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Original poster

Really scared to take pylori treatment

88 replies

elllyyyyyy · 01/08/2023 18:34

Sorry for the double post but I'm getting more and more anxious as it gets closer to taking my first dose for h pylori. I've read people say the treatment is brutal and seen people say they had a raised heart rate, shakes, diarrhoea, weakness. I have anxiety and this is really scaring me, I reckon I would be straight on the phone to 111 as I'm so scared of health related issues. Please can I have positive experiences from people who have took the treatment, surely it can't be that bad right? It's really scaring me and making me not want to take it, but I have acid reflux and stomach pain so often now I don't know what else to do :(

OP posts:
Poppins2016 · 01/08/2023 21:05

I recently had to take that combination of antibiotics and it was honestly absolutely fine. Just follow the instructions, avoid alcohol (very important otherwise you will be unwell!) and you should be fine.

Regarding the reflux... sorry if I'm preaching to the choir but are you aware of potentisl dietary factors (acidic and/or fatty foods) and do you make sure never to lie down/recline too soon after a meal?

babster · 01/08/2023 21:13

I had this treatment over 20 years ago and it was absolutely fine - I've had no reflux bother since. Please try not to worry - you will soon feel liberated!

Original poster
elllyyyyyy · 01/08/2023 21:14

Poppins2016 · 01/08/2023 21:05

I recently had to take that combination of antibiotics and it was honestly absolutely fine. Just follow the instructions, avoid alcohol (very important otherwise you will be unwell!) and you should be fine.

Regarding the reflux... sorry if I'm preaching to the choir but are you aware of potentisl dietary factors (acidic and/or fatty foods) and do you make sure never to lie down/recline too soon after a meal?

Thank you, I took the anti biotics two hours ago now and I'm having a lot of belly gurgling 🙈🙈🙈🙈 I hope I can manage. & yes, my diet is not the best but I have changed it within the past few months when it started getting really really bad. It's chronic and gaviscon helps only a bit, enough to help me sleep, without it I am suffering badly with it

OP posts:
UnicornStarfish · 01/08/2023 21:16

You shouldn't take gaviscon during treatment because it alters the pH of the stomach and that might let the bugger hide better and alter the efficacy of the antibiotic. Sorry, that's what I was told.

Original poster
elllyyyyyy · 01/08/2023 21:20

UnicornStarfish · 01/08/2023 21:16

You shouldn't take gaviscon during treatment because it alters the pH of the stomach and that might let the bugger hide better and alter the efficacy of the antibiotic. Sorry, that's what I was told.

Oh I know! I won't, I'm taking the stomach tablet they've given anyway! I'm just hoping to see a difference, at least if this doesn't work then I know it's something else I'm battling and il get that referral quicker. Just a pain isn't it! Thank you for your response :)

OP posts:
UnicornStarfish · 01/08/2023 21:21

Just a pain
That literally sums it up.

Boredofmyguts · 01/08/2023 21:21

UnicornStarfish · 01/08/2023 21:16

You shouldn't take gaviscon during treatment because it alters the pH of the stomach and that might let the bugger hide better and alter the efficacy of the antibiotic. Sorry, that's what I was told.

Never heard this. You can’t take it within two hours of ppi.

Ovinnik · 01/08/2023 21:50

Oh OP I hope the treatment has the desired effect. Those ABs are hefty, but to minimise the effects I'd advise avoiding lactose and taking a pro-biotic. And NO ALCOHOL. Metronidazole + alcohol can have some very unfortunate effects.

Original poster
elllyyyyyy · 01/08/2023 22:03

Ovinnik · 01/08/2023 21:50

Oh OP I hope the treatment has the desired effect. Those ABs are hefty, but to minimise the effects I'd advise avoiding lactose and taking a pro-biotic. And NO ALCOHOL. Metronidazole + alcohol can have some very unfortunate effects.

Do you take probiotics during treatment? I thought it was after they recommend it (only from my google research) I did buy probiotic yoghurts to have to help!

OP posts:
Icepinkeskimo · 01/08/2023 23:15

Just checking back in on you OP, you’ve taken the first step, and trust me it’s absolutely the right one.
You mentioned that you had read that ibs can occur after this treatment, if anything research findings to date Indicate the opposite. H-Pylori infection actually increase the risk, by irradiating it, there is a significant decrease in ibs symptoms.
I hope this has set your mind at ease, wishing you a good nights sleep and rest.

