Issues after H.pylori treatment

Posted by mary0thomas @mary0thomas, Jul 16, 2020

Hello, I'm a 19-year-old female that was treated for an infection of H.pylori in my stomach at the age of 17. I was having digestive issues and could only eat small portions of food despite being very hungry. I was sick with the flu and mouth ulcers before the diagnosis and had lost 30 pounds in a week from being unable to eat and digest food and water for a week. The gastroenterologist I visited believed that my issues were due to stress, as I was a very young girl who was about to graduate from high school. I was administered a blood test that came back with a jaundice diagnosis and I was advised that a colonoscopy was unnecessary and that I likely needed therapy. Regardless I had pressed the issue that something had been wrong for a while, and had the colonoscopy done in January of 2018. I was given four different medications to take and was only advised not to drink milk. The follow up from my previous doctor only reminded me that I had jaundice and proceeded to make me undergo a third blood test that they never told me the results of.
After all the medication, I had completely lost my tolerance to dairy, among other foods that I had previously been comfortable with. Foods such as tuna, fatty foods (such as pork), caffeine, and whole fruits were just some of the things that I could not eat without having severe digestive issues with later. Before my colonoscopy, the doctor had given me a prognosis of IBS-D and gave me these pills that had helped nothing at all. I've never had such physical reactions to these foods until after taking all of the medications to eliminate the bacterial infection in my stomach. It severely affects how I live my life and go out with friends, as I always have to be cautious of what food I am intaking. Is this common after heavy antibacterial medication? Or is this something that is caused by something else? I've made a lot of dietary changes but it is still difficult to learn what I can and cannot eat through constant trial and error.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Digestive Health Support Group.

Amanda Roe | @amandajro | May 20, 2023

In reply to @amerc "After 3 treatments for H Pylori over 2.5 years I think I may be finally free..." + (show)

@amerc

After 3 treatments for H Pylori over 2.5 years I think I may be finally free of the bug! fingers crossed

History
June 2020 - acidity symptoms started
Oct 2020 - 1st Endoscopy - No inflammation only Helicobacter via CLO test. 7 days amoxicillin, clarithromycin and pantoprazole treatment
Jan 2021 - no improvement so did another 7 days treatment with Metronidazole amoxicillin and Omeprazole
Jan 2021 - Ultrasound and CT scan show all ok for liver, pancreas and gall bladder and kidneys
March 2021 - Stool test negative for Helicobacter
May 2021 - Stool test negative for Helicobacter
July 21 to Dec 21 - minimal symptoms
Jan 22 - Symptoms returned'
Feb 22 - Stool test negative for Helicobacter
Jul 22 - Breath test negative for Helicobacter

Sep 22 - 2nd Endoscopy - Mild Chronic Gastritis and helicobacter seen in Histology

Oct 22- Did 14 days treatment with amoxicillin, Levofloxacin and Dexilant

Nov 22 - March 23 - Symptoms on and off and sometimes very instense

March 23 - 3rd Endoscopy - No Helicobacter seen in Histology only Mild Chronic Inactive Gastritis and LAX LES. No other issues found.

March 23 - CLO test negative and breath test also negative for Helicobacter

Current status
Symptoms - Mainly pain in the upper middle abdominal especially on empty stomach. Sometimes Mild hearburn

The strange thing is I could go for days or if lucky a couple of weeks with no symptoms but something I ate or was bit stressed at workplace and I get flare ups which then lasts for days before calming.

have been on PPI for over 6 months now. Was on pantoprazole 40mg a day but currently on pantoprazole 20mg a day in the morning.

Over 3 years i have tried Omeprazole. Dexilant and now pantoprazole

Hopefully I am free of Helicobacter but my questions are:

1. Has H Pylori messed up my natural acid secretion system such that any change in diet or stress the stomach produces too much acid which then prevents the chronic gastritis from healing? I can sometimes go for weeks without any major digestive symptoms but it always come back if I had something to eat or go through a stressful period at work. When symptoms starts it usually takes a couple of weeks, with the help of PPI and Gaviscon, to calm down

2. Have you seen in people with Mild Chronic Gastritis persisting for a long term post successful helicobacter eradication?

3. Other than PPI what can I use to protect my damaged stomach lining from acid? Are there any medication that would provide quoting for the stomach? Would stomach emptying medication help?

4.Can the inactive chronic gastritis cause so much pain and discomfort?

5. Can stress cause chronic inactive gastritis and h pylori was just a red herring?

Information from.experts and those in similar circumstances would be very helpful

Jump to this post

Hello @amerc and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. How wonderful of you to come to share hope for others who are experiencing this condition.

You will notice that I've moved your post into an existing discussion which you can find here:
- Issues after H.pylori treatment: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/issues-after-h-pylori-treatment/

Members like @sheep @mary0thomas and @helenfrances have shared their experiences in this discussion and may like to comment on what you have shared to learn more.

