HP symptoms

[HP victim]

Hello HelicoExpert

I was diagnosed with HP after having excessive flatulence back in July this year. The doctor referred me for an ultrasound and a breath test. The breath test was found to be positive for HP. Following medication and waiting 4 weeks I tested negative but still had symptoms of burping and was put on Pantoprazole. I stopped taking it after one month because it had no affect. In the meantime I was waiting to have an endoscopy and the results showed that I have mild gastritis. I'm also waiting for the results of a biopsy of the stomach.

While waiting for the biopsy results I thought I'd do another breath test which showed I was HP positive again. I am now on a 7 day therapy of Omeprazole, Doxycycline and Metronide. I am still burping after 6 days of treatment and wondering if the burping still hasn't stopped does that mean the treatment has failed or does the treatment take longer to fully work? The only symptom I've had since being diagnosed 5 months ago was burping. Can it be determined how long HP has been in my system?

Also I'm wondering why the doctor didn't repeat the first therapy treatment, which was different, if it worked the first time? When I asked him he said it's better to try a different one.

Thank you
Regards

[Helico_expert]

I agree with your doctor. Better try a different one. But I am surprised that your first follow up UBT was negative and became positive again such short period. Do you live with someone else in the house? Can you get them to do the test? perhaps you get reinfected from them.

[HP victim]

I stayed with someone back in September who did have it some 8-10 years ago however she recently breath tested negative. Could it be that both our breath tests were false results? Or as she cooked the meals could it have been transmitted through unhygienic food preparation practices or contaminated food?

[Helico_expert]

H. pylori is usually transmitted via kissing or sharing food. H. pylori doesnt survive very well outside human body. So it can only be transmitted via close contact.

But if she maintain good oral hygiene, then there will be no H. pylori in the mouth, and the risk of transmission is very low.

[HP victim]

Thank you kindly for your insight and the help and guidance you give to all who seek it.

[HP victim]

Hi Doctor

With regard to gastritis, if a particular food causes pain upon eating it does that mean it has also caused further damage to the stomach lining or is it just a temporary painful occurrence?

[Helico_expert]

I dont think it's causing more damage. it's probably your stomach being more sensitive and reject the food. You can try avoid the food for now and slowly introduce as your stomach is healing.

[HP victim]

Thank you.

[HP victim]

Dear Helico Expert

If numerous treatments fail to eradicate Hpylori is it fair to say you may as well stop taking medication that can ultimately kill you and to live with Hpylori until IT ultimately kills you? I am 65 and you have said that there is little hope for older victims of HP.

Regards
HP victim

[Helico_expert]

if you are asymptomatic, no one in your family has any cancer/ulcer history, not living in a high gastric cancer region, then perhaps you can quit HP treatment. Nowadays in a modern society and advance medical treatment, people can easily live over 80 years old. So you are still considered young.

Nevertheless, with the right treatment, the chance of eradicating H. pylori is high. Our "clinic" only receive the most difficult cases and we have a cure rate of over 90%.