H. Pylori, HP-Pac and queasy tummies.

[fire_breeze]

Sorry, no off the wall kink here

After months of unusual stomach problems, I was finally conclusively diagnosed with a strain of h. pylori - the same bacteria that causes ulcers, and in worst case scenarios, stomach cancer. The good news is that it is possible to eradicate it - I have a 14-day triple therapy course. The bad news? It's heavy-duty antibiotics and I was told to expect a rough ride. Unfortunately, everybody reacts to the meds differently, with the few common symptoms (some stomach ache and terrible taste in the mouth) that is mitigated with drinking lots of water and keeping acidic foods to a minimum.

After a few days, I can confirm it is a rough ride. The doctor has been good in giving me tips, suggesting that I eat the same as I would as if I had an awful stomach flu. The problem is that I really don't get stomach flus, so I have nothing to compare it to. I usually am the one who takes care of people with the flu! I did a brief search, but got contradictory information from experiences with the HP-Pac (official sites all say the same things: the simple tricks).

I was wondering if any Litsters have had experience with H. Pylori or HP-Pac, or even suggestions on what worked for them when they experienced stomach flus, I would be very grateful.

Thank you

 

[NippleMuncher]

Wow, that doesn't sound like any fun! Sorry you're not feeling well.

Never heard of the diagnosis, but for the queasy stomach, eat lightly, small amounts of easily digested things, and drink plenty of water. I find that the cool bath of water down the throat and stomach seem to calm queasiness. Again, drink a few swallows frequently, as opposed to a whole glass at a time.

Wish you the best and a speedy recovery.

 

[Bramblethorn]

IANA MD, but these things are often helpful for an upset stomach:

- Simple, non-fatty foods like boiled chicken (no skin)
- Probiotic yoghurt to replace the good stomach flora that the antibiotics kill
- Slices of apple: apple contains pectin which helps soothe the tum.
- Everything in small helpings

Antibiotic use often causes thrush; for some reason doctors are very bad at warning people about this. If you start feeling itchy, sore throat, furry tongue etc, suspect thrush and ask a doc or a pharmacist about antifungals.

I once went to a talk by Barry Marshall, the guy who overturned the conventional wisdom that stomach illness was all about stress by deliberately infecting himself with h. pylori. Such a simple discovery compared to some of the stuff people get Nobel prizes for, but still very helpful to many people!

 

[midwestyankee]

During chemotherapy I occasionally had a difficult time with food. My solution was to eat simple soupls (mostly broth and without meat) when I was hungry and cut-up fruit when I was not. If you're interested in how others have dealt with the same kinds of stomach sensitivities when on drugs, try chemocare.com, where you'll find lots of advice from both doctors and patients.

 

[imemkay]

Sounds like you need The BRAT Diet; bananas, rice, applesauce, toast.

I would think broth would be helpful, as would plenty of clear fluids and fruit.

I hope you're feeling better soon.


ETA: Great minds think alike!

 

[unregistered]

 

[Bottomlover]

I had it several years ago, and as I remember it, there were Nexium pills in the packet. I didn't really have a bad time with it.

 

[FGB]

Several years ago I had ulcers or at least a condition that acted like ulcers...I was under a lot of stress. One bite of anything spicy or greasy and I was in for three day at least of hell... living on milk and crackers.

The doctor scripted me for the usual stuff, high dollar and don't eat anything that taste good to get them cranked up.

I read in a magazine about a virus that was found that caused a type of ulcers that could be cured by the same medicine that was issued for treating the flu.

My doctor would not hear of it! Even when I had all the symptoms.
Skip ahead a couple of years and I caught the flu,

Three days into the pills and Bye bye stomach trouble. Now I really have to eat and drink stupidly for several day to have any trouble.

 

[Aconitum19]

A bland diet, using proton pump inhibitor medications such as omeprazole. You may also want to try ginger or mint based teas, and a probiotic type yoghurt dtink

 

[GiggLeGasm]

*hugs and stuff*

I don't have a ton to add. Watch the timing of probiotics around the use of antibiotics. You need to allow time for the antibiotic to be absorbed before you add the other to the gut.

also, it's pretty rare that bacteria is susceptible to only one antibiotic. If the side effects interfere with your ability to function, contact your medical care provider to inquire about an alternative. I assume that they've already put you on a PPI..