Have you researched liquid collagen for intestinal health benefits?

jslinden321 | @jslinden321 | Aug 8, 2023

I am hoping someone can help me.
April 2022 I had what I thought was slight food poisoning that came on after eating a rich pasta dish at a restaurant. When the stomach pains and bloating didn't go away after 9 days I went to my dr. He assumed it was acid related (which I never had previously). I had blood work (all normal) and an ultrasound (all normal). He prescribed omeprazole 2 times a day.
After another month of no relief I went to a GI doc. Had an endoscopy in June 2022-only showed mild to moderate inflammation of my esophagus. When I asked about H Pylori he snapped at me and said I didn't have it. Prescribed a larger dose of Omeprazole. July 2022 he sent me for a CT Scan-told me it may be my pancreas. Results all normal!
August 2022 my gynecologist sent me to be tested for H Pylori-it was positive!!!!
I did the 2 week antibiotic protocol in September and my test in Oct and Nov showed it was eradicated.
Since then I have switched GI docs and have tried Famotodine, Omeprazole, Gaviscon, and combinations of antacids. It is now August 2023 and I am still having issues. Nothing has helped for longer than a few days. I have never had stomach sensitivity in my life (I am 63). Right now the GI says it is dyspepsia and I probably have to learn to live with it. She said she may test me for SIBO after my colonoscopy in October. I don't know why I have to wait!
Is there anything anyone can recommend I do or anyone I can see for further tests? I just don't feel right! The acid feeling and off and on bloating is difficult. I am active and this has really slowed me down.

jslinden321 | @jslinden321 | Aug 8, 2023

In reply to @sheep "Hi all, I had dyspepsia, went to my primary care doctor, who diagnosed me with H.Pylori...." + (show)

I have the exact same thing. September 2022 took quadruple therapy and presently August 2023 still
have dyspepsia. Never had heartburn in my life. (63 year old female). It is so frustrating!
Have you gotten any help or relief?

amerc | @amerc | Aug 9, 2023

In reply to @jslinden321 "I am hoping someone can help me. April 2022 I had what I thought was slight..." + (show)

Unfortunately H pylori does mess up our stomach and even after eradication it will take time for the stomach to repair itself. After several trials and errors i have learned to manage it with pantoprazole 40mg per day, Gaviscon tablets as needed and non spicy and non fried food. No late night eating of meals and taking green tea regularly. Hope this helps

jslinden321 | @jslinden321 | Aug 9, 2023

In reply to @amerc "Unfortunately H pylori does mess up our stomach and even after eradication it will take time..." + (show)

Thank you. I will try pantoprazole-the omeprazole and famotodine haven't done the trick!

rozy288 | @rozy288 | Aug 10, 2023

How are you doing now ?
I’m on a 10 year journey of this plus many diagnoses.
Non stop deep wet belching 1000’s x a day and night . Can’t digest anything, very small selection of foods I can tolerate. I haven’t had one day symptom free no matter what I’ve tried ( everything) in 10 years.
I cry every day esp 12 pm - 3 pm because I’m soooo hungry but know how sick 🤢 I’ll be eating the smallest amount of healthy food .
Had over 20 tests done , seen 6 Gastro Drs , FM Drs tried everything under the sun . Holistic and RX . You can hear my gut churning in next room . Wakes me up ⬆️, the gas is tremendous. Now so nauseous too .
I’m at wits end .
I just started lowest dose anti depressant medication, I have anti anxiety med I take sometimes. This kicks up my PVC’s too .
Done the Keto Diet and allergy food tested .
It’s like I don’t have a stomach lining anymore?
My intestines are terrible too .
Hope you are better , you are so young .

cmdw2600 | @cmdw2600 | Aug 11, 2023

I had h pylori and have GERD, hiatal hernia, LPR and more.

I’ve tried traditional medicines but am now using DGL, zinc carnosine and the pictured product GI Revive.
These were recommended by my integrative medicine doctor. Perhaps you’ve already tried, but if not you could do some research.

Best wishes, Cindy

jslinden321 | @jslinden321 | Sep 20, 2023

In reply to @cmdw2600 "I had h pylori and have GERD, hiatal hernia, LPR and more. I’ve tried traditional medicines..." + (show)

Thank you. I am trying digestive enzymes and gluten free for 2-3 weeks to see if that helps. GI doctor just keeps prescribing meds that don't work. It is so frustrating!

ldanton | @ldanton | Nov 12 8:21pm

I was feeling like I had something going through my GI from time to time for a couple years. I assumed it was a food sensitivity and didn't do much about it. It gradually became more frequent and I finally went to my GP about it. She tested me for h pylori and I was positive. I did the 2 week 3 antibiotic therapy followed by the Align to rebuild my GI system. The follow up h pylori test came back negative. My GP also sent me to a GI specialist who did a colonoscopy with no issues noted. Here is the issue: the original issues with GI discomfort with loose stool etc continues. It is worse in terms of severity and frequency. I rarely go a day without multiple BM's. In terms of timeframes I had the post diagnoses for h pylori therapy about 6 months ago. Colonoscopy about 4 months ago. I was tested for celiac and result was negative. I also tried following the FODMAP diet for a couple months with no improvement.

Any help would be appreciated!

nutrialy | @nutrialy | Dec 5 12:44am

I have been diagnosed with h pylori 10 years ago. Secondary tests were always negative because you need to be off antibiotics and anti acids for at least 2 weeks for it to even start to register. But it doesn’t mean that you are actually free from h pylori. It took 3 rounds of antibiotics to actually get it in check. Also l recommend you to check your elastiase levels. Your inability to digest random foods can come from the fact that you don’t make enough digestive enzymes. I have been on replacement enzyme therapy for 10 years now. Always had ibs diagnosis before, but in reality it was Exorcine pancreatic insufficiency. I am currently battling h pylori again. Already on 3 rd round of antibiotics. All tests always negative, except for one I paid out of pocket that tested for biodiversity and pathogens. That test did pick up h pylory. That test was done through integrated medicine doctor. And cost is about $350. Really worth it in my opinion. Because it’s really hard to get any answers by usual routs. I also did out of pocket cibo test, that was negative.

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