H Pylori (helicobacter pylori) - any MNers with experience of this?

[shinybootsofleather]

My life has been made completely miserable by stomach problems that started 4-5 years ago. The docs put this down to stress/IBS. I feel absolutely shattered, nauseous and sick on a daily basis. It is worse in the mornings. I feel lethargic and I have put on weight as well. I get pain after eating in the top of my stomach and suffer from bloating too.
I was tested for gallstones after a suspected attack in June and it was negative apart from the fact that I have a folded gallbladder. The GP decided to test me for H. Pylori despite saying that she did not think that this was my problem. I was positive to her and my surprise. I have been given metronidazole, lanzoprazole and clarithromycin. Have started them today and feeling a little nauseous already.
I am hoping for the best as it is affecting my work. I had a baby last September and before I went on maternity leave I was almost at the point of being sacked due to time off with stomach problems. I am struggling in three days a week at the moment and controlling it with paracetamol. They have given me Omeprazole, Lanzoprazole and Randitidine so far. Both PPIs made me feel really sick and dizzy.
The food thing is a pain. I can't connect symptoms with any food in particular. I even get pain when I drink water. I have lost 2 stone since Feb doing Slimming World off and on. The diet is full of wholegrains fruit and veg. I find that any food sets it off and no amount of exercise or eating healthily helps. Will continue with the diet anyway as I really do need to lose weight after having a baby but it is frustrating that when you lose weight you still feel like crap. I should be feeling much better with the exercise and diet I am doing (grr)!
Has anyone had any experience of this bug? How likely is this week-long course of drugs that I've been given to clear it up? I am hoping that this is what has been wrong with me all along but trying not to be too hopeful in case my symptoms do not go away.

Hi, I haven't had H Pylori but was tested for it when I had similar symptoms to yours. Mine turned out to be Gardia but while awaiting diagnosis (took ages like yours) I did a huge amount of research on stomach problems. H Pylori can cause stomach ulcers, especially if you have had it a long time. Could be that you have ulceration along with H Pylori. Might be worth considering a diet that is formulated for ulcer patients.

I really feel for you. Utterly miserable to feel discomfort all the time. Hope you feel much better soon.

Thanks KnottyLocks. I have never heard of Gardia. Are you feeling better now?
I really hope this bug is killed and my symotoms alleviate or disappear.

Oh miles better, ta. Compared to you I was very lucky in that it only took about 6 months to sort! In the end, I got fed up with the barrage of tests, self-diagnosed and persuaded the doc to give me whatever the meds were for killing girdia. The metronidazole can make you feel ropey for a few days but I felt so much better by the end of the course. The bug upset my system for a few months after, but it was such a relief to eat without discomfort.

I think you may need to be prepared for your system taking a while to recover afterwards, especially you've been unwell for such a long time.

Have a look using the search facility on this site, as there are some old thread on H Pylori.

Blimey, typing too quickly and not checking. Should be Giardia

I had H Pylori in my twenties. I struggled on for years with horrible stomach problems. My symptoms were mainly indigestion, heartburn and acid.

There were lots of foods I couldn't eat as the pain was terrible, I lived on Rennies.

Then I got tested for H Pylori. I took the triple therapy (2 courses of antibiotic and Losec, I think it was) I saw a big improvement within days of taking the Losec. The antibiotics are hard on the system but in my case well worth it.

At this stage maybe you should ask to be referred for further investigation (scopes). I didn't need to go down that route as the drugs were enough. Knotty is correct in saying that H pylori can cause ulcers and a scope would confirm that.

The difference is amazing. I had horrible heartburn in both pregnancies but other than that I can eat what I want and don't suffer at all.

I hope the treatment works for you.

I have heard that Manuka honey and slippery elm are both very good for treating stomach problems.

Yes u have had treatment but because i have a hiatus hernia sp/ i don`t know if the antibiotics took it away or not as i am on Omprazole long term for acis and suspected Barretts Osophegus which was scary but then they changed their minds

I have a hospital appointment next week. It was arranged before I tested positive so will need to check with the GP to see if I should still go. It's reassuring that someone has had success with the treatment.

You should still go to the hospital appointment. I'm assuming it is a consultant you'll be seeing? They will be experts in this field and will know how to proceed and give you advice that your GP may not be able to. As mentioned before, H Pylori can cause ulcers so even more important that you go.

Good luck with getting yourself sorted.

KnottyLocks I am definitely still going to go. I want to make sure that it is looked at properly. I went through a raft of tests before having DS including blood tests for Crohns/celiac disease, colonoscopy etc. The only thing I haven't had done is an endoscopy and that's the one I'm most scared of to be honest.
vintage4 A hiatus hernia is something the GP mentioned as a possibility as well. I just hope it is just this bug that's causing all the pain. I hope yours gets resolved soon.

