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Issues after H.pylori treatment
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.
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I did the antibiotics for 14 days, and hope I never have to do that many again. They seemed to just tear up my body. I've been off of them for about a week now and cannot seem to get any strength. I feel so weak. Is that normal? I've been eating fairly normal, so far no problems. I had horrible diarrhea on the antibiotics & now that's over.
Hi friend, I have the same problem as you after taking the H-pyloric treatment. I've been in bad shape for 5 months. Could you give me some advice please? My calprotectin is at 1900. The doctors haven't diagnosed me with anything yet.
Hi friend, I'm having the same problems. Have you improved?
Could you help me a little?
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1 ReactionFirstly you should ask the GP to refer you to a specialist gastroenterologist. Then ask them to do an Endoscopy and take a biopsy to confirm that helicobacter has definitely gone. Stool test are very unreliable. Breath test may slightly better but Endoscopy is the best way to find out if the bacteria has gone.
I am managing my condition with 40mg pantoprazole daily and following strict diet of no spicy, fried or heavy meals. Small and frequent easy to digest meals will help with flare ups
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1 ReactionHello,
I'm new to this community.
I wanted to share my story so that I could get feedback and maybe even a telehealth appointment with one of the Gastro providers. Mayo Clinic has some of the best providers on earth.
From July 1, 2025 to July 11, 2025 I went to 2 urgent care facilities and to the ER 3 times. I wasn't feeling 200% but couldn't figure out why. Im an avid runner and I know my body. It took the last trip to the ER for that 1 emergency physician to tell my Gastro provider that I needed an endoscopy because all of my labs were normal. The only symptom I had was feeling whatbi called "icky." I never missed a meal nor did I have any other symptoms. The only thing that made me feel better was having cough drops.
Fast forward: I did have an endoscopy on July 15, 2025. No ulcers, stomach lining was in tact and GI was clear. But positive for H pylori. I treated with the triple antibiotic therapy for 14 days successfully and retested 4 was later and was negative. Thank God.
I felt better after 2 doses of the meds but continued. I ate 5 small bland meals daily. I had one bad morning with cramping and bloating from not going to the bathroom. Drank the magnesium citrate and cleaned the lines and was good.
I took my last dose August 1, 2025. Im 4 months out. Im eating and exercising and gaining my weight back. It takes time but it does begin to come back.
My current issue has been post nasal drip, went to ENT and nothing found. Went back was told silent reflux. Went for 2nd opinion and was told Vasomotor Rhinitis since the drip was only after I ate. Of course was told to take this and that by the ENT and the Gastro PA does not believe I have any reflux. And now sometimes i feel icky but not h pylori icky and it goes away once i start working out or just moving around. In the meantime, I'm tired of this and that medication. Famoutidine is what the Gastro MD told me to take. Im afraid to take anything at this point.
Has anyone had this happen? Im open for any feedback.
If I can get the post nasal drip and icky to go away, Id be so happy. They both came out of nowhere.
@amerc
Do you experience any of the reported side affects with the 40mg Famotidine?
My problem is I read about the possible side effects and now im scared to take them.
Yet I treated with the triple therapy with no problem or side effects and ive had tums occasionally and no side effects. I think I psyched myself out.
@goldenyears
It takes time for your body to bounce back. 2 days after taking my last dose, I got out and started walking for strength then slowly got back into working out on my living room.
I went from walking 10 minutes on day 1 to running miles. Knowing that I could do that, I stepped back to walking 30 minutes 3 x week so that I can keep my weight on until im back at my regular weight.
Its one day at a time. I'm cheering for you.
@kburton1
No I didn't experience any side effect from famotodine but I only used it as a step down from pantoprazole for a few days before Endoscopy. Once the Endoscopy was done I went back to pantoprazole 40mg daily.
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1 Reaction@amerc
Thank you for responding. How long have you been taking the pantoprazole and will you have to stay on it? I pray you're much better.
@kburton1
Yes I am much better now but have to be very careful with diet. I have been on pantoprazole since February 2023