Helicobacter Forums

Hi, I'd like to start with thanking Dr. Marshall and his team here that have done so much great work. You guys are life savers. I aspire to contribute something great to the world like y'all!

I had to force my doctor to give me a blood test for h. pylori (she was convinced I had "stress ulcers")... since endoscopy appointments sometimes takes MONTHS in Canada (free health care has its drawbacks).

I'm about to start the triple therapy, and I'm looking to increase my chances of eradication, as well as quickly restore gut health after antibiotics.

1) I was reading that broccoli sprouts help with the eradication process of helico.

2) I also stumbled across an article (on wikipedia) that Lactobacillus-and-Bifidobacterium-containing yogurt (AB-yogurt), such as "activia" yogurt improves eradication rates and restore gut flora... is this true? Should I be taking this with treatment?

3) Is there anything else I should be doing/taking during treatment?

4) Also, what is the next step after the treatment? Are there any alternatives to endoscopy to confirm eradication, since they take so long to get here?

Sorry for the many questions, but I'm sure other people would like to know as well.

Thanks again!

First of all, welcome to the forum.

Same here in Australia, government covered endoscopy appointments could take months.

answers to your question.
1. I dont believe broccoli sprouts will help eradicate H. pylori. However, that's my personal view and I have not seen any solid scientific evidence on this topic.

2. when you are taking antibiotics, almost all bacteria will be killed. that includes the AB-yogurt you are eating. However, some people believe that it will help even if the help is tiny. So, I believe positive thoughts are very important. If you think that helps, go ahead. at least there is no harm.

3. there is nothing special you should be doing during the triple therapy. perhaps avoid alcohol.

4. after treatment, you are welcome to take some pro biotics to help replenish your good normal flora. You are strongly advise to do a breath test to confirm the eradication. You'll need to wait 4 weeks after treatment to do the breath test. during the 4 weeks waiting, you have to avoid antibiotics, PPI and any food or drugs that may reduce the bacteria load. The idea is for the survival of the bacteria to grow back and be able to be detected by breath test. If there is no survival, then doesnt matter how long you waited, there will be no growing back of H. pylori.

Really, no PPI's for four weeks? I didn't realize that. I thought I only had to be off of them for 72 hrs. Before a urea breath test. Is it best to be completely off of them for four weeks?

It is best to wait four weeks before the follow up breath test. As explained it is needed for the bacterial to dominate the stomach and give accurate UBT result.

Nevertheless, you can check this website to substitute your PPI with something else to shorten the period without PPI.

http://www.imvs.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/conne ... OD=AJPERES