I’ve tested positive for H-pylori. It came up whilst I was being tested for other things and it is not causing me any problems or symptoms. However, my Dr is recommending a course of high dose antibiotics to clear the infection as she says it increases my risk of stomach cancer by a small degree. I’m reluctant to take them because I react quite badly to even small doses of antibiotics - upset stomach, thrush, bad taste in mouth etc and I dread to think what effect these high dose ones will have.
From what I’ve read, loads of people have H-pylori without ever knowing and it causes no problem. However, in some it can cause irritation, gastritis and ulcers and it’s this group who have the slightly higher risk of the stomach cancer. My consultant agreed with me and said GP’s always err on the side of caution and prescribe the antibiotics. He said he would take the antibiotics if it was him but understood my reluctance to take them given that I feel perfectly well and the antibiotics will have an adverse effect on me.
He said the stomach cancer risk was similar to the risk that posed by a whole host of lifestyle choices - eating processed meat, smoking, drinking etc.
I am still weighing up whether or not to just take the bloody tablets so I thought I’d turn to here to see if anyone else has been in this situation and if so, what advice were you given.
thanks and sorry for long-winded post!