I'm surprised that they've suggested that all will be resolved in 2 weeks. We usually tell people a little longer.. but look for "getting better instead of worse"

and good luck to you

 

[fire_breeze]

Thank you all for your replies! I did not expect all this - and especially not so soon!

I can keep food down (luckily), and I can still fully function in my everyday work, to which I am very very grateful, so it's not that severe. It's just that I am queasy, something that I never really experienced and the thought of food just makes me ugh.

Wow, that doesn't sound like any fun! Sorry you're not feeling well.

Never heard of the diagnosis, but for the queasy stomach, eat lightly, small amounts of easily digested things, and drink plenty of water. I find that the cool bath of water down the throat and stomach seem to calm queasiness. Again, drink a few swallows frequently, as opposed to a whole glass at a time.

Wish you the best and a speedy recovery.

Nope, not fun, but you know what? I am relieved that after all the tests, this was it. Now I know what I am dealing with, I can focus and get it over with. I will try the tip with the water; apparently, I'm not drinking enough! Thank you.

IANA MD, but these things are often helpful for an upset stomach:

- Simple, non-fatty foods like boiled chicken (no skin)
- Probiotic yoghurt to replace the good stomach flora that the antibiotics kill
- Slices of apple: apple contains pectin which helps soothe the tum.
- Everything in small helpings

Antibiotic use often causes thrush; for some reason doctors are very bad at warning people about this. If you start feeling itchy, sore throat, furry tongue etc, suspect thrush and ask a doc or a pharmacist about antifungals.

I once went to a talk by Barry Marshall, the guy who overturned the conventional wisdom that stomach illness was all about stress by deliberately infecting himself with h. pylori. Such a simple discovery compared to some of the stuff people get Nobel prizes for, but still very helpful to many people!

Thank you. I do have a standing prescription for thrush and yeast infection, she gave those to me as well just in case. And the yoghurt/probiotics would very well explain a lot - I've been craving Greek yoghurt and kefir like you wouldn't believe.

The doc who diagnosed me actually told me about the history of the bacteria as well as explaining its pathology and how it completely fucks you up. You are so lucky to have gone to the talk! He has probably saved countless lives from stomach cancer and also made many many people's lives so much easier.

During chemotherapy I occasionally had a difficult time with food. My solution was to eat simple soupls (mostly broth and without meat) when I was hungry and cut-up fruit when I was not. If you're interested in how others have dealt with the same kinds of stomach sensitivities when on drugs, try chemocare.com, where you'll find lots of advice from both doctors and patients.

Thank you for sharing your experiences and for the link. The tip of fruit will definitely come in handy as there are times where I just cannot eat (but have to).

Doctors here usually recommend sticking with the BRAT diet after a tummy upset. BRAT (banana, rice, apple, toast).

Sounds like you need The BRAT Diet; bananas, rice, applesauce, toast.

I would think broth would be helpful, as would plenty of clear fluids and fruit.

I hope you're feeling better soon.


ETA: Great minds think alike!

Thank you both for your great minds thinking alike! Interestingly, fruit is something that I rarely desire and that kind of turns my stomach (again, unusual), and I do have to be careful with certain fruits, but I'll see what I can do.

Fire_breeze, I can't contribute, but wanted to wish you well.

I the last two posts.

Thank you!

I had it several years ago, and as I remember it, there were Nexium pills in the packet. I didn't really have a bad time with it.

Nope, no Nexium - one PPI, and two types of antibiotics, and that's more than enough! In fact, I was told not to take any antacid whatsoever, which makes the après eating an adventure.

Several years ago I had ulcers or at least a condition that acted like ulcers...I was under a lot of stress. One bite of anything spicy or greasy and I was in for three day at least of hell... living on milk and crackers.

The doctor scripted me for the usual stuff, high dollar and don't eat anything that taste good to get them cranked up.