Sounds like the same list they checked me against. Also had colonoscopy and endoscopy. If you have an endoscopy, get them to give you the conscious sedative. You honestly won't have a clue what's going on. I was dreading it but remembered nothing apart from them putting my mouth piece in.

Glad you got a positive diagnosis at last.

I've taken Metronidazole on its own, I got brown wee (normal liver response), but nothing else.

Are you still taking any Omeprazole, Lanzoprazole or Randitidine ?
If so have you checked with your GP, you should definitely be continuing them ?
You need to I think.

Did your GP discuss with you whether the prior diagnoses have been incorrect and that H.Pylori is root cause ?

Regarding the (Upper GI?) endoscopy.

Check with your GP, when and if you still need this. Since while HPylori can cause ulcers, I believe they may heal once the bacteria is irradicated. They may want to wait while things "settle".

yeah i tested positive for H Pylori about 2 years ago - it was an additional test when i went for an endoscopy. I agree the antibiotics are harsh but if you complete the course then the H Pylori will go. The other posters are right - it can cause ulcers so best taking the treatment.

I wasnt as ill as you but i was also badly nauseous at random times and they referred me for an endoscopy. It wasnt anywhere near as bad as i thought and i had it done without sedation. Its over and done with in a few mins.

they never did find out what made me nauseous and its gradually eased.

hope you get on ok at the consultant next week!

I am taking a PPI called Lanzoprazole (30mg twice a day) along with the antibiotics. It's supposed to make them work better. So, taking metronidazole, lanzoprazole and clarithromycin for a week.
Is it normal for your stomach to hurt more in the first few days after treatment starts? I have been taking the pills since Monday and I feel awful. My stomach hurts constantly and I am very nauseous. It is worse than before to be honest.

My son is also teething with a nasty cold so I have been screamed at for the last 2 days. I think that might be called sod's law!

shiny

Clarithromycin is a pretty strong antibiotic and nausea/stomach pain is common side effect.

Hang in there!

Thanks cumfy. Just feel so rough. I had a bit of a panic attack last night where I was breathing very fast and got myself in a bit of a state. I could not sleep with the stomach pain particularly under my left rib. It's not as bad now, but I can't get rid of this nauseous feeling. It's definitely worse than when I wasn't taking anything. I hope this treatment is worth it and finally clears it up.

Unfortunately, metronidazole can also make you feel sick and can upset the stomach, so it may well be that you feeling worse is actually the antibiotics doing their job. Double whammy with both antibiotics having nausea as a side effect: you feel worse in order to get better. Certain irony to that. Make sure you only take it with or just after food.

Hope you start to feel better very soon.

They also warn you not to drink alcohol with it - chance would be a fine thing, eh?

Hi

No experience of this but I suffer with an undiagnosed stomach problem that included severe pain and bloating with no pattern. I'm now taking esomeprazole but I never tested postive for the HP thing.

Are you taking your pills as prescribed (with/without food and plenty of water?).

Definitely keep the appt and write everything down you want to discuss and push for more investigation.

If your stomach lining is already sensitive it might be just that the change in tablets is irritating it but hopefully once the bug is killed it will get better.

Good luck.

Thanks for all your advice everyone. I am starting to feel slightly less like death (day 3). Is this when all the drugs start to work? I hope so! I was expressly warned by the GP not to drink with metronidazole. She said that GPs usually say not to drink with antibiotics, but in this case it can cause severe side-effects. A glass of red wine would be nice right now though!

AuntieMaggie - Do you still have problems with your stomach now? The GP said she couldn't guarantee H. Pylori was the only cause of symptoms for me. I have had stomach problems for years now. How do you manage it? I don't want to have to take daily PPIs as they make me feel ill. I found I was off work so much pre-baby that I was almost fired.

Have just come off the tablets. Taking nothing at the moment and getting stomach/back pain and pain under my left rib. Should I be worried or is this normal?

I had that too. Thought mine was to do with my digestion being distrupted for so long. It settled down eventually.

However when in doubt, check it out.

Thanks KnottyLocks. I only stopped on Sunday so will try and be patient for a result.
Just been to my hospital appointment. Hospital GP said he would check with endoscopy etc but said that he was pretty certain that I just have severe IBS worsened by H. Pylori bug. The pain under left rib and pain breathing in are classic symptoms apparently. He has suggested anti-depressants to help with my bowel. He said he could not prescribe them and referred me to my GP. He was very reluctant and told me I could think about it and mentioned that "some people live with IBS for decades". I really don't want to go on them if I can avoid it but I am concerned that there is no end in sight with these symptoms.

hopeful bump?