Helicobacter Forums

First, thank you for this site.
My son is 10 and has immune problems. He has had stomach issues for almost a year. Nausea in the morning, sometimes upper and lower pain and complains of numbness. We recently did a stool test that came back positive for H. Pylori. His doctor said that we have enough to treat, symptoms and stool test. Myself and the rest of the family are going to test. As I was at the Gastro he suggested that my son have an Endoscopy. His Ped doctor doesn't want to do this as my son has been through a lot this past year. He feels strongly that we should treat, observe and then re-test. Is the stool test in your opinion good enough? If he has ulcers will the antibiotics help close them in 2 weeks? Will the combination of 3 antibiotics make him sick? Should I expect that he will have diarrhea? He's in school and I'm nervous that he won't be able to control his bowel movements at school. If he does get sick, when do I take him to be seen? Will they take him off the treatment, then what? Can they give his ABX thru IV to bypass the stomach? I'm all over the place I know, but he's my baby that has been thru so very much medically this past year and I'm worried about him. Just wanted the opinion from the BEST, and you're the Best. Thank you in advance for any helpful advice and thoughts. Thank you for your time.

Is the stool test in your opinion good enough?
stool test is reported 95% accurate. similar to other tests such as urea breath test and serology test. however, serology test is not accurate after antibiotic treatment. so, for confirmation of eradication, you'll need either stool test or urea breath test.

If he has ulcers will the antibiotics help close them in 2 weeks?
ulcers take time to heal. if he has ulcers, he'll need to take PPI until ulcer is heal. unfortunately, the ulcer can only be examine by endoscopy.

Will the combination of 3 antibiotics make him sick?
some people does suffer from the side effects. the severity differ from people to people. only stop the antibiotics if your child develop allergic reaction or in severe pain.

Should I expect that he will have diarrhea? He's in school and I'm nervous that he won't be able to control his bowel movements at school.
again, he may or may not have diarrhea. perhaps some probiotics. eg. inner health plus, may help the problem.

If he does get sick, when do I take him to be seen? Will they take him off the treatment, then what? Can they give his ABX thru IV to bypass the stomach?
there are a couple of alternative antibiotics to replace the standard therapy. your GP will monitor your child and see what's the best way for him. IV is possible but not recommended as he is too young to go through so much trouble.

it's a chronic infection and a lot of patience is needed. hope that you and your child will get through this as soon as possible.

Thank you for helping.