I read in a magazine about a virus that was found that caused a type of ulcers that could be cured by the same medicine that was issued for treating the flu.

My doctor would not hear of it! Even when I had all the symptoms.
Skip ahead a couple of years and I caught the flu,

Three days into the pills and Bye bye stomach trouble. Now I really have to eat and drink stupidly for several day to have any trouble.

Interesting! Was it suspected ulcers or stressed induced? Originally, I was told to have the whole bland everything, plus Pantaloc, because they suspected GERD, but while the barium swallow showed some, it shouldn't have caused that much discomfort and symptoms. It was only after the bloodwork came in that it was confirmed h. pylori.

A bland diet, using proton pump inhibitor medications such as omeprazole. You may also want to try ginger or mint based teas, and a probiotic type yoghurt dtink

Thank you! A PPI is included in the pack, so I was taken off of Pantaloc. But the yoghurt sounds good! I'll give the mint a try - ginger was the only thing I threw up.

*hugs and stuff*

I don't have a ton to add. Watch the timing of probiotics around the use of antibiotics. You need to allow time for the antibiotic to be absorbed before you add the other to the gut.

also, it's pretty rare that bacteria is susceptible to only one antibiotic. If the side effects interfere with your ability to function, contact your medical care provider to inquire about an alternative. I assume that they've already put you on a PPI..

I'm surprised that they've suggested that all will be resolved in 2 weeks. We usually tell people a little longer.. but look for "getting better instead of worse"

and good luck to you

Thank you - especially the tip with the timing of probiotics! As I mentioned before, I've been craving kefir badly, it's about the only thing that didn't make me feel sick, so I will definitely wait the four hours before consuming it.

The HP-Pac combo meds contain prevacid, biaxin/clarithromycin and amoxicillin, for a total of four pills, twice a day. I do find it interesting that you tell people a little longer, whereas the associated literature said the course is 7, 10 or 14 days and the pharmacist was surprised as to how long it was! Is it possible that it's a different dosage/treatment combo? Or maybe to ensure the complete eradication of the bacteria?


Again, thank you all for your advice, tips and experiences. I will definitely be taking them to practice

 

[FGB]

"Interesting! Was it suspected ulcers or stressed induced? Originally, I was told to have the whole bland everything, plus Pantaloc, because they suspected GERD, but while the barium swallow should some, it shouldn't have caused that much discomfort and symptoms. It was only after the bloodwork came in that it was confirmed h. pylori"


I was under a hell of a lot of stress at the time and had no ideal how to handle it.

However it is suspicious that the ulcers all but disappeared after a couple of years upon starting antibiotics said to cure the type of ulcers that I was showing symptoms of.

 

[GiggLeGasm]

we don't tell people that treatment is longer.. we tell them that the symptoms can persist longer than the treatment. We also keep people on the PPI longer than the antibiotics.

You know how research is.. tell me what you want it to say and I can find it

best of luck!

 

[fire_breeze]

we don't tell people that treatment is longer.. we tell them that the symptoms can persist longer than the treatment. We also keep people on the PPI longer than the antibiotics.

You know how research is.. tell me what you want it to say and I can find it

best of luck!

Ahh, I completely misunderstood, lol! Thank you for that head's up - I was wondering how long it will be before my symptoms completely disappear (aside from all the side effects, I am feeling better). I may just go back on Pantaloc after the course and judge from there. Thank you

No kidding about the research! It gets very confusing- and I am very glad that there are incredibly caring and knowledgeable people here

 

[Wingsfan45]

I second the BRAT diet. Stay away from fatty, fried things.
Vernors or ginger ale is also good to calm the belly. Ginger candy also helps if your on the go.
I would also follow a GERD diet. Avoid tomato/acidic foods, don't eat a few hours before bed, ...ect.
Place a book/board or two under the head of your bed to put it at a slight incline.
What I've noticed in talking to patients is that no ONE thing is the "miracle cure". But add everything together, and you'll see some good results.
Hope this helps.

 

[silverwhisper]

like a few others i don't have anything useful to contribute other than well wishes, FB. i hope it's gotten less taxing at least. :>

ed