H.Pylori - after the treatment

[emberleo]

Okay, so I've had three occurrences of H. Pylori. The first time was about 6 years ago and it went undiagosed even with a stool test, though I don't think the doctor tested specifically for H. Pylori.. It took me 19 days to seemingly get over it. I was pretty sure I was going to die. It was my worst experience of the three. Second time came two years later. I actually had health insurance and my new doctor tested right away for it and seemingly it was gone after a round of antibiotics, however I didn't know to ask for a follow-up test and I suppose my doctor didn't know to give it. Another two years later I had symptoms again - low and behold I have it and on antibiotics again. This was five weeks ago.

A few days into antibiotics I started feeling fine and started eating normally. Even drinking coffee etc. One to two days after I finish 14 days of antibiotics I get sick again. I have nausea, diarrhea, no appetite most of the time, seem to get full very easily, what seems to be my small intestines right under my rib cage in the middle stays irritated. Everything is basically the same as h.pylori symptoms except I have only diarrhea now (before I did not really) and I have more energy - I don't feel all that weak like you do with pylori. 4 days after finishing antibiotics I do another stool test and it comes back negative for H. Pylori. It's been about 1 and 1/2 weeks since this started and I can't really get any substantial answer from my doctor. My stool is a very light color rather than the dark tar color - but still has mucus in it. It feels like I'm having a really hard time with digestion or something like that. I changed my diet within a day. Since I've really only eaten fruit, oatmeal and chicken, rice, potatoes and veggies. All bland. After a few days I was able to stop taking nausea meds but I'm still nauseous on and off. I know if I put the wrong thing in my tummy it will blow up. Any ideas whats going on? The irritation in my intestines is really annoying but not bend over pain so probably not ulcers? Gastritis or anything else? Any ideas and suggestions would really be appreciated because I'm not getting any from my doctor. He simply tells me to wait a few more weeks before coming in or before seeing a specialist. Also, was it too soon to retest after 4 days and should it be done again later?

[newhpyloridiag]

May be just the side effects of the anti-biotics. Try to take a PPI (Prolosec) for few more days.

Taking a test 4 days after the treatment can give you false negatives. The reason is you should wait at-least 4 weeks after the anti-biotics and stop PPIs atleast 1 week before the test.

It takes time for your digestive track to settle. Try to add some yogurt, kiefer, pro-biotic pills, etc to add the good bacteria into your digestive track.

The anti-biotics can irrate your bowel.

Take another test after 4 weeks. Try a breath test if available.

[emberleo]

I have kaiser insurance, they keep it basic. I don't believe a breathe test is available.

So, you don't think it sounds like gastritis? I have been taking probiotics, but not until after antibiotics. Also, I've never had a reaction to antibiotics before.

[newhpyloridiag]

Could be a mild case of gastritis. The only way to really tell if its gastritis or ulcers is to look inside with a scope. The GI doc would be able to do that procedure which is very simple.

Take antacids and other drugs to reduce stomach acid and it should be fine.

I am thinking it is acid reflux.

You had trouble initially. Then they gave you PPI (to control the reflux) and also anti-biotics to eliminate HPylori and then you felt fine. After the treatment, I guess you are not taking the PPI, so the reflux is back and troubling you.

Reflux is not only caused by HPylori, so may be you should look into GERD too.

Also many foods could be irritating your digestive track, so try to identify the foods that are causing or increasing the symptoms.

I stopped the PPI like 6 days back. The first 3 days it was ok, but now I am having mild nausea. I have to stay off PPIs for another week and then take a follow-up stool test.

[emberleo]

I've been on PPI's for years, so I didn't stop taking them after the antibiotics.

And I've pretty much eliminated anything good from my diet. Like today I've only had fruit. I really am not eating much of anything - nothing spicy or fatty for sure. No dairy or gluten either.

[newhpyloridiag]

If that is the case, then ask for a referral to see a GI doc. Ask for an abdominal CT scan, that will help in telling if everything is alright. GI doc will do a scope (EGD).

[newhpyloridiag]

Some fruits are acidic too.