DramaAlpaca · 01/08/2023 23:28

I've had this treatment and had no side effects at all. Hopefully it'll be the same for you.

Banana1979 · 01/08/2023 23:30

I had the course last year and had no I’ll effects or issues with the antibiotics- I was fine
went back for another stomach checkup six months later and the H. pylori had gone. I was very happy that this horrible bug was no longer in my tummy

Mytholmroyd · 01/08/2023 23:43

My husband had the treatment years ago as soon as the treatment became available having suffered with a supposed stomach ulcer for a few years. Was such a relief and he was cured very quickly and never had any further issues!

Original poster
elllyyyyyy · 02/08/2023 05:00

Thanks everyone for your comments. Unfortunately it seems I'm going to have side effects, I've just woke up with diarrhoea and what felt like an extremely fast heart rate however when I took my oxi meter it said my heart rate was a normal 80bpm so I'm wondering whether that was anxiety! Felt very quick with palpitations. I've only took one dose :/

OP posts:
Original poster
elllyyyyyy · 02/08/2023 05:09

Not sure if most of it as anxiety as I just feel generally very scared

OP posts:
MaggieBsBoat · 02/08/2023 05:17

Hopefully it’s just anxiety.
I had those three ABs as a course a few years ago and I had a bit of diarrhoea to start but otherwise was fine and the pain went - and never returned so alll worth it.
Breathe deep and slow.

lljkk · 02/08/2023 05:23

what would happen if OP doesn't have H. pylori at all (it hasn't been confirmed) & she takes these hefty doses of antibiotics?

tbh, I'm predicting that the antibiotics for H. pylori won't help OP because OP doesn't have H.pylori infection.

Window82 · 02/08/2023 05:26

Know the the feeling OP I delayed for two years so wasteful as had to go back to get a new prescription when I finally decided to do it they were out of date. In the end it was very tiring and towards the end I was like I can’t do this anymore, just made me feel very rubbish. I’m not sure if it’s gone. I have IBS still and avocados, egg and coffee kick it off. I can go to the toilet a few times a day and often straight away after eating.

im hoping though it’s been killed off!

Poppins2016 · 02/08/2023 06:26

lljkk · 02/08/2023 05:23

what would happen if OP doesn't have H. pylori at all (it hasn't been confirmed) & she takes these hefty doses of antibiotics?

tbh, I'm predicting that the antibiotics for H. pylori won't help OP because OP doesn't have H.pylori infection.

Nothing would happen. It would be like putting antibiotic cream onto perfect skin (no harm but also no benefit). I've taken antibiotics as an infection preventative post surgery... your body doesn't somehow react differently if there is no infection. If there's an infection, the antibiotics (should) treat it, if no infection then there's no benefit/symptom relief.

Poppins2016 · 02/08/2023 06:27

*that was meant to say antiseptic cream. But I guess you get the picture either way!

LoudSnoringDog · 02/08/2023 06:33

I had the triple therapy. No issue or side effects at all

Morph22010 · 02/08/2023 06:37

I had around Easter time and was perfectly fine, was expecting to feel rough and it didn’t really happen at all. I perhaps felt abit tired and my poo was slightly more liquidy than normal (sorry if tmi) but the effects were fairly minor

Morph22010 · 02/08/2023 06:39

elllyyyyyy · 02/08/2023 05:00

Thanks everyone for your comments. Unfortunately it seems I'm going to have side effects, I've just woke up with diarrhoea and what felt like an extremely fast heart rate however when I took my oxi meter it said my heart rate was a normal 80bpm so I'm wondering whether that was anxiety! Felt very quick with palpitations. I've only took one dose :/

Would the antibiotics have even kicked in that quick if you only started yesterday?

Sameold23 · 02/08/2023 06:45

It's just anxiety. You're doing the right thing and have been advised by medical professionals. Keep occupied. It will all be fine. You can handle feeling a bit rough.

Notveryanything · 02/08/2023 06:48

It made a huge difference to me (in a positive way).
I felt a bit rough during the week I was taking the medication- nausea and tiredness - but it was worth it for the difference it made to my stomach problems.

Good luck!