Helicobacter Forums

Hello,
I have had stomach pain (burning and sensitive acidic and spicy foods) since February and it was diagnosed as Mild Gastritis caused by H.Pylori in late April from endoscopy and biopsy. I went on 2 different antibiotics (2 wks) with Prilosec (5 wks). Symptoms were still bad so the doctor told to get off Prilosec and test for H. Pylori again. I stopped taking Prilosec and the pain became so much worse because of more acid being pumped into my stomach continuously. I waited 3 wks and tested for H. Pylori with breath test and stool antigen test. They both came back negative. My GI doctor told me I am all cured and don't need any more meds except Pepcid/Zantac or Gaviscon/Mylanta/Tums as needed although I was literally telling him I was in so much pain. I was eating bland foods and I had so much pain drinking water in an empty stomach. I tried the meds he told me to take and it was making my life really miserable and not helping at all. I didn't even have a follow up with him after the treatment. We only corresponded via myhealth messaging.

I became severely depressed/anxious with bad insomnia. I went to my internal medicine doctor 10 days ago and she gave me Xanax for anxiety and to help with sleep. She tried to give my Citalopram for depression but I was on Nortryptyline already for my chronic headache so she coudln't. She also put me back on Prilosec 20-40mg/day. I am only doing 20 mg/day.

I just went in yesterday to Stanford GI clinic for a second opinion and he thinks I have Functional Dyspepsia and Acid Reflux, Hypersensitive Esophagus from GI nerves firing inappropriately. He said my stomach lining looked pretty normal from the endoscopy. It seemed like they get a lot of cases like mine where we still have bad symptoms after H. Pylori had been eradicated. I was given Neurontin to help with the nerve pain but it will take a month or two to take effect. It did help me sleep a whole 8 hours without waking for the first time yesterday in several months. I am also supposed to have an Ultrasound. 24 hour pH/Impedance test, esophageal manometry, and Celiac test for Gluten. I am also being referred to a Psychiatrist for depression and anxiety.

My symptoms are immediate pain/soreness after eating or drinking on the right side right below the rib cage, hot/burning pain coming through below the center rib cage if I eat any food that contains wheat or anything hard to digest, and burning pain after 2-2.5 hours after eating in the lower abdomen area. Hot temperature also gives me instant pain. Now I am only eating oatmeal, rice porridge and eggs every day. I got rid of Gluten. I never had issues with gluten before. I feel like I finally have a doctor who cares and listens to me. I am almost able to drink water in an empty stomach without too much pain since starting the Prilosec again.

I finally feel like I have a doctor who is listening to me. I do have one question, why do I have the burning pain after 2-2.5 hours of eating? Is the food still in my stomach or is it moving down to the small intestine?

Thank you for letting me post this long message!

If you have reflux symptom, you can either continue PPI or switch to H2 blocker.

PPI is slow acting, but have better control in your overall acid secretion.
H2 blocker is fast acting, but does not last very long in your system.

Some people prefer H2 blocker because they know exactly when the reflux is coming and they can take a H2 blocker to help prevent burn in the throat. Some people prefer PPI because you dont have to worry too much about when a reflux is coming.

I agree that an ultrasound would be helpful. especially checking your bile duct for stones.

if it is the bile problem, it'll explain about ingestion of oily food. in normal situation, the bile will secret bile juice to help neutralise the fatty food we ingest. However, if the duct is blocked by stones, then it'll be painful as the juice is trying to push the stones out the duct.

Is my condition a common problem after H. Pylori treatment? Why is gluten giving me so much acid? I have never had this issue before I started the H. Pylori treatment. Will I be gluten intolerant from now on or will it return to normal?

Thank you!

I dont think H. pylori nor the treatment will make you gluten intolerance. but hopefully you can return to normal after 100% recovery

I have to stop taking the ppi before I can do the pH impedance esophageal manometry test which may not be for a month or more. How long is a good enough time to stay on PPI before weaning myself off? I have been on it for almost 2 wks already and it is helping with pain. I am currently on 20mg/day. I had horrible rebound effects last time when I stopped using it cold turkey after 5 wks of use so I can take the H. Pylori breath test.

Thank you!

talk to your doctor about the possibility of switching to H2 blocker temporary for 2 weeks. Then you can do breath test. you only need to stop H2 blocker the night before breath test.

If your doctor thinks that you may have an ulcer, then you probably will have to continue PPI for another 2 weeks. Ulcer will normally heal within a month on PPI.