see if you have any relief.

I am never hungry, not so much a loss of appetite but the physical stomach growling feeling --- Yes, I felt the same for about like close to 20 days before I got tested positive. I complete 5 days of Triple Therapy and I am able to eat decently and able to gain a pound, but didn't get back to my normal appetite. I will update after the 10 days.

Just hang in there and meanwhile get some testing done for food allergies.

[Helico_expert]

I recently replied a similar question.

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