Perth Sufferer

[Lindsay]

Good work on starting this forum and providing awareness for HP sufferers!

I’ve been through hell and back trying to figure out what was wrong with me – I had chronic fatigue, zero vitamin B12 in my body, low on other vitamins like iron and calcium, migraines, sore joints, dizziness and anxiety. Finally I got diagnosed with H.Pylori. My GP says this bug has been living in me so long that it’s made me malnourished (due to malabsorption) and caused problems with my central nervous system (due to lack of vitamin B12). Is this really true? Can you have this bug in you so long that it just wreaks havoc on your entire body?

I got diagnosed with Interstitial Cystitis around the time I started having problems, now I am wondering if this is linked. I don’t suppose anyone would know the answer to that question?

I have been on the classic treatment of Clarithromycin, Flagyl and Nexium without any luck. I’m still positive and waiting to see a specialist here in Perth. Does anyone have any suggestions for me while I wait? My stomach is so sore and I’m finding it hard to hold down food. Antacids just aren’t cutting it.

A couple of other questions I have are:
Can you catch H.Pylori from animals i.e. cats?
I have been told by my GP that I will be going to a clinic here is Perth to get treatment. What is this clinic like and what sort of treatments do they offer? Is it through the public system? I’m short on money due to my other medical conditions and not being able to work.

Sorry for all the questions! Thanks a lot.

Lindsay

[barjammar]

Interesting story. About half the patients with this type of "weird syndrome" see a complete remission after 3-6 months from cure of the Hp. Most of the others are somewhat better but sometimes it is not the Hp (something else - so keep a lookout for weird new developments) or they have some permanent damage from the Hp so it cannot completely resolve. But at least it stops getting worse!
Most importantly, have a breath test carefully between each treatment so that you know if you have it cured - or not.

Your questions were:
1. Can you catch H.Pylori from animals i.e. cats?
A. Rarely. You can search this site using the Google toolbar if you install it. Here is an example of what comes up with "cats" as the search term: http://www.google.com.au/search?sourcei ... helico.com

2. I have been told by my GP that I will be going to a clinic here is Perth to get treatment. What is this clinic like and what sort of treatments do they offer? Is it through the public system? I’m short on money due to my other medical conditions and not being able to work.
A. If the treatment is not on the PBS then you need to be going through a public hospital to get some. Your GP seems pretty switched on to the options. Search the site here for treatment information to get an idea of what can be done.

Check out the FAQ and search this site.

[Lindsay]

Thanks for all the info Barjammar. I will check out the FAQs and search the site now.

I have done a fair bit of research into H.Pylori on the internet, but you know what it’s like, you get all sorts of different
information and you don’t know what to believe!
That’s why I thought I’d ask all my questions here because you guys are experts. So thanks, I feel more validated and hopeful now.

Lindsay