Helicobacter Forums

Hi Everyone,

First here my History:
In 2007 I started a new job in waste management and contracted H pylori from being exposed to human feces particles on a daily basis. I was not however aware I had contracted H pylori until almost 2 years later after a routine check-up. The doc prescribed the common first line treatment which successfully eradicated the problem. Back on the job I recontracted H pylori and found myself back at square one visiting more Dr's believing the first line treatment had failed me. The second line treatment miraculously worked once again but to my unbeknowings my partner in the meanwhile had contracted H Pylori from me and we now both had to go once again on treatment. The 3rd round was unsuccessful for me line because of a antibiotic drug resistance. At this point I was extremely annoyed and sought help here on this forum. Dr Barry Marshall recommended an excellent treatment that finally worked and entirely finished off the Pylori army ! Almost a year has since passed and I still have persistent symptoms such as severe GERD which causes painful mouth ulcers all the time, IBS ( 6 bowel movement a day which is always diarrhea) and to make matters worse I was tested positive for Candidiasis due to antibiotic over-use.So far I've have been on diflucan, nystatin etc to combat this stubborn yeast and keep trying new alternative approaches but progress is unfortunately very slow.

Based on my story I was wondering whether anyone else went through a similar scenario after eradication and were able to find help that solved these after effects ? ?

Cheers,

Mike

Thanks for sharing your story. Small population does happen to develop GERD after treatment of H. pylori. Reason unknown. on the other hand, for your frequent bowel movement, have you check with doctor about possible Clostridium difficile infection due to consumption of antibiotic?

Hi Helico,

And Thanks for your reply.
You brought up an interesting point, a year ago my ex-gastroenterologist mumbled something about c-diff but for whatever reason then dismissed it as a possibility. Now I am definitely interested in getting a stool test and at least ruling it out. In the event it is c-diff I would only consider Fecal bacteriotherapy as a treatment option: I've quiet had enough of Antibiotics Having said that I am not entirely sure if Fecal bacteriotherapy is an option here in Canada, I think it's still considered somewhat experimental ? ?

I assume Fecal bacteriotherapy = fecal transplant. I had read some good review about it. Nevertheless, I think you'll need to speak to a specialist and see if a colonoscopy is necessary to check if there is any C. difficile related problem.

Currently I'm still on a waiting list to see a new gastroenterologist which hopefully wont be much longer, but until then I want to educate myself as much as possible so I can arrange a colonoscopy immediately when I finally do see him.
Out of curiosity I was wondering why you would treat Antibiotic-Associated C. difficile with more antibiotics ? Seems counter-intuitive if you ask me ? ?

C. difficile is obviously resistant to the antibiotics you took for H. pylori. So a different antibiotic is required for C. difficile infection.

UPDATE:

My IBS has recently resolved itself after I underwent a colonoscopy. I'm not exactly sure what my GI did, but now I have normal and well formed bowel movements as well as normal frequency of bowel movements.
Moving on to GERD: Unfortunately I can't report any positive changes. Gerd symptoms still plague me literally 24/7. I try to diminish the symptoms through a low-fat diet that doesn't contain dairy, oils and even fish only in moderation. Additionally I also developed a Fructose malabsorption and can only tolerate Fructose in very small quantities. Another thing that showed up in a several tests is that I am Copper deficient.
Having said that I was curious whether anyone has had similar after effects ? Is there anything that can be done to get rid of GERD ? ? I will not take any Acid blocker as there is a lot of controversy surrounding this medication. The strange thing is that my GI did not mention anything worrisome after she a endoscope which adds to the whole mystery :S

Mtobler, I have a few questions for you, what was your job in the waste management dept? Are you in a relationship with someone that might have also been exposed to the h pylori from kissing etc? Do you take any daily probiotics for gut and digestion health?

Also I am very interested in what the GI did during the procedure to help with the ibd/ibs.

I think probiotic are a big help in aiding the gut with good over bad bacteria esp after lots of antibiotics or infections. Ppi's and h2 blockers like medium are good for reducing acid production in people who suffer with gerds.

From what i can see, GERD is a very subjective matter. The general treatment is long term PPI. However, if probiotics work for you, there is no harm trying.

Highway4206: In 2007 I started a job at a Hospital and was primarily responsible for the proper disposal of Bio-hazardous waste as well as regular waste. Throughout my entire shift I was breathing in waste particles. The work environment had a very distinctive stench which I could actually taste way after my shift was over, and interestingly enough the H pylori tasted like the waste facility I worked in which is why I am so convinced I contracted this bacterial infection at the Hospital rather from somewhere else. The symptoms gradually got worse over time: Diarrhea was one of the first symptoms followed by bad breath and then Hypoglycemia which was just terrible. Then one day I remember receiving a phone call from my GP who said my Blood work was abnormal ( Neutropenia etc ). Fastfoward after eradication: My gut was left in a devastating mess ! Having been on multiple rounds of antibiotics the natural Gut flora could No longer be restored with OTC Probiotics and proper diet. For more than 2 Years I had diarrhea 4-7 times a day, everyday. I suffered from anemia and still do to some extent. Only after my recent colonoscopy are things now slowly returning back to normal. The next time I see my GI I will ask her what she did to resolve my IBS issues so effectively. But If I had to take a good guess then I would probably say she recolonized my gut with a natural bacteria, perhaps what is commonly known as Fecal microbiota transplantation. But its really anybody's guess