Please advice on treatment

[militaryman]

Hi there,

I was diagnosed with H.Pylori after probably a few years of what i thought was Gastro. I also though i was getting reinfected with gastro by my 4 year old daughter from nursery school as there is plenty of bugs there. Unfortunately the doctors just treated the symptoms and never got to the cause of the problem. I had plenty of fatigue, bloated stomach and just an uncomfortable stomach in general. After i was at wits end my doctor suggested i go for a Colonoscopy and a Gastroscopy. I was reluctant and just wanted her to give me the strongest antibiotics there were, and hoped i would come right. She was however right and i went for the Colonoscopy and a Gastroscopy. Best move ever as i was diagnosed with H.Pylori. The doctor showed me the pics of how the H.Pylori attacks the wall of the stomach. Looks like funny white lines. Ok, so now i knew what was wrong i felt at least i had a name for feeling so Sh*&!! He prescribed a 10 day set of 2 antibiotics (unfortunately i cant remember the name - sorry) - they don't make you feel too well but push through! Then after the antibiotics were finished i continued taking a good probiotoc "LP299V". I also didn't feel 100% better so i did some more research and decided to try Mastic Gum. After taking the first tablet i already felt better. Don't know if it was my imagination but my stomach felt stronger! I completed a 30 day course of Mastic Gum and by the time that was completed 6 weeks had passed since finishing the antibiotics and it was time to have a blood test to see if the H. Pylori was negative or still positive. To my surprise it was negative!! I must say i'm feeling none of the symptoms and VERY thankful! Perhaps try taking the Mastic Gum straight after the antibiotics and see if it works for you. All the best and hang in there it will get better.

[Helico_expert]

it was time to have a blood test to see if the H. Pylori was negative or still positive. To my surprise it was negative!!

I am surprised too. Normally blood test will show positive for months or years even though H. pylori is eradicated. Normally people uses breath of stool test to check the eradication.

[rk32]

You interpreted perfectly.

Thank for the reply.
which can be the best test for detecting asymptomatic H. pylori ?
Kindly give the detailed name of the test.

I am continuing with my antibiotic Amoxycillin 1000 and Rabeprazole. had slight burning sensation on right side of the stomach yesterday, don't know why?

I also wanted to know that after completing my antibiotic course, for how long I will need to take Rabeprazole or other acid lowering medicines.

thanks

[rk32]

dear militaryman

I think someone else also told me about mastic gum. I will take it after my antibiotic course.
good to hear that you are fine and it worked for you.
How many time and in which form did you take it? Pl. let me know.
( i am not very sure whether i will get in my neighbourhood)

thanks

[Helico_expert]

which can be the best test for detecting asymptomatic H. pylori ?
Kindly give the detailed name of the test.

I would say urea breath test. Easy and not too expensive.

[rk32]

Thanks for the reply.

I had three questions, hope you can reply:

Q1. After completing antibiotics course usually for how many days one should continue with Rabeprazole or other ppi.

Q2. Apart from urea breath test, you had mentioned stool test, can you tell the name of the test and its reliability 'pre' and 'post' antibiotic course? (I need 'post' for myself and 'pre' for my wife)

Q3. Is there any specific diet that I need to adhere to once my antibiotic course is complete?

I have completed six day of antibiotic therapy, four days to go. I feel pain in my muscles,i think it must be the side effect. My tummy is fine.

Thanks

[Helico_expert]

Q1. After completing antibiotics course usually for how many days one should continue with Rabeprazole or other ppi.
A1: You can stop PPI immediately after the treatment for H. pylori unless you have ulcers. In ulcer cases, patients are normally asked to take PPI for up to a month or until ulcer healed.

Q2. Apart from urea breath test, you had mentioned stool test, can you tell the name of the test and its reliability 'pre' and 'post' antibiotic course? (I need 'post' for myself and 'pre' for my wife)
A2: There are too many brands for stool tests. but the idea is to detect the antigen of H. pylori in your stool. If H. pylori is present, it'll be detected by antibody designed against H. pylori in your stool. The sensitivity is pretty high. However, it may not be "convenient" for most people because most people would avoid stools. Nevertheless, "pre" and "post" is fine for both breath and stool tests. for both detection methods, patients are required to stay out of PPI for 3-4 weeks (give time for H. pylori to grow up in volume), before testing.

Q3. Is there any specific diet that I need to adhere to once my antibiotic course is complete?
A3: There is no specific diet that you need to take according to the guideline. However, words have been spread across forums and internet about having probiotics after antibiotic treatments. I guess there is no harm taking some probiotics to "prevent" the bad bacteria dominating the digestive system.

[rk32]

Thanks. I am grateful.

[rk32]

I had one more question

Q If a person is asymptomatic carrier can we use HELICOBACTER PYLORI, IgA test & HELICOBACTER PYLORI, IgG test to find h pylori? (person has no stomach complains and never treated for h pylori)

urea breath test is not available

Thanks

[Helico_expert]

yes. you can use blood test method to test for H. pylori.