Helicobacter aftermath

[barjammar]

I advise that you have a follow-up breath test 4-12 weeks after treatment to rove the bug has gone. If symptoms are still present then take a H2 blocker if that is sufficient e.g. Zantac 150 mg as required. Healing of the stomach takes 3-6 months but some mild inflammation persists for years afterwards. Always avoid aspirin etc (NSAID's) and expect things to continue to improve gradually. 50% of patients have a complete recovery, but the rest seem to have milder symptoms. In double blind studies, 15% were totally cured in 3-6 months, about another 15% by 12 months. The rest had less obvious improvement - but in such a trial the patients would have been refractory cases so on average the results are better.
So make sure the bug is cured - have that breath test.

[JLeiva]

I live in California. I don't think the hospital I go to they do the breath test or at least my doctor didn't mention it. I had the stool test done 4 weeks after I finished treatment. The test didn't show any signs of Helicobacter (negative). I'm taking 40 mg. Omeprazole daily. The problem I have is that some days I feel better than others. Some days I feel hungry and with a lot of energy and some days I don't, no energy, no hunger. Is this because of the gastritis..??..Is this normal. I didn't know it took so long for gastritis to heal due to Helicobacter. Sometimes I feel so frustrated.

Thanking you in advance for anymore information you can give me..:-/

Johanna Leiva

[JLeiva]

By the way, I just noticed over here is 1:20 in the afternoon when over there is 4:20 in the morning..most likely you're sleeping when I'm working..

[barjammar]

Don't count on it - May 13th I was in Pennsylvania!

[JLeiva]

Where in the forums can I find questions and answers similar to mine..??. Have you been in California..??

Thanks..

[Raghu]

I had h.pylori detected through blood test November 2008. I took quadrapule therapy ( Bismuth + tetracycline + Metranidazole + Omeprazole) for 15 days. During the course, I did feel better but then I started having severe upper and lower abdominal discomfort/pain/burning sensation. I continued omeprazole 20mg for 1 month after antibiotic course ended. I lost nearly 20 pounds and couldn't do other activity at all. Ultrasound, CT scan, blood , urine , stool tests all came back normal. I was still unable to eat normal food, so had an upper endoscopy with antral biopsy done late March 2009. I had a small healed duodenal scar and normal biopsy result with NO H.pylori. The loose stools and IBS kind of symptoms still persisted. I thought I was getting slighly better. Around September 2009, I took some citrus fruits for just couple of days and started having older symptoms. During fag end of last October I took stool antigen test for H.pylori, which came back negative. Whenever I took omeprazole/Rabeprazole, it further aggravates my problem.

I am still suffering from upper and lower abdominal discomfort - stools aren't formed. I have completely stopped taking milk/wheat items. I am taking a lot of probiotics - bifido -align GI (1 billion) and Lactobacillus plantarum (10 billion) each day. Fruits like banana/oranges create more problem. when I was asked to take tests for pancreatic enzymes - Amylase,lipase, insulin - the glucose I drank aggravated my problem

Is my suffering due to gut imbalance ? If so how long will the suffering last ? Do you recommend any specific strains of probiotics ? Is it because of the inflammation in intestines that I am unable to eat oranges ?

Eagerly awaiting your reply

[JLeiva]

I think experts and moderators are too busy to answer our questions..in the meantime we are dying with anxiaty.

I was diagnosed with gastritis three months ago (in March) due to helicobacter. I did the triple antibiotic treatment for 14 days. I finished the treatment almost 8 weeks ago and I feel better but not 100% myself I still get some burning when I eat sometimes it doesn't matter what I eat. Last week a went to see the GI. He says he is almost sure I have dyspepsia. I don't know how long this condition lasts or if it can be cured. Next Wednesday I'm going to the GI again for an endoscopy. This is like a never ending story. It is so hard to believe Helicobacter aftermath takes so long. Is it possible that Helicobacter can cause so much damage..??..I need some answers..

[Raghu]

Can you please reply to my earlier question ? I have been struggling with this for nearly 18 months. Everytime I take some citrus/vitamin C, it worsens and takes considerable time to be back to my earlier mild discomfort. Is it because of duodenal inflammation/irritation ? or do I keep getting ulcers whenever I take fruits

Greatly appreciate your response

[JLeiva]

Hi Raghu,
I'm not a doctor or anything like that but one thing I can tell you is that we are struggling with digestive issues. I know by fact that any citrus fruit, juice or tomatoes will worsen your symptoms. I think you shoud avoid this types of for now, also, all spicy and greasy stuff. Try to eat healthy but most important do not stress out as this will worsen any condition you might have. I hope some expert comes and answers your questions quickly.

I hope you feel better. Hang in there..

Ps. Where do you live..??..

[Raghu]

Thanks for your reply Levia. I am in US. I have never been sick barring occasional colds. More than this bug, after effects are really killing me. If the bug is gone then why this struggle for longer period ? Some of my friends are HP positive don't seem to have any issues whatsover.