Helicobacter Forums

congrats! that's a fantastic news. glad that ranitidine + 3 antibiotics works for you.

Hi Helico_expert

I’m really hoping you and your team might be able to help me, please.

* 16 August I finished my HPylori treatment (regime above).

* 20 August had nasty thick white/yellow coating on my tongue. Doctor & Pharmacist said it was oral yeast infection (probably because of antibiotics). Doctor prescribed Nystatin oral liquid for 2 weeks.

* 3 September I finished the oral treatment. But, I noticed a few small, round orange circles on my tongue had developed. (Never had or seen before in my life.) Tried to ignore them as thought it might be my system taking time to recover

* 1 October did HPylori stool retest - NEGATIVE result (I waited nearly 7 weeks after antibiotics before doing stool test).

* Since 3 September, the small, round, orange spots on my tongue have got worse and developed into a constant orange coating. Doctor doesn’t really know what it is!!!!

* Saw the Pharmacist for advice and he said it could be:

-Vitamin deficiency
-Systemic fungal infection
-Acid reflux

It’s so frustrating not knowing what is causing this coating on my tongue. Even more alarming is the fact that the doctor doesn’t know!!!

Have you or the Helico Team ever heard of/seen this condition before?

In your opinion, is the stool test accurate?

Could I still have HPylori?

Does it take a long time (months, even) for the stomach to heal.

As always, I’d really appreciate your help and any advice you have.

Thank you so much.

SJ

sounds like another fungus infection to me. But to be sure, it is better you talk to a oral specialist.

stool antigen test is accurate. so hopefully you'll feel better gradually.

Many thanks for reply.

From research (not much out there) I found one site https://www.thehealthyapron.com/orange-tongue/amp/ that seemed to explain quite clearly about ‘orange tongue’. (Copied link for info.) Here is an excerpt:

“Overgrowth of bacteria or fungi
Certain strains of bacteria and fungi can turn the tongue and/or mouth tissues orange when they begin to growth inside the mouth...If you are struggling with a fungus infection that has not yet been diagnosed, you may see orange spots appear on your tongue as well.”

It would probably take 18 weeks to see an oral specialist here in UK on NHS!! So, based on the article, my Pharmacist’s recommendation, my research and your response, I’ve spoken with the GP and am going to take a course of anti fungal tablets: Fluconazole 50mg 1 per day for the next 14 days!!!!

Glad you said stool antigen test is accurate.

Can I get your opinion on this, please?

There are private labs now doing Comprehensive Stool Tests, one is the:

Diagnostic Solutions Lab in USA - The GI-MAP™ tests ca 55 markers - it uses Automated, multiplex DNA (PCR) analysis. They test for H Pylori and many Virulence factor vacA, cagC, etc.

Questions:
How do we know if this method is accurate?
How is their method more accurate than the Hospital Lab? (The cost is around AUD650)

Would be great to know what you think about this DNA (PCR) testing. I see many people using it (especially Functional practitioners) and recently seen responses from people saying it is a con!

Thanks so much for all your responses. Much, much appreciated.

The DNA testing is not a recommended test because of over sensitive and may pick up random stuff.

VacA, CagA, etc are not clinically significant. With or without VacA or CagA do not associate to disease severity.

Breath and stool test are the best, totally gold standard, highly recommended, non-invasive test for H. pylori.

(I didn't want to mess with SJ66's topic but rather create a new one. However I just got into the Forum and cannot see the New Topic button anywhere...)

Dear Helico_expert:

Before any introduction about my particularly rare & difficult case I'd like to post my first question:
Can H. Pylori be completely unreachable if it's already too deep into the stomach lining?

The antibiotics will be absorbed by your body and flow in the blood. Every cell in your body will need nutrient from the blood and hence then antibiotics will reach every single cells. There is no hiding place for H. pylori in the body.

Ok, so if blood circulates all over the stomach lining: shouldn't Lymphocytes B be able to reach & handle these bacteria?

Dear ML-HELLico_Bacttle

It’s absolutely no problem you posting here. I hope you can find the answers you need. The Helico_experts have been fantastic and so very helpful with my issues. Regards, SJ

Ok, so if blood circulates all over the stomach lining: shouldn't Lymphocytes B be able to reach & handle these bacteria?

This is another reason why H. pylori is so successful. It has the ability to mask itself from the immune cells. The T and B cells are not able to get rid of it. B cells can generate antibodies against it and yet it survived. Hence, it is very difficult for vaccine